I guess he sensed my sadness at his reaction because he kissed my cheek tenderly. “We’ll have to wait and see, Angel.”
Satisfied with his answer, I smiled at him. “I’ll hold you to it.”
With a wink, he said, “Sounds like a plan.”
Two courses of mouthwatering food later, AJ stood up and took the microphone. “Oh Jesus,” Jake muttered.
“As you know, it’s customary for the best man to make a speech at the wedding reception. Since some of you won’t be with us tomorrow, I felt it was best to give my speech now, so no one missed out.” AJ flashed a wide grin. “When I was twelve years old, a family moved next door to us. While I went over to be friendly and introduce myself, I really just wanted to get a better view of the hot chick.” He glanced out into the audience. “Sorry, Andrea, but it’s the truth.”
“Oh please,” she muttered, while burying her head in her hands.
“Anyway, while on my chick-seeking mission, I found out that there was a kid my age who would be visiting every other weekend. I was pretty stoked at that news ‘cause at the time, I thought if I made nice with the dude, then I would be around more to see his step-sister.”
“You’re such an ass,” Jake muttered with a grin.
“So, the first weekend Jake came out of the boonies to visit his dad, I went over to meet him. I had no idea that day I was meeting my new best friend. I mean, it certainly wasn’t too memorable. We sat around eating junk food and playing video games. No, it was the next day that our fates were sealed when Jake brought out his guitar. While he wanted to sing and play some hokey Johnny Cash shit his grandfather had taught him, I quickly took him downstairs to the basement where my drums were. I guess you could say it was then and there our true and unfailing bromance began.”
As everyone laughed, AJ turned to me and winked. “Over the years of watching Jake the Lady Killer in action, I knew it was going to take a special girl to snag his heart and make him toe the line. One who was feisty and sassy, sweet and kind, beautiful and sexy, and his creative and musical equal. And then one day, this woman…” he pointed at me. “This gorgeous woman right here literally fell into his bed and didn’t take his bullshit. Ever.”
I groaned but smiled in spite of myself. “Thanks for bringing that up in front of everybody.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied. As he cocked his head at me, a mischievous twinkle entered his dark eyes. “You know at first, I kinda hoped that maybe this beautiful little firecracker and myself might be meant to Tango into the sunset together. But no, it was clear almost from the very beginning that she was meant for only Jake. I’m just honored to call her a friend and musical collaborator. But best of all, tomorrow I will get to call her my best friend’s wife.”
“Oh, AJ,” I murmured, as my hand came to my throat.
“His ball and chain for now until the day he dies,” he added with a grin.
I laughed and shook my head at him as he picked up his champagne flute. “So, I ask you to raise a glass to the couple of the evening, the man and woman of the hour, and along with me, wish them all the blessings, joy, and happiness that life can bring.” He thrust his drink into the air. “To Jake and Abby.”
“To Jake and Abby,” the crowd recited, as they lifted their glasses.
Jake clinked my glass with his before dipping his head to kiss me. “Here’s to us, Angel,” he murmured, against my lips.
“To us,” I replied breathlessly. I brought the crystal flute to my lips and took a sip while Jake downed his in one gulp. “Now who needs to pace himself?” I teasingly asked.
“What do you say we dance?”
I couldn’t help laughing. “Seriously? You hate to dance.”
“With anyone else, yes. But with you, I’d love to.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I’m positive.”
“Okay, then.” I slipped my hand into his and let him pull me out of my chair. We made our way in front of the main table where a wooden floor had been erected for dancing. Across from us, a band had been tuning up. Jake gave a nod to the lead singer—a tall, lanky guy with shaggy dark hair.
“Okay, everyone, I have a special request from the groom-to-be. It’s an oldie…actually one we weren’t even familiar with, but since Jake wants us to play it, then by God we’re doing it.” Glancing over his shoulder, he then counted off.
Instantly, I recognized the song. It was one Jake had on his iPod under a playlist called My Angel. It was from the 90s, if you considered that an oldie, and it was called How Do You Talk to an Angel?
