“You don’t, Gino.” She was practical. “You can only decide who you want to be. What kind of man you want to be. What example you set for our children. We all have choices. If you don’t like something about yourself, you work on changing it. It might take a lifetime, but that’s a gift you can share with your children. With me. That kind of lifetime commitment to change something in yourself you don’t particularly like.”
She kissed his nipple, curled her tongue around it and began a journey down his belly. His breath caught in his throat when her arm wrapped around his hips and her mouth found his cock. She blew air over him and then he was inside that warm, moist haven. There was nothing to sort out when he had his woman and she was giving him the ride of his life. When she hollowed her cheeks and sucked hard, she took away every bad memory, every bad image until there was only that mouth and the fire she surrounded his cock with. He knew he would always strive to be a better man because of her—to deserve her.
? ? ?
“Stop squirming,” Bellisia said. “Good grief, Zara, calm down.”
“I can’t calm down. I’m really doing this. Were you scared when you got married to Zeke? I’m petrified.”
Bellisia stepped back and glared at her. “Don’t you dare chicken out after all the talks I gave you advising to take your time and you wouldn’t listen. Now Nonny’s got her preacher man friend back, and I’m taking you out there even if I have to get the proverbial shotgun and hold it on you through the entire ceremony.”
“I want to marry Gino,” Zara admitted. “I’m crazy in love with him. I can’t stand it when he isn’t close to me, but I don’t know the first thing about relationships, being a wife, making him a home and making him happy.” The last came out in a wail.
“Sex,” Cayenne said. “Lots of sex. All the time. Anywhere. Be inventive, it’s so much fun. Wear all kinds of very provocative clothing and that leads to even more sex. Keeps me happy too so it’s a win-win situation.”
Pepper nodded. “I have to admit, she’s right. Lots of sex. Wyatt definitely keeps me happy in that department and he’s all for it anywhere, anytime, so win-win for me too.”
Bellisia sighed and pushed at her blond hair that was up in a swirling chignon so she looked very sophisticated. “Yeah, go for the sex, Zara. It can get you out of a lot of trouble.”
“Or in it,” Cayenne said complacently.
The women laughed and Zara had to join them. Cayenne and Trap had no problem with public displays of affection. Sometimes he barely managed to get her into the tree line before she was peeling off her shirt and trying to get his off at the same time.
“You might cook for him,” Nonny advised with a smile. “You want to keep your man’s strength up. Feed him so you can have plenty of sex.” Her smile faded and she looked very serious.
Zara leaned toward her, eyes on Wyatt’s grandmother. The other girls sobered as well and stopped everything to listen.
“Make a home for him. You be that home for him so the moment he sees you, he not only feels he’s home, he knows it.”
“How?” Zara asked.
“You don’t worry about what you’re getting from him. Worry about what he’s getting from you. If you married the right man, he’s doing the same for you. Don’t think he’s going to anticipate or know what you need, communicate it to him. Talk to him. Let things go that are trivial. Laugh every chance you get with him. It’s the little things that make or break a relationship. Put him first and hope he puts you first. That’s the best advice I can give you. I was married for a lot of years to my man, and I loved every minute I had with him.”
For a moment Nonny fell silent and then she smiled at them. “You girls make me feel young again and you make me wish I had that time back with him. Cherish your man. Show him that, Zara, and you’ll never go wrong.”
Zara was absolutely certain she wouldn’t have a problem with that. She had grown over the last few months in confidence. She didn’t listen to that voice that had always told her she wasn’t good enough or that she was a coward. She knew she was different from Bellisia and Shylah, but it didn’t matter. She had things to offer as well. And she had Gino.
Ezekiel poked his head in the door. “You ready? You look beautiful, Zara.”
“Thanks, Zeke.”
Cayenne and Pepper hurried out the door to get to their seats. Bellisia was standing up for her. Zara was suddenly anxious to see Gino. The music started, and Nonny leaned in and brushed a kiss on her cheek.
“You’ll do fine. Gino’s a good man.” It was said with authority.
Zara knew that. She knew Gino was a good man. On cue, she started down the aisle, just an opening between the two rows of chairs, but she didn’t notice because she had eyes only for the man waiting for her. Gino. Standing there in a suit. Waiting for her. He was perfect, her man. Perfect for her.
Her eyes met his and her stomach did a slow roll while her heart melted and a million butterflies took wing. She hadn’t thought she’d ever have this. A family. A man of her own. A home. She felt like she had everything she could ever want just looking at him. She walked up the aisle to him, completely confident. Completely happy. Feeling beautiful. Certain of her future. Gino took her hand and pressed it over his heart as both turned to face the preacher.