Brooklyn

May 12, 2017

 

 

 

WEDDING DAY. TEXAS. THE Holt ranch.

Unbelievable.

Rafe shored me up as best man but most of his one-liners flew right over my head when Delaney appeared beneath the bower of honeysuckle draped in ribbons at the far side of the aisle.

Coach D did the honors again as officiant. Why the fuck not? He was invested in the team and part of all our families.

Taking the biggest honor of the day, my granddad walked Delaney down the aisle wreathed by benches and yet more flowers my mom had woken up early to weave just so, just right.

She sat in the front row with Dad.

I didn’t pay much attention to them either.

Delaney.

No ruffled bridal gown for her. As if. No diamonds or pearls or lace.

She waltzed on Grandad’s arm, him grasping his cane and looking as if he’d like to run off with my fiancée if given half the chance.

Hell, I couldn’t blame him.

“You okay there, Brooks?” Rafe asked.

I nodded. Shook my head. Shook in my boots.

Everyone was here. The Cougars. The Crush team. My family.

And Delaney. Wearing a simple off the shoulder prairie dress in creamy white. Heels? Hell no. Not my woman. The skirts fell to her knees in the front, a longer swish of fabric in the back, and below . . . the cowgirl boots I’d bought her. No veil in sight. Just rings of black hair braided with meadow flowers. Her skin glowed as much as her shining whiskey-colored eyes and her gorgeous smile.

I was suddenly glad I hadn’t worn a stiff tuxedo. A new suit, no tie, because she knew I hated them.

I’d left my Stetson off, but it’d be back in place soon enough.

I started for Delaney when my pops held her hand out for me.

Rafe chuckled. “Eager much?”

Raquel and Lourdes and Sammy cat-called just as much as Bunyan and Marquis and Akoni wolf-whistled from opposite aisles.

And Calder and Reggie . . . set to get hitched next month.

Unbelievable.

Not as unreal as Delaney standing right next to me. Holding my hand, her fingers shaking a little bit, her body proud, her smile a succor I’d never get enough of.

Honest to God, I barely heard a word Coach D said. I focused on Delaney, her upturned lips, her fluttering eyelashes.

When pressed, I nodded. Yes I do I do I do.

Delaney looked up at me, little tears of joy spiking her long dusky eyelashes. “You have to say the words out loud.”

I eagerly followed orders. “I do. Whatever I’m supposed to say to make you mine forever.”

Delaney bit her bottom lip, laughing.

“Is that okay?” I asked, squeezing her fingers in mine and wanting to squeeze a whole lot more.

“That’ll do, Brooklyn,” Coach D intoned, familiar with my inability to think clearly whenever Delaney was near me.

When it was her turn, Delaney was a bit more composed, her fingers holding mine and her voice low, a little tremulous. A tear trailed down her cheek, and I captured it, my eyes filling, too.

When she tilted her head, gazing at me with a force of love so strong shining from her, I swallowed hard.

The I dos over, she and I were bound forever. The rings exchanged—to bright laughter when Rafe pretended at first to have misplaced them—gave our vows even more tangible meaning.

And with the kiss sealing our lips together, our tongues twining and twisting, our hearts soared.

Soared as frigging high as the loud shouts of congratulations from all around.

We were broken apart long before I was finished kissing the holy hell out of Delaney—Delaney Holt—my wife.

My heart knocked around in my chest, and Rafe pumped my hand before hugging me. “You made it, man! Thought you were gonna pass out there for a moment.”

“Delaney’s fault.” I glanced at her, my gaze pinned to the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen especially now she wore my rings on her fingers and her lips were swollen from my kiss. “Fuck, dude, can you blame me?”

Family came next, Mom and Dad. Felicitations all around, folks from every walk of life.

And my pops, who of course hugged Delaney first. “Remember, Delaney darlin’”—I rolled my eyes as he put on the drawl extra heavy—“if he gives you any guff you just gimme a call and I’ll fly out to South Carolina to whup his ass.”

Delaney giggled, kissing the old man on the cheek with true affection.

“All right, Pops. Hands off my wife,” I laughingly teased, a hot thrill shooting through me, saying wife out loud for the first time.

