“You felt the same way when you saw me again when I returned, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I was still afraid we’d do something you’d regret. But I couldn’t help myself. I wanted you so badly, more than I ever wanted another woman. I was afraid you’d get hurt. You know me. I didn’t think I could commit.” He chuckled, shaking his head, playing with her fingers. “Who knew I’d fall madly in love with you?”
Catie sighed. “Those have got to be the sweetest words I’ve ever heard.”
“Well, sugar, you’re going to be hearing them a lot. Because I’m never going to get tired of saying them.” He took both her hands in his. “I love you, Catie Bay McCray. Now and always. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making you and our children happy. You won’t regret marrying me. I promise you.”
“Oh, Chad.”
“And no more secrets between us. We tell each other everything, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I just thought of the perfect wedding gift for you, too.”
“What?”
“One of those things old ladies wear around their necks to call for help, for when you fall all over your clumsy ass.” His eyes glittered with amusement.
She broke into laughter. “I think I’ll be okay. Heck, if I can walk down that runway in a green bikini, I can do anything now.”
“Something else, sugar. From now on, you wear that green bikini only for me.”
“Chad, it wasn’t near as revealing as what Amber and some of the others wore.”
“Maybe not. But you’re my woman. My wife. And those jewels of yours are for my eyes only now.”
“Okay.” Her cheeks warmed.
“You can tell those frisky Frenchmen to keep their paws off you, too. Like I told you that day in the stable, you’re mine and you always will be.”
“Frisky Frenchmen?”
“Yeah, that blond pretty boy had you in a tight clinch when I showed up. I nearly punched his lights out.”
Catie laughed. “Christian
? And Dominic? Oh, Chad, that’s too funny.”
“Nothing funny about it from where I’m standing. They can leave you well enough alone. Were either of them ever…more than friends, Catie? Did they insist that you come back here?”
“They are wonderful friends, and they’d do anything in the world for me, but I swear to you, it’s nothing more than that.” She burst into giggles again.
“What’s so damn funny?”
“It’s just that…there could never be anything between me and either Christian or Dominic.”
“Why not? You’re beautiful. The most beautiful woman in the world.”
“They might actually agree with you, but it wouldn’t matter.” She tightened her grip on his hand. “They’re lovers, Chad. They’re gay.”
Chapter Twenty
“You guys are too much,” Catie said. “You don’t have to do this, especially since I’m already married.”
“And miss the chance to put together a wedding for our good friend?” Dominic toyed with Catie’s veil. “We’d never forgive you. We live for this kind of thing.”
“I’ve always wanted to get married in Notre Dame Cathedral,” Catie said. “Too bad the wait list is a mile long.”