One Bossy Dare: Chapter 26

Three Months Later

Wired Cup couldn’t have rolled out these goddamned splendid fall drinks with Eliza gone, so I made her a consultant.

Honestly, she likes it better this way. My girl has access to the lab for experimenting to her heart’s content, plus she helps us dream up new pastries on the side.

With the creeping Seattle chill and incessant rains moving in last week, we took off for a breather in Kona. I don’t think either of us are eager to relive memories of Troy every time the sky rips open and pours like that dark, stormy night.

It takes time to get over, even though the maniac’s trial was brief and he’ll be spending his days behind bars.

This time, it’s a different air in Hawaii, lighter than before.

Maybe because she’s only here as my girlfriend now.

I find her sitting on the bamboo couch outside, sipping a fragrant coffee and playing on her phone.

“Let’s go for a walk on the beach,” I say.

“Okay! Let me get ready.”

I snort. “You need to get ready for a walk?”

“Yeah, I want to bring some things with me.”

“What do you need to bring to the beach?” I glare at her. “It better not be another damn brew pipe. You know I love your quirks, sweetheart, but that thing—”

“Cole, don’t worry about it. Just stuff.” Her eyes shine, cryptic as ever.

I sigh affectionately.

“Woman, no amount of time I spend with you ever prepares me for your randomness, does it?”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” she teases, craning her neck to gaze up at me.

“It’s a thing. Good or bad, I don’t care. You know there’s nobody I’d rather spend time with.” I tilt her chin up with my fingers for a kiss.

“Ew!” I don’t see her until she moves. Destiny stands behind the couch to the side, just out of Eliza’s sight. She makes a face like she’s gagging. “Guys, get a room. How much time do you need to get ready for the beach, anyway?”

“About twenty minutes or so,” Eliza says. “And sorry-not sorry, you wanted this too, Dess. The cost of having me around is seeing your dad make kissy faces.”

I nod, biting back a laugh. “Go on, get the hell ready, so we can get out of here.”

Destiny gives me an awkward thumbs-up. Pain in the ass or not, she’s a little more grown-up every day.

When Eliza leaves the room, she asks, “How far are you walking?”

“We’ll make the rounds. Probably stop where you found your turtles before,” I tell her. “It’s almost whale season. If we’re lucky, there might be a couple humpbacks showing up early.”

“Oh, wow!” For a second, I think she’ll insist on coming with, but then she remembers. “Right. So, what are you gonna say to her? Did you practice?”

“I’ll improvise, Dess,” I say tightly.

“Daaad, don’t tell me you’re unprepared?” She sighs and facepalms. “This is going to end really well…”

“Destiny, you’re in luck. I don’t need your help with this part.”

She rolls her eyes. “Then why’d you ask for it, Romeo?”

“I don’t need your help with the logistics, I mean. Just your approval.” I smile warmly, remembering our conversation yesterday while Eliza was out by herself exploring the coffee farms.

She damn near tackled me like an overactive puppy when it was over.

“Way to get specific, Dad. But good luck.” Destiny stomps off, muttering to herself.

“Hey, hold up. You’re still—”

She spins around on one heel. “Why? You said you don’t need my help.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it. Some things a man has to do without his meddling daughter.”

She laughs. “Fine. I’ll be there when you’re ready, Daddy. Don’t worry.”

Shit.

This is really happening, isn’t it?

What will I say? I only snapped at her because I still don’t know.

Where do you start when you’re asking for forever?

Fool.

On second thought, maybe I should have let Destiny help with this part…

I’m about to race after her when Eliza walks in, stunning as ever in a strapless island dress and long chestnut-brown tresses framing her bright face.

She has a matching bag thrown over her shoulder.

My throat goes tight.

Her round tits are almost spilling out, making my tongue ache to taste them.

“Forget the walk. You’re more beautiful than any view out there,” I say gruffly.

She grins. “Thanks, brown-noser. I just want to be comfy at the beach.”

Fuck, this woman.

The only thing that would be more comfortable for us both is if she was wearing nothing. It’s a good thing Hawaiian law prevents me from making a small part of this shore my own private nudist beach.

