Blissfully Undone (23 page)

“You wicked girl.”

Her lips made a popping sound when she released the appendage. “I
am
playing unfair.” She pulled her body on top of his and lay on him, naked skin against naked skin.

Dan wrapped his arms around her, saying, “I think I know how to solve our problems.”

She lifted her head, surprised at the serious look on his face. “Oh yeah?”

He brushed the hair from her eyes. “I think we should get married now.”

She asked wearily, “When you say now, what do you mean?”

“Two weeks at the latest.”

Jenny shook her head. “What, do you want to go to Vegas?”

He chuckled and her whole body bounced with his laughter. “No, baby. Let’s get married in the mountains next to the cabin. I don’t need a big wedding, do you?”

She propped herself up on his chest with her arms folded before answering. “Big no… but it’s winter, Dan. It’ll be freezing up there. I happen to know from personal experience.”

He grinned and tweaked her nose. “You can dress in furs to keep warm.”

“I detest furs, Dan!”

He laughed. “Fine, no fur. A nice long coat that follows the beauty of your curves.” His hands grazed her body, landing on her shapely ass. “What do you think?”

“Are you talking about an outdoor wedding?” she asked incredulously.

“Yes, on the pond. It is completely frozen and won’t thaw until spring.”

Jenny took a few seconds to let the thought sink in. A wedding on frozen water, near the cabin where it all began. It felt complete, a full circle. “I think it sounds perfect.”

He smiled. “Once we are married, Kelly will have to give up and Ryan will be able to move on. It’s this limbo that is killing us.”

She looked at him despondently. “But I was hoping that Rye would be at our wedding, Dan. There is no way he will come around in two weeks’ time.”

He pulled her down and kissed her forehead. “You will have to give up on that idea, Jenny. Ryan is hurting too much to give us a gift like that.”

“I know,” she whispered.

Her heart began to beat wildly when she thought,
We’re getting married in two weeks.
“We’d better call our families to get things rolling.” She crawled off Dan and fished the cell phone from her purse.

“What? No sex?” Dan complained.

“Nope, trying to pull off a wedding nobody wants is not an easy task. Get cracking, Dan. Tell Mama that her little boy is marrying the indecent Indian next Saturday.”

He shook his head with a grin. “Something tells me my mother has finally met her match.”

Jenny phoned her parents and was disappointed to hear that her mom was out shopping. It meant she had to share the news with her father and she already knew his response. Despite the fact he had married an Italian girl, he’d always hoped she would find a nice Cherokee boy to settle down with. In fact, his whole family had been pinning their hopes on that pipe dream.

“Jenny, why the rush? I understand you’ve known Dan for years, but this isn’t right.”

“
Doda
,” she said sweetly, knowing he loved when she called him that, “I love him as much as you love Mama.”

“But child, our people…”

“Love doesn’t see color,
Doda
. You know that better than anyone.”

His voiced cracked with emotion. “No one will come, Jenny. Not from my side and certainly not from your mother’s.”

She laughed into the phone. “I know that! After all, I’ve never met Mama’s parents. I just need you and Mama there. Nobody else matters.”

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I have never been surer in my life.” She looked over at Dan, who was having an intense call. “This is the man I am meant to spend my life with.”

There was a pregnant pause before he answered. “It won’t be easy, Jenny. Trust me, your mother and I have been through it.”

“I saw the strength it took and I am just as strong. Dan and I will survive the disdain. We complement each other,
Doda
, just like you and Mama.” She smiled at her fiancé, who had a sour look on his face.
Must be talking to his mother…

“We will be there,” her father said in his deep guttural tone—that tone always gave her confidence as a child.

“Thank you,
Doda
. Be sure to pack plenty of warm clothes. The ceremony is going to be held on a pond near Dan’s family cabin.”

“You’ll hear no complaints from me. Nature is the only fitting church.”

She put the phone back in her purse, blushing as she realized she’d talked to her father in the nude, just like Dan was doing to his mother. Really, neither of them had any decency.

