In a Rush

Epilogue

Ryan

Today’s Learning Objective:

Students will make it last.

One year later

Friendship, Rhode Island

“Listen, Ralston. Listen. What if I walk down the aisle like a bear? Claws out, growling? I could bite the ring pillow like it was a fish I just caught in a stream. I’ll be the ring bear. ”

I glanced up from my phone and dropped a hand to McKerry’s shoulder, giving him a good shake. “You promised you wouldn’t make me regret this.”

“How could you regret it?” he asked, his tuxedo shirt open and his bow tie hanging out of his pocket. “It’s going to be the tightest fuckin’ thing that happens all day.”

I blew out a breath. Somewhere in the past year, plans for our wedding had shifted from big party at Twin Tulip to three-ring circus taking over the entire town of Friendship . Though it didn’t bother me and Emme much. Between our kickass wedding coordinator and Grace’s whip-cracking, very little landed on our plates. We sampled the food, listened to auditions from bands, and compared notes on tequila options. We left the rest—which included lodging for roughly three hundred people, conflict mediators to manage Emme’s parents, and pyrotechnics permits—to everyone else.

Except for McKerry. He was always on my plate.

“You can’t be a bear, man,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

“Cool, cool,” he said to himself. “I’ll go with my original plan, then.”

I scrubbed a hand down my face. I really didn’t have time for this right now. The show started in less than an hour and I needed to check on a few things before sneaking into the bridal suite.

“Can I ask what the original plan was?”

“Just some backflips,” McKerry replied, as if end zone dances were a common occurrence at weddings.

“Allow me to take this one for you.” Hersberler came to my side, a cocktail in hand. “Time to play it straight. No shenanigans out there.”

McKerry glanced between us, utterly baffled. “But…why?”

“Because that’s what Ralston wants,” Hersberler said. “The princess too.”

With a great heave of his shoulders, he asked, “Why didn’t you say so? Is the princess cool with some breakdancing?”

Hersberler dropped his voice, saying to me, “That’s the best offer you’re gonna get. Take it before he circles back around to the bear idea.”

I patted my breast pocket, confirming for the twentieth time today the rings were safe in there and McKerry’s role in this was purely symbolic. “Sounds great,” I said to him, accepting his high-five.

“Still recovering from the party last night?” McKerry pointed to Hersberler’s drink. “What kind of trouble did you get into?”

Since most of our guests were traveling in for this event, we’d started the festivities last night at the new Little Star Bar and Tavern, my venture with Noah Barden. We didn’t officially open until next month, but we figured there was nothing like a rowdy rehearsal dinner party to shake out the issues. Best of all, there was no shellfish to be found at the tavern. Noah and I decided we’d leave that to the oyster boys.

Redness creeped up Hersberler’s neck and he tugged at his collar. “What are you talking about, man? I didn’t get into any trouble.”

“Looked like you were starting some trouble with Ralston’s sister.”

My gaze snapped to the tight end. “Excuse me?”

Hersberler cringed. The guy was bigger, stronger, and faster than me—and he looked terrified right now. Which was a bad fucking sign. “Nothing.” He shook his head. “I didn’t say anything.”

McKerry doubled over laughing. “Boy, you better run.”

I stared at Hersberler, my eyes narrowed. “Which sister?”

He took a step back, a hand held out like he was trying to calm me down. “I would never?—”

I growled. “Which. Sister.”

“Ruth,” he said, “but I swear?—”

A laugh cracked out of me. “Ruthie? You’re fine. She doesn’t need me to kill you for her. She’ll do it herself.”

“Oh, I know,” he said quietly.

“I have things to do.” I pointed at McKerry. “Keep an eye on Pumpkin Dick. And put yourself together. You’re not going out there with your shirt open. It’s not that kind of party.”

I jogged from the newly converted barn toward the old Victorian where Emme and her girls were getting ready. I found Claudia out on the porch in her navy blue bridesmaid dress, leaning against the railing as she aimed her phone at the surrounding gardens.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” she called.

“And you think that’s going to stop me?” I asked as I climbed the steps. I heard the smooth strains of harp music in the distance. Surprising no one, Ines was a baller harp player.

“I know it won’t.”

I paused at the door, listening for a second as Ines started a familiar Smashing Pumpkins song. “Did something happen with Ruthie last night?”

She snorted. “Define happen. ”

“On second thought, I don’t want to know.” I had to shove everything I knew about Hersberler into a steel trap and out of my head. “Where’s Mom?”

“She’s attached herself to Emme’s mother like moss on a rock and keeping her far away from the stepmother.”

Thank god. Heather had been a headache from the start. Lots of opinions, lots of noise. Nonstop drama. The truly unfathomable part was that Heather believed she was helping. She thought it was necessary to stake claims on Emme like she was a territory to be won. I didn’t understand it and it was tough on my wife, but we managed.

