Chapter Fourteen

Moving On

 

Piper

 

 

“Wake up. Please, fuck, baby, wake up.”

“What do you want, Mr. Bossy Pants? I’m sleeping.” Yawning, I pulled the blanket tighter around myself.

“What? Now that you’re gonna be Mrs. Bossy Pants tomorrow, you don’t wanna fuck?”

“Suddenly, I’m not feeling so tired,” I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before climbing onto my fiancé.

“You kept grindin’ your ass against me, makin’ all sorts of sexy little noises in your sleep. Havin’ good dreams?” Jake leaned up on his elbows to kiss my chest as I straddled him.

“The best. I was marrying this super sexy badass with a huge dick and he was going to fuck me. And will you look at that, I must still be dreaming.”

Jake’s growl rumbled against me. Lifting me by my hips, he positioned himself to enter me but held back. I tried to push down but his grip tightened. “You know what I wanna hear.”

“Please,” I begged shamelessly. “Please fuck me.”

Jake pulled me down as his hips thrust up.

Leaning forward, I clutched his shoulders.

One of his hands moved up my side and ribs, the tenderness a sharp contrast to the urgency of our movements. Rubbing gently under my breast, it came to rest in the center of my chest.

Anger flashed across his face, quickly followed by pain and relief.

Like I’d done for the past month whenever Jake did this, I brought my hand up to cover his, pressing it closer to me. I began moving faster until my heart beat pounded so quickly it would have been impossible for him not to feel it.

Even still, it wasn’t until I inhaled deeply that I saw the last bit of tension leave his face.

*******

On the night of the attack, one month before, I woke up hazily in my room to people rushing around. Globes of light floated around me, and everything seemed to switch between fast forward and slow mo.

I knew I felt safe, though.

When I came to more, I realized I was cradled in Jake’s lap.

His voice was harsh, but his touch on me was light, as though he worried the slightest movement might shatter me.

“Baby,” I rasped. My throat felt like I’d swallowed glass, then sea salt, and finished it off with a shot of flaming kerosene. As I leaned forward to sit up, the dull ache in my head turned into a jack hammering pain.

Though I tried to fight against it, the black edges pushed in again.

*******

Things were far less hazy the next time I woke up. I tensed when I felt strong arms around me until I saw the ink and realized they belonged to Jake.

I opened my mouth, but he spoke first.

“Don’t talk. I’ll get the nurse, yeah?”

Looking around, I saw that we were in a hospital room. I nodded as he hit a button on the bed.

“What happened?”

Before Jake could answer, an older nurse came in.

“Glad to see you’re awake. Let’s check you out, and then we’ll get you up and walking.” She gave me a reassuring smile as she stopped to wash her hands. “Mr. Hyde, if you’d wait outside, please.”

“No,” he said firmly.

“I’m sure Miss Skye would feel more comfortable tending to her needs without an audience.”

Jake looked down at me before sighing. He carefully shifted off the bed and stood. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’m Sally, your nurse for the day. Let’s get you up.” She helped me stand on unsteady legs.

After using the bathroom, I moved to the sink to wash my hands. I glanced up and caught sight of myself in the mirror.

Based on the look of pain and anger on Jake’s face, and the sympathy on Sally’s, I’d already guessed that I didn’t look too hot.

Still, I was surprised by how awful my appearance was.

My hair was a tangled, dry mess and with the exception of a nasty purple bruise on my swollen cheek, my face was pale. There was also a dark, angry looking ring around my neck.

Bringing my shaking fingers up, I touched the mark. As the dull pain turned sharp, I saw Z with his hand on my throat as he worked at his pants so he could…

I flung open the door, startling Sally. Her face went soft as she took in my wide eyes and heaving chest.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried to remind myself I was okay.

Z’s gone. Jake’s here and he won’t let anyone hurt me. I’m safe.

Sally helped me back into bed and began taking my vitals. “How’re you feeling?”

“Thirsty.” My voice was rough, like the word had clawed its way up.

“I’ll get you some water when we finish here.”

“Thanks.”

She was removing the blood pressure cuff when Jake came back in.

Gently lifting me, he sat on the bed and positioned me in his lap. His mouth moved against my forehead as he asked, “You okay?”

“Yeah. When can I go home?”

At my own words, panic seized me again. More flashbacks, like the world’s worst slide show, played out in my head.

Jake’s grasp on me loosened, but he murmured to me in soothing tones until I knew I was safe.

