Embracing Forever Page 13
Raven smiled sultrily. “I thought I’d let you see a little leg.”
“And later, I’m going to show you just how much I appreciate it.” They walked hand-in-hand out the front and set off for Rosewood Estates. The inn was located in the heart of downtown only a block from the estate. Once at the estate, he led Raven in the opposite direction of the garden.
“I thought we were going to walk in the garden,” Raven said.
“We can do that, too. But you mentioned the lake being your favorite spot, so I thought we could start there.”
“Okay.” Excitement sparkled in her eyes. “How did the conversation go with my dad last night?”
“Fine. Just like I said it would. He wanted to be sure I had your best interest at heart and since I always have, I didn’t have any problems answering his questions.”
“My parents like you, especially my mom, in case you couldn’t tell.”
“I like them, too. And you already know how my parents feel about you.” His parents lived in LA and she had been to their house several times.
“Have you…?” her voice trailed off.
He stopped. “We were interrupted before, so I decided to recreate what was supposed to be a special evening.” He had everything—rose petals, champagne in an ice bucket, two glasses on coasters and milk and white chocolate covered strawberries—except the fireplace. But the warm weather would suffice. “Have a seat.”
Raven sat, removed her shoes and tucked her legs beneath her.
Bryson followed suit. He poured the champagne and fed her a strawberry. “I know how much you like your strawberries with the two kinds of chocolates.”
“Mmm, I do.” She sipped the champagne. Setting her glass on a coaster, she picked up a strawberry and offered it to him.
When he bit it, some of the juice dripped down onto his bottom lip. She snaked her tongue out and licked it off. With lightning speed, he charged into her mouth, seeking her tongue and sucking gently on it. They both moaned. He was about two seconds from spreading her out on the blanket, so he broke off the kiss. “Unless you want to give the entire town something to talk about, we need to slow down.”
“I don’t care,” Raven said breathlessly.
Bryson smiled. “Behave.” Unable to resist, he kissed her again, tenderly, softly. Easing back, he took her hand. “From the first day we met, I knew you were special. At the time, I didn’t realize just how much you would impact my life. You’ve been my sounding board, my confidante, my best friend and now the woman who has completely captured my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, protecting you and being your safe haven. Marry me, Raven. Embrace forever with me.” He withdrew the small ring box from his pocket and opened it.
“Bryse,” she whispered then nodded. “Yes, I’ll embrace forever with you.”
He slid the ring on her finger. “I have one more thing for you.” He handed her another small box.
She opened it and gasped. “A lock for the fence. And you had it engraved with our names.” She knocked him backwards on the blanket, kissing him with a passion that stole his breath. He’d found that one. And she’d been there the whole time.
Epilogue
Three weeks later
“You may now kiss your bride.”
Not caring about the audience, Raven threw her arms around Bryson and locked her mouth on his. She vaguely heard her brother clear his throat, but she kept right on kissing him.
When they finally came up for air, Mac said, “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
Bryson looked down at Raven. “You keep that up and we will be skipping the reception. As it is, I’m going to have a hard time keeping my hands off you in that dress.”
She smiled. The sleeveless dress had a lace bodice front, but the wide keyhole opening left the upper portion of her back bare. And because she knew how much he liked seeing “some leg,” the thigh-high slit had given him plenty of it when she walked up the aisle. Unbeknownst to her, he had gotten together with the staff at the estate and delivered the lakefront wedding at sunset she had fantasized about all her life. After the minister’s presentation, she hooked her arm in his and walked back up the aisle.
They received hugs from their parents and other family members. She teased Jerome about being the last man standing in their circle, as Kendrick had recently gotten engaged.
Raven excused herself from Bryson for a moment to talk to her girlfriends. She stopped first to thank Ava. “I don’t know what to say. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.”
“Same here,” Ava said, hugging her. “Be happy, Raven.”
“I am.” Someone called out to Ava and she was off. Raven chuckled and continued toward Mac, Quinn and Ryleigh.
“Group hug,” Quinn said when she approached.
These women had been part of her life since forever and she didn’t know how she would have made it without their friendship. “Thank you so much for being here with me.”
“Oh, girl, you know we wouldn’t have been anywhere else,” Ryleigh said. She had interrupted her business trip to fly in just for the wedding and had to leave early in the morning to get back.
Mac sidled up next to Raven. “I left you a little box at the front desk at the inn. I’m sure Bryson will enjoy it.”
Raven glanced over her shoulder and found Bryson staring at her. The look in his eyes made the space between her thighs throb.
“Mmm hmm, he’s really going to enjoy it.”
“Mac, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.” They all laughed, but Raven noticed the hint of sadness in Quinn’s eyes. She grasped Quinn’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Her time was coming, and soon.
Raven made her way back to where Bryson stood talking with Jerome and Kendrick. He saw her and met her halfway.
“Hello, Mrs. Montgomery.”
When he kissed her, all the love she felt for him overflowed in her heart. She thought herself the luckiest woman in the world. She’d married her best friend. And he was hers. Forever.
Dear Reader,
I hope you are enjoying the Once Upon A Bridesmaid series. They say best friends make the best lovers and that’s certainly true in my case, even though I never saw it coming…lol. Maybe I’ll share that story with you someday in person. Raven and Bryson find themselves in a similar situation and it’s going to be an interesting ride to see if they can bridge the friendship-to-lover gap. If they’re lucky, forever just may be in the cards.
I had such a blast collaborating with Sherelle, Angie and Elle and can’t wait to do it again. Be sure to let us know what you think.
Thank you for your continued encouragement and support. I appreciate you. Remember to drop me a line at sheryllister@gmail.com if you have any questions, comment, or just want to chat. I love hearing from you.
You can also find me:
Website: www.sheryllister.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sheryllisterauthor
Twitter: @1slynne
Instagram: sheryllister
Love & Blessings!
Sheryl
Discover More by Sheryl Lister
Once Upon A Bridesmaid Series
Yours Forever (Book 1) by Sherelle Green
Beyond Forever (Book 2) by Elle Wright
Embracing Forever (Book 3) by Sheryl Lister
Hopelessly Forever (Book 4) by Angela Seals
Harlequin Kimani
Just To Be With You
All Of Me
It’s Only You
Be Mine For Christmas (Unwrapping The Holidays Anthology)
Tender Kisses (The Grays of Los Angeles Book 1)
Places In My Heart (The Grays of Los Angeles Book 2)
Giving My All To You (The Grays of Los Angeles Book 3)
Other Titles
Made To Love You
It’s You That I Need
Perfect Chemistry
About the Author
Sheryl Lister is a multi-award winning author wh
o has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. After putting writing on the back burner for several years, she became serious about her craft in 2009. When she’s not reading or writing, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers and bite-sized desserts. Sheryl resides in California and is a wife, mother of three and former pediatric occupational therapist. She is a member of RWA, CIMRWA, the Kiss of Death Chapter of RWA, and is represented by Sarah E. Younger of Nancy Yost Literary Agency.