Chapter Eleven
The day of the audit arrived and Stacey felt nauseous.
“Are you feeling okay?” asked Patrick as he brushed a few strands of hair out of her face.
“This audit has my stomach in knots. If I missed something or we overcorrected something Max will be so mad at me.”
“He will not be mad at you. You have done an exemplary job for him.”
She brushed her hands against her stomach. “I’ll feel so much better when it’s done.”
“You’ll be fine.” Patrick ushered her into the large foyer where the auditors waited along with her team. Four other young and frightened men stood off to the side. Patrick joined those men.
“Morning, gentlemen, ladies. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the room where you can go over the files.”
“Thank you,” one of the men answered.
As she turned she noticed the stairs door swing open. Max stepped out. The high wattage smile on. He placed his hand on her shoulder as he passed her to speak to the auditors. Stacey turned to watch their guests react to Max’s presence. It was awe inspiring. They all dropped their gaze, followed by a slight bob of the head. Their way of bowing to the alpha.
“This is Stacey Sullivan and my new manager. She will take good care of you. I trust her with our books and I think you’ll be quite happy with her work.”
Stacey blinked. She never had someone so powerful sing her praises before.
“Will you be checking in on us?” asked the man who had thanked her earlier.
“No. Like I said, I trust Stacey.” He looked at the four men standing off to the side. “I have a few people I need to deal with today that could take up a lot of my time.”
“Of course.” The man looked at her. “Lead the way.”
Stacey nodded. She looked at Max and bowed her head as she passed him. Now it was up to her to make sure everything went off without a hitch. She felt like she was going to throw up.
***
Patrick made sure the four men made it to Max’s office. He stood behind them once he had paraded them through the building. Max wanted to be sure anyone working for Dom knew they had been caught.
He had lined them up and now waited for Max. The door opened and Max walked in. Patrick was quite sure he heard a whimper.
“These are the four?” Max looked at them, as he entered the room.
“Yes, sir.”
“They don’t look like much,” Max commented as he sat in his chair behind his massive desk.
“No, sir.”
“Hmm.” He looked at each of the men, watching them squirm as he stared at them for a moment. “We only need one.”
“True, but I wasn’t sure which one you’d want to use.”
“We’re going to have to do something with the other three.”
“I can make them disappear.” Patrick smiled. “Just say the word.”
Max just stared at them. Knowing his silence was scaring them to death.
“Dom does think I’m too soft,” he said, breaking the silence. “Sending one back with the message of what I do to those who cross me will be loud and clear.”
“He’s too old school to care. Knowing him he will think you are grasping at straws as he kills the one we do send.”
“True.” Max steepled his fingers. “Which one of you feels that Dom should be the alpha and has no fear at returning as a failure?”
No one answered. No one even made eye contact with him. He smiled. It was what he expected. “Which one do you recommend, Patrick?”
“Hmm, each has merit.” He walked around the first man in line. “This one is Dom’s favorite. He’s not his second because Dom doesn’t believe in having anyone as a second in command, but the boy learned from him and if the man has a soft spot this one could reveal it.”
Patrick circled the second one. “This one has the charisma to spin the story in his favor. He might actually survive his encounter with Dom.”
“And the other two?”
“Number three has killed for him.” Patrick looked each man in the eyes as he spoke about them. “Number four is a handyman. Whatever Dom wants or needs fixed he does it. In fact he has killed for the man as well.”
“Kill or be killed?”
“Oh no. Nothing that noble. Members of the pack that argued with Dom. Made him look weak. Number four even killed his own mother for the man.”
“Patrick, I think we have a winner. Send number four.” He stood and straightened his suit jacket. “I don’t care what you do with the other three but wait until the auditors leave. You can put them in the panic room for now.”
“Yes, sir.”
***
Dom saw one of the men he sent to spy on Max and wondered why. “Is the audit done?”
“Yes, sir.”
He wouldn’t look Dom in the eyes. What was his name anyway? “And how did it go. Did he lose the company?”
“No.” His voice broke. “No, sir. He passed with flying colors. He had a new manager in control of his books. She caught everything we did before the auditors got there.”
“She? A woman got the best of you?”
The man nodded.
A growl escaped Dom as he grabbed the man by the head and twisted, snapping his neck. He released him, allowing him to fall lifelessly to the ground. “Someone clean this up.” When no one moved he snarled. “Now!”
What had happened wasn’t going to change his plans. He would just have to use a different tactic. He would still be the head alpha. Max just didn’t know it yet.
