The #1 Bestsellers Collection 2011(213)

She elbowed him gently in the side. “About the name thing, I’m not going to agree with Uncle Fester no matter how nicely you ask.”

“I think you’ll like this one better. We can talk later.” He reached to the sprawling centerpiece and pulled an orchid free. Gently, he tucked the flower behind her ear, wondering if she recalled their time here together when he’d teased her naked flesh with a similar blossom.

From the warming of her brown eyes, she most definitely remembered.

Brooke tipped her face to kiss him while the family applauded. The cheers and clapping faded and Brooke eased back.

Their kiss may have been short but it was powerful. His body heated in response to her unspoken promise of the pleasure they would enjoy once they reached the yacht, anchored in the harbor. He stared into her eyes, tempted to leave now, until chuckles from around the table pulled him back to the moment.

Blushing, Brooke turned to Cassie next to her. “Thank you so much for arranging such a lovely dinner—” She stopped abruptly and clasped her half sister’s wrist. “Hey, is that a wedding band I see along with the engagement ring?”

Cassie exchanged an intimate grin with her fiancé—or rather apparently her former fiancé. “Brandon and I eloped. We had a secret wedding two weeks ago. We just got back from our honeymoon.”

Squealing, Brooke threw her arms around her sister as Brittany rushed from her chair to join in the hug. The genuine emotion between all three women couldn’t be missed. In spite of the havoc John Garrison had brought to them, they’d managed to forge a bond and find peace.

Brooke finally pulled back to reclaim her chair. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Brandon clasped Cassie’s hand in his. “We didn’t want to take away from your special day.”

“Take away?” Brooke waved aside the notion. “This only adds to the joy. I’m so happy for both of you. This should be a double reception. Right, Jordan?”

“Absolutely. Congratulations!” Jordan lifted his glass of sparkling water to toast the new couple. “To Brandon and Cassie.”

Brandon lifted his crystal glass, as well. “And to Jordan and Brooke.”

Little Jade jumped up to stand on her chair. “And to my new baby brother or sister on the way!”

Laughing, Stephen wrapped an arm around his blushing wife, Megan, while patting Jade on the shoulder.

After everyone replaced their drinks and the catering staff began clearing away the china, Cassie led the way to the three-tiered wedding cake being served outside. The warm night and scent of the ocean beckoned. Beyond the sets of French doors, torches on the beach led down to the water.

“Jordan, wait just a moment.” Brooke stopped him just shy of the open door and tugged him behind a decorative potted palm.

He braced a hand on her back. “Is everything all right?”

“Totally.” She leaned forward, her body brushing his. “I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful wedding—and husband.”

He cupped her face for a kiss, this one far longer than the one at the table as he made the most of even this brief private time together. A prelude to more they would enjoy soon. Not soon enough.

The sweet sweep of her tongue teased his senses along with the scent of the flower in her hair.

She nipped his bottom lip as her hand slid inside his tuxedo jacket. “So tell me more about your idea for a baby name. I’m too curious to wait.”

“I like it when you’re impatient.” He skimmed his knuckles along the side of her breast before addressing her question. “What about naming our son Garrison?”

Jordan waited for her verdict while Brooke’s eyes took on that soft brown mulling expression. God, he loved how he understood her.

“Garrison Jefferies.” Brooke tested the combination, a smile slowly spreading over her face. “I like it, I love it. I love you.”

He gathered her close again, a pleasure he looked forward to pursuing further throughout their honeymoon. Thanks to Brooke, he’d learned the importance of enjoying life along the way. Already, he could imagine making a lifetime of memories, filling their house with photographs, turning his place into their home. “I love you, too, beautiful.” He curved a hand over their growing child. “And you, as well, Garrison Jefferies.”

Garrison Jefferies—now that it was official, their child’s name settled inside him with a rightness as special as the woman in his arms waiting to share wedding cake with all their relatives.

And wasn’t that the biggest surprise of all? Especially to a man used to being ahead of the curve on everything. He’d known the name choice offered a nice symbol of their combined empires.