“She has that effect on people.” I kiss her head. “I’m glad you guys are here. I know it was short notice.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for anything.” She sips her drink. “I will say it was a rather short engagement.”
I nod. “When God hands you a gift, you don’t push it away and tell him ‘later’.”
She smiles up at me. “Dad would be proud of you. You’ve grown into an amazing man. Just like him.”
Emotion burns my eyes. I swallow hard, absorbing the weight of her words and let the silence speak for me.
“I’m going to go find my husband and make him dance with me.” She breaks the silence, and with a quick hug, she walks away.
I turn back to watching my girl from a distance. She laughs in the center of a bunch of muscle-head fighters, as if she was born to be there. I’d like to think she was.
My heart swells with pride. There’s just a shadow left of the shy auto mechanic that walked into my house with her head down. This courageous woman confronted her life head-on. Faced her demons. And won.
And she’s not hoarding that strength, but choosing to share it with others. Giving them a chance to beat back the circumstances of their lives and bend it to their will. I’ve never seen that kind of beauty. Until now. And she’s wearing my ring.
*
Raven
It’s late. I don’t know what time it is. I’m swaying on an empty dance floor with my husband. Our guests are long gone, leaving us alone at last. Jonah’s strong arms and broad chest cradle me to him. Content and relaxed, I replay the day in my head.
My mom helping me into my dress, wrapping me in her arms, telling me she loves me. It’s as if Dominick’s death cut some invisible tie that held her back, and now she’s able to love freely, without restraint or fear of loss. To love me the way she’s always wanted to. Or possibly to show the love she’s always felt.
Guy walking me down the aisle. His snort and eye roll when he saw the flamboyant impersonator, only to get tears in his eyes when he gave my hand to Jonah.
And my Jonah. The intensity of his stare as he said his vows. As if hearing the words weren’t enough, he wanted me to feel them.
Our first kiss as husband and wife, his hands traveling down my body to cup my bottom in front of everyone. Okay, that was a little embarrassing—hot—but embarrassing. My body didn’t hate it. That was obvious when I had to hold onto Jonah as I waited for my legs to start working again.
It was perfect. Every single second.
Jonah’s sister and mom have been staying here with us, but they insisted on getting hotel rooms for the night. We had the option of getting the hotel room, but decided we’d rather spend our first married night at Jonah’s house—our house.
So here we are, alone beneath the stars, locked in each other’s arms. Jonah’s heart beats against my ear. We stop and kiss then go back to the gentle sway. Time stands still.
“Baby?”
“Mm-hmm?” I swallow a yawn.
“I’m ready to take you to bed now.” He stops moving as if to punctuate his words with a stop-dancing-and-get-your-ass-in-our-bed exclamation point.
My pulse quickens and excitement wakens my body. I stop swaying and look up at him. His eyelids are dropped low with want. I inwardly smile at my effect on him. I lock my hands behind his neck and push up on my tiptoes while pulling his mouth to mine.
Electricity hums between us as our lips connect. Sparks explode beneath my skin with every touch. Ever since the cabin, everything between us is more intense, like we’re sucking every second out of life as we feast on each other’s bodies.
His hand slides up from my waist, over my ribs, and stops just beside my breast. I moan and arch my back in an attempt to get him closer, but his hand stays put.
With long, deep pulls, I suck his tongue into my mouth. His answering groan tells me he’s at the edge of his restraint.
He dips down, scooping me into his arms and heads for the house, never breaking the kiss. The spice of his cologne, all masculine and sensual, liquefies my need. My fingers sift and grab at his silky hair, pulling him down.
Two steps into the house, he stops and lays me on the couch.
“Can’t wait.” His husky voice vibrates against the tender skin of my neck.
I toe my shoes off just before he pushes the skirt of my dress up to my waist. A groan rumbles in his chest as he takes in what I’m wearing beneath my wedding gown. I prop up to my elbows, enjoying the view of Jonah on his knees studying my bridal lingerie.
“Do you want to see the rest?” My voice is deep and dripping with desire.
He caresses my legs, every swipe of his callused hands sending heat straight between them. “There’s more?”
With a teasing kiss, I stand. Giving him my back, I unzip, and slowly peel the fabric from my body.
A hiss slips from between his teeth as my dress drops to the floor. He likes it.
I peek over my shoulder to see him sitting, his eyes fixed on my bottom.
He stands up and steps into my space, so close I can feel his heat against my skin. “Turn around.”