Page 126 of Indecent Ventures

She shakes her head. “Are you doing a wedding morning instead of a wedding night?”

Collin smiles. “We decided to do both. We aim to be thorough.”

I look more closely at her. “Dr. Pearl, you’re not in a cardigan. I’ve never seen you without one. Are you in a dress? A sexy dress?” It’s lowcut and form-fitting. She has a nice body. Who knew?

“I’m not on the clock right now, Jade. This is a personal call just to wish you two well. I hope you have a magical day. I’m incredibly happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr. Pearl would like to wish you well. Would you like to meet him?”

“Hell yes.”

A younger, highly attractive man appears on the screen. He can’t be more than a few years older than Collin. I think both mine and Collin’s chins drop.

The man smiles. “Hello, Jade. Chastity speaks so highly of you. Congratulations.”

I’m speechless.

He shouts, “Can you hear me?”

I slightly regain my senses. “Yes, I’m sorry. Thank you.”

Dr. Pearl appears on the screen again. I look at her. “That’s Mr. Pearl? What in the ever-loving hell is going on? I was expecting Bob Barker, not Bradley Cooper.”

She gives a small, sly smile. “You may like older men, Jade, but I like them a little younger.” She winks and then waves at the camera. “Bye-bye. Have a great day.” The video feed ends.

Collin and I turn to each other in complete and total shock. I eventually manage, “Her fucking name is Chastity Pearl?”

* * *

I showerand make my way to the bridal room. Everyone is already there. I walk in and Mom breathes a sigh of relief. “There you are. We were worried that you weren’t coming.”

Cassandra looks me up and down. “No, Amanda, pay closer attention. She doesn’t look like someone with cold feet. She looks like someone who has been freshly fucked.”

I can only innocently shrug and smile.

Mom shakes her head. “That’s what you were doing on your wedding day?”

“I’m pretty sure fucking is a wedding day tradition.”

She scowls at me. “The tradition isafterthe ceremony, Jade. Not before.”

“I’m not really a traditional girl.”

I look around. “Where’s Tyson?”

“Sweetie, I told you that the sitter would be with him while he naps. We don’t want him cranky for the wedding.”

“Oh, right.”

Tyson McGinley Fitz busted into this world seventeen months ago and immediately stole my heart. I never considered myself maternal, and I worried about it throughout my entire pregnancy. But as soon as I saw my blond-haired, blue-eyed angel, all doubts went away. He’s my everything. Our everything. Collin is the most hands-on, loving, energetic, and fun father you could ever imagine. He adores Tyson, and Tyson equally adores him.

Collin begged me to marry him throughout the entire pregnancy. I wasn’t ready then, but a few months ago, I took Collin to the house we’re building for ourselves, that we designed together, and I proposed. It was followed by a rather intense round of machinery sex. It’s a good thing he’s in construction so there will always be machines around.

Speaking of construction, after that day in the park, Collin officially broke free from his family business. C Squared quickly became one of the most respected construction companies in Philadelphia, specializing in custom, innovative homes and small offices. Braden left the family business and now works for Collin.

Collin’s relationship with his family also changed after that day in the park. His father very much respects the new company that Collin has built. He proudly shows photos of Collin’s projects to anyone who will listen.

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