I also knew I was never going to that house again.

“When can I leave here?” I rephrased.

Sally’s eyes were sympathetic and warm. “You have a concussion. There’s a specialist on her way to look at your throat to make sure there’s no lasting damage. You’ve already had an MRI, but you’ll be heading for another one shortly. They want to be sure that, between the concussion and the lack of oxygen, there’s no bleeding or swelling. If everything is okay, you could be discharged tomorrow.”

“I already had an MRI? How long was I out?”

“They gave you a mild sedative, hon. It’s only been a few hours. I’ll go get your water and see what time the MRI will be.”

After Sally left, Jake ran his hand through my hair, carefully avoiding the back of my head.

“James?” I asked.

“Slight concussion and a gunshot wound to the shoulder. But he’ll be fine and headin’ home in a couple days. We’ll go visit him later.”

Even though I hated to ask, I needed to know. “Chloe?”

“No,” he said with a slight shake of his head. He didn’t look too broken up about it.

“Z?”

Jake’s jaw clenched. “I’m assumin’ that crazy fucker is in a prison somewhere and headed for a padded room. It’s better I don’t know.”

Though I wanted to know more about what happened, I was too drained to ask.

Sally brought me water, which I was only allowed to sip.

She obviously has no clue what it feels like to have a desert in her mouth.

After I drank, Jake put the cup on the table and pulled me closer.

“She’s nice,” I whispered when Sally left again. “I bet Jet would wanna rock her arch supporting, nonslip shoes off.”

Jake let out a deep laugh that eased some of the tension on his face. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Get some sleep, sweets.”

“Yes, Mr. Bossy Pants.”

*******

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill him.”

“Mr. Hyde, go wait in the hallway.”

“Fuck the hallway.”

“Go or I’ll have security remove you.”

“Try it,” he warned.

While he often issued the same challenge to me, there was nothing playful about it this time. I knew if anyone attempted to make him to leave, it would not end well.

That being said, the nurse he was threatening had been an asshole from the time his shift had started, so he was kind of asking for it.

Reliving everything as I talked to the specialist wasn’t easy. I didn’t want to go through it without Jake if he got himself kicked out of the hospital.

“Baby, it’s good news,” I tried. “The doctor says I should be better within the week with no lasting damage.”

“‘Cause you didn’t fuckin’ fight back. That’s the only reason there’s no lastin’ fuckin’ damage! Sweets, he could’ve…” His strained voice broke, tortured. “He could’ve—”

“He didn’t.”

“But—”

“It sucked for you to hear.” I grabbed his hand so he’d look down at me. “Imagine how I’m feeling talking about it. Now either shut up or leave. Please.”

“Fuck. You’re right. Shit, I’m sorry.” He lifted my hand to kiss my palm.

“This was an extremely difficult situation,” the doctor started, her eyes narrowing on the asshole nurse. “For you both. You deserve some patience and compassion.”

Ohhhhhh. Someone’s in trouble.

*******

After meeting with the specialist, I was able to convince Jake to bring me to visit James.

By bring, I mean, he literally carried me.

James was still pretty out of it, but was happy to see me. We only stayed a few minutes, but it was long enough for me to see he was alright and for him to see the same was true for me.

As we were leaving the room, Jake looked back to James. “I owe you.”

James shook his head. “Just keep her happy.”

When we returned to my hospital room, Kase was waiting. His back was to us as he looked out the window. Turning stiffly, his expression was grim as he looked me over. “You okay, Pipe?”

I nodded, my throat having started to burn.

Kase stepped away from the window and headed towards the hall, setting something on the table by the bed as he went. When he reached the door, he paused to look back at Jake and me. “I’m so sorry.”

Before anyone else could speak, he left like the room was on fire.

I looked at Jake, my face asking the question my throat was too sore to.

Jake set me gently on the bed before stretching out next to me. “I wanted to go to you. I knew somethin’ was off. Kase held me back ‘cause he thought you just needed time. He feels like it’s his fault things got so far, and he’s not listenin’ to reason. He even put in his two weeks’ notice.”

I shook my head, cringing at the pain.

Jake pulled me to him and tucked my head into his neck. Reaching over to grab what Kase had set down, he slid my engagement ring back on my finger. He kissed my palm before placing my hand on his chest and covering it with his own.

“How?” I whispered.

“Kase. Don’t know how long he spent out there searchin’, but I know it was a long time.”

“Good friend.”

“The best.”

