Chapter Eight
Caleb
The wedding goes off without a hitch, or rather I suppose it does because the couple gets hitched, but it’s neither here nor there because I’m one lucky man.
The entire time my eyes are focused on Vivien who does her best to watch the happy couple while on occasion silently scolding me for not paying attention to my cousin Sam and new cousin Piper.
They are a lovely couple, and I wish them all the best. I owe them a world of gratitude for giving me the chance to snare Vivien in my net.
I had a week to win her heart even though I wasn’t going about it the right way.
“Son, you’re supposed to talk to her, not stare at her all night.”
“I’m getting us some drinks, Dad,” I explain, but honestly, the line is too long to wait for them, and I want a level head because I plan to make it a long, passionate night before we have to leave.
“She’s a great girl. So when’s the wedding?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I suppose I’d have to ask her to marry me first. Although, given our work and school situation, I don’t know if she’ll forgive me if things go south.”
“I’m sure she will. That girl has hearts in her eyes, and if you’re smart, a baby in her belly. That’s how I got your mother.”
I tilt my head and whisper quickly, “Hey, I don’t want to hear that.”
He takes a sip of his drink and then says, “It’s the truth, though.”
“Well, I’m definitely working on keeping her close to me for the rest of our lives, and I’ll be asking her as soon as I pick out the best ring.”
“What are you boys over here talking about?” my mother asks, sliding her hand around his waist.
“Dad’s telling me to use protection so I don’t have kids until I’m thirty-five.”
“What?” she screeches, drawing attention to herself. She blushes, while my father just shakes his head.
I chuckle and walk away. I’m sure my father will pay me back for that later. Now it’s time for me to find the love of my life and remind her that she picked the best Hall in this place. “Why, hello, Miss Williams. May I have this dance?”
“Yes, Dr. Hall. I believe my card isn’t full just yet.” She twists her lips up in a crooked smile.
I narrow my eyes and grab the place setting on the table as if it’s her imaginary dance card and scan it back and forth with my eyes. “Well, it better be filled with my name only.”
“Jealous much?” She giggles.
“Possessive.” I pull her up into my arms, holding her body tightly against mine.
“That’s not a very good trait.” I hear her admonishment and toss it back at her.
I squeeze her ass. “Who was glaring at the bridesmaid as I walked down the aisle earlier?”
“I said it wasn’t a good trait. It doesn’t mean I don’t have it too.” With a soft, sensual laugh, she takes my hand and leads me out onto the dance floor. I toss the wedding announcement on the table and follow my love. I’d follow her wherever she wants to go.
“We leave in the morning, and we’re due back in the lab on Tuesday at nine. Are you prepared?”
“Not at all. Maybe we should keep this a secret until I finish the project.”
She’s trying to kill me. There’s no way. “Vivien, that’s another month from now.”
“Yes, but it’s probably for the best.”
I shake my head lightly. Cupping her chin, I stare into her sweet, innocent eyes. “I don’t think it’s for the best.”
“Your degree isn’t on the line.” I admit she has a point, but I have a lot to lose as well.
“No, just my job and reputation.” I’ve worked for a decade to get to where I am, and it would suck if I lost it all.
“Then maybe we should just end things now.” She pulls away, and fuck if I’m letting that happen.
“No. Hell, no. Not happening. No fucking way in hell.” I scoop her up in my arms, toss her over my shoulder, and march right across the sand and to the hotel. “We are going to make this work, and we’re going to start right now.”
“Start right now?” she asks, brows lifted in curiosity but a smile forming on her face.
“Well, first I need to show you what happens when you say you’re leaving me, and then we’re packing our shit and heading home.”
“Everything okay, Dr. Hall?” the hotel manager asks.
“Yes, Mr. Grant. We’re leaving the wedding party and getting ready for our own,” I growl, swatting her ass in front of him as he observes the wedding reception.
“Let me get the door for you then.” He smiles and holds it open. “Have a good night.”
“I’m sure we will,” Vivian says, laughing as she waves at him through the closing door.
“You can put me down now.”
“Not a fat chance in hell.” We ride the elevator up, and I get her to our room within a few minutes. The second we fall onto the mattress, we’re naked, bodies grinding until she’s screaming my name and I’m unloading my seed in her womb.
“We’re going to talk to Dr. Shalin when we get back,” Vivien says, snuggling into my arms. “I won’t let anything happen to your degree, no matter the cost to my career.” I don’t need the money, and we can create a research lab of our own if need be.