Authors: Colleen Masters,Hearts Collective
Tags: #romance, #Romantic Comedy, #Contemporary, #Sports, #Coming of Age, #New Adult & College, #Genre Fiction, #Literature & Fiction
Faster Hotter (21 page)
“It’s not that, Mrs. Davies,” he grins, testing out my brand new name on his tongue, “It’s just that it’s customary for me to carry you over the threshold.”
“Harrison,” I laugh, “You can’t carry me now.”
“Why not?” he replies.
“Umm, look at me,” I tell him, gesturing toward the swell that rises beneath my ivory gown. I haven’t gone to any lengths to hide my six-month baby belly from the rest of the world. My high-waisted, flowing dress sits perfectly well on my blossoming body. Long, lacy sleeves cascade down my arms, and the generous train trails down the hallway after us.
“All I see is my beautiful bride,” Harrison says, resting a tender hand on my belly.
“Your bride is just a bit heavier these days. I wouldn’t want you to throw out your—Harrison!” I cry, as he scoops me up into his arms.
“You were saying?” he smiles, walking down the hall with ease.
“Show off,” I grin, kissing him on the cheek.
This isn’t the first time Harrison has carried me to bed. The very night before I found out I was expecting, a scene very similar to this one played out. But never before and never again will it be the night of our wedding. I let Harrison have his moment and carry me into our suite. He sets me down gently, being more careful than ever since he learned of my special cargo. I take in the sight of him in his tux as he checks the lock on the door. My gorgeous husband.
We decided for a small, quick wedding—though not quite as small and quick as Bex and Charlie’s. We settled on France for the venue's setting, somewhere between England and Italy, of course. Our ceremony took place in a stately little park beside the river, along a tree-lined path. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect as Enzo walked me down our makeshift aisle, toward the place where Harrison waited for me.
About fifty people or so came out for our nuptials. Our families and friends, of course, but also quite a few of our team members. McClain and Ferrelli are us much family to Harrison and I as our flesh and blood, after all. It only seemed right that they be in attendance. I have to say, watching the owners of both teams make small talk over appetizers at the reception was rather hilarious.
The after party took place in a fine, elegant hotel in the middle of Paris. Harrison and I danced as much as my feet could stand, drank sparkling cider, and made our exit as the clock struck twelve. We wanted most of our wedding night to ourselves, to marvel at the fact that we’re now husband and wife.
“Look at you,” Harrison breathes, drinking in the sight of me, “I never thought in a million years that my bride would be this beautiful.”
“I never thought in a million years that I’d get you into a tux,” I grin, “But here we are.”
“Here we are,” he says, taking my hand and kissing it sweetly.
“This place is gorgeous,” I sigh, looking around at our sprawling suite. “Man, how many hotel rooms have we been in together? Sneaking around, stealing moments when we could—it feels like another life.”
“It was, I think,” Harrison says, wrapping his arms around my belly as we look out the window at the city of Paris.
“Did you ever think we’d make it this far?” I ask him, admiring our reflection in the darkened window.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get to be so lucky,” he says, looking down into my chocolate eyes with his royal blues. “But I do think I was hoping from the start that you’d keep me around.”
“Well, now it’s official,” I say, loosening the pins in my hair, letting my curls fall down around my shoulders.
“I wonder if the little guy will have your curls?” Harrison muses, looking at me reverently. “I hope he looks exactly like you.”
“You realize he’d be a clone of Enzo, then?” I point out.
“Well...maybe not exactly,” Harrison backtracks.
We only just found out that we’re having a boy a couple of weeks ago. It was like an early wedding present for us. I didn’t have a preference, either way, but knowing that we’re going to have a little boy makes this whole thing feel so much realer. As if my swelling belly and insatiable need for chocolate weren’t clues enough. We’ve already decided to name him Alfie, after my dad.
