“Yes,” he said loudly, then leaned down. “I’ll take her in the pool, against the wall, in bed, outside . . .” His lips grazed my ear as he pulled back. “It will be my absolute pleasure.”

Was it hot outside?

I looked away from Colton—had to look away.

My eyes naturally fell to the front row, and my deformed brother who was at that precise moment waving a hand in the air and swatting away invisible flies. Poor kid, he was going to need a heck of a lot of meds to get through that allergic reaction. Was a person’s nose supposed to swell that much? Was it even safe?

“I now pronounce you”—the pastor muttered “finally” under his breath—“husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!”

I grinned.

I couldn’t help it.

Great, so our kiss in front of everyone was going to be one of those awkward toothy kisses where no lips were involved—only clanging.

Except when Colton’s hand came around my head, when he pulled me close, I stopped smiling.

Not because I wasn’t happy.

But because my only focus was on his lips, and then at the tender way he looked at me—the way I’d wanted him to look at me my entire life.

Our mouths met.

They fused.

I didn’t want to let go.

But Max started coughing. I knew it was Max because he was the only one brave enough to ruin the moment. Damn him.

Note to self: kill Max later.

Colton ran his tongue along the seam of my lips. Dear Lord it was going to be a fun night.

“Cough, whore, cough,” Max sputtered.

We pulled back. I glared at him from the front of the altar.

He mouthed one word. “Bus.”

And yeah, all was forgiven. I owed him—big time.

Colton lifted me into the air just as the music came on.

And that’s when I burst into tears—again.

“Star Wars?” I blurted through my watery mess. “You used Star Wars–themed music?”

Colton smirked. “Just wait until you see what I have under this suit.”

“Uh.” I laughed nervously. “That’s, uh . . .”

“Hell.” Colton bolted down the aisle like there was a fire lit behind him. “If that’s the way you react to nakedness we have a long road ahead of us.”

“As long as the road is straight.” I felt my cheeks heat. “Not narrow or, er, sideways.”

“Aw, you made a sex joke.” Colt kissed my forehead, my very hot-feeling forehead. “I’m so proud.”

“I’m growing up!” I beamed.

“Yeah.” His eyes greedily scanned the front of my dress. “You have. Now, let’s get everyone out of here so we can celebrate, the right way.”

“Oh.” I nodded. “In the bedroom?”

“Hell, no.” He set me on my feet and kissed my cheek. “In the pool.”

“The pool?” I repeated.

“Naked.” He winked.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

COLTON

“Dude, I know you want cake, but you have to go to the hospital.” I tried to steer Jason toward the door, but he’d somehow developed superhuman strength and was in the process of bracing himself against the frame as I attempted to push him through. Don’t ask me how he was doing it one-armed. It was a medical marvel. Actually, I take that back, he was a medical marvel. I mean, how could he even see?

“No!” Jason shouted. “I’ve gone through hell and all I want is a piece of damn cake! Then you can take me to the hospital where they’ll poke and prod me and—”

“Dude.” Max walked up with a large piece of cake hanging out of his mouth. “You aren’t E.T., they aren’t going to poke and prod you like you’re some new species.”

“Aghhhh!” Jason surged away from me and charged toward the cake.

“Hmm.” Max put another piece in his mouth. “On second thought, he should be dead, so maybe they will poke.”

“Don’t say Jason and poke in the same sentence.”

“Or prod.” Max nodded. “Lots of prodding, and the doctor saying things like ‘Okay, bend over and cough.’ ”

“Uh.” I scratched my head. “Highly doubt his examination’s going to be that extensive.”

“Ants”—Max nodded—“are like sand. They get everywhere.”

“And that mental picture I could have totally done without, thanks.” I slapped him on the back.

He demolished the rest of his cake and handed me a plate. Just as I was taking a big bite he said, “So, you ready for sex?”

I choked.

Frosting went everywhere.

I also earned a few stares from family members and a totally inappropriate wink from Milo’s grandmother.

“It’s cool,” Max continued. “I mean, I’d be nervous too.”

“I’m not nervous.” My damn fork shook as I dove into the cake and took another bite—to keep myself from passing out.

“Sure you are.” Max shrugged. “I mean, why wouldn’t you be? You’re her first, what if you totally blow it? And I don’t mean that in the literal sense.”

I choked again.

“Think of it this way—”

“I’d rather not think of this at all.”

“That’s not a good sign, you have to have a game plan!” Max nudged me and then motioned for me to follow him over to the kitchen.