Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
Waking up after exchanging “I love yous” had to be up there with getting his wings.
Dax snuggled up against Ariel, who groaned as he turned the alarm off.
“Did we really sleep until seven again?” she asked in a voice ruffled with sleep.
“Yes, we sure did.” He kissed her neck, luxuriating in her soft, silky warm skin. “It’s practically a record for me too, but since we didn’t go to sleep until after three, it’s understandable.”
“Had to celebrate the whole L thing.” Her voice was a mumble. “Now we’ve gotta face today.”
She sounded so aggrieved, he hugged her tightly and gave her a raspberry on her neck, which only made her laugh and playfully push him away.
He rolled her onto her back and swept the messy hair out of her eyes. “Sounds like you need a little motivation and a reminder of that whole L thing we covered.”
The sleep cleared from her eyes as he pressed his hardness against her softness. “What do you have in mind, big boy? Oh, wait! It’s one of the poles for the wedding tent, isn’t it?”
That had them both chortling as he fitted on a condom and slid inside her. Then they weren’t laughing anymore because she’d lifted to him and started a gentle rhythm that had him smiling down at her.
“Do you really know how much I love you?” he asked.
He’d never imagined the freedom he’d feel, saying those words. He’d grown up saying them with his family, but with her, his whole life felt like open blue sky, the kind that had always made him feel invincible.
She clutched his hips, drawing him in deeper and arching against him. “Probably not, but I’m eager to learn, Captain.”
So she wasn’t going to be serious. Her sultry smile had him grinning before she tightened around him and made him groan. “So that’s how it’s going to be, huh? Elizabeth, prepare to be properly convinced.”
He was as good as his word. Sometime later, she lay supine on his body, his hands stroking her back. She kissed his chest. “I really need to get going. The tent guys are coming soon. Think good thoughts.”
“Always.” He slapped her butt lightly as she rolled out of bed. “Looking good. I’ll let you shower alone. If I join you?—”
“We’re so going to do it again.” She wiggled her hips and shot him a glance over her shoulder. “How much restraint do you have?”
“You, miss, are trouble.” He waved her toward the bathroom. “Go. I have to get ready to meet up with Jeffrey to pick up the wedding dress.”
She crossed and dug a key card out of her purse. “Before I forget, Tiffany gave me my former room key so you guys could hang the dress in there. She’s in her getting-ready outfit—don’t ask me more about that—and doesn’t plan on being anywhere near her dress until an hour before the ceremony. Tricia got makeup on her dress at her first wedding, and Tiffany is paranoid. I even had to get special cleaning wipes in case of a second disaster.”
Dax winced. “I didn’t know about all this wedding stuff until now. My sister and her husband just got hitched. Fifty people. We had a BBQ at a local ranch. No frills. My brother’s was about the same.”
“Sounds perfect.” She handed him the card for picking up the dress and struck a pose. “Sure you don’t want to try and make me late?”
He gave her a slow perusal, letting her see what she did to him by pulling back the sheet. “Elizabeth, you are playing with fire.”
“Oh, Stephan,” she cried, taking her sweet little bottom off to the bathroom, “didn’t you know I’m a closet pyromaniac?”
He was laughing as she shut the door. Rolling out of bed, he pulled on shorts and a T-shirt. He had to pick up his dress whites from another dry cleaner this morning, along with Rob’s uniform and the rest of his buddies’ whites. Jeffrey had said he didn’t mind swinging over there after picking up Tiffany’s wedding dress.
He was making coffee when someone started pounding on the door. Sherlock trotted over and regarded it with sad, expressive eyes. Dax patted his head when he reached him. “Yeah, we know who that must be, don’t we?”
Pasting a smile on his face, he opened the door. “Hey.”
Rob pushed his way in and closed the door. “Hey, yourself. Look, I need you to go and get some flowers for me. Nice ones. Lots of them. I apparently have already fucked up today.”
His friend tugged on the collar of his T-shirt, a study in nerves.
“What happened?”
“According to my bride-to-be, I was supposed to have something special for her this morning. Day of the wedding present or some such thing. Did anyone tell me this? No! Shit. She got me custom cufflinks engraved with T&R and this Hallmark card that went on forever. I thought the wedding was her present. Oh, and the honeymoon to St. Lucia. But no… I was supposed to give her something to say I was happy to marry her.”
Dax compressed his lips as Rob stalked back and forth.