“Right. Let’s go.” I offer her my hand.

She closes the space between us, locking her warm fingers in mine. “Should we ask if Destiny wants to come?”

“No. She’s working on her TikTok channel. She’s still got at least a dozen seal videos to upload from the week before we left,” I say.

“Adorable,” Eliza says with a laugh.

I lead her downstairs and outside, then through the evergreen trail bursting with emerald-green all the way to the sparkling sands.

“Gotta admit, it’s been an interesting three months,” I say.

She smiles, releasing a content sigh. “The best three months of my life, you mean. But we had some good times before we became official, too.”

“We did, and you’re stuck with me now.” She leans up to kiss my cheek.

How does she do it? Even a chaste peck makes my dick steel.

“I came so close to losing you. I’ve never been so scared of anything. Eliza—”

“Wait,” she cuts in. Panic washes over her face. “He’s not getting out of jail, is he?”

I hate that she’s still terrified. The color drains from her face. It’s the same look I see some nights when she’s tossing and turning next to me.

I always kiss her awake, pulling her away from those nightmares, back into my arms.

“Never!” I whisper, squeezing her hand. “That shithead went down for life. I made sure of it. I hired the whole A-list of lawyers for you, for Destiny, and for Aster. He’ll rot when he’s got assault stacked on manslaughter, plus armed robbery of a minor. I didn’t mean to scare you when—”

“Oh, man.” Her hand flutters to her chest. “Oh, thank God, Cole. I was afraid that’s why you brought it up, even if it’s kinda unlikely…”

“Didn’t mean to scare you. I only mentioned it to say if I ever lost you, I’d lose my mind. I won’t, Eliza. You are mine, tonight and forever.”

She smiles so wide I break into a grin.

“I am. Want to stop for a minute? I brought something new for you to try.”

I gaze out at the ocean. We’re not quite to the turtle beach yet. I turn around to look up the big hill behind us, but I can’t see Destiny.

“Let’s go a little farther first. It’s such a nice evening,” I say.

As if on cue, the island wind blows on us.

“Sure. Where do you want to stop?”

“Let’s find Destiny’s turtles.”

“You’re spoiling her. Surely, she doesn’t own the sea turtles?”

I smile. “Try telling her that. They’re always the first and last thing she wants to see when we get here.” We keep walking through paradise before I slow down and ask, “Eliza, have you been happy with everything?”

“You mean with us?” She pauses and looks at me.

“With us, with living with me. You’ve basically turned into a co-parent the past few months. I didn’t know if it would be too much.”

“No way! Having you and Destiny around rocks. Co-parenting is only an issue if it is for you or her.” She beams like the sun. “Sometimes, I think ending up in that fish chest was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“You can’t be serious?” My mouth drops.

“It got me you, didn’t it?”

Damn her logic.

“I was already yours. I never would’ve let you walk out of my life,” I growl, taking her hand and kissing it, grateful it’s long healed.

“Maybe I just wanted you to chase me.”

I stare down at her. “I chased you across the whole damn Puget Sound, all right.”

“I know.” She throws her arms around me, breathing me in.

The bag over her shoulder slides down to her wrist. She pulls a thermos out, screws the top off, and pours black liquid into it.

“Try this,” she urges.

Her concoctions are always delicious, so I take a big swig—and instantly regret it.

Miraculously, I force myself to swallow.

I’m not sure if I’m fake grinning or grimacing, but it’s so sour I can barely close my mouth. “Uh, what is that?”

At least someone’s having fun.

Eliza laughs so hard she almost falls over.

“You look like you sucked a lemon,” she sputters, wiping at her eyes. “It’s fine. That’s supposed to be guava and Hawaiian blueberry. Looks like the fruity flavors were a little loud.”

Big-ass understatement.

I swipe my tongue around, trying to erase the taste. “They can’t all be hits. I think that’s what I love the most about you—”

She’s still laughing, wiping her eyes. “What? That I can make you gag with sour coffee?”

“You don’t quit. You’re a honey badger after all, and you’re so fucking mine. I can’t imagine life without you in it.”

For a second, I glance up the big hill at a flash of movement. It’s Destiny, watching and waving to me.

