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Her heart was still beating furiously away. “Why… why are you calling?”
“To tell you I love you and I can’t wait for this afternoon when I can make you my wife.”
Light-headed from relief, she leaned back against the chair. “Phew, for a moment there, you had me worried.”
“What?” Mitch bellowed.
Surprised, she blinked. Mitch was clearly furious. “I…”
But he didn’t give her a chance to finish speaking. “I can’t believe… Damn it, woman, I love you! Don’t you dare move; I’ll be with you in two seconds.”
As if in a trance, she got up and moved to the window again. Pulling the curtains to the side, she sighed. It was snowing—symbolizing warmth and peace, she’d read somewhere.
Her heart settled. She was marrying Mitch, the man she loved. And of course, he would never…
Her door burst open, a wide-eyed Annie trying to hold onto Mitch’s arm. “You’re not supposed to see the bride!”
“Damn it, Annie, I need a minute, okay?” And pushing his sister out of the room, he closed the door.
Riley stood frozen on the spot. He’d thrown on a shirt, but it wasn’t buttoned up. With long strides, Mitch advanced. His eyes were mere slits, his teeth clenched together.
“I’m sorry,” she finally got out as he reached her. Grabbing his hands with hers, she looked up into his eyes. “I panicked. For a moment there… but I know you love me; I know you won’t—”
That was as far as she got. Mitch’s eyes flashed once before he swooped down and kissed her. She melted against him, her fears finally put to rest.
Lifting his head, he combed her hair out of her eyes. “Are we good?”
Smiling, she slipped her arms around his body, pressing her face against his naked chest. Below her ear, his heart was hammering away. “We’re good.”
“I have something for you,” he said as he reached for his pocket. “I was going to leave it with Annie, but…”
“You can’t give me more things…” she began, but ignoring her, he opened a small square box.
With tremulous fingers, she touched the dainty hoop earrings studded with small blue stones all around the circle.
“They’re the exact color of your eyes.”
Taking them out, she put each one on, never taking her eyes off of Mitch. Mitch dropped the box. Opening his shirt wider, she pressed kisses all over his toned flesh, her hands wandering down to the button of his jeans.
With a laugh, he got rid of his shirt. “Damn it, woman, you’ll be the death of me yet.” Scooping her up, he walked over to the bed. “I suppose you need more convincing?”
Pulling his head down, she smiled. “Not really, but seeing that you are here…”
He dropped her on the bed. She landed with a small yelp, but before the sound had a chance to echo in the room, his mouth was on hers.
Her arms slid around his neck. It was a good thing the wedding was only this afternoon.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mitch’s heart hadstill not quite settled by the time he waited for his bride. He should’ve known Riley might be worried. Hopefully, he’d persuaded her this morning that he’d always show up when he’d promised to. Damn it, he’d been waiting for this moment his whole life.
Annie had turned the huge living room into something out of a fairy tale. Apart from all the Christmas decorations, she’d added more lights, more candles, and dozens of flowers filled every pot she had.
Behind him, the minister was waiting. Craig was standing next to Mitch, making sure he wasn’t going anywhere as he’d joked. As if he wanted to be anywhere else than right here. A beaming Janice was sitting in front of them, dressed in shimmering green.
The music began, and as the doors opened, Dylan stepped into the room, holding a small pillow with the rings. Obviously taking his task as ring bearer seriously, his eyes never left the two rings. Sighing audibly with relief as he reached Aunt Janice, he took his seat next to her.
The music changed, and Mitch’s heart did a few cartwheels before it settled happily in his chest. His two sisters appeared and walked toward him.
