~ * ~
Conor strolled down the street, his senses reeling from the sound of so many beating hearts. His nostrils filled with the myriad scents of perfume and aftershave, perspiration and lust.
He turned off the main drag and merged with the night as he went in search of prey.
~ * ~
Bryn woke early in the morning. For a moment, she lay there staring up at the ceiling and then she jackknifed into a sittingposition. Today was her wedding day! Throwing back the covers, she pulled on her robe and ordered a blueberry waffle and orange juice for breakfast.
While waiting for it to arrive, she tiptoed toward the other bedroom, slowly and carefully opened the door, and peeked inside. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at him. Conor lay on his back, one arm flung above his head, the other resting across his bare chest. He was gorgeous and soon he would be all hers.
Smiling, she eased the door closed, wondering how she would ever wait for night to fall.
~ * ~
Conor woke with the setting sun, his first thought for his bride. Throwing the covers aside, he took a quick shower, pulled on a pair of pants, and went in search of his woman. He found her in the master bedroom brushing out her hair.
“Good evening, bride.” Moving up behind her, he slipped his arms around her waist. “How did you spend your day?”
“Sight-seeing. Gambling. Counting the hours until the sun went down.” She laid the brush aside and turned in his arms. “I missed you.”
“Did you?” He smiled a knowing smile. “Took a peek at me, didn’t you?”
“How did you know?”
He shrugged. “I’m aware of what’s going on around me even when I’m at rest.”
“Oh.”
“We’re getting married in an hour.” He’d made all the arrangements in advance. Nuzzling her neck, he said, “We’d better get ready.
She nodded as excitement thrummed through her. An hour, she thought. It couldn’t come soon enough.”
~ * ~
The wedding chapel was white inside and out. Fresh greenery and baskets of red roses added a touch of color. The minister, a tall, gray-haired man clad in a black suit and tie, smiled at them as they walked toward him.
Bryn looked up at Conor askance when she saw Conor’s parents sitting on the front row.
“We needed witnesses,” he said, with a shrug. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“No. It’s a nice surprise.”
Kadie smiled at her. Saintcrow nodded.
“Mr. Saintcrow, please take your bride’s hand.”
“Gladly.”
“We are gathered here this night to join Conor Saintcrow and Brynlee Davis in holy matrimony. If there be any here who object to this marriage, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.” He glanced briefly at the couple on the front row. “Conor, do you take Brynlee to be your lawfully wedding wife....”
Brynlee never took her gaze from Conor’s face as he recited his vows, nor did he take his from hers. They might have been alone in the chapel. Her heart swelled as she murmured, “I do,” knew without a doubt that she had made the right decision when he took her in his arms and kissed her ever so tenderly, then whispered, “I will love you forever.”
After the minister took his leave, Kadie hugged Bryn. “Welcome to the family, daughter. We’re so happy Conor had the good sense to marry you.”
“Me, too,” Bryn said, with a grin.
“Saintcrow men always pick the best women,” Saintcrow said, giving Bryn a bear hug. “If he gives you any trouble, you come to me.”