His friend fisted his hands at his sides, his face tight with tension. “So can you buy me some flowers? I know she’s got tons coming in for the wedding, but these are from me, and flowers are never wrong in my book. If they have a card, great. I’ll look up some sappy poetry when you get back and put it on there. Jesus. I’m going to lose my mind. I need a drink. Maybe it’s time to open the lucky bourbon you and Ariel dug up. God knows I’m going to need all the steam I can get.”
Dax thought his eyes already looked red, so he slapped him on the back, hoping he wouldn’t start drinking this early. “Go for a hard run. It always helps. I’ve got this.”
Rob rubbed his forehead. “You’re picking up my dress whites, right?”
“I’m picking up everyone’s.” Another solid whack on Rob’s back hopefully conveyed his dependability.
Rob grunted and dug into his shorts pocket. “Fine. Now, here are the rings. Tiffany wants Ariel to keep hers until the wedding. You can keep mine. Ripp refused to carry the ring pillow. Says it’s too girly. Honestly, I can’t blame him. All that lace and shit. So you two are keeping them until the ceremony. I don’t have to tell you not to lose them.”
When he thrust the bands out, Sherlock gave an eerie whine. Dax glanced at the dog, who padded back to his bed by the fireplace and lay down. Dax had no idea what that meant, but it didn’t sound good. “I’ll tell Ariel. She’s in the shower.”
“You do that.” Rob pressed a hand to the door, gripping the frame. “I keep telling myself I passed advanced flight training. I’ve pulled ten Gs. I’m a kick-ass pilot and a respected officer in the U.S. Navy. But Jesus, I feel like I’m not passing muster. Tiffany’s got all these ideas about what this day is supposed to be like. I’m already letting her down, and I hate that.”
Dax did too. It had to feel like crap. “I’ll find the best flowers in town, man. Jeffrey is going with me to pick up some stuff. He’ll know where to go.”
“Great.” He fished out his wallet and handed over a couple hundreds. “Tell him thanks.”
When his friend opened the door and hesitated, Dax waited for him to speak, watching his jaw lock.
“Sorry I’ve been such a dick. Later, man.”
Rob was out the door before Dax could answer him, and he knew that was the point. He pulled his wallet out and tucked Rob’s ring in there, and then went to find Ariel. She was combing through her wet hair when he opened the door. She screamed.
“Jumpy?”
“As a June bug,” she answered. “What is that in your clenched hand? Should I be nervous?”
He unfurled it. “Tiffany wants you to keep her wedding ring. I won’t assume it’s because she doesn’t trust me.”
“You shouldn’t.” Although they both knew he was supposed to keep the two rings according to the wedding checklist. “Who brought these? Rob?”
“Yeah.” He leaned against the door and watched her put on some moisturizer, her complexion peaches and cream after her shower. “He’s already in the shitter. Forgot some ‘day of’ gift.”
“Oh no! I told Tiffany to tell him things like that. Guys can’t read your mind.”
“We can’t?” Dax imagined Tiffany liked people reading her mind that way. “I’m picking up makeup flowers. Jeffrey will know where to go, I imagine, but do you have a place in mind?”
“Bloom and Swoon. Jeffrey knows it well. All right, plant a good one on me. I’ve gotta dash.”
He swept her into his arms and laid her back, kissing her sweetly but thoroughly. She twined her arms around his neck and sighed. “How’s that?”
“Pretty good, honey.” She patted his butt as he stood her up. “Pretty good.”
She was out of the bathroom and heading to the kitchen a minute later. He followed her. “I made coffee. Let me get you a to-go cup. Banana?”
“Already had a delicious one, thanks,” she quipped saucily.
He was laughing as he poured her coffee. “Okay, here you are. Go get ’em, tiger.”
She gave him a terrible salute that was somehow more adorable because of it. “You too, Captain. See you later.”
“Count on it.”
She put Sherlock’s leash on and was out the door. He took his time sipping his coffee, laughing as he ate a banana for breakfast. She was a funny one, his girl. When another more polite knock sounded near eight, he headed for the door.
Jeffrey had a basket of muffins in his hand. He was elegantly dressed in a purple spring suit, white dress shirt with cuffs, and an orange cravat. “Good morning. I’m the resident muffin fairy, hoping to spread good wedding cheer today.”
Dax selected a chocolate one. “Thanks. How’s that going for you?”
