B R E N

"Has anyone ever told you that you're like a super intense dude?"

I side-eyed Julian while trying to keep my attention on the door to the ballroom.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a ginger?"

"Oh!" He cupped his hand over his mouth, giving a holler that was absorbed in the crowd of people behind us. "A little early in the evening for ginger hate, don't you think? Besides, your girl has a fair amount of strawberry in her hair, and I can't wait for that baby of yours to pop out with a full head of red goodness."

"I know," I said with a laugh. "I'm just teasing. I love Madie's hair, and I obviously have nothing against gingers."

My heart lurched at the thought of our daughter being a look-alike of my fiancé, and my eyes traveled around to find her. She stood next to the bride, who was tipping back drinks and looking like she'd been waiting for this day her entire life. Madie smiled brightly at Nessa, and I fought the urge to walk over to them.

But I wasn't entirely done with my surveillance duty. Looking back toward the doors, I grimaced.

Julian noticed.

"So what's up with....this?"

He waved a finger between me and the doors. They led back into the lobby of the Cardairel Hotel, and I could see the shiny tile flooring from here. I hadn't noticed a person walk by in a while, but still.

"Just keeping an eye out for imposters."

"Imposters," Julian repeated, deadpan.

"Our group has run into a lot of assholes in the past few years. Don't need any of them showing up now to try to ruin shit."

Julian considered that, nodding. "Did Grayson put you on wedding crasher detail?"

I shrugged. "He said something about Nessa's ex in passing a few weeks ago, and I just thought I'd keep a lookout. It would probably put a damper on the wedding if the groom committed murder."

A laugh ripped out of Julian's throat. "The groom? I think it would likely be the bride."

I chuckled. "You're right."

Sighing, Julian patted me on the back, giving me a twisted smile. "Well, I think you should let it rest. Have some fun, Hadaway. All the guests are here, and there's no danger lurking in the corners; I promise you."

I sighed, knowing that wasn't always the case. It was damn hard to let my guard down sometimes, considering all the shit we'd been through. But I also knew Julian was probably right. If Jasper or anyone else hadn't burst in during the I do's, they probably weren't going to do it now.

When I hesitated, Julian added, "As best man of this wedding, I demand that you, lowly groomsman, have fun."

Rolling my eyes, I pushed off the cocktail table and took a swig of my drink. "Okay, okay."

Giving my brain the order to officially stand down, I switched my attention to Madie, who still stood near Nessa, and now Grayson.

The bride and groom looked utterly and ridiculously happy. Nessa chatted animatedly with Madie, but Grayson had his hand firmly settled around Nessa's shoulder, looking down at her without distraction. I wondered if he realized he was showing the entire wedding reception his I-want-to-fuck-my-wife eyes. Something told me that maybe he knew and didn't care. That guy hadn't wasted any time in getting married. I swore that they were announcing their engagement one day, and the next, it was already the wedding.

It took me about three years to realize that Grayson Everett was a pain in my ass because we were actually more alike than I cared to admit.

What did I have in common with a talented son of a bitch like that? Apparently, a lot. Just not in the way of playing football or piano or working with children. Although, I was definitely getting better at that last part. I'd finally figured out how to swallow my swear words when the occasion called for it. 

But Grayson and I had the same end goal: marry the girl and create duplicates of her. It was just that he was doing it in the predictable order, and I was doing it in the way that failed birth control had dictated. Wouldn't change it for the world, but that was still just the truth.

The result, though, was that we both acted like jealous assholes half the time because we both wanted what the other one had.

With determined steps, I walked across the ballroom. It was flooded with candlelight and filled with jazzy piano music while guests finished the last bits of dinner. My target was my fiancé, who had on a bridesmaid dress that was designed to destroy me from the inside out.

Like what the hell, Nessa? I thought bridesmaids were supposed to wear ridiculous contraptions that were intentionally unflattering. Not silky dresses that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. It didn't help that Madie's breasts had all but doubled since she was fitted for her bridesmaid's gown, and now they were making quite the show. Oh my fucking god, it was such a tease.

Maybe I'd just give Madie my tux jacket for the rest of the night.

Closing the final distance between us, I sucked in a deep breath. Fucking hell, she was beautiful.

"Let's get married next weekend, huh?"

Madie jumped a little, surprised by how I swooped in behind her to grab hold of her by the hips. A few strawberry blonde ringlets had escaped her updo, and they bounced as I pulled her back toward the dessert table. It was a little hidden in the shadows, and she glanced at me over her shoulder.

"Bren...you're just saying that because we're at a wedding."

I nuzzled her ear, breathing in it. "No, I'm saying that because I want to fucking marry you already."

Madie arched a knowing brow, and I knew she was a little bit right. Nessa and Grayson's wedding was...perfect. For them. And I wanted one of my own. I mean, it didn't need to be this over-the-top, didn't need champagne glasses or chandeliers or grand pianos. I imagined marrying Madie on the beach, to be honest. Although at this point, I would marry her whenever, wherever.

"Madeline," I said, keeping my voice low. "I want to see you walk down the aisle in a white dress."

She exhaled, melting back into me a little bit. "Yes, but if we get married next weekend, all you'll see is a whale walking down the aisle in white dress."