*******

Detective Oscar contacted us the following week to come in to the station.

“Did you know Z had a juvie record for stealing and stripping cars?” she asked Jake as soon as we sat down.

Jake nodded. “Yeah, why?”

“Given your law background and the high value of your business, it’s surprising that you’d have two employees with records.”

My brows shot up. “Two?”

I didn’t even know there was one!

I watched Detective Oscar and Jake look at each other, a silent conversation happening between them. “Who else?” I pushed.

“No one, babe. Don’t worry about it,” Jake murmured to me.

“No. Who?”

“Kase. And, before you ask, I’m not tellin’ you anythin’ else. It’s not my story to tell, and, more so, I know for a fact Kase seriously does not want you to know.”

As curious as I was, I knew getting the information from Jake wasn’t going to happen since he kept secrets like they were launch codes.

Plus, if Kase didn’t want me to know, I’d have to respect that. I knew the kind of man he was, and that was all that mattered.

“Sorry, I thought she knew,” Detective Oscar apologized, regaining our attention. “The reason I had you come in today was because with Z filling in the holes, we’ve been able to piece together what happened. I’m giving you the heads up right now, he’ll probably go for the insanity defense. I’m not your dad, Jake, but I’d say it’s also likely he’ll get it.”

“We already knew he was a fuckin’ sicko,” Jake muttered, his hand tightening on my thigh.

I looked at Detective Oscar. “It’s worse than that, isn’t it?”

She nodded her head slowly. “It’s messed up and ugly,” she warned before telling us Z’s heartbreaking story.

*******

Zachary Zane, then Double Z, before just Z, was Special Forces. In charge of a small group of men, he was known for being ruthless, conniving, and manipulative. He was also incredibly skilled with wires.

After his alcoholic father kicked him out when he was only eleven, he’d had to learn all of it to survive.

After spending seven years bouncing between juvie and neglectful foster homes, he put his skills to use by joining the military. Placing taps and traces, connecting and defusing bombs; if it had wires, he could do something with it. He had a high success rate. When he set a plan, he followed it to a T.

Until the one time he didn’t.

On a mission overseas, he met a local woman at the market. She’d looked up at him and smiled shyly when they both reached for the same container of milk.

Because of her perfect, sweet smile, he’d called her “Doll Face”.

Due to the nature of his job, they’d kept their relationship a secret. In a life full of hardness, she was the only soft he’d ever experienced. He fell quickly and deeply in love, to the point of distraction.

Leaving her one morning, he went to question a suspected terrorist. The interrogation was heavy on physical force. As the man hung by his bound wrists from a hook in his own warehouse, Z beat him. Savagely. Getting him close to death, one of Z’s men would patch him up before Z started again.

After more than forty-eight hours, they were getting nowhere and Z lost his patience. He wanted to get back to his love.

She always worried when he was gone too long.

He started punching, absolutely brutal hits, one after another after another. The man was close to death when a shriek filled the air.

Z turned, wiping blood and sweat from his face, to see the sister he hadn’t known the suspect had.

His Doll Face.

She was never supposed to be there.

She was never supposed to see what he did to protect people.

Her face was filled with fear as she dropped a basket of sweet breads. Turning, she ran from him.

He chased her without thinking, leaving his men behind.

Men he’d never see again.

His woman, in her frantic attempt at escape, ran off the path and onto the grass. Nearing the gate, she stepped on a landmine.

The blast blew Z back and knocked him unconscious. The detonation triggered another set of explosives wired to bring down the warehouse.

Z’s instincts were correct; the man had a lot to hide.

Z never told anyone what had really happened. He was hailed a hero when backup found him unconscious.

His actions, lies, and mistakes all weighed heavily on him.

When he began seeing me at events, his obsession started. My tanned skin, long, dark hair and sweet nature reminded him of her.

But it was my scent that broke him.

His Doll Face loved to bake for her large family. Z would climb into her bed after a bad day, and the scent of vanilla would fill his nose, calming him.

*******

I knew no one else felt any pity for Z. He’d hurt people and committed murder. On top of the emotional pain he’d caused, he’d almost killed me as he tried to hurt me in one of the worst ways you could.

In spite of all that, I mourned the loss of his Doll Face, his men, and the Z I thought I’d known.

The Z he could’ve been.

*******

When the nightmares started, Jake put his foot down about me seeing a professional counselor. Since I knew I needed it, I didn’t fight him.

It was hard to keep reliving what had happened, but my mind was doing it whether I wanted it to or not. At least when I went over it during therapy, I received the tools I needed to cope and move on.

Jake, just like Kase, felt incredible guilt for not protecting me. He knew I’d never have gone home alone had he not said such awful things.

While that may have been true, I explained that Z had intentionally goaded him into pushing me too far. He promised he’d try to tamp down his possessiveness, and I promised to keep being patient.

Keeping his word, I did the cake for Static in the Sun’s album drop party without a peep from Jake. It probably helped that Blake Green was freaked way the fuck out and wanted nothing to do with me.

Having a crazy dude use you in his plot to kidnap a chick would calm anyone’s shit down.

Jake understood why I’d been so harsh when I’d been forced to break up with him. However, I also knew the stuff that Z had made me say was real. They were insecurities Jake had and they ran deep. My vulnerable badass worried that I’d leave him and I knew that fear wouldn’t disappear overnight.

Lucky for him, I was ready to spend every day of my life proving to him how much I loved him. I wasn’t going anywhere.

Jake had wanted to get married right after we left the hospital. I wanted to wait until all the swelling and bruising was gone. It wasn’t a vanity thing.

Okay, it wasn’t just that.

I didn’t want to look back at pictures and see the reminder of what had happened. I wanted my wedding day to be brightness with no dark cloud looming over it.

When I told Jake how I felt, he understood.

It was almost a month before he mentioned marriage again.

I woke, as the sun was just touching the sky, to Jake’s fingers sliding slowly inside of me as his eyes studied my face intently. When I smiled sleepily up at him, he moved between my legs.

Tenderly, he eased into me as his fingertips drifted lovingly over my face and neck.

“Marry me tomorrow?” he asked, his lips brushing against mine.

“Yes,” I answered simply.

Then Jake did another thing he’d sworn he couldn’t do. His movements stayed slow as he savored me, worshipped me, made love to me.

It was beautiful in a way that was so profound I knew I’d remember it until the day I died.

Shortly after, I fell back to sleep with Jake’s body curved along mine.

It was a few hours later that he woke me to straddle him so he could fuck me bossy.

I’d be hard pressed to say which I preferred, but I was looking forward to a lifetime together to decide.

*******

When Jake said we’d get married the next day, he was not messing around. We were on a plane to Vegas that afternoon.

After getting in late, we checked into a gorgeous hotel that I barely saw through tired eyes. Collapsing into bed, we slept well into the next morning until a knock on the door woke us.

I lifted my head slightly and watched my fiancé pad across the room, the muscles in his back, ass, and legs flexing. He bent and scooped up his pants, pulling them on as he walked.

If I attempted something like that, I’d fall on my face.

Easing the door to our room closed behind him, his footsteps trailed off as he went through the rest of the suite to the main door.

I snagged his pillow and burrowed under the blankets. I started to doze back off when I heard voices filling the sitting room.

When Jake returned, I greedily enjoyed the view of his shirtless front.

His unbuttoned, loose jeans hung low on his hips. I knew where the deep vee of his pelvis and the sparse trail of blond hair led, but I still wanted nothing more than to explore.

My eyes slowly moved up the taut muscles of his abs, intricate swirls of ink, and the definition of his chest that had my name on it. I took in his broad, tattooed shoulders, masculine neck, and strong jaw with ever-present scruff that my fingers still itched to touch.

His full and slightly quirked lips, high cheekbones, and the harsh angles of his face made him so masculinely beautiful, I felt it was a disservice to womankind that he had yet to be sculpted in marble.

His green eyes were hooded, lit with a mix of amusement and arousal, and I knew my perusal had not been subtle.

Since I’d failed to notice that he’d stopped walking at some point, it had been in depth.

Oops.

When my eyes dropped down and I looked straight ahead, I saw something else that was far from subtle.

“You keep lookin’ at me like that, sweets, and our family and friends out there are gonna hear a lot more than they want to.”

I sat up quickly and the blankets fell around me.

Jake’s eyes went even more hooded as he did a little perusing of his own.

Going back to the door, he opened it and said, “We got in late and Piper’s still tired. We’ll meet you in the lobby at one.”

I heard muffled conversation fade as they left.

I got up on my knees. “Well, that was rude. Shouldn’t we get dressed and go see everyone?”

Jake’s eyes dropped to my naked body. “Fuck no.” Prowling towards me, he pushed his jeans down and removed them as he walked with the same gracefulness as when he’d put them on.

