by Shayla Black
The imp had big eyes a shade somewhere between blue and green, golden-blond hair, and a mischievous mien. He all but danced up the aisle.
“The other is Tyler’s oldest son, Seth. He’s going to be just like his daddy—trouble,” Kata vowed. “OMG, did you see him wink at Sweet Pea?”
“Yep. Just like his daddy.” Tara leaned forward and shook her head at Kata.
“Shh,” Logan warned as the kids sat in the front row.
London came down the aisle next, draped in a gorgeous Tiffany-blue chiffon that floated over her pregnant belly and flowed to the ground. Her blond hair was tucked into a feminine, romantic updo, complete with tendrils at her temples and nape.
She was escorted by Thorpe, who cut a gorgeous, commanding figure in a black tux.
Sean waited at the altar, smiling at Thorpe and nodding London’s way. They both took their places, then turned to look down the aisle. The music changed. Rather than the traditional wedding march, the strains of something haunting and lovely filled the room.
Callie appeared in a stunning beaded white dress that took Bailey’s breath away. Sean and Thorpe’s, too, judging from the looks on their faces. A long white veil floated on top of her train. Even the thin tulle over her face couldn’t disguise her big blue eyes or the sublime joy stretching her smiling red lips.
She wore her blue-black hair upswept in a do like London’s, except it looked more intricate and was studded with crystals that played off her dress and artful clusters of baby’s breath.
Bailey had never seen a more radiant bride.
“Oh, wow . . .” Kata breathed. “I’m jealous. I wore a leather skirt and the first shirt I plucked out of my suitcase to my wedding.”
“You looked great,” Hunter assured her.
Bailey turned to look at the pair. She would love to know that story someday.
Callie glided down the aisle, graceful and strong, then passed her flowers to London. Sean took her hands, and they looked into each other’s eyes. The love between them filled the room, sweetening the air. Impossible to miss the hope and anticipation for the future decorating this celebration of their joining.
The ceremony didn’t last long. Their vows made Bailey cry. No use lying. She envied Callie’s happy ending, but knew the woman had been through hell and thoroughly deserved it.
The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, then instructed Sean to kiss his bride. He let out a great big whoop. Everyone laughed, and the photographer moved in and captured their first tender, passionate kiss as man and wife.
When they broke apart, Sean shuffled to Callie’s side and Thorpe moved closer, taking her shoulders in hand. The smile he bestowed on her made Bailey’s heart catch. Not just love, but pride and devotion and an abiding commitment to their future. He might not be the groom, but in that look, he vowed to stay by Callie’s side and be every bit the partner to her that Sean had just sworn to be. She mouthed that she loved him. Sean wrapped a hand around her waist as Thorpe kissed her forehead, then bent to take her mouth in a sweet, lingering kiss of promise.
Then the three of them held hands and turned to face the crowd. Tears of joy streamed down Callie’s face. The men’s expressions both beamed with happiness and pride. Their guests clapped. Bailey found herself tearing up again. She’d bet there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
The officiant announced Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie. The trio made their way back down the aisle, man and wife and—as Thorpe was fond of calling himself—the only other man.
The reception would be hosted outside in the gardens, so the crowd began to spill out through the tall, ornate chapel doors. Bailey watched wistfully as everyone took his or her spouse’s or lover’s hand and they smiled fondly at each other, sharing a glance full of past secrets and future promises.
Where was Joaquin today? Bailey knew she should stop tormenting herself about the man and what would never be, but she doubted he’d ever leave her heart. Their few days together had been intense. When he’d dragged her from her bed in Houston, she’d never imagined falling in love. Parts of the last week had been harrowing, even terrible. But she’d come out on the other side, stronger and more certain than ever who she was. Like Callie, she’d adopted this haphazard group of friends and relatives as her own. She might never have the man, but she wouldn’t be alone again. There was comfort in that.
“The weather is perfect for the reception,” Tara said, rising and casting a glance Logan’s way. “We should have waited for an April wedding. August was terrible.”
“I’d already waited since high school, Cherry. I wasn’t waiting another nine months,” he quipped.
Tara laughed. “You barely waited five minutes.”
“Hey, I was more patient than Hunter. He didn’t wait more than five minutes—literally.”
Hunter turned a little red as they filed out of the row and headed to the doors. “I saw the woman I wanted and I went after her. Why put off starting the rest of our lives?”
“Um, you might have waited until I was sober,” Kata put in.
Now Bailey really wanted to hear this story.
“And give you a chance to get away? Never.” He grinned.
Kata stroked her belly again. “You got your wish. Now it looks like I’m not going anywhere.”
“Not if I can help it.”
