Page 170 of Mr. Wicked

And then I led her under the flowered arch, where I’d been standing in my black tux.

“Jovana,” I whispered, my gaze lowering down her perfect body, one that was wrapped in lