Deacon: A BWWM Billionaire Romance (28 page)

Her mouth remained flat. “I don't know your world,” she said finally. “If all he wants is your love, then that's what you should give him.”

“Did you love dad?” I asked.

“He was a faithful husband.”

“I guess that's something.”

This was about as far as we'd gotten in our conversations. I wasn't going to shake her, and she wasn't going to chase me away.

I was ok leaving it there, but she suddenly pressed closer to me..

“Don't let your husband punish you,” she said, softly.

“What?”

“I have been reading alone, now, without your father's guidance and...” She looked back up. “Punishment is for the Lord alone. We all err. Perhaps your father did, too.”

I was stunned. “I agree.”

She looked so sad and forlorn in her admission. I wrapped her tight in a hug.

“Don't worry, mom,” I said. “I'm not married to Deacon. I'm married to the man he is. If he becomes someone horrible, I won't stand for it.”

Her face was still dry when I pulled away. “Good,” she said, solemnly. “Good.”

“It's not going to happen though,” I said. “Deacon's not that kind of guy.”

“Not what kind of guy? Bad things, I hope.”

My newly betrothed stood watching us from the door. His tux was off. His black tie hung loose and his shirt had lost the top button. He looked beat, but even on his chiseled face, his smile looked warm and tender as it passed from me to my mother. He knew what that hug meant.

“Oh, just the worst things,” I said. “I shudder to think of all the things that you won't be.”

He stepped out, and gripped my mom's shoulders. “Don't worry, ma'am. I intend only the best for your daughter.”

That got her lips to curl up, which was practically exuberant for her.

“I'm very glad to hear that.” She stepped away. “Enjoy yourself tonight.”

She shifted back into the shadowy reception. I hoped she found someone nice to talk to in there. She deserved another chance at the right man.

“Did your mom just tell us to go screw?” Deacon asked, watching her.

“I'm
sure
that's what she meant.” Actually, given her idea of weddings, that might actually be true.

“Hmm, we should get rid of these numbnuts first,” he said. “But I suppose there's no harm in getting the engine running.”

He lifted my chin with his thumb and sank a kiss into me. The waters lapped the boards just past our heels. The gleaming yacht drifted past, kicking up a strong gust that enveloped us. Deacon’s hard pine scent ran rich in my nose even against the salty ocean wind.

An eternity could have passed, and I would not have grown tired of the moment.

“So,” he said, nudging off my mouth. “How does it feel to be a Stone?”

“Heavy,” I said. “I wonder if I can still swim.”

“Darlin' you can hire people to swim you around if you want.”

I laughed. “Sounds like something your mother might do.”

Just the idea sent a spike in my heart. I fought the urge to look around like a crazy person.

“Relax,” Deacon said, chuckling. “She's definitely not here.”

I breathed out. “Did she even respond to the invitation?”

“I believe she said she was going to Russia. Demetri double-checked. She's there. The frigid weather should suit her.”

“Ah.” I relaxed. “Well, at least the part of your family I like is here. Where'd he go off to by the way?”

Deacon peeked back into the clubhouse. “I don't know. He said he'd forgotten our present. He asked Trey and his date to go help him with it.”

Right then, an enormous horn sounded. I jumped. Only Deacon's firm grip kept me from toppling over the railing.

The ringing in my ears faded, and I traced the sound. The massive yacht had parked in the pier one row over. Curving blue font on it read 'SS Pebble.' It was vastly oversized for the dock, but luckily there were no other boats docked nearby.

The top story of the two-tier glass cabin opened. Trey and his cinnamon-haired girlfriend stepped out of the command room and waved at us.

“What in the hell?” Deacon murmured.

Jesse walked out on the dock from behind the hull of the yacht. He came down the pier and came up to the clubhouse. His combed blond hair waved in the breeze, and his elegant suit showed several damp patches.

“You like it?” he asked.

“It's gorgeous,” I said. Was that the right word for yachts? I had no idea.

“It's slick,” Deacon said.

“Great.” He flicked a pair of jangling keys at Deacon. “It's yours. There's also a lock on steering by the way. Code is 696969.”

He grinned.

“What?” Deacon's mouth lay open.

“It's my wedding gift. You guys can tour the world on that thing. It's super stable. Just don't steer it into any typhoons or tsunamis.”

“This is way too much.” I looked to Deacon. “Right?”

“It's nuts.”

Jesse waved us off. “Ah, it's nothing. I didn't want there to be any hard feelings about, you know, our childhood or our teenage years or really everything prior to the past two months. Just think of it as me sucking up to the new boss.”

“There's no hard feelings.” Deacon batted aside his brother’s outstretched hand and grabbed him in a crushing hug. “You were always my brother. If you were running the company, I would have accepted it.”

Jesse grunted and patted Deacon’s back until he let go. “Let's just be grateful that's not the case.”

Deacon gazed out at the boat. He turned to me.

“That thing's awful big,” he said. “And it's not going to get us anywhere as fast as a jet. I love you, sweetheart, but it might get a little lonely out there.”

“Trey actually unleashed your cat inside,” Jesse cut in. “I imagine he can help gut any fish you manage to catch.”

I looked over excitedly for any sign of Snowflake’s tawny face. He must be in the cabin.

Deacon grabbed my head though and faced me to him. “A cat's great, but wouldn't it be nice to have a more chatty companion?”

It took a second to see where he was going. I nodded and grabbed Jesse's hand.

“Come with us,” I said. “There's more than one bedroom I think, and we won't make much noise.”

His blue eyes shone bright. “I'm flattered, really, but it's your honeymoon.”

“Ah we're always traveling,” Deacon said. “It's no big deal. Come on, we'll go down the coasts. You can pick up girls at every port. Kiara won't mind.”

I shook my head. “I'll just plug my ears and look the other way.”

But Jesse wasn't even listening. A sudden darkness had overtaken his eyes. They looked like waves crashing over rocks.

“It's ok guys,” he said. “I think I'm going to be relaxing alone for a while.”

He swooped down, kissed me on both cheeks and stalked off into the club house.

“What was that about?” I asked.

“I've never seen him like that before,” Deacon said. “Don't worry. I'll ask after.”

Deacon didn't manage to catch up with Jesse. He rode off, and soon the other guests all started to make their way out. I wanted to know what was up with my new brother, but he needed time and space. Who was I to deny anyone that?

Later, as the caterers cleaned up, Deacon and I grabbed supplies – just enough to drift down to Baja – and sneaked up onto the boat.

We stood at the stern, his arms wrapped around me, gazing out at the wide world ahead.

“Where can this thing go?” I said.

“Specs say it can run a thousand miles. So basically anywhere, sooner or later.”

I gazed out and found reason for a wicked smile. “How about there?”

The sun hadn't set completely, but a pale silver disc hung in the sky.

Deacon looked out on the moon, not smiling or frowning. His jaw thrust out, and he looked deep in thought.

“I'm kidding.” I turned and draped myself around him.

“Doesn't matter,” he said. “I'm going to give it to you, one day.”

“There's plenty you can give me right now.” I tugged his tuxedo jacket towards the tinted cabin behind us.

“Even before we leave?” he said. But he was already gripping my waist, already coming to life below.

“Before, during, after. I want to be under you every day I can.”

“That sounds like a lot of days. You sure you won't want to run away?”

I grinned and gave him a tender kiss. “I'm yours.”

“And I'm yours,” he whispered.

Hand in hand, we went into the cabin, the floors shifting softly in the waters, ready to carry us into any future we so desired.

All of them seemed fine, just so long as we were together.

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