Page 118 of Nathan
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Because I’m not taking tomorrow for granted. My parents didn’t have long together, and I don’t want to wait another day to make you officially mine.”
We were standing in a small nook backstage, entirely in our own bubble, when she said, “Then let’s do it!”
Butterflies filled my stomach as I lifted her up. “Yes?”
“Yes! A small private ceremony with those closest to us in Ireland, and then a big American dream wedding later. I’m okay with that.”
“Thank you.” I kissed her hard. “You don’t know how much I love to kiss you.”
She raised her hand with the ring on her finger. “That’s good because from now on, only you can kiss me. Unless you want to go through another major scandal.”
“No thank you. One was enough.”
“You know there will be more. It’s just a matter of time before the press will create another scandal,” she said and moved us back into the crowd. “They’ll say that I’m pregnant with another man’s child, have contracted an STD, had a tantrum in private, or that my best friend is writing a tell-all book. You can read all about it in gossip magazines, just wait and see.”
“Hmm… why do you get to have all the interesting headlines – what about me?”
Serena laughed. “Don’t worry, you’ll have your own. Let’s see… the classic is that I caught you flirting with our nanny.”
I pulled her in and kissed her neck before whispering, “At least that would imply we have children together.”
“When we have children, I’m hiring an old, ugly, nanny with crooked teeth.”
“You don’t trust me?” I asked with laughter in my voice.
“It’s not about that. I’m just smart enough to know that every woman in the world wants what I have with you. I plan to protect my family and never let go of you.”
“Do you know how sexy you are when you speak like that?”
Serena smiled and rose up to speak into my ear, “Tonight, when we’re in bed together, I can whisper those same words if you want me to.”
“I would come in ten seconds if you did.” Love and pride filled me as I watched my now-fiancée plant a kiss on my mouth before moving away from me with the sexiest smile.
People quickly flocked around Serena and she fell into small talk while Maximum came and offered me a beer.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” I took a swig.
“That has to be the bravest thing you ever did.”
I tilted my head from side to side. “I helped clean away landmines, so I wouldn’t say that.”
“No, but you must have known there was a chance she would say no. With millions of people watching, that would have been a complete humiliation.”
“Yeah, but if you’re going for the big win you have to risk it all.”
Maximum casually leaned against the wall and crossed one foot over the other. “You’re always going to have fierce competition. You know that, right? I mean there’s always going to be someone hoping to snatch her away from you.”
“Hmm… are you planning to snatch her away from me?”
Maximum snorted. “Of course not. We’re brothers.” With a growing smile, he winked at me. “But you’d better be happy you met her first.”
I laughed and patted his back. “Is that your way of saying that you approve of my fiancée?”
He nodded. “And she couldn’t have picked a better man.”
