Chapter 45

Nichole woke the next morning, wondering if they’d really decided to get married. Jesse was already awake, which didn’t surprise her one bit. She found him outside sipping coffee, reading an article on the Middle East.

“Light reading in the morning.”

He glanced up, his face going from anger and worry to happiness. The chuckle that escaped his lips was dark and heavy, not light at all. “War sucks. Just catching up on some stuff before tomorrow.”

“Do you think you’ll be called up to go over there?”

He shrugged. “No clue. But I’m always ready.”

“Speaking of ready, did we really agree to get married next week?”

Now his smile was bright, the love she felt from him shining through. “Absolutely. I mean, we could do it today, but I understand your desire to get a special dress and get your hair done.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to rush you either.”

“You aren’t. I want to be Mr. Nichole Brenton.”

She snorted out a laugh, heating as she tried to cover her face. Jesse held her hands and leaned in, kissing her nose.

“You’re so cute. Don’t hide from me.”

“I snorted.”

“It was cute. And yes, I would become Mr. Brenton if that’s what we decided. I’m not that attached to my name.”

“So when I stay Nichole Brenton on my byline, you’ll be okay with that?”

“Of course. You aren’t property, though you will be mine. I don’t expect acquiescence. I want an alliance between us.”

“I’m impressed. It’s not what I expected from a military type.”

Now, it was his turn to laugh. “Oh, trust me. I know plenty of military guys who expect, no, demand obedience. I want more than that. If I wanted someone to obey my every word, I’d hire them. Even then, it doesn’t work that way.”

“No, it doesn’t, at least not well.”

“So, breakfast? I’ve already had a sandwich. Want some eggs?”

“Sure. I can?—”

“I’ll do the eggs. Do you want to get some toast ready?”

She laughed as she turned to enter the house. He’d learned fairly early on that she really wasn’t good in the kitchen. Burnt eggs weren’t cool, though she was trying to learn to make them better. She hadn’t thought turning the burner up on high would have scorched the eggs so badly.

“Tell me again how you do the eggs.”

She loved how patient Jesse was in the kitchen. Every time she asked for instructions he was never short or rude. He had already told her twice how to make eggs, and while he’d been working last week, she’d tried, only burning them a little. Maybe it would eventually get through to her.

After breakfast, they showered and dressed so she could go out and find a bathing suit for the wedding. They were getting married on the beach, and since he was so in tune with water, she thought it would be a good idea to run down to the surf and get wet after the ceremony. He would probably be going into the ocean while she would stick to the low surf and just getting her feet wet unless the water was calm.

Shopping with Jesse was fun. Somehow, she got him to try on a crazy pair of huge sunglasses. “Wow, those look…”

“Silly?” he asked as he made a face.

It was easy to laugh with him. They got along so easily, and everything felt natural. When they stepped over to the swimsuit area, she pulled out a tiny orange strip of fabric that was supposed to cover a guy’s everything.

“Try this on.”

Jesse raised his eyebrows and then looked around. “Are you sure? I don’t think that would be decent.”

“For when we go on vacation.”

His lips thinned before he snatched the suit from her. He picked out a totally indecent bikini that looked almost see-through. If he was getting the orange suit, she agreed to try on the nearly see-through bikini.

In the changing room, she was shocked at how see-through the bikini was. She stepped out and almost ran into Jesse wearing the orange thing that made his dick and balls look huge.

“Oh, I like,” she said as she stared at his cock.

“Well, looking at me like that will make this strip of orange useless. By the way, your nipples are getting hard.”

She squealed and covered her breasts. “I can’t get this.”

“Vacations.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “Are you sure you want me wearing this in front of other people?”

“Only on vacation where it’s appropriate. A private beach, something like that.”

She rolled her eyes and turned to step into the changing room. He put his hand on hers, stopping her.

“When we get home, you have to model that for me.”

She glanced down at his cock that was testing the fabric of the suit he was wearing. “Same.”

After picking out reasonable bathing suits, him a dark pair of board shorts, and a black bikini that Jesse said looked amazing on her, they stopped by a local coffee shop and had a snack. Once home, they jumped each other, having sex up against the entry door.

When they were outside later that afternoon, Frank stopped by to tell them that Michelle was having issues and was in the hospital. They both were shocked.

“Can we do anything?” Nichole asked.

Frank shook his head. “No, she should be home tomorrow.”

“How about we bring some food over?”

“Oh, please, no. Some of Michelle’s friends got together and filled our refrigerator and freezer. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to eat it all. We’re good. I just wanted to tell you that if you don’t see her outside for a while, that’s why.”

Nichole reached out and squeezed his hand. “Sure, and if you need something, stop by or call. I’m working from here for now, so I’m at home most days.”

Frank nodded. “How is that going for you?”

She smiled. “It’s good. It’s different from living on the East Coast or in Chicago, but I’m finding some interesting things to write about out here.”

Frank smiled, but she could tell his mind was on his wife. She hoped Michelle was fine. It would be a shame for something to happen to her.

