Page 64 of Jag

“Don’t you think? I mean, he is looking forward to the baby.”

Dom cocked his brow, and I knew I didn’t have a chance of getting away without talking about the tears my dad witnessed.

“Nuh uh, don’t try to distract me with the baby. Give it up, River.”

“It’s nothing. Really, Dom.”

“Well, good. Then you shouldn’t have a problem explaining.”

“Fine. I came out to get a few minutes alone, and it struck me while I stood here that my mother controlled my first wedding and made it into some fairytale—” Dom’s frown made me pause. “What?”

“I know the clubhouse isn’t what you’re used to, but you could have said something when I mentioned it. Instead of agreeing, then crying when the day arrives—”

“Shut up, Dom!”

Dom instantly grew quiet, which for anyone else would be a good thing, but with him, not so much. It usually meant he was gearing up for an explosion. I moved to stand closer to him and reached up and cupped his face between my hands. The muscles in his jaws tightened under my hands as proof he clenched his teeth.

“Let me finish before you jump to a hundred conclusions, wrong ones at that. I imagine I had a wedding most little girls dream of having, but it wasn’tmydream. The wedding was what my mother wanted. It had been just another thing that proved she never knew me, not really. The difference between my parents always makes me wonder how they’d gotten together in the first place. Anyway, when I told my dad I was moving here, he was excited and asked me what he could do to help. No questions, no demanding why, and he sure didn’t try to take over.

“I made the move for a fresh start, to build a different life for myself. From day one, this place has felt more like home, more like me. Getting to be closer to my dad, and essentially getting to know him better, instead of the man who took his vacation once a year to visit and spend time with me. It’s been enlightening to say the least. Everyone has been welcoming and nice. The women, God, they accepted me into their fold like they’d known me my whole life. I thought I had friends before, but once the divorce was in place, I learned quickly who they were loyal to. It sure wasn’t me.

“But the biggest surprise, and one I wasn’t even looking for—was you.” I caressed his cheeks with my thumbs and was glad the tightness in his jaws subsided. “The last thing I needed was to get involved. Then there you were in front of me, and I didn’t like the feelings you brought on. I fought those feelings, but you just kept showing up. Dom, you didn’t just remove the veneer I covered myself in—you ripped it down. You told me once, plans change. And were you ever right.”

“Ah, sweetheart—” Dom said, cupped my face in his hands and wiped away the couple of tears that escaped my eyes.

“You know, little girls are misguided into believing the beauty of their wedding day is in the flowers, the perfect gown, twinkling lights, or whatever else they want to make the day special for them. When in actuality, only one thing matters—the man who is waiting for you at the end of the aisle. It doesn’t matter if he is wearing a tux or jeans and a cut.” I smiled and moved one of my hands and placed it on his cut over his heart.

“You’re what makes this day special to me. Not decorations or even where we are getting married. And the best part will be tomorrow, then the next day, and every single day after that I get to spend with you. I love you so much, Dom. Thank you for being the man I had no clue I needed.”

“Fuck me, you don’t ever have to thank me, River. The first day I saw you, you were mine. It may have taken me a bit to realize it, but it doesn’t change it. And that’s all I give a shit about.” Dom wiped more tears that ran down my cheeks, then wrapped me in his arms and bent his head until our lips touched. As the ability to think was about to leave me, I thought every woman deserved their own tattooed, overbearing the majority of the time, arrogant, and yes, often rude biker. And I was glad this one had been earmarked for me.

The clearing of a throat ended the kiss, and I dropped my hands away from Dom and turned around in his loosened arms.

“Though I can’t say that I’ve attended a bunch of weddings, I do know the kiss comes last to seal the deal.”

“Screw off, Flirt, we’re coming,” Dom said, then dropped one of his arms and kept the other around my waist to help me on the uneven ground. I was grateful for the support.

“If I’d been a few minutes later, I probably would have seen you two doing just that.”

Dom laughed, and I felt the heat on my face as the blush formed.

“You make it sound like a bad thing, brother,” Dom said, and Flirt chuckled when I elbowed Dom.

“Come on, everyone is getting restless, and Claire has already threatened the men that she better not find a finger swipe in the icing of the wedding cake or they would be missing more than their fingers,” Flirt said as we walked in the door.

“They better not, I’ve got plans for the extra icing,” I said and winked at Dom when he frowned.

“What do want icing for? Are you having one of those weird cravings pregnant women get?”

“Well...no, I just thought,” I lowered my voice, “licking icing off each one of my husband’s tattoos would be fun.”

Flirt groaned, which told me I didn’t quite lower my voice enough. But thankfully he continued walking without a word. Dom, on the other hand, stopped us in front of Crusher’s office door. I’d used the room to get dressed in, and it was where I had left the other women when I stepped outside.

“Go inside, you have five minutes and this thing is starting. Once everything is over, I hope you don’t expect to stay and celebrate all night. I’m holding you to the icing remark, too. And, sweetheart, you know I have a lot of tattoos for you to lick.” Dom winked, and his eyes reflected just what kind of wedding night I was going to have. Then he opened the door and gave me a small nudge. I was through the door, and it was closed before I had the chance to respond.

“Thanks for that visual,” Carly said and chuckled while Sami, Luna, and Bailey smiled at me. The old River would have been mortified if anyone had overheard, the new River with friends could have cared less. And it felt great.

“I aim to please,” I said and moved to grab the hand mirror I’d brought with me to check my mascara. As I looked in the mirror, I hardly recognized the woman who looked back. My eyes were bright, and even I knew it had nothing to do with the make-up and everything to do with being beyond happy.

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