Spreading my fingers across her round, firm belly, I tugged her back into me further. God, she felt so good in my hands. My girls. My pretty girls. How on earth had I gotten this lucky? I still couldn't believe it.

A shallow, barely-heard whimper slipped out of Madie.

"You're so wrong. I don't think you understand how I feel about seeing you pregnant," I murmured, pressing a kiss to the hollow beneath her ear. "It blows my goddamn mind, knowing that I—we—did that. Goddamnit, Madie. It's amazing."

A sparkle lit up in Madie's eyes. "It was a good time, too."

I tipped my hips forward. Just a bit. If I did it too hard, I was going to end up in trouble. But I couldn't help a little tease.

"Sure was, baby."

She moaned lightly.

Ah, shit.

Yep, I was in trouble.

I took a step back, trying to put a little distance between our bodies as I looked for any way to switch the topic away from how good our baby-making sex was.

Catching sight of the bride and groom again, I grinned. Nessa was poking Grayson in the chest, he was laughing, and the sight of their playful arguing told me that he was probably going to end up dragging her upstairs before long. That was usually what happened.

"I know Grayson probably wishes Nessa was pregnant right now," I muttered, trying once again to make the point that I didn't care if Madie was a little round during our wedding. I just wanted to marry her.

"You are both ridiculous." She sighed. Her voice was sweet, almost like she was humoring me. But her eyes were soft. "You've never really brought this up before. You're just having a little wedding fever, Bren. Honestly, it's cute. But think of it this way...when we get married next year, our daughter can be the flower girl."

I snorted, despite the adorable, heartwarming image that popped into my head. "I don't think she'll be able to walk yet."

Madie shrugged. "Beau can carry her. Or Caroline."

"Did I hear my name?"

Beau strode up next to us, taking a swig from a bottle of beer, an easy grin on his face.

"You and our daughter are going to be the flower girls at our wedding," Madie said.

"Excellent." Beau clapped his hands together enthusiastically. "The godfather-goddaughter dynamic duo begins."

The clinking of wine glasses interrupted our laughter, and I watched as Grayson and Nessa walked to the center of the dance floor, gathering everyone's attention for the speeches.

"Come here," I muttered, pulling Madie down into my lap in a nearby chair.

God knows that Grayson can talk his ass off, and I didn't want Madie to have to stand all that time. She mentioned the other day that her feet and ankles have been killing her lately. And Madie rarely complains, so when she does...I know it must be really bothering her.

But pulling Madie down on my lap for an undetermined amount of time was also probably not a great idea. My energy had already been running a little high, my skin a little feverish, my desire a little hard to ignore. And now I had Madie's ass settled squarely over my groin.

"I'm gonna need you to sit still," I breathed.

"Hm?" Madie—though I was pretty sure she heard exactly what I said—leaned back into me, getting comfortable. Turning her head, she pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek and then whispered, "What did you say?"

And then she wiggled her fucking ass.

I dug my fingers into her sides to keep her from adjusting again. Thank god it was dark in here, and Grayson's booming voice had captured the crowd of guests.

"You're about to get a pretty clear picture of exactly how much I want you if you don't stop moving."

That warning didn't seem to help me, which I should have known. Madie settled even further into me, trailing a few kisses down my neck, and I had to swallow a moan.

"Madeline," I growled.

"Yes?"

"Be a good girl and listen to the speeches."

She paused, pulling away a bit to twist around and face me. Her ocean-blue eyes met mine, and they were filled with a fire that made me internally swear. The air was thick between us, simmering with weighty desire.

Madie didn't want to be a good girl tonight.

"You know," she whispered as one of her hands flattened onto my chest, trailing down it in a way that made my heartbeat pick up. "This hotel is making me remember things. And look at you...in an all-black tux again."

Things.

Shit, remembering those things was not helping my situation.

Before I could even choke on a response, Madie gave my tie a little tug, and something about that made me lose it. My erection was undeniable now, and Madie was enjoying herself way too much as she rubbed against me, re-positioning herself to watch Julian give his best man speech.

But two could play that game.

Trailing my fingers up her side, I waited for Madie to shiver before I leaned in to find her ear.

"You're so fucking—"

"Would you both focus?" Beau hissed.

Snapping back at attention, I looked over to find Beau standing a few feet behind us. He walked closer, shaking his head with an amused grin. I shrugged.

"You're one to talk," I muttered when he got close enough to hear. "You were making googly eyes at Collins during the entire ceremony. I can't wait to see that in the pictures."

He rolled his eyes, but I didn't miss the contented grin on his face, either. "Like you weren't staring at Madie."

I smiled.

Yeah, I supposed that was true. Because who could look away from Madie?

Well, that answer was actually easy. Even if I didn't totally comprehend it.

Grayson could. His eyes were all for Nessa. Every night, but especially tonight. He was watching her with bated breath, just waiting for the moment that they would get to make their escape.

And something told me...it was going to be soon.

💗

Is the next bonus going to be a lil Grayson wedding pov?
yeah....yeah, it definitely is.

I think I've become addicted to writing fluff.
someone should probably stop me lol

xoxo amelie