Rural Romance by Alexa Riley

Epilogue

Cooper

A few months later…

I’m standing in the hallway at the back of the church waiting on them to tell us when to go. Since Bastian came into our lives through Lux, he’s become one of my closest friends. Mostly because Juno and Lux are inseparable even though they live hours apart. I’m just thankful that Bastian turned out to be a good guy and that he loves my sister the way she deserves.

When Lux asked me to walk her down the aisle, I got choked up and couldn’t form words. But I was able to nod, and that was all the confirmation she needed. Today is finally their big day, and part of me is really glad that Juno and I didn’t do all this mess. I wouldn’t have been able to stand being away from her long enough to have the ceremony, and when I checked on Bastian earlier, I can see he’s already there.

I’m ready to give away our baby sister, but Luca is running late, as usual. He said he would be here an hour ago, but traffic is holding him up. I haven’t told the bride because I don’t want to worry Lux, and thinking about her brother being late is the last thing she needs with everything going on.

“God, you look so sexy in a tux; it almost makes me wish we had a wedding,” Juno says as she comes up behind me and grabs my ass. I turn her around in my arms and pin her to the wall. When I go to kiss her, she stops me. “Don’t smudge my makeup or Lux will have my ass.”

“Fine, but only because it’s her big day,” I grumble, burying my face in her neck and kissing the tender skin there.

“Oh god, and don’t do that thing or I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” I growl and do exactly what she told me not to.

“Shit.” She melts in my arms as I slide my hands up her silk bridesmaid dress. Through the material I can feel her nipples and how hard they are.

“Damn it, woman, why are you teasing me with this dress?” I slide my hand up the side and slip my fingers inside her top. I caress the edge of her breast, and the soft skin is taunting me to have more.

“Lux picked it out,” she gasps, and then moans when I pinch her nipple.

“Do you want me to defile you in the middle of a church for everyone to see?” I pinch her again, and she nods.

“Yes, let’s go straight to hell without collecting two hundred dollars.”

My laugh against her skin is rough, and I know my smile is evil. “When you’re standing at the altar, I want you to picture me fucking you on it.”

“Oh god, we really are going to hell.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll wait until everyone’s at the reception.” I lean back and look at her, and she’s scowling.

“You’re a tease, Cooper Cross.” She says it like it’s a curse.

“And you like it, Juno Cross.” I raise an eyebrow, and after a second she shrugs.

“Maybe.” She pretends to not look at me, and I lean down and kiss her lips, damn the consequences.

“Hurry up and get that bride moving so I can have you calling out my name in this house of worship.” I wink at her, and her eyes widen.

“Damn it, Cooper. Now I’m turned on and offended.” She stomps away, but I smack her ass, and she turns around to glare at me while trying to hide her smile.

I stand there for a few more minutes checking my watch and trying to get my cock under control. Thankfully I’m calm enough that when Selma comes down the hall, I’m able to behave like a normal person and not the animal my wife creates when she gets close to me.

“Hey Cooper, you all set?” Selma asks as she grabs her flower bouquet from the table beside me. She’s one of Lux’s bridesmaids, and she’s wearing a dress that’s similar to Juno’s but not exactly.

“I’ll be much better when my brother arrives.” I say the last part through gritted teeth, but then relax when I see the front doors of the church open, and Luca struts in. “Thank fuck.”

“I’m guessing that’s him?” she asks as she turns to see where I’m staring.

“Yep, and it’s about damn time.” Luca walks quickly to where I’m standing and is fumbling with tying his bow tie the whole way.

“Sorry I’m late. I couldn’t get this damn thing to work.” He fights with it one more time before letting it fall open and his arms fall to his side. “It’s just not going to happen.”

“Want some help?” Selma offers, and Luca turns to her to say yes, but then he stops speaking.

For a moment he’s struck silent, which for Luca has honestly probably never happened. And I stand there staring at the two of them. Have they not met before? I didn’t meet Selma officially until the rehearsal last night, but Luca was delayed because of weather, and his flight didn’t land until this morning.

Selma is the first to react and goes right up to Luca and begins to fix his bow tie. He doesn't say a word, and I fight a smile as I stand there and watch it happen. I can’t remember the last time someone surprised my brother, but it seems Selma might have finally shut him up. I’ll think about all the ways to give him hell about this later, because right now the show is starting.

Lux comes walking out of the dressing room in her wedding dress, and tears sting my eyes. I love my sister so much, and I know this is truly the happiest day of her life.

“You look beautiful,” I say to her as I put her arm in my elbow and kiss her cheek. “I know Mom and Dad would have loved to be here, but I’m glad I could take their place.”

“Stop it or I’ll start crying and then so will Juno,” Lux says and sniffs.

Juno slaps me on my arm, and I see tears forming in hers. “She’s right.”

“You look beautiful too, baby.” I lean down and kiss her cheek and then nod to Luca. “Go make sure he stands in the right place.”

“I’m on it.” She winks at me, and I feel her swat my ass.

“You’ll pay for that,” I hiss at her, and she sticks her tongue out at me.

“Ready?” I ask Lux, and she nods.

“Take me to Bastian before he comes storming through the doors.”

When we’re all lined up and ready to go, I glance over at my brother. Luca is standing next to Juno, but his eyes are on Selma. I’ve never seen him look at a woman that way before, and I can’t help but wonder…is she the one for him?