Disclaimer: Not mine!
Author's Note: Wow, 2011's almost behind us! Pretty crazy, right? I know it'll take me a while to get used to 2012... Especially when I'm writing the date on my paper! Anyhoo...
Thanks to my anonymous reviewers PandoraHart and Blossom. I'm so glad you're enjoying my fic!
A special thanks to the wonderful Yellow-Lamborghini for her help when I hit a little rut at the end of this chapter. (Go read her Reds story! It's fantastic!)
Anyways, if you like weddings, I think you'll like this chappie! ;D
...
As maids finally stepped out of the room to give Blossom a few moments of peace before the ceremony, the redhead started to shake. It was the first time she had been alone since last night when she discovered that her fiancé was a French spy who probably wanted to kill her. Turning to the vanity, she saw that all the color had been drained from her face and her teeth chattered in apprehension.
The redhead looked absolutely breathtaking in her snow white gown with pearl and beaded accents, her copper locks rolled up in an intricate, elegant bun and a few dashes of powder and color to her porcelain face. She looked the part of the beautiful bride, but she certainly didn't feel like it.
Taking in a deep breath, she sat down on her plush stool and tried to steady her ragged breathing and calm her thumping heart.
She could run away so Brick would never find her and she could move to the country and build a bucolic life that- No, that would never work. With only a half hour before the ceremony and her father's manor teeming with the security Brick had ever so graciously provided for a reason beyond her (perhaps so his bride wouldn't leave him at the altar, Blossom thought sardonically), there's no way she could escape.
That left her with one option- marry him. Her heart lurched. She couldn't marry a French spy, a killer! Suddenly, her eyes widened in understanding. As much as she wanted to get away from him, perhaps this marriage could be a good thing. She could get close to Brick and discover his secrets and collect incriminating evidence that would put a stop to his traitorous activities once and for all. In fact, who better to wed and infiltrate the French spy than Lady B herself!
Blossom found her resolution returning, as well as the color in her cheeks. Another reassuring thought occurred to her then. Brick and the French were after Lady B, not the soon-to-be Duchess of York. As long as he didn't discover that they were one and the same, Brick would have no reason to hurt his bride. As long as she gained his trust by doing whatever he wished of her, Blossom would be safe. The redhead found herself coloring at thoughts of Brick would want of her. Especially on their wedding night! Her blush was returning much too quickly now.
Twiddling her thumbs, she tried to forget how her heart lurched in excitement every time she saw him. She had to forget the magnetic hold his touch had on her.
If she wanted to succeed and bring an end to this all, she needed to table her heart and its irrational response to the duke's wit, charm and insidious smirk and use her brain to solve this puzzle instead.
...
Brick impatiently fingered his cravat as his thoughts centered around the woman he would wed in a few minutes. Brick of York was never nervous; no, if anything, he was angry. Angry at his blushing fiancée for leading him to believe she was such a proper, demure, innocent woman and angry at himself for believing her ruse. The minute he laid eyes on her in the tavern and at the ball, he knew there was something amiss about her; she always seemed to be a hiding something and now that Brick knew what it was, he would ensure that she would pay dearly for her deception.
She was incredibly intelligent, that was undeniable, but she was also a woman and Brick had plenty of experience with her kind. As much as he hated seeing a beautiful woman at the gallows, he had to protect his country and if the conniving chit was a true threat, Brick would take her there himself. It pained him to think that Blossom, a woman whom he found himself attracted to immediately for her grace and moral rectitude, was guilty of one of the highest crimes a person could commit.
He was facing a rather formidable foe considering how effortlessly she pulled off such wool in front of his eyes. He needed to forget how wonderful she made him feel and focus on discovering what else she was hiding and turn her over to the proper authorities.
Still, it all didn't add up. Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, he knew there was another part of the puzzle and he needed to figure it out.
His blond brother who stood beside him in front of the altar, mistook his grim expression for wedding jitters and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry, Brick. It'll all turn out just fine," he said reassuringly.
"And if this doesn't work out, we'll just pick you out a fine mistress," the brunet brother whispered, a teasing glint sparkling in his emerald eyes.
The redhead simply nodded, forcing a smile at his brothers before returning his eyes to the marble floor of Westminster Abbey. While neither of their words were particularly reassuring, it assuaged him to know that no matter what happened, his faithful brothers would be at his side.
