Seducing the Wolf (67 page)

T
wo months later, on a gorgeous September afternoon, hundreds of guests gathered inside the majestic walls of a castle to celebrate the union between Manning and Taylor. The stone castle, located on a sprawling lakefront estate outside Atlanta, was the perfect wedding venue for a couple whose fairy-tale romance had begun decades ago. And fate had intervened on their behalf, providing a cancellation that had enabled them to secure the stunning location on short notice.

Wearing a strapless white sweetheart mermaid gown that had been specially designed for her by Asha Dubois, Taylor had never felt more exquisitely beautiful in all her life. As she stood staring at her reflection in the three-way mirror in the bridal suite, she was serenaded by a wave of sentimental sighs from her mom and bridesmaids, Manning’s mother, Aunt Winnie, Grandma Kirkland and Mama Wolf, who pulled out a handkerchief to wipe tears from her eyes. When a weepy Gabby asked to borrow Mama Wolf’s handkerchief, everyone laughed warmly.

Even Taylor’s father got misty-eyed when he saw her before the ceremony began. “You look absolutely stunning, angel.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Dad.”

“Thank
you
for allowing me to be here to give you away.” His eyes were shadowed with deep remorse. “This day would have come a lot sooner if I hadn’t interfered. I hope you and Manning can forgive me. And I truly hope you two will be very happy together.”

“We will be.” Taylor lowered her hand to her slightly rounded stomach and smiled softly. “We already are.”

Her father smiled, blinking back tears.

They watched from the private vestibule as members of the large wedding party lined up for the processional. There were nine groomsmen, which consisted of Manning’s brothers, Michael, Marcus, Quentin, Navarro and Tru, who’d bonded with Manning over the past two months. During Tru’s first visit to Atlanta, he and Manning had attended an auto show together, assembled new furniture for the baby’s nursery, and went out for beers, where they had a long man-to-man talk that gave them a greater appreciation and respect for each other. They were two of the most important men in Taylor’s life, so it thoroughly warmed her heart to see them developing such a strong friendship.

Manning had told her he’d always hoped that he and Tru would become as close as his father and Uncle Theo were. Theo, who’d given Prissy away at her wedding, was as overprotective of his younger sister as Tru was.

Taylor owed her brother a debt of gratitude for orchestrating her reconciliation with their father. It was Tru who’d intervened after their mother told him everything that was going on. Furious, he’d gone straight to Turner and had it out with him. Whatever he’d said had been enough to induce their father to put aside his pride and finally make peace with Taylor and Manning.

When Taylor tried to thank her brother for stepping in, he’d gruffly cut her off. “Don’t ever hesitate to let me know if someone’s trying to harm you, Kiwi. I don’t care who it is. As much as I like and respect Manning, if he ever does anything to hurt you, he and I are gonna have a serious problem. But he already knows that.”

Taylor had laughed. “Oh, yes, he knows.”

As if he’d intercepted her thoughts, Tru suddenly turned his head and looked over at Taylor. She watched his eyes soften with deep affection and pride. Then he smiled and winked at her.

She winked back.

When he returned his attention to Simona on his arm, Taylor couldn’t help thinking how good they looked together. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one who noticed. Though Hayden had been in seventh heaven upon arriving in Atlanta and meeting Manning’s brothers—“such an abundance of hotness,” she’d marveled—Taylor hadn’t missed the wistful glances she’d been giving Tru since the rehearsal dinner.

Taylor sympathized with Hayden. She knew unrequited love was painful.

All other thoughts evaporated from her mind as soon as the orchestra struck up a breathtakingly dreamy version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “All I Ask Of You.” Her breath quickened and her stomach fluttered with excitement as she watched the bridal party disappear through the arched double doors of the grand atrium. The dramatic processional was led by Montana and Gabby, the best man and maid of honor. They were followed by Michael and Zora; Magnum and Ebele; Maddox and Taylor’s favorite cousin Nia; Mason and Hayden; Marcus and a very pregnant Samara; Quentin and Lexi; Tru and Simona; and Navarro and Maya.

Taylor’s heart beat faster when the orchestra began playing “Forever,” the sweepingly romantic concerto she’d composed for the momentous occasion.

With a quiet smile, her father offered his arm to her. “Let’s not keep him waiting any longer.”

She smiled radiantly and tucked her hand through his arm, and together they entered the soaring atrium. The wedding guests surged to their feet and beamed with admiration as they watched the bride start down the petal-strewn aisle, golden sunlight pouring down on her from the domed glass ceiling.

When her gaze found her groom, euphoric rapture flooded her heart, filling her eyes with tears. He stood waiting at the altar, outrageously handsome in his custom Brioni tux. As she slowly made her way toward him, he stared at her with a look of fierce reverence that left her utterly breathless.

Gazing back at him, she remembered the very first time she saw him sauntering through the crowded halls of their high school. His brooding countenance had awakened some deep yearning inside her. She’d wanted to make him smile. She’d wanted to hear him laugh. She’d wanted him to notice her.

She’d wanted him to
see
her.

Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined that this day would come. She was marrying her childhood sweetheart, her hero and defender, in a beautiful castle by a lake. It sounded like a fairy tale. But it was so much better than that.

It was her life.

She was so deliriously overjoyed, she didn’t merely walk down the aisle. She
floated
.

When she reached the altar, Manning mouthed to her,
You take my breath away.

She beamed with pleasure.

When her father ceremoniously handed her off to Manning, the two men exchanged a single nod of understanding that spoke volumes.

And then Manning took Taylor’s hand, his expression so tender that it melted her heart.

They gazed rapturously into each other’s eyes as they recited the vows they’d written themselves, the heartfelt words pouring out of them like love letters. By the time they finished, both were choked up with emotion, and there was hardly a dry eye in the house.

