Page 57 of Claimed Gem

“Sure. I’ll need some more sunscreen, though.”

Ries gritted his teeth but nodded and dutifully applied it. His fingers itched to untie her suit, but he held firm, his resolve for a quick wedding becoming more of a necessity now. He led her toward the water and then held her hand while they waded in the surf.

After several minutes, he pulled her to face him and asked, “So, I was thinking Saturday might be a nice day to get married.”

“Saturday weddings are nice.”

Ries smiled and then clarified his statement. “This Saturday.”

Stephanie’s mouth opened on the words, but no sound came out on the first try. “You want to get married in three days?”

“Exactly. My brothers are coming over Friday to be here for it.”

“Ries, we can’t get married in three days.”

“Why not? You want to marry me. I want to marry you. And believe me, keeping my hands off of you for three days is going to test my self-control to the edge of reason.”

Stephanie looked at him and then burst into laughter. “You’re the one who decided we shouldn’t mess around now.”

“And I intend to stick to that, but you have to marry me Saturday.”

Stephanie turned and pressed her chest against his own, “I’ll marry you any day of the week and twice on Sunday.”

“Good. I spoke with Gemma and Aimee this morning. They are taking care of all the details and have requested you join them tomorrow morning to pick out your wedding dress.”

He kissed her and then, needing to cool them both off, he swept her up into his arms and carried her out into the ocean. He tossed her into the air before diving beneath the waves himself. They cavorted in the water until her skin was once again turning pink, and then they returned to the villa.

After showering separately, Ries escorted Stephanie over to the Moustakas estate to share her news. The women were happy for her and insisted she sit with them and detail her dream wedding.

It was almost ten o’clock that night before they returned to their own home, but Stephanie couldn’t stop smiling and Ries couldn’t wait until she bore his last name.

Stephanie was his, and he couldn’t wait to let the rest of the world know that.

26

Three days later…

“And do you Stephanie Harris,take Ries Kafatos, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, to be your beloved husband?” the priest asked.

“I do,” Stephanie told him, her voice ringing out loud and clear for their guests. There weren’t many, just family, the Moustakas cousins and their wives, and the few friends and associates who had helped them get to this point. Behind them, the sun was setting over the Mediterranean, setting the sky on fire.

“Ries and Stephanie, in as much as you have both declared your love for one another before these witnesses, I am privileged to declare you husband and wife. May the gods be with you on your journey through this life.”

Ries smiled down into her eyes and Stephanie was amazed at how full her heart felt. She could see the promise in his eyes, as well as the unremitting lust that three days of abstinence had wrought. She herself was so in tune with him that just the touch of his hand on hers had her heart racing and her body warming.

Ries bent to kiss her and she whispered against his lips, “How long do we have to stay at the reception?”

“Just a few minutes and then I’m taking you away on our honeymoon. I intend to have my way with you. Over and over again.”

“Yes, please,” Stephanie told him as he kissed her, dipping her backwards over his arms to the delighted cheers and claps of their guests.

He stood her back up and Damon and Nicolai were both there to congratulate them. Everyone was cheerful.

The Moustakas wives had insisted on taking over the planning of her entire ceremony. Stephanie had told them about the wedding she’d always envisioned for herself, and they hadn’t let her down. Every single item had been there, down to the blooming lilacs she held in her bouquet.

Stephanie smiled and exchanged hugs with her new group of friends, accepting their well-wishes and realizing that not only had she gained a family with Ries, but she’d gained a life she’d never have been able to imagine in her wildest dreams.

It was the perfect life for her, and for the first time in her adult life, she wasn’t worried about how she was going to pay the rent or when someone was finally going to realize she had a brain and didn’t mind using it.