The Reluctant Heiress: A Novella(46)

“Really?” he asks skeptically.

“Yes, really. I mean, if you want to get married, we can get married. All I ask is that it’s small. Like small. And in a few years. We might as well make sure we don’t kill each other first.”

Sebastian’s eyes sparkle. “I think we have other methods now for dealing with our frustrations.”

I grin. “I’ll say.”

My dad groans, slumping in his chair with his hand over his face. Unrepentant, Sebastian and I laugh.

Nona pipes in, her tone arch: “In case it matters, I’d like there to be a wedding.”

My dad perks up. “Do I get a vote?”

“Of course not,” says Nona, as Sebastian mutters, “Why not?”

My dad grins at me—the same devilish expression mastered by all of his sons. “If you rob me of the pleasure of walking my only daughter down an aisle, I’ll haunt you forever.”

Seeing the true sentiment and vulnerability lurking behind his smile, warm affection spreads through me. Keeping eye contact, I nod. “Deal. Not the haunting bit, but the walking.”

Sebastian clears his throat. “I’m not sure how I feel about getting married by popular vote.”

I throw half of my dinner roll at him. Grinning, he catches it midair and takes a bite.



My current predicament is a welcome one, a delicious, stretching invasion as Sebastian enters me one slow inch at a time.

“Look at me.”

The words are punctuated by a thrust that anchors him fully inside me. Gasping, I open my eyes. Moonlight filters through the filmy curtains by the bed, giving his features an ethereal glow. A lock of hair, slightly curled, falls across his brow. Lifting my hand from his waist, I brush it back, and he dips to capture my lips in a lush kiss.

“I’ve made a decision,” I say breathlessly.

An adorable little frown pinches the skin between his eyebrows. “About what? It’s a little late to back out of…” He glances down and I swat his arm.

“About what I want to do.”

“Oh yeah?” He kisses my chin. “What’s that?”

“I want to expand the reach of Mom’s charity, Delilah’s Cause. I’m thinking of starting free after-school art programs for underprivileged kids. Boston to start, then who knows. Maybe go national. And I want to do work overseas. Travel where help is needed, and—”

“Okay.”

I focus on Sebastian’s wide smile. “Okay?”

He nods. “It sounds perfect for you. For us.”

I melt into the moment, my senses opening wide. His warm chest presses against mine, our hearts beating together. His dark eyes are full of tenderness and passion. Muscled arms cage my head, making me feel small and protected. He’s everywhere inside me, deep in my bones, in my blood and breath.

“Make love to me, Bast,” I whisper, arching beneath him. “Give me everything.”

His fingers whisper along my cheekbone, graze my jaw and lips. “You have it, Candy. Always.”

His hips swirl against mine, pouring kerosene on the flame that lives between us… has flickered since we were too young to know what it meant. Whimpering in need, I clench my legs around his hips, shattering his restraint.

And he gives it to me. Everything.





Epilogue





six months later



BlueBell Farm, Maine




A soft breeze brings the mingled scents of grass, earth, and apple blossoms across the hundred or so people seated in rows on the lawn. My steps down the petal-strewn aisle are steady, as are the beats of my heart. There’s nowhere I’d rather be—no person I’d rather be—than myself in this moment, walking toward the man I love.

There’s a wicked glint in Sebastian’s eyes as they follow me to the exclusion of all else. His gaze tells me that no one, not even the adorable flower girl—Jonah and Meghan’s youngest granddaughter—will command his attention. Just me, the unshakable bond between our hearts, and perhaps the snug, flattering cut of my dress. From the carnal heat in his expression, I’m guessing it won’t stay on my body very long tonight, which I’m totally fine with.

When I make it to the end of the aisle, all I want to do is run into Sebastian’s arms. But I have enough wits left to smile at my escort, Thea’s brother, Oliver, and take up position next to her best friend, Lillian. Then I look back at Sebastian, because he looks so fucking good in a tux.

Not until Alex clears his throat in amused reprimand do Sebastian and I stop staring hungrily at each other. I grin at my brother, who offers a shaky, nervous one in return. From his position behind Alex and Oliver, Sebastian winks at me.

The haunting and lovely music of a lone violin floats on the breeze, and we all perk to attention. The flower girl, her cherubic face rosy and grinning, completes her journey down the aisle. Then Thea appears with her father, both of them beaming.

The second he sees his bride, Alex’s body drains of tension. A beatific smile overtakes his face and tears of emotion fill his eyes. I can’t help glancing at Sebastian again, wondering if he’s feeling what I’m feeling—the soaring rightness of true love.

I’m not surprised to find him already looking at me. The smile on his face tells me everything I need to know. Love didn’t cease to exist just because I denied it out of fear. Love is a seed waiting for soil, water, and air.