Chapter 14

 

 

One month later.

 

The sunset was absolutely spectacular as I made my way toward the pink carpet stretching out across the sand of the private beach in Turtle Cove. The background noise consisted of a small trio playing local music, and the crashing of waves against the warm, golden sand. My bouquet of flowers was fragrant enough for even humans to scent.

As I reached the edge of the aisle, the music changed slightly, signaling that it was time for me to walk the final steps to the end. My eyes were locked on Ryder, standing beside his best friends. The six of them were decked out in white, which they didn’t usually wear, but really should more often. Ryder looked absolutely spectacular, his shirt open at the collar, pants fitted to his delectable body.

His grin had me stumbling my way down, but I managed to recover before completely face-planting it. He was going to be the death of me. Taking a few deep breaths, I did spare a glance for Oliver; he was the man of the hour, but there was no way I could keep my eyes from Ryder for long.

I had to keep it together. The guests’ attention was on me. I was Jayden’s best man after all. He’d decked me out in a beachy dress, all flowy and sunset colors. I even had gems adorning my bare feet, and cuffs around my ankles. My hair had grown out a little and was softly curled around my face. Jayden had overseen every single aspect of my appearance, and then gave his stamp of approval before kicking me out the door to walk in the bridal party. A party that consisted of me, Becca, and Tessa, who were dressed the same as me, walking a few yards behind.

Sam looked more than a little gobsmacked by the sight of our Becca all dressed up. She’d even ditched her glasses for the day, although I preferred her with them. They suited her so well. My heart soared at having all of our friends and family here. My mom and dad were in the crowd, along with plenty of others we knew from our life in the Hive, and before.

I couldn’t believe Jayden had pulled this all together in a few weeks. After the battle in Portland, where I’d almost lost my BAFF, Oliver refused to wait any longer to marry him. Ryder and I had been talking of a trip to Hawaii, and as soon as Jayden heard he ran with it, and started planning the wedding of the century. Something nice to look forward to in the midst of rebuilding our world. The vampires had destroyed much on that night, but in the end, at least ninety percent had been cured or were dead. The Hives were being demolished, and the small number of vampires who’d survived were in hiding, and for now were staying there. Lincoln and his team now headed up a newly formed government division: VAT. Vampire Acquisition Taskforce. They kept us updated with news. Carter worked for them too. He’d taken the cure and was no longer vampire. But he had been one of the Originals and held a plethora of information on vampire hideouts around the world.

He and my mom were in love. Like so in love. If I still lived at home, I’d have to get soundproofing around my room just to stay there. Seeing them together made me happy. I now understood why my mom had been single for so much of her life. I’d be the same with Ryder. When you love someone like that, there is no replacing them.

Ever.

Ryder’s eyes were practically silver as they remained locked on me. That gaze reminded me of the many hours we’d spent wrapped around each other in the past month. Yeah, my mom wasn’t the only one getting some action.

Okay, gross, no more thoughts of mom action.

Ryder and I were determined to make up for every second we’d been apart. Or had almost died. I was kinda getting addicted to him. His touch. The way he loved me up so fully that sometimes I couldn’t even remember my own name.

As I took my place beside the officiant, Ryder winked at me and I saw so many promises in his expression. Damn, I could not wait for the honeymoon. And it wasn’t even my wedding.

Tessa and Becca joined me then too, and suddenly Jayden was at the end of the aisle. He looked breathtaking. I expected him to wear something pink and glittery, but instead he was in all white, like his soon-to-be husband. Okay, so there were some glittery pieces, and he had jewels across his feet, but mostly he looked like my beautiful best friend. His ash colored eyes looked a bit misty as he started his walk, and to be honest, I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the entire place as we watched the way Oliver and Jayden stared at each other.

When Jayden was about halfway down the aisle, Oliver moved, striding across and meeting him there. I raised a hand to my mouth, to cover up the small sob which wanted to escape. That was so beautiful; he literally couldn’t even wait for him to walk down the aisle to have him at his side. That’s how these two would do everything from now on, as a team.

The officiant started the ceremony, but I don’t think Oliver or Jayden heard a word. They were enthralled with each other, and had to be prompted twice to repeat after him. A cheer went out when the wedding was complete. “I now pronounce you partners for life, husbands, lovers, and friends,” said the officiant. Oliver and Jayden kissed then, before he could get to that part.

No one was surprised.

“Woohoo!” Tessa shouted next to me, and I found myself enthusiastically wrapped in her arms. It was nice to see her happy; those hazel eyes had been dull and lifeless for many weeks. Not only did she have to mourn Blake twice, but she’d had to come to terms with the fact that she shot him, and that he had betrayed us all in the worst way. At Lucas’s funeral she’d had a complete breakdown and had to be sedated. I think my pain was too much for her, and the guilt that she was partly to blame for his death.

I sat by her bedside for days, but eventually she came back to me, and the healing had begun for us both. The road to recovery was long, but we were all taking the first steps.