***
Alicia sat in the plant room taking a sip of her coffee. So far everything was moving smoothly. The dresses were almost done. Her mom had the mansion gleaming, tables, chairs, flowers and food were ordered. Max was going to take care of the limos. Patrick had cleared the mansion so they would have the place to themselves.
Max had been quiet about what was going on with Dom, but she had gotten used to him not talking because he thought he was protecting her. At least she knew the audit had gone well, but Stacey was the one to tell her. If he didn’t say anything soon she would have to corner him and make him give her an update.
“Alicia?”
“Yes, Jacob?”
“You have a phone call.”
“Really?” Who would be crazy enough to call the house landline? She got up and walked into the next room where a phone sat. She picked it up and spoke into it. “Hello?”
“Sweetheart, how would you like to have lunch with your dad?”
“I’d love to.” It figured her dad would call the house number instead of her cell phone. How he got it was beyond her, but he could have asked Jacob when they spent the weekend. “Where would you like to meet?”
“Do you have a favorite restaurant?”
“I do.”
***
Alicia had her father meet her at the Irish pub they went to all the time. She loved the food and knew if her dad wanted to talk this would be the best place. No one would bother them except Max. Her dad didn’t contact her out of the blue. She knew there was a reason. Not knowing that reason had her a little worried. He knew the legend too. It was his mother who taught her. And before Alicia believed in it she told her parents about this crazy man who had hired her to find the Tears. Then she was suddenly dating the man and now marrying him. She was sure they had questions. She just didn’t know what she could tell him.
“Hello, Sweetheart.”
“Hi, Daddy.” She stood and hugged him when he reached the table. “I was a bit surprised to get your call.”
“I wanted to speak to you without your mom or your fiancé hovering.”
“Planning a wedding takes a lot of time, Dad.”
“I remember your mom doing one after another. Frantic brides, disastrous deliveries. I was so happy when she retired.”
“Are you upset about my marriage?”
“I know you’re doing this for your mother.”
Now what was she supposed to say to that. “I would have probably gone for something smaller.”
“I know the truth.”
She blinked a few times. “What are you talking about?”
“You are already mated to Max, and the legend is true.” He said it so matter-of-factly she felt her jaw drop.
“I heard the same stories you did. My mother also showed me proof. Something I forbade her from doing when she started teaching you the legend.”
“Why?”
“It scared me as a child. I saw monsters everywhere and I didn’t want that for you.”
“What did she show you?”
“A film showing two werewolves fighting. It wasn’t awfully long but it did its job.”
“Do you still have that film?”
“I don’t know. It could be with your grandma’s effects. I’ve kept most of her things together.”
“So you had trouble accepting her death too.”
“Your grandma was a force to be reckoned with. Your grandfather was a traveling salesman so we were home alone a lot and she had to keep three boys and two girls under control.”
Alicia looked up and saw her mate coming toward them. “Max.”
“He’s here?”
She pointed but before her father could look Max was sliding into the booth beside Alicia.
“I wanted to speak to my daughter alone, Max. I explained that.”
“You talked to him before you talked to me?” Alicia looked from her father to Max. “You knew?”
“What?” Max tried to look innocent, she knew better.
“You know that he knows.”
Max just smiled.
“How long?”
“He came to see me before they spent the weekend with us.”
“You’ve known all this time and didn’t think to tell me?” She heard herself get loud and dropped her voice a few octaves. It wouldn’t do well for her to make her mate lose face in public.
Max looked at Alicia. He didn’t say a word, but she knew she had to tread carefully.
“You can’t blame him. I asked him not to say anything to you. I knew you wouldn’t be able to act yourself if you knew I knew but your mother didn’t.” Her father put his hand on top of hers. “That’s why I wanted us to talk. I knew you’d be mad if you found out any other way. I just didn’t think Max would show up so fast.”
Thank her father for saving the day.
“He has a very good nose.” And men following her every move, but she wouldn’t say that out loud.
“You just said that mom doesn’t know. Are you going to tell her?”
“Actually, I thought you should be the one who tells her.”
“Me? I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“Start with the legend. She knows about that and how you felt about Max when you first started working with him. She still questions how you went from scoffing his requests to falling in love. You could answer her questions as you explain what makes him so special to you.”
“Aw, come on, Dad. Do you know how hard it was for me to believe? And I grew up with the legends. Mom is going to think I lost it.”
