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“Time for the toasts!” one of the servers shouted.
“I’ll start, I’ll start!” Marjorie laughed, taking front stage on the dance floor that had been set up on the beach. “To my best friend in the world, Jade Roberts. Oops, Jade Steel!” She laughed. “You’ve always been there for me, and now I know you’ll always be there for my brother Talon. Tal, you couldn’t do any better.”
“Don’t I know it,” Talon said.
“And also to Joe and Melanie. The love I see between you two, and between Jade and Talon, makes me think anything is possible. And I’m really excited to be an aunt!” She held up her glass. “Cheers!”
Joe took the stage next, as Talon’s best man. “Tal and Jade. Wow.” He looked at Jade. “I’ve never seen my brother as happy as he’s been since you came into his life. Thank you for that. And Tal, God, you amaze me. No one deserves happiness more than you, and I’m so glad you found it. I’m proud to call you my brother. To Talon and Jade!”
Again we all clinked our glasses and took a drink. I nodded to Ruby. “I think it’s your turn.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Just speak from your heart.”
>
She smiled and raised her glass. “I’m the new person around here, and I’m so happy to have been accepted into this amazing family. Melanie, you and I are a lot alike, and even though we haven’t known each other very long, I know I can count on you and you can count on me. I’m honored to be standing with you today, and I wish you and Jonah a long and happy marriage. To Jonah and Melanie!”
More clinking of glasses. I touched Ruby’s arm. “That was great.”
She blushed.
Then I went forward. “Technically, I’m Joe’s best man, but right now I want to talk to both of my brothers. Joe, you’re my oldest brother, the one I always looked up to, the one who taught me things, bossed me around.” I paused while everyone laughed. “I’ve watched you since I was a kid, looking to you for guidance, and you’ve never failed me. I’m so glad you’ve found happiness with Melanie. And I promise I’ll be the best uncle your kid has!” He held up his glass, and we all clapped. “And Talon… There’s so much I could say to you, but I’ll keep it brief. You’re my hero. We all know why, so I won’t go into detail. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for you. You’re not just a hero to me but to so many others too. Live your life, bro. Enjoy it with your lovely lady. You deserve every minute of it.” I held up my glass again.
Finally, Bryce stood. “I’ve known most of you for what seems like forever. Joe, you’re the best friend a guy could ask for. Thank you for sticking with me, even when I tried to push you away because of things I didn’t want to see. Melanie, you couldn’t ask for a better guy, and I’m really happy that Henry will have a playmate soon. Jade and Talon, Marjorie, Ryan, Ruby, thank you for letting me share this special day with you. So to all of you, I wish you happiness and love!”
The string quartet began, and the two couples enjoyed their first dances as husband and wife. After a few minutes, Bryce took Marj onto the dance floor, so I turned to Ruby, offering my arm.
She took it, neither of us saying a word, and I led her onto the dance floor.
She felt so perfect in my arms. I inhaled her earthy scent laced with berries and vanilla. I leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You’re so lovely. I want to eat you up.”
She tensed for a moment but then relaxed. “I think we have wedding cake and then a big dinner tonight.”
“I’ll still be hungry for you after all of that.”
She didn’t respond. Was I going too far? She was still so innocent, even after our time last night. Perhaps she wasn’t comfortable with such dirty talk. Which really wasn’t even that dirty.
When the dance ended, the servers brought out the wedding cake. It was too sweet, but I ate a piece anyway. Ruby had a smudge of white frosting on her lower lip. How I longed to lick it off. But I held myself in check and just removed it with my thumb.
She smiled. “What?”
“Just a little icing,” I said.
She smiled again.
And I knew I had to have her.
Completely.
Tonight.
Chapter Seventeen
Ruby
After our celebratory dinner, Ryan, who seemed to be feeling much better thanks to the massage and ibuprofen—or maybe the champagne—asked me to go for one last walk on the beach before we left tomorrow.
