Chapter 4

FOUR

Adam

I was up early the next morning, having tossed and turned all night. I was nervous, excited, and ready to get the legal part of this over with. The last time I'd done this I'd been nineteen and convinced Demi and I would be together forever. Life had thrown both of us for loops, and I was getting a surprising but welcome second chance. Both with my son and with love.

I felt a twinge of guilt that I hadn't talked to Vaughn about this ahead of time, but what was he going to say? There wasn't anything that would change my feelings for Maria, so everyone was just going to have to deal with it. I just hoped it didn't cause problems going forward. I'd worked hard to rebuild my relationship with Vaughn, so having to choose between my son and a second chance at happiness didn't seem fair.

I couldn't dwell on that today, though.

I had much more important things to do.

Like, get married.

I shaved and slicked my much shorter hair back into a ponytail. I'd cut it a few months ago because Maria said the length made me look like a heathen. I figured I still did, but at least I was a cleaned-up heathen now. My untamed, bushy beard was gone, trimmed down to a neat, cropped goatee, and I only wore one small earring these days. I would be considered downright respectable in motorcycle club circles.

But I was a different man now.

And about to be a married man.

I'd been resigned to living out the rest of my days alone after Demi passed away. Losing her had hurt like a motherfucker. I'd left her because the club would have used my feelings for her to manipulate me, so I'd done the right thing. I just hadn't realized how much it would break me on the inside.

Since meeting Maria, she'd slowly but surely been putting my broken pieces back together.

Marrying her was the next logical step.

I was a little concerned about how the family would react when we told them, but not enough to do anything differently. We'd planned this the way we had for a reason, so now all I had to do was say a few words, sign some papers, and kiss her.

Easy-peasy.

I grabbed my phone and wallet, sticking them in the pockets of my slacks, and slid my feet into a pair of dress shoes I'd bought specifically for this occasion. I'd never had a reason to wear them as a biker, but now I figured I needed to grow the hell up and be a part of polite society.

For today, at least.

We'd agreed not to wear anything too fancy, so I had on black slacks, a dark blue button-down shirt, and dress shoes. I didn't know what Maria was wearing, but when she opened the door of her room, she took my breath away.

She wore a simple white lace dress with short sleeves and a plunging neckline. It wasn't overly revealing, not compared to what a lot of women today wore, but it was the sexiest I'd ever seen her. Her hair was down, curling around her shoulders, and she wore high-heeled silver sandals that gave me a nice view of her calves.

I'd never seen her in anything like this, and it did things to me, knowing she'd dressed up for me. She normally wore shorts or jeans. Like a lot of women in South Florida, Maria dressed for the heat and comfort.

Today, she'd dressed for me.

And it was fucking spectacular.

"God damn, you're beautiful," I said in a gruff voice, not even pretending it didn't turn me on.

She blushed, dipping her head. "Thank you. Are you ready to go?"

"Fuck, yeah."

She laughed. "You're a real romantic, Mr. Elliott."

"Oh, I can be romantic. Just wait."

She grinned and motioned to her carryon. "Want to bring my things over to your room and check out downstairs before we head to the chapel?"

"Sure." I moved her things, and then she slid her hand through my arm as we headed for the elevators.

"You ready?" I asked after we'd checked her out of her room and stood outside waiting for a cab.

"Beyond ready."

"We've got reservations for lunch and?—"

"Did you seriously make reservations for lunch right after we get married?"

I frowned. "Well, yeah. Don't you?—"

"Adam Francis Elliott." She put her hands on her hips and glared at me. "We're getting married and then coming right. Back. Here."

"Yes, dear."

She laughed.

I loved listening to her laugh.

She was so energetic and full of life, even when the restaurant was busy or her kids made her crazy. She was a fun grandma too, one of many things I hoped to make a part of my life as well, once we were married. I couldn't wait for Vaughn and Juliet to have kids, although I tried not to be pushy about it.

I'd lost so many years to my club—I was anxious to enjoy however long I had left. With Maria at my side, I felt twenty years younger and a lot lighter than I had in a long time.

"You ready?" I asked her as we stepped into the chapel.

"Yes." She smiled. "I was a little nervous this morning, but now…" She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "I'm just excited."

"Me too." I leaned over and kissed her cheek.