They shuffled out of the chapel and into a receiving line. With a small ceremony, it didn’t take long, but a crowd of people were pouring into the gardens for the reception.
Sean hugged her first. “Bailey! I’m glad you could make it. Feeling all right?”
“Fine. It was a beautiful ceremony. I wouldn’t have missed it. Thank you for including me.”
Callie nearly reached across her new husband to grab Bailey and draw her close. Bailey embraced the woman in return, so thrilled for her new friend’s joy.
“You look stunning,” she murmured.
The lovely brunette’s smile only widened, her blue eyes sparkling with profound peace. “It’s easy when you’re this happy. I’m hoping for the same for you, doll.”
Bailey’s expression filled with regret. “Maybe someday.”
“I really believe Joaquin loves you. Sean is convinced, too. Don’t give up, huh?”
“It’s your wedding day,” Bailey reminded her, changing the subject. “Don’t worry about me! You just enjoy the rest of your life.”
“Text me after your audition Tuesday and let me know how it went,” Callie demanded. “Promise?”
“I don’t want to interrupt your honeymoon.”
“If we’re busy, I’ll read the text later. We can’t do that for two weeks solid.” Callie flushed.
“Wanna bet?” Thorpe drawled, taking Bailey’s hand and moving her up the line, into his embrace.
Callie giggled. “You’re incorrigible, both of you.”
Sean leaned over. “You mean insatiable.”
“That, too.” Thorpe nodded.
The two fist bumped, then looked at the bride as if she was their world.
Bailey envied Callie all over again, but she forced herself to paste on a smile and regard Thorpe. “Congratulations.”
He hugged her. “Thank you,” he murmured, then frowned. “You look sad. Feeling lonely?”
She swallowed. Why would Thorpe ask now? He was supposed to be enjoying this day of commitment. Besides, he had to know she was. Surely, it was all over her face.
“Yeah, but I’m determined to move on.” If Joaquin wasn’t ready to face his demons and embrace whatever he felt in his heart, she couldn’t make him.
“You deserve a future full of everything wonderful. I know you’ll do well in next week’s audition.”
Fingers crossed. She’d worked hard. Blane had been so thrilled with her progress and the way she’d finally been able to emote through her dance. For the first time, Bailey felt completely herself and free. Yes, sad . . . but at peace with her past.
“Than
k you.”
“I sure would like to see you smile and mean it. I know someone else who would, too.” Thorpe pointed past a gorgeous Italian fountain to a gate on the side of the gardens, surrounded by a profusion of blooming bougainvillea.
There stood Joaquin in a dark gray suit, staring straight at her as if she were the only person on the planet.
Bailey’s heart stuttered, skipped. She gasped. Why was he here? Just for the wedding. If he didn’t want to see her, she worried it would crush this little mental Zen space she’d worked so hard to achieve.
She tore her gaze from Joaquin and sent a searching expression Thorpe’s way. “Why?”
“He called me last night. Hear him out, okay?”
Callie laid a hand on her arm. “Men are stubborn.” She sent a meaningful glance Thorpe’s way. “Sometimes you have to be patient and forgiving.”
Bailey didn’t know if she had that in her. She should probably resist, retain her pride, but she wanted to see Joaquin so damn badly. So she nodded.
With a gentle hand at her back, Thorpe eased her on her way. As she put one foot in front of the other, almost in a daze, she had nowhere to look but at Joaquin. Still, her heart wouldn’t beat quite right and her stomach knotted with anxiety as she tiptoed across the garden.
He barreled toward her, reaching her in a few long strides. “You look beautiful.”
Callie had been kind enough to lend her a dress this morning. She still hadn’t been to Houston to clean out her house or reclaim what was left of her things. She’d have to do that after the audition—and figure out where to go from there. Right now, she was thinking she’d move somewhere she could be near her newly adopted family.
“Thanks.” Bailey didn’t know what else to say. He’d obviously made it back from Iowa. No idea what he wanted to say to her. She probably shouldn’t be so eager, but she desperately wanted to know.
“Can I talk to you?” he asked. “I know I don’t deserve it, but I owe you an apology at least.”
Bailey felt her eyes begin to swim in tears. She didn’t want to bare her heartbreak. She wasn’t sure she could live with herself if she did . . . but she was also struggling to hold it back.
“I know why you left.” Damn it, her voice was shaking. “You don’t have to say anything more. I caused you worry you didn’t need and—”
“My fear that I’d lost you stripped me all the way down to my soul. I was already struggling with how I could deserve you or show you that I love you. I wasn’t prepared to lose you, Bailey, especially when it was all my fault.”
She blinked at him, gaping. “I . . .”