God, that’s hot. Why’s that such a turn-on?

Maybe because I know all the other ways he’s in control of his body.

And mine.

“No, I really think we should. I’ll just get dressed.” Turning from him, I leaned down and pretended to reach for my clothes.

My head shot back as he entered me hard, filling me.

His hands ran up my sides before reaching around to palm my breasts. He pulled me up so my back was pressed to his front. One of his arms wrapped under my chest to support me as he moved in me. His other curled up, his hand curving gently around the side of my neck as his thumb stroked my jaw.

The first couple of times his hand had gone to my neck, I’d flinched and jerked away. He’d understood, but I hadn’t. I hated feeling the panic grip me, and seeing the pain and rage resurface in him. I missed feeling his rough thumb rub my jaw.

I’d made him promise not to stop doing it and he hadn’t. As time passed, my reaction slowly but steadily improved until I was once again leaning into his touch.

I would have made him keep trying forever to get it back.

“If you wanna get dressed, I guess we could,” he whispered harshly against my ear, his tongue edging the side. His thrusts intensified so much so that if his arms weren’t around me, I wouldn’t have been able to stay upright.

He stopped suddenly and began inching out of me.

“No!” Reaching around, I dug my nails into his ass to pull him back in.

Jake’s deep chuckle turned into a groan. “Fuck, I love you.”

“And thank fuck for that.”

*******

He might usually be Mr. Bossy Pants, but Jake was better at compromise than I’d once thought.

When we’d initially discussed wedding plans, the parents had ganged up on us to push for a traditional wedding. They still wanted that, except for my dad.

Dad was in favor of the wedding being wherever I wanted, as long as the end result was his only child being married to someone who would literally shoot a man to protect her.

Dad did tell Jake that given the chance, he’d be there in an instant so he could walk me down the aisle.

Jake ran with that idea.

We got our Vegas wedding, but with our family and closest friends. My mom, Thomas, Gregory, Sarah, Edge, Ray, Harlow, Rhys, and Kase had been ready to fly out on Thomas’ company plane at a moment’s notice. Nat and Dad drove up from California.

Everyone knew that as soon as the bruising was gone, there’d be no convincing us to wait any longer.

After loud and chaotic hellos in the hotel lobby, I asked, “So, what’s the plan?”

“We’re going to do all things girly to get ready,” Ray said, looping my arm through hers and smiling huge at me.

“You all know the schedule,” Jake’s voice rumbled as he pulled me slightly from Ray to kiss me.

“I don’t,” I pointed out.

“And that’s the fun of it. I’ll see you tonight, sweets.”

*******

When the women left the hotel, we headed to a boutique.

I’d have happily married Jake in the jeans and t-shirt I wore. That didn’t mean that once I saw the gorgeous dresses, I wasn’t thrilled we were there.

Nat’s eyes lit gleefully as she handed me a glass of champagne. “Have a seat.”

Taking the glass, I narrowed my eyes as I studied her face. “Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?”

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but her valley girl lilt was strong from her excitement. “Because I am. We’ve been planning this for weeks.”

Her use of ‘we’ve’ wasn’t lost on me, and I grinned at her. It couldn’t have been easy on her or my mom, but it meant a lot to me. When I caught her eyes, I knew she felt the same way.

Sitting down, I watched as Ray and Harlow disappeared into what I’d correctly assumed were changing rooms.

Within minutes, they came out in matching shimmery, dove gray, one shouldered dresses that ended above the knee. The one strap was black ruched. Even with the black, back seam tights and gray three-inch pumps, I was surprised at how low-key the outfit was.

They totally rocked the look, but I got the feeling the moms played a heavy role in picking the attire.

This should be interesting.

“Oh my God, you both look gorgeous! Harlow, I had no clue your legs were so long.”

Though she was only an inch or so taller than me, her legs seemed miles longer.

“Yeah, I get that a lot,” she said, looking off to the side.

The moms and seamstress went to work on Ray, adding pins and walking around her as they discussed alterations.

I caught her gaze in the reflection of the mirror. After giving me her best model face, she rolled her eyes and blew me a kiss.

Standing, I moved closer to an unusually quiet Harlow. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I just… I’m so happy for you, Piper. I love you, and you’re, like, the most kickass friend. I’m just so touched you wanted me here,” she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes.

“Honey—”

“Don’t say another word. If I cry, my eyes are gonna get puffy and my skin will get splotchy.”