“Did you see our moms chatting it up at the reception?” Harrison asks, sinking down onto the couch to take off his shoes, “They actually get along. Who knew?”
“I’m as surprised as you are,” I say, sitting down next to him, “They’re both a bit...um...”
“Domineering?” Harrison offers.
“You said it, not me,” I insist.
Jackie Davies is never going to be warm and cuddly toward me, that’s a fact. But a funny thing happened the second she found out I was carrying her grandchild—she started to like me a whole lot more. Hey, I’ll take it.
“Today was perfect,” I say to Harrison, leaning against him as we enjoy the view, the peace and quiet.
“I hope it was everything you always dreamed out,” he says.
“I was never really the type to think about my dream wedding,” I tell him, “I honestly never even thought it would happen to me. I thought I’d be a career woman, and nothing else. But it looks like I get to have my cake and eat it, too.”
“It’s great that the owners have come around to giving you the responsibility you deserve,” Harrison says.
“It was actually easier to convince them, once we were engaged and pregnant,” I say, “Probably because no one writes tabloid articles about the happily married.”
“That’s probably it,” Harrison says, “And they even forgave you for punching that reporter in New York?”
“Are you kidding?” I ask, “Once they knew I did it to protect the heir apparent of F1, they practically gave me a medal of honor.”
“I’ll be damned,” Harrison says, “Isn’t everything just coming up roses?”
“For now it is,” I say, “But it’s going to be hard work going forward. We’ll have our careers, our teams, our families, our new little family of our own—”
“I’m not worried,” Harrison says.
“But it’s going to be a crazy juggling act,” I press, “We’ll be traveling, and working, and raising our son—”
“Hey,” Harrison says, cupping my chin in his hand, “What is it you’re always telling me? If anyone can handle all of this, we can. You have faith in that, don’t you?”
“Of course,” I say.
“I know it’s going to be hard. Every marriage is hard. But that’s part of it. We’re a team, Siena, and a damn good one at that. Whatever we run up against, we’ll be able to take it. Because there’s no other option. This is the only life I want, right here, with you.”
“With us,” I say, nodding toward my belly, “Even better.”
“You just have to promise me one thing right now,” I say.
“Anything,” Harrison replies.
“If Alfie decides he wants to go be a doctor, or an accountant, or a dog walker, we have to let him,” I say.
“Deal,” Harrison laughs, “Though be honest, Siena. Do you really see him wanting to do anything but race?”
“No,” I sigh, “He wouldn’t be ours if he did.”
“I love you, my darling,” Harrison says, bringing his lips to my neck, “My beautiful wife...”
I lay back against the pillowy cushions as Harrison kisses along my collarbone. Paris sprawls out before us in all its sparkling beauty. This would never have been the wedding night I would have expected—it’s far, far better than that. Harrison pulls me onto his lap, pressing his lips to mine.
“Help me out of this dress,” I whisper deviously.
“I suppose that’s my duty, as your husband,” he smiles, “Or rather, my privilege.”
“Look at my bad boy race car driver,” I say, standing as Harrison works the zipper down my back, “I should have known you were a big softy from the start.”
“We’ll see about that,” he says, shrugging off his suit coat. His rippling muscles are barely restrained by his fine white shirt. I can’t believe I get to call this man my husband.
I step out of my wedding gown, take Harrison by the hand, and lead him to bed once more. We’ve had to get creative with our lovemaking of late, what with the bump and all, but we make do just fine. In fact, I think Harrison adores my body now more than ever.
Our entire future plays out in my head as we fall into bed together. I’m sure there will plenty of stops and starts, mishaps and accidents. But there will also be love. And family. And Harrison Davies, for the rest of my life. It’s going to be a crazy ride, but as far as I’m concerned, this life is a race we’ve already won.
# # #
THE END
I hope you all enjoyed Siena and Harrison's story. I'm so sad to see these characters go...but at least they both ended up where they belong, happily ever after in each other's arms.
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