Page 75 of A Little Naughty

Then the old man says the words, “Til death do you part,” and my breath catches.

Raif repeats the words without missing a beat, and with a steadying inhale, I do the same. Monay huffs a little noise that sounds like a sob.

“Do you have the rings?” the man asks.

Monay steps forward to hand me the simple gold band Cass helped me buy online from James Allen. A half smile curls Raif’s lips as he watches me hold his hand and put it on his finger.

“Never thought of myself as a ring guy.” Warmth is in his tone, and he slides it around with his thumb. “I like it.”

I feel bad we didn’t really talk about this part. “It’s okay if you didn’t?—”

“I hope you don’t mind.” He holds my hand in his and slides a delicate, gold-filigree ring on my finger. “It was my mother’s.”

Emotions flood my chest, drowning my already aching heart. My lips part, but I can’t speak. The ring is beautiful with tiny diamonds wrapped in filigree swirls. I lift my finger, holding it close to my chest like a precious treasure.

“You may now kiss the bride.” The man holds his hands up, and Raif touches my chin.

My eyes are on his tie, and my bottom lip goes between my teeth.

“Look at me, Jemima.” It’s a low order, but I shake my head.

“I can’t.”

“Why not?” I hear the grin in his voice, and I force my eyes to blink up to his.

The intensity is stronger than ever, and I can’t hold his gaze. “I thought I could do this, but now I don’t know. I’m afraid.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“You… this. You’re so gorgeous, and it’s all so beautiful.”

And I want it to be real so much. I don’t say that part out loud.

“Just hold on to me, pretty girl. I told you, I’d never let you get hurt.” He cups my cheek in his hand, placing his thumb on my chin. “I’m going to kiss my wife now.”

My eyes slide close, and his lips cover mine, warm and possessive. Our mouths don’t open. We’re not French kissing in front of all these people and Nikki, but I lift my hand to hold his face.

The sound of a phone clicking photos brings me back to reality, and I look into his blue eyes one more time. It’s a shot straight to my heart, and I hear the man say it.

“I now present Mr. and Mrs. Raif Jones.”

* * *

We takeRaif’s motorcycle back to the house. While we were signing off on the license, Monay sneaked out and attached a “Just Married” sign to the back along with a few streamers.

My arms are tight around his waist, and my head rests against his shoulder blade as we fly down the highway. The one wedding gift I would allow is Nikki spending the weekend with friends so we can have a “honeymoon sexcation,” as Monay put it.

When we finally arrive home, balloons are tied to the front door along with a curtain of white and silver streamers, and I’m struggling with not getting too emotional about the whole thing.

This isn’t realis on repeat in my brain like a mantra, and I don’t want Raif to think I’m trying to trap him into something permanent after I told him it was only temporary.

“I asked them not to do this.” Apology is in my tone, and he steps off the bike, removing his helmet.

“I think it’s nice.” Pieces of his hair have escaped the ponytail, and it hangs attractively around his face. He reaches out to hold my hand as I dismount. “Don’t apologize.”

He smiles, and I do my best not to swoon over his dimple. I leave him to secure the bike, while I jog up the porch steps and unlock the door. I’m about to step inside when strong arms catch me around the waist.

“What do you think you’re doing?” In a swoop, he lifts me off my feet, holding me like a real bride. “I’m supposed to carry you over the threshold.”

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