Her grin turns mischievous. Oh, this is going to be interesting…
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
LOLA
It turnsout New Falls has some pretty decent shops.
And I’m dragging Hunter Sterling by the hand through the main street like a woman on a mission, because I am. This was my condition. Today is still our wedding. Which may be slightly rushed, chaotic, and probably certifiable. But we’re at least going to get pictures worth framing. Something to look back on in fifty years and saythat was the day everything started.
I will be wearing a white dress. Hunter will be looking good enough to eat in a black suit and his sexy cowboy hat. And later, he’s going to fuck me the way it should be done on a wedding night.
This is our version. And it can still be perfect.
The bell above the door chimes as we step into an actual wedding boutique. I gasp. The room is full of white tulle and satin and lace hanging from every rail, veils draped over mannequin heads, crystal headpieces catching the light. Most of these dresses are way too much for today. Floor-length, beaded,the kind that takes six months to order and three bridesmaids to zip.
Perhaps our next wedding. Today I want something shorter. Low-key. But still sexy. Still enough to make Hunter’s jaw hit the floor.
An older lady smiles from behind the counter. “How can I help you?” she asks.
Hunter tips his hat, and I nudge him in the ribs. “We’re actually getting married this afternoon, and we’re looking for a dress and a suit.”
She looks between us. Then her eyes drop to my stomach. I frown, resting my hands over it instinctively.
Hunter chuckles. “No, Ruth. She’s not. I’m marrying her because I’m downright desperate to.”
Her eyes go wide.
I turn to him. “Do you know everyone in town?” I ask.
“I do.”
Ruth rushes around the counter, hands clasped together. “Well, congratulations!” she gushes.
Hunter walks ahead of me, scoping out the store with the casual authority of a man assessing square footage on a property he’s about to buy. Then he turns back to Ruth. “Any chance you’d let me and my girl have the store to ourselves for an hour?”
She glances at the clock on the wall and back at him. “One hour.”
He smiles. “An hour will be fine. Lock the door on your way out, please.”
Her eyes go wide, and he chuckles. “I’ll leave a generous tip on the counter, Ruth.”
She nods, and then she’s rummaging for her keys, grabbing her purse, and she’s out the door. Doing exactly as he said. Because everyone in this town does exactly as Hunter Sterling says.
He blows out a breath and takes off his hat, setting it on the counter. Then he disappears into the back. I follow out of pure curiosity and watch him reach up and flick off the security camera.
“Hunter Sterling… what are you planning?”
He bites his lip as he turns to face me. “Some peace and quiet while you find your perfect wedding dress,” he tells me, rubbing his hand over his stubble.
“Oh, yeah?” I hold his gaze. “Just peace and quiet.”
I reach up and slide one strap of my dress off my shoulder. Bite my lip.
He nods and takes a step forward.
I take one back.
This time, I slide the other strap down and push the dress to the floor. It piles at my feet in a puddle of fabric, and I’m standing in front of him in nothing but my lace panties and the diamond ring on my left hand.