A Merry Vested Wedding - Melanie Moreland Page 0,30

left to try.

I should be exhausted, but I’d never felt more alive.

Except my wife was missing. I peered at the clock—it was barely six. She should be asleep beside me, tucked into a ball the way she always slept. Nestled close for warmth, hogging all the covers, her head on my pillow, and her warm breath on my skin.

Our bathroom door was open, but the door to the hall was pulled closed, and I knew I would find her by the tree, dressed in her elf pajamas, as excited as a five-year-old, and waiting for me. She always liked to get up early and sit in the darkness with only the lights of the tree in the room. She told me once she loved greeting Christmas morning that way. When we were dating, I would sneak over to her house and scale the balcony to sit with her, enjoying the peacefulness of the early morning with her before the frenzy began. When Bentley found me with her one Christmas morning, there was hell to pay, and from then on, I used the front door.

It was still dark when I snuck out of the house, pulling the door shut quietly behind me. I hiked across the snow-covered beach, the route familiar although more treacherous this time of the year. I scaled the balcony of Addi’s family home and peeked in the window. My little elf was beside the huge tree, wrapped in a blanket, the glow of the lights reflecting on her face. I tapped lightly, and she looked up, waving me in. The door slid open without a squeak, and I left my shoes on the deck. I flung my coat over the sofa and headed toward her. She opened the blanket, and I slid in behind her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her back to me. I dropped my face to her neck, kissing the skin. “You’re so warm.”

She shivered. “And you’re freezing. I told you not to come, Brayden—it’s too dangerous.”

“It’s fine. I want a little time with you today alone.”

Although we’d been together for over two years, Bentley still preferred when we hung out as a group. We would be surrounded the rest of the day, with maybe a chance or two to sneak off for some stolen alone time, but it never lasted long. Someone, usually Bentley or Aiden, always found us. Ronan was good at it too, although he at least dragged his feet while searching. I never got to kiss her as much as I wanted on Christmas. I looked forward to the day I could.

I slipped a small box into her hand. “For you.”

She lifted her head and offered me her mouth. “Thank you.”

I kissed her softly, knowing we couldn’t get carried away. She opened the box, gasping in delight at the promise ring inside. Delicate like her, it was a simple band of gold with tiny emeralds in it. She loved my eyes, and I wanted the ring to remind her of me.

“Wear it until the day I replace it with a diamond,” I whispered, sliding it on her finger.

“I love it.”

She took my wrist, snapping on an intricately woven leather and silver band. The medallion in the middle had our initials engraved, the A and B entwined. It was heavy and masculine.

I kissed her again. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I love you, Addi.”

“I love you.”

A light snapped on, startling us. “And I’d love to know what the hell you’re doing in my house at five thirty in the morning, Brayden Riley. How the hell did you get in here?” Bentley’s voice was dark and angry.

Both Addi and I scrambled to our feet, the blanket falling away.

“We aren’t doing anything,” I protested. “I just wanted to give Addi her gift.”

“And that couldn’t wait until the sun came up?” He narrowed his eyes. “Where the hell is your coat?” He stepped forward, anger turning to fury. “Have you been here all night?”

I held up my hands. “No! No, Uncle Bentley! I just got here, like, ten minutes ago. I just wanted a little time alone with her today. You know how much she loves Christmas. I got her something special, and I wanted to give it to her. I swear!” I knew I was rambling, but the look on his face was scary.

“How did you get in?”

“Over the balcony.”

He looked over my shoulder. “You climbed over the balcony? Something wrong with the front door?”

“I knew Addi was in here, so it