“Hana’s right,” Hugo said. “It’s Dad who sucks. Not Aiki.”

  “He sucks, too,” Devon said. “He’s in prison.”

  “He still our brother,” Hana said, eyes narrowed. “All of us. And you will treat him as such.” She turned on my father. “And you. You’d better start visiting him.” She bit her lip. “I probably should, too. I…I’ve been so mad at him, but now… Well, maybe I can understand him better.”

  “We’ll visit, if that’s what you want,” I said.

  Hugo sighed. “We’ll all make an effort to rehabilitate Dad’s spawn.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Devon said.

  As my brothers quibbled and my father appeared lost, my mother filled glasses with ice and I cozied up with my beautiful, brilliant fiancée. She looked over at me, a question in her eyes. Did I really want to give this up? Sure it was messy—even ugly—but it was our family.

  I wasn’t sure I wanted more of our crazy, somewhat dysfunctional relatives, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to forgive my father his lies and cowardice. But I wouldn’t write everyone off. That was a knee-jerk reaction. I shouldn’t make those. They tended not to be the smartest choices.

  We’d work out our family situation on my terms. Well, mine and Hana’s. She and I would determine what we wanted together.

  “I’m sorry,” Dad said again. He turned to Mom, yearning clear in his expression. “I’m so sorry.”

  “That was really awkward, but I think we handled it pretty well,” Hana said as she finally shut the door and flicked the lock. It was late, and I had to be at practice early tomorrow.

  “Yeah. We did. Because we’re a good team, Han. Always have been.”

  She bit her lush lip and peeked at me from her lashes. “I wanted them to leave sooner.”

  “Did you now?” I asked, my tone husky.

  Hana tipped her head and looked at me. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  “I don’t⁠—”

  Hana’s fists found her hips. “You promised to worship every inch of my body, Paxton. I expect you to keep your pledges to me. That’s how I’ll stay anxiety-free and trusting.”

  The last few words she shrieked because I’d picked her up and sped toward the stairs, which I took two at a time. After shouldering my way into the bedroom where Hana had been staying—and I planned to sleep in from now on, too—I placed her gently in the center of the king-size bed and began to unfasten her sandals. “Too many clothes,” I muttered.

  Hana giggled and lifted her hips, allowing me to tug her pants down her legs. Her panties, pretty, silky scraps that I loved nearly as much as I hated them for covering that pretty prize between her legs, followed.

  And then I started at the arch of her right foot and kissed my way up, up, up her leg until I rubbed my nose against her pubis. Her sweet little moans and pants had me grinding my hips into the mattress, but I persevered, starting on her other leg, kissing my way over the roadmap of scars up to her center.

  This time, Hana gripped my hair and shoved my face right where we both wanted it. Her moan drowned out my groan as I licked and sucked at her clit.

  “Paxton!”

  I smiled as I worked her over, keeping my touch light enough to make her vibrate and gasp, but not enough friction to send her over into the orgasm we both desperately wanted.

  “Paxton,” she growled, tugging at my hair.

  I lifted my head, licking my lips. I pushed up her filmy top and pressed kisses into the soft give of her belly before making patterns with my tongue along her hipbones and up her ribs.

  “Paxton!” she cried.

  “What do you need, love?”

  Her eyes were fierce, daring me to defy her. “I want to strip off your clothes and sit on your dick and ride us both into orgasmic bliss.”

  “Yes, please,” I said, smiling sweetly. I rolled to my feet and reached for my jeans’ snap.

  Hana tutted. “I said I was going to undress you.”

  I let my hands fall to my sides, enjoying the thump of arousal that caught me low in the belly. Assertive Hana was awesome.

  She pushed my shirt upward, rising on her tiptoes as she bunched the folds at my shoulders. “Off,” she said.

  I complied, my movements stuttering as she raked her teeth across the hard little nub of my nipple. “I don’t know how long I can⁠—”

  “You’ll hold on,” Hana said. She rested her cheek against my ribs, her left hand with the engagement ring, splayed across my abdomen. I loved the sparkle of the diamonds. I loved the ritual of the engagement ring that proclaimed to the world that I’d asked Hana to be mine and she’d said yes. I took a breath and released it slowly as I cupped her cheek.

