Spike (30 page)

Mum blows her nose.
Great
. I made her cry. I guess it was a given.

“Thank you to those that made today possible, and for those who travelled. We know it was short notice, but when you decide to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want it to start as soon as possible. And we just couldn’t wait.”

I take Eevie’s hand, and pull her to stand in front of me, holding the hand now bearing her wedding ring. I stare into her watery eyes, and suck in a deep breath.

“To my beautiful bride, Mrs Genevieve Stone. To say you look stunning wouldn’t do you justice. You have never looked more beautiful, and anyone can fight me for the title, but I’m the luckiest man on earth.”

Eevie’s cheeks gather a pink hue, and she dabs a tissue under her eye and laughs quietly.

“I never thought it possible to love someone, as much as I do you, and it gets stronger every day. That first time I held your hand, I knew. I think we both knew that there was something special bringing us together. If only that was the beginning for us, but we had to find ourselves first, but when we got our chance no one could have held us back. You’re the most selfless, giving person I’ve ever met, and I’ve never been prouder than I am today to stand beside you as your husband.”

Aw shit. I’m tearing up; fuck it. In front of everyone.
Mum’s bawling her eyes out, and Eevie is barely holding it together. Who thought that this shit would be so hard to say? I’d practised it a hundred times in my head, and with Sergeant, but with this many eyes gawking … I just need to suck it up, and get this over with.

“Eevie, you helped me get back on my feet after the accident, and there is no doubt in my mind that you’ll make a wonderful mother … someday. One day, our home will be filled with the sounds of our kids’ laughter, and probably tears, and I promise to be the father to them that they deserve. Every single day.”

Tears stream down Eevie’s face.
Fuck
. I forgot about how hormonal she is. Maybe I should have toned it down a bit on the kids part, but damn it, I want everyone to know. I
will
be the best dad and the best husband I can be.

“I thought I needed a bike to be able to fly, but I’ve never flown higher than when I’m with you. With you is my favourite place to be. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life making you laugh, making you smile, and no matter what comes our way, we’ll take it on … together.”

A mutter of “ooh” and “aah” comes from everyone.

“Would you all please raise your glasses to my beautiful bride.”

I put the microphone down, and pick up my champagne.

“To Eevie!” everyone shouts out, filling the room with the clanging of glasses, and cheers. Eevie and I gently clink our glasses together, and we both take a sip. I put my glass down, and it’s barely on the table before Eevie throws her arms around me and I squeeze her tight.

“I love you so much,” she whimpers into my ear.

I pull back, and sweep her tears away with my thumbs. “I love you too, baby girl. You’re a wreck today, you know that?” I say, quiet enough for only her to hear. I chuckle, wondering if that’s the last of the tears for today.

“I know,” she says, smiling through her tears. “For some reason I can’t help it.” She winks at me, and it kills me not to be able to rub my hand over that little belly. My hands have been glued there ever since she told me, but it’s not time to tell everyone. When we come back from the honeymoon and have the first scan, then I’ll tell every man and their mangy dog we’re having a baby.

Chris, who was good enough to be MC tonight, picks up the microphone from the table and pats me on the back.

“Okay, everyone. Time for the cutting of the cake, and then we’ll have the first dance,” Chris says. It’s funny now, that I can call him my brother. As an only child, I always wanted siblings, and as well as officially having Eevie as my wife, I now have three younger brothers. Man, are we gonna have fun on our property with the bikes.

****

I take Eevie by the hand, her diamond ring sparkling under the light as we settle in the middle of the dance floor. A slow song starts, and Eevie’s long lace gown sways softly from her hips. I pull her close and drink in the sweet scent of my bride for the umpteenth time tonight. Fuck, I can’t wait to get outta here. I have to secretly chant to my cock to calm down. The last thing I need is a walking hard-on with all these people around.

“I’m done with the festivities. I just wanna make love to my
wife
,” I whisper softly in her ear as I dip her and kiss those sweet lips. I kiss around her neck, up and around her jaw, and she relaxes, moaning like she will the moment I get her alone. The audience I’d quickly forgotten about makes some noise, the boys having had more than their share of grog, wolf-whistling from the bar.