A few moments later, the orchestra began to play and the radiant bridesmaids filed down the aisle, stopping appropriately before the altar, lined up in perfect precision. As the last ones, Blossom's blonde and brunette sisters, came to their places opposite Brick's own brothers, the music became louder and the guests stood up from the pews.
Craning his neck to the entrance to get a glimpse at his bride, Brick didn't even notice the glances their siblings exchanged with one another. Narrowing his eyes, he saw a woman in angelic white with an older man on her arm. As the two walked slowly into view, Brick didn't have to force a smile at seeing his bride.
She looked breathtakingly resplendent in her glittering snow gown; her copper locks sparkling in the light and her coral eyes glistening in prenuptial pride. Blossom was determined to keep a straight face during the processional, but seeing the longing look in Brick's eyes caused her blush and made an involuntary smile appear on her rosy lips.
The duke couldn't keep his eyes off of Blossom and with every dainty, poised step she took closer to him, he felt his heart thump faster in his chest. At that moment, it seemed absolutely impossible for such an angel to be guilty of the crimes she was. It baffled him, but his thoughts quickly dissipated as she reached the altar and her father handed her off to Brick.
When their hands touched and their eyes locked, an ineffable feeling surged through them. Both were secretly studying the other for clues, but neither could deny the powerful attraction that pulled them together.
As the priest cleared his throat and the church fell into a silence as he started the invocation, neither redhead could stop smiling nor take their eyes off the other.
...
"Congratulations yous too," a lanky earl with a faint green complexion said to the newlyweds outside of the church.
"Thank you, Earl Greene," the redheaded duke nodded politely, signaling him to move on so the couple could greet the other guests.
"You wouldn't happen to know where your sister is, would you?" Greene whispered to Blossom, keeping his voice low because both knew such a question was highly improper.
The new duchess's eyes widened, knowing he wanted Buttercup, and she looked behind her to see both of her sisters engaged in lively conversation with her brothers-in-law. She smiled softly, but returned to the earl, "Sorry, Ace. I think she's a little busy at the moment."
The earl frowned, muttered something and moved along. Blossom let out a sigh of relief, causing Brick to look at her curiously.
"He's been courting Buttercup for a while now," she explained softly, not wanting the others to hear. To everyone else, it looked like the newlyweds were engaged in a loving discussion, basking in nuptial glow.
Brick nodded knowingly, but turned to the next guest instead of responding.
"Dexter, it's good to see that you made it," the duke said tightly. Brick never liked him and seeing the way the lanky archduke eyed his new wife made his distaste for the man only grow.
"Of course, I would never miss this ceremony," Dexter replied primly, but allowed his eyes to wander to Blossom.
Not sure how to respond, she let her eyes flutter down demurely. Still latched onto Brick's arm, Blossom felt ironically safe in his embrace under Dexter's discomfiting stare. She wondered how she ever thought she had feelings for the man. It was odd how given the chance to do it all over again, Blossom still would've picked insidious Brick despite the danger he brought. Whereas Dexter was bland and flat, Brick was exciting and passionate and stirred all types of new feelings in Blossom in spite of the grim truth of his loyalty.
Realizing that the couple had nothing left to say, Dexter took leave and the next guest stepped up.
"Princess, thank you for gracing us with your presence," Blossom said dryly. Princess was too vacuous to pick up on her improperly sarcastic greeting, so Blossom had no qualms in saying it. Brick merely looked at his new wife amusedly.
"It was no trouble," the amber-eyed royal said haughtily, not giving her rival another glance. Turning towards Brick, her eyes widened and she puffed out her chest almost shamelessly.
Blossom had to suppress a gasp at Princess's outrageous behavior and at her wedding, for goodness sake! Irking Blossom further, Brick didn't seem to mind the display and looked at the princess of Britain curiously.
"Brick, dear, I do hope we remain friends," the chestnut-haired termagant batted her eyelashes hopefully. "I can only imagine the toll this marriage will take on you, and if you need anything- anything, dear, don't hesitate to ask," she whispered suggestively as she stepped closer to him, going so far as reaching out to stroke his cravat.
Blossom could only look on in silent fury as her husband carefully removed Princess's claws and cordially responded to her statement before she left. As the remaining guests approached the couple one by one, Blossom couldn't stop thinking about how intimately connected Princess and her husband seemed and she couldn't stop wondering how well they really knew each other.