  “Need a condom,” I gasped.

  “I’m on the pill,” she said.

  “And you’re okay with… God, Hana, now I can’t stop thinking about being bare inside you.” I groaned.

  “Yes. I want that, too. Nothing between us.” Her beautiful sherry eyes gleamed as she hovered over me.

  “Never again. No secrets, No lies. No barriers.”

  She kissed her way up to my jaw before heading downward where she swirled her tongue around my belly button as those nimble fingers popped open my jeans. With another quick motion, she unzipped the pants, and they slithered off my hips, piling atop my sneakers. I toed those off before Hana slid her hands under my briefs. She scraped her nails lightly along my hips before shoving the material down my thighs. I hissed as my erection bounced out of its confinement, ruddy and already weeping with excitement.

  Hana’s warm breath hit the head, and I shifted my head back to stare up at the ceiling, needing something to ground me as she licked my shaft from root to tip, humming appreciation as if it was the best-tasting treat.

  “Hana,” I groaned. She suckled the sensitive tip and raised her eyes to meet mine. I slid my hands into her silky, dark hair. “You are stunning.”

  She swallowed a bit more of my length, and my thighs began to quiver. Since yesterday morning, when we’d gotten the genetic results, I’d been desperate to sink inside her, show her how much she meant to me—rub myself all over her so we knew we belonged to each other.

  “Hana,” I whispered, cradling her skull gently.

  She popped off, and I bit my lip to stifle the groan. She took my hand and tugged me onto the bed where she made short work of our remaining clothes. I slid my hands up her supple back, enjoying her curves, while she crawled over, positioned herself above me, and sheathed herself on my hard dick.

  “Gah! Hana! That feels fantastic!”

  My hands settled on her hips—as much to ground myself as her. She placed her palms on my pecs and raised herself a few inches before settling back down. Over and over she went, riding us both toward that bliss. I lifted my legs to cradle her butt and give myself more leverage to meet her downstroke.

  Soon we were a sweaty, sticky mess of limbs and moans. Hana’s sweet gasps drove me harder, and my thighs trembled with my imminent release. My balls drew up, and I powered into her again and again, even as I reached over and rubbed her clit with my thumb.

  She bowed back, mouth open, a silent scream, as she shuddered and milked my turgid shaft. I plowed into her once, twice, before my semen boiled out of my balls and up my erection, into Hana’s welcoming body.

  We lay together, her head on my chest, my hands spanning her shoulders and cradling her head. I stared up at the ceiling, unseeing, desperate to catch my breath.

  When her cheek bunched, I smiled, loving that she was smiling against my skin, loving that we were still connected. Loving her.

  “I’ve always loved you,” I murmured.

  “I know.”

  “I always will.”

  She smiled again and turned her head to kiss me. “I know.”

  I lifted my head and peered down at her. “You got anything else to say to that?”

  She nodded. Settling her chin on her stacked hands, she said, “I think we should get married next month.”

  I grinned so hard my face ached, but it was a small price to pay for this level of happiness. “A June wedding, huh?”

  “Yep. I always wanted to be that cliché.”

  “You’ll be the most beautiful June bride ever. Let’s do it.”

  “Cool. Well, that’s settled.” She shifted her hips and raised her eyebrows. “Think we can go again.”

  I rolled us, still joined, until I was over her. I pressed my still semi-hard dick back into her welcoming warmth. “Baby, I keep telling you: anything for you.”

  Chapter 26

  Hana

  My wedding wasn’t anything like I’d expected it to be. One, it was raining and about twenty degrees cooler than it had been the day before, thanks to a massive tropical depression that had turned inward, hitting Houston dead-on. Two, I was surrounded by a million different women and babies, all of whom were part of our wedding party, because Paxton and I couldn’t decide who to include or not. Thus, we’d asked all of our friends to stand with us.