It’s now or never.

I fall to one knee, taking the small, precious object from my pocket.

“Eliza Angelo, I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. I can’t live without you, and now I need to know this is for life. Preferably without any big flowery speeches because with you, I’m always impatient. Will you marry me?” I slide the ring on her finger before she can answer, staring up at the woman I desperately want to make my wife.

For a few brutal seconds, she’s a pillar.

Frozen. Staring. Breathless.

Then she throws herself into my arms, screaming, my ears ringing as her voice softens to a high-pitched “Yes, yes, holy crap yes!”

I stand there, smiling like a madman as I wrap my arms around her, crushing my mouth on hers.

We spend the next few minutes tangled and devouring each other.

“Okay!” Destiny yells, clapping her hands as she closes in. “That’s enough old people kissing. You’re going to gross out my followers.”

I glance over. She holds up the phone and taps the screen.

Eliza pulls away with her mouth hanging open. “Oh, God. You livestreamed it?”

“No, I just took a video and sent it to your parents. But I had to say something to make it stop sometime this century because—no offense, guys, but—” Dess shakes her arms. “Gross.”

“My parents know?” Eliza asks, blinking up at me.

I nod. “I had to talk to your dad before I proposed. I know a lot of girls don’t feel like someone should talk to their old man before them anymore, but in this case, I almost got you killed. All I could think about was some loser putting Dess in the same predicament and then deciding he’d marry her before he had the nerve to tell me about it. I’d tear him limb from limb. I figured our married life would be hell if I didn’t smooth that over first.”

“What did he say?”

“He said it was your decision—and that if I ever hurt you again, he’d give me a pair of concrete boots to the bottom of the Pacific.” I grin.

“What? He’s usually so mild.”

“I hurt his little girl,” I point out. “Never again.”

Destiny bounces between us and grabs Eliza’s free hand. “So, when and where are we doing this wedding?”

I side-eye her hard. “She just got engaged a minute ago. Give her a chance to think, Dess.”

“Oh. Well…” Eliza pauses, her tongue between her teeth in thought. “I’ve actually had my wedding planned since the seventh grade.”

“You have?”

“Yeah. It might’ve been eighth grade, but still…”

“Then how come you don’t know when and where your wedding is?” Destiny asks.

“Oh—I met this jerk before your dad and thought for a while I wanted nothing to do with men or weddings. All of those ideas feel tainted now.”

“I’d better not be your rebound,” I joke, wrapping my arms around her.

“You’re just my soulmate,” she whispers, looking intently at Destiny. “I know one thing I’d still like to keep for sure.”

“What?” Destiny asks breathlessly.

“I want a mocha fountain.”

“Mocha fountain?” I repeat, trying to wrap my head around it.

“Like a chocolate fountain, but better because it’s chocolate coffee,” she explains.

“People are going to think our wedding is one big PR stunt,” I say, laughing.

“Then don’t invite anyone. I’m fine with eloping.”

“I’m not!” Destiny squeals. “I need to see you say ‘I do,’ Dad.”

A few days later, our engagement announcements happen by accident.

We walk into a local coffee shop and order drinks. Eliza mentions to the barista that we’re getting hitched. Instead of writing our names on the cups, the barista writes Mr. Lancaster and Future Mrs. Lancaster.

A giddy Eliza snaps a picture with her phone and starts tapping furiously at the screen.

“Don’t tell me you’re posting that?” I say.

“Yep. It’s our announcement.” Then her eyes go wide and her mouth falls. “Oh! Hold up…”

“No,” I whisper, already sensing what she’s thinking. “Eliza, don’t you dare.”

“C’mon, Cole. You dared me once and now it’s my turn. We totally should—”

“No,” I bite off.

“Bad news. It’s opposite day and no means yes,” she says, walking her fingers up my arm. “We’re getting married at the Wired Cup on Seventh Street.”

Fuck my life.

Worst of all, she’s serious.

I breathe in before I say, “Sweetheart, hold up. You have unlimited resources at your disposal and you want to tie the knot at a retail coffee shop?”