She smile wryly, recognizing her petty jealousy when there were important things at stake. Mentally chiding herself, Blossom knew she had to remember the important things.
"Are you alright, love?" Brick asked softly. He mentally cursed at allowing that term of endearment to slip in, but he had noticed a change in her behavior earlier and wanted to make sure it wasn't dangerous.
Blossom involuntarily blushed at his sentiment and looked down, unable to formulate a response. She mentally berated herself for not being able to control her blushes.
Brick curiously watched her and being in such close proximity to her, felt her soften against him. Suddenly, he realized that a change in strategy was in order. His conniving wife played the besotted bride well and if his sweet nothings were enough to physically bring down her barrier, then perhaps he ought to play seduction against her instead.
Carefully, the petite redhead let her eyes flutter upward and seeing Brick's dazzling smile, she had a similar change of heart. Reminding herself that she shouldn't fear him, she smiled back, hoping her beam was as radiant as his. Perhaps she could let her brain take a brake and let her grace take its place. The duke seemed to appreciate her blushes and smiles and Blossom quickly realized that they could be used to gain his trust, allowing her to learn more about the other redhead and his role in this mess. While it seemed farfetched that he would confess his crimes to her if she enticed him, using her beauty and natural attraction for him to get closer was surely a good start.
Eyes sparkling, "As long as I'm with you, Brick," Blossom murmured demurely, her words much more sincere than she wished them to be.
...
"Blossom, I must say you handled Princess quite well," Bubbles exclaimed as she gazed at her older sister as a servant handed the blonde a drink. Shortly after the wedding, all of the guests had gathered at Brick's manor for hor d'oeuvres and mingling before the grand wedding dinner. Blossom's sisters stayed by her side as she met her guests and the duke and his brothers did the same, but on the opposite side of the large foyer.
"If it were me, I would've knocked her out cold the moment she touched him," Buttercup said wryly, agreeing with her sister's statement. Blossom smiled in response. She always strived to be a good role model for her sisters. Dealing with Princess was hard enough, but at least she had done so in the most proper manner.
"The nerve! After breaking off her engagement with him, she starts flirting with him on his wedding day! How despic-" the blonde stopped mid-sentence when she saw the redhead's incredulous expression. "Blossom, are you alright?"
"I'm sorry, did you say Brick and Princess were engaged?" Blossom blinked, unable to comprehend what her sister was saying.
"Yeah, it was a few years back. Big scandal and all that. Everyone knows about it," Buttercup frowned, taking a sip of her drink. Looking up at Blossom's horrified expression, she blanched. "Shit, Blossom, you didn't know about it?" she said, her voice hushed.
The redhead simply shook her head weakly, "No one told me..." she murmured, looking down. It was too much to absorb all at once; Princess, her biggest rival, had been with Brick before she had? Her heart sank. Why didn't Brick mention this when she asked him about Princess the night they first met? What if they still had feelings for each other?
And why did all this even matter to her? Blossom shouldn't care about Brick. She shouldn't. But she couldn't help it.
"Blossom, he picked you. He married you. Not her. Please don't think about it like that," the blue-eyed sister whispered as she came beside her to wrap a comforting arm around the new duchess.
Blossom tried to smile in agreement, but she couldn't. "Only because he had to," she laughed mirthlessly.
"No, he didn't have to. He wanted to, Bloss," the green-eyed sister said this time, taking an emphatic step towards her. "He could've married that witch and become prince, or even king, but they broke it off and he's with you now. You're not blind enough to miss the way he looks at you. Blossom, it's love if I've ever seen it," Buttercup finished, uncharacteristically gentle, as she took her sister's hands into her own and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Blossom couldn't disagree with her sister's logic. She made a good point. "You're right, you two. Why should I be jealous of Princess?" she finally let out a small smile.
"You're married now and you're going to be very happy," Bubbles stated resolutely, looking at the redhead.
"Especially after tonight," Buttercup winked salaciously.
Blossom blanched. Out of everything she was worried about all day -investigating Brick, playing the part of the besotted bride, keeping her temper with Princess, organizing the wedding dinner-, the night's activities had completely eluded her mind. How could she forget what she would be forced to do after this dinner? She swallowed.