“I get Alice Cooper face.”

“Then we both better get a handle on this.”

Looking away as I tried to do just that, I saw the moms go into the dressing rooms.

I sat back to watch a relieved Ray get out of the hot spot as Harlow took her place, looking even more uncomfortable.

Her legs are seriously never-ending!

Within minutes, Nat, Sarah, and my mom came out of the rooms in similar gray, A-line, fifties style dresses.

“Those dresses are perfect!” I squealed.

“I’m thinking I’ll make this my new look,” Sarah joked, her lips twitching like her son’s did.

When it was my turn, I went into a changing room. My knees gave out and I sank down onto a bench. Trying to stop the tears from sliding down my cheeks, I lifted my head to see my mom crouched next to me.

The others wiped at their eyes as they watched through the open curtain.

“I knew you’d love it,” Mom said, reaching up to wipe a tear from my face.

“It’s been one day since I said yes. How did all of this get done?”

“He’s been planning everything with the owner of Ella’s. He said she was almost more excited about the wedding than he was. Especially when he told her his idea for the dress. It’s not my style, of course. But it’s so you that I love it. And I love that he gave it to you. I couldn’t have imagined anyone better for my beautiful daughter.”

Obviously, Dad wasn’t the only one shaken by what happened.

When my mom found out why I’d gone back to my house to change, she was wracked with guilt. We’d talked for hours about everything. She’d explained, which I already knew, that she just wanted better for me than she’d had growing up.

This wasn’t to say she was magically the perfect mom, but she was much closer. She was happier, more relaxed, and I caught more than a glimpse of who she was when she let the walls down.

After getting control of my tears, I stood and helped my mom up. She hugged me tight before leaving me to dress.

My hands shook as I quickly pulled my clothes off. Sliding the dress on, I was cautious not to snag it on anything. I sat on the edge of the seat and slipped my shoes on before opening the curtain.

“Ta-Da!” I choked out as I tried not to cry on my dress.

The moms and my girls, upon seeing me, all burst into fresh tears that they hurriedly wiped.

The seamstress had me stand in front of the wall of mirrors as she pinned for alterations.

Once Jake had broken down my walls and closed the distance I’d tried to keep, I’d fallen hard and fast. There was no holding back.

As I looked at the dress, though I thought it was impossible, I loved Jacoby Hyde even more.

*******

We went back to the hotel where an entire salon staff was waiting for us in my mom’s suite. It may not have actually been the whole staff, but it felt like it.

After being split into different areas, everyone rushed to get ready.

Separated from everyone else, I was closed off in the master suite. My finger and toe nails were painted at the same time by two different people while someone fussed with my hair.

When the choice of hairstyles was given to me, I chose to leave it down. I also made sure they didn’t put anything in it that would make it difficult for Jake to run his fingers through.

Or pull…

Shh, quiet, girly bits!

After my hair was set in rollers, my makeup was applied so quickly I feared the results. I slowly pried my eyes open to look in the mirror, bracing for the worst.

Instead, I saw that each line, color, and coated eyelash was nothing short of perfection.

I grinned at the makeup artist. “I seriously need to raise my makeup game.”

Before I could figure out how she’d done it so fast, she left as two people came in to unwrap and style my hair.

It was chaotic, but it was the kind of chaos I liked. My favorite weddings were the rare ones when the vibe was electric with excitement, and that’s what I felt.

I had no doubts or second thoughts. I wasn’t screaming about some invisible flaw I wanted to focus on in order to avoid an actual problem. I wasn’t crying and getting drunk in the ladies room.

Don’t forget about the wedding where you walked in on the bride and the best man in the kitchen.

Though, from the bored look on her face, he was obviously far from the best.

I was nervous, of course. I was also out of my freakin’ mind ecstatic.

As the stylist put the finishing touches on my hair, I heard the dresses being delivered. Someone from the boutique knocked on the door before coming in to hang my stuff up.

When I was finally alone, I took longer than I had available to get dressed. Smoothing the skirt down, I loved it even more than I had earlier.

For fear of busting my ass, I walked slowly on trembling legs out of the master suite. My mom was facing away from me and I was unsurprised to see her hair pulled back in her typical chignon. When she turned around, my brows shot up and I started laughing.

The front of her hair was pinned in victory rolls.

“You like?” my mom asked, preening. “It was my idea.”

“I love it.”

Someone from the hotel guided us from the room. Our charged energy bounced around us as we filed out and down the hall.

