The Bad Boy Wants Me: A Bad Boy Romance (22 page)

Tori

2 Years Later

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MlR6tFh8Gs

(I’m Your Man)

‘D
on’t cry, Mom, or I’m going to start too and it’ll ruin my makeup.’

‘Oh, honey,’ my mom sobs, actually sobs. ‘You look so beautiful.’

‘That’s a good thing, right?’ I quip to lighten the mood.

But my mother is already in full flow. ‘I still can’t believe you’re marrying Cash Hunter. Dad and I used to secretly call you Mrs. Hunter.’

‘What? When was this?’ I ask incredulously.

Mom smiles through her tears. ‘When you were young. When you were so crazy about him, we used to joke about it.’

‘I never knew.’

‘Obviously, we were not going to tell you.’

‘I don’t know what to do with the information.’

Mom laughs and carefully dabs the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief. ‘I’m so happy for you, my darling. Come and see how you look.’

I take a deep breath and walk to the mirror. I look at myself and I have to stare at my own reflection with wide eyes. Wow! Look at me. I decided I didn’t want to marry in white, so I went for this astonishingly beautiful strapless multi-colored silk gazar draped ball gown. The bodice is fashioned into a gorgeous rose and the waist is made of pleats that bloom into the gleaming petals of large red and orange roses.

Leah appears next to me in the mirror. She’s wearing her bridesmaid’s outfit, a pink dress with a darker pink underskirt showing and her shoes are the same deep pink.

‘Can you believe it?’ she asks with a grin.

‘No. Pinch me,’ I say softly.

‘Neither can I, actually. But I’m so freaking glad you never took my sane advice, and went with the mad option of following your impossible dream instead.’

I laugh.

There is a knock on the door, someone opens it, and my father comes in. I turn towards him and he stops in his tracks.

‘Oh my God,’ he exclaims unsteadily. He shakes his head in disbelief. ‘You look … did your mother and I really make you?’

‘I’m afraid so, Dad.’

His eyes fill with tears as he comes forward to stand in front of me. He takes off his glasses and wipes his eyes. ‘You’re all grown up now, but you’ll always be my baby girl, my little Princess, sitting on my lap telling tales on your brother.’

‘I did not,’ I mutter.

‘I’ll be giving you away today, Princess, but not from my heart. Just remember, I’ll be here for you, always, until the day I am no more.’

What my mother did not accomplish with her tears my father accomplishes with his words. Tears start rolling down my face and all around me women start tutting and scolding. I am pulled back onto the bed and the woman who did my make-up starts fussing and dabbing at my face.

‘No more tears,’ she says sternly to no one in particular.

‘There’s nothing a glass of champagne won’t cure,’ Britney says putting a glass of bubbling liquid into my hand.

I take it and smile up at her. In my mind I see that day two years ago when Cash came to get me in Georgia and brought me back to his father’s house. I was a nervous wreck. I thought she would be angry with me, but she ran up to me, and in her generous wonderful way, hugged me tightly, and said, ‘I was never angry with you. You were right. I was a selfish, shallow, self-absorbed creature.’ And we both cried our eyes out.

‘Bottom’s up,’ Britney says.

I drink up and thread my hand through my father’s.

‘I’m ready, Dad.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xdyRsGOl6U

Dad squeezes my hand as the car travels in the darkness. Cash and I decided to have a secret midnight wedding.

‘I want a marriage not a wedding,’ he said, and I couldn’t agree more.

Both of us have become publicity shy, and we have learned to guard our privacy fiercely. Neither of us wants paparazzi helicopters swooping overhead, or the frightening packs of paparazzi that seem prepared to do anything just to get that one clear, unique shot they can sell for hundreds of thousands of pounds, gathered outside the gates.

Neither did we want the media circus that ensues when famous guests are jetted in from the four corners of the Earth, or magazine photographers to be present to record the occasion for posterity or a six figure sum.

When Cash asked me where I wanted to have our wedding I didn’t even have to think. I couldn’t, in fact, I still can’t think of a more beautiful place for us to tie the knot than the old Georgian walled garden of the new home that we just bought, renovated and lovingly furnished, but have not moved into yet. It is a magical house and we both fell in love with its beauty, proportions, and tranquility at first glance.

Since we wanted a special occasion in front of only our loved ones we kept our wedding so hush hush that even the caterers were hired under an assumed name from the county of Shropshire, all the wedding guests were sworn to secrecy, and my aunt acted as the wedding planner. Even the minister flew in from Scotland. About five weeks ago we went to see the registrar who granted us a special license so that nobody would find out.

I feel a lump in my throat as the car turns into the tall iron gates.
Our home.
The car goes down the lantern lit driveway and stops outside the garden gate. My father opens the door, and I come out of the car.

‘Are you ready?’ my father asks.

I nod because I can’t speak. I rest my hand on his arm and feel the strength under his sleeve as I lean slightly on it … and I have a stray thought. One day it will no longer be that strong. I look up at him.

‘What is it?’

‘Nothing. I love you, Daddy,’ I whisper.

‘I love you, more,’ he whispers, as we round the corner and come to the secret door hidden in the seven feet tall hedges.

At the entrance to the garden, Cora waits with Tabitha and Leah’s sister. Cora looks lovely in a cream suit and the girls are wearing their little pink frocks and carrying their baskets of flower petals. Cora dabs her eyes. She always was a soppy romantic.

