Worth arranged for a limo to bring Jessica and her attendants to the church. They had fussed and giggled as they made sure every hair was in place. Kari had produced a treasure trove of brushes and cosmetics, expertly painting and powdering, until Jessica felt like a princess. Now, as she walked down the aisle on Chet's arm, she lifted her eyes under the veil and breathed a prayer of thanks, hoping that her father was watching. How she had dreamed of him giving her away one day! Just then, Chet squeezed her hand; her heart was truly full.
The love in Worth's eyes as he watched Jessica walk slowly toward him was unmistakable. To his right, Layla, Kari, and Donna stood smiling at her in simple teal silk dresses, each in different designs so that Layla could accommodate her growing belly. To his left, Fred, Skip and Paul stood, splendid in black suits with teal ties and pocket handkerchiefs. The flowers had been carefully selected by Jessica, reminiscent of the beautiful arrangement Worth had sent her as an apology the year before, an exquisite blend of hot-house ornamentals and wildflowers adorned with teal ribbon.
As Jessica took her place next to Worth, he winked at her and squeezed her hand. The ceremony was short; they had written their own vows, each promising to cherish the other, to be true to their love and to their vows. Still, it all seemed like it was happening in slow motion to Jessica, surreal. Only when the minister said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife," did the enormity of the moment sink in. This is real! I'm really Mrs. Worth Vincent!
Much to the delight of their guests, Worth ceremoniously dipped her low to give her her first kiss as a married woman. The reception was elegant; Molly had made sure of that. They ate, drank, talked to friends and family at the hall, dancing and enjoying everything until the hour grew late. When Worth took her to the hotel where they were to spend the night before going to the airport the next day, she found that he had arranged the honeymoon suite with all the trimmings.
"Only the best for my wife on her wedding night," Worth said as he carried her over the threshold. She had found him to be big on tradition during the planning stage, and she loved this side of him. His heightened sense of propriety may have caused some turmoil during the roller-coaster ride of their early relationship, but in this context, she appreciated it.
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Worth Vincent flew to Abu Dhabi where they sunned and swam at one of the many luxury hotels, November's chill back home nowhere to be found. They ate, shopped and made mad, passionate love every day and night. Despite Jessica's previous concerns, Worth had packed for her perfectly—new bikinis and sundresses for outside, with light shawls for walks in the moonlight, and nothing at all for inside their plush room.
One night when they returned from dinner, however, Jessica was unusually cranky. She had gotten too much sun that day. A headache threatened. On top of that, she had started overthinking. She was a wife now. Soon she'd be an aunt. She had no idea what would go in the next column, and she needed to plan a baby shower, and there was Donna's wedding…
After a while, Worth had had enough.
"What are you doing?" she asked crossly as he pulled her down onto his lap where he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Hmm, let's see. You are over my knee. I would think it was pretty obvious, Mrs. Cranky Pants." Worth trapped her legs with one of his, just as he had done before, the day she'd met Molly.
"I thought we agreed that it's pleasure we're about, not pain. Are you angry with me?"
Worth's tone was amused, but it had an edge. "Angry? Never, my love, but life is not just pleasure. Sometimes pain can be quite a motivator, wouldn't you agree? You touch the stove as a child, you learn to avoid it. You misbehave, you get spanked—at least that's the way I was raised."
Jessica was appalled, trying to squirm out from under the firm hand he'd placed on her back. "You're going to spank me? Seriously? We already had this conversation. I am not a child."
"Well you're acting like one. I understand that you got too much sun and it's made you tired and out of sorts, but once I turn your bottom as red as the rest of you, I think you'll find that your mood has changed for the better. It's for your own good, and frankly, for mine too. I'm weary of the whining."
"That's just mean!" she said as she struggled. She felt trapped. What have I gotten myself into?
Worth chuckled. "Not at all. But I've asked you repeatedly to stop grousing, and you've ignored every overture I've made—not at all the way you usually act. I'm feeling a bit taken for granted, if you must know. And in all the time I've loved you, that's a first. And not in a good way. So, I'm doing something unusual too. Another first." He spoke more softly. "And after I'm done, I'll rub cooling gel all over your body and let you rest. I'll fix you a refreshing drink and rub your feet. I'll shower you with kisses. But now, the punishment must fit the crime. I'll pamper you plenty, but you have to earn it."
Worth pushed her cover-up up over her bottom and slid her bikini bottoms down slowly. She kicked them off the rest of the way in spite of herself, already looking forward to the cooling gel he'd talked about. Let's just get this over with. How bad can it be? She had to admit that she had been behaving terribly.
When the first smack landed, Jessica