On Monday, when Jesse went back to work, she headed out to find a dress to wear for their wedding. They were only inviting a few people, so they didn’t have to get a permit. They were going to a local bar, The Hinge, after the ceremony and meeting up with people. Danika called her when she heard about the wedding and demanded Nichole register for gifts. She’d initially said no but finally agreed to register at a discount department store. She also registered so people could give some money to charity instead of getting them gifts.

They didn’t need much and emphasized that to people who asked. Their house wasn’t big, so it wasn’t like they could put a bunch of stuff in it, anyway. Jesse liked her idea of charity registration.

The days seemed to roll past much faster than she’d expected. On Friday night, she was staying with Danika and Sharp was staying with Jesse. Rory and Ava stopped by close to nine and shared a glass of wine with them.

“You ready for marriage?” Rory asked.

She nodded. “It’s weird. I never expected to get married. I mean, it was on the back burner, like maybe one day I will get married, but I wasn’t betting on it. When I met Jesse on my vacation, I wasn’t looking for anything more than a good time.”

Ava chuckled. “I’m glad he gave you such a good time that you wanted to contact him again.”

A giggle erupted, and she shook her head. “Oh, you are bad. I’m not saying he fucked me so well I couldn’t forget him, but it was something I never forgot.”

Rory cleared her thoughts. “I never was really into sexual fantasies or thinking too much about it, but then Harry happened.”

Danika almost choked on her wine, and they all ended up laughing. “I wonder if they are all good at sex or if we just got lucky.”

Ava threw back her head, laughter spilling out. “I think they search out excellence. I mean, that’s their job. You know, doing stuff to get it right.”

Nichole nodded enthusiastically. “Jesse was the first guy to get me off without having to use a tool or my own hand.”

Ava slapped her hand over her mouth, laughter shining in her eyes. “Oh God, poor thing that you suffered through guys like that. Then again, my past is checkered with guys who hit me, and not in a fun way.”

Nichole raised her eyebrows. “Fun way?”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Nothing bad. You know, little spankings when playing.”

Nichole shook her head. “I don’t know if I’d like that.”

Danika chuckled. “It’s not for everyone. With my history with my ex, I couldn’t do it. We talked about it, but I told him I couldn’t get into it. He’s fine, he understood.”

Ava nodded. “I totally get it. My ex used to beat me, but with Wild, it’s different. I don’t understand. That’s why intimacy is so intimate. Like anyone can do the basics, but it takes a real lover to make a difference.”

Nichole waved her hand in front of her face. “I’ve not talked like this with other women in years.”

Ava threw her arm around Nichole’s shoulder and hugged her close. “I think it’s because we’re real. Our men do freaking dangerous work, and it makes you realize bad shit can happen at any moment. I depend on these women, and they depend on me. It makes it so much more.”

Danika nodded. “Before moving here and meeting these women, I realized I’d never really had close female friends. Now, I know these women have my back in a way it has never been had before.”

Tears gathered in Nichole’s eyes, and she swiped them away. “I’m just getting to know you all, but I get it. You all have been really nice.” She blew out a breath and stood, walking to the other side of the room before turning back. “And none of you put up anything on social media. I really appreciate that. Like I’ve never been able to really share except with my editor.”

They all stood and moved to her, wrapping her in a hug. She felt their love and friendship.

Danika held her gaze. “We’ve got your back. No one is going to find out secrets from us.”

Ava squeezed her arm. “Nope, no one will know your secrets. We’ve got you.”

Rory wiped her eyes. “You’re one of ours now, and we take care of our own.”

She couldn’t believe how wonderful these women were. Having friends who cared for her was amazing. “Thank you. I really appreciate everything you all have done for me. It’s nice to have people in my corner.”

Danika squeezed her hand. “Of course, honey. This is how it should be with your friends.”

Ava’s phone buzzed. “Oh, looks like it’s time for us to go. Sharp is looking for me.” She sent him a text then gave Nichole a hug. “We’ll see you at The Hinge.”

“Thank you. You’re awesome.”

Rory and Ava left, leaving her and Danika alone. She needed to head to bed soon, but she wasn’t ready yet.

Danika carried the glasses into her kitchen, and Nichole picked up the plates from their snacks. “Is anyone from your family coming to the wedding or after?”

Nichole hadn’t even thought about calling her father and telling him she was getting married. “No. When my mom passed away, I kind of cut ties. My dad thinks I should quit work and be a doormat. I have different priorities.”

“That’s sad, but I get it. Family isn’t always who they say they are.”

“Nope, they aren’t.” Nichole couldn’t stifle the yawn that erupted.

“Are you ready for bed?”

Nichole raised her hands over her head and stretched. “I think I have to. Otherwise, I’ll look like a zombie at my own wedding.”

“Trust me, you’ll look great no matter what.”

She laughed as she shook her head. “Thank you, but I know I need my beauty sleep tonight.”

They said their goodnights, and she headed to bed. Exhaustion ate at her, but she couldn’t fall asleep. She pulled out her phone and pulled up her texts.

I love you and can’t wait to be your wife.

She wondered if she should hit send, but she couldn’t go to bed without telling Jesse how much she loved him. Her life was good, but she hadn’t realized how much had been missing before Jesse.