Page 14 of York

When they went up to bed, she got herself into a nightgown and got into bed. She was really tired, and the thought of setting the alarm had her sad. Laughing a little at having to be up by eight when she’d been getting up by six for so long, she got into bed.

“I’ll set us an alarm.” She asked him if he was going to sleep. “I’ll rest beside you until you’re asleep, then I’m going to work on some investments. Yardley has been playing around on the market and has a few suggestions that he wants me to look into. I’ll do that while you sleep.”

“Don’t you need to rest?” He told her that when he’s at his computer, it makes him about as relaxed as he’d ever been. “Good. I don’t want you falling asleep when we’re at the courthouse. I want you to be awake and ready to go.”

“Trust me, love. I’ll be there for you and I no matter what goes on.” She thought that he meant his job but didn’t ask. It was hard enough for her to let him go when he had to go out. He’d not had as many jobs as she thought that he would, which was good. But she wanted to make sure that he was as safe as he could be. “I’m immortal, love. Remember that. Nothing can happen to me while I’m working. I have that in writing.”

“Good. I hope that they understand that I’m going to put a whole world of hurt on them if you so much as get a tiny cut. I’m not kidding either.” He laughed. “I’m not joking.”

“I know that. My slip of a wife will be the worst thing that happened to the council if they fuck up. And I hope someday they realize that. Not that I want to get hurt, but I also want them to see that you’re not one to fuck with either.” She laid down on the pillow and looked at him. “You’re the most beautiful creature that I’ve ever seen, and I love you so very much.”

“And I love you too. You’re my heart and soul, York. I didn’t think that I’d fall in love with you so quickly, but I’m glad that you were patient with me.” He told her that he’d do anything for her. “I know that now. And I trust you with all that I am. I never thought I’d say that to anyone.”

“I’m glad that I was able to wear you down.” She closed her eyes with a smile on her face. “Sleep now, my little Rose, and tomorrow I’m going to be your husband. Sleep and be well rested too.”

“I will.” Sleep came over her gently. She really had been exhausted, and it was nice to be able to sleep beside York. In the morning she’d be his wife, and they’d have a long and happy life together.” She relaxed enough to let sleep take her and was glad that York was beside her until she was asleep.

Chapter 6

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride.” There were hoots from his family at him getting married, and York was about as happy as he’d ever been. Kissing Rose, he was so in love with her that he nearly took her to the floor. The laughter all around him was the only thing that saved him from embarrassing himself. And his Rose too.

“Congratulations, son. Your father would be so proud of you today.” York kissed his mom on the cheek and told her that he loved her. “I love you too. If only he’d been here to see this day. I know that he’d be about as happy as you are.”

“I missed him today too.” He watched as his brothers all kissed Rose. He wasn’t as jealous of them as he’d been before and didn’t understand that. He asked his mom about it, and she smiled. “What? You know the answer?”

“You and she have bonded. It’s permanent now. You don’t have to worry about them encroaching on your territory anymore.” He said that Rose would kill him if she knew that she was territory. “Perhaps we should keep that to ourselves. But you nor your beast is afraid that they’ll take her from you.”

“I like that. Yes, I can see that. I’m glad that I’m over it seeing her hug them. She’s a loving woman, and I’d hate for my beast to take that away from her.” He watched as she joked with his brothers and they, in turn, joked around with her. “She’s going to be good for them. I can already see them being polite to other people when she’s around.”

“She’s good for you too.” They talked about the changes in himself that he never noticed before now. Like she told him that he was calmer and much more relaxed. He didn’t point out that it was more than likely from all the sex he was having. But he did feel better daily. “You tell her that you love her every day, York. That’s the thing she’ll remember most.”

“I do tell her that daily. Hourly, it seems like.” He watched Rose walk toward him, and he smiled. “Hello, my dear wife. How are my brothers treating you? Well, I hope.”

“They were welcoming me to the family. I feel like I have a real family now too.” He asked about Phillip. “He’s just my brother in name. I don’t have a lot of feelings for him for the most part. We don’t get along all that well under most circumstances.”

They were headed to their home for brunch. There would only be a few people coming to the house for it, and fewer still that would be eating. But it made Rose happy that people were willing to celebrate with her and him, and he couldn’t have turned her down for any amount of money. She was the light of his life, and he knew she would be forever.

Once they were home, people mingled in and out of the rooms, and that’s when his mom said to him that he should host the family get-togethers. He had plenty of room with the big house, and it would be good for Rose to get used to having to deal with the things that came with hosting a dinner party. There were times when, as a business, they would host parties for clients and guests, and she would be the perfect person to do it. He agreed but said that he’d have to talk to Rose about it.

“We were going to talk to you about that anyway. At least the family get-togethers. It would save you too from having us crowded into your smaller home.” She told him that she was going to start having him and his brothers over one or two at a time to be with them. “That’s an excellent idea. I love that. Then they can have some time just with you. I know that I’d love to be able to hang out with you for just the two of us.”

The party of sorts was held in the main dining hall of the house. There was plenty of room for them to roam around, yet the place was small enough for them to be able to see everyone who came to it. Just as people were starting to leave, Rose and he were stationed near the door to tell people thanks for coming. He’d never been so proud of her as he was at that moment. His family lingered behind for a little while longer.

They were talking about how the others might be getting their mates soon when the doorbell rang. Not getting up to get it, they waited for Jenkins to open the door, and he was surprised to find Phillip at the door. He had not been invited.

“I’d like to talk to my sister, please?” Phillip looked around the house and smiled. “She’s not doing a very good job in keeping your house cleaned up if this is the way she’s working. Maybe you should just fire her and hire some staff that’s going to be better than she is.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He pointed to the dining room table that was filled with empty plates and food. “We just had a nice brunch. You were told that we were getting married this morning.”

“Yeah, she mentioned that. Are you going to tell me who you are? She said that she was marrying the man of the house, but I just don’t see that. She’s just Rose. Not really all that pretty either.” He felt Rose come up behind him and wrap her arm around his waist. “Now that’s who you should be marrying. A beautiful woman like her would look good on your arm. Are you two married?”

“We are, as a matter of fact. Would you like to meet her?” Phillip was all for that, and he couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he told him it was his sister. “Phillip MacIntre, this is Rose Malone. My wife.”

“She has the same name as my sister.” He laughed. “Maybe that’s why she thought you were marrying her. The woman has the same name. Rose can be stupid sometimes. Is she around? She said she’d give me some money to tide me over until payday.”

“I’m your sister, you moron.” Rose rolled her eyes at her brother and told him he needed to get his shit together. “I told you that I was getting married today and you chose not to believe it. Well, this is my husband, York Malone, and his family is here as well. Would you like to meet my in-laws?”

“Don’t treat me like I’m stupid.” His anger startled him. “I know my sister, and she’s not that beautiful. I just want my money, and I’ll leave you to your jokes. If you can tell my sister that I’m here, then that’ll be great.”