Page 4 of Paradise Ties

Will chuckled. “No need. We’re family, right? We do things like this for each other.”

Just then Lucy came barrelling over and threw herself in Will’s arms as Jace kissed Aubrey’s cheek.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Lucy emphasised each thank you with a kiss to Will’s cheek, making him laugh. It seemed that he and Lauren weren’t the only ones to get an upgrade. Will had obviously upgraded Lucy and Jace to one of the other Luxury Suites the resort boasted. If he remembered correctly, there were four in total.

“I just want you guys to have a good time and relax. Or, as much as you can with toddlers,” he said, chucking Aaron under the chin.

“But if you need a babysitter then just shout. We’d be happy to have these guys so you can have some time alone,” Aubrey added.

Dane was protective by nature, but he’d trust any one of these people with his kids’ lives.

“We may just take you up on that,” Lauren said, as she slipped an arm around Will and hugged him in thanks.

Dane got the keys and followed the bellboy to their suite overlooking the beach, following him as he opened the door and stepped inside with their luggage. The interior was magnificent, with white wood-panelled walls leading up to vaulted ceilings. The suite had three bedrooms, an open plan kitchen and dining area, a pool table, and a bathroom that was bigger than most lounges. But it was the view from the raised wooden balcony that took his breath away. It led to a massive plunge pool which was surrounded by sun loungers and rattan furniture. Thick safety glass barriers kept the balcony safe, offering them an endless view to the beach and sea. White sand spread for miles with crystal clear waters that tempted Dane to dive in.

It was the view dreams were made of. He turned to tip the bellboy, who advised a butler and chef were available to them if they so required, and watched as he left.

Turning to Lauren, he caught the look of absolute awe on her face as she set Leah on the floor. He closed the door and walked to Lauren, setting Aaron beside his twin before wrapping her in his arms. “Happy?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“More than I ever thought possible,” she replied, her voice slightly husky as she leaned into him and rested her hand over his heart. They stood that way for a few minutes, every second forming a memory they’d cherish for a lifetime.

“Right, let’s get changed and explore. We’re meeting the others for dinner at six, so we have plenty of time,” Lauren said finally, moving towards the master bedroom.

“I could definitely get on board with that.”

The smile she threw him over her shoulder was full of promise and he quickly followed, catching her around the waist and nuzzling her neck. “How about we get these two monkeys down for their nap and check out the hot tub?”

“Now you’re talking my language.”

Chapter 3

Jace watched Lucy follow the bellboy into one of the three rooms of the Presidential Suite he and Lucy had been given and smiled. Little did that poor boy know that if he so much as slipped with that dress he was carrying, which incidentally Jace wasn’t allowed to see, he’d probably be skinned alive and boiled in tar. Or whatever the similar punishment was here in paradise.

Lucy, to his complete and utter astonishment, had become a bit of a bridezilla these past few months. Far from finding it annoying, Jace found it sweet. It had taken him too many years to get his head out his ass and finally make the woman he’d loved for years his. Now in four days, she’d become his wife. He wasn’t sure their relationship could get much better from just a ceremony, but it felt right. It felt like the next step for them.

He grinned as the bellboy came rushing out of the room, head down, looking terrified. The door closed and he watched as a harassed looking Lucy came out.

“Luce.”

“Yes?”

He stood still as she lowered her bag to the floor to check again that she had the marriage licences. “Yes?”

“Come here, Luce,” he said softly but firmly.

“In a sec,” she said distractedly.

“Now, Luce,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.

She looked up at the stern tone, one he very rarely used being the more easy-going one of the group. Her eyes went dark at being ordered around but also with something else. Desire was swimming in their depths, and he knew she liked it when he ordered her around almost as much as she hated it.

“Don’t take that bossy tone with me,” she said, even as she moved towards him and allowed him to slide his arms around her back to pull her curves flush to his hard body. Her arms moved to his chest as she looked up at him expectantly.

“Everything is going to be perfect. You’ve checked the documents a hundred times, and the dresses and suits, although wonderful, are not what this is about.” He felt her relax a fraction as he spoke, her body leaning into his. “All that matters to me is you and me getting married, declaring our love to each other in front of our friends and family.”

He felt her sigh. “I know. I just want it to be perfect, Jace.”

“And it will be because you’ll be there, and you’ve organised this to within an inch of its life. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy. Take each memory and lock it away so when we’re old, we can relive every single one.”