EVERYONE IS TALKING, the conversation flowing as easily as the champagne. Voices bounce around the large, yet intimate, room. Our friends and family seem to be enjoying themselves.
Family.
I now have a family.
Warmth erupts from my chest and carries through me. This feeling isn’t something I’ve had often, if ever. It feels like I’m connected to people in a way I haven’t been since my dad died.
I glance around the table at the faces I’ve seen before, but now look at differently. These people are my family.
They’re talking, laughing, telling stories, but once my gaze settles on Jada, I can’t pull it away.
My wife is sitting on my right between her father and me. Her cheeks are pink, blushed from the alcohol, her hands folded beneath her chin. She’s watching Mandi across the table tell a story, her lips forming a grin that I can’t help but crave.
I touch her cheek with my finger and sweep her face to me. Her eyes light up in that way they do and her smile widens. I kiss her gently, needing her, wanting her. Even though she’s now Mrs. Alexander, I need some kind of affirmation that I didn’t dream this. And physical contact is the best way, in my opinion.
She pulls away breathlessly and licks her bottom lip. “I’m right here,” she whispers, like she knows what I’m thinking.
“I know.”
Standing up, I clear my throat. Everyone watches me, waiting to see what I’m going to say. Hell, I don’t even know what I’m going to say, exactly. I just feel like I should say something.
“I wanted to thank you all for coming. Especially on such short notice. It means everything to me, and to my wife, that you came. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Vegas.”
I sit down, not sure if what I said was right. I don’t know these things. I should’ve asked Max about this earlier.
I feel their eyes on me and I try not to squirm. If this was a business meeting, I’d handle it. But these aren’t my adversaries or people I can bark something random at. Thankfully, Max stands.
“As the best man, I’d like to take a moment to say a few things, too.” He looks at me for approval and I nod. “First of all, I’d like to thank Mr. Stanley for allowing Cane to marry Jada. This will assuredly make my life a lot easier going forward.”
Everyone laughs and all I can do is shake my head.
“I’ve known Cane my whole life,” he continues, “or it feels that way, anyway. Although he can come across as an arrogant prick a lot of the time, I’ve known him long enough to know that’s not completely true. He’s also smart, loyal, and the best friend a guy could want. I’m proud to be standing here with him today.
“When I met Jada awhile back, she was gorgeous, intelligent, and, like her sister, didn’t take any crap. Naturally, I thought she could be Cane’s kryptonite and I was right. Between you and me, I knew from the minute he looked at her that it was over. His stupid rules were about to be broken. But it was Jada I wasn’t so sure about.”
He looks at my girl and smiles. “Jada did exactly what she had to do, whether she knew it or not. She was the first woman to put Cane Alexander in his place. She took his game and taught him a few things about how to play, how to live, and, ultimately, how to love.
“Cane, I’m happy for ya, man. As much as you make me crazy, you inspire me. I wish you the best in this new life you’re creating. And Jada, I’m honored to welcome you into the Alexander family. While I may not technically be an Alexander, Cane is my brother and I will always think of you as a sister. May God bless ya with the patience of a saint because I think you’re gonna need it.”
He sits down as the room erupts in laughter. Max scans the table until he lands on me. A moment passes between us, a nod to our friendship and the understanding that comes with years of ups and downs.
Kari raises and clears her throat. “Okay, well, Max got to talk so do I.”
She winks at me and I grimace, not sure what she’s going to say. She’s as gorgeous and feisty as her sister but there’s a touch of unpredictability with Kari that always makes me nervous.
Jada grabs my arm and squeezes my bicep before laying her cheek against me. I wrap my arm around her and bring her in close, planting my face in her hair and breathing her in.
“I never pictured my sister getting married in Vegas. But, then again, I never pictured her marrying Cane, either.”
“Kari . .” I warn, my voice trailing off. Everyone laughs, but she laughs the hardest.
“I’m an ER nurse, so I’m in stressful situations every day. Nothing I’ve ever done has been as stressful as putting together a wedding, for my sister no less, this quickly. But it came together beautifully and it came together in the way that I think is so demonstrative of Jada and Cane. It was a whirlwind, a touch impulsive,” she glances at me and I grin, “but absolutely perfect.
“Jada asked me earlier today if our mother would’ve liked Cane and I said no.” Her voice breaks and she takes a second to recover. Max’s hand finds her waist and she looks at him with tear-filled eyes. “I told her Mom would’ve loved Cane because he loves her so completely. Even though I give him hell, I’m so proud to welcome him into our family.”
Tears flow down her cheeks and Jada wipes her eyes, too. I can’t help but bat back a few of my own.
Fuckin’ Kari.
“Thank you both for letting me share in this day with you. And thank you, Cane, for being the best thing to ever happen to my sister.”
Jada looks at me and smiles, her eyes saying everything I feel.
This is love. This is the feeling of being completed by another human being. This is what I’ve not had my whole life and will fight until they day I die to keep.
“She’s right, you know,” Jada whispers. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
I kiss her forehead and push back my chair. I take her hand, pulling her to her feet, too.
“Thank you all for coming,” I say. “And thank you to Max and Kari for not only helping put this together, but for their words, more or less.” I wait for the laughter to subside before I continue. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to dance with my wife and then whisk her upstairs.”
I guide her to the open area of the room and turn her to face me. I wrap my arms around her as she drapes hers around my neck.
“You’re going to dance with me?” she asks, her voice full of astonishment.
“It’s your wedding day, beautiful girl. I’m going to give you every part of it that you want.”
“I want to dance and then go to the honeymoon phase.”
My cock hardens immediately and I press it into her leg. Her eyes widen as she feels what she does to me.
“I couldn’t agree more.”
The first few notes of “How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding begin on the piano, Brian starting to sing the lines. Jada’s eyes sparkle.
“How did you know?” she whispers.
“Know what?”
“This song. I always think of you when I hear it! Why did you pick this?”
I smirk, letting my fingers play against the top of her back. Her skin is warm, silky, and the intimacy of the wedding is starting to wear off. I want to be with her intimately. Now.
Just a bit longer.
“Well, honestly, Kari gave me a list and let me choose. I wanted it to be “Gorilla” by Bruno Mars but she nixed that.”
“Thank God,” Jada giggles. “That would be weird with my father sitting over there!”
I shrug. We sway to the music and I try to do what Max said and commit this to memory.
“What are you thinking?” she asks, watching me closely.
“That I’m the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in the world. That I don’t know how I managed to get you to say yes, but you did, and I’ll never let you go back on all the promises you made to me today.”
“I’d have to want to in order for you not to let me.” She rises up and kisses me sweetly. “Thank you for everything today. Everything was perfect, just beyond anything I ever expected. You blew my mind today, Mr. Alexander.”
“Let’s ditch this party and go upstairs so I can blow it again, Mrs. Alexander.”