  At least I no longer became anxious in the rain. Nope. Houston’s thunderstorms had cured me of that. Fine, it was more Paxton’s cuddling during the storms that had dissipated my concerns. These days I looked forward to the weather because I knew what was coming, and that the storm would pass with me boneless and so well-pleasured I couldn’t help but remain relaxed.

  Three, we were getting married at the arena, which hadn’t been our first choice. We’d had to switch over to it last night because our initial venue at the Johnson Space Center was surrounded by a six-inch pond. That’s why building on a swamp wasn’t always the best idea. But the arena could accommodate our short timeline and the entirety of the Wildcatters organization, so now it was perfect.

  And, four, Paxton’s dad had begged to walk me down the aisle—on his knees, hands clasped, the whole nine.

  That had been out of character for Sawyer, but he wasn’t the man he’d been even a few weeks ago. He’d gone to see Aiki in prison, and he’d said he planned to set up a monthly visitation schedule. He’d also said he wasn’t planning to contest Rosemary’s divorce.

  All of that had showed Paxton and me that he finally understood he’d been wrong. He had a long way to go to regain our trust, and I wasn’t sure he could do it, but this situation had taught me to be thankful for the people in my life. That included my brother’s and soon-to-be-husband’s father.

  Sawyer was currently tapping his foot and shifting in his suit. “They’re expecting all of you in three minutes,” he said.

  “We’ll be ready. Plus, even if we’re a couple of minutes late, Pax knows I’m marrying him today,” I said, unperturbed by the chaos swirling around us.

  “How are they going to corral all those kids?”

  Bree ran by, laughing brightly as Brooks toddled after her. Those two were into everything. Felix would have been, too, but he was monitored by Ashley, who somehow managed to give the little boy all the freedom he needed while keeping him safe. Naomi and Adam had hit the jackpot with Ashley. I wanted someone just like him for our kids. I’d put him on notice to find me someone as special as he was, and he’d already compiled a list of would-be caretakers for us.

  I loved that man almost as much as Paxton.

  No, that wasn’t true. I didn’t love anyone as much as Paxton.

  And we weren’t planning to have kids any time soon anyway. My leg was getting stronger, thanks to the new gym sessions I now shared with Paxton. He’d asked the Wildcatters trainer to develop an exercise regimen for me, and I followed it zealously. I loved that I didn’t always have to wear my brace anymore.

  Like today. I would walk down the aisle to Paxton on my own two feet, without any support. Just like I’d hoped.

  Plus, that gave Ida Jane and me more time to hang out. She and I had really clicked, and I considered her my closest friend, something that shocked us all—Ida Jane most of all. But since we were part of the only kid-free couples, it made sense that we’d spend a lot of time together. Ida Jane was on a campaign for Pax and me to get a dog like her giant bodyguard, Blade.

  I hadn’t told her I’d picked out a little stray from the animal shelter that Paxton and I would collect after our three-day honeymoon. We’d take a longer one once the guys’ playoff run ended, hopefully with the Stanley Cup here in Houston.

  But that was still a series away, and today was about Paxton and me.

  “Fall in,” Naomi called out.

  Somehow, the chaos dissipated in five seconds, and the bridal party lined up. Sawyer whistled in shock, and I smiled. These women, my friends, could handle pretty much anything, and so could I.

  They’d taught me confidence in myself, and for that, I was immensely grateful. I’d never expected such a rich, full life, but Paxton’s move to Houston had created that. Perhaps I should be angry about how we’d gotten here, but I simply couldn’t be, not with this amazing life.

  Paxton still harbored bitterness toward his father, specifically, and Aiki. I understood and didn’t push him. He’d come around and warm to them or he wouldn’t, and I’d support either choice.

  Keelie straightened my veil and smiled at me, which turned to a wince as Brooks tugged her earring.

  “Good thing you’re cute, you monster,” she cooed, whisking the toddler’s grabby hands away from my dress in the nick of time. “You ready?” she asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  “I do love a confident bride.” Naomi winked. “It’s the lingerie, isn’t it?”

  “It helped.” I beamed back.

  Sawyer muttered something under his breath but was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself. I didn’t care if he was embarrassed or whatever. He’d made his choices with me, here, today, and with Paxton all those years before. This was our day, and Sawyer was lucky to be part of it.

