He stayed silent and the answer slowly dawned on her. “You’ve been carrying this set around? For how long?”
“Since the day I left your office, right after you turned me down the first time I asked.”
And to think the sentiment, his understanding of family, and yes, even the seeds of love had been there right from the start if only she’d been able to see through her own fears. “I guess I’m the one who’s been silly.”
“Not at all. You’re a wise one, Brooke Garrison. It’s good we’re getting this right.”
“It’s going to stick. This marriage idea. The way we love each other.”
“Damn straight. And it’s only going to get better.” He eased up from the lounger, keeping her in his arms as he turned toward the stairway leading below deck. “Merry Christmas, beautiful.”
She nipped his bristly jaw with a kiss. “Merry Christmas, to both of us.”
Epilogue
He’d seen her many times. He’d always wanted her.
Tonight, once her family finished their meal, he would have her.
Jordan covered Brooke’s cool, slim fingers tucked in the corner of his arm as they sat together at the reception dinner after their wedding. Eager to make things official, they’d scheduled the nuptials for the first weekend after Emilio and Brittany’s return from their European honeymoon.
The January ceremony had been a small family affair at a chapel on the beach in the Bahamas. They’d had enough with media frenzies and gratefully accepted Cassie’s generous offer to host the private reception. A lavish event, the house full of candles, flowers, food—and family.
He’d never seen Brooke look more beautiful than at their ceremony, with the Bahamas sunset streaming across her creamy skin and her golden yellow dress. The glow had glinted highlights on her dark hair, swept back in a twist—with a lone strand slithering free, of course.
He stared around the table of smiling faces and couldn’t help but contrast this happy gathering with the tense confrontation the first time he’d eaten with her relatives last month.
Tonight, her two sisters wore their green bridesmaid gowns, his groomsmen in tuxedos. He’d chosen his brother and his new business partner, Parker, surprising himself with the decision as well as the oldest Garrison offspring.
Brooke squeezed Jordan’s arm, smiling and nodding in the direction of her brother as steel drum music wafted softly in the distance. “I can’t believe you two are speaking, much less that Jefferies Brothers and Garrison, Incorporated are officially merging. And to have Parker in the wedding, too, I’m thrilled—and still a little stunned.”
Jordan set aside his fork with a clink against china. “It was worth it to see the shock on his face. It’s not often anyone can render that guy speechless.”
Parked arched a brow as he silently finished the last of his Bahamian rock lobster.
Anna stroked her husband’s shoulder. “No brawls today, dear.”
“Don’t worry.” Parker captured his wife’s wrist to kiss her palm. “I wouldn’t risk upsetting you or my sister in your delicate conditions.”
Anna rolled her eyes, eyes that held a definite twinkle of excitement as she smoothed both hands over her expanding waistline. “There’s nothing delicate about me right now.”
“You’re all the more gorgeous.” Parker placed his hand over hers on her stomach and directed his words to her pregnant swell. “Right, John?”
Jordan took in the spontaneous family moment with an inward grin. Well, hell, the guy had a softer side after all. And what a sign of how far they’d all come in a month for Parker to name his child after the deceased patriarch who’d stirred so much turmoil for his children.
For that matter, having a serenely sober Bonita sit at the same table with Cassie was an event even Jordan had doubted could happen. Bonita had completed her four-week program at the rehab clinic and now attended A.A. meetings at least every other day. Brooke’s mother had even approached them with her hopes to stay sober and be a healthy grandmother to her grandchildren. She radiated a quiet determination that boded well for her and her family.
Anna broke the long, affectionate look with her husband and shifted her attention to Brooke. “Have you two chosen a name for your little guy?”
Jordan slid an arm around his wife’s shoulders. Wife. Damn, that had an amazing ring to it. “I think I have the perfect name picked out, but I’ll need to run it past Brooke first.”
No more unilateral decisions when it came to their future. He’d found a real partner in this quietly determined woman who’d been smart enough to make them explore their feelings for each other before committing.