“You have to try. Do you want this to put a wedge between the two of you? Your mom is going to know you’re keeping something from her. She already suspects that you two are already married and that you’re having this ceremony for her.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“You could ask your mother over for dinner,” said Max. “Maybe have Catherine and Stacey there as back up as you explain things.”
“And what? Have them shift in front of her?”
“Now you’re being belligerent. Give your mother some credit, Alicia. Let her in. She just might surprise you.”
***
Alicia walked to her car seething. How the hell was she going to tell her mom that her mate and future husband was a werewolf. She had to now because Max and her father would know if she didn’t.
The first thing she did was call Catherine. “You got a minute?”
“Sure. You in your car?”
“Yeah, you’re on Bluetooth but it’s just me.” Alicia stopped at a light. “Are you sitting down?”
“Why?”
“Because my father knows the big secret. Confronted Max a couple weeks ago. And get this. They want me to explain it all to my mom.” The light changed and she continued down the road.
“Well, you did worry about how keeping this from your parents could strain your relationship.”
“Oh my god, you’re on their side.” She turned right and headed to the college where Catherine worked.
“I didn’t say that, but you do need to step back a minute and think this through. Right now you’re just reacting to everything. The thought of telling your mom scares the crap out of you. You don’t want her to think you’re crazy.”
“It took a lot for me to believe and I knew the Tears were real.”
“Where are you now?”
“Pulling in front of your building.”
“Good. Come on up when you finish parking.”
Alicia hit the button on her key fob as she walked through the door. She poked her head into Catherine’s office, making sure she was alone before she continued with her tirade. “How does anyone expect me to make her believe the truth?”
“Because it is the truth?” Catherine stood and hugged her. “Come on, let’s walk. Knowing you you’ll get louder as we talk, and my office has paper thin walls.”
“And walking around is going to be better?”
“It will keep your voice down and if anyone overhears, they’re going to think that it’s one of my famous theses.” Catherine’s eyes got big as she grabbed Alicia’s arm. “Oh my god, this would be a perfect essay for this year’s students.”
“You really like to torture them, don’t you.” Alicia said it as a statement.
“That’s what my peers think, but the students like it. They say my questions make them think.”
“That you’re crazy,” Alicia added.
“Stop it.” Catherine brushed her shoulder against Alicia’s. “It is a great theme. So how do you think you would handle it?”
“Trying to convince someone that werewolves exist? Just werewolves, or should we throw in vampires as well?”
“Hmm, not sure. Which one do you think would be harder to prove?”
“Gosh, um, let’s see. Vampires live forever right?”
“The blood they drink is supposed to be what keeps them alive. So if they drink enough they should live indefinitely.”
“Are your vampires the pale ones who can’t face the sun?”
“Sure.”
“Then I think they would be easier to prove.”
“Really? Why?”
“If we go with the theory that werewolves are driven by the full moon then they would be harder. They know when the full moon is so they can hide themselves. Most of the time they can walk among everyone else and no one would be the wiser.”
“True.”
“So if I wanted to prove someone was a vampire I would kidnap them and make them face the sun.”
“Then you’d kill them.”
“No! But I guess I would have to hurt them. I mean no one would believe it unless you see the sun causing damage. But I would make sure the vampire is willing to do this so maybe kidnapping is the wrong word.”
“What if they didn’t want to help you but your life depended on it?”
“Man, I don’t know.” She rubbed her forehead. “Why would my life depend on it?”
“Good question.” Catherine laughed. “Okay, let’s get back to the werewolf aspect. You need to prove to someone that werewolves are real. How do you go about doing that?”
Alicia looked at Catherine. She wanted to say she could just introduce the world to her new family but knew that would be wrong. “Have I gotten pictures of it happening?”
“Nope. You have seen it happen but no pictures.”
“But everyone carries their phones.”
“If were basing this on the full moon then you wouldn’t be able to get a clear picture. The shifter would probably shift in a matter of seconds. You wouldn’t be able to get your phone out. If you did you couldn’t be close enough for the shot to be bright enough.”
“Okay.” They walked along quietly while she thought about what she would say next. She felt like someone was watching her and turned around. Behind them were over a dozen students following along.
“My students.” Catherine pointed to a bench nearby. “Why don’t we sit down. Give them a chance to catch up.”
“Okay. I’m not real sure why but I’m curious.”
“You’re going to love this.” Catherine spoke softly, pitching her voice so that only Alicia could hear her. “You tell them your problem and they will come up with the right answer.”
