Everly - one month later

I sucked in a slow breath, peering at my reflection. Rich, dark ringlets fell in a cascade over my shoulder. Lips a soft shade of pink, sparkling shades of violet swept across my lids.

I was unrecognizable.

It was a dream that this dress even fit over my hips. I turned, taking in my profile, shocked out how good my curves actually looked. Who knew wedding dresses could be so flattering?

A tap at the door pulled me from my thoughts of all things white and gauzy.

“He’s back,” my mother whispered.

My grin deepened. I couldn’t wait to see him. Forget the hoopla of this whole day, forget friends and family flying in from all over the world to see Mason and me exchange vows. I didn’t want all of that. I just wanted the man. His arms caging me in his embrace, his scent pulling me in, driving me wild.

“Let him in.”

“He’s not supposed to see you!” My mother’s shrill voice nearly punctured my ears.

I placed a kiss on her cheek. “I’m all ready, Mama. Go sit outside.” I placed a kiss on her cheek.

“Everly…”

“I’m his now. If he wants me, I’ll never say no.”

“I don’t know what you got up to over here. I thought the English were supposed to be stuffy and formal. He’s…” She shook her head.

“He’s perfect.” I smiled, moving her toward the door of my old bedroom. The one I’d moved into then promptly been moved right out of when I first came to Kingsley Manor.

And now here we were. The day of American Thanksgiving, and our wedding day.

When we’d considered which day to get married, Thanksgiving had felt like the perfect choice, not only because we could bring my parents over to Kingsley for the holidays, but because we wanted to give thanks. Falling in love with Mason was the most beautiful gift of my life. It only seemed right to exchange our vows on a day dedicated to being grateful.

I am so, so grateful.

“Mornin’, Ms. Grayson,” Mason said with a charming smile he’d reserved just for my mother.

“I don’t know what to think of you.” My mother’s eyes took in his cocky smile as it only grew cockier.

“I think Everly got her irresistible beauty from her mum.” Mason stepped over the threshold, eyes finally landing on mine as my mother exited the room. “Christ.”

A breath of air whooshed from his lungs before he crossed the space between us.

He tucked his head into my shoulder, his lips dragging slowly up my skin. “You look edible. I want to throw this dress over my head and bury my tongue in your—”

“Shh!” I hissed, placing a finger over his lips. “It’s our wedding day!”

Mason caught my finger between his teeth. He fisted the silky fabric of my skirt and inched it up my thighs, fingertips making contact with my heated skin. “I thought you liked my filthy mouth, kitten. Don’t deny me one of the only things that keeps my heart beating.”

“English…” My head swam when his fingers made contact with my pussy.

“No knickers?” One finger slid between my soaked lips and sank deep inside me.

I arched, clutching at his shoulders as his teeth trailed up my neck. “I’ve heard they only get in the way.” I rocked my hips as his thumb swept around the bud of my clit.

“Mm… wise one whoever said that. I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle with that sweet blush on your cheeks, knowing I put it there.”

My legs began to shake, my spine tingling with slow waves of release before he added another finger and sped up his movements. A ragged moan fell from my lips before his mouth covered mine and he swallowed every last breath I had.

“See you cum makes me the happiest man alive,” he murmured, his lips trailing down my neck. He sucked at the hollow of my throat. “You ready for the big walk, kitten?”

I nodded, unable to form words as his strong arms still held me against him. Thank god, because my knees didn’t feel strong enough to carry me anywhere. “You may need to carry me.”

“That’s not a problem.” He hoisted me into his arms, grinning before he carried me straight out of the room.

I giggled as we walked down the hallway, the warm, rich scents of the holidays filling every nook and cranny of the house. Hundreds of yards of garland decorated every floor, the banisters twinkled with festive lights, and the doorways were hung with massive wreaths. And our Christmas tree. The four of us had taken the time to set it up last weekend, all eighteen feet of it. While Mason had pushed to get married as soon as possible, I’d wanted an English Christmas theme. Savannah had shrieked happily when she’d found out Christmas would last nearly all of December this year, and I remembered her dancing throughout the house to the holiday tunes.

“Thank you, Mason.” I placed a kiss on his lips once he’d placed me on my feet at the end of the hallway.

His forehead rested against mine, eyes shimmering with emotion. “Thank you, baby. Thank you for bringing me to life.”

I nodded, a few happy tears creeping down my cheeks.

“None of that now.” Mason caught the drips with the pad of his thumb. “We’ve got a wedding to get to.”

I sniffed, smiling vibrantly.

He gestured to the door. “You first, wife.” He gestured to the door.

“Not yet, I’m not,” I teased.

“Not for another five minutes or so, but I like how it sounds on you.” He winked, landing a soft smack on my ass. “Why do you think I put a rush on your visa papers?”

I shook my head, thankful once again that I’d found this beautiful, cheeky man.

Mason held a hand at my back as we ascended the narrow staircase that led to the roof of Kingsley Manor. When I swung the top door wide open, the scene took my breath away.

Fifty of our closest friends had gathered on the rooftop of the house. Elegant white chairs were set in rows with one short aisle dusted in red rose petals. Mason had had outdoor heaters set up around the roof, keeping our guests warm without detracting from the landscape, which was lit up in a blaze of yellow and orange as far as the eyes could see.

“Meet you up there,” Mason said before striding right up the aisle.

All eyes were on my strong, dominant Englishman. Elegant violin music started, and the guests stood. I wiped away a tear when Savannah came around a corner, her blush-pink dress with yards of tulle tied at her waist. A basket of pink rose petals sat in her arms.

She beamed at me. “You look pretty, Mummy.” She beamed up at me.

“Oh, Savannah, you look pretty too, baby.” I brushed a curl off her forehead and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

She smiled, then spun on her patent shoes and did a sweet curtsy to the guests before making her way up the aisle.

“Ready, darlin’?” my daddy said beside me, hooking my arm with his.

I blinked fresh tears away as I looked at him. “I’m so ready, Daddy.”

“Good, good.” He patted my arm then paused to pinch his nose, a gesture he’d been doing when he got teary since I was a child. My soft-hearted daddy. “I think someone’s waitin’ on you up there.”

I nodded, my gaze swinging across the faces of our guests overlooking the entire rolling estate of Kingsley. “I’ve been waiting on him too.”

The music changed, the familiar notes of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major” floating on the autumn breeze. Mason’s eyes locked with mine, his eyes radiating something warm that heated my stomach.

His lips parted, and he mouthed, “I love you, kitten.”

Heat flamed up my chest, coloring my cheeks as I thought about where those devilish lips had been just minutes ago. I mouthed back, “Love you more, English.”