Becca was next to be wrapped up in our group hug. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed. “It was just so beautiful, so beautiful. Jayden and Oliver are so lucky.”

The rest was incoherent, but I was starting to see our science girl was a romantic softy deep down. The wedding had touched her heart and she was all a mess of emotion. Arms wrapped around me from behind, and I sank back into the familiar embrace.

“You look beautiful, Charlie.” Ryder’s deep voice washed over me and I closed my eyes to savor the moment. The crashing of the waves, the warmth of Hawaii, the soft music on the warm breezes. This was kinda my version of heaven.

I had to spin in his arms, and our mouths met in a searching kiss. It was soft, and hot, and tongue and … coherent thought was gone.

Eventually we stopped the PDA and followed everyone else down the aisle and across the beach to the huge marquee which had been set up earlier by the very talented wedding coordinators here. Jayden of course had to give his final approval, but anyone could see this was totally his style. It was just sunset now, so the countless candles were set off beautifully, not to mention multiple chandeliers casting light across the black and white decorated space, with a few bright splashes of color mixed amongst for dramatic effect. Oliver always liked to say that Jayden was the splash of color in his world, and this was a tribute to that.

I couldn’t wait. This was going to be a party to remember, right down to the drunken karaoke that was scheduled in the next few hours. Jayden had decided to forgo all speeches or any structure in regards to food and drinks. Everything was already laid out on banquet tables across the room; people would help themselves whenever they wanted. And the bar was fully stocked, even with the good stuff. Ash everywhere were getting drunk tonight.

We hit the bar first and I found myself slamming back a shot with Tessa and Becca. Blood wine for Becca and I, tequila for Tessa. Our poor science girl didn’t know it, but there was a plan tonight. I was getting her hammered and she was going to have another shot at Sam. This unrequited star-crossed lovers thing they had going on drove me nuts. I was going to be interfering-Charlie for one more night, and if that didn’t work I was out.

“Gah, it’s really not appealing. I hate to think of the damage to my body with this poison,” Becca said, huffing in and out after her shot.

I snorted. “You’re an ashpire, girlfriend. Ain’t nothing damaging our liver.”

She shook her head at me. “You know what I mean. Anything that tastes like burning cannot be good for you.”

“Sam!” I yelled, noticing him across the room. He didn’t look uncomfortable – Sam was hardly ever out of his element – but he did kind of look like he wished he was anywhere else but here.

When he didn’t cross to me immediately, I stalked over and dragged him to the bar. “Do a shot with us,” I said, turning my most pleading expression on him.

He glanced over my head, and I knew the poor dude was exchanging a glance with Ryder. No doubt they both knew what I was up to. Brains and beauty that was my boys.

“I really need to keep a clear head. I have a lead on Sanctum, and it’s in our best interest to closely monitor that group.”

Jayden came upon us then. “Hells no,” he said to Sam. “No working at this awesome wedding. Sanctum are not going anywhere, and so far their ploy for world domination has resulted in nothing. They don’t have the numbers or support anymore. Too many humans. Too much still going on. You can take this one night off.”

Sam sucked in a deep breath, let it out, and surprisingly enough some tension left his shoulders and handsome face. “One shot,” he said, his eyes resting on Becca.

She nervously adjusted her blond curls, but didn’t protest when a whole row of shots were dropped in front of us and everyone grabbed one. I noticed Tessa and Jared out of the corner of my eye then. The pair were standing very close together, deep in conversation on the edge of our group. They turned to do a shot with us, and I swear stepped even closer together.

Whoa! They looked so hot together, all blond beach babes. And my bestie was smiling, a true and happy smile.

Maybe we would all get our happy ever after. Even Tessa.

As the party raged on, we sang, we danced, we loved. Jayden got so drunk that he and I declared our undying love for each other and promised to get a best friend tattoo in the morning. I was mildly tipsy, but trying to keep my head on so I could make sure operation Sam and Becca was going to happen. When I saw them sitting next to each other but not really engaging, I decided it was time to play hardball.

Stalking across the room, I found Jason. He was hot as hell, like all ash, and he was someone I sort of knew from the Portland Hive.

“Jason, I need a favor,” I said to him, only the slightest of slurs in my voice. I was nailing this sober thing. He nodded, a huge grin spreading across his face, although he also looked to be nervously checking over my shoulder. Was he looking for Ryder?

Gee. He wasn’t that scary.

“Anything,” he finally said, getting his fears under control.

“Go ask that blonde sitting with Sam to dance.”

Jason’s eyes bugged out. “Sam has already claimed her. Rules are not to go near her.”

That angered me even more. How dare Sam set that rule and then not go for Becca.

“Yeah, well, the rules have changed, and trust me, he’ll thank you later. I’ll make sure he doesn’t kill you,” I added.

