Inhaling the warm sea air. I wasn't exactly sure how we managed it, but in two weeks we'd organised our entire wedding and yesterday we'd stepped off a boat onto this beautiful island.

"I think you could pack me up and ship me here permanently," sighed Riley.

With the sun warming our skin, we walked hand in hand, barefoot along the white sandy shores of Ka'anapali Beach in Maui where mother nature had pulled out all the stops.

Riley gushed. "Have you ever seen anythin' as beautiful?"

I squeezed her hand. "I have, in fact this pales in comparison."

She leaned into me. "You flatter me, doctor." Grinning, looking up at me with those mesmerising green eyes. "My nana would say you're a charmer, Sir."

"Only with you." Riley's dark hair was piled up on her head in a messy bun with tendrils framing her gorgeous face and her cheeks carried a flush, as it hadn't been more than two hours since we'd made love and she still had the look of a woman who had been thoroughly fucked.

My top lip curled into a contented smile as the image of her spread naked on the bed with my head between her lush thighs and those moans she made that would drive any man crazy.

"What's got you smiling a mile wide?" she asked.

"Me?" I pulled her closer, kissing her temple. "Just thinking how happy you make me." I couldn't remember ever feeling this happy.

And tomorrow this amazing woman would become my wife...although even without a signed piece of paper tying us, she was already my everything; her agreeing to be my wife was the cherry on top.

Riley tugged us closer to the lapping water's edge as the spray from the slow-moving tide washed over her toes. "Look," she let go of my hand and dipped, picking up a shell.

Rising, she studied it. "This one's a keeper... pretty." She muttered as he she looked up, using a hand to shield from the sun. "You're smiling like that again?" she hummed. "You look like a man with sumthin' on his mind?"

In a flash, I scooped her up, and Riley giggled fastening her legs around me, winding one arm around my neck to bring us closer. "I'm thinking I can't wait till I get to call you my wife." I wiggled my eyebrows.

"My husband," she cooed, playing with the hair on the back of my neck. "I sure do love the sound of that."

Not caring if anyone was watching, although the beach was pretty sparse of tourists and locals, I kissed her, feeling her legs tighten around me. It would be hard to hide my erection in these light cotton pants.

A little breathless. "Is there time to head back and drag you into bed, doctor?" she asked when we came up for air.

I groaned... tempting, so very tempting. "Sadly my love, time isn't on our side," I kissed the tip of her nose to watch her adorably pout.

"Why, what time is it?" Uncurling my arm from her waist, I brought my wrist up. "After three."

"What time do your parents arrive?" She bit down on her lip and I saw the nervous flare of her eyes.

"From their message, within the hour." I had asked no members of my family to attend the wedding. My parents had invited themselves. I hoped it was to congratulate and celebrate with us and nothing more.

Riley wriggled out of my grasp, and her feet landed in the soft sand. "Darn it! We better head back. I need to shower and fix my hair." She fussed a hand through her messy bun. "Did they like Emma?" she blurted out, and then slapped a hand across her mouth. "Sorry," muttering through her fingers.

They had adored Emma. "Yes, and they will love you too. So stop worrying."

Her eyebrows nudged together as she toyed with the small shell in her hand. "But what if they don't like me?"

I was sure once they got to know Riley they would love her almost as much as I did and if not, then I only saw them a few times a year with them living in Washington. "Then who cares?" I pulled her in, wrapping myself around her, resting my head on top of hers. "I love you. You love me. If anyone can't see that, or doesn't like itthen that's on them."

Riley inhaled deeply, her fingers curling into my cotton shirt, but slowly she softened in my hold. "Even so, I want to look my best."

I wouldn't win this one as we made our way back.

Back inside our room, I heard Riley humming a tune in the shower. Tempted to climb in with her, the phone rang. I knew it would be the reception desk informing me of my parents' arrival.

Telling Riley I was heading out, I found them waiting for me in the main foyer.

"He's here Franklin." My mother opened her arms wide, greeting me. "Adam..."

So far, so good. They seemed happy to be here. Both my parents were in their late sixties and thankfully in good health, and spent quite a chunk of their time travelling.

"Have you checked in?" I asked.

"Yes, yes." My mother fussed. "They have taken our luggage up to our suite." Her eyebrows crunched together as she drew back. "You look tired," she turned to my father. "Doesn't he Franklin—look tired?" Her head whipped around. "Are you sleeping enough?"

My mother still treated me and brother like toddlers. "Yes. I'm sleeping just fine." She threw me a disbelieving look. "Shall we head to the terrace for drinks?" They both nodded, and we chatted about their flight over whilst we found a table overlooking the ocean where the coastline welcomed both the sea and the sky.

As our drinks arrived, so did the questions.

"So, where is this fiancée we knew nothing about? Are you hiding her from us?" My mother's lips thinned as the lines deepened around her narrowing eyes.

Here we go...

