Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
A little over a week later and Rick, TJ, Ernie and Dean sat in a row of chairs in a picturesque vineyard nestled in the rugged hills of Swartz Canyon, San Diego. All four were dressed in dark blue suits with matching silver ties.
In front of them under a vine covered arbor adorned with flowers stood Mike. Dressed in a tailored tuxedo he wore a smile a mile wide. Next to him sat Axe, his coat freshly groomed and a bowtie fitted to his collar.
Mike turned and Rick shot him a broad smile and a wink. A feeling of pride swelled through his chest as his teammate waited for his bride to be.
Glancing over his shoulder he spotted Jenny sitting with Leonie and Maria. His date looked beautiful in a silver dress with an exposed back. She wore her hair high with sprigs of white flowers in it. He grinned, she looked more elegant than any woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
She caught his eye and smiled. It was the look that a woman reserved for the man she loved. It was subtle, but Rick felt it like a hit of morphine. A warm sensation flooded his body and he smiled back.
Suddenly, music filled the air and he rose with the others. Everyone turned to face the red carpet that ran from the lush green vines between the rows of chairs to the altar.
Ali stepped into view on her father’s arm and the crowd let out a collective sigh. She looked stunning in a simple yet elegant off-the-shoulder dress that barely touched the ground. Like Jenny she wore her hair up, except hers was adorned with white roses.
He turned back to Mike and saw the look of pure bliss on his SEAL buddy’s face. A little over a week ago he wouldn’t have truly understood how Mike felt, but since meeting Jenny that had changed. “He looks so happy,” he whispered.
Ernie gave a quiet chuckle. “Bro, you haven’t seen the shit eating grin on your face.”
He frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re in love, essé.”
Rick leaned down so his mouth was close to Ernie’s ear. “You might be right, but if you tell anyone I’m going to kick your ass.”
He straightened up as Ali’s father passed her across to Mike. Then a priest joined the two of them.
The service was short and sweet. Axe supplied the ring. Then the priest declared them man and wife. They kissed and cheers filled the vineyard.
While the newlyweds and Axe disappeared for photos the wedding guests, under the guidance of Leonie, gathered inside the winery for drinks.
Rick and Jenny joined Ernie, Maria and TJ at the bar.
“What a beautiful wedding,” said Jenny.
“Ali looked amazing,” added Maria.
The boys ordered beers and stepped away leaving the ladies talking.
The Chief raised his beer. “So, Rick. The last man standing.”
“Once stung, twice shy,” he replied.
“You seem pretty smitten with your ranger,” said TJ.
“You’re in love, bro,” added Ernie.
Rick shrugged. “Maybe.” He took a sip of his beer.
TJ grinned. “Maybe? Maybe it’s time to run another Girlfriend Selection Course.”
Rick snorted into his beer. It sprayed froth over the three others. “Nope. I ain’t doing that shit.” He coughed up amber liquid.
Jenny and Maria glanced over.
TJ laughed, relieving Rick of the overflowing beer. “Relax. I think it’s safe to say that Jenny can skip selection. I mean hell, she rescued our asses.”
Ernie stepped over to the bar and grabbed another beer.
“What am I, chopped liver?” said Rick.
Ernie handed him a bottle. “Hey, we know you helped out. You make a pretty good sidekick.”
Rick glared as the girls joined them and Jenny kissed his cheek. “What are you boys talking about?”
TJ smiled. “We were just reminiscing about how Mike and Ali met. Rick was saying how much he enjoyed the selection course.”
She grinned. “Oh, yes. He mentioned that up in Oregon, but never got to explain it.”
Maria grasped her by the arm. “That’s not a story you want to hear without champagne.”
As Ernie’s wife directed her back to the bar Jenny flashed Rick a smile. He returned it staring intensely into her eyes.
“Oh, she’s got you bad,” TJ said.
“Signed SEAL’d and delivered,” added Ernie. “This time next year we’ll be doing it all over.”
“If, and I mean if I ever get married again, there will be no bachelor party, no secret plans and no damn shenanigans.”
TJ lifted his beer. “Here’s to shenanigans.”
* * *
It was well after three in the morning when Rick and Jenny arrived at the villa he’d rented a short Uber ride from the wedding venue. As he fumbled with the front door he felt Jenny’s arms around his waist.
“You look so damn handsome in that suit,” she murmured as her lips caressed his ear.
He abandoned the door, turned and met her lips with his own. The kiss was long, passionate and sent fire coursing through his veins.
When, after minutes their lips finally parted Rick was breathing heavily. “You, you’re something else Jenny. I’ve never met a woman like you before.”
She grinned, her hands traveling from his waist to his groin where she squeezed him gently through the fabric of his suit. “So, you think I could pass your selection course?”
His brow rose. “Ah, Maria spilled the beans.”
“Yes, she also told me I’m the first woman to tame the untamable Rick.”
“Tame me? That’s fun–”
She squeezed him again and pressed her mouth against his. They kissed like teenagers as she unzipped his fly and slipped her hand inside his pants.
He let out a soft moan and moved his lips to her neck as he slid the thin straps of her dress over her shoulders and unzipped the satin material. The garment slid to her waist revealing her pert breasts.
“Are you going to do something about the door,” she murmured. “Or are we going to make love on the porch.”
It took Rick a matter of seconds to open it.
Jenny stepped inside, pushed her dress down her hips and let it slide to the floor. She stepped out of it and walked slowly along the hall in just her panties and heels.
Rick stood in the doorway his eyes glued to her lithe body.
She glanced back at him. “You going to stand there gawking or come in?”
“Huh, yeah.” He closed the door, shrugged off his jacket and followed her into the bedroom.
She lay back on the bed as he shed his clothes. His eyes never left hers as she watched him intently.
When he was completely naked she smiled. “God you’re a hunk of a man.” She beckoned with her finger.
He started at her feet. Softly kissing her legs, thighs, stomach and breasts, he slowly made his way up the bed. Finally, when their mouths touched he felt her hand grasp his manhood. She pushed aside her underwear and slowly guided him in as they kissed.