Why not take it up a notch?

Jenny walked over to Dan and knelt down at his feet. He was shaking his head no when she opened her mouth. “Mother, you don’t have to worry about it, you don’t have to do a
thi
—” He grunted as Jenny enveloped the head of his shaft with her mouth and wiggled her tongue around the ridge.

Dan stumbled slightly. “Ah, I was saying that we will take care of
ev
…”

She caressed his balls lightly as she began to suck.

“What’s wrong?” he gasped. Dan regained his composure and answered, “Nothing, Mother. What I meant to say is we’ll take care of everything. All that is required of you is to attend. Oh, and can you call
Marcuuuusss
…” His voice rose in pitch as Jenny swallowed the fullness of his shaft down her throat.

He dropped the cell phone and gathered her hair in his hand, helping to guide her gently. It was the first time he’d taken control and it made her quiver. He groaned quietly as she loved him with her throat.

Jenny could hear his mother’s muted cries on the phone. “Dan! Dan, is everything okay? Damn it, Dan, where are you?” Jenny pulled out, took a deep breath and slid his shaft back into her tight throat. He shuddered, letting her know he was close. Jenny lightly caressed his balls again and that simple touch caused a chain reaction. She felt them tighten up as his cock pulsated in her throat, his seed flowing into her.
Such a sexy exchange.

He pulled out and bent down to kiss her cheek before picking up the phone. “It appears there’s a mouse in the apartment. I tried to catch it, but the bugger got away. Yeah, I don’t think an exterminator is necessary.” He looked down at Jenny and winked. “I think a simple mousetrap will suffice.”

His mother went on for another minute before Dan interrupted. “So call Marcus and we will be seeing you at the cabin next Saturday.” He hung up before she could protest further, then he shook his finger at her.

“Jenny, that was very naughty.”

She looked up at him and smiled coyly. “I couldn’t help myself. You were naked and all. Kind of begging for it, if you ask me.”

He picked her up and flopped her on the bed before crushing her with his weight. “I think I have created a monster. One that swallows men whole.”

She kissed his chin. “You have and now you will have to live with the consequences.” Her tone became serious when she asked, “Your mom is obviously not happy, but how does your dad feel?”

“My father is surprised, but agreeable. Really, he is not foolish enough to think he can dictate my life. My mother… well, she still has some learning to do.” Dan brushed his hair back out of his eyes and her heart skipped a beat. “What about your parents?”

“My mom was out, so I only talked to my dad. To be honest, he is worried about our mixed marriage but they will be here. He was hoping I would marry within my race. He doesn’t realize that people don’t care about mixed marriages anymore, just because he and Mama suffered for it. Thankfully, he has no idea how complicated our situation really is.
That
will be the challenging part for us. The way we started is not fairytale material.”

“Well, it is for romance novels.”

Jenny rolled her eyes and snorted. “Very funny.”

“Lighten up, baby. Sure we will get a few judgmental stares in the beginning, but when people see how perfect we are together they will forget our past. How we started will become a memory and those who hated us will grow to envy us.”

She nestled in his arms. “You really think so?”

“Not a doubt in my mind.” He lifted himself off her and sat on the bed. “Now, put those hands on the headboard. I think some payback is in order.”

Jenny smiled as she placed her hands behind her, but she squeaked when he took her thighs and pushed her feet up to the headboard above her head, next to her hands. She found herself completely helpless and that was when his tongue touched her clit in the most intimate way.

“No, Dan. Stop!” she gasped, struggling to breathe in the awkward position.

“I don’t think so,” he murmured between her thighs.

“I can barely breathe!”

“Then stop talking.” His tongue swirled around her outer folds and brushed her sensitive clit teasingly. It was gentle and sweet, so Jenny relaxed… until he began the relentless flicking of his tongue. She tried to squirm, but movement wasn’t possible. She then resorted to whimpering, but he just chuckled.

“Seriously, I can’t breathe, Dan. I think I am going to faint.”

“Still talking.”