He loved her? Had he just said that?
Her thoughts raced. She swallowed, then opened her mouth and tried again. “It wasn’t your fault. You did your best.”
Joaquin shook his head. “I should have shot McKeevy in the parking lot. I should have laid down my life to keep him from touching you even once.”
She didn’t need or want Joaquin’s guilt. If that’s what had brought him here, she would absolve him now and send him on his way. “I’m fine.”
“Any more nightmares?”
“Surprisingly no. I’ve had some panicked moments where I’ve been afraid to be alone, especially at night. I’m told that’s normal. I’m thinking about getting a dog.” Where had that come from? Great, now she was rambling. “I’m going to talk to a therapist about what happened to me as a child, so I can work through everything. But you don’t have to worry about me.”
He frowned fiercely, his hazel eyes looking mysteriously moist. “I will always worry about you, regardless of what happens today. But if you give me another chance, I will stay and care for you every single day. I will never, ever leave you again.”
He grabbed her hands, and she felt the shock of his touch all the way to her heart—a bittersweet homecoming. Bailey felt her knees go weak.
“I’m sorry. I miss you. I love you.” His chest buckled, and he looked as though he held back tears. “I want you forever.”
It took all of Bailey’s self-control not to leap into his arms and admit that she loved him, too. But he had to understand how she felt. “It’s not that simple, Joaquin. I’ve been left by everyone I’ve ever loved, including you.”
He closed his eyes. “God, if I could take that day back, I would, baby girl. In a heartbeat. When I thought I’d lost you forever, I freaked out.”
“I know. Just like I know you didn’t mean to hurt me when you left me. But you did.” She sighed. “I’m human. I could die tomorrow. I can’t do anything about that. I can’t live with wondering if you’ll run away every time you’re overwhelmed by potential pain and loss.”
He shook his head, looking insistent and determined. “I want every moment I can get with you, until fate decides it’s time for one of us to take our last breath—whether that’s tomorrow or a hundred years from now. But I can’t live another second without telling you how much I love you. I know you might reject me, and I’ll have earned it. But at least I know I’ve faced my fear and been one hundred percent honest with you.”
God, he sounded like a different man. Bailey scanned the familiar, masculine angles of his face and marveled at the resolution there. “What changed?”
“You,” he said as if the truth was obvious. “You make me want tomorrow. You make me ready to face whatever comes next, good or bad.” He pulled her closer, and Bailey didn’t resist. “I want you to know . . . I spoke to my mother. We’re on good terms again. I called Kata and Mari this morning. I’ve apologized. I won’t let my family down. I even reached out to Nate’s parents to offer my condolences. I think they needed it.”
“That’s great.” Bailey really meant that. For Joaquin, those were huge steps. Maybe he was truly serious.
“Caleb gave me a job. Hunter, Logan, and I are going to take over his business. The three of us spent a lot of time talking last night, planning. I’m really looking forward to . . . belonging again. But life would be so much better with you beside me.”
“Joaquin . . .” Bailey’s tears spilled over. How was she supposed to resist that?
“Can you forgive me?”
There was one fundamental difference between him and nearly everyone else who’d ever left her: Most had gone without much thought for her feelings. Joaquin was reaching his hand across the chasm between them to bring her into his world. He hadn’t plotted to leave her, but he’d come up with a plan to coax her back into his life. It touched her.
“Yes.”
“Oh, thank God.” He pulled her against him and filtered his fingers into her hair. “Bailey Benson, marry me. Please put me out of my misery, put me in my place when I need it, and take me into your heart, the way you’re in mine. I swear, I won’t let you down.”
He couldn’t have been more earnest if he’d tried. The swell of need emanating from him bowled her over. And she loved him so much it hurt.
Joy brought another rush of tears to her eyes. “Yes!”
Joaquin smiled at her, so full of joy and life—and relief as he reached into his pocket and slipped a gorgeous diamond solitaire on her finger. She glanced down at the winking gem, then back up to her new fiancé. He beamed, so clearly embracing their future together. Elation brimmed between them. She couldn’t be more thrilled.
As he sealed their new bond with a seeking kiss that quickly turned demanding, Bailey warmed against him and melted as the wedding guests around her clapped. She laughed and cried at once, feeling as if she’d finally found her family.
DON’T MISS THE NEXT WICKED LOVERS NOVEL FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SHAYLA BLACK
Wicked for You
Ever since he rescued her from a dangerous kidnapper, Mystery Mullins has wanted Axel Dillon. When he returned her to her Hollywood father and tabloid life, she was grateful . . . and a little in love. Mystery wasn’t ready to let Axel go, even after the soldier gently turned her away because, at nineteen, she was