  Ida Jane handed me my bouquet of flowers—ones Paxton had picked for me. The guy was as sweet as pie, really. He’d spent hours researching to ensure the meanings of the blooms together were all about happiness and love. I brought the huge array of white carnations, red roses, ivy, and purple asters to my nose and inhaled the sweet scent.

  God, I loved my man.

  It was time to link ourselves together, because despite the odds against us, despite the pain we’d suffered to find our way back to each other, we were home.

  I didn’t take Sawyer’s arm. That was part of the deal: I’d walk to Pax under my own power, giving myself to him freely, without reservation.

  Sawyer was here to show we were willing to mend relationships, to offer second—even third—chances, but we weren’t naïve enough to expect him to change. Nor did we think the situation between him and Paxton’s mother would be easy to navigate. While hurt feelings were still a struggle to overcome, we’d chosen to try to find some compromise.

  Paxton’s stolid countenance burst into the brightest smile as soon as he saw me headed toward him, and I knew we’d made the right choice. When I reached the front, I took Paxton’s large, calloused hand and squeezed. He smiled at me a little shyly, completely ignoring his father. Yeah, not your day, dude.

  I beamed up at my husband-to-be. “I love you.”

  His expression turned tender. “I love you, too, my beautiful wife-to-be.”

  He made me feel special, powerful, beautiful. Something I’d never expected to feel again. But that’s what love was: the most powerful force on earth.

  Sawyer took his seat next to Paxton’s mother. Devon waved at me, and I chuckled as I shook my head. That guy was growing on me.

  I tried to pay attention to the officiant’s words, but I kept getting caught up in Paxton’s eyes, which promised to cherish me tonight and always. I shivered as I thought back to our bachelor and bachelorette parties two days before, for which the entire team and their CATS had rented out a local golf course and clubhouse. Keelie had put us all to shame in a short round of nine, and there’d been dinner, dancing, and fireworks. It was weird, a bit quirky, and so much fun. The best part was that I’d spent the evening with all of our friends and even got to hear Cruz sing.

  He was as amazing as everyone had always gushed.

  When it was time to recite our vows, I turned to face Paxton. “We are our family, and we will watch out for each other, put the other first. Always. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.” Paxton’s gaze held mine as he told me how he’d love, honor, and cherish me for the rest of my days.

  I believed him, just as I believed in us.

  We exchanged rings and our first wedded kiss, during which Paxton, being Pax, slipped me some sexy tongue. I wrapped my tongue around his and sucked harder, bringing his flavor into my mouth. We both moaned, and the officiant cleared his throat.

  “It’s my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. Paxton Naese,” he said.

  “Did he just reduce Hana to Pax’s wife?” Naomi blurted. “Man, you better get your eyes checked. She’s a preeminent aerospace engineer who’s going to save your ass from frying in a Houston street.”

  “He meant Mr. and Mrs. Paxton and Hana Sato-Naese,” Adam soothed.

  “That’s better,” Paxton murmured against my lips. “As long as you’re mine, Han, I don’t care about those details.”

  “Damn straight,” Cormac said with a firm slap on Pax’s back. “Now, break it up and keep it PG for the babies.”

  We all laughed as we headed together toward the buffet that had been set up in the large conference room next door by the awesome arena staff. Rain buffeted the windowpanes, and I smiled at my reflection, enjoying the bloom of color in my cheeks and the sparkle in my eyes.

  After we’d eaten, Paxton leaned over and whispered, “Happy wedding. I paid off your student loans. And your medical bills.”

  I smiled. “I knew it! How long have you been waiting to do that?”

  He smiled. “A long time. I didn’t want to scare you off or make you feel manipulated.”

  I laughed. “Nope. I’m glad things worked out this way. I’m thrilled to be here with you.”

  He hugged me close, and I closed my eyes, realizing this was my dream—the one I’d given up on, the one I’d secretly yearned for. Paxton had made it all come true because he was brave enough, strong enough, to come find me again. We were surrounded by good friends and food, kept close by love and hope.