Bad Wolf(99)

I glance at Jesse's tattooed arm, remember the scars and the terrifying story behind them. I somehow don't think he's told me everything that happened to him that night. Not that such an attack isn't enough to give anyone nightmares.

The Justice of the Peace, a tiny woman in a gray suit, clears her throat, and the whispers fade. A sultry breeze blows from the lake, and I shiver.

Jesse tucks me to his front and wraps both arms around me. I lean back against his hard chest, my mind blanking out. It feels so …  familiar. Intimate. Natural.

Easy and yet exciting, exhilarating, and sexy. Fire races over my skin, and the tips of my breasts tighten when his hands shift over my belly.

From the hard rod digging into the small of my back, I'm not the only one aroused.

The Justice of the Peace says a few words, inviting the couple to reflect on the journey ahead of them and reminding them they hereby agree to a legal and binding contract of marriage, or something of that sort, the words lost in the buzzing in my ears.

"Okay?" Jesse breathes in my ear, and I gulp.

"Yes." I really am, much better than I thought I'd be, though I'm pretty sure his arm around me, his warm presence is helping. "I'm fine."

I take a fortifying breath, as if about to jump into the ocean, and brace for him to release me.

He still doesn't let go.

"Good," he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice as he tugs me back against his hard-on. "I'm fine, too."

Laughter tickles my throat, wants to spill out, and I swallow it down, trying desperately to pay attention to the ceremony.

Asher is saying his vows, telling Audrey that she and their son are the most important people in the world to him and that he'll love them forever, that she saved him and he'll never forget it.

My eyes fill up. I barely know these people, and yet his speech is so passionate and rings with so much honesty that I'm touched. He really loves his woman and kid, and you can tell she feels the same way when she turns toward him and they hug, their baby held between them gently, like a fragile flower.

A small applause goes around, and I find myself clapping, too, because honestly, this is heartwarming. Even more so when they part, and she gives her vow, too, telling him how much she loves him, and how glad she is he made it out of hell alive to be with her.

Crap, they're going to make me bawl. I wish for love like theirs, for someone to hold me as tightly as Asher does Audrey and their son.

Like Jesse is holding me right now-but for how long? Until tomorrow, next week? What about forever?

Jesse shifts, and I realize the ceremony is over. The couple are kissing amidst cheering and clapping, and Zane has taken out a piece of paper and is frowning at it.

Then he steps in front of the now wedded couple, balls up the paper, throws it to the ground, and lifts a hand.

"All hail Zane Madden," Jesse whispers in my ear, and although there's a hint of laughter in his voice, he manages to sound sincere at the same time. "Asher says Zane saved him too many times to count. He is the shit, you know?"

Boy worships Zane. Knowing now that the man took him in from the street and gave him a home and a future, I can understand why.                       
       
           



       

He has quite a presence, too, imposing with that war-like hairdo and the tattoos. I don't know his history, but from his almond-shaped eyes and broad cheekbones you can tell he has some Asian ancestry. A sexy, handsome, dangerous-looking boy, like his friends and protégés.

One of whom is squeezing the breath out of me, his arms crossed underneath my breasts, his chin resting on my shoulder.

Not that I'm complaining. Frankly, as Jesse whispers my name and kisses my neck, raining shivers down my back, there's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be. In fact, I wish I could stop time and keep this instance, this precious moment where everything is possible.

Where Jesse Lee might be in love with me.



"Good evening," Zane says, when everyone has quieted down. The spotlight casts him in stark contrast, leaching out all color from his tattoos and hair. "I believe it's custom for the best man to make a speech. I honestly don't see why the best maid can't make one, too," he winks at Tessa who grins back at him. "But I leave that up to her. I have a few things I want to say."

A few whispers escape the gathering. Speculation, probably, as to what he's about to talk about.

"I know I'm supposed to give a speech after everyone has been seated at the table, but I'll do it now. I have my reasons."

More whispers.