“We’ll need some of those resources to shut it down for the day…”

My groan vibrates through my bones. “We can come up with a better venue. I promise.”

“Yeah, right. You can’t improve on perfect.”

“It’s a store,” I growl.

“It’s where we first met. That’s crazy romantic.”

“We’re not getting married in my damn shop,” I grumble, staring up at the sky.

When I look back, she’s still smiling.

It’s all I need to see to not instantly veto the idea.

If I’d give this woman the entire world on a silver platter, can’t I give her one memorable day in a barista line?

Three Months Later

I stand in the men’s room, fussing with my tie when there’s a knock at the door.

“Dad? Are you decent?” Destiny calls.

“Yeah.”

She opens the door and walks in, all dolled up in her finest. “See? I knew it. You need help with your tie. Come here.”

Usually, I’d try to deny it with my bruised pride, but today is too important to bicker with my daughter and my own dumb hands for never getting it right.

In ten seconds, Destiny has it adjusted perfectly, the warmest smile hanging on her face. “Mocha-brown looks good on you. It doesn’t match your eyes, but it fits the theme.”

“Thanks,” I huff out, rolling my eyes.

“What? Dad, you’re getting married. Lighten up. You can’t possibly find anything to grump about today.” Her awkward laugh spills out.

“I still can’t believe you let her talk me into this.”

“Um, because it’s sweet as pie, Dad. This is—”

“Yeah, yeah. The first place we met,” I finish. “Like I could ever forget.”

It wouldn’t be half-bad if I didn’t have to use the men’s room to suit up. The shop is the perfect size for our small group of family and close friends, sure. It’s also easy to shut out anyone who just wants to gawk at the billionaire and the beauty too.

“You remember your promise, Dess? You agreed to a media blackout. You won’t post anything online until it’s over for twenty-four hours.” I stare at her.

“Oh, yeah! I wouldn’t dream of ruining this.” She gives me one of those teenage grins that seems so grown-up.

I smile back at her. “It’s probably too late to ask, but you’re still okay with this, aren’t you?”

“Dad, stop. If you’re getting cold feet, you’ll have to scrounge up a better excuse than me. And if you walked out on Eliza, I’d probably never talk to you again.”

“Not even a thought.” I hug my daughter. “I’m walking out of here with a wife. I just realized I never checked in with you since the day I proposed. Time flies.”

“It’s a godsend. Someone needs to take care of you when I move away.” She smiles softly. “I’m just glad it’s somebody you actually love. I would’ve had to like rent you a friend or something if Eliza hadn’t shown up.”

“Hell, I’m not that high maintenance, but I appreciate the thought.” She turns to go as I call, “Hey, Dess?”

“Yeah?”

“Have you given any thought to where you’re moving when the time comes?”

Her eyes flare with excitement. “Honolulu! Where else? With my grades, I’ll moonwalk into the U of Hawaii.”

“You’re serious about this marine biology gig, huh?”

“Yeah.” She shuffles her feet and nods. It’s cute how shy she is every time I remember that I’m not the only one who let fate in this past year. “Hey, Dad, one more thing…”

“What?”

“Don’t think you’re getting off this cheap whenever I get married.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” My laugh bounces off the walls as she walks out.

A few minutes later, she’s at the door again, tapping lightly and cracking it open. “You need to come! They’re about to get started.”

“On my way.”

With one last look in the mirror, I’m as ready for forever as I’ll ever be.

I march out the door and don’t stop until I’m standing beside the modified front counter that now sits behind an arch of fully bloomed white orchids.

Destiny strolls down the aisle alone in her coffee-tinted satin dress with the dark blue belt.

Lincoln and Dakota Burns are next with their daughter.

Then Mr. Angelo appears with Eliza on his arm and goddamn, she’s so bright I regret not having shades.

She looks like the world’s tastiest three-tiered cake in her strapless white dress with cascading ruffles. Every movement accents her curves through the fabric.

I’m already throbbing at the thought of pulling it off her later.

Lyle Angelo, my future father-in-law, puts her hand in mine, gives me a death glare, and says, “Take good care of her, Lancaster.”

“You have my word,” I say, squeezing his hand firmly before I lock eyes with Eliza.

