Addi’s cheek. “Be happy, baby girl. Don’t forget me.”
She struggled to hold back her grin. “I’ll see you in two days, Dad.”
“I know. Cut me a little slack, okay? I love you.”
“I love you too. Now go back to the balcony and finish your cigar. No more scotch.”
He chuckled and reached out for my hand, shaking it wildly. “Welcome to the family, Brayden. I’m happy you’re my son-in-law.”
“Thanks, Bent.”
“Hurt her, and I will dissect you into such small pieces, they’ll never find you.”
I blinked. “Good to know.”
Then he grinned. “Nah. Kidding.”
He walked away, calling over his shoulder. “Aiden will, though.”
He stopped by the table and bent to kiss Emmy. She said something to him, and he waved his hand. He headed back to the balcony, and all the women at the table burst into laughter.
I chuckled. “I think your dad is a bit drunk. I’ve never seen him drunk.”
“It’s been a hard day for him.”
I bent close and kissed her. “You okay?”
She sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder. “Yeah, but I can’t take much more emotion tonight. Can we slip out, or is that rude?”
I looked over to the mothers’ table and indicated the door with my chin. Emmy and my mom nodded and waved, both still looking amused.
I kissed Addi’s head. “We’re covered. The car is out front. Let’s go.”
She picked up her purse and the cardigan. “I’m with you.”
“I can walk!” Addi protested as I slipped her from the car and into my arms.
“Nope. I’m carrying you over the threshold. It’s tradition.”
“Oh.” She relaxed in my arms. “Okay, then.”
I chuckled, dropping a kiss to her head. “Besides, you fell asleep before we even left the parking lot. You’re exhausted, my little elf.”
Inside, I set her on the sofa. “Stay.” I waggled my finger.
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “So it begins.”
Laughing, I returned to the car and grabbed the basket, returning to the warmth of the house. I set down the basket and held out my hand. “Let’s get you out of that dress so you can eat.”
She sighed. “I imagined you peeling it off me in the bedroom and ravishing me right after.”
“How about I peel it off you, kiss every inch I uncover, then we can eat and relax.” I smiled at her indulgently. “We have the rest of the night for me to ravish you.” I chuckled at her trying to cover up her yawn, and I held out my hand. “Come with me.”
In our bedroom, she gasped. I’d had it filled with flowers and candles while we were gone, wanting it romantic for her. There was a bottle of champagne chilling and a single rose on her pillow.
“Bray.” She turned to me, her hands clasped. “It’s so beautiful.”
I bent and kissed her, pulling her close. Our lips moved effortlessly, soft and sweet. I pulled back, spinning her, and got to work on the buttons that had mocked me all day. One by one, I slid them open, tracing her spine with my lips. The small zipper at the bottom slid down easily, and in an instant, the dress was a pile of froth and glitter on the floor. I traced the indents of the stays that remained on her sides, hating the fact that they had marred her skin and amazed she had walked around all day smiling while they had pinched at her flesh.
She turned with a smile. “They don’t hurt.” I held out my hand, and she stepped from the material. I bent down, unbuckling the strappy shoes and sliding them off her feet. I kissed each instep, rubbing them. I looked up at her.
“You were so beautiful today for me, Addi. Breathtaking.”
Color flushed her cheeks. I slid my hands up her calves, the silky skin smooth under my fingers. I stood slowly, letting my fingers trail over her body as I drew to my full height. “But I think you are the most beautiful when you’re just Addi. Alone with me, without the corset or the makeup. I see the real you. The most beautiful woman in the world because you are that way inside and out.”
Tears filled her eyes. I cupped her cheeks. “I’m the luckiest man in the world because I have you. Now I want you to wash your face, put on one of my shirts, and come to the living room. I want to sit by the fire and feed you. Hold you. That’s all I want right now. Let me do that.”
She covered my wrists