Taking the elevators up, we walked down another hall and stopped near a closed room. The moms stood close to the entrance while Ray and Harlow moved me out of sight.

When the doors opened, I heard a lot of voices.

“There’s more than just the few people I was expecting, isn’t there?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Yup,” Harlow confirmed with a smile.

“Don’t cry. You’ve got so much mascara on, there’s no way you wouldn’t look like Alice Cooper,” Ray laughed.

“Helpful! Thanks, that’s super calming,” I said sarcastically. “Quick, someone say something or I’m gonna start blubbering.” I fanned my face.

“Rhys is escorting me down the aisle. Do you think he’d let me do a shot out of those dimples later?” Harlow raised her brows suggestively.

“I’d originally thought to eat cereal out of them, but I like your idea better,” I admitted. “Not for me, of course. I’m a soon-to-be married woman.”

Familiar sounding music started playing. Listening carefully, I realized it was a slowed down, instrumental version of one of my favorite X-ers songs. It had been playing when Jake and I danced at Jet’s.

The moms disappeared into the room first. Harlow followed shortly after, turning to blow me a kiss as she went.

Ray grabbed my hands and clutched them tight as tears shimmered in her eyes. “Sometimes the road to happily ever after isn’t smooth and easy. You have to fight through trials and obstacles to get there. There are dragons and big, bad wolves in disguise to defeat. Riding in a carriage with a prince wouldn’t get you over those bumps and twists. Sometimes the road to your happily ever after is on the back of a bike with a badass knight that would kick the prince’s ass if he came near you. I couldn’t be happier you found your knight, Piper. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I whispered past the lump in my throat. “Thanks for showing me that taking risks on a badass could pay off.”

I pulled her to me and held tight as we tried to control our tears.

A minute later, Kase stuck his head out the door. “Hate to break this up, you know how much I love girl-on-girl shit. But there’s a man waiting at the other side of this room who’s starting to look tense and a bit pissed. Not sayin’ Jake is the most patient man to begin with, but he looks about a minute, tops, from storming out here and making you walk down the aisle.”

When Ray and I released our hold on each other, she air kissed my cheek before disappearing through the door with Kase.

I’d never been one to make decisions on the fly. When faced with any choice, I overanalyzed every detail until I reached my answer. More often than not, I was still plagued with doubt.

With Jake, though, I knew the risks would pay off. I’d strapped in, held on tight, and enjoyed the hell out of the ride.

And as I stood in the hallway, about to leap off the figurative cliff into the unknown, I knew wherever I landed would be beauty.

Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes and let my head fall back. Warmth seeped into my soul as a calm peace settled deep in my bones.

“Most dads hate this day.”

Opening my eyes, I saw my dad standing in front of me in a gray suit and black dress shirt. His expression was a mix of thrilled and heartbroken.

My eyes started to burn again.

“They dread it, the day their little girl becomes someone else’s woman. I can’t say that part is easy. But knowing you’ll be with someone who would do all this, do everything he’s done, to protect you and make you smile? Couldn’t have picked a better man if I tried. You’ve made me proud with everything you’ve done, Lil’ Rock. This is no exception.”

Don’t cry. Hold it back. Splotchy and streaked isn’t a good look on anyone. Don’t cry.

Oh, hell, I’m gonna cry.

Dad must have been able to tell. “Alright, alright, keep it together. You start crying, you’ll have to go fix your face and all that junk. And Kase was not exaggerating. That man up there is the epitome of restless.”

I slid my arm through the crook in Dad’s and we positioned ourselves near the doorway.

When the music changed, a strangled sob mixed with a laugh escaped from me.

The lovely, lilting instrumental was the first song Jake had held me during when we saw the band, Harington, at Rye. Though I’d wanted to kick him in the shin that night, I knew I’d never forget.

What I hadn’t known was neither would he.

Though the melody sounded beautifully romantic, the unsung lyrics were actually about being so turned on by someone that the only thoughts you had were about fucking them in all sorts of kinky ways.

It was perfect.

Entering the room, I saw nothing but Jake.

And, just like the first time I saw him at Hyde’s, my legs went to jello. As I was again wearing four-inch heels, I had to walk carefully so I didn’t face-plant at my own wedding.

Forget congratulating yourself for walking without falling this time. Congratulate yourself for who you’re marrying.

