24

The reception music was going, and the wedding guests were dancing in celebration. Holly made her way to the bar, asking for a ginger ale. A voice came over her shoulder and she could feel a light breath breeze over her skin, making her shiver.

“I expected you to order something stronger. Tequila and a beer chaser, maybe?”

Holly whirled around to see the voice that had just given her chills. The raw, ragged voice made goosebumps trail down her arms. She smiled seeing Colt standing there looking handsome in his suit. He was glorious.

Blushing, she managed a short word to escape her lips. “Hi.”

He reached up, twirling a loose strand of her curls between his fingers. “Hi.”

“The wedding was beautiful.”

“Really? I didn’t notice. I was looking at something far more breathtaking,” he said as he leaned in

Holly could feel his breath breeze over her neck.

“Oh yeah? Care to share what kept you distracted from noticing the lovely bride?”

“Her stunning maid-of-honor upstages her. I can’t imagine a woman placing someone so lovely next to them on their wedding day. Most women want to be the center of attention on a night like this.”

Holly hummed lightly as Colt’s hand slipped around her waist, resting just above the curve of her firm backside. Colt’s hand slipped lower, squeezing lightly, and returned to rest at her waist.

“I couldn’t help but notice the look in your eyes during the wedding.” His voice gave her shivers as it rumbled straight to her core. “Tell me what you were thinking.”

“Nothing… just… memories.”

“Good ones, I hope?”

“The best. When Isis and I were kids, we used to play with dolls and dress up every day. We would pretend to get married to our dream guy. Every day, we would take turns being the bride. Sometimes even have a double wedding. When we saw Wraith get married, we both fell in love with the romance of it all. His wife was so beautiful.”

“I’ve never seen her until today. I didn’t know she was in a wheelchair.”

“She was in his platoon, stationed overseas. They were marines. Lilly and Wraith had a second tour of duty after they were married. A car bomb hit her, and we almost lost her. She was Wraith’s, only true love. I think he would’ve died of a broken heart if she didn’t pull through.”

Colt looked over, watching Wraith catering to his beautiful wife and kissing her sweetly on the temple. He had never seen Wraith be so affectionate to anyone.

“They look to be very in love.”

“They are. My mama used to say that it was in the Evans family genes to fall in love and it be forever. I wish Cyrus could find someone again. Since his divorce, he has focused all his time on Isis and me. His wife was a decent lady, she just didn’t like him traveling so much and it was a strain on their relationship. Sometimes I think there was more to it, but he would never admit it. I’m sure you know how hard it is being on the road and not being able to be close to your loved ones. He blames himself.”

“Yes. I miss my family back home, but I love this job. It would take a powerful woman to marry someone in this industry and be home alone so much. I know Isis was pretty upset about their divorce. It was a shock to everyone and seemed to happen almost overnight. I hear she was close to them both. Cyrus keeps his private life to himself. I don’t even think most people knew he got divorced. It’s sad.”

“I think he still loves her. Or at least wishes he could have done more to fix things. Once you genuinely love someone, it’s forever.”

Colt lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. “Do you believe that? In true love?”

“I do. I always have.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were…” Colt sighed, looking away.

“A virgin? I wanted it to be you. I don’t know why I acted the way I did. I always let people believe I slept around. It was easier than people making fun of me.”

“For what? The fact you saved yourself is special. That’s not a joke. I am happy that I was the one to share it with you. Had I known; it would have been a lot more special.”

“I thought I would only give myself to my future husband.” Holly pulled away. “I was supposed to get married today.” She pulled her arms around herself, squeezing tightly. She felt like her stomach was in knots.

Colt stepped back. “What?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not cheating on anyone. He dumped me because I wasn’t willing to sleep with him until we married. It was the only reason he asked me in the first place. He thought if I married him, I would change my mind about sex and give into him. If I would have let him, I think he still would have cheated.”

Colt went over and pulled her into his arms, tilting her chin to look him in the eyes. “You deserve better. I would have waited.”

“I doubt that. Guys say that, but they don’t mean it.”

“You never gave me the chance to decide. You just assumed that’s all I care about.”

“A little late now, isn’t it? We already did,” Holly said with a shrug.

“Why? We can still wait.”

Holly chuckled in disbelief. “For what? Me to become a virgin again?”

“No.” Colt tilted his head to look at her, as she tried to shy her eyes away. “For marriage.”

Holly closed her eyes, desperately hoping he meant it. That old feeling of disappointment, she was expecting to come, loomed in the back of her mind.

She pulled away. “You don’t mean that.”

“You keep assuming what I think before I ever tell you. What makes you think I wouldn’t be willing to wait for you? I love you, damn it! Why wouldn’t I be willing to wait for you? Making you happy is all I have thought about since we met. It’s you that keeps denying me the chance to show you.” Colt turned his back to her. “I don’t know how to deal with you. I’m trying everything I can, and it’s just not enough, is it?”

Holly gulped back the lump that had weighed in the throat. Tears threatened to pool in the corner of her eyes as her voice trembled. “Did you say… you love me?”

People around them were taking notice of their dramatics. Everyone expected them to fight again. Holly looked around, seeing people watching them. She started cowering in on herself from their watchful eyes. This is how it always began. First, the looks then would come the whispers.

He raised his voice in frustration. “Damn woman! I love you more than anyone in my entire life!” He turned back to her, not realizing he was almost yelling.

