Page 116 of Enticing Her Love

“You’ve worked hard at being the good one your whole life.”

“I haven’t…” The look on her face told her denying it would fall on deaf ears.

“Don’t think your mom and I haven’t noticed and appreciated it.” He embraced her, whispering, “But you’ve only got one life, angel, and you deserve to be happy.”

“Let’s go, you two,” Leni said. “We’ve got a wedding to put on!”

There was a rush of commotion as they made their way into the hall. Tara and Joey were the first to go downstairs, so Tara could take pictures of everyone else. Levi’s whistle rang out, followed by appreciative murmurs. The butterflies in Sutton’s stomach swarmed as she waited her turn. More whistles and compliments floated up the stairs as the others headed down.

When it was Sutton’s turn, she took a deep breath, making her way slowly down the stairs, holding the railing because she didn’t trust her wobbly knees. Flynn’s handsome face came into view. The look of adoration in his eyes was inescapable. The thrum of their connection, which she knew so well, wrapped around her like a lasso, filling her with surety and happiness, sending her anxiety skittering away.

Flynn took her hand as she came off the last step, boldly taking a long, lascivious look at her, while Tara took pictures, and her brothers watched on. His lips curved into a wolfish grin. “Damn, Steele. You sure clean up nice.”

She arched a brow, drinking him in, in his new shirt and slacks, and the tie that matched her dress perfectly. “You’re not so bad yourself, Braden.”

He drew her into his arms, his big hands blazing on her bare back as he whispered, “Seafoam green is my new favorite color. I bet it’ll look great on your bedroom floor.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and tucked her beneath his arm, leaving her heart full and her body reeling as they stepped back to let Meredith’s husband and children move forward.

Chapter Thirty-One

FLYNN SAT WITH Sutton by the vineyard with her and Indi’s families, waiting for the ceremony to begin. He had a pocket full of tissues, thanks to Steve, who had passed them out to all the men when they were setting up for the wedding. Flynn had always found weddings to be overblown. As if a couple’s entire relationship would be judged based on a few hours and a show they put on for others. But after helping Sutton’s father, brothers, sisters’ significant others, and friends prepare for the wedding, hanging lights, setting up tables and chairs, and erecting easels with beautiful photos of Archer and Indi—as many laughing as arguing—Flynn’s only thought was, This is how to put on a wedding. It was simple, elegant, and all about family and friends. They’d adorned wine barrels with beautiful flowers that trailed down the sides and strategically placed more barrels around the perimeter of the patio to be filled with ice for bottles of champagne. Tables were draped in white, decorated with gorgeous white lilies and red roses, and twinkling lights were strung in the trees around the patio and along the stone wall between the vineyard and the winery. The bottoms of glass vase centerpieces were encased in small rustic wine barrels that Grant had made, each one featuring a photo of Archer and Indi with their friends and/or family.

Flynn glanced across the lawn at Archer, standing with the officiant by the vines in front of a stunning wooden arch Levi had built and they’d decorated with more lilies and roses. Archer was probably one of the gruffest men he’d ever met, and he definitely had a flash of temper when it came to protecting the people he loved, but Flynn had learned that Sutton was right. Beneath Archer’s beastly exterior was a big, loving heart. When they were setting up for the wedding, he’d told Flynn about his grandfather and how much it meant to him to get married on the grounds where his grandfather had taken him under his wing. They’d talked about Flynn’s grandfather, too, and Archer had left him with one piece of advice. Don’t assume he’ll always be there.

Flynn tucked that thought away for now, as Tara, pretty in a pastel-blue halter dress, took a picture of Indi’s brother, his wife, and their baby girl and turned their way, snapping pictures of Sutton’s family. Levi was sitting with Joey, to Flynn’s left, watching Tara with a palpably loving expression. Flynn peered around Sutton at Leni and Raz, who were whispering to each other, and just beyond them Jock sat with Hadley on his lap, beside Daphne. Hadley had one arm around Jock’s neck, and she was touching Daphne’s belly. He was glad he hadn’t missed this. Sutton might have felt a little lost among her paired-off siblings, and if he had it his way, she’d never feel lost again.

He laced his fingers with Sutton’s, and whispered, “Archer looks nervous.” He nodded in her brother’s direction. Archer’s hands were opening and closing, and he was staring at the back door of the winery, as if he could will Indi to walk through it.

“He’s probably afraid Indi will get cold feet.”

He squeezed her hand. “That’s not going to happen. She’s crazy about him.”

“I know.” She leaned in and kissed him.

“And I’m pretty crazy about you.”

“I know that, too,” she said cheekily.

As he moved to kiss her, the “Wedding March” started. Everyone turned to watch as the winery doors opened, and Indi walked out on her father’s arm. She looked beautiful in a white silk gown and a long lace veil. Archer drew his shoulders back, standing taller, watching her every step. Flynn tried to imagine what that must feel like, watching the love of his life on their wedding day. He didn’t have to try too hard. All he had to do was picture Sutton in a beautiful white gown.

He held her hand a little tighter, as Indi’s father hugged her, then gave Archer an approving nod and went to sit down. Now it was Sutton squeezing Flynn’s hand. Archer stood in front of Indi and lifted the veil, revealing—Bellamy? Gasps rang out, Archer’s hands fisted, and his face turned to fire, as Bellamy said, “Hi, future hubby!”

Archer whipped around, storming toward Jock and Levi. “I’m going to kill you.”

Jock and Levi scrambled to their feet, waving their hands, saying it wasn’t them, and Indi ran out from the vines and snagged Archer’s wrist, shouting, “Bananas! Bananas!”

“What’s going on?” Flynn asked Sutton, but she was laughing too hard to answer, as were Leni and the other girls.

“Fuck bananas,” Archer fumed. “They’re dead.”

“It was me!” Indi threw herself between him and his brothers, pushing at his chest, while his bulging muscles threatened to shred his suit coat. “It was my prank, not theirs! I promise! It was me, Archer! It was me!”

“Dude, she’s not lying!” Jock held up his hands in surrender, walking backward.

“Look around you,” Levi insisted.

Jules and Bellamy were high-fiving and giggling, and the other girls were doubled over in their seats, cracking up. Even their parents and Sutton’s grandmother were chuckling. If looks could kill, the girls would be flat out as Archer shot visual daggers at all of them. He turned those cold eyes on Indi. She flashed the sweetest, happiest, most loving smile. Like balm to a wound, Archer’s hands unfurled, and his angry eyes softened.

“It was me. Jock and Levi refused to prank you on our wedding day.”