Standing at the end of the aisle, Jake looked scorchingly beautiful. His hair was down, making his cheek and jaw bones more prominent. The sleeves of his black dress shirt were rolled up to show his inked and tanned forearms. Slim fit, gray jeans tucked into his motorcycle boots, a matching gray tuxedo vest, and a hot pink tie made him look badass formal.

As soon as I was within arm’s reach, Jake’s hand curved around the back of my neck. Hauling me to him, my hands hit his chest as his mouth crashed down on mine.

Catcalls and whistles filled the room, though neither of us cared.

When Jake tore his mouth from mine, he pulled back slightly to look down at me, his eyes full of emotion. “Fuck, Piper. So fuckin’ gorgeous. Thirty-four years of color-blind, lookin’ at a lifetime of bright,” he murmured, his voice ragged.

I knew I was right about why everyone else was wearing subtle colors when we were anything but. Standing up there, my girls and boys were dressed in gray and black.

Instead of the typical white gown, I wore hot pink with a dove gray lace overlay. The halter was attached to a thick, black band and came up as two separate pieces with a deep vee in the middle. The pink ended just above my breasts, leaving just gray lace to cover my upper chest and go around my neck.

The skirt under the banded bodice fell to the ground. Though my pink and gray pumps had a four-inch heel, the dress still dragged when I walked, creating a slight train and moving the slit on my left leg to near indecent levels.

Mom admitted that she and Sarah had convinced Jake to have a traditional white gown ready to go. Though he did, he’d been adamant that it wouldn’t be needed.

He’d been right.

“No more tastin’ bitter. You gave me sweet and bright, Piper. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life givin’ you the moon.”

When Jake jerked his chin, I dragged my eyes from him. Looking up, I saw the entire ceiling of the room was made of glass.

Thousands of stars twinkled brightly in the nighttime sky. The radiant full moon looked like it had been physically placed in the perfect position.

He might be a sex god, but even I know that’s outside of his capabilities.

Maybe.

“Love you, Jacoby.”

“‘Til the day I die, sweets.”

“If we can begin,” Kase started, shifting to stand in front of Jake and me.

Glancing to the side, I saw that his and Rhys’ outfits were similar to Jake’s, though their ties were gray.

“Totally on board with this, but will it be legit?” I whispered.

“I got ordained, Pipe,” Kase whispered back. “My gift to you. Well, that and a crazy, scary looking coffee maker. Look surprised when you open it.”

I smiled. “Awesome.”

Kase looked up at everyone and began the ceremony. “Love is anarchy. It’s mayhem. You fight for it. Live for it. You hold tight and push through the ugly times, ‘cause without them, you wouldn’t fully appreciate the beauty. And that’s what Jake and Piper have. A love that they’ll work to grow over the lifetime I’m doubtless they’ll spend together.” Kase stopped to smile at Jake. “Jake’s been like a brother to me for years, so I’m gonna do him a solid and make this fast. He’s waited long enough for this day.” Kase handed him something.

“With this ring, I give you me.” Jake’s voice was barely above a whisper as he slid a beautiful platinum and diamond band on my finger.

I turned and took the ring Ray held out to me before looking back at Jake. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” I ran my fingertips quickly along his jaw. “With this ring, I give you me.” I slid the thick, platinum band on his finger.

Jake’s newly ringed hand went to my neck. “It’s only you.”

“Jake, do you?” Kase asked.

“I do.”

“Piper, do you?”

My heart pounded in my throat as my mouth rushed to get out the words. “I do.”

“I ho’okahi kahi ke aloha,” Kase said in Hawaiian, smiling wide. “Be one in love, Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby and Piper Hyde. Not that you’ve ever needed prompting, but you may now kiss your bride.”

“Mine,” Jake growled as his head came down.

“Forever,” I whispered against his lips.

Jake

Perfection.

I’d thought it so many times. But nothin’, fuck, nothin’ was more perfect than hearin’ Piper become my wife.

Mine.

I’d known from the very first time I saw her in the shop, lookin’ like a porn star librarian, that there was somethin’ more. Somethin’ about her that screamed to me. It grabbed me and pulled me to her, wrappin’ me in her, makin’ me feel like my world started and ended with her.

It was only her.

And, as she stood next to me, so fuckin’ sexy I was fightin’ gettin’ hard in front of our friends and family, she gave me everythin’.

Lookin’ up at me like I was the only one there, like I was her dragon slayin’ prince, she was only herself.

It was all she’d ever been.

It was all she would be.

And that was perfection beyond anythin’ I could imagine.