“Tiffany about bit my head off. She couldn’t believe I thought she’d be eating something fatty after not fitting into her dress. Terry’s and Tricia’s reactions weren’t much better. By the way, we are not to make one wrinkle on Tiff’s dress or she’s going to go into a tiff, and we’re going to get it. I didn’t ask for a detailed description of the torment we’d undergo, but I can guarantee you, it would hurt. For days. Oh, and I got us this for extra support.”
He set the basket down on the side table and fished into his jacket pocket. “Here. I thought we could all use these. A woman at a local spiritual store told me this is what’s called bringing out the big guns.”
Holding up the packet he’d been given, Dax eyed the large single blue eye. “Is that the evil eye?”
“Yes, and it’s a press-on tattoo.” He pointed to his butt. “I put mine somewhere no one but Antonio is likely to see. God, I miss my honey, but thoughts of our reunion are keeping me going. You should…put it wherever you’d like, Captain Hotpants. Ariel will be only too grateful to go on a hunt for its location.”
Dax tucked his tongue against his cheek. “Might be good to put it on the best buns this side of Biloxi.”
“Ariel would like that.” Jeffrey flashed him a wicked wink. “She’s in a state already. I caught her as she was tearing down the path earlier and insisted she put on her tattoo. Wait until you see where. Then she stuffed a blueberry muffin in her mouth and said something about picking up flowers for Rob.”
“Yes, I’ll explain on the way there.” He twirled his finger. “Now turn around. Because I’m putting this tattoo on right now. I am not taking any chances.”
Jeffrey spun around and put his hands over his eyes. “Never say I’m not a gentleman.”
Mouth twitching, Dax affixed the tattoo with some water from his glass and walked to the door and opened it. “Never. Ready?”
Jeffrey made like he was throwing a scarf over his shoulder and strode out. “Honey, I’m always ready.”
Their errands went fine. The wedding dress was waiting for them. Dax couldn’t believe how much it had cost to press the thing, but maybe it was so expensive because it had been a rush job. Jeffrey said he had the company card, so to speak, but when they picked up the dress whites from the cleaner in another part of town, Dax insisted on paying the bill.
The flower shop was even more overwhelming. Dax had never seen so many choices. Jeffrey went from one floral display cooler after another, selecting flowers like a pro. Even the owner was impressed by his efficiency.
When they left the shop, Dax pulled out his phone since Jeffrey was carrying the giant bouquet.
We’re just wrapping up errands. Mission accomplished. You need anything else? Also, how’s the tent raising?
Ariel
Glad the mission was successful. We’re still putting the tent up. The ground is still really wet in places. And thanks for asking, but I don’t need anything right now. Thank God!
I’m here for you, babe. See you soon.
Jeffrey glanced over as a woman passed them, sighing, likely over the flowers.
“Hey! I’ll be right back,” he told Jeffrey. Following his gut, he jogged back to the flower shop. He didn’t know if Ariel would sigh or swoon, but he wanted to do something nice. Hell, romantic. After a few questions from the flower shop owner about the woman he was buying for—he recalled her complaining about pastel colors—he jogged back to the car with a bouquet.
“Ah, good choices all.” Jeffrey smiled as he pushed up his green glasses and fingered the edges of the double bloom tulips in red, orange, and purple. “She’ll love them. One thing about Ariel is that she professes not to be a girl in such things, but deep down, most of us love to feel appreciated. Few things say it better than flowers.”
Setting the bouquet in the back next to Tiffany’s, he figured this was a good moment to get more information. “What else does?”
“You asking me?” Jeffrey gave a saucy wink. “A really big dick.”
Dax choked. “I’ll take your word for it. Jesus, Jeffrey! I’m really glad you’re you because I was worried I wasn’t going to like anyone in Ariel’s family.”
“Wait until you meet our dad.” Jeffrey turned the car on. “He’s a pretty serious guy with his own rules, but he’s a good man. He’ll like you.”
Thank God. Dax knew his family would love Ariel. “Good to hear. Now, let’s get back to wedding hell.”
Jeffrey wiggled in his seat. “Activating my tattoo and ready for takeoff, Captain.”
Dax chuckled the whole way back.
When they arrived, they put Tiffany’s wedding dress in Ariel’s former cottage, leaving the other items in the car to grab on another trip. Jeffrey arranged it nicely and then pulled out a flask of holy water and made the sign of the cross, making Dax sputter with laughter. The Lord of the Flies boys were chasing each other around, screaming wildly when they let themselves out of the cottage.