“What’s that, sonny boy?” He pretended to fiddle with the hearing aid in his ear. “Cain’t hear ya so well right now.”

Everyone erupted in laughter again, and Pops steadied his cane against his leg before giving me a bear hug that almost rated on up there with one of Akoni’s, even though my granddaddy was smaller than he used to be.

“She’s a real fine filly, Brooks. You were lucky to catch one so fine,” he said.

“I know, Pops. Don’t you think I’ll ever forget it, either.” Emotion almost strangled my throat.

“Good.” He looked up at me with damp eyes. “Women like her always deserve to be cherished and honored. Now”—he stepped away from me—“why don’t you and that lovely wife of yours go start making me some great-grandbabies. I ain’t gettin’ any younger.”

I hooted out a laugh. “Believe me, I’d like to do nothing more, but there’s that damn reception first.”

“Damn receptions anyhow. Who in their right mind dreamed up such a fool thing when everyone knows a new husband is in full mating rut.”

“And new wives too,” Delaney chimed in, coming up beside me.

It was Granddaddy’s turn to hoot while I looked at Delaney with sudden starving hunger flaring between us.

Leaning down, I brushed against her ear with my trimmed beard, feeling her shiver, and I whispered, “You should know better than to say things like that to me in front of other people.”

I cupped her backside, drawing her to me for another long lush kiss, pulling away just before I spiraled completely out of control. My cock was already full to bursting and—yeah—we still had this damn reception to get through.

Licking her newly swollen lips, Delaney spun away from me, an extra sway to her hips.

I growled low in my throat but I couldn’t go after her because Peyton appeared, her baby bump in evidence beneath the dress she wore. She and Rafe and Callum had been up at their cabin in Asheville, North Carolina, making the trip down to Texas before heading back to Charleston in preparation for the new season and training camp.

She grasped me with both hands. “I’m so happy for you and Delaney. I bet this feels even better than winning the Super Bowl, right?”

I grinned. “Absolutely.”

“Just remember, I expect another Lombardi Trophy this year too.” She departed with those words/threat, and I shook my head in amazement.

Even pregnant, she was still the mega boss lady.

Thankfully the reception that sprawled from the huge ranch house to out under the canopy of trees was more like a party. Music. Drinks. Good food. Good folk. Nothing formal about the celebration except for the cake. We’d opted to keep it simple—me mostly because I couldn’t wait to start the honeymoon portion of the whole wedding thing, and Delaney because that was her style.

I prowled her throughout the afternoon, never letting her stray too far. Dragging her around a corner, or into an empty room, or down along the cottonwoods to court her as my granddaddy would say. Straight-up devour her was the more appropriate phrase.

Every kiss we stole, each caress that grew more dangerous as the day went on, just lit the fires higher until I felt ready to tackle her in the middle of the porch, ruck up her dress, and mount her there and then.

It was amongst the feathery cottonwoods, afternoon sun beginning its descent as the colors of the sky softened like Delaney’s eyes, that I pressed her against a tree trunk, rocking against her body. Her fingers twisted in my hair, her lips open, her tongue hot and swirling in my mouth.

I nipped her bottom lip before sailing a string of kisses down her arched neck, suckling on her skin. “You wearing a bra under this dress?”

“Yes. For the time being.” She moaned throatily.

Another hungry lashing kiss. And yes, I did rut against her, her needy whimper coming right back at me.

“I love the dress by the way.”

Her hand slid down, and she cupped the length of my cock. “I like the suit.”

I skimmed my palms up while she stroked me below. I captured pearled nipples, pulling at the taut flesh with my fingers, molding her tits in my hands.

“Brooks,” she gasped out, her clenching hand filled with my cock. “When can we start the honeymoon?”

I jerked in her grasp, groaning when I had to pull myself away from her. “I’m thinkin’ right about now.”

With her hand safely clasped in mine so she couldn’t explore my body anymore because I was already at boiling point, I led her away from the trees.

“You didn’t tell me where we’re going.”

I smirked at her. “It’s a surprise.”

“I like your surprises.”

“I know you do.” I raised her hand, licking then kissing the heart of her palm.