“Really?” Alicia smiled as the students gathered around and sat in the grass in front of them. “This could be fun.”
One student raised his hand. “Professor? Um, we caught a bit of your conversation and, well, what are you talking about?”
“I have a dilemma.” Alicia paused, looking at Catherine.
“This is my friend, Alicia Braswell. She has a problem you might be able to help her with.”
“Let me ask you guys a question. How many of you believe in shape shifters or werewolves?” Just about everyone raised their hands. Alicia smiled. “Okay, so, you have seen someone shift into a wolf and now you need someone to believe you. How do you go about doing it?”
“Why do you have to make someone believe that you saw a shapeshifter?” asked one student.
“Good question.” She had to word this right. “Okay, so here’s the deal. The person you saw shift is someone you’ve known all your life. You two grew up together and when she hit puberty her shifting ability came into being, but in the beginning she didn’t know how to control it.
“And in the beginning you weren’t sure how to handle it. This was your best friend, and suddenly you don’t know her anymore. So you avoid her as you try to figure out what to do. As time goes on, she convinces you that she’s not the evil shapeshifter you saw in horror films. She doesn’t howl at the moon and doesn’t attack people. She is the same girl you grew up with, she just has a special talent.
“Time goes on and you two grow up. Your best friend and your brother fall in love and are planning to marry. Your best friend wants to come clean with her future husband but doesn’t want to see the look of condemnation that he could have once he learns the truth so she wants you to convince him before she faces him.”
“That’s not very nice of her.”
“She’s scared. Put yourself in her shoes. What would you do?”
“I’d probably keep it to myself forever.”
“Even if you knew it would drive a wedge between you and your future husband?”
“But why would she force her best friend to tell him?”
“One reason is because she has learned how most people reacted to the truth and she didn’t think she could handle his rejection.” Alicia paused to see if she had their attention. “It was also your brother. If he was going to believe anyone it would be you. You also know him best and would know if he didn’t want to know the truth. You’d know how to make it look like you were pranking him.”
“So are we supposed to convince him?”
“Yes, at least try. You want these two together. They belong together, but you agree with your friend and believe they shouldn’t have any secrets.”
“How much time do we have to come up with a solution?” asked one of the students.
“Since you are grad students, I expect you to answer this rather quickly. But to be kind I’m going to give you until Friday at five. I expect to see your papers on my desk by that time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They started getting up and heading off.
“You gave them three days?”
“Actually, it’s already Wednesday so they’re getting two and a half days.”
“You are cruel.”
“And they love it.”
***
Alicia sat in between Max’s open legs while he brushed out her hair. He used her grandmother’s brush while they watched an action adventure sci-fi.
“That replacement stone sure does shine,” commented Max.
“More than I realized.” She turned and gave him a kiss. “Thank you for letting me find the replacement for the Tear. I really enjoyed searching for it.”
“I’m glad. To be honest I was surprised you went with a cubic zirconia.”
“I know I could have tried to find a real ruby but each time I found one the right size the color wasn’t right. This one was perfect and made to fit the slot perfectly.”
“As long as you’re happy.”
“I am.”
“So how is that conversation with your mother coming?” he tried to be nonchalant with it, but she knew he wasn’t going to let her forget what she needed to do.
“It’s taken an interesting turn.”
“Really? How so?”
“I went whining to Catherine and she turned it into a paper.”
“Excuse me?”
She turned so she could face him. “Please don’t get mad, but she started playing professor on me. Asking me questions and making me think, but we were walking around the quad so I had to act like I was helping her with a thesis. Next thing I knew we were being followed by some of her students. She told me to go with it and I did. They have three days to find a way for a young woman to prove to her brother that his future bride is a shape shifter.”
He busted up laughing. “Only Catherine would do this.”
“I thought it was ingenious. They will help me come up with a way to explain all of this to my mom.”
“You’re hoping they help you come up with some good ideas.”
She nodded. “And if all goes right, I’ll be able to convince my mom that I’m mated to one and might possibly become one.”
“Sweetheart, you know I love you just the way you are.”
“I do, but I also realize that there are things I miss out on because I don’t shapeshift. I want to be everything you need and I’m not sure if I do that as a human.”
“That is the council and narrow-minded idiots talking.”
“But there is a little truth in their snide comments. How am I supposed to raise a werewolf child if I’m not a werewolf?”
“You’ve been thinking about our children?”
