Page 76 of Fast and Dirty

“Mmm … no…” my mother appears at West’s side, shaking her head and waving lazy hand. How did she get a flute of champagne already? “I’ve got this-sandaled,” she slurs. Apparently she’s fresh out of fucks.

“Thank you?” West raises a questioning eyebrow at her.

My ass unclenches and I drop my bouquet before gathering up my skirts and darting down the aisle towards the blue-jeaned, scruffy mechanic, who has already started sprinting towards me.

I jump into his arms and I hope there are no children present, because the kiss he locks us in is not PG. Tongues are desperately clashing and massaging together as our lips meld and caress. It’s a few blissful moments before the gift of sound seems to return to my ears, and as West carefully sets me down, I hear the not so joyful cacophony of people gasping, and my father’s booming voice reciting every curse word at the top of his lungs. Way to kill the mood.

“Security!” Preston yells from the alter. “Get this grease-monkey bastard out of here!”

“Oh, fuck off to the corner and see if you can find your dick!” West booms at him before looking at his surroundings and attempting to cross himself.

“I’m going with him!” I announce boldly over my shoulder to all the guests and then I turn back to him.

“We can find another way to save the inn, right? I want to be with you.”

“Princess, we already saved it,” he tells me, his features relaxing.

“What?”

“It’s… kind of a long story. But the inn stays, and so do you. I’m taking you home.”

I let my head drop back in the biggest, happiest relief of my life before looking back up with a teary eyed smile. Home. Letting West take my hand, I follow him out of the church with some parting words to Preston over my shoulderas we go.

“Oh Preston… go… be happy. Marry Autumn and have lots of STDs.”

I turn to run down the rest of the aisle with West and we burst through the doors and into the sunshine. As we barrel down the stone steps to the street, Toby crows and cheers us on from the top, throwing all the rice he and Hendrix can scoop up from the nearby baskets.

And I don’t know where the hell West got a motorcycle - hopefully he didn’t steal it - but I don’t care because hopping on the back of it and throwing my arms around him is badass and romantic. Not to mention arousing when he stomps on the gas, starting the engine. Tearing off, we disappear around the corner, my train flowing behind us.

29

KIRA

Something unfamiliar comes into view as the motorcycle roars into town. We’re on the main drag coming up on the square and as we get closer, I can see that a banner of sorts has been housed over the street.

WELCOME HOME, MAYOR AND FIRST LADY BRADFORD! It greets.

Um…what?

“West?” I shout over the wind as he slows and leans his head back towards mine.

“Funny story,” he shouts as he downshifts again, and the bike settles to a low, puttering rumble. “I’m kind of the mayor of Coyote Creek now.”

I’m stunned stupid and lean back, trying to figure if I heard him right as he swings over to the right of the street, just before the new sign and cuts the engine at the curb. But instead of resulting in quiet, the engine noise is replaced by cheers, whistles, and clapping. I shake out of my stupor and look around to see just about everybody from town gathered, some facing us with bright smiles and others setting up tables and festive lights.

Okay, Toby clearly spiked my pre-wedding beer with somevery unnecessary hallucinogens because West storming my wedding and rescuing me on a motorcycle like we’re in some sappy romantic comedy was unreal enough. But now, the town is apparently in the mood to party, and West is the mayor. What in the Twilight Zone cinnamon toast fuck is this?

I blink and give my head another quick shake as West hold his hand back to help me off. “So…what do you mean you’re the mayor?” I ask, standing on the pegs and gathering up my skirts with my free hand.

Once I’m secure on the pavement, West swings his leg over and dismounts. That’s hot. No! He’s got some explaining to do.

“So… the Inn can’t be torn down due to it being a landmark. That relied partly on my being sworn in as mayor,” he finishes.

“Partly?”

He grimaces, sucking in a hiss through his teeth. “The other part kind of had to do with Wineberger dying.”

My heart sinks and I gasp, immediately trying to console myself with thoughts of how old and extremely tired the man was when a familiar little beep startles me from behind.

---