There were about thirty chairs in rows on the beach, facing the water. The club’s very own preacher was waiting next to Cain. He was imposing, even next to Cain. He was older and surprisingly handsome, with beautiful white hair. I’d asked about the motorcycle-riding Preacher, but Michelle had told me just to wait with a secret smile. Hunter and Vice were his best men, not surprisingly. Cass and Michelle were my dual bridesmaids. I said they were both my matrons of honor, and they had both rolled their eyes. Cass said she was too young to be a matron. Michelle just giggled.
We’d stayed up late in the suite last night, eating room service and giggling. A couple of bottles of Champagne will do that to you. They were such good friends to me but they were more than that. They were my sisters.
My mother and my Aunt had flown in from Texas. My two cousins were there as well. And a lot of bikers and ex-military. Some active-duty servicemen as well. They’d worn their uniforms to serve as ushers.
Light was shining from my eyes as they finally rested on Cain. My gorgeous groom. He stood under an archway with white flower garlands pinned to it. I could smell them as I got closer. The sea air, the flowers, the soft lighting just before sunset.
It was perfect.
I walked down the aisle with my brother. He placed my hand in Cain’s and nodded. Then he took his seat.
“We are gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony. Cain is a good leader. We all respect him and fear him. He’s also a cold bastard with ice running through his veins. Somehow, he’s convinced this beautiful woman to marry him.”
Cain snorted as laughter started to build behind me. I glanced at Michelle and she shrugged, her face saying, ‘I told you so.’
“We haven’t met before, Kelly, but I can tell you have a perfect body under that dress.”
I burst out in surprised laughter. This was the preacher? No wonder Michelle had been laughing last night.
“Hopefully, you can use that smoking hot bod to melt this man’s heart.” His smirk faded. “Because he needs it. He needs warmth and love and laughter. And from what I’ve been told, you are the perfect woman to do it.”
I teared up again, his sincerity all the more potent for his wisecracks.
He turned to Cain.
“Cain, do you take this gorgeous woman who is clearly too good for you to be your wife, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do.”
Cain’s gravelly voice rang out strong and true. Tears started to form in my eyes. I glanced at him, and he was staring at me, his eyes holding mine as the preacher spoke again.
“Kelly, if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, or if you need to feel a hot-blooded man’s arms around you, I’m here.”
I stared at him, not sure if I was supposed to answer.
“If you insist on marrying this man . . .”
“I do.”
He nodded in approval.
“Do you take Cain, one of the best men I have ever met, to be your husband, to have and to hold, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?”
“I do!”
I looked around, wondering if I was supposed to say ‘I do’ twice. Everyone was smiling so I hoped I had done it right. Cain squeezed my hand and growled at the preacher.
“Get on with it.”
Preacher raised a white eyebrow and smirked.
“By the power vested in me by the state of California and the lord almighty himself . . .” He paused dramatically. “I now pronounce you man and wife!”
He stared at Cain.
“You may kiss the bride! And kiss her well, or I will!”
Cain grabbed me so fast I almost fell over. He tilted me back and kissed me, long and deep. I gripped his shoulders and held on for dear life. By the time he set me on my feet again, I was a little woozy.
Everyone cheered and clapped as we made our way to the bonfire area further down the beach by the bar restaurant. I took off my shoes and wiggled my toes in the sand. The sun was just starting to set and the staff had lit torches all around the area.
It was the perfect spot for a celebration.
We drank champagne and tropical drinks with big straw umbrellas. We ate fresh seafood and grilled veggies. We danced under the stars to a surprisingly good local acoustic band.
I sat in my wedding dress on a log with Michelle and Cass and made fun of our men as they danced. Yes, danced. All three of them.
Connor was more graceful than you would think, though he was acting goofy for Cassandra’s amusement. Mason looked like an aging rock star with some serious moves. And Cain . . . well, Cain didn’t actually move all that much, but he was out there. And what small movements he made were at least on the beat.