"You have nothing to be nervous about. I'm sure the duke will be an excellent teacher," Bubbles giggled. Blossom frowned. Her sisters seemed to be enjoying this ribaldry!
"Now go," Buttercup pushed her sister towards the dining hall. "I can see that your husband is eagerly awaiting for you to join him at the table," she grinned.
...
"How did you know my favorite dishes?" Brick asked curiously his wife as he put his fork in his mouth.
Currently eating dinner, Brick was exhausted from the events of the day. Between overseeing the preparation of his mansion for Blossom's arrival, the actual wedding, greeting the guests and listening to their licentious commentary concerning his evening, keeping Princess at a comfortable distance, managing the Foreign Embassy remotely though Elmer and doting excessively on his new wife, Brick almost considered falling asleep as soon as he could.
Looking over at the beautiful redhead seated beside him, who was engaged in lively conversation with her sisters and Lady Sara; at his wife who looked absolutely radiant, laughing in her rose gown, Brick quickly nixed the idea of foregoing his husbandly privileges of the evening. Turning his full attention towards his bride, he reached out for one of her curls subconsciously and before he knew it, she had turned to face him in response, only to meet his crimson gaze and quickly look downcast demurely.
"I'm glad you're enjoying dinner, Brick," she murmured softly before her long lashes fluttered upward again. She smiled warmly at the duke, seemingly content in his presence. While she wasn't unhappy to be at his side, seated at the dais in the front of the room, her mind was alert and quickly absorbing her new surroundings.
Raised in Utonium Manor her entire life, Blossom had to quickly become accustomed to Brick's mansion and his mannerisms before she could execute her plan. She had to focus, but Brick's mercurial actions like playing with her hair were detracting from her concentration. With a final glance in his direction, she returned to her dinner and carefully cut a piece of veal before elegantly placing it in her mouth. She returned to her conversation with her familiar friends, unsure what to say to Brick.
Surely their minds were thinking about the same thing -the evening they would soon share- but that talk was hardly appropriate for such a formal dinner. Still, somehow that didn't stop their guests from constantly bringing up the topic, Blossom thought wryly.
So engaged in conversation with her sisters and mentor, desperately trying to forget her imminent fate, Blossom didn't notice the surreptitious glances Brick threw around the dining hall, as if he was anxiously looking for someone.
His red eyes suddenly narrowed at a single point against the opposite wall, focusing on a scrawny, speckled blond with an baleful look on his face. Brick frowned, knowing that something was wrong.
"There's a quick piece of business I must address, love. Do excuse me," Brick picked up Blossom's free hand and gently kissed it before carefully stepping away from the table. Blossom was immensely curious about what her husband was up to, but couldn't follow him, lest she raise his suspicions. She nodded softly as he left, wondering to herself what traitorous activity he would soon do.
...
As an unexpected pin popped out of her elegant coif, the pink-eyed duchess had momentarily excused herself from dinner so she could quickly fix it. Finding a powder room and an eager maid, the pin was swiftly put back into place and Blossom was free to return to her guests.
Not entirely familiar with the layout of her new home just yet, the redhead accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up in an unfamiliar area. She was about to retrace her steps and find her way back when she heard an unexpectedly familiar voice. Blossom's coral eyes widened and in fear, she fell into a cranny, pressed up against cold stone.
"Damn it, Elmer. I told you to find her!" a voice that sounded distinctly like her husband exclaimed.
"Sorry, my lord, but we need more time. We have no leads," another voice who had to be Elmer, said sadly.
Brick sighed, "Sorry, Elmer. This isn't your fault. But you know how important it is for the country. We need to find Lady B."
Blossom's heart lurched. He was sending people around the city looking for her! Brick was ruthless; even on their wedding night, he was fixated on finding the spy. She blanched, wondering what he would do once he found her. Or rather, Lady B.
"Absolutely, my lord. We will," Elmer promised before his receding footsteps signaled that he was leaving.
Blossom let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding and decided that she needed to return to dinner before Brick. He couldn't realize that she was missing, especially since he would connect the dots and surmise that she had eavesdropped on his private conversation. All sense and logic told her to get off the wall and walk back to the dinner, but when she heard another set of footsteps enter the study, she froze in place.
Brick had another visitor. Who could it be?
...There was only one way to find out.
"Brickie, why did you do this?" a shrill, but familiar voice, asked softly, aware of the circumstances.