Jake smiled down at me. “Good choice?”
“Oh, yes.”
“I thought you’d like it.”
Tomorrow my brothers would be reuniting with Micah to do the singing at the ceremony and the reception. Tonight had been up to Jake. “So, I don’t think I ever asked who the band is?”
“It’s Brayden’s cousin, Cade’s.” A sheepish look entered Jake’s face. “Remember the second night you were on the bus with us when the guys and I were supposed to go hear a band play, but I got wasted, puked on you, and passed out?”
I quirked my brows at him. “How could I ever forget?”
Jake laughed. “Yeah, thought you would. Of course, I kinda hoped you would also remember that was the night I truly came clean with you, and that I wanted a chance to win you over.”
“I remember that, too.”
“Good,” he murmured, before kissing me.
As the song faded to an end, Jake and I remained lip-locked under the twinkling lights of the tent. I could have stayed in that moment forever—wrapped in his arms, feeling the intensity of his love with each and every kiss. In the end, I just hoped to be able to bottle up a little of the feeling, so that when there were hard times or fights or when I felt like his love had waned, I could look back on this moment in time and know how truly and deeply we loved each other. It was true bliss and heaven on earth.
Only the sound of a rumbling explosion caused me to pull away. Over Jake’s shoulder, the night sky lit up in a multi-colored array. I gasped. “Fireworks?”
Jake grinned. “A little surprise.”
People abandoned their chairs and walked outside of the tent. “Too redneck?” Jake asked, as he slid his arm around my waist.
I laughed. “No, I love it.”
“I figured you were used to big finales during our shows, so I thought our party needed a big moment.”
“They’re amazing. I mean, they’re as good as the ones at Stone Mountain on the 4th of July!”
“I’m glad you think so,” Jake mused as we tilted our heads to take in the display.
When the last streaks of color followed a sonic boom, Jake took my hand and brought it to his lips. “How about we cut that cake now?”
“That sounds good to me.”
As we waved goodbye to the last guest, Jake peeked at his watch. “Wow, I’m impressed. Everyone ate, danced, and drank and were outta here by eleven thirty.”
“That’s because there weren’t many Italians or Mexicans here,” AJ commented with a grin. “We party until the sun comes up. Don’t we, Mia?”
Mia nodded. “Yep, it’s true.”
I laughed. “Then I better start training for your wedding.”
“Oh, it’s going to be epic for sure,” AJ remarked.
“Well, considering we have a slammed day tomorrow, I’m kinda glad that everyone decided to go home a little early,” I said.
“It was a nice party though, wasn’t it?” Jake remarked, as we started up the porch steps.
“It was beautiful—everything I hoped it would be,” I said.
With a smile, Jake said, “Best of all, we get to party more tomorrow.”
Mia glanced down at Bella, who was sound asleep in her arms. “I better get this pumpkin to bed.” When AJ started to ease down on the sofa, Mia grabbed his shirt sleeve. “I could use a little help.”
AJ grinned. “Is that code for you want me to come down
stairs so you can have your way with me?”
At Mia’s laugh, Bella stirred, so Mia quickly covered her mouth with her free hand. “Yeah, Mr. Latin Lover, that’s exactly what I was thinking,” she replied softly.
“Mmm, good deal.” With a wave of his hand to us, he added, “Night bitches,” before following Mia to the basement stairs. Glancing over her shoulder at me, Mia winked, causing a flush to enter my cheeks.
Trying to recover before Jake got suspicious, I asked, “Think our house guests will think we’re poor hosts if we go on to bed?”
Jake shook his head. “I think your parents and brothers understand. And from the sound of it, AJ and Mia are covered.”
“I think so,” I replied with a smile.
“So I guess this is goodnight, huh?”
I nodded. “Yep, the last night we’ll ever spend as single people.”
Cocking his head, Jake asked, “Remind me again why I didn’t have a swinging bachelor party?”
I smacked his arm playfully. “Because you’re marrying an insecure, overbearing shrew who couldn’t stand the thought of some fake-breasted, plastic Barbie giving you a lap dance?”