He gave her long, hard licks. They sent jolts of fire to her groin each time he lifted his tongue. “Dan…”

“Give in, baby.”

He continued his unyielding offensive, causing her legs to shake uncontrollably. She started panting as the heat in her loins turned to a constant burn.

“I can’t!”

“Give in to it.”

Jenny closed her eyes and forced herself to stop fighting the burning, tingling sensation consuming her. “Ah…
aah
…” she whimpered as it blurred her senses and her clit began to contract on his tongue.

He stopped licking and pressed his tongue against her clit so she could ride the wave without distraction. When her orgasm finally ebbed he released her legs and she took a deep breath.

“That wasn’t fair,” she complained while rubbing his blond hair appreciatively.

He winked and lay back down beside her. “All’s fair in love, baby.”

Romancing the Details

Dan took Friday off to help her look for a dress. “You know, Dan, it really sucks that Kelly would have been the perfect maid of honor. She’s so into fashion and parties,” Jenny said, thinking about their last shopping trip together when they’d spent hours upon hours trying on clothes.

“You could still ask her if you want,” he answered with a grin.

Jenny elbowed him in the ribs. “Yeah, right. Instead of a maid of honor, I am stuck with you and no one to stand beside me at my wedding.”

“Isn’t there anyone else?”

“I don’t have any other close girlfriends. And unlike you, I don’t have a sibling I can use as a stand-in.”

“I wasn’t planning on asking Marcus to be my best man anyway. I hate asymmetry.”

Jenny frowned when they pulled up to the dress shop. “This is not right, Dan. You’re not supposed to see the dress before the wedding. It’s against the rules.”

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “When have we played by the rules?” Dan kissed the top of her head. “I personally never understood why the guy was banned from seeing the wedding dress. Heck, it’s supposed to wrap the bride up in a pretty bow for the groom. Why shouldn’t he have a say in how his present is dressed?”

She needled a finger in between his ribs. “I am not a present! We’re equal partners.”

“As such, it only makes sense that you and I pick out your dress and my tux together.”

Jenny acquiesced with a grin. “Well, when you put it
that
way it makes sense.”

“Of course, my little kumquat. I am the voice of sanity in an insane world.”

She was surprised how much fun they had together. Dan took a genuine interest in the gowns. It turned out he did not care for modern dresses that looked like party dresses. No, Dan was more traditional. He preferred lace and buttons, which suited Jenny just fine.

She turned in front of the mirror in a dress that caused a stirring in her spirit. The gown hugged her curves seductively, with a sweetheart bodice covered in lace and a back lined in tiny buttons. The dress also had lace gloves that ran up her arms. The hem of the skirt was flirtatiously uneven, showing of a hint of leg. She twirled in front of Dan, beaming.

The look of admiration in his eyes was priceless. “The one,” he said simply.

“Yep, the one!” After a couple more turns in front of the mirror, she took it off and handed it to the assistant. “So how much is the dress?”

The girl searched for the tag and announced, “Six thousand dollars.”

Jenny’s heart dropped. There was no way she could afford that kind of dress after losing her job. She smiled, trying to hide her disappointment. “Oh well. It seems you and I have expensive tastes.”

“I’m sorry, Jenny,” he said, getting up and walking over to her. “There was that other one we both liked.”

“Yeah… but I didn’t love it.” She sighed, realizing how immature she was being. “That other dress is fine. How much was it again?” she asked the store keeper.

“Five hundred.”

Jenny shrugged her shoulders. “Well, you can’t beat that.” Jenny was touched that the store keeper put the dress into a protective cover with the same reverence and care as if it had been the more expensive dress. It did Jenny’s heart good and made her feel better about the choice.

The two then picked out a stylish black tux with a gold vest and red tie for Dan. “I’ll be wearing thermal underwear, so what you see is what you get.” He struck a handsome pose for her.

Dan looked devastating in it. “I am one lucky girl,” Jenny replied with a happy sigh.