"I'm not hiding Riley Jo anywhere, Mother. She's freshening up. We took a stroll along the beach and lost track of time."

A small humph left her lips. "Riley Jo..." Her brow furrowed again. "What kind of name is Riley Jo, anyway?"

"Clara..." my father warned.

"Don't you Clara, me Franklin. Our son has completely lost his mind. How can he be serious about this girl when Emma's not been dead twelve months!?"

Shock struck like a rattlesnake. It sucked the breath from my lungs and set my heart to pounding. Jaw twitching, I tried to calm my emotions. Had I been stupid to hope they would have been happy for me? Thankfully, I'd prepared myself for this very conversation as I heaved a mental sigh of irritation, shutting my eyelids for a moment, pinching the bridge of my nose.

She softened her voice. "I saw how devastated you were after you lost Emma, Adam."

My mother had taken it upon herself to insert herself into my life for an entire month following Emma's death. She'd seen me at my lowest point.

I met my mother's stare head on. "Can't you just be happy for me?"

"Happy?" she blustered, glancing at my father. "We're worried about you. This is much too soon. I don't like it."

And there was the crux of it. She didn't like it. Well, tough, and I saw no point in trying to reason with her. When my mother made up her mind about something, it was difficult to change course. It left me little option. "I'm sorry you feel that way, and—" she opened her mouth to interrupt, but I held up my finger. "If you can't be happy for me, then I suggest you don't bother unpacking."

They may be my parents, but I would not allow them to ruin our wedding day. "A few months ago, I didn't think it was possible that I would meet someone else and not just anyone, Riley. She breathed life back into me." Snatching a breath. "I am marrying her Mother. And I'm damn sure I'm old enough not to need your permission or approval."

She huffed, puffing out her chest. "Something's not right. You weren't even going to tell us." She shifted in her chair, looking to my father for back up. "We had to find out from your brother."

Note to self. Kick William.

Anger weaved through my veins like melted wax. "Can't you just accept that she makes me happy?"

She waved off my question. "I've spoken to Carter," she blustered on. "What on earth are you thinking?"

Carter was our family lawyer and an old friend of my fathers.

"You've not even got the girl—and that's what she is, Adam, a girl! To sign a pre-nuptial agreement."

I'd had enough, as I shook with anger becoming so brutal it threatened to burn me up from the inside out. "Enough mother!" I snapped.

I didn't want to quarrel with my parents, but they were getting pretty damn close to that line.

"Riley is an adult. And no. I'm not asking her to sign, shit."

"Language..." my mother chastised. "And why so quick? Is she pregnant?"

Maybe... we had been very active in the bedroom. Hell, in every room in the house and if they turned sex into an Olympic sport, me and Riley would have won gold... and never once had I used protection.

"It's what we both want."

And I certainly didn't want the circus of my last wedding. Emma had lost her parents at a young age and my mother took great joy organising every detail, which Emma had been quite happy to allow as it didn't take her focus away from work. I loved my mother, but she was a force of nature. Hurricanes didn't stand in her way, and there was no way I would allow them to bulldoze Riley. This was our wedding.

"Leave the man alone, Clara,' My father finally threw his weight into the conversation. "Adam's not stupid. He's always been sensible in his choices."

She twisted in her chair, gripping the handle tightly as she faced my father, face reddening. "Franklin, he's not thinking straight!" Her eyes were back on me. "I know you loved Emma with all your heart and clearly you're still grieving and this girl is taking advantage of that."

Anger exploded. I was up out of my seat so fast that I barely heard the chair toppling over as my fists clenched at my side. "Riley has not taken advantage of me. And we're done here. Stay. Go. Do whatever! But don't think I'm letting you within six feet of Riley." I started walking away as the server scurried over, picking up my chair and I heard my mother apologising for me.

"Son..." said my father, and I halted my steps. "Your mother's just worried. But she will behave."

I slowly turned around. His face was full of remorse. "Please come and sit back down, son."

"Mother?" I threw her a look.

"Clara!" my father's voice deepened. I couldn't remember the last time I'd heard my father raise his voice to my mother.

My mother looked away, then brought her eyes back to me. "Fine."

My father relaxed and smiled. "Now. When can we meet Riley Jo?" The tension eased from his shoulders.

My attention flitted between the two. "She'll be down soon." My eyes flashed with a fierce protectiveness. "But I'm warning you both right now. I won't tolerate any disrespect toward her." My tone was flat, resolute. Nothing or no one would upset Riley or give her pause to change her mind about marrying me tomorrow.

"I said fine," repeated my mother. "I've said my piece."

The server stepped back from the chair and I threw him an apologetic look as I sat back down and picked up my drink.

Fifteen slow minutes passed with polite conversation before I heard footsteps approach. I knew it was Riley. Up out of my seat, turning. I held out my hand, and she didn't hesitate to take it, standing next to me. "You look beautiful," I whispered as my eyes cast over her curves demurely hidden beneath a pale lemon dress.