‘Oh, Tori, I’m so happy for you,’ she whispers.

She opens the door and my jaw drops. This was Cash’s surprise for me. The whole place is like a magical wonderland with fairy lights everywhere you look. On the trees, the hedges, the leaves, the chairs the guests are sitting on, and the rose arbor where my groom is waiting for me.

He has turned to watch me arrive. He is wearing a blue-grey morning suit. His tie is made from the same orange material as my dress.  And … Oh my, it is like the first time. Butterflies go wild in my tummy and I can’t stop grinning. Sometimes I still can’t believe that I kissed the sexy fucking bastard and he became a prince. I try to suppress a giggle but a muffled sound escapes.  It’s like a fairytale. I got my prince.

On the loud speakers Bruno Mars starts singing
Marry me
. The girls begin the procession and my father and I sedately walk along the path strewn with rose petals.

Cash smiles slowly at me, his eyes so full of love, my knees become like jelly and I fear I will trip and fall. I tighten my hold on my father. His other hand comes around to pat my hand. I feel grateful to him, but I can’t take my eyes off my bridegroom. Finally, we reach him and I inhale deeply.

His scent fills my nostrils. I close my eyes for a moment. So many memories. So many. The first time I wound his hair around my hand. The first time he kissed me. The first time we had sex. The first time we went on holiday. The first time … I open my eyes. His fingers touch mine. His eyes are wet. I blink.

‘You’re the most beautiful woman who ever walked this earth,’ he purrs.

‘And you’re the most beautiful man who ever walked this earth.’

His eyes twinkle. ‘I know,’ he says.

‘Oh, Cash. How I love you.’

He bends his head and whispers in my ear. ‘I’ve got a damn woodie for you.’

‘And I’m not attracted to you at all,’ I whisper. It’s our little joke now. We laugh about the days when I used to pretend I didn’t find him attractive.

‘Not even a bit?’ he asks, his eyes gleaming.

‘Nope.’

‘Then nothing has changed. It’s as it has always been and may it always be that way when we are wrinkled and can barely walk.’

Then the minister speaks and I remember we are not alone. Our families and friends are watching.

‘Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Cash Hunter and Tori Diamond in holy matrimony commended to be honorable among all; and therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly and solemnly. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together let them speak now or forever hold their peace.’

He gives it a pause, then smiles, looks to Cash and says, ‘Repeat after me:  I, Cash Hunter, take you Tori Diamond to be my wife.’

Cash repeats.

‘To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse,’

Cash says the words looking deeply into my eyes.

‘In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish.’

I smile tremulously as Cash says the words.

‘From this day forward until death do us part.’

The minister turns to me.

‘I, Tori Diamond, take you, Cash Hunter, to be my husband.’

‘I, Tori Diamond,’ I say, and then laughter starts bubbling up my throat. I see Cash’s eyes widen with surprise and that makes me laugh even more. I’m not laughing because it’s funny, but I just can’t help it. ‘Take you, Cash Hunter.’ More giggles. I hear the audience start giggling too.  Oh, my God. What a disaster. I don’t know why I can’t stop laughing.

‘I’m really sorry,’ I apologize to the minister, who is staring at me with a strange expression.

‘It’s just nerves. Let me start again,’ I say, clearing my throat. ‘I, Tori Diamond,’ I manage, and another fit of laughter overtakes me.

Cash looks at the minister. ‘Do you mind?’ he asks.

‘Of course not,’ the startled minister replies immediately.

Catching me around the waist, Cash swoops down and takes my mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. Time rolls back and I am back to our first kiss. It is an instant cure for my laughing fit. 

He lifts his head and looks into my dazed eyes.

‘Do you, Tori Diamond, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?’ the minister asks quickly.

‘I do. Oh, yes, I definitely do.’

That night the sound of laughter, music, and dancing fills the air for hours. Most of the guests are staying in the house and they disappear into one of the twenty-seven rooms. Cash carries me up the stairs, lays me on our bed, and makes love to me for hours, beautiful, passionate love. At first I’m a bit nervous, but the fact that he’s really mine is sinking in. 

In the early morning hours when I would have dropped off to sleep, he tugs my hand.

‘Put some clothes on. I want to show you something.’

‘Show me tomorrow,’ I say sleepily.

He will have none of it. He pulls me out of bed and wraps me up in a thick dressing gown.

He opens our bedroom door softly. Everyone is fast asleep and the house is very still. He turns to me and places a finger across his lips. Quietly we go down the stairs and hallway and out through the front doors.

‘Where are we going?’ I whisper.

‘To the lake.’

‘Now?’

‘Yes, now.’

He takes my hand and starts running. By the time we get to the lake I am out of breath and hot. I look around me in wonder. I had no idea when we bought the house that a lake at night would be so peaceful and serene, with a mist hanging over it.  A pair of sleeping swans are floating on the water. They glow in the early light of the day.

‘Look,’ he says, pointing into the trees.

‘What?’

‘It is the beginning of the rutting season for the red deer. Soon the stag will begin his impressive roaring contest to attract the hinds. In eight months we will see their offspring.’

We sit on the grass and watch that large stag roar and call to his harem. The sound is earthy and truly impressive and reverberates in the still countryside. As the day breaks he begins to mount them. It is so beautiful. Without this precious act there would be no deer, no human, no swans. I rest my head on Cash’s shoulder. All girls dream of finding their prince. Mine is no longer a dream.