Jeffrey was wiping tears, wheezing with laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Marshall yelled.
Ripp raced over, and the rest of the boys followed. Jeffrey exchanged a conspiratorial glance with Dax before drawing out his flask of holy water and shaking it at the boys. “Here! I bless you?—”
The boys started yelling, drowning out the rest of what he said.
Dax was doubling over with laughter when Rob found them.
“Hey! What’s the matter with you two? Did you get the fucking flowers?”
Dax pulled himself together. “Your bouquet is in the Mercedes SL parked in front of the lodge. It’s unlocked. Your dress whites are in the back with the tulips I bought for Ariel, and we put Tiffany’s dress in the bridal cottage.”
“Great!” Rob jogged off toward the parking lot. “Thanks!”
“You’re welcome,” Jeffrey called back. “I hope the flowers do the job, but Tiffany is a notoriously tough customer. Now, let’s deliver the rest of the items, with Ariel’s flowers being top of the list.”
He couldn’t wait to see her. “Sounds good.”
When he found her, she was standing a few yards from the tent setup, rubbing the base of her neck with Sherlock beside her. A large burly guy was talking to her, pointing to the array of poles sticking out of the ground. Men were setting up white folding chairs off to the right, and Dax spotted Scooter filling a large clear pool of water with a green hose. He called out a greeting to the old guy and then went over to Ariel.
He waited until the guy left before stepping forward and lavishly presenting her the bouquet. “For you, Elizabeth.”
She worried her lower lip, hastily looking down, but not before he caught the shocked pleasure in her blue eyes. “This is very unexpected, Stephan, but very sweet. So sweet I’m a little speechless.”
Speechless was good. More romantic gestures were in her future. “I aim to please.” He gestured to the setup. “How’s it going?”
Walking closer, she put her free hand on his chest, holding the bouquet in the crook of her arms. “I’ll tell you in a minute. Come here.”
He knew what she had in mind, so he lowered his head. She rose on tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his in a slow, languorous kiss. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her again because he could and looked over when he heard cheering. “Scooter apparently wants some flowers too.”
She laughed, the tension falling from her face. “Yeah. We all do. As for how it’s going, it’s going. The wet ground is still presenting problems, but we’re working it out. The crew has been great. And Scooter mentioned Bumper missing us. I told him we’d have to come by for a visit sometime.”
Lips twitching, he turned her around and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing the knotted muscles there. “That’s nice. I like being wanted. Especially by a gator named Bumper. I plan to kiss you senseless in front of him to show him he can’t stop the inevitable. Also, I hear we’ll have to do a show-and-tell later. With our evil eye tattoos.”
She put her hand over her mouth to contain her laugh. “God, Jeffrey is so funny. I was like, do you have more? Like for every wedding guest? But yes, we will do a little show-and-tell when this is all over. Because come hell or high water, this wedding is happening today and I will be getting the deed to my grandma’s house. And then I’m going to put my feet up and…I don’t know, sleep for two days. Go to a silent retreat for a week. Get a permanent evil eye tattoo. You game?”
“For all of the above except the tattoo.” He waggled his brows. “As you know, I’m tattoo-free. If I were to get a tattoo, it wouldn’t be an evil eye.”
“What would you get?”
He didn’t hesitate. “I’ve met pilots who have their girl’s name tattooed on their arm. But Elizabeth might be confusing to some.”
She fanned herself. “I like us having a little secret between us.”
He leaned in and kissed the side of her neck. “Me too.”
His sexy whisper made her shiver. “Well… We can talk more about nickname tattoos after the wedding is over.” She turned to Dax and pressed her head to his chest, squashing her flowers. “Assuming I make it.”
He rubbed her arms. “You will. Hold on to a vision of you with your feet up in your home in Folly Beach.”
She all but melted against his tall frame. “With you and Sherlock sitting next to me as we watch the sun set.”
Their eyes met when she lifted her head, and they both smiled. He could already see it, and his heart started thumping in excitement like it did before he took off on the airstrip. “I’m already there.”
She touched his chest tenderly. “Me too. Now…all we have to do is make sure everything goes great.”
“You tell them about the wig thing yet?”
“No, but I’m about to.” She rubbed the spot between her brows. “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
With her family?
The sky was the limit.