The next order of business was to find the coat that would cover up her dress. On the drive to the boutique Jenny told Dan, “I’m glad we didn’t get that other dress. It’s going to be covered up by a coat anyway.”

Dan gave her a playful sideways glance. “We’ll buy the most beautiful coat we can find.”

Unlike the dress, finding the coat was easy. Dan noticed it in the window of the store as they walked in and pointed it out to her. The tinkling of a bell announced their arrival as they opened the door to the small boutique. An older man greeted the couple.

“Can I help you?”

Dan immediately asked, “How much is the coat?” pointing to the
mannequin
in the window.

Jenny looked horrified when she saw the fur.

“That stunning piece is nine hundred and fifty.”

“It certainly looks worth that,” Dan said encouragingly to Jenny.

She whispered, “It has fur on it.”

The gentleman overheard her and grinned. “It’s faux fur, Miss. If you feel it, though, I bet you will have a difficult time telling the difference.”

Jenny looked at the coat again with fresh eyes. It was white with large pearl buttons up the front. It had a large hood which was rimmed in white faux fur, along with the cuffs and the bottom of the coat. It was romantic in every way. Jenny could see why Dan was set on it, but the price scared her. “That seems like a lot of money.”

He put his arm around her waist. “It is a gift from me to you. I want to see you standing beside me in that coat, my love.”

Jenny smiled at the thought and turned to the man. “Please, can I try it on?”

Dan helped her into the coat and lovingly buttoned her up. He stood back and whistled.

She snuck a peek in the mirror and caught her breath. It fit her curves seductively and the fur made her look like a frost princess. She liked it every bit as much as the fancy dress. “I’m in love with it!” she said, throwing her arms around Dan and giving him a kiss of appreciation.

“Sold,” he told the man when she broke the kiss. The gentleman suggested a pair of white leather boots with similar fur lining that seemed made for the long coat. When Dan saw them on her feet he nodded agreeably. “Box them up as well.”

The old man smiled. “Wish all my customers were so easy.”

Jenny put her arms around Dan’s hips and looked up at him. “When it’s right, it’s right.” With the clothing for the wedding taken care of, Jenny felt deliciously content on the drive home.

“Now for the flowers,” Dan announced.

“What, we’re doing that today too?” Jenny asked in surprise.

“Hey, woman, I took the day off. I plan on getting everything set up so we don’t have to worry about it.” Instead of a floral shop, Dan took Jenny to a greenhouse. “I know the owner. She said she would take care of us.”

Jenny looked at him doubtfully, but followed him inside. A rotund woman with red cheeks met them at the door. “Dan, you finally came to visit me!” She gave him a big hug and then went straight for Jenny. “And this must be Dan’s main squeeze!”

Jenny stiffly accepted her hug, thrown off by the enthusiastic greeting of a stranger. She looked at Dan, raising her eyebrow questioningly.

“Sorry, baby. I didn’t tell you that Rose is good friends with my mom.”

“The best of friends, Bubba,” she said, giving Dan a swat on the ass.

The lady is certainly a character.
Jenny’s next thought was,
What would she be doing hanging around Dan’s mom? “
So you’ve known Dan’s mother for a while?”

“Since college. Oh, the trouble she and I used to get into… you wouldn’t believe it. But enough about me. You’re here about the flowers. I collected several different kinds for you, so you can decide which works best for your wedding.”

Jenny wasn’t paying attention. She was lost in her own thoughts.
So, Mrs. Hayes has a wild past, does she? I wonder how wild…

Dan handed her a book of wedding bouquets. “Rose says she can make any in this book. Check it out and pick your favorite. Whatever you want, Jenny.”

Rose pulled out the chair and insisted, “You sit here, dear, while Dan and I look at the potted plants I picked out.”

Dan had envisioned a red carpet lined with flowers on the frozen water. It intrigued Jenny, so she let him have free rein to make his vision a reality while she quietly picked out her perfect bouquet. Thumbing through the pages several times, she finally decided on an unusual nosegay of white gardenias, miniature red roses, accented by a few thin sprigs of pine. It looked wintry and romantic.

