Sweet Temptation

I exhale a giant sigh and grin. “You are an angel. Thank you. I mean it. We’ll take good care of it.”

She sounds happy. “Let me make some calls and I’ll give you the lock code.”

I finish talking to the Grand Canyon angel, hoping her cabin is as beautiful as the ones posted online.

Next I scan through local jewelers on my mobile and head to the closest shop. As I browse at the counter, looking around for whisperers all the while, one thing becomes quickly apparent: I ca

This could take a while. I call Marna to help with some other things I won’t have time for.

“What can I do for you, darling?” she asks.

“I need clothes for tomorrow. I didn’t pack enough and I’m ru

“Absolutely. Anything else?”

“Food, perhaps.” I give her my sizes and get back to ring shopping.

In my search I happen upon a funky shop with artistic, handmade pieces. The prices are astronomical, but I don’t care. In fact, I’m glad to spend a lot on something to commemorate this day.

I consult the almighty Google to learn of A

“What size do you need?” she asks.

Size? I haven’t the slightest clue.

“Er, small?”

“This one is five and a quarter,” she says. “It’s a rather small size. It won’t fit on my hand.” She holds her hand out for me to see, and it’s definitely larger than A

She shows me the men’s rings next and I gravitate to the thick black tribal designs. I point to the most wicked-looking one, the design etched into silver just like A

“I’ll take them both.”

I scan the clear skies as I leave the shop with our rings. Our wedding rings.

I shake my head and drive for the airport.

Blake’s plane is killer, roomier than Father’s jet, with that new leather smell.

He welcomes me aboard with a grin and a salute.

“This is brilliant, mate.”

He crosses his arms, peering around. “Yeah, being the son of Envy has its advantages.”

“Bloody right,” I say, setting down my bag.

“Well, we’re all fueled up and ready to go when everyone gets here.”

My insides dip with a fluttery, falling sensation and I grip the top of the seat I’m standing near. Blake laughs.

“You nervous, man? Don’t puke on the upholstery.”

“I won’t,” I mutter, forcing myself to straighten. I’ve no reason to be feeling strange.

Except perhaps for the fact that I’m going to be a husband. This wasn’t exactly something I envisioned for myself. It was never in my nature to commit. A

“So, what’s the plan?” Blake asks. “You thought about where I should take you guys afterward?”

“Yeah.” I tell him about the Grand Canyon. He fist-bumps me again before returning to the cockpit to ready the plane.

I sit at the open space in the back where I can rest my head in my hands and think for a minute. I want this to be perfect for A

I’ve sat like that a long while, trying to get rid of these ridiculous nerves, when I hear feminine giggles coming up the jet steps. The twins burst through the doors, Marna chipper and Ginger looking exhausted. Behind them is A

She’s changed into a white, summery halter dress that makes me want to drool. It also makes me wish I’d at least changed my clothes. Blond layers lay across her shoulders. Her dress is open at the back, revealing ta

I’m going to strip that dress from her body tonight. Along with everything underneath it.

Behind A

I raise my eyebrows and give her an unenthusiastic thumbs-up. I hope she’s grown out of her love of boy bands.

A

I lift a hand to call her over. Moments later she’s standing before me, the dress accentuating her waist.

“Hey,” she says, a bit bashful.

“Hey, yourself. You’re stu

She looks me over, taking me in. “You always look good.” Her shy smile melts me.

I ignore Gin’s gagging noises from where she’s sitting nearby, and I wrap my hands around A

I take that hand and place a soft kiss in her palm.

Don’t be nervous, I sign to her with my other hand.

Her face still looks pinched with tension, so I pull her onto my lap and she lays her head on my shoulder.

“Are you sure about this?” Her whisper is warm against my neck.

“I am,” I assure her. “Are you?”

“Yes.”

Well, there you have it.

Blake ambles out of the cockpit and I circle a finger in the air as if to say, Let’s go. He nods his agreement. The sooner we’re in the air where the whisperers don’t venture, the better.

We all take our seats, and fifteen minutes later we’re lifting off smoothly. I’m rather impressed with Blake’s flying skills. Once we’ve reached our altitude, Blake puts the plane on autopilot and joins us, as the girls freak out about it. It’s quite humorous, and I can’t help chuckling, relieved to have all my closest mates by my side.

When we stand, I’m racked with nerves again, and I hope it doesn’t show.

“I didn’t prepare vows or anything,” A

Vows? Was I supposed to do that?

Blake shakes out a piece of paper and my worry subsides. He’s printed out traditional vows, and he even got an official license to marry us, per Belial’s suggestion. But leave it to Blake not to be serious.

He puffs out his chest and declares, “Dearly beloved!” like an old, Southern minister.

We all lose it. And shite, I don’t realize how blazin’ tense I am until we’re all falling over with laughter.

“All right,” Blake says when we finally calm down. He looks at me. “For real this time. Keep your eyes on A

I run my hands through my hair, frustrated by this persistent nervousness. Nothing has ever been this important to me. I’ve been thinking of this as A

“I, Kaidan, take you, A

A