My tears have finally stopped, and I’m moving my finger over and over the locket.

“Care Bear,” I hear Jacob through the door.

“Jacob! Come in, honey. It’s not locked.”

“Mary has ordered me away, baby. At least till after the wedding. Something about bad luck.”

“That’s silly! You’ve already seen me today.”

“You explain that to Mom,” he laughs. “I got your note.”

“Mary didn’t give me time to write more.”

“You said yes. That’s all that matters.”

“I love my presents,” I tell him, wondering if he’d really be mad if I opened the door.

“I have another one for you. Something old. I uh…hope it’s okay. I’m going to leave it outside the door for you.”

“Jacob!” I cry like a wild woman, not really wanting him to leave.

“Yeah?” he asks, his voice hoarse.

“This is silly. I need to kiss you.”

“It probably is Care Bear, but…”

“But?”

“It sounds stupid, but I don’t want to even take the chance that something will mess this up. I want…I need this day to be perfect for you,” he says and the emotion in his voice vibrates so thickly I can feel it hit me, settling in my stomach.

“Close your eyes, Jacob.”

“What? Carrie—”

“I’m coming out, Jacob, so if you don’t want to see the bride before we say I do, you better close your eyes and keep them closed.”

“Damn it, Carrie.”

“Close them. I’m opening the door!”

“They’re closed,” he growls, as I open the door.

When I open the door, my breath catches. There stands Jacob in a suit. I love my man naked, I love him in torn jeans and a t-shirt, and I love him when he has on his Savage MC cut, and riding clothes. There’s nothing I’ve seen him wear, or not wear, that I haven’t loved. But like this…my heart literally stops and flips in my chest. How did I ever get so lucky?

“You look so beautiful,” I whisper. And he does…I honestly think it couldn’t get any better, until that smile. Jacob has these masculine lips that are thick and soft, but somehow rugged at the same time. I can run my tongue over them and never get tired. They taste like musky male and heated sex. Seeing them in a smile always makes me catch my breath, but right now, this smile affects me more than any he’s ever given me to date. This smile is full of happiness and joy, but I see something else. I see…peace. I can literally see it. My heart beats hundreds of times within a minute in my chest as excitement funnels through me. This is the first time that I can’t see a trace of the past in Jacob’s face. There’s no wrinkles around his eyes or forehead, nothing that would make me think he’s trying a little too hard to smile.

“Men aren’t supposed to look beautiful, Care Bear. They’re supposed to be masculine, rugged even.”

“Well you’re ruggedly beautiful then, Jacob Blake,” I compliment him, taking the two steps it takes to get next to him. I put my hands on his chest, my eyes still glued on his face.

“You’re a nut, Carolina Blake.”

“I’m not a Blake yet.”

“You will be very soon,” he says, his hands wrapping around me, and pulling me even closer to him.

“I love you, Jacob. I can’t wait to be your wife,” I tell him, wishing he would open his eyes for me.

“I love you, Carrie. Thank you for being my wife,” he says, resting his forehead against me.

“Silly man,” I tell him, my heart full. I reach up to put my lips on his. I run my tongue along his, before pushing into his mouth. Each kiss with Jacob it feels like I haven’t kissed him in years, and I’m finally coming home. His tongue wraps around mine, conquering it, and I give him control, because that’s how we both like it. Soon the kiss changes to one of hunger, our bodies pushing against each other, his fingers biting into my ass and mine clawing into his back. His leg slides between mine, pushing up against my center, putting friction against my clit and reminding me all I have on is my robe.

“Jesus Christ, Carrie. What are you wearing?”

“If you would open your eyes you’d see,” I grumble.

“Quit tempting me, Care Bear.”

“I don’t suppose I could convince you that it’s a formal custom for the bride to have sex before the actual wedding ceremony?”

“I don’t think I’ve heard of that one,” he says laughing.

“It’s a family custom.”

“Nice try woman. Get out of here, before I’m tempted to actually see what you’re wearing.”

“I was trying to tempt you into something else.”

“Believe me, Care Bear, I’m tempted.”

“Apparently, not enough,” I sigh. “What’s in the box?” I ask him, looking at the big box at his feet.

“Something you can’t open until you get back in your room and close the door. Because I need to go get a few things ready.”

“Okay, but only because I’m dying to know what’s in the box.”

“See you soon Care Bear,” Jacob says, as I take the box and go back into my room.

“You can bet on it,” I tell him, wishing I could see him now. I stand there on the other side of the door until I hear him walk away. Then I slowly walk to my bed and sit down with the giant, but thankfully light box. When I open it, at first it doesn’t hit me. Then slowly it clicks into place. I stand up and pull the dress inside of the box to my body. I drape it over me and look in the mirror.

It’s an antique white dress, with hand sewn pearls and small crystal like grommets everywhere. It’s layers of silk, lace, and intricately hand sewn beads on a train that will follow me for yards and yards. It’s sleeveless, showing cleavage and little peek-a-boo sections along my stomach. That part is new. The stomach has been taken in and changed to a more modern feel, but there’s enough that I recognize this dress. It’s my mother’s wedding dress. Jacob had my mother’s wedding dress altered for today. Altered for me to wear.

Heat and warmth fills me. He truly is giving me my dream wedding. My dream wedding where I’m surrounded by everyone I love, even those who can’t be here with me in this life anymore. Tears hit my eyes again. It’s a good thing I haven’t done my make-up yet. With the way Jacob keeps surprising me, it might be better if I don’t wear any.

I look up at the clock. I don’t know if I’ll survive till the wedding. I want to marry Jacob…now.