Page 123 of Reluctant Rogue

“It’s the perfect choice,” Beth enthused. “The gold is great for the season, and all the sequins make it shimmer.”

Naomi peered at herself again in the mirror. “Should I have put my hair up?”

Beth rolled her eyes. “No. It’s beautiful like this, pulled off your face, and spilling down your back. Liam’s going to love it. He’s always stroking and finger-combing your hair.”

A warm glow started in Naomi’s heart, and she smiled. “Yes, he is.”

Beth fastened a pretty gold necklace with a heart locket around Naomi’s neck, and stepped back.

“Okay, you’re ready.”

Naomi turned, and pulled her sister into a tight hug. Beth hugged her back, and the sisters clung together for a long moment. Beth pulled back and scowled at her. “You’re not going to cry and mess up your makeup, are you?”

Naomi gave a kind of hiccuping laugh. “No,” she said, blinking rapidly. Beth handed her a tissue, and she patted her eyes to capture any moisture. “I’m not going to my wedding with raccoon eyes!”

Chuckling, Beth went to the door and pulled it open. “Come on now, before youmissyour wedding.”

“Not happening!” Liam’s voice floated up from the bottom of the stairs, and the sisters giggled.

Naomi moved to the top of the staircase, gazing down at her Chosen. He wore a suit of dove gray, with a silver waistcoat over a silk shirt of pearl white. His thick hair with its reddish highlights was neatly tamed. He smiled up at her, his eyes warm as he took in her appearance, and for a moment, heat flashed between them. Then he held out his hand, and she went down to him.

Hand in hand, Beth in their wake, they went into the lounge, where their family and friends awaited. Angus and Renee were there as well, of course. In yet another surprise move, Angus had pulled another trick from his magic hat when they had asked to have their wedding at the bed and breakfast, offering to officiate as he had minister credentials. Besides Naomi’s family, their immediate friends were all present. Katerina and Troy, Jacinth and Douglas with Talya, and Tamera and Kester. Julian and Alessandra had driven up from where they lived in Staten Island, and were staying the night at the bed and breakfast. Liam’s parents hadn’t been able to come, as they were currently on vacation at a villa high in the Swiss Alps, but had welcomed Naomi into the family, and the whole family promised to descend on them en masse after the New Year.

Liam led her to where Angus awaited them in front of the Christmas tree. Angus was dressed with old-fashioned elegance, a clergy scarf of white silk draped over the shoulders of a black frock coat. With a smile, he gestured to them to take their places, facing each other before those gathered. A fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, and across the room, a five-tiered wedding cake held the place of honor on the buffet table. Silence fell, broken only by the plaintive mew from Lacey, held securely in Jacinth’s arms. Chuckles filled the room, and Angus cleared his throat.

The service was short and simple, just a few words from Angus. The vows, too, were kept simple but heart-felt, Naomi and Liam gazing into each other’s eyes as they exchanged their pledges. Then they were declared man and wife by a beaming Angus. The burgeoning happiness in her chest couldn’t be contained, and Naomi all but leaped into Liam’s arms, pulling his head down to claim his kiss.

Startled laughter was followed by applause, and she blushed as Liam lowered her to the ground. Everyone surged forward, hugging and kissing them both, as Liam kept his arm firmly around Naomi’s waist, refusing to let her go.

“She’s mine now,” he told them, gazing into her eyes as he held her close.

“I am,” Naomi agreed, and raised up on tiptoe to kiss him softly. “And you’re mine.”

“That I am,” Liam responded. “That I am.”