Ignite (Speed Series Book 1)(60)

My heart dropped to my stomach as the fear of something like that being sent to Adaline. Luckily, I never slept with Stephanie. “Well, I never slept with her so we don’t have to worry about that.”

Chris still wore a worried expression. “Talk to me, Chris.”

As he looked around my room, he shook his head. “It’s just weird, Emmit. Stephanie’s supposed to be back in the states. How did she do this? I hate to say this, but I don’t think we’ve heard the last of her.”

Not being able to push down the sinking feeling I had, I nodded my head as I said, “Yeah. Me too.”

“A sweep of your house is priority one once we get back to the states.”

My body shuddered as I let the idea of someone spying on me in my own home sink in.

“Come on, let’s go grab a quick drink to settle our nerves and then we need to start getting ready.”

“I just need to stop at the front desk and make a couple of phone calls. I’ve changed up the plans for the honeymoon. I’m not telling a soul about them. I want Adaline to feel safe.”

Chris slapped me on the back as he said, “Good call.”

I glanced around as an uneasy feeling came over me. I couldn’t shake the feeling of someone watching us as Chris and I sat in the bar and had a quick drink. I needed something to take the edge off. I was getting married in a few short hours, and I didn’t want Adaline to see me nervous.

“You ready?” Chris asked as he stood up and slapped me on the back.

Smiling, I dropped a few twenty’s onto the bar and said, “Hell yeah, I’m ready. Let’s do this!”

As we headed out of the bar, I took one more look around. I didn’t see any signs of Stephanie, but I sure as hell had the feeling she was there and I wasn’t about to let her know she was having any effect on this day what so ever.

Pulling out my phone, I sent Adaline a text.

Me: In two and a half hours you will be mine.

It didn’t take her long to send me a text back. It was a selfie and she was making a horrid face as Ashley had her hands all in Adaline’s hair. Laughing, I shook my head.

Me: You’d look beautiful with a plastic bag over your head.

Addie: If your sister doesn’t stop pulling my hair soon, I might end up with one because I will have punched her and knocked her out cold!

Me: I love you, pumpkin.

Adaline sent me another picture. This time her making kisses faces. God I f*cking love her.

Addie: I love you too. I can’t wait to see you! Ashley is threatening to take my phone cause I’m sending you pictures. Got to go! See you soon!

Me: See you soon.

My stomach felt like I was on one hell of a ride with the way it was dipping. The idea of making Adaline my wife was almost bringing me to tears. Chris wrapped his arm around my neck and pulled me to him as he hit my chest.

“You all right, little brother?” he asked as we both laughed.

“Yeah, I feel like a pansy though. The idea of marrying Adaline, damn it makes my heart feel like I’m f*cking soaring on that zip line again.”

“That’s a good feeling, Emmit. Don’t hide it, dude. You two have been waiting for this day for as long as I can remember. You both deserve to be happy.”

Nodding my head slightly, I looked out at the water as my mind thought back to that little girl who stole my heart in elementary school.

Smiling, I kept my eyes on the beautiful blue ocean. “That’s my goal; make Addie the happiest woman in the world.”

Chris chuckled next to me. “Come on. Let’s go get you married off like the rest of us lucky bastards.”





I STOOD BEFORE THE MIRROR and smiled as I looked at myself.

“You look so beautiful, Adaline,” MaryAnne said next to me.

Glancing up, our eyes met. “Were you scared when you married, Chris?”

“Oh yeah. My hands were shaking so bad, I was scared Chris wouldn’t be able to put my wedding band on.”

I laughed as I looked back in the mirror. Ashley had pulled my brown hair up and had a few strands hanging down to frame my face. A single braid ran from one side to the other, and I had no clue how she did it, but it looked beautiful.

The simple white dress was nothing like my designer wedding gown, but when I tried it on, it felt perfect. It was almost a blessing in disguise that some nut case cut mine up. The sweetheart neckline accented my breasts perfectly. Emmit would love it, my father not so much. It was made of lace and chiffon and was lightweight. I loved how it fell just at the mid of my thigh, giving it just the right touch of sexy. The back of the dress fell to the floor and had a chapel train that would run beautifully across the sand.

I smiled bigger as I pictured Emmit unzipping the dress off. My hands went to my cheeks to hide the fact that I had instantly blushed while thinking about Emmit making love to me tonight.

“Oh God. Please tell me you aren’t thinking what I think you’re thinking. Because that just makes me feel sick, Adaline. Yuk.”

I let a giggle slip from my mouth as I turned and looked at my mother staring at me. “Mom,” I whispered as she made her way over to me.

Her eyes looked me over from top to bottom. “You are gorgeous. Emmit is going to fall in love with you even more the moment he sees you.”

I fought to hold back the tears that were trying like hell to fall. “I love him so much, Mom.”