I suddenly feel the eyes on us. I’d better tone it down a notch.

“How do you think married sex is gonna be?” she whispers in my ear.

“Fucking sensational. But right now, I just wanna bury myself deep in my favourite place on earth.”

“Stop it … You’re making me wet,” she says, laughing through her words. As expected, I get harder. We really should have fucked this morning. But even if we did, it wouldn’t have mattered. I still wanna ravish the hell out of her.

I brush against her hips, making it perfectly clear what she’s doing to me.

“Maybe we should duck out for a second. Do you think anyone would miss us?” I dare, wondering if I can convince her.

“As much as I’d love to, people would notice. And where would we go, anyway?”

I know exactly where, but that’s my wedding night surprise for Eevie.

“It’s almost time to say our goodbyes, and then we can sneak out to the farm.”

Eevie throws her head back and laughs, the happy sound echoing in every corner of my heart. She waves for everyone to join us on the dance floor.

****

* EEVIE *

Crystal wraps her arms around me tight. “So happy for you guys!” she squeals, tackling me in the middle of the dance floor.

“Thank you. You guys have really made today perfect.” Even though we only had a small bridal party of just Rob and Cassie, Crystal was so good about it. She helped with the decorations, and of course, came up with a killer playlist for tonight.

She lets me go, and in typical Crystal fashion starts flailing her arms about and wriggling her tiny arse when “Happy”
by Pharell
Williams comes through the speakers.

I laugh and kiss her on the forehead. “Love your work, Crystal.” She winks, and I turn and make my way through the crowd to a handsome guy in a sharp suit leaning up against the wall. He’s probably been watching Crystal liven things up. And boy, does she know how to liven up a dance floor.

In a cheeky move, I roll my shoulders, one in front of the other, as I approach him. I outstretch my hand.

“Come on, wallflower,” I say, taking Ryan’s hand and pull him towards the dance floor. “Everyone has to dance with the bride so I can say thank you.”

When we settle in the middle of the crowd, I place one hand in his and the other on his shoulder, which causes him to wince slightly. He weaves his arm around my waist, and rests it gently on the small of my back.

“Sorry,” I say and recoil my hand. I didn’t think I squeezed so tight.

“Nah, don’t worry about it. Just sore from the gym.”

His eyes wander lower, but he tenses and then shoots his gaze back up to return eye contact. He raises his arm and flicks his wrist, and I spin around. I recover on my heels, and smile. It appears Ryan knows how to dance.

“You look beautiful, Eevie. It’s been a perfect day, and I’m honoured to have been a part of it. You guys deserve to be happy.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet. Thank you so much for coming. It’s been nice to get to know you, and I know Aidan’s enjoyed having another guy around.” When Ryan told us a few weeks ago he’d joined a special taskforce and was leaving for an assignment, it was tough news to take. Aidan and Ryan had been getting along so well. Of course, Aidan and I are thrilled for him, but it’s hard not to be sad about his departure. Ryan can’t even tell us where he’s going.

“Yeah, I’m gonna miss you guys. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone for; depends how things go.”

“So, when do you head off?”

“Not for a few weeks, but I’ve got stuff to get sorted.”

“Well, best of luck. Let us know when you come back for a visit, and we’ll have you over for dinner in the new house.”

“That’d be great,” he says, the corner of his mouth curling up.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aidan dancing with his mum, and I realise there’s someone I can’t forget. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better dance with my new father-in-law.”

“Sure. I might say goodbye to Aidan in a minute and sneak off, if that’s okay.”

He glares in Bridget’s direction. Jones is getting a little bit friendly with her. I had no doubt that those two would hit it off. After all, Bridget had practically begged me to put her on a table with some single guys. That girl sure is wild when it comes to men.

I stand on my tippy-toes and give him a hug. He slowly puts his arms around me, but even though it’s kinda awkward, I don’t care. Today is the happiest day of my life. I kiss him swiftly on the cheek, and then point my finger at him accusingly.