A wicked gleam burned in Jake’s blue eyes. “Actually, I think it was more that I was a caveman who didn’t want some oiled dude in a banana hammock dry humping you.”
“Ew!” I cried while wrinkling my nose.
“I’m sure that with some hot, cute little number like yourself, all the Magic Mike douchebags would have wanted to rub up on you.”
“I would have totally declined since I’m very happy having you, and only you, rub up on me.”
Jake’s amused expression grew serious as he traced my cheekbone with his thumb. “Are you sure?”
My eyes widened. “Excuse me? Am I sure about gross, oily male strippers?”
He laughed. “No, I meant about me and only me.”
“Considering we’re getting married tomorrow, I think that shows I’m pretty damn sure.”
“But are you sure you’re okay with me being the only man you’ve ever slept with.” His brows furrowed in thought. “I mean, do you think you’ll look back one day and wish you’d had more experience?”
I shook my head furiously from side to side. “Never, ever.” Sliding my arms around his neck, I smiled. “I can’t ever imagine anyone being a better lover than you.”
“And since you have no one else to judge that by, I don’t—”
Bringing my hand to his chest, I silenced him. “Don’t go there, Jake. I know what I’ve felt with you, and I don’t want anyone else. I’m fully satisfied that you will be the only man I sleep with for the rest of my life.”
Although I wasn’t entirely sure he believed me, a pleased smile curved on his lips. “I’m satisfied that you’re the last woman I’ll ever sleep with for the rest of my life.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Give me a goodnight kiss, future ball and chain,” he teased.
I leaned up on my tiptoes to bring my mouth to his. He snaked his arms around my waist, drawing me flush against him. As I deepened the kiss by thrusting my tongue against his, Jake’s fingers came to tangle in the bottom strands of my hair. He tasted sweet like the chocolate cake we had fed each other for dessert.
When I pulled away, Jake groaned. “Yeah, guess we better cut that out for tonight.”
I bit my lip to keep from smiling since I knew what I was going to do as soon as the house was quiet, and I was sure everyone was asleep. “See you tomorrow then,” I said.
“Night, Angel. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Jake gave me a chaste kiss on the lips before heading out the front door. Fighting the butterflies in my stomach, I made my way down the hall to the bedroom. Although I slipped out of my dress and into my pajamas, I had no intention of going to sleep. Instead, I lay in bed, listening to the sounds around me. Long after the last footsteps could be heard pattering down the hall or the sound of water in the pipes, I finally threw back the covers and hopped out of bed.
I knew exactly what I wanted to wear, and it only took two seconds to pull it out of my suitcase. I then slipped into the bathroom and got dressed. As soon as I was done, I crept out of the bedroom and down the hall. I could hear my dad snoring in the guest bedroom, while the sound of muted TV came from the office where Eli and Gabe were sleeping on an air mattress and the pullout couch. Grabbing a flashlight out of the hall closet, I then snuck out the front door. I jogged as fast as I could in my robe and slippers across the front lawn and down the hill. Thankfully, Angel had actually listened to me when I told her to stay on the porch. The last thing I needed was for her to start a barking marathon and alert everyone that I was running around half-naked outside.
When I got to the barn, I reached under one of the potted plants to get out the hide-a-key. Gently, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. When I closed the door behind me, I heard rustling in the bed upstairs. Without hesitation, I made my way across the living room toward the stairs. Of course, I didn’t expect Jake to have left his shoes in the middle of the floor, causing me to trip and bang into the ladder.
“Ow!” I cried before I could bite down on my lip.
“Abby?” Jake questioned. Within a few seconds, he was peering over the railing of the loft.
Gazing up at him, I teased, “Yes, it’s me. Were you expecting someone else?”
His brows furrowed. “I wasn’t expecting anyone, especially you.”
“Well…surprise!”
Jake gave me a funny look as I started climbing the stairs. When I got to the top rung of the ladder, he helped me off. “What are you doing here?”