We didn’t say any goodbyes. Fuck it. This was our day, right? Besides, my folks knew the plan, and they’d handle all the wedding revelers.

And Delaney and I weren’t going that far.

“Why are we headed to the stables?” she asked, her chin lifted up to me, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

“Surprise.”

We entered the long, dim, earthy-smelling building and Delaney heard a familiar noise, her head canted up at me.

“Jester?”

“And Cinnamon.” I smiled at her pleasure.

“But when did you . . . how did you get them out here without me knowing?”

“I have ways and means.” I hooked my Stetson from a peg on the wall. “You wait right here.” I left her after dropping a kiss to her smiling lips.

Smiling lips that shined even brighter when I led the two horses to her down the corridor.

Jester and Cinnamon were decked out with the same ribbons Mom had used to decorate the benches. Their coats shiny and brushed, manes braided with a few little tinkering bells.

“Did you do all this?”

My chest puffed up with simple pride. “Pops helped.”

“That old devil.”

“Hmm hmm. Nothin’ he likes better than being in on a secret.”

“Oh, Brooks. They look so pretty.” Delaney sighed sweetly.

“C’mon. I’ll help you up.”

When I boosted her into Cinnamon’s saddle, I took the opportunity to handle her ass a lot more than was strictly necessary. And when she was seated, she pulled me to her, leaned down, and kissed me with a wild twist of tongue.

Soft slow suction eased the kiss, her hand trailing along my neck as she righted in the saddle. “Thank you, husband.”

“I’d do anything for you. Especially to get a kiss like that, Mrs. Holt.”

Her cheeks turned a fetching shade of pink.

I mounted Jester just before he had the chance to get impatient at the lack of attention—greedy bastard—and clicked him forward, Delaney right beside me, a truly competent horsewoman now.

By the time we reached the open field to the north of our extensive property, we rode at full gallop. Hills smudged the horizon up ahead of us, and we followed the range, laughing with freedom, laughing in love.

Pulling back a little, I slowed Jester to a walk, Delaney following suit. Evening began to unfold across the vast sky. The pinks mingling with the blues not nearly as stunning as Delaney with a bloom on her cheeks, little wisps of jet black hair pulled free of the nest of braids on her head, the prairie-cum-wedding dress white like a sail, ruffling up to mid-thigh and sloping off her shoulders.

I guided Jester down a hilly dip toward a burbling creek of cool clear water running from the mountains.

“Where are we going?” Delaney asked, reins held loosely in one hand.

“Still a surprise.” I tipped my hat at her. Then I reached across, taking her free hand, lacing our fingers together. “I’m sorry your mom wasn’t here.”

“I’m okay about that, Brooks.” She rubbed a finger over my thumb, her smile a bit wistful, but forgiving. “Besides, I reckon you’ve got enough family to make sure I never feel left out.”

I gave a quick laugh. “Got that right.”

Right this minute I knew Mom and Dad’s house was still overrun by not just our friends and our teammates, but cousins, uncles, aunts, and long-lost Holt folk.

“I think my granddaddy’s ready to run away and elope with you.”

“Oh, he offered.” She winked and blew a kiss at me.

I chuckled. “Figures.”

“He’s quite the lady’s man.”

“Must run in the family,” I boasted.

Jester whickered in agreement, sending the little bells tinkling again.

When we rounded a bend in the creek at a place where it widened to form a small clear pool, Delaney let out a gasp.

The cabin stood beside the shimmering pool of water, shaded by yet more trees. The log house was small and rustic, completely private, a little haven where we could be alone as long as we wanted.

I’d come out yesterday with my dad, cleaning, sprucing it up some, checking the generator, stocking up with supplies and little luxuries to make our honeymoon even more special.

Fresh fluffy towels and warm soft blankets and stacks of firewood and tons of food.

I slid off Jester and patted him on the rump. I’d take care of him and Cinnamon later, but first I had a wife I was more than desperate to attend to.

I lifted her off Cinnamon, leading her lips in a clinging hungry kiss, her hair crushed beneath my hand and her ass cradled in the other one.

When I placed her on her feet, I was satisfied when she stumbled a bit to find her footing.

