Cockpit: A Second Chance Romance (32 page)

I grinned at him.

"I like the way your mind works."

"You too, my friend."

Frannie

I rolled over in Nev's bed. We'd stayed up way too late laughing and talking. Around midnight we'd snuck to the kitchen to make ice cream sundaes.

That's when we heard the rumbling from below.

We'd snuck down to the basement and caught Clay and Jace bowling.

Without a word we'd snuck right back out again.

Bad boys indeed.

I sighed and prodded Nevada.

"Wake up wifey. It's your wedding day."

She opened her eyes. She looked utterly panicked.

"Oh my God what have I gotten myself into???"

I laughed.

"It's fine Nev. You love him. He loves you. Remember?"

"Right. Right?"

"Yes! Get up!"

She laughed and ran into the bathroom to shower. I left her alone long enough to clean up myself. Jace was in bed, wrapped around my pillow. I almost woke him up he looked so cute.

Instead I tiptoed around the room getting dressed and ran back to Nev's room.

I knew if I woke him up, I'd never get out of there without him pouncing on me.

We ate a light breakfast as a team of stylists descended on us.

Nevada's hair was twisted up into an ornate chignon. Pearls twisted through it.

Mine was held back at the crown with a wide blue ribbon, then pinned back into a fishtail braid of sorts. I blinked at my reflection in the mirror. Even without makeup, I'd never looked better.

I decided then and there that I would try that style at home myself someday.

Home... now the word didn't sound so empty.

Now it meant Jace.

I smiled and titled my head back as the makeup artist applied a thin line of shadow above my eyes.

It was a few hours later when I stood behind Nevada, both of us staring in awe at the mirror.

She wore an ornate, pearl encrusted strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and a wide satin band around the waist. Then it belled out to an enormous skirt and full train.

She looked like a fairytale princess come to life.

My dress mimicked hers, in a soft pale blue. The neckline was sweetheart, with two tiny fluttery sleeves that brushed my upper arms. My dress also had a banded waist and full skirt. Just not quite as full.

I also kind of looked like a princess.

We hugged each other carefully and made our way downstairs.

The house was quiet. Everyone was outside, waiting on the wide lawn for the bride to appear.

At the french doors that led to the veranda I paused, turning to look into my best friend's eyes.

"You ready?"

Nev smiled at me, nodding.

"I'm ready."

I opened the doors and walked forward to wait.

A moment later the music started and I started the long walk down the pale blue carpeted aisle.

I saw Jace standing by the front. He looked so handsome in the borrowed tux. It was almost funny how much he fit in with Clay. They almost looked like brothers.

Not that it was a bad thing.

Jace's eyes were wide open. He looked utterly shocked as I walked past him. I winked and he blinked at me.

I turned and waited for Nevada to begin. The moment she did, the crowd hushed.

She stepped into the sunlight and I felt goosebumps break out all over my arms.

She was the most beautiful bride I'd seen in my life.

Chapter Twenty Two

Clay

This fucking tux is driving me insane.

That was the last thing I'd said before the ceremony started. Frannie's guy Jace had been standing near by, keeping me company along with the crew of my usual cronies.

The last thing I'd said was a complaint.

The fucking tux was itchy as fuck for some reason.

But none of that mattered once I saw Nevada step out of the house.

My breath caught in my throat.

How could anyone be that beautiful?

It seemed impossible.

Even more impossible that someone so beautiful, so perfect inside and out could love
me.

Fuck me, if I hadn't hit the fucking jackpot!

Instantly I was filled with equal parts of bliss and fear, as I often was around Nev.

The bliss was obvious. Any guy would feel bliss. But the fear...

The fear had to do with losing her. Not measuring up.

I had to be good enough for her. I had to protect her. I had to keep her.

She was mine dammit.

She walked towards me, taking one long slow step at a time. They were supposed to do that. I was very tempted to run down there, scoop her up, and toss her over my shoulders.

Then we could fucking get on with it!

And I could start my honeymoon.

Nev had refused to fuck me all week. I was dying for her at this point. My nuts felt like they were going to explode.

I pushed down my inner caveman.

Nevada would be mad if I messed up her wedding.

Must not make Nevada mad.

Must... not...

Oh to fucking hell with it.

Nevada

One minute I was walking down the aisle, my mother, Clay and Frannie standing at the front waiting for me. Mr. Westlake had offered to walk me down the aisle. But I'd wanted to do it alone.

I was stronger than the little girl I'd been.

The one that wanted her absent daddy.

I only needed my own backbone now. That and the people I loved, and who loved me.

I was damn lucky in that regard.

One moment I was thinking all these thoughts.

The next I was upside down as Clay threw me over his shoulder and carried me down the aisle.

I hadn't been walking fast enough apparently.

"Clay, put me down!"

"No."

"Clay!"

I was furious. Livid. I was-

Right side up finally.

I felt my ornate hairdo come undone. My hair tumbled over my shoulders. My cheeks were bright red.

Frannie ran forward, helping me readjust myself. Her fingers brushed through my hair quickly. Then she stepped back.

Her eyes were wide with-

Laughter.

I glanced at the crowd. Everyone was trying not to laugh.

I looked at Clay, ready to glare him into the center of the Earth.

But I stopped. He looked... he looked like he was crazy in love with me. And ready to get married.

Maybe I shouldn't have made him wait all week. The poor boy did get very wound up, even without having me for a day or two.

Like the time I got the flu.

He'd had the same look in his eyes.

Just... not quite as bad.

I rolled my eyes and turned to the Judge who was officiating the ceremony. I listened attentively as he spoke of the citrus of marriage, of love, of partnership.

I was feeling good again, calm, like I was doing the right thing.