To answer his question, I undid the tie on my robe. I then shimmied it off my shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Jake’s eyes widened while his mouth gaped open at my skimpy lingerie. “Abby…”
“Do you remember this?” I asked, running my hand over the silky material.
As the revelation washed over him, desire burned in his eyes. “You were wearing that the night we made love for the first time.”
“Yes, I was.” Stepping forward, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I want you to finish what you started earlier this afternoon. But most of all, I want you to make love to me again on our wedding eve in the same place we first came together.”
Jake’s gaze left mine to momentarily flicker over to the clock on the nightstand. “But it’s after midnight. That means it’s our wedding day. What about the bad luck?”
“We make our own luck. But more than anything, we make our own memories, and I want to make one with you tonight.”
As his arms wrapped tighter around me, he cocked his head at me. “Trust me, Angel, I certainly don’t want to argue with you. I just don’t want you to regret it later.”
“There hasn’t been a single moment I’ve regretted with you.”
Jake’s brows rose in surprise. “Really?”
“I promise.”
He smiled. “I’m really glad to hear that.”
“So are you down with my plan?”
“Oh, hell yeah,” he said, as he backed us over to the bed.
“Since when do you wear T-shirts to sleep in?” I asked.
He grinned. “I found the more clothes I had on, the better I reigned myself in.”
“Oh no, has our abstaining caused you to spend a little extra time with your hand?” I teased.
“I refused to rub one out, which is why I’m wearing the clothes, instead of sleeping naked.”
“Poor baby,” I murmured. Taking the hem of his T-shirt, I had to stand on tiptoes to whisk it over his head. Once I tossed it onto the floor, I went for the waistband of his boxers. As my fingers skimmed along his abdomen, I glanced up. His hands remained at his sides, rather than ripping off my clothes like he usually did. “Is this how we’re playing it? You naked and me in my lingerie?”
He grinned. “Maybe.” His hand came to cup my breasts through the lacy fabric. “Maybe seeing you in thi
s number gets me so hot that I want to enjoy it as long as possible.”
“Hmm, that’s nice.” After I shoved the fabric over his hips, I was rewarded with a sight of how ready he was for me. Dropping to my knees, I leaned forward to bestow a kiss on the crown of his head. His abdominal muscles clenched. As I pushed his boxers down to the floor, I kissed a slow, tedious trail over his calves and thighs. “Angel,” Jake pleaded.
Deciding to put him out of his misery, I took his length in my hand. At his sharp intake of breath, I slid my fingers up and down his erection. Jake sucked in a breath as he stared down at me with hooded eyes. Licking my lips, I brought my mouth to him and sucked his length inside. Jake’s deep groan reverberated around the bedroom. He swept my hair aside to watch what I was doing to him. “Fuck, you drive me wild,” he murmured. I kept sucking him harder and deeper while pumping my hand up and down.
Just as I felt him begin tensing up, he jerked away from me, and his erection fell free of my mouth. With gentle hands, he lifted me off my knees. His hands went to the hem of my nightie, and he lifted it over my head. As one hand came to cup my breast, the other went to jerk down my thong. “Easy now. Don’t rip it, caveman,” I admonished him with a smile.
“You’d like it if I did.”
“Oh I would?”
His head bobbed up and down. “You like it when I take control.” His thumb flicked over my nipple, causing me to gasp.
“Not bad,” I murmured.
When both of his hands came to pinch my nipples, moisture flooded my core, and I couldn’t help moaning. He then eased onto his back on the bed. Taking my hand, he jerked me over to where I was straddling him. He then pulled me further up his body until his mouth connected with my core. “Oh God,” I moaned, as Jake’s tongue dipped inside me. With his hands clamped tight to my thighs, his mouth continued a steady assault. My breathing became erratic, and I pitched forward to grab hold of the headboard. My hips moved in time with the thrusting of his tongue inside me. Unable to grip the headboard for long, my hands felt blindly along the side of the bed. Jake’s grip on my thighs released, and his hands clasped with mine. As I squeezed his fingers with my own, I continued riding his face and tongue. A powerful orgasm rippled through me, causing me to throw my head back and scream his name.