Total pages in book: 767
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Still, she hesitated, a little. “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, like you said. But I need some time to get used to the idea.”
“More than a month?”
This time, his persistence made her laugh. “Three.”
“Done.”
What? He’d agreed?
With a gleam in his eyes, he capitalized on her shock by kissing her soundly.
Within moments, she yielded to him and linked her arms around his neck. If he was willing to take a risk, she would, too.
“How would you like to celebrate?” he asked, eyes still as intense, but this time with sexual desire. He backed her up toward the bed. “I have a suggestion or two, if you’re interested.”
“Oh, Sir. Yes.” This was a pretty good beginning to their happily ever after.
Epilogue
“You’re a beautiful bride.”
Jax’s intimate words, feathered against her ear, made Willow soar. “The gown is wonderful.”
“It is.” He pressed his palm on her bare back. “Your mom made an excellent choice.”
Her mother had visited a store known as one of the best in town. The owner, Randy, had spent hours with her, looking at dresses. They’d linked Willow in by video, but she’d been so overwhelmed and distracted with school that she hadn’t been able to decide. So they’d proceeded on their own. The gown flattered her figure and flared out at the bottom. She loved it.
“But it’s the woman who makes the dress,” Jax finished.
The evening couldn’t be more magical. She was in his arms on the dance floor of the rooftop atrium of downtown Houston’s Sterling Hotel. The area had been lit with twinkling lights, and a nearly full moon radiated in the sky above. A jazz quartet serenaded them. Despite the fifty or so people watching from the sidelines, Jax stared at her as if she were the center of the universe.
“How long do we have to stay?”
“The cocktail hour ends in about twenty minutes. Then we need to eat. We’ll be expected to have cake, and then my dad is planning a toast.”
“I know what I want to eat.”
Scandalized, she blushed. He was such a paradox. He was a brash personality on his show, yelling at people to stop with their excuses and get up an hour earlier. His knight-in-shining-armor side could be just as annoying.
After she agreed to marry him, he’d decided they would wait until after the wedding to have sex again. No matter what she’d tried, from vamp to vixen, to naughty schoolgirl, he’d refused to relent. She was ready to crawl out of her skin. Once she’d suggested they elope just so he’d take her to bed.
The dance ended, and a few other couples joined them for a more up-tempo tune.
Shortly after, she and Jax left the floor to mingle. Her father shook Jax’s hand, then took her shoulders and met her eyes. “I hope he makes you happy. If he doesn’t, I have a shotgun.”
Her mother was all smiles as she kissed Willow’s cheeks. “I can’t wait for your big ceremony! This was so much fun that I’m thinking of becoming a wedding planner.”
“You’d be perfect, Mrs. Henderson,” Jax said. “I’ll do a few promo spots for you and give you some social media pointers.”
“No. No, no, no.” Willow scowled at him. “I’ll give you the pointers, Mom.”
He shrugged.
“You have your hands full, my boy,” Brian said.
“I consider myself lucky.” He stroked the length of her spine as he spoke.
Rafe Sterling, owner of the hotel, exited the private elevator and walked over to join them. “I wanted to be among the first to offer my congratulations.”
She’d known Rafe for several years, and stress lines were now grooved next to his eyes. Rumor had it that his father had abandoned his family and the business, leaving Rafe to sort out the mess.
“And I wanted to thank you for comping the Honeymoon Suite,” Jax replied. “That wasn’t necessary.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“So when are you finally going to come on my show? I stayed at the Maison Sterling recently. Exceptional service,” Jax said. “My subscribers want to hear your philosophies on hospitality, what you do different, how you consistently win top marks in the industry. They want to hear from winners.”
For the remainder of the cocktail hour, they chatted with guests, including Rykker King, whom she’d met in New Orleans.
Later, during dinner, Jax leaned toward her. Against her ear, he said, “Dinner is taking too damn long.”
“It was your idea for us to be celibate until tonight.” She tried to hide her smile.
“I’m having a fantasy. About fucking you while you’re wearing the gown.”
Her new husband’s words made her blush. The realization that she was his forever made her shiver anew. Every time she looked at him, tingles jumped through her. She wondered if that sensation would ever go away.
“Just pull it up and take you from behind.”
She dropped her fork.
From the other side of the table, her mother cast her a concerned glance.