Charles continued to surprise me. Emme had spoken with him a few times since that weekend in Vegas. I appreciated that he’d gone out of his way to put her at ease in their conversations and bit the bullet when it came to awkward topics—like whether he was even invited to this wedding. He’d made it clear he had no expectation of an invite and certainly no hope of walking her down the aisle, but that he’d like to share in our day. I gave him credit for immediately signing over her trust fund and admitting he should’ve done it years ago—because he fucking should’ve. They weren’t close and I didn’t see a route through this mess where they would be, but Emme had started talking to Danielle more in the last year. It was easier now that Danielle wasn’t trying to rebuild the bridge between father and daughter. I liked that Emme had her in her corner. She needed more people she could count on.

Though the obstacle for this weekend was keeping Heather far, far away from Charles, Danielle, and Emme’s half brothers. They could coexist as long as they didn’t have to make eye contact or cross paths. Ships in the night.

Between my mother and Gramma CeCe, my sisters, Emme’s friends, and all of the O-line boys—and the private security firm running things behind the scenes—we were playing some intense zone defense this weekend.

I glanced back at Claudia. “Do me a favor and stay away from the guys.”

“Are we referring to specific guys? Or all guys?”

That was an excellent question. “You’d be smart to be wary of all of them as a general rule, but for right now, definitely stay away from the players.”

“I’ll take it under advisement.” She flicked a glance toward the Victorian. “Good luck getting past the drill sergeant.”

“Grace?” I laughed when Claudia gave a wary, wide-eyed nod. “I know how to handle Grace.”

“Thoughts and prayers,” she muttered.

I made my way inside, ducking past the hairstylists and makeup artists working on my sisters in the left parlor and one of the photographer’s many assistants moving furniture in the right parlor. I shot a glance at my phone and darted up the stairs, and found Jamie seated on the top step.

“How are we doing?” I asked.

She jerked a shoulder up, but she seemed quiet, not like her usual over-the-top self. “No complaints.” She smoothed a hand down her dress, the same one she’d worn almost a year ago for Grace’s wedding. Again, I didn’t understand anything about these dresses, but I knew better than to get involved. “Grace is in there with her. Audrey went to find some coconut water. She thinks Emme’s dehydrated. Apparently, that’s the best remedy.” Jamie motioned to her cheeks. “She’s a little flushed, but it’s probably just the heat getting to her.”

I swallowed a laugh at that. I didn’t think it was the heat.

“What about you?” I cocked my head and peered at Jamie. She really didn’t seem like herself today. Over the past year, I’d come to know Emme’s friends well. They were extended family to me now. And I knew something was off with Jamie. “Are you doing okay?”

She bobbed her head as she pushed to her feet. “Just tired. I went hard last night.”

I studied her as she smoothed her dark hair over her ears. I would’ve accepted this explanation if not for the fact I knew Jamie had spent the evening dancing with the little kids and sipping club soda with my sister Chloe, who was a few months pregnant and having a tough time of it.

“You want a few minutes with the missus?” she asked, pointing toward the bridal suite.

“More than anything.”

She dropped her hand to the doorknob. “Whatever you do, don’t wrinkle the dress.”

I slipped my hands into my pockets. “I’ll try.”

Jamie opened the door a crack, saying, “Mistress Terror? We need you for a moment.”

When Grace came into the hall, she gave me an unimpressed up-and-down glance. “We’re not steaming that dress again. No wrinkles.”

“I’ve already explained the rules,” Jamie said.

“I’m giving you ten minutes,” Grace said. “Not a second more.”

“You run a tight ship,” I called as she and Jamie descended the stairs.

I found my wife gazing out the wide bay windows overlooking the gardens and the cove, her hands on her hips. She wore a pale yellow gown with a full skirt that came outfitted with pockets, which seemed to be a very big deal . I was told it was also perfect for twirling.

To me, it was perfect because it was Emme. She could be in one of the oversized hoodies she wore to death and I’d be happy. I didn’t want for much. Not when I had my wife.

“I don’t need any coconut water,” Emme snapped. With her back to me, she thought I was Grace. “I love you all so much, but I really just need a minute alone.”

“Can I be alone with you?”

She whirled around, her eyes blazing. “I don’t like this.”

It took everything inside me to calmly shrug out of my jacket and drape it on a chair before strolling across the room. “Really? Because I’m having a lot of fun.”

“You’ve been having fun for hours and I’ve—I’ve—” She wagged her fists at me, her teeth clenched and eyes shimmering with need. “I’ve been dying . This isn’t fair and it’s not very nice.” She stabbed a finger toward the window, pointing to the ceremony area below. “I can’t walk down the aisle like this.”

“Then isn’t it a good thing I’m here to take care of you?” Her gaze burned into me and I had to bite back a laugh. Perhaps I’d taken this a little too far. I cast a quick glance around the room and settled on a small, ornate sofa. “I’m going to be very nice to you now.”