It hurts how beautiful she is.

All soft eyes and glossy smile.

I see the woman who saved me as much as I saved her, the face of my future, and God, the sexiest woman alive—the one and only—the treasure I’ll cherish hard and often.

With a dumbstruck smile for my wife-to-be, I turn to another familiar face. Katelyn Storm moonlights as an officiant when she isn’t working for me.

She would have skinned me alive if I hadn’t agreed to let her do the ceremony.

“We’re going to begin with a special unity ceremony,” she announces for our little audience.

Destiny leaves her spot as maid of honor, moving to the vials and burr grinder on the other side of us. She picks up the vial of toasted vanilla beans and pours it into the grinder before returning to her place.

Misty Angelo, Eliza’s mother, moves to the unity station next.

She picks up the first vial on Eliza’s side with a tearful smile—cacao beans.

My turn comes next. I walk over and take the peaberry vial, uncapping it and dumping it into the grinder.

Next, Eliza comes over and empties the vial with our standard Sumatra beans.

As soon as it’s in, I crank the grinder slowly with Eliza’s little hand over mine.

With the beans ready, I pass them back to her, watching intently as she sets up a pour over drip on top of a wide-mouthed decorative mug.

Wayne the barista hands her a small goosenecked kettle from behind the counter, already steaming at the perfect temperature.

She brews the coffee quickly and then picks up the mug.

Love grounded me, it says on the side with today’s date under it.

She holds the cup out for me with both hands like an offering.

Slowly, I bring it to my lips and take a sip.

I swallow, turning the cup around like we practiced so I can offer her the same.

Those honey-sweet amber eyes watch me the entire time she drinks deeply.

I’m so messed up by her smile that I can’t even breathe.

We set the cup down a minute later and return to our places.

When we planned everything out, we decided these would be our vows, acted out rather than spoken in our second favorite ritual that still involves being clothed.

We’re just about to be proclaimed man and wife when Eliza says, “Wait.”

My heart stops.

“Yes?” Katelyn’s face is questioning.

Eliza swallows audibly. “I know we didn’t plan this, but there’s one more vow I need to make…”

“Go right ahead.” Kate nods at her, smiling.

Eliza turns to Destiny. “I can never replace your mother, but you’re family now. This day needs to be about you, too, honey. I just want you to know that I promise I’ll always love you.”

Here comes the waterworks.

Destiny wipes a tear off her cheek as she runs over and damn near flattens Eliza. “Thank you, thank you!”

If we’re having a coffee-themed wedding, it must be laced with so much sugar it’s practically syrup.

Eliza strokes her hair and turns to me again. “Sorry. I just felt like I had to—”

I don’t let her finish.

I just sweep her into my arms, attacking her with a kiss that says there’s no way I could love this woman more.

“I now pronounce you man and wife!” Kate says cheerfully.

I barely notice. I never take my mouth off Eliza’s, tasting her sweetness down to her soul.

I think I taste my own luck, too, realizing she’s mine forever. And I think she also realizes it when she shudders in my embrace.

It’s just a kiss—the happiest of our lives—but this kiss has a weight.

When I finally break away, she sighs, laying her head on my chest.

Applause bursts around us. It’s amazing how much noise even a small peanut gallery can make when they’re amped up for your entire future.

I move my head to her ear, keeping her safely tucked against me. “Hold the fuck on. I’m going to give you another reason to shake tonight, and we won’t have to worry about interruptions.”

She shudders before she says, “We still have a whole reception to make it through. Careful what you promise, Lump.”

“Oh, hell.” I pull back to look at her, wearing a shit-eating grin. “Call me that again and I’ll double down on what I said. If you still think there’s anything lumpy about me, Mrs. Lancaster, then it’s my duty to clear that up.” I bring my mouth closer so I can whisper, “Preferably by leaving you so sore for our honeymoon you’ll need me to carry you.”

I love the stunned flash of her eyes and the way she forgets we’re supposed to be moving until I lock my arm around hers, leading us down the makeshift aisle.

I love that we’ll always have this banter—the very thing that brought us together in this shop.

