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Finn and Cole walked toward the happy couple. There was an exchange of handshakes, hugs, and kisses.
“That’s wonderful news. Congratulations,” Carson said while tucked under Neil’s arm.
A wedding? One of his brothers was getting married. Should he be overjoyed? Should he be happier than he felt at this moment?
He looked down and stared at the shiny, black hair that rested against his chest. For the first time he wondered what it would be like to have a woman permanently attached to him—this woman. To wake up next to her. To fall asleep beside her. But he would just be a time bomb waiting to erupt, and she didn’t deserve that.
They had sex. That’s all. Sex. Good sex. Up against a tree like animals. On a table. On a desk. He squeezed his hand on her hip. He noticed her glance up at him from the corner of his eye.
And it felt right. Perfect. They were completely in sync, on the same wavelength. When they weren’t fighting of course. But she filled him with so much more than sexual satisfaction. She filled a part of him he thought long gone. A part he thought had died with his mother. That feeling of being cared for. He was a thirty-two year old man who needed to be told that someone cared. And he knew she cared by the lengths she was willing to go in order to keep him from racing.
“King! Get your ass over here and kiss my wife-to-be.” Jack scolded.
Last year, after struggling with the death of their foster mother, Sterling had been the bright light that helped Jack find his way. She was the perfect anchor to his larger-than-life personality and she was going to be an even more perfect addition to their family.
Neil smiled and walked over, but not before kissing Carson on top of her head. The ten eye balls that had greeted them with such curiosity two minutes earlier had picked up their staring.
He cleared his throat and walked over to Sterling, pulling her into a hug. “Congratulations. Although it has to be said I disagree with your choice of groom.”
Sterling laughed. “Said the typical older brother.”
“No, it’s true.” Finn interrupted. “Of all the brothers you could have picked, Jack is the least attractive, least successful and I’ve heard he has no idea how to satisfy a woman.”
“Ass.” Jack punched him in the arm. “I can assure you I have no problem in the satisfaction department. Right, Sterling?”
Sterling’s face and neck quickly turned crimson.
“I think we need to celebrate.” Cole said. He jogged off to the bar and opened one of the fridge doors. “It’s a little early for straight champagne so how about some mimosas?”
“Speak for yourself. It’s always time for champagne.” Penn made her way to the bar to help.
Neil often wondered if Cole had been with Penn in a close-the-door scenario. Even he noticed the sexual tension between them.
“Since I’m going to be your sister…” Sterling blinked at Neil with wide eyes. “I was hoping you’d be all right with us getting married at the farm. We can christen the barn.”
That was a perfect idea. And it if he was honest, it hurt that she thought she had to ask permission. Did they all think the same way? That Neil was in charge? Granted, he loved being the oldest and the one they all looked up to. He loved being the first to have sex, the first to go to college, the first to test Vivian’s loyalty. Neil grimaced. Some role model he was. He’d just been released from jail.
He met Sterling’s eyes.
“Of course you can and there is no need to ask. If you’re going to be a Madewood, that farm is just as much yours as it is ours.”
“I love that idea,” Penn said from behind the bar as she gestured to Cole who was trying to open the champagne bottle. “It’s so romantic.”
“And Finn, we’d like you to cater.”
Finn’s chest expanded. “I would love to plan your menu.”
“When are you thinking?” Neil asked.
“October?” Sterling said.
“October?” Penn took a swig of champagne. “That’s only two months away.”
“True,” Sterling replied. “You’ll be open for business by then, won’t you Neil? It will be perfect timing.”
“You should get a wedding planner,” Penn said.
Finn snapped his fingers. “I know just the right person.” He looked at each of them. “Veronica.”