Manning lifted Taylor’s romantic veil, then gently framed her face between his palms and whispered, “I’ve waited forever for this moment.”

Taylor smiled into his eyes. “Then let’s make it count.”

He slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her with searing passion, holding nothing back as the hall erupted with thunderous applause and cheers.

Their love had survived a devastating tragedy and years of separation. And now they had the rest of their lives to make up for the time they’d lost.

Now they had forever....

E
PILOGUE

“Hotlanta’s favorite newlyweds, Manning and Taylor Wolf, welcomed their firstborn son into the world on Saturday morning. Micah Stanton Wolf was born at 6:35 A
.
M
.
and weighed eight pounds and four ounces. According to unnamed hospital sources, the newest member of the Wolf Pack is just as handsome as the rest of ’em—which means we’ve got a future heartbreaker on our hands. We’re hoping to score photos of baby Micah very soon. In the meantime, we’re happy to report that mother and child are doing well, and the proud papa was spotted handing out cigars and sharing a celebratory howl with the rest of the pack. Can we just say that Taylor has to be one of the luckiest girls in the world? She’s married to Manning Wolf, she just won her second Grammy award, and now she’s the mother of a precious baby boy. If she weren’t such a sweet person, we’d probably hate her guts right now. Just kidding! As we extend our congratulations to the happy new parents, we can’t help wondering which Wolf will be domesticated next. Hmm...Stay tuned!”

Three months later, Taylor celebrated her first Mother’s Day at a festive family gathering at Manning’s parents’ house.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon, perfect for a Sunday garden party. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees overlooking a long table covered in white linen and set with fine china and crystal. The elegant wicker furniture arranged on the wraparound veranda provided enough seating for everyone to relax and mingle while they waited for the catered lunch to be served.

Once everyone was assembled in the large backyard, the male members of the Wolf Pack presented all of the mothers with a single pink rose, then surprised them with diamond bracelets from Tiffany. Each bracelet came with a pendant that reflected something personal about each recipient. Taylor’s pendant was a silhouette of a woman playing a violin. It was one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry she’d ever seen, and judging by the others’ delighted gasps and exclamations, she wasn’t the only one who loved her personalized gift.

The grateful mothers thanked the fellas with exuberant hugs and kisses that left them grinning sheepishly.

Standing beside Zachary, Zora watched the sentimental scene with a hand pressed to her heart. “Now
that’s
how you pay tribute to mothers,” she said with a sigh. “I can’t wait until I’m one.”

Zachary kissed her temple. “I’m taking notes.”

Overhearing the exchange, Uncle Theo raised a brow at the couple. “Something I need to know about?”

Zora smiled meekly. “No, Daddy.”

He glared suspiciously at Zachary, who made an exaggerated show of gulping nervously and tugging at his collar.

“Are you sure?” Uncle Theo prodded.

Zachary’s blue eyes glinted. “Yes, sir. I’m pretty sure.”

Everyone laughed.

Balancing her drowsy son on her hip, Taylor beamed up at Manning as he fastened the beautiful diamond bracelet around her wrist. When their eyes met, he leaned down and tenderly brushed his mouth across hers, then kissed Micah’s forehead.

“Thank you for the bracelet,” Taylor whispered to him.

He stroked her cheek. “Thank
you
for my son.”

All the mothers were rounded up to pose for a series of group photos beneath the twinkling canopy of trees. After that Taylor and Samara—the first-time mommies—were photographed together with their babies. They had to return to the veranda to sit on the sofa so that Samara could comfortably hold her twins in her arms. Eight months after their premature birth, Matthew and Malcolm were as robust as could be, leaving no doubt that they—like Micah—would grow up to become as big and brawny as the rest of the Wolf Pack.

After all the pictures had been taken, Manning gently lifted Micah out of Taylor’s arms and carried him inside for a nap. His mother, Taylor’s mom and Mama Wolf were right on his heels.

Chuckling softly, Taylor got up to follow the entourage, smiling at Maya and Navarro as they strolled past her on their way to the garden.

Halfway across the veranda, Taylor was stopped by Asha Dubois, who gave her a warm embrace and wished her a Happy Mother’s Day.

“Thank you, Asha. Same to you.” Though they’d met last year, Taylor was still a little awestruck by the legendary fashion mogul. Asha was even more stunning in person, the epitome of glamour and style. While Taylor was comfortable in her own skin, it was hard not to feel homely next to someone as fierce and flawless as Asha Dubois.

She curved an elegant hand against Taylor’s cheek and smiled. “Can I just say once again what an exquisitely beautiful bride you were?”

“Thank you, Asha,” Taylor said shyly. “And thank you for designing such a gorgeous dress for me. I loved it. But then I love everything you design.”

“
Merci beaucoup
,” Asha said graciously. “I’m just honored that you allowed me to outfit you on two of the most important days of your life—the day you got engaged and your wedding day.” Her smile softened. “Your son is absolutely beautiful. He looks just like your husband and the others. These Wolf genes…I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Taylor laughed. “My mom says the same thing, and I had the same reaction the very first time I met Manning’s family. I’ve seen old family photographs, and the resemblance goes back several generations.”

Asha’s eyes widened. “
Vraiment
?”

“
Vraiment
.” Taylor grinned. “You should ask Mama Wolf to show you pictures of their ancestor Bishop Wolf, who was a Buffalo Soldier in the Tenth Cavalry. Seeing his picture will send a chill down your spine, that’s how uncanny the resemblance is.”

“How intriguing.” Asha smiled warmly. “Your French is flawless,
chère
. Do you ever miss Paris?”

Taylor shrugged. “Every now and then. But I love Atlanta, I love the home I share with Manning, and I absolutely
love
having so much family around.”