Zane waits until they fade away. Asher and Audrey are looking at him solemnly, and I wonder if they know what he's about to say.

"I also know the groom and bride might want to give a speech, but who the hell cares? They've said more than enough for one evening, if you want my opinion, and I bet they're dying to be on their way to their wedding reception. They can't believe I'm keeping you for this stupid shit, can you, guys?"

A round of laughter begins as he grins and waves at the couple. Asher flips him off and shakes his head, snickering.

"I don't have any funny stories to tell you about the groom. His only saving grace is loving Audrey and having such an awesome kid with her. Well done, Ash, you fucker."

More laughter. Hooting. A few shocked exclamations.

"As for how he met Audrey, well that's a long story and who cares anyway? Main thing is they're here now, right? I mean … " His voice softens, as does his face, and his gaze goes distant. "Now isn't a good time for bad memories, and I don't wanna get all misty-eyed and shit, but there were moments I thought we'd lost Ash for good. Especially one cold winter night when things turned to shit and he went missing. We thought …  We thought we'd be too fucking late, because … " He swallows hard, and the crowd is silent, barely breathing. "Because Audrey and I hadn't realized how close he'd come to dying this time."

A collective gasp. I glance at Asher to see his reaction and find him wrapped around Audrey and their baby, his face hidden in her hair.

Oh God.

"We looked everywhere," Zane goes on, his voice wavering, "and snow was falling. It was goddamn cold. But Audrey never lost faith we'd find him, and we did. Right here, behind a tree." He points, and we all strain to look into the darkness beyond the glare of the spotlights. "Because Ash loves the water and Audrey had a hunch he'd come here. That's how we found him, and how we find ourselves here today: Audrey saved Asher from death and they lived happily ever after."

We all start to clap, and Christ, tears are running down my cheeks. A sniffle escapes me.

"Embers." Jesse turns me around in his arms, hugs me close. "Come here."

Zane is saying something about having the toast at the reception later, but all I know is Jesse's heart booming against my own, his hands sliding up my back, over my shoulders, smoothing my hair back from my face. The way he's looking at me is doing funny things to my insides.

"We're here now, too," he whispers, and I shake my head without thinking, because what I think he's saying …  "Embers?"

"We are," I say and kiss him. He sighs, tugging me closer, then draws back just enough to undo the knot on his leather bracelet. "What are you doing?"

"Give me your hand." I lift it, and he ties the band around my wrist. "There. Rub it when you feel scared. It'll keep you safe."

"JJ … " I gape at him. I remember his reaction when I returned it to him. "Why? This means a lot to you."

"You mean even more," he says and smiles.



"So where's the wedding reception being held?" I ask as the newlyweds return to the limo and speed away. "I didn't catch the name of the restaurant."                       
       
           



       

I read the invitation twice, but the name of the place didn't stick. Too many new names to retain in these past few weeks.

Besides, I'm distracted by the warm leather band on my wrist. His leather band. His talisman. There's a burning behind my eyes I'm trying to ignore. This boy …  He's hacking down every defense I own.

"Hm …  The reception won't be at a restaurant." Jesse glances distractedly around as the crowd departs in a wave of perfume and clickety high heels. "It's at a house. Belongs to a friend of Dakota's."

Dakota. Zane's spunky girlfriend. I catch a glimpse of her in a short black lace dress that leaves her back bare and reveals a huge tattoo of wings covering it. She's holding the bouquet Audrey threw. She was the one who caught it.

Zane had picked her up, then, and spun her around, everyone laughing and yelling at him to propose.

So he went down on one knee and proposed on the spot. Dakota went into hysterics and couldn't speak for ten minutes, until Zane picked her up upside down and she shouted yes so loudly I bet the people in cars passing nearby must have heard her.

It was hilarious, and again touching. I never thought I could have such fun at a wedding.

Or that I'd be left thinking. There's so much love going around in this little group. These boys are so nice behind their tough exteriors.