Jason seemed to consider it. Finally, he nodded. “Okay, but you’re going to owe me one.”

“Yep, fine,” I said, pushing him in their direction.

I stayed close, because I couldn’t actually be sure that Sam wasn’t going to try and kill him. Walking five paces behind him, I casually acted like I was looking for a waiter. When Jason got two feet from Becca, both her and Sam looked up.

Jason cleared his throat and I knelt, pretended to be adjusting my dress.

“Would you like to dance with me?” he asked, extending his hand in Becca’s direction.

She looked utterly shocked, her eyes so huge without glasses hiding them. Sam’s head shot around, his gaze absolutely feral, and it wasn’t aimed at Jason. He locked eyes directly with me.

Ah fuck. Abort mission.

“Oh … um … sure,” Becca said, distracting everyone when she took Jason’s hand.

Oh shit. Sam shot up lightning fast and stepped between Jason and Becca.

“I was just going to ask her. Why don’t you go get yourself a drink?” His voice was very quickly developing into the growl register.

Jason swallowed hard and nodded. Sam’s gaze bore into me with a fire that said he would be plotting my death soon. Then he spun on Becca.

“Here’s the thing, Becca. I know you don’t want to ruin our friendship, but I can’t stand by and watch you date other men. So … will you please dance with me?”

Becca swallowed hard, eyeing Sam’s outstretched hand, then a blaze of silver lit up her eyes and she placed her hand into his. He pulled her so hard into his body that I could tell he’d knocked the wind out of her a bit. They remained molded like that, and then started gently swaying to the music. It was a slow romantic song, and dammit I was tearing up again.

On the dance floor, close to them was Tessa and Jared. Definitely something going on with those two. And was that … well, I’ll be damned. Looked like Kyle was going full steam ahead with his Sasha plan. Although, knowing that kickass chick, she’d been the one with the plan all along. Sasha had been the only SWAT human to accept the wedding invitation, but I was still going with my theory that she wasn’t actually human. Too much awesome in there for her not be something a little more.

“Can you take a break from all of your evil plotting?” Ryder came out of nowhere and I turned, smiling.

“What did you have in mind?” I raised an eyebrow. It was very dark out now, with only candles and the moon to light the night.

He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “I’ve always wanted to have sex on the beach.”

I grinned. “What a coincidence. So have I.”

Jayden caught my eye as we were leaving and blew me a kiss. I winked and blew him one back.

 

Okay, so sex on the beach was a loose term. I wasn’t really that keen on sand in my ass. Thankfully, Ryder had already thought of that, and we had rented an exclusive cabana house on stilts that was literally out in the ocean.

We didn’t really speak; there was no need for words as Ryder slowly undressed me, his mouth caressing every part of my bare skin. The warm breezes embraced us though the open windows, white sheer curtains flowing in the wind as Ryder made love to me. He kissed me at least a thousand times over every inch of my body, touching each spot reverently.

This was it.

This was my happy.

I didn’t need marriage or kids with Ryder. Just being together, like this, forever. That’s all I wanted. No labels required.

Afterwards, when I was barely coherent, and my body still trembled from the sensations, Ryder held me tightly, stroking softly up the side of my neck. After a while he sat up, the sheet falling to reveal all of his glorious naked body. He pulled out his cell phone.

“I want to show you something,” he said, flicking through his phone quickly before handing it to me.

It was a house. The front of a beautiful, modest, Craftsman. The address said Portland. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.

“What’s this?”

“Our new home,” he said. “If you want,” he added quickly.

OMFG, he’d bought us a house. “I want!” I shouted, and threw myself on him, kissing him.

He smiled. “Good, because it closes next week and Oliver bought Jayden the house down the street.”

Jayden and I were going to be neighbors? Oh the shenanigans we would get up to. If I had it my way, then Tessa and Jared wouldn’t be far behind us. Then Sam and Becca. I was grinning like an idiot and Ryder was looking at me with a serious gaze.

“What?”

He chuckled. “When I saw you all those months ago at the club, I knew you would be special, but I never thought you were capable of this. You changed everything, Charlie. You changed the way the world lives. But most importantly, you changed me. I was a shell of an ash and man. I never even knew what I was missing.” He kissed my lips softly. “I love you.”

I was lost in his kiss, before pulling back to express my absolute adoration and love for him. I’d never imagined a few months ago, when I turned ash and I thought my whole world was falling apart, that I would end up here. I had found my family. Or added to it at least. I had so much more now than I ever imagined.

“You know it wasn’t just me that changed the world,” I said, kissing him softly. “We did it together. I love you more than anything. You are my greatest reward.” The rest of my words were lost in our kisses. I never wanted to stop kissing him. He was the best thing that ever happened to me. They all were.

 

 

THE END

 

Loving books from team Jaymin & Leia? Keep your eyes peeled for Queen Heir, Book One in the NYC Mecca Series, their new fantasy paranormal romance crossover coming early 2017.