“Oh, yes. Our son will have your eyes and my smile. He’s going to be tall like you as well. Pig-headed like his father.”
“And his mother.”
She laughed at that one.
“And our daughter?”
“Your dark hair.”
“But your eyes,” he countered. “Beautiful, bright and full of intelligence.”
“Max.”
“When she comes of age, I’ll be fighting off all the young pups trying to grab her attention.”
“Oh, she’d be smart enough not to let a bunch of young pups make her lose focus. My daughter will be going to the best schools. She’ll be taking over the reins of your empire and will need to be prepared.”
“Oh!” He rolled them so she was now under him. “I see you’ve been thinking about this a lot.”
“How often am I asked if I’m pregnant?”
“Too many times. I normally send them scurrying with my snarls.”
“And that is why I’ve been thinking about it. I have to bear you children if I stay human. They would never forgive me if I didn’t.”
“Alicia, I was willing to change to human to be with you and I can still do that.”
“But I don’t want you to.” She brushed a few strands of hair out of his face.
“And I don’t want you to feel pressured into doing something you don’t want to.”
“Like telling my mother the truth?”
“Not the same.”
“Really?” She wanted to punch him. “How is it different?”
“Because this is for you.” He brushed his fingers along her jaw. “You and your mom have a strong bond and if you keep this from her you know as well as I do it will ruin your relationship. None of us want that for you.”
“I know, and I know you’re right, but the thought scares the crap out of me.”
“How about I help you forget about everything but us?” He pressed a kiss against her lips.
“You are good at that.”
“I’d like to think I’m the best.” Max worked on her clothes, revealing her soft skin to his mouth and his touch.
“You are to me.” She sighed when she felt his mouth close around the tip of her nipple. “You know how to make my body beg for your touch. Cry for your love. All it takes is a look, a touch and you have me anticipating. Wanting when I know we can’t do anything about it.”
“That’s when it makes our lovemaking that much sweeter because when we can be together it’s explosive.” He pressed a kiss against her abdomen. His fingers moved across her skin. Focusing on the spots he knew aroused her. “So will we have a girl or a boy first?”
“Oh, a boy or I could be shot.”
“I won’t let anyone harm a hair on your head.” His fingers slipped into her folds. He spoke softly next to her ear. “Would you be upset with me if I told you I’d like a girl first?”
“Really?” Her words came out soft as well. “You know what I want?”
“Me to focus on you?” He pressed a kiss against her neck.
“I want to feel you inside me. Right now.”
“Now that I can do.” He surged into her, making her suck in her breath.
“That’s the ticket.”
Max set a nice steady pace that made Alicia smile. Her body hummed as he drove into her again and again. Alicia responded, meeting him thrust for thrust.
Each time he filled her it was complete. He hit the right spot that had her wanting more. She felt something deep inside pulse. Alicia started moving faster, demanding more. Max gave her what she wanted. She felt it build in the pit of her stomach than spread out to fill her with a euphoria only Max could give her.
***
Stacey met Alicia for another fitting. She sure hoped this one went a little better than the last one. The limo pulled in front of Patrick’s apartment. The moment she saw it she grabbed her things and caught the elevator down.
“Ready?” Alicia asked as she climbed in.
“I guess.”
“Ha. You hate this. You can tell me.”
“It’s the worst.” Once she settled she turned toward Alicia. “Why would a woman want to put herself through all of this?”
“Well, you only plan to do this once. Once you see the dress I think you’ll get a hint of why weddings are such a magical thing.” Alicia patted her hand. “Mom will make sure our day is perfect.”
“If you say so.”
“The first thing you need to do is relax and follow my cue.”
“As long as you can make this quick and painless, I’ll do anything you ask of me.”
The door opened and they stepped out onto the street. The door to the dress shop opened and they stepped inside. The moment the designer got wind of how they were ushered out of their first fitting he offered them a twenty percent discount and promised to close down the shop while they were there.
“Ladies, so happy to see you again,” said one of the ladies from the last time. “Please come in. Your dress is ready, Miss Sullivan.”
“Wonderful,” said Alicia. She grabbed Stacey’s hand and dragged her towards the back of the shop.
“I was going to follow you,” she whispered.
“Uh-huh. You want to go screaming into the night. I know this is a lot for you to take but you can’t back out. Not if you want to live your life in peace.”
Stacey sighed. “Okay, one, it’s not nighttime.”
“And two?”