Blossom swallowed. She knew that awful sound from a mile away; it was Princess. Her eyes narrowed in anger at that woman being in her husband's private quarters. Her heart sank when she remembered their intimate relationship; it fell even further when she surmised why they were there together. Shutting her eyes firmly to hold back welling tears, Blossom gathered her skirts and quietly, but swiftly, returned to her proper place in the dining hall.
How could I expect him to be faithful to his wife when he can't even be faithful to his country? she chided herself, holding back hot tears.
...
"Princess, you shouldn't be here," Brick narrowed his crimson eyes at her.
"Brickie, I had to see you," she exclaimed, taking a step towards him. She reached out and draped her hands around his strong neck. "I can't believe you actually went through with this," she murmured, genuine sadness in her voice.
Brick growled, prying her hands off of him as he gave her a steady glare, "What we had, Princess, if we even had anything, is long gone and you ought to get over me. I'm a married man now."
"That's never stopped anyone before," the royal licked her lips invitingly, completely ignoring his words.
"Have you even stopped to consider that I might love my wife? That I might not have feelings for you anymore?" Brick glowered at her desperation. Even in his anger, he was surprised how easily those words slipped from his mouth. As if he actually felt them; as if they were actually true.
Princess scoffed, "You two have fooled everyone. Everyone but me! I know about your little lie. You don't love her because you've only known her for a week!" she cried. "You didn't propose to her in that library because neither of you were even there!"
Brick growled, his red eyes flickering in understanding, "Then why did you tell everyone that?" his voice menacingly low.
Princess's amber eyes widened when she realized she had accidentally given away the truth. She frowned, deciding it would be fruitless to deny it, "It was supposed to destroy that damn Blossom and bring you back to me! But it clearly didn't work," she glowered.
"Clearly," Brick said dryly. Carefully studying her, he shook his head in pity, "I didn't think you capable of something like that, Princess. But I was wrong. You're not welcome here."
Her eyes widened in desperation, "Brick, please-"
"I should thank you for bringing Blossom to me, you witch, but I am not a plaything for you to manipulate. You're not welcome here. Get the hell out of my house," the redhead narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"You can't do that! I'm the Princess!" she cried.
"And I don't give a damn. Get out," he demanded. When she refused to move, he simply walked by her impassively, straightening his cravat before he left.
The duke smirked as he reentered the hall, his eyes resting on his bride and his thoughts pondering what he would soon do to her in the privacy of their wedding chamber.
...
"Love, I believe it's time for us to retire," Brick said softly, smirking as he turned towards his wife. She turned a ripe shade of scarlet, but nodded weakly in assent, understanding what she had to do. The duke turned back towards his guests and formally announcing his and his new wife's departure, stood up and gave Blossom his hand.
Everyone shared knowing glances and whispered either words of ribaldry or encouragement as the couple retreated from the dining hall to their wing. Brick led her into a hallway with two rooms, one his and one hers.
"I'll give you a few minutes to prepare before joining you in your chamber," her husband gallantly declared before taking her hand and gracing it with a parting kiss.
Stepping into her room, Blossom's eyes widened at the luxury it held; the bed was enormous, the walls were tall, the fire was softly roaring and two maids stood at her side. But the redhead's awe was short-lived; once she spotted the only garment in the entire room -a diaphanous silk chemise-, she blanched. It was a soft rose and quite plush, but as she fingered the ephemeral material, her confidence began to waver.
She swallowed as her maids began carefully unbuttoning her gown and the myriad layers of clothing under it. She was frozen in place, her thoughts digressing, stirring up every apprehension and fear she had at the moment.
It felt like she only blinked and her rich gown had been replaced with the revealing chemise that made no effort to hide any of her milky skin. Her coif had been neatly uncoiled and her loosely curled copper locks adorned her shoulders and part of her back. Turning towards the mirror, she could tell how pale she was turning.
She almost started shaking like she had earlier in the day, thinking about her villainous husband. Not only was he -a duke, a man of the king, no less!- working against his mother land to support odious France, but he was ardently hunting her alter ego down. He was a murderer who had killed her good friend Mike and an unfaithful husband who was dallying with her archrival.
She wiped the nascent tears from the corners of her coral eyes and took deep, steady breaths to console herself. It would be quick, then she could curl into a ball, and when she recovered from the shame, she would find enough evidence to lock him away and gain her freedom.