"Thank you."

My smile was a mile wide. "Mother, Father. I want you to meet Riley Jo Lockwood...my fiancée." I said proudly.

My father rose from his seat and shifted forward, holding out his hand. "It's a pleasure, Riley Jo." He smiled. "I can see my son is a very lucky man. You're stunning."

Riley angled her head to me and then back at my father. "Thank you, and the pleasure's all mine, Mr Matthews." She let out a small gasp, her eyes widened. "Sorry, I meant Dr Matthews or do I call you Sir?" Her cheeks flamed and I squeezed her hand.

"Franklin works just fine Riley Jo."

Riley sucked in a slow breath, nodding.

I turned my attention to my mother, who had also risen from her chair standing stiffly.

"Mrs Matthews. It's so lovely to meet you." Riley stretched out her hand.

My mother took a second longer than I would have liked, but then shook Riley's hand. "I like your dress, Mrs Matthews." I could hear her nervousness as my mother lips formed a tight smile as she lifted her chin.

"Thank you, Riley Jo."

I pulled Riley closer and slipped my hand around her waist. I could feel the tension wound tight in her body. "Drink?" I asked, wanting to diffuse her nerves.

Tipping her head up. "I would really love one of those fruit cocktails they served us when we arrived. Do you remember?" She bit into her bottom lip.

"Coming up," I signalled the server, and they came over and I ordered. Keeping my fingers laced with Riley's, we all took our seats.

Barely a heartbeat passed before my mother jumped right in. "If you don't mind me asking Riley Jo. How old are you?"

I heard Riley gulp. "I'll be twenty-three in two months' time, ma'am."

My mother's eyes went wide. "And your mother doesn't mind you marrying a man almost twice your age?"

Riley looked at me and then back at my mother. "My mama has no say in whom I choose to marry Mrs Matthews."

"Has Adam told you that our family owns the tenth largest company in America?"

"Mother..."

"I'm just making conversation, Adam."

Riley squeezed my hand. "Yes, he told me, but y'all have to accept my apologies as for the life of me, I can't remember the name of it or what it does exactly."

We hadn't talked about any more about the family business since the day I proposed.

My mother fed on her words. "Well, Riley Jo, I'm sure you can understand why we are a little worried about this union between you and my son?"

Right, that was it. We were done here. I pushed out my chair, rising. "Riley lets go."

Riley looked up at me and shook her head. No? She didn't want to leave?

I stayed standing as Riley turned all her attention to my mother.

"Mrs Matthews. I can see your concerns and heck, if the shoe was on the other foot, then I would question everything too." She tugged on my hand and I reluctantly sat. "But I'm not interested in Adam for what he might or might not have." She glanced at me shyly, smiling. "You don't know me yet, but I can tell you right now. I love your son with every breath in my body. I'm not sure how I got so lucky or if I even deserve him. But I'm gonna spend every damn day of my life making sure he knows what me means to me."

My mother's eyes were as wide as I'd ever seen them.

Riley continued with a determined tone, pulling her shoulders back. "Look, I love that you're protective of Adam. I would be too, so I'm not gonna hold anything against you. But I ask that you give me a chance, because I don't want any bad blood between us."

My chest filled with pride. My Riley was quite the firecracker. I hadn't needed to worry or protect her from my mother.

But sadly, my mother wasn't done... yet.

"That's very admirable, but what if we ask you to sign a pre-nuptial agreement? Protecting Adam." My mother waved her hand in a grand gesture. "Emma—Adam's first wife, happily signed one."

My heart stuttered as a spluttered a cough. "Emma was bulldozed into signing and if I'd been there, she would not have sighed it."

Riley shrugged. "I'm happy to sign whatever."

That shut my mother up.

I didn't miss my father's sly smile. "Clara, let's head up and change for dinner." He turned to Riley. "I hope we can join you both. I'd love to hear more about my future daughter."

Riley blushed. "Dinner sounds lovely, Dr Matthews."

"Didn't we agree on Franklin?" he winked. "Or Dad after tomorrow." His smiled was wide and genuine.

"Yes, we did... Franklin." Riley grinned.

"Come Clara." Again my father's tone was one not to be argued with as my Mother reluctantly stood and followed him.

I grumbled as they walked away, shaking my head. "I'm so sorry about my mother."

Riley turned to me. "Hey don't be. She's just lookin' out for you."

"She hasn't scared you off?"

Riley grimaced. "I'll admit I was nervous as hell, but Adam, I ain't never giving you up and I meant what I said. I'll sign anything. It's you I want."

"C'mere." I didn't care if anyone was watching as I pulled her onto my lap. "The only piece of paper you're signing is the wedding licence." I ran my hand up her back under her hair stroking her neck as I pulled her lips to mine.

Nothing would stop me marrying this woman.