“I’d never run from anything you do for me.” She glanced at the woman who gestured to the fitting room. “You’ve been so good to me I’d follow you to the ends of the earth. I can do this.”
Alicia wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her. “I can’t wait to see you in that dress.”
Stacey nodded and stepped into the dressing room. Once again she had three women buzzing around her, removing her clothing and covering her with crinoline, satin and lace. The sound of a zipper filled the room as she felt the dress tighten on her. Even though it was form fitting she found she could move easily in it. Something she couldn’t do in it before. The ladies escorted her out into the waiting area.
“Oh my god!” exclaimed Alicia.
The dress designer came in. He tilted his head and snapped his fingers. One of his assistants pulled a cart behind her. She stopped beside him. He watched Stacey for a moment longer before he turned his attention to the veils he had lined up on the cart.
Stacey watched in rapt attention as he picked up one after another until he decided on one to place on her head. She tried to refuse it but one look from Alicia stopped her. The man grabbed a stool and climbed up to place it on her head. Once he arranged the short veil he stepped down and back to stare at her once again. He shook his head and picked out another one.
Alicia stepped up to him. “May I?”
She heard several of the women suck in their breath, but she just smiled and waited to see if he would let her.
He gave her a slight nod and stepped back from the cart.
Alicia looked at the veils sitting there but didn’t see the one she hoped to see. She held her finger up for a moment then darted to one of the mannequins in the main window. She snagged a veil off of one of them and came back to hand it to him.
He smiled. “Good choice.”
A slight blush filled her cheeks at his compliment.
He placed it on Stacey’s head and adjusted this short veil as well. This one didn’t cover her mouth and she could see out of the mesh that covered her eyes. The piece attaching it to her head was a simple white comb with pearls and stones across the face.
“Perfect.” He turned to look at his assistants. “I know that Miss Braswell knows her friend better than us, but if you had watched Miss Sullivan you would have noticed she didn’t really want to be here. She likes the simple things in life and something as extravagant as this wedding gown is not something she would normally do. A simple comb with a short veil is perfect for her taste and complements the dress with its simplicity. Now all anyone will see is how well she looks in that dress.”
“Stacey, you look…”
“Stunning,” finished Max. “That is worth every penny.”
“Max! You’re not supposed to be here.”
“I know, but she’s not my bride so I haven’t broken any rule. I’m only here because you turned your phone off and your mother is frantic to speak to you.”
“I didn’t turn my phone off.” She patted her back pocket then grinned. “I just left it in the limo.”
Max held it up for her.
“Is Patrick on his way?” She dragged him into the main lobby. “He can’t see her. That dress is everything.”
“How come you’re not wearing yours?”
“Today is for Stacey. I’ll have my final fitting on Monday.” She held her hands up. “I know but I asked them to do this on purpose. This way I can focus on Stacey. She hasn’t seen herself yet.”
“And I’m holding this up?”
She nodded. “Please call my mom and let her know that Stacey is having her final fitting and I’ll call as soon as we’re done.”
“Will she berate me for not forcing you to call right away?”
“I don’t think so. She knows that I set up our final fittings to be separate so Stacey can find the magic brides all dream about.”
“You’re not making any sense to me.”
“Mom will understand. I promise.”
“You will pay if you’re wrong.”
“How about a kiss as a partial payment?” She wrapped her arms around him.
“You know I will always take that.” He pulled her close and captured her lips with his. Max brushed his tongue against the seam of her lips, begging for her to open for him. When she did he swept in and took her breath away. Using gentle strokes he drew her tongue to dance with his. She melted against him as he drew her into the passion filling them.
He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers. “I wish we were home so we could continue this, but I know your mom is waiting and so is Stacey.”
“Love you.”
“Love you more.”
Alicia walked back in to see Stacey wringing her hands. Good Lord, she hadn’t seen that in months. “Sorry. Max has everything under control, but I couldn’t send him away without a kiss.”
Stacey smiled at that and visibly relaxed.
“What did you think? That I left you?” Alicia knew that was what she was thinking. “Not on your life. I want to see your reaction when you see yourself in this dress.”
“Is that why they wouldn’t let me look in a mirror?”
“Sorry.” Alicia nodded.
The three women brought a large panel over and opened it up revealing the mirrors once they had it set up properly.
Stacey stared at her reflection. “Is that me?”
Alicia smiled as she nodded again. “You look like a princess.”
“I never thought a simple white dress could make me look like this.”
“I know. Won’t Patrick be surprised.”