“I clean up good, right?” he asked.
“I can’t believe you’re wearing that.”
“It’s my damn wedding,” he said, “and I thought you’d like it.”
“I do,” I said quickly. “I really do.”
“Good. I feel like a fucking asshole in it.”
I stood up, smiling. “Don’t. You look handsome.”
His eyes roamed down my body, his grin getting wider. “You look pretty fucking hot yourself.”
“Isn’t it bad luck to see me on the wedding day?”
“Probably,” he said. “Not like I much care about that.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter.”
He came a step closer. “Look, you want out of this, just say so.”
“What? I thought I had no choice?”
“It’s the right thing to do, no doubt. Clubs don’t go after an old lady; it’s just not done. You’ll be safe if we do this.”
“But I can back out.”
He stared at me intently. “You can back out.”
I took a deep breath and let it out. “Let’s just do this, okay?”
He nodded once. “Okay.” He took another step closer. “Ever get fucked rough up against the sink in a bathroom?” he asked.
“Maybe, but I’m not interested.”
“Might help you relax, girl.”
“I’m relaxed enough.”
“God, you look so fucking sexy in that dress. I want to tear it off your body slowly, make you beg for it.”
“Keep dreaming,” I said, sitting back down. I hated to admit it to myself, but my panties were soaking wet. I’d have to change before the damn ceremony.
Just then, Janine returned from the bar.
“Ford!” she said. “Get the fuck outta here!”
“Just saying hello to my bride-to-be,” he said, smirking.
“Don’t. Fuck off. It’s bad luck.”
He looked at me. “See you out there.”
“Sure.”
He nodded and then left.
Janine handed me a gin and tonic, and I took a long sip.
“Don’t mind him,” she said. “Men are just idiots right before they get hitched.”
“How would you know?” I asked her.
“Might’ve been married, once upon a time,” she said softly.
“Oh. Sorry.”
She laughed. “Nothing to be sorry about. His ass is long gone.” She knocked back her drink. “Now, you ready for the finishing touches?”
I sighed, looking into the mirror.
I was not ready for the finishing touches, not at all. I couldn’t imagine what else she was going to do to me.
But it was my wedding day. And she was being so damn nice to me.
“Make me beautiful,” I said.
“You ready for this?” Janine asked.
My heart was pounding. My palms were sweating. I thought I might pass out.
“Yes,” I said.
“Let’s do it.” She pushed open the doors and walked into the main room.
I hesitated.
What the hell was I doing? Was I really going in there, really going to marry Ford Cook?
The boy from my past, the boy that saved me. The one that disappeared, leaving me heartbroken, confused. Ford the badass, the muscular, dirty, filthy, cocky asshole. Ford the gorgeous biker.
What the hell was I doing?
Janine looked back at me. “Come on,” she said.
I took a step. My heart was pounding. I took another. I crossed the threshold.
Up ahead, standing near the bar, was Clutch, Spoil, Ford, and Larkin. Ford was the only one wearing a suit, though the others would have looked crazy in them. There were a few other members scattered around at the tables, listening and watching.
I walked slowly up the aisle. Janine took my arm and smiled at me. Every eye was glued on me and the small bouquet of flowers I held.
Ford’s face broke out into the cockiest smile I’d ever seen, and for a second that felt like it gave me strength.
We made it up front. I stood across from Ford, inches apart, while Larkin looked on at us.
“Well,” Larkin said, “I’ve officiated several biker weddings, but this is about the strangest one in my time,” he said. The crowd gave him a laugh. “And who would have thought Ford would wear a damn suit?”
“He looks pretty!” someone shouted.
“Yes, he does,” Larkin said, chuckling. “So, here in the Demons MC, we don’t have much room for religion. You can believe any damn thing you want to, but when it comes to a wedding, we choose our own vows. So, Ford, what do you want to say to this girl?”
He cleared his throat. “Caralee, I’ve known you since you were a girl. As long as I know you, I’ll keep you safe.”
Larkin nodded. “Well said. Caralee?”
My mind went completely blank.
Everyone was staring at me.
Especially Ford.
“I love riding on the back of bikes because of you,” I blurted out.
The room burst out laughing. I turned beet red, but Ford was smiling big.
“That’s one hell of a compliment,” Larkin said, laughing.
I looked down at my feet, smiling and blushing.
“Okay, Ford, put the damn ring on her finger,” Larkin said.
Ford took my hand. I felt tingles run up my spine. He kept his eyes locked on mine as he slipped the gold ring down along my finger.
“Okay. Caralee, your turn.”
Janine handed me the ring. I took Ford’s hand and slid the ring down his finger.