JARED-1(Lane Brothers, Book 4)(26)

“I am so glad I have you all and my Jace.”

“Me too,” I say, smiling at them with joy.

This is the family I never had and always wanted, and I love every minute of being with them. They’re kind and smart and cool and they’re real. Nothing like my own mother or father.

I honestly can’t wait to have all this, even the morning sickness, and I just hope I get it before things go south.

***

Jared

I know that tradition dictates that I not see Paulie before she walks down the aisle to me, but it’s been almost nine straight hours since I last saw her and I can’t wait another minute as I creep around the corner and sneak into my room.

She’s in here, getting ready for the wedding that’s taking place in just over thirty minutes. As I lift my eyes and get a good look at her, I feel my breath still in my lungs.

Holy hell, she is gorgeous, I wheeze silently, watching her apply a fresh coat of lip gloss and inspect her appearance with a critical eye.

“You’re perfect.”

She whips around and smiles as if my appearance here just made her whole day, and I feel ten feet tall when she smiles and launches herself at me.

“I didn’t think I’d see you till the ceremony thanks to Mama Dragon, and I wanted a chance to say yes to you before we start,” she breathes out roughly after I kiss her hard and deep.

My own breathing is just as ragged and I rest my forehead on hers as I struggle to catch my breath, because damn, the woman is beautiful as hell.

“I love you, Paulie. I wanted you to hear that again before you came to me.”

I can’t say why or where this urgency comes from, but I can’t take not having her near me at all times.

Her arms come around my neck and she just breathes with me as our eyes hold, looking so content, I feel myself grow hard beneath the fly of my slacks.

I love her happy look. It turns me on like nothing else can, and I love even more that she’s so free with her smiles now.

“I love you, too. Now come on and kiss me again before your mom comes back and makes you skedaddle.”

I obey and kiss her sweetly, relishing her enthusiasm and the innocent lack of experience of her kisses. She’s all mine, even down to this last little part of her, and I adore knowing that I will be her first in everything.

If I could go back in time and erase every sexual experience I ever had and be pure for her I would, without regret. Since I can’t, I just forget that any other woman ever existed and concentrate instead on the beauty in my arms.

Today is for love and forgetting all the troubles present in our lives. There’s still so much to do, and after Paulie’s confession this morning I find myself impatient to go get what she has under those floorboards.

Not today, though. Today we belong only to each other.

I’m still kissing her and trying to imprint her taste on my tongue when I hear Ma come in and clear her throat.

“Jared Esiah Lane, get your ass downstairs so I can fix Paulie’s lip gloss, boy. Pop is waiting downstairs and Jace is on the way to walk her down the aisle.”

I grin at her huffing and give my bride one last smooch before turning and heading out with a spring in my step. I’m getting married in a few minutes and I never thought I’d say this, not even to myself, but I feel so great about not being alone anymore that it actually hurts in a good way.

I’m still smiling when I meet Pop and we walk into the back yard where the judge is waiting patiently. Ma managed to transform this place into a fairy princess’s dream with Ellie and Trace’s help, while poor Clari blew chunks all afternoon and Miah looked to be turning greener by the minute.

Poor sap is so happy and scared at the same time, I almost feel sorry for him whenever Clari throws him a scowl and makes a beeline for the bathroom, yelling threats that make my own dick hurt for him.

I can’t wait to have this and more, I think as I meet my brothers at the makeshift altar and wait for the love of my life to come towards me. I feel no fear and absolutely want this more than I have ever wanted anything in my life.

Wyatt smiles when I start bouncing on my heels and places a hand on my shoulder to still me.

“She’ll be here any minute, bro, slow down.”

I do as he says because I have no choice, but for some reason I don’t want to wait here like a fool. I want to go get her and walk her here myself so that everyone knows she isn’t giving herself to me, because I already have her.

I’m still smiling like a loon and bouncing around when I see Jace come flying out of the house, tearing my way with a panicked look on his face.

My heart stops and I hear Pop yell an oath when Ma comes stumbling out of the house looking pale and lost.