Even her jewel-encrusted shoes sparkled as her toes peeked out with each step she took. She looked like a happy bride, and she was surprised by how quickly the wedding had come together. She’d expected nothing more than a quick exchange of vows in front of the justice of the peace down at the county courthouse. So silly of her to think that a simple wedding would mean the same thing to a billionaire as it did to mere mortals like her.
They were about to wed in the backyard of their home, and every time she sat out on the deck, she’d be able to remember this day. And when the marriage ended, as it inevitably would, she would leave this place behind and, if she was lucky, leave the memories behind too.
“You look stunning,” McKenzie said as she came and stood beside her. “Blake is a very lucky man.”
“Sissy, are you ready?”
They both turned to see Justin standing in the doorway. He was so grown up at only ten, looking more handsome than ever in his little black tux, his hair combed into place, and no smudges on his cheeks.
“Oh, Justin, you look wonderful,” Jewell said as she bent down and held out her arms.
He didn’t hesitate to run to her and wrap himself around her. “I love you so much,” she told him, squeezing just a little too tight and not even thinking about her dress.
“I love you too, Sissy,” he responded before he backed away and coughed as he pulled himself together.
She stood up and took her brother’s hand, and they followed McKenzie out to the back doors of the house, where she heard the music begin.
“I’m so glad you’re walking with me, because from here on out everything we do will be together,” Jewell told Justin.
“I really love Blake, Sissy,” he said, his eyes shining up at her.
“I know you do, Bubby. He loves you too,” she assured him.
And then they stopped talking as the two of them proceeded through the doors and began the short walk down the red-carpeted path to the stage Blake had had set up for the occasion. When Jewell looked up, her gaze met Blake’s and she stopped for a moment, her heart racing at the expression in his eyes.
For just this moment, she let go of all her worries, of all the pain she had been through, and she let go of her doubts. She imagined this was all real, that she was walking down the aisle toward a man who couldn’t live without her. Her lips lifted and then her smile grew when she saw the possessiveness in his eyes. That was all for her. For this moment, it was just the two of them, and everyone else simply faded away.
Bright red and orange splashed across the sky as the sun sank low over the horizon, and with the music playing, no scene could have been set more perfectly. Only a few people were there to witness this marriage, and it was just the way she wanted it.
Standing next to Blake was Tyler, and, surprisingly, Byron was with him. Though Byron didn’t support this marriage, he did support his brother, and that showed Jewell that the man wasn’t as hard as he wanted everyone to think he was. There was hope for him yet.
Finally, she arrived at the altar, and Justin took his role very seriously as he handed her over to Blake and then went to stand beside him, beside the man who would raise him — at least for as long as Blake wanted to stay a part of their lives. Jewell had only McKenzie next to her, and that was just fine. The woman had become her friend, and as it was because of McKenzie that Jewell had met Blake, it seemed quite fitting to have her standing there with them.
If anyone had asked Jewell what was said during the exchange of vows, she wouldn’t have been able to answer. But she gazed into Blake’s eyes so long and so intently that she certainly would have been able to describe the look on his face and the way his hand felt clasped in hers.
Yes, McKenzie was right. She was in love with this man, a man she never should have fallen in love with. And she didn’t care. A person could choose the people they acquainted themselves with, but they couldn’t choose the one their heart decided to let in.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The air was swept from Jewell’s lungs as Blake pulled her into his arms and took her mouth in a kiss that sealed them together as one. She melted against him and felt almost in a daze when he pulled back and she looked up at the sparkle in his eyes.
“Now you are forever mine, Jewell,” he whispered for only her to hear.
“I think I have been from the day we met,” she replied, making his lips turn up.
“We’re a family now,” Blake told her, and he held out his free arm to Justin, who eagerly stepped up to them and threw his arms around his new uncle.
“Yes, we are,” Jewell said as tears flowed down her face.
As the three of them walked back down the aisle, Jewell’s heart was filled with joy. Her only hope right then was that this joy would last.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
How long can it possibly take someone to change?” Blake growled. He slammed down a shot of bourbon and glared at his brother.
Tyler laughed and Byron scoffed as they stood at the bar and gazed out at the lights hanging from the trees.
“You know women, Blake. They have to be perfect,” Tyler said.
Byron downed his own shot. “Or they like to play games and see how antsy they can make you,” Byron added as he sent a glare toward McKenzie, who was currently dancing with Justin.
“You seem to be staring at Ms. Beaumont quiet a bit,” Tyler said, and punched Byron in the arm.
“What in the hell are you talking about?” Byron thundered.
“I’m just calling it as I see it,” Tyler said with a wink and a shrug.
“I’ve been a mess today, and even I’ve noticed it,” Blake said with the first smile he’d displayed since Jewell had left.
“You can both go to hell. I think I’m going to have a talk with Ms. Beaumont,” Byron said, and he stormed off.
“Should we protect her?” Tyler asked as he watched McKenzie tense when Byron walked up to her.
“Hell, I think we should protect Byron,” Blake replied. “McKenzie is one tough woman.”
The temporary distraction had helped, but as soon as the conversation died back down, Blake was eager and anxious to see his new bride. She had looked beyond beautiful in her wedding gown, and as she’d walked toward him earlier, it had taken all his finely honed willpower to remain standing on the stage while he waited for her. He’d been sorely tempted to rush to her side and sweep her into his arms, and his heart hadn’t slowed its beat until she’d said her vows and he’d sealed those vows with a kiss.