“Be good to the women of … wherever you’re going,” I say.

He winks cheekily. “I’ll
try
.”

****

* AIDAN *

When the song finishes, Ryan comes over with a wide smile on his face. He pulls me aside.

“Hey, Aidan. I’m really happy for you, man. Congratulations.” He shakes my hand firmly.

“Thanks, Ryan. Appreciate you coming. We might not have got here if it wasn’t for you.”

“You two would have got here, come hell or high water. Without a doubt, you guys are the most determined people I’ve ever met. Hey, I wanted to give you something.” He pulls an envelope from his pocket, and hands it to me. The smile on his face is so wide it almost splits his face in two.

“We said no gifts, mate. We’re just glad everyone could come at short notice.”

“Just open it.”

I pull it open and slide out a folded piece of paper. It looks like a tax invoice. It says something about payment approved…
Accounts Department to make a cheque payable to Aidan and Eevie Stone
.

Oh my fucking God.

For fifty grand.

“W … what the?” I barely spit out.

He leans in close. “It’s the reward for leading to the capture of a wanted fugitive,” he says, cool as a fucking cucumber.

“Fuck. You’re shittin’ me?”

His hand grips my shoulder, and he looks me right in the eye. “No. I’m not.”

I pull him into a hug, and squeeze the fucker tight. This could not come at a better time.

“You deserve it, man. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta get goin’.” Hands in his pockets, he rocks back on his heels, and juts his chin towards the wall near the exit. “There’s another little
party
I’m movin’ on to.”

I swing my head in that direction, and I’m not surprised at what’s playing out before me. Eevie’s friend who I only met today, Brittany or something, is leaning up against the wall. Her head swoons as Jones whispers something in her ear and she lets out a high-pitch cackle as she strokes her hand down his arm.

Sweet mother-of-fuck.

“Party for three?” I ask, knowing full well I’m right. This bird won’t be walking straight tomorrow.
Fact.

“Yeah, man. Party for three.” He slaps me on the back and walks off before I get the chance to say anything else. I clear my throat and loosen my tie.

Damn.

I think it’s time Eevie and I were going, too.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

* EEVIE *

“Can I take it off yet?” I ask, frustrated as I stumble in the dark, guided only by the strong grip of his hand in mine.

“Almost there, babe.” We take a few more steps on soft ground, and I hear a loud creaking noise. Was that a door?

“Now stand still,” he orders, holding me firmly on my shoulders. “Don’t even think about peeking.”

I huff, more from exhaustion than frustration. “Okay! No peeking. Just hurry up.”

There’s a shuffling ahead in the distance and I breathe in deeply, my head falling back as I yawn. I take in another breath, this time slowly through my nose to ward off the giddiness. The strong earthy scent, a combination of damp grass and dirt, fills my lungs.

It smells like home, out on our plot, where our house in underway. God knows we’ve been spending plenty of time out here.

The cool night breeze whips the hair around my face, icy goosebumps taking over my skin. I just know it. We’re home. My heart swells almost painfully, and my chin starts to quiver.

From behind, strong hands weave around my waist, causing me to jump. Aidan’s pulled a sexy ninja on me. His rough hands catch slightly on the fabric as he swirls them over my stomach possessively.

His stubble, which I demanded he keep for the day, grazes my ear before he bites hard on the lobe. “Mrs Stone, it’s about time we had a roll around in the hay.”

What the?

He unties the blindfold, and I almost fall to my knees as the display of love in front of me hits me right in the heart. I step further inside, the hinges of the door screaming louder this time as Aidan closes it.

He’s lit God knows how many candles, which flicker as the breeze creeps through the gaps in the old timber walls of the barn. A checked red and blue picnic rug takes pride of place amongst the hay. I can’t believe it. We are
literally
going to roll around in the hay. On our wedding night.

And it couldn’t be more perfect.

I lift the sides of my wedding dress off the dirt floor, and turn to face my husband.

My darling husband.