On the Record (Record #2)(42)
Author: K.A. Linde

She had never had that thought with anyone before. At least, not like this. Not realistically.

“What do you think? I would guess you have your dream wedding all planned out,” Hayden said.

“I . . . yeah. I mean, I’ve thought about it. I just thought it would be nice and stress free. Not that eloping is for me, necessarily,” Liz corrected. “I guess I always wanted a big wedding too, with all of my family and friends.”

A broad smile grew on Hayden’s face the longer she spoke. When she finished he leaned forward and kissed her passionately. “You are perfect for me.”

Liz laughed and tried to play it off as if it didn’t matter . . . as if he hadn’t just said that they had the same dream wedding. “Come on. We don’t want to be late to your own sister’s wedding.”

He kissed her once more lovingly. He leaned back and trailed his fingers along her collarbones. “Are you going to wear your necklace?”

Liz bit her lip and tried not to look guilty. “I left it at home.”

“Oh,” Hayden said, disappointed. “Maybe next time.”

Liz swallowed and wished she had the strength to tell him she could never wear it again.

They exited the hotel room and took the elevator downstairs. His parents were waiting for them in the lobby. His mom came forward and gave her a hug. “Thank you so much for being here with us today. It means so much to us.”

Liz smiled and looked down at the ground. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’m so happy for Jamie.”

“We’re so happy for her too, dear,” she said warmly. “Come on, y’all. Let’s go down to the beach to wait for the bridal party.”

Liz and Hayden followed his parents out to the private beach where the ceremony was going to be held. The pastor was already in place. James’s mother had flown in on the red-eye that morning from New York City and was already standing on the beach in a black dress when they arrived. Liz had heard mention that his parents were divorced and neither James nor his mother spoke to his father anymore, and his mother had become somewhat of a recluse ever since. She had wondered last night if that had been part of the reason for the elopement, but considering Jamie, Liz kind of doubted it.

There were no chairs, and Liz let her feet sink into the white sand as she waited. She wiggled her toes and watched her feet bury themselves. Hayden reached out for her hand and laced their fingers together just as the bridal party arrived.

Jamie walked forward in a short, flowy white sundress that floated out behind her in the breeze. The dress cinched in at the waist with a multicolored sheer print sash that bowed in the back. Her black bob was straight almost to her shoulders, and she had a circle of small white flowers in her hair. She was barefoot with no jewelry aside from a slender gold bracelet on one hand that her parents had given her the night before. Her mother had worn it at her own wedding and passed it down to her daughter for her wedding day.

James was dressed in khakis and a loose linen button-down. They couldn’t have been more perfect for each other if they tried.

Meredith and Nick followed behind Jamie and James to the pastor standing in a suit in the hot sand. He smiled at them all and then began the service. It was short and to the point. They exchanged vows, slid simple bands on each other’s fingers, and then before Liz knew it the pastor was announcing that James could kiss his bride.

Everyone cheered as they kissed and then the short ceremony was over. Jamie flitted from person to person, thanking everyone for coming even though there were only nine people in attendance including the bride and groom.

Her arms wound around Liz’s neck and she pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad you could be here.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Jamie,” Liz replied.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I already feel like you’re family.”

Hayden rolled his eyes and sighed. “Jamie . . .”

“I love you too, little brother,” she said with a huge smile plastered on her face as she strangle-hugged him.

Liz laughed at Jamie and Hayden acting like typical brother and sister. She didn’t even know why Hayden had sighed so heavily. She liked that she already felt like family to Jamie. She really loved her. She was so much fun and such a free spirit. It made Liz want to loosen up a bit herself. But to Jamie, Liz was fifty times less stressed than her uptight brother. Liz’s smile grew at the thought.

After thirty minutes of pictures, the wedding party retreated to a small private dining room for the small reception brunch. Mimosas and Bloody Marys were served and the whole table toasted the young couple to many years of happiness. When the plates were cleared, the drinks gone, and conversations were dying down, Jamie and James said their good-byes and retreated to their hotel room. No one had any specific plans until tomorrow, so everyone went their separate ways to change and head out to enjoy the sunshine.

When they made it back up to their room, Hayden slid his arm around her waist. “I have plans for us, gorgeous,” he murmured against her ear.

Liz shivered at the soft touch of his lips against her ear. “Plans?”

“I thought you would want to do something after the wedding, so I scheduled something for us.”

“What is it?” she asked, biting down on her lip.

He kissed the side of her neck. “Surprise. Get into your bathing suit. We have to head out soon.”

Liz turned around and backed farther into the bedroom. She tugged the zipper down the back of the dress and slowly inched the straps down her shoulders. His eyes followed the loose material as it revealed more and more of her skin. “Should I bring anything else with me?”

The dress dropped to the floor. Desire was evident in his eyes as she stepped out of the pool of material at her feet and reached back to unclasp her strapless bra.

“I have everything else covered,” he said, taking a step toward her.

She smirked at him and snapped the hook and eye open. His eyes fell to her br**sts as they dropped full and perky out of the bra. His hands were on her in an instant, pulling her nearly naked body against him as his lips found her.

“My girlfriend the tease,” he groaned.

“I would never.” Her voice came out breathy, and she was pretty sure that if he kept that up they weren’t going to make any plans.

“I like it.”

His fingers hooked into her soft lacy underwear and slowly dragged them to the ground as he knelt before her. He leaned forward and placed earnest kisses down her stomach. Her breathing picked up as he drew nearer.