From Wired Cup, we all head to a historic hotel attached to a vineyard for the reception. The fires in the hearths glow brightly against the winter chill, painting our special day in orange light that mirrors the embers in my chest.

I watch Eliza and her old man dance to “Stealing Cinderella.” He still occasionally glares at me, but I think we’ll be friends. Someday.

Every time I glance over at Destiny, she smiles, even if she barely looks up from my wife being spun around by her father.

The next dance is mine.

Finally.

We move with one rhythm, swaying more to our own pulse than the music.

Every time she smiles, looking over my shoulder, I turn to see what remains of the magnificent eight-layered coffee cake. It’s topped with two mugs with our names on them and decorated with espresso truffles and sea salt.

“Do you wonder if we took the whole coffee theme too far?” I ask.

“Never. It’s totally us and everyone loves it.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” I say with a snort. “I’m just glad you put the coffee down long enough to have some champagne with me.”

“Yep.” Eliza smiles playfully. “Do you remember the party favors? They’re just about to bring them out.”

“Damn, do I want to?”

She smiles, mischief gleaming in her eyes. I can’t wait to see it again later when we’re alone. “Little burlap bags of chocolate-covered beans tied with lace. The bag says—”

“Ah, shit. Thanks for reminding me,” I grind out. “’Thanks for bean’ here.’ Right?”

Giggling, she pushes her face into my shoulder.

“We get it. I married a little nerd,” I say, brushing her hair with my hand until she looks at me. “And she’s the sexiest, sweetest nerd alive.”

When it’s time for the bouquet toss and I’m eyeing the time on my phone impatiently, so goddamned ready to make our grand escape, Destiny scurries toward the crowd.

Until I catch her by the shoulder with a wary look. “Where do you think you’re going, young lady? This family’s not getting another wedding for at least seven years.”

“Dad!” She grins at me. “Not fair. Give me a chance.”

“You’ll have your chance at other weddings, little bee. I’m too young for you to give me that much grey hair if you catch that thing.”

She pouts, but lingers at my side as the handful of single ladies cluster around her.

When the moment comes, Eliza throws the bouquet like a catapult—and Destiny still lunges for it as it sails over our heads—but when I turn around to look where it landed, everyone’s staring in quiet shock or screeching laughter.

“Oh, hell.” Brock Winthrope looks up, red-faced, the flowers pinned against his shoulder. “Can we have a do-over?”

A couple hours later, the guests are on their way out. Eliza gives her parents an emotional goodbye. Once they’re gone, she and Destiny go to the bathroom and come out wearing matching brown velour jogging suits and aqua t-shirts.

Destiny looks down, rolling her eyes in horror. “Big yikes. We look like we just escaped the nineties. I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

“Just you wait. It’ll be comfortable on the long flight,” Eliza promises with a grin.

“Leggings are good enough. This screams old people club—and not the cool kind.”

Eliza eyes her warily. “On your wedding day, we’ll wear whatever you want, okay?”

“I’m holding you to it.” Destiny points at her stepmom.

I stand there and try not to cringe, grateful that Eliza’s outfit won’t be staying on for long.

I put a bedroom on my jet for good reason.

“Are we ready for the honeymoon?” I ask, linking my arm with hers just as Tom pulls up, working his way through the exiting wedding traffic. “Flight leaves in about an hour.”

“You’re kidding, right? Cole, just name any day of the week and I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth.” Her eyes glisten.

Eliza looks at me like it’s the first time she’s truly seeing me.

Goddamn, I can’t wait to make that sparkle in her eyes a whole lot brighter.

While I wait for Tom to park along the curb next to us, I bring my woman—my wife—home to my lips.

This is our moment.

Our special drink of forever.

I don’t even look back at Destiny, knowing she’s turning ten shades of green behind us.

We trade champagne kisses for the next five minutes, fully lost in each other, laughing with hungry tongues and heat and heart.

Who knew one little dare with a spitfire would finally set me free?

Who the hell knew I’d fall so hard for this woman?

With Eliza, I’ll always be dizzy, coming off a permanent caffeine high.

And I wouldn’t trade this spectacular woman for another cup of anything else in this life.