Page 78 of Vengeance

“Something small.”

Grayson’s eyebrow lifts, and he looks down at her. “Really? The club usually has a large party.”

“We’re not members of the club. We don’t owe them anything. Besides, you’re not wearing a kutte at the altar. No, this is our wedding. We get to do what we want.”

He likes that thought. “Somewhere outside.”

“That’s perfect because I don’t want to wear a big, white dress. I want to wear a sundress. Something light and breezy. And I think you should wear khakis and a white button-down shirt.”

“And bare feet,” he says, his lips pressing against her temple. “On a beach somewhere.”

“The club has a cabin on a lake. We could do it there.”

Weddings were never something he thought about, but now that he finally proposed, he can’t think of anything he’d rather talk about with Ashley. “What should we do for the honeymoon?”

“Well, there’s a cabin right there. We can kick everyone out after the party and spend the week naked. I plan to make love to you as often as possible everywhere. In the cabin. On the beach. In the lake.”

“So... wanna get married tomorrow?” he asks and nuzzles her neck.

“Oh, we’re going to have plenty of pre-wedding sex. Lots and lots of it.”

He chuckles. “Baby, you won’t get any objections from me.”

“My dad and brother should be there. At the wedding, not the pre- or post-wedding sex parts.”

Tickling her, he laughs. “Thanks for clarifying that there’s not some weird public consummation of marriage ritual we need to perform.”

“I think you should have Lex as your best man. Or, woman. Whatever.”

The words shock him, and he leans back to look into her eyes. “Really?”

“She’s pretty much your best friend, right?”

“Yeah, I guess, but...”

“I was being silly and insecure before. It’s hard not to feel jealous, but I have to let it go.”

His eyes search hers, trying to see any hidden feelings. “Ash-”

“You’re making me your wife. You asked my father... I think it’s safe to say that you love me. A lot.”

“Lex told me I had to. I showed her the ring I bought to propose to you with, and she told me I needed to get Diesel and Ky’s approval before I asked.”

“That’s why you wanted to go to Shep’s wedding so badly?” she asks and sits up. “You were going to ask for his permission at the wedding?”

“But then I got shot. Which turned out to be the best thing to ever happen because I’m not sure your father would’ve said yes otherwise. That’s why I told Lex I needed her help. I needed her to get the ring before you saw it in my stuff because I hadn’t asked him yet. Not only did she sneak back to get it, she convinced Diesel to agree to it. Baby, you’ve never had to worry about Lex. I just wish I could’ve helped you feel more secure.”

“It’s hard to think there was another woman you cared for and not feel jealous. But I hear you. You were in love with the idea of her, and I get it now. I can’t believe my dad approved and gave you my mom’s ring. Part of me worried that if you did want to marry me, my dad would never say yes, and you’d want to leave to find someone who you could give your last name to.”

His hands cup her face and pull it down to his. His lips press against hers, and he shakes his head. “Baby, I don’t need to be married to be happy. I love you. And I will love you for the rest of my life. Hell, probably after that, too. I just really, really want to give you my last name. To be legally bound for the rest of our lives.”

“I need to be married to you,” Ashley says. “I didn’t realize it before now, but I do. I’m just really glad Dad said yes because he’d be pissed if I’d defied him.”

“You wouldn’t have. And that’s okay.”

“Let’s just pretend, okay?”

“Whatever you want,” he says and kisses her again, moving her to straddle his lap. “Anything you want, Ashley. I’ll do whatever I can to make it happen.”

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