“Me too,” Wesley said, knowing he would never be her legal husband, but he would still care for her and love her just as much as Anthony.
The wordlovegripped his heart and he shook his head. No. He couldn’t care about a woman enough to tell her he loved her because that would make him vulnerable.
“In three days, we’re going to be man and wife.”
“I can’t wait,” Pearl said, grabbing both men and hugging them. “I’m so excited to finally be your wife.”
Wesley felt the same. He couldn’t wait to claim her and make her theirs.
Back at the quilt, she sank onto Wesley’s lap. “You’re going to be my husband.”
“Yes,” he said, kissing her neck, his hands going to the bodice of her dress. Anthony lifted her skirts and she spread her legs for him.
“Today is the last day we will see you before the ceremony. We want you so hot and ready for us that night that you can’t wait to go home with us.”
“So I don’t get an orgasm today?”
“No, honey, you’re going to have to wait just like us,” Anthony said, kissing the side of her neck.
CHAPTER10
Three fucking days that seemed to last forever. Anthony didn’t think they would ever end. But now here they were. Their wedding day.
The men stood waiting for their soon-to-be wife to walk down the stairs just like they had over a week ago.
His mind went to his first wedding and he couldn’t help but think how different it was from this one. The church had been filled when Georgia, in a white wedding gown, walked down the aisle with her father.
They had been so young and full of promises to each other. Eager to start their life together.
Today, he still felt eager to marry Pearl, but this time, he was no longer a young man, and life had dealt him many blows. He only hoped that their life together would be simple, easy, and filled with love. It was his fervent prayer that the house he planned on building for them would be filled with love and laughter and the sound of tiny ones running through the house, laughing.
But he still wasn’t certain he could get Pearl pregnant. Time would tell and how could they tell his child from Wesley’s baby? They couldn’t. But they would all be loved, one and the same.
“Here she comes,” Wesley said.
Anthony thought Pearl looked even more beautiful this afternoon in the glow of the candles as she descended the stairs.
When she reached them, she smiled at each man. “Hello, my soon-to-be husbands,” she said.
“You look stunning,” Anthony replied.
“Beautiful and I’m so happy you’re marrying us,” Wesley told her. That was funny coming from the man who said he didn’t want to get married. Now, he was infatuated and couldn’t wait for tonight.
“Thank you,” she said, grinning. “We’re going to be happy. I just know it.”
The doctor stood before them. “Dearly beloved…”
The words were the same ritual as before, and yet Anthony was pledging Pearl his heart, his love, and everything that he owned and more. This marriage he wanted to be happy and last forever. This marriage, he wanted that family he’d dreamed of but never had.
“You may kiss your bride,” the doctor said.
Anthony pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly and she returned his kiss. When he released her, Wesley stepped in and kissed her.
She was theirs. Their wife. Their love, and soon, he would tell her that he cared for her. That he was falling in love with her, but just not tonight. Tonight was all about them joining.
They were led outside to where long tables had been set up. While he had to thank the doctor and Aunt Grace, this could not end soon enough for him.
He was ready to experience their wedding night and the sun had not even gone down yet.