“You make me angry, excited, happy, and furious all at the same time. I can only explain that as being hopelessly and utterly in love with the crazy woman with the switchblade knife. You might eventually kill me, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. If you would just give me a chance, I could make you happy.”

Holly giggled, seeing him get so riled up. “I promise to not twist the blade.”

She gave him a playful smile. Everyone around gave a little chuckle as they watched the couple. Colt turned his gaze back to her, seeing her silly smile. Feeling the prying eyes, he looked around and glared at everyone. The crowd went back to paying attention to the wedding party giving them privacy, but it was clear everyone was still wanting to know how it would play out.

He walked back to her, shaking his head. “Thanks. I hear it hurts more.” Colt chuckled and pulled her to him, cuddling her to his chest. “One day I am going to marry you, Holly Evans. Even if your brothers try to kill me. We may need to elope because I’m scared of Cyrus. I think he’s been plotting my death.”

“Why Cyrus? It’s usually Wraith everyone fears. Cyrus is the quiet one.”

“Exactly. It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for. Just ask Gage. There is a reason he is missing a nipple.”

Holly started laughing. “You heard?”

“I saw it in the dressing room backstage last week. That’s why he started wearing his logo shirt when he wrestles. He was so pissed. How did that happen? I just know Isis did it because she keeps laughing about it.”

“It’s a long story. We call it ‘nipple gate’. Candy, Isis, Sahara, and I are all to blame. A story for another day. Right now, I want to dance with my ridiculously sexy boyfriend.”

“I plan on upgrading that status someday.” He took his face in his hands, placing tender feather-light kisses on her lips.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Isis rushed over, hugging them both. “Come on, Holly. Come dance with me.”

Gage walked up behind her, nodding to Colt while Isis pulled Holly away, giggling.

Gage smiled as his beautiful wife pulled her cousin to the dance floor. “Those two are like peanut butter and jelly. It’s amazing how much Holly is so sweet and calm when Isis is around.”

Colt agreed. “Yeah, It’s like night and day.”

Gage looked over at his friend, watching the loving eyes he was giving Holly. “She’s a good girl, Colt. You know that right?”

Wraith walked up next to them and handed them both a beer. “She just needed a good man to calm her down.” Wraith side-eyed Colt. “Have a beer with me, guys. Let’s talk.”

Gage rubbed his massive hand over his face. “Here we go. I was wondering when I was going to get the talk.”

Wraith laughed. “Would you rather it come from Cy?”

Colt looked up at the taller man and rocked his head back and forth. He looked scared shitless. “Uh-uh, No way.”

Gage started laughing. “You are such a chickenshit.”

“What? Cyrus is scary as hell and that little makeover didn’t help to make him anymore intimidating.”

Wraith gulped his beer. “And you’re not afraid of me?”

Colt took a drink of his beer and grimaced. “Yuck. This tastes like piss. I’m sure you’re not plotting my death, Wraith.”

Wraith smirked. “You sure? If you hurt my baby sister, I’ll rip your head off and shove it up your ass.”

“Right, but you’re upfront about it. Cyrus stalks around like he’s waiting for the moment to attack.”

Gage chuckled. “I remember him doing that to me when Isis and I first got together. I was sure they both were trying to figure out where to hide my body.”

Wraith rolled his eyes. “Maybe because you were being a total dick. You put Isis through hell at first. She’s at least turned you back into my old friend again. Not that Justice faction asshole you were pretending to be.”

Gage raised his beer, tipping it to Wraith. “A good woman will do that to ya.”

Wraith straightened his tie. “Listen, what I wanted to tell you both is that those two girls love hard. All I expect is for you to give them as much love as they will show you. Nothing more. Nothing less. And Colt, I overheard your conversation earlier. Take care of my baby sister. She may be an enormous pain in the ass, but she has a big heart.”

“I love her, Wraith. She might drive me nuts, but it’s worth every crazy moment.”

Gage took a drink of his beer, smirking. “So. How’s celibacy going to work for ya? I heard you talking too. I think the whole damn wedding did.”

Colt grunted and squirmed around a little. “I think I might die of blue balls.”

Wraith started to walk away. “I’m going to leave now before I strangle you. I don’t want to hear about my sister’s sex life. Or lack thereof.”

Gage laughed. “Dude. You seriously will not make it out of this wedding alive.”

“You’re an ass.” Colt drank another drink of the beer, forgetting how much he hated the taste. “Damn it. Gross.”

He pitched it in the nearby trash and looked over his shoulder, watching Holly, now dancing with her brothers and cousin. As much as Wraith and Cyrus scared him, they reminded him of his own family. He loved every second of watching them together. He looked over at Gage, watching them with pride.

“Gage. I want to be part of that.”

Gage looked over at his friend to gauge his expression. “Buddy, I think you already are.” He patted his shoulder and walked over to the group. Looking back over his shoulder, he waved his head back to Colt. “You coming or not? I’ll try to keep Cyrus from killing you.”

Colt gave a slight chuckle and followed him.

They joined in the dancing, and Holly went to him, hugging him tightly. She had the happiest look of peace and tranquility. Even Cyrus gave him a curt smile and welcomed him with open arms to join the group.

They danced into the night until Gage and Isis took their leave to start their honeymoon as Mr. & Mrs. Gage Stone.