Naturally, they’d all pulled out their wallets and offered to foot the bill for repairs, but Nanette had informed them that it was only a matter of time until the historical society came through with funding. Dax knew that the actual amount of time until the money came-if the money came-was unpredictable. But he also knew that Nanette didn’t want to ask for help. Truthfully, he didn’t either. They would save the house, and they wouldn’t take from their parents’ retirement money to do it, not unless it was absolutely necessary. Right now, it wasn’t necessary.
Dax scanned the yard and saw Gage and Kayla speaking with the caterers, probably scheduling them for their wedding on Valentine’s Day. Then he saw Jenee chatting with Monique and Ryan. They waved at him, and he grinned, knowing they were all thrilled that he’d managed to find the woman of his dreams.
He continued scanning the areas under the tents, and then the backyard, but didn’t see the other Vicknair cousin.
“Where’s Tristan? He didn’t get called to a fire, did he?”
“Isn’t that him?” Celeste asked, pointing toward the farthest corner of the back tent, where Tristan’s tall frame leaned casually against one of the poles securing the tent, and a striking blonde held his attention. She was standing so close to him that Dax almost didn’t recognize her, and he wouldn’t have, if the woman hadn’t turned her head and smiled.
“Chantelle,” Dax said.
“They look pretty-intense,” Celeste said.
Dax agreed. The two were definitely in a heated conversation about something…perhaps about each other? “She’s the sister of a ghost Gage helped a couple of months ago. Or, I guess I should say a ghost we all helped a couple of months ago, since helping Lillian Bedeau cross was undeniably a joint effort. I wondered back then if Chantelle and Tristan didn’t have something between them. They seemed to connect, in a weird kind of way, you know? But the timing wasn’t right, of course, with everything she was going through with her sister and all. And they did tend to fight a lot.”
“I’ve seen people like that,” Celeste said. “They’re either fighting, or making up, and they put everything they’ve got into both.” She laughed. “Some people enjoy relationships like that.”
“Not me,” Dax said.
“Really, Mr. Vicknair? Well, what kind of relationship do you like? I mean, since I just married you and all, it seems I should probably know.”
He moved his mouth back to her ear, kissed that sweet lobe, then whispered, “I like the kind where I know exactly what a woman wants, because she holds nothing back. I want to know what she’s thinking, what she’s feeling, what she’s needing, in every way. And then I want to fulfill those needs, those wants, those desires. I want to be her best friend, her confidant, but I also want to be the lover who fulfills her every fantasy, her every dream. So when she thinks of having a man, she can think of no other…but me.”
“Dax.”
He sucked her lobe, then kissed it and blew warm air against her ear. “What do you want, Celeste? You said you knew where you wanted our first time as husband and wife to be. Tell me what you want, and I’ll give it to you. Repeatedly.”
“The levee.”
He smiled against her ear. “Come with me.”
They exchanged greetings with guests along their way to the porch, where Dax grabbed two thick quilts from the rockers, draped them over his arm, then helped Celeste gather the train of her gown to descend the stairs. Then they circled the large oak that centered the driveway. Cars were parked around the big tree and lined the entire driveway, and Dax guided his bride to the outer edge of them, along the magnolias that bordered the side.
“We’re leaving the party early, aren’t we? We are the guests of honor, you know,” she reminded him with a slight giggle.
“There are plenty of Vicknairs here to keep folks entertained, and tons of champagne,” he said, not concerned at all with his guests, and totally concerned with giving his new wife what she wanted.
Once they were away from the lights of the house, Dax noted the full moon and the nice warm breeze blowing from the other side of the levee, where the Mississippi churned. He grinned. There wasn’t supposed to be a full moon tonight and he wondered…was this one visible to everyone, or was it placed here, for them, by the powers that be? The breeze was warm enough to keep them comfortable as they made love, and the moon was bright enough that he’d be able to see Celeste’s eyes when she came.
“It’s perfect, isn’t it?” she said from beside him, and he saw that she was staring at the picture before them with awe as well. “Did they do this for us?” She indicated the sky.
“I believe so. And it is close to perfect, but it isn’t perfect yet.”
“How’s that?”
He handed her the quilts and, looking at him questioningly, she held them against her chest. Then he scooped her into his arms. “I told you I’d carry you one day, Mrs. Vicknair.”
Laughing, she gathered the flowing length of her dress and piled it on top of the quilts, while Dax carried her down the remaining length of the driveway, then across River Road and up the levee.
He stood her beside him, then laid the quilts on the ground, while Celeste stared out at the water.
“Oh, Dax, look.”
Moonlight reflected off of the water and provided a sparkling backdrop for their first time together as husband and wife.
“I want you.” She unzipped her dress, let it fall to the ground and stood before him in a lacy white thong, white thigh-high stockings and heels. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and her nipples were taut and undeniably aroused.
Dax pulled her against him, pressing her sweet center against the bulge in his pants. “Believe me, chère, I want you too.”
Her hands trembled as she removed his tuxedo jacket, then unbuttoned his shirt. Then she paused. “Dax?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind.”
She smiled. “No, definitely not. But I’m wondering…”
“What, Celeste?” He waited, and when she didn’t say anything, he brought his knuckle beneath her chin and tipped her head so she looked at him directly. “Tell me, chère.”
“Did you-well, did you bring protection?”
He nodded. “I did.”
Then she smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, and Dax thought he knew why.
“But…” he started.
“But?”
“But if you’d rather not use it, I can’t think of anything better than having nothing at all between us when we make love.”
Even in the moonlight, Dax could see the green of her eyes intensify. “You mean, just this time? Our first time? Or do you mean…”
“What do you want, Celeste?” he asked, believing he knew, but wanting to hear her say it.
She smiled broadly. “I think a boy first, but a girl would be fine too. And if it’s a boy, I’d like to name him Ike.”
Dax’s laugh rolled freely. “Ike it is.” He skimmed his hands down her hips and slid her panties down her legs.
“Yes,” she whispered as his fingers slid between her folds to find her hot, wet and ready. “And, if-it’s a girl,” she continued, though her words were rasping and hoarse, “Adeline.”
She spread her legs to give him better access, while her hands moved to undo his pants, then found his erection and stroked him tenderly. “You know,” she panted, “it may take lots of practice to get little Ike or Adeline. I wouldn’t want you to get discouraged and give up.”
“Oh, don’t worry, chère. Vicknairs never give up.”
The Naked Truth by Shannon Hollis
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