7. Piper
CHAPTER 7
Piper
T he sincerity in Galen’s eyes, the need, craving, want… I see it all. He’s all in, and I don’t know what to do. Everything inside me screams, say yes. My heart weeps with the mere thought of losing this man while my head tells me it is way too soon. It’s barely been twenty-four hours, and all he wants is sex.
Except that doesn’t feel true.
“Tell me yes, Piper.” His lips skim across my neck and up to my ear, flicking his tongue out for tiny tastes. “I know you want to; your body is telling me you do.”
“This is a bad idea.” I’m unsure who I’m trying to convince anymore because, innately, I already know my answer. “Yes, Galen, I’ll be your wife.”
I’ve barely gotten the words out, and he’s devouring my lips in a very primal kiss. Claiming me in such a fundamental, feral way that all I can do is hold on for the ride because this man is my endgame.
“Thank you,” he whispers with so much emotion in the two words that it melts my heart and makes me wish I’d said yes from the start.
“So, what…uhm…what do we do now?” My eyes stray towards the beautiful dresses displayed on the rack, and I already know which one I will wear. The one with the green lace trim on the bodice that matches Galen’s eyes. “I don’t even know what you do for a living.” The thought comes out of nowhere.
Straightening up, he brushes his hands through my hair, and I think it’s my new favorite feeling. “I’m a gun for hire.”
“A hitman?”
“Not quite. I’m a freelance worker for the government. I go where they want and do what they ask.”
Gripping his wrists, I don’t know if I like the sound of this. “Does that mean you’ll be traveling a lot?”
“Not anymore.”
“What does that mean? You’re going to quit your job because of me?” He grins like the cat who ate the canary.
“Doll.” He kisses my cheek. “It means I’m my own boss, and yes, because of you. Because of my desire to be near you and ensure you’re always safe, I will no longer be taking out-of-town jobs when I can help it.” I open my mouth to protest, but he covers it with a soothing hand. “This is my choice, baby doll. I’ve been unhappy for a long fucking time. You bring me inordinate joy, and being around more will please my mother immensely.”
My heart soars. He has a wonderful relationship with his mother. Something I no longer have and haven’t in years. I hope she likes me.
“She’ll love you, baby.” My eyes flare as I realize I said that last bit out loud. “Now, I want you to choose your dress. Do any pampering you’d like. The justice of the peace will be here at eight-thirty, and we marry at nine. I have a hair and makeup girl coming at six, too, if that’s something you want.” He’s thought of everything.
“I need to call Hael.” I can’t do this without her.
“She’ll be here, and so will my parents.” The way he says parents gives me pause, and I almost question him.
“What time is it now?” Grabbing his wrist, I check his watch and see it’s almost six. “I need to shower. You need to go.” Pushing him off me—only because he allows it—I dart into the bathroom and rush through a shower, scrubbing, shaving, and ensuring everything is squeaky clean because I get the feeling this man plans to explore every inch of my body before the night is through.
I’m getting married!
I could squeal, but I contain myself.
When I dumped Marcus last night, this was not how I thought things would go after running out into the pouring rain and straight into this stranger of my dreams. He appears to know me in ways nobody else does, not even Hael, and I tell her basically everything.
A sane person would run from Galen. Clearly, I am not that person. All I want is to be tied to him. He’s perfect for me, and from the way he speaks and acts, I am for him too.
Shutting the shower water off, I towel-dry my hair before brushing it out. Wrapping a bath sheet around my body, I walk back into the spare room and remove the dress I’d chosen from the rack. Laying it across the bed, I admire its simple elegance—thin straps, a long skirt, and green lace flowers sewn into the top of the bodice.
It’s everything I would have chosen for myself, and I can’t believe Galen knew this was what I’d have wanted. The silk is buttery soft, and I can’t wait to put it on.
I jump at the light knock on the door before Hael and another woman push their way in.
“So, you’re getting married.” Hael’s hands set balled on her hips.
“Are you angry?” She’s the only family I have; I couldn’t stand it if she were mad.
“Concerned. You hardly know this guy, and he hardly knows you.” She fingers through the dresses as the hair and make-up person gets set up in the bathroom.
“It feels right.” I whisper the words I’ve hesitated to give voice and realize how true they are. Being with Galen feels good within my soul. For the first time in my life, I’m not second-guessing myself, and it’s because he makes me feel so safe. I haven’t had that since my parents died.
I know I lucked out in the foster parent department because the places I stayed in until I was sixteen and had to move to a group home were good. The parents genuinely cared for children and kept me on a good path. The group home wasn’t terrible, but it never felt as welcoming, and when I finally aged out, I lucked into scholarships and financial aid so I could make something of myself.
Galen provides me with those same feelings. I want this with him. For us.
“Hey, if this is what you want, I’m all for it. Love can come naturally afterwards.” Hael’s support means the world to me.
“I think I already love him,” I confess. “Our eyes met that first time, and my heart soared. We clicked, and I think he felt it as well.”
Gripping my shoulders, Hael searches my eyes before smiling at me. “You deserve all the greatness I hope he’s offering, but if things don’t work out how you want, I will always have a home for you.” Dragging me in for a hug, we shed a couple of tears and then work on getting me ready for my big evening.