What He Wants for Christmas
Author
Brenda Jackson
Reads
16.4K
Chapters
1
Epilogue
With family and friends looking on, Sloan accepted the wedding ring from Garth, who was his best man. He then turned to his future bride to slide the ring on her finger while repeating the words the minister had instructed him to recite. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Once the ring was in place, he lifted her hand to his lips, sealing his vow with a kiss. He didn’t care if what he was doing wasn’t part of the program. He was a man who made his own rules. However, he did behave when she slid the wedding band on his finger. He noted she was wearing his wedding gift to her, the vintage aurora borealis bracelet with colorful crystals and diamonds. It looked good on her wrist and was a reminder of their time under the Northern Lights. Deep emotions hit him that he was finally marrying the woman he’d always loved.
He was ready for the part of the ceremony that pronounced them as husband and wife so he could kiss his bride. He would kiss her the way he wanted, and nobody better stop him. He thought she looked too beautiful for words in her bridal gown of white satin and lace.
His heart had nearly stopped when she entered the church on Mr. Yule’s arm. The two had stayed in touch and formed a close friendship over the past six months. In addition to operating Cassidy Cosmetics, Sloan had brought her on to assist him in the running of his other businesses. For the time being, they had dual residences in both Wasilla and Fairbanks. She was grooming one of her junior executives to eventually take on more duties, since the cosmetics line was being expanded to the lower forty-eight.
“And by the powers vested in me by this great state of Alaska, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Sloan didn’t wait for the minister to give him permission to kiss his bride. He reached for Leslie and pulled her into his arms, giving her the only kind of kiss they would ever share. Long, thorough and possessive. Nobody interrupted, and he only released Leslie’s mouth when he was good and ready.
He glanced over at the minister, who didn’t seem the least bothered by Sloan’s strong show of affection. In fact, Reverend Cross was actually grinning as he proceeded to announce, “I present to you, Sloan and Leslie Outlaw.”
Among claps and cheers, Sloan swept Leslie off her feet and carried her out of the church. Once outside he placed her back on her feet and pulled her into his arms.
When he released her lips, she whispered, “You’re so bad, Sloan Outlaw.”
He grinned down at his wife. “Possibly, but I am also yours. Totally and completely, Mrs. Outlaw.” He then pulled her into his arms for another kiss.
“Sloan definitely likes kissing you, girlfriend,” Carmen leaned over to whisper to Leslie at the end of the wedding party’s photo session.
Leslie couldn’t help but smile. “And I love kissing him.”
“Obviously. The two of you can’t seem to keep your lips to yourselves,” Carmen said, glancing around.
Leslie followed her friend’s gaze and saw just where it had landed—right on Redford St. James, who was now being corralled by the photographer as Sloan took pictures with his best man and groomsmen. A sense of panic stirred Leslie’s insides.
She had known Redford for as long as she’d known Sloan, since she’d met both guys the same day on the university’s campus. Redford had been known around the university as a womanizer, and according to Sloan, Redford hadn’t changed. If anything, he’d gotten worse.
“Carmen, I think I need to warn you about Redford,” Leslie said, hoping it wasn’t too late. She’d noted how taken her best friend had been with Redford last night at the wedding rehearsal.
“I know all about him, Leslie, so you don’t need to warn me. However, you might want to put a bug in Sloan’s ear to warn Redford about me.”
Leslie lifted a brow. “Why?”
A wide smile covered Carmen’s face. “Because Redford St. James is the man I intend to marry. Your hubby is on his way over here, so I will see you at the reception.”
Leslie watched Carmen walk off toward where Redford was standing. Marry? Redford? She hoped her friend was not biting off more than she could chew but had a feeling that she was.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Sloan asked, wrapping his arms around her.
She smiled up at him. “Yes, I’m fine.” She decided to give him the warning from Carmen later. Right now, the only thing she wanted to do was concentrate on this man. Her Outlaw who would give her plenty of little Outlaws. It seemed she’d married into the right family. Not only was there a pregnancy announced practically every other month, but the Outlaws and Westmorelands had a knack when it came to multiple births. Garth and Regan had given birth to a little boy, and Cash and Brianna had twin sons. Sloan had jokingly told everyone he and Leslie would give Bart the first Outlaw granddaughter.
“You ready for your monthlong honeymoon to begin?” Sloan asked her.
She couldn’t help but smile up at him. “Are you sure you want to do all that driving?”
He chuckled. “I am sure.”
They would first take a road trip from Alaska to the lower forty-eight through Canada, which was something they had always talked of doing while in college. When they reached New York, they would switch the rental car for a private jet. From there Sloan would fly them to Belize, where they would spend the remainder of the month.
“Are you ready to leave for our wedding reception?” she asked. “Things won’t get started until we arrive.”
“They can wait a minute,” he said, and then he pulled her into his arms for yet another kiss.
Get ready for Jess Outlaw’s story,
coming in April!
What Happens on Vacation...
Only from New York Times bestselling author
Brenda Jackson
and Harlequin Desire!
Keep reading for an excerpt from One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson.