Her decision made, she got up and walked over to Rose. “Can you make this?”

The affable woman took the book and smiled at the picture. “Yes, but I will make it even more beautiful.”

Jenny smiled gratefully, warming up to the woman who so obviously loved Dan like an aunt, a humorously naughty aunt. “Thank you.”

The enthusiastic woman gave her another hug, and this time Jenny returned it fully. Anyone who cared about Dan was instantly a friend to her, and Jenny couldn’t help wondering if time spent with Rose would eventually reveal surprising secrets of her soon-to-be mother-in-law.

“So, kids, leave it all up to me. Will you come by to pick it up the day of the wedding or the night before?”

Dan put his hand around her shoulder. “Actually, Rose, I was hoping you would hand-deliver them.”

Rose’s cheeks turned an even brighter shade of red. “Do you mean it, Danny Boy?”

He chuckled lightly. “Of course. I want my auntie to be there when I marry my
soulmate
.”

It was Jenny’s turn to blush. Rose insisted on a three-way hug. “Just you wait, kids. My flowers will blow you away.”

“And you’re sure you can handle the other thing?” Dan asked her.

Jenny looked at him sideways. “What other thing?”

“My surprise, little kumquat.”

Rose’s jaw dropped. “Did you just call her kumquat? That was my pet name for you when you were a tiny boy.” She winked at Jenny. “He
must
be smitten.” Jenny knew with certainty that she would grow to love this woman.

As they headed away from the greenhouse Jenny assumed they were going back to John’s apartment, but no. Dan pulled up to a hole-in-the-wall bakery. “Our last stop,” he promised when he saw her look of exhaustion.

As much as Jenny liked the idea of shopping for a wedding cake, doing all the wedding errands in one day was grueling and she grumbled as she got out of the car. “Is a cake even necessary, Dan? It’s not like we are having a reception or anything.”

“Totally necessary,” he said, lifting her chin up with his finger. His brown eyes sparkled when he added, “This cake will be only for you and me.”

His answer melted her heart. “That’s so sweet.”

“Just because we are having a small wedding doesn’t mean I don’t want you to have all the trappings.”

The bakery was run by an elderly Asian couple. Dan introduced Jenny to them with an ease as if he’d known them his whole life. “Mr. and Mrs. Tran, I would like you to meet my fiancée, Jenny Cole.”

Mr. Tran took her hand warmly and bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Cole.”

She bowed back, enchanted by the gesture. “It is a pleasure for me as well.”

Mrs. Tran spoke in a small, but sweet voice. “We are honored to make your wedding cake. Thank you.”

Jenny smiled and looked at Dan. Everyone was so nice and obviously thought the world of Dan. It made her proud to have such a fine man for a husband.

“Mrs. Tran makes exquisite cakes and Mr. Tran ensures it tastes as good as it looks. The perfect combination,” he informed her.

Mrs. Tran twittered and looked down at her feet in embarrassment. It was adorable.

“What size of cake, Mr. Hayes?” the old baker asked.

“Just big enough for the two of us. It is a gift to ourselves.” He smiled at Jenny with such tenderness her stomach quivered. “But I want it to look as grand as you can make it. Don’t hold back,” he instructed Mrs. Tran.

“I will do well by you, Mr. Hayes,” she answered.

“That I have no doubt,” Dan assured her. “I wouldn’t want anyone else to handle such an important detail.”

The old woman twittered again. Jenny had to stifle a giggle. The woman was just too darn cute. After the details of the cake were finalized, Dan bought two cupcakes and handed her one. “Take a taste and you’ll understand how talented these two are.”

The cupcake sported a delicate orchid on top. It seemed a shame to eat it, but Jenny took a bite and purred in delight. The cake was incredibly moist and burst with unusual flavors. She could detect ginger and a hint of star anise. It gave the simple cupcake complexity and depth. She chewed it slowly, savoring the exotic sweetness.