I helped her perch on the edge of the sofa, the skirt fanned out around her and over the back to minimize the wrinkles. As I dropped to my knees, she gave me a pouty face that made me want to devour her.

“Everyone keeps asking if I’m nervous because my face is red and I’m sweating .” She crossed her arms over her chest and arched a brow. “Or better yet, they ask if I’m pregnant.”

I brought my hands to her knees, my fingertips gliding over the smooth skin of her inner thighs. “What did you tell them, my love?”

“That I’m not pregnant, of course,” she cried. “But it’s not like I can tell them my husband left a remote-controlled vibrator inside me this morning and that he’s been torturing me with it ever since.”

I pushed her thighs apart and found myself staring at a completely soaked pair of lacy blue panties. I could hear the toy buzzing inside her and feel the pull of her leg muscles against my palm. And the scent of her arousal, my god.

“You said you needed a distraction.” I edged the panties down and folded them into a crisp square. “I gave you a distraction.”

“And it’s almost killed me.” Her eyes widened as I tucked her panties into my front pocket.

“You’re not using my underwear as a pocket square.”

“But I am,” I said, rolling up my cuffs. I brushed my knuckles down her swollen seam. She hissed out a violent curse that made me chuckle. “It’s my something borrowed. And blue.” I leaned in and gave the toy’s cord a gentle tug that sent her hips bowing off the sofa. “Quiet, wife. I’m busy here.”

“Be quick about it,” she said, gasping when my tongue met her clit. “I might actually die if you don’t?—”

Those were the last coherent words she spoke for several minutes.

Since there was no time for teasing, I sucked her clit hard and kept the pressure right there. She was unbelievably wet and every inch of her pulsed with aching need. The way she lifted her hips and strained toward me, it was like she was feeding me her sweet cunt and the thought alone was enough to turn me to hot, throbbing stone.

When I groaned into her, she said, “Do not come in your pants. No time to change.”

I grabbed the cord, pushing the toy a little deeper and then pulling it back to watch her stretch around it. “I have an extra tux in the barn.”

“Wha-why?”

“Because I come prepared now,” I said, circling my tongue around her clit again.

“I love you,” she whispered, dropping her head against the sofa’s back. “I really fucking love you.”

I was too busy between her legs to respond and I didn’t have to. Emme knew.

She loosed a broken, gasping cry and her legs started shaking. Her whole body bucked against me and I had to bring both hands to her backside to hold her steady. She twisted her fingers in my hair as she pulsed and shattered under my tongue, her moans and cries rough, almost primal.

I pulled at the cord again, slowly drawing the egg-shaped toy out and slipping it into the black satin pouch I’d kept in my pocket as she panted. “Get up here.” She beckoned to me with her eyes closed and her breath coming hard.

As I stood, she immediately pawed at my trousers, unlatching my belt, yanking at the zip, and pushing my clothes down until my cock sprang free. There wasn’t even a second before her mouth was on me.

“Fuck, Em, slow down.”

I cupped her jaw, my thumb stroking her cheek as she sucked me. But she didn’t slow down. She went on working me hard and I just didn’t have it in me to hold off.

“Baby,” I gasped, my hands flexing. I couldn’t mess up her hair or makeup. “I’m close.”

She nodded, taking me all the way to the back of her throat and holding me there with her hands on my ass. I lasted about fifteen seconds and I was proud to admit it. My wife was amazing . Nothing she couldn’t do.

“Really fucking love you too,” I choked out as she pulled away. I skimmed a thumb over her plump lips. “Want to marry me?”

She faked a cringe. “Again?”

“They say practice makes perfect,” I said as I straightened my clothes.

“I don’t know.” She lifted her smooth, bare shoulders and let them drop. “The past year’s been pretty good.”

I smiled at her. It’d been a great year. I had my beautiful wife, another championship win, and our soccer clubs were in development. There was much more work to be done on getting those clubs operational, at least a year or two, but it was all coming together. We’d decided to locate our flagship teams here in Rhode Island and we were talking about making Friendship home after I retired from the League. We hadn’t finalized anything yet but this place and these people had grown on me. “Let’s make the next one even better.”

An urgent knock sounded at the door. “Time’s up, you two.”

“Not yet,” Emme hollered.

“I’m afraid so,” Grace called back. “The photographer’s ready for you and I’m guessing we’re going to need to touch-up your face. Probably the dress too.”

Emme pushed to her feet and stepped into my arms. She ran a finger over the lace peeking out of my pocket. “You can’t keep my underwear.”

“Why not?”

“Someone will notice,” she whisper-shrieked.

“Every pair of eyes in this place will be on you,” I said. “No one’s gonna pay attention to this little souvenir.”

Another knock. “Save it for the honeymoon.”

“One more minute,” my sweet, delicate wife bellowed. She held out her hand. “Will you come with me?”

I laced our fingers together. “Always.”

Thank you for reading!