Page 104 of Devoured By You

I nodded. “It is.”

“Oh, baby.” He held out his arms to me, and I sank into his embrace, hugging him and Lukas.

“You hear that, baby boy.” I kissed his hair, breathing in his unique smell. “You’re going to be a big brother.”

“Another baby.” Blay looked shell-shocked. He placed his hand on my stomach. “And this time, I get to be a part of it from the very beginning.”

Guilt tasted sour, sucking all the joy from the moment. I hung my head, shame licking through my veins. It was my fault Blay had missed out on most of my pregnancy. I’d never forgive myself for not sharing the news earlier. That he’d found out the way he had would be a source of regret for the rest of my life.

“Hey.” He tilted up my chin with his forefinger. “I know where that gorgeous mind of yours has gone, and I’m ordering you to quit.”

I lifted one eyebrow. “Ordering me?”

“Yes. I mean it, Tilly.”

The familiar nickname raised a smile, and the feeling of remorse lessened.

“I kind of like it when you boss me around.”

“Is that so?” He lowered his gaze to the gap in my robe. Reaching inside, he skated a finger over the swell of my breast. “You know, you never did tell me what the T stands for.”

“I guess you’ll have to wait for the wedding.” I giggled.

“Speaking of.” He picked up my hand, tracing the ring with his thumb. “How do you feel about bringing it forward? Before you start to show.”

“You’re only saying that because you can’t wait to find out my middle name.”

“It’s true. I’m transparent.” He ran his fingers over my cheekbone. “What say you, pretty lady?”

“I say that I’ll marry you anywhere, anytime, anyplace.”

“Today? Here?”

My forehead wrinkled. “What, in bed?”

“I mean, it’s an idea, but I was thinking more of on the ship, before we disembark. Enough of my family are here, and your closest friends are here, too. The captain can perform the ceremony.”

“But won’t your entire family expect an invite?”

He brandished his hand dismissively. “We’ll throw a party in a few weeks. That’ll satisfy them. They won’t be upset. I promise. Although, if you’d always dreamed of having a big event with a designer dress and a seven-tiered wedding cake, that’s perfect, too. Whatever you want.”

“I just want you. You and Lukas and our newest addition. Nothing else matters.”

He kissed me, then Lukas, and reached for the phone beside the bed.

“John,” he said. “Merry Christmas. There’s one more duty I need you to perform before you disembark.”

* * *

Considering it was Christmas Day, my friends and Blay’s family performed wonders, and at fifteen minutes to twelve, I walked down the makeshift aisle, holding a posy of pink and white flowers in a flowing white dress helicoptered in by… someone. I hadn’t a clue where it had come from or who’d designed it, only that I felt like a princess about to marry her prince. I locked gazes with Blay standing beside his brother Kadon, whom he’d chosen as his best man. The three brothers had a pact so they all got to perform the role once and no one felt left out or pushed to the side.

As I walked by, Raya looked on the verge of tears, Kelsey clutched her throat, and Addison gave me a goofy grin and stuck both thumbs in the air. Unlike Blay, I hadn’t been able to choose between my three best friends. In the end, we’d decided I wouldn’t have a maid of honor, and to have three at such a small gathering seemed like overkill. My friends didn’t care. All they wanted was for me to be happy.

And boy, was I happy. Deliriously so.

Blay’s mom bounced Lukas on her lap, and he played with the flower pinned to her floral dress, oblivious to the momentous occasion. I shot her a smile as I passed, then joined Blay in front of the captain.

John leaned forward, whispering to us both, “Ready?”

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