That was before I glanced at Clay. He was ignoring the Judge completely.

He was staring at me.

At my tits.

He licked his lips.

I kicked him.
 

Abruptly he started paying attention again.

"Do you Clay Monroe Westfield, take Nevada Jones to be your wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and health, until death do you part?"

Clay took my hands and stared deeply into my eyes.

"I do."

"Do you Nevada Jones, take Clay Monroe Westfield to be your husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and health, until death do you part?"

I paused and Clay's eyes got very big.

He looked... worried.

Then I smiled at him.

"I do."

"By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you man and wife."

The crowd cheered.

"You may kiss the bride."

Clay pulled me against him so fast that it almost gave me whip lash. Then he laid a kiss on me that was more suited for the bedroom than the chapel.

Not that we were in a chapel, but still.

People were cheering as Clay lifted me up and carried me down the aisle, past the startled photographer and into the house.

"We need to get- pictures!"

"After!"

The last thing I heard was the confused photographer ask his assistant.

"After what?"

Chapter Twenty Three

Jace

Most of the guests were gone as I led Frannie over to the hill where Nevada said they used to watch the fireworks. I had a surprise for her.
 

A blanket and a bucket with a bottle of champaign were waiting for us.

"What's this?"

I sat down and waited for her to sit next to me.

All day I'd been in awe of her poise and charm. Never mind the way she looked in that dress.

My sexy little Frannie had turned into an elegant woman in the blink of an eye.

I liked it. I liked it a lot.

If I was honest with myself, I loved it.

But I wanted my Frannie back with her wild hair and shy smiles. I wanted to tear off her dress and mess up her hair.

I wanted to pounce on her.

"I have a surprise for you."

She gave me a look.

"I'm not sure I can handle any more surprises! Can you believe Clay???"

I didn't laugh. He'd told me Nevada was driving him crazy all week. Closing the candy shop so to speak.

I could one hundred percent believe what he'd done during the ceremony.

If Frannie did that to me... I'd do the same damn thing.

Fuck, I'd make the whole party wait!

I handed her a glass of champagne. It was too classy for me, but it got the job done. I wanted her relaxed.

"Drink."

She took the glass and sipped, giggling.

"I've had quite a bit of this already today Jace."

I smiled at her, leaning on the blanket.

"That's okay. It's a special occassion."

I pulled out the remote control Clay had given me.

"What is that?"

"Just watch."

I pressed the button and waited.

In an instant the area at the bottom of the slope lit up with the stationary fireworks display.

It said four words. Each word lighting up one at a time.

FRANNIE

YOU

ARE

NEXT

She jumped to her feet in shock. Her mouth was open. Her hands were on her cheeks. She was staring in awe at the magnificent display Clay and I had come up with.

She almost fell backwards laughing her ass off.

I was a little offended by that.

"What, it's not romantic enough?"

She was laughing too hard to answer me.

"Francine."

She abruptly stopped laughing, clued in by the tone of my voice.

Then she noticed that I was kneeling.

And the ring in my hand.

Now she really looked surprised.

"Frannie."

I had her attention.

"I love you Frannie."

Her eyes were wide as she stared at me.

"Will you marry me?"

Her eyes filled with tears and she nodded. Silly girl still couldn't seem to talk.

Then she was in my arms kissing and squeezing me tighter than I'd ever been squeezed.

"Christ woman! Is that a yes?"

"Yes, Jace. I will marry you."

Well, thank fucking God!

Frannie

I stared down at the ring on my hand. Jace had somehow spoken to my Gran before we left, and she had given him her ring. It meant more to me than he could know.

She had given her approval.

The ring was simple gold, with a pearl surrounded by tiny diamonds.
 

Nothing overly ornate or expensive.

But sweet. Pure. Honest.

Like my Jace.

He'd looked offended when I laughed at his fireworks display.

He didn't look offended now.

He was too busy trying to get my dress off of me.

"Jace!"

He grunted and continued fiddling with the little buttons that ran up the back and side of my dress.

"Wait until we get upstairs please."

He frowned at me.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes! There are still people everywhere!"

He looked up and noticed the party planners were removing the set up from the wedding. He nodded, sighing heavily. That's when he got knocked on his ass.

Clay and Nevada had arrived.

"Be careful Clay!"

"Sorry man. I had to do that."

Nevada hugged me.

"I'm so happy for you Frannie! Congratulations!"

"Shouldn't you guys be having your wedding night?"

Nevada blushed.

"We were but I insisted we come down when I saw the fireworks. He didn't even warn me!"

She glared at Clay. He was shirtless and she was wearing a silk robe.

I glanced at her wrist. The belt of her robe was tied around it.

"Clay up to his old tricks?"

She blushed again.

"If I'd known marriage would be like this-"

She leaned forward and whispered to me.

"I'd have done it sooner!"

We laughed and linked arms, walking back to the house.

"Where are you going woman?"

I ignored Jace. Nevada took pity on them and waved.

"See you inside!"

I heard running footsteps behind me. Then both Nev and I were lifted off our feet. They carried us inside.

The two of them were cave men! There was no other word for it.

Nev was laughing as Clay carried her up the staircase.

"See you in the morning!"

I waved at her, both of us upside down.

Jace didn't put me down until we were alone in our guest room. He tossed me on the bed and then locked the door. He started pulling his clothes off as he walked towards me.

There was a glint in his eye I didn't quite trust.

"Jace... what are you..."

He held up his tie.

"Give me your hands sweetheart."

I shrieked and ran to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I locked it.

"You can't lock me out. I'm your fiancé!"

I was trying not to laugh as I stared in horror at the door knob. It was jiggling.

Abruptly it got very quiet.

Then the door swung open.

Jace stood there, holding a bobby pin.