Blossom's frantic thoughts were put to a stop when she heard the door click open and heavy footsteps fall in. She spun around to face her imminent duty, but when she locked eyes with her husband, he looked nothing like she had expected.
The redhead had prepared herself to bed a cheater, traitor and murderer; what she wasn't ready to see was a handsome man who gazed lovingly at her and softened, seeing her watery eyes.
Brick too was taken by surprise. In the minutes preceding his entry, he had wondered how the seductress would complete her task. He had even taken the precaution of removing from her room every item that could be used as a weapon, lest her murderous tendencies reappear later that night when he had fallen asleep. The last thing he thought he would encounter was a vulnerable, visibly trembling bride who couldn't be feigning terror. She looked genuinely afraid, something that sharply contrasted with the duke's preconceived notion of her brazenly improper character.
"Love, what's wrong?" Brick whispered, reaching out to touch her elbow. She recoiled slightly at contact, but quickly recovered.
Blossom merely shook her head to deny his implication and took a weak step into his arms. She couldn't bear this; she thought she was strong enough to handle Brick, but with such conflicting thoughts and a foreboding feeling pooling her stomach, she just wanted it all to be over.
The duke could feel her shaking and wrapping his hands around her waist, he dropped his head to the crook of her neck and buried himself in her soft, fluffy curls. Inhaling her enticing rose scent, he murmured, "There's nothing to fear," he consoled her. Even if she denied it, Brick knew she was terrified.
She tepidly nodded in assent.
Tiring of her submissive demeanor, Brick grabbed her dainty hands with his own and forced her to look him in the eye, "I won't hurt you. I could never hurt you, Blossom," he said softly, but resolutely. He let out a triumphant smile as her eyes regained some sparkle and she softened into his embrace. In the rush of the moment, he didn't stop to think twice at how effortlessly his reassuring words spilled out. He hadn't the time to concoct them, either; they were his true sentiments.
"I know," the redhead murmured, resting her head on his expansive, chiseled chest. "I just..." her words trailed off, a sudden constriction clutching her heart.
"You what?" Brick brushed a stray strand of hair from her porcelain face as he gazed into her wide coral eyes, wanting to know her thoughts.
"I-I know Princess saw you during dinner," Blossom blurted, unable to hold back what at the moment, had been hurting her the most. Eyes wide when she realized what she had said, the redhead immediately looked down, contrite. She shouldn't interfere with her husbands affairs, extramarital or not; as much as she detested the chauvinist rules of society, she knew her place and knew how egregious it was to break them.
"Did you hear what she said?" the duke looked down at her curiously, a smirk finding its way to his lips. "I never pegged you for the jealous type," he said lightly, causing Blossom to flush.
Surprised that he had simply teased her for her wholly inappropriate statement, the duchess turned scarlet. She stuttered, not out of fear this time but rather shock, "I-I didn't. And I'm not jealous. You're free to dally with whomever you'd like," the redhead said the latter statement almost imperceptibly quietly.
"I think you've misinterpreted what happened, but I will have to enlighten you tomorrow," Brick stated breezily. Turning his attention to her other remark, he added, "Am I free to take you?" he asked, his crimson eyes sparkling, finally taking in her voluptuous figure. It should have been the first thing he noticed, but her damn tears had torn his attention away from the important things.
Blossom had turned rosier than the color of her eyes and nodded demurely, her long lashes still looking down.
"I care about you, love. I hope you know that," Brick said gently before finally catching her lips in a kiss.
Comforted and distracted by his loving words, Blossom found herself eager to reciprocate his gesture. She let out a moan as he nibbled on her lower lip and was happy to oblige him by softly opening her mouth for him to taste. He pulled her closer and pressed up against hard, sinewy muscle, Blossom's nimble fingers trailed down his chest and herculean arms before reaching for his auburn locks while his strong hands explored her sublime curves.
Breathless, Blossom pulled away from the sensual kiss to take in a much-needed breath of air. Gently resting her head on his sculpted shoulder and slowly looking up to see his ardent features alight in pre-coital passion, the redhead whispered, "I care about you too, Brick."
"Well, then what are we waiting for?" he asked huskily as he reached under her knees to pull her into his arms before carrying her in her bridal position to their welcoming wedding bed.
...
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