But then my eyes narrowed after she took in the scenery and cabin again and said, “This is it?”

She skipped away when I growled.

I stalked toward her, intent on catching her and keeping her.

“I just thought our honeymoon would be more extravagant”—she flicked her eyes up while I advanced—“you know, since you’re loaded and all.”

I drew her against me then up into my arms. She folded into me, mouth at the side of my neck, sending shivering shockwaves along my skin.

“I’ll show you extravagant, wench.” Freeing a hand, I unlatched the door.

Inside, the last rays of sun filtered in through the many windows of the log cabin. The fire had been lit in the stone hearth, as well as dozens of candles on surfaces around the place. An iced champagne bucket stood near a simple table which sat on a colorful braided rug, many other rugs covering the polished floorboards.

Jam jars of flowers filled the house with more color and more scents than I could count. I’d arranged everything, including having some of the ranch hands deliver our luggage.

I set Delaney on her feet, and she spun around, taking it all in, completely silent. The one big room and a separate well-equipped bathroom. A huge comfortable bed, the fireplace and couch, a kitchen area with all the necessities. All the comforts of home, way out on the range.

“Oh, I love it, Brooks!” She sprang back into my arms. “You wily man.”

Another bolt of pleasure hit me, simply by making her happy. God, the things she made me feel.

“I was wondering if you’d like to dance with me, Mrs. Holt?” Like we had that night in my house, naked after making love.

But this time, as husband and wife, making the moment last, the intense anticipation building.

“There’s no music.”

“We don’t need any.”

“In that case, I accept.” She daintily lifted her hand to me.

Our bodies melded together, not an inch separating us. She was warm in my arms—this rugged tough football babe—and soft and sweet. She smelled like summer rain, the kind that sizzles when it hits hot-baked earth.

I bent my head, my cheek against her temple, and her hands pulled me tighter, caressing the length of my back.

“You ever ride horseback with a suit on before, cowboy?” She asked, her breath against my neck nearly stealing my voice.

Fuck, I was so ready to strip her down, plunge into her.

But I wanted this moment to last and last.

“No. Never. Never did a lot of things before you.”

She drew in a breath then pressed up, tilted her head, found my mouth.

She plundered inside, greedily taking, clutching and hot and making me harder than ever.

“I’m going to love being your wife,” she murmured against my lips.

“Wanna start now?” My hand cruised to her waist and lower, gathering her more strongly against me.

Her needy whimper was a solid yes.

And I couldn’t believe it. Husband and wife. Freed from the past and the struggles and the pain.

Then we freed one another of clothes in front of the fire with candles burning all around, champagne forgotten.

She caressed my beard first before taking the jacket from my shoulders, sailing it to the floor.

I plucked the meadow flowers one at a time from her hair then slowly unraveled the braids. I spread the tresses, rich thick black, crinkled now, over her shoulders.

She kissed me over and over, the buttons of my shirt opening until she grasped both sides and licked muscles that rippled in response.

I groaned her name when she bit my nipple, tugged the disc between her teeth.

There was a zipper down the side of her dress, and I found it. Slid it down, shrugging from my shirt as I opened a line of golden glowing skin from the side of her breast to the swell of her hip.

She flicked the tab on my pants.

My eyebrow rose. Her lips spread in a heated smile.

She laughed when I kneeled down to tug off her boots—I almost unbalanced her until she held onto my shoulders and bent until her tits rested very very close to my face.

And she pushed me onto the side of the bed, got into bootjack position. One foot then the other, she pried off my boots while I used her luscious ass for leverage.

When I rose behind her, my voice was hoarse. “I want to be inside you so fucking badly, Delaney.”

She hissed in a breath. Arching when I licked and sucked the side of her neck. I plunged my hands into her skirts and drew the dress up, up, up her body.

The creamy white floated away like a cloud on a summer day.

She spun, eyes heavy and dark. Hands hot and sure as she unzipped my pants.

I watched her, taking in the lingerie. A strapless bra that mounded her tits high, the sheer fabric showing aroused nipples. And matching panties barely big enough to cover the lips, the heat, the wetness of her cunt.

She dropped down before I’d taken my fill of her fit body in the bridal lingerie. But all thought ceased when she tugged my pants down and swept them away.

“You didn’t go commando?” She rubbed her cheek against the mighty erection, the barrel of hard flesh, hardly contained by briefs.

“Didn’t want my cock to be the center of attention.”

Her laugh husky, she hooked her thumbs into the waistband and drew it out and over my erection, mewling when the blood-engorged head snapped up and the stalk hovered, very close to her mouth. She skimmed the briefs off then licked my aching sac, hand roving up my cock, fingers and tongue idling, toying, tasting.

Well, I wanted my taste of her, too.

I hauled her up, unlatched the bra, and immediately caught one breast in a hand, one with my mouth.

She shouted my name, fingers pressed into my forearms. Leaving her tits wet and shiny, I pulled her closer to the fire’s bright hearth.

I lay her down. I pressed her back and towed the panties from her legs. Her hips rose when I crawled between her thighs, and I spread her with my lips, eating at her gently, taking each tender labia inside and swirling up and down her slick slit.

She gasped and rolled and arched and came.

The fur throw on the floor cushioned us. Thick and soft. Not as soft as Delaney or as thick as me when I fucked into her slowly, watching her eyelids coast down.

I held her completely against my body as I thrust inside, wonder at the moment etched deep inside my heart.

Hands twined, bodies rocking together, sweat and lust gathering.

A kick from my pelvis, surging that last inch inside, the one that stretched her most and made her cry out my name every time.

“Fuck.” Grunting.

Claiming.

Climbing higher.

Legs locked around my waist. Hair grasped in my hand. Her mouth buried against my shoulder. And faster, hotter, tighter, cinched around one another. Deep hard lunges lifting her until my hands at her waist held her locked down on my cock.

My roar to the rafters.

Her smoky yell and convulsions.

Deep, deep pulses of thick flesh inside a wet clutching clasp.

I laughed huskily, my forehead bent to hers as breaths ranged in and out of my chest. “God, you’re a good roll in the hay.”

Delaney peered up, her eyes still shaded with lust we never sated. “Roll in the hay?” She spread her arms, a snow angel bathed in the light of the fire upon the soft fur as dark as her hair. “This was extravagant after all.”

I nuzzled her neck, and took her with me as I settled on my back. Our arms and legs, our fingers and then lips mingled together.

She drew up, her breasts cushioned on my chest, tight nipples teasing my skin. “I have a surprise too.” She placed a kiss at the hollow of my throat then across my thudding heart. “Actually two surprises for you.”

“I like your surprises.” I repeated her words from earlier.

“I know.” She sassed. “Well, I won’t be joining the Cougars this season.”

“Is that one of the surprises?”

“Nope.” She started to rise.

I tussled her back down, flipping over her. “C’mon, woman. Out with it.”

“You have to let me up first.” She looked bashful all of a sudden, casting her look aside.

I pulled back to my knees, watching as she stood, outlined by firelight in her full naked glory.

Took her a moment of foraging in one of her bags before she returned, standing almost uncertainly, something hidden behind her back.

I drew one of her hands forward, placing it against my chest. “What is it?”

She swallowed, a timid smile playing across her lips. “Just this.”

I dropped her hand. Pressed the back of my knuckles to my mouth, choking on the sudden intense emotion that made tears climb to my eyes unexpectedly.

“Is that what I think it is?” I asked, voice breaking.

Delaney placed the ultrasound picture in my hand.

I looked up at her, and tears drifted down to the corners of her lips. She nodded.

“I’m pregnant.”

Joy slammed right through me, and I stared at the ultrasound, trying to make out what I was seeing. And then it hit me.

Raw and raspy, I asked, “You said two things.”

“Twins.”

My shoulders shaking, I bent my forehead then my lips to her belly.

She came down with me. And salty kisses passed between us as I cupped her stomach in my hand. But they weren’t tears of pain.

No more of those.

Just pure love.

Love that couldn’t be contained, not even when our fingers twisted together and our lips meshed and our bodies drove together once again, the little black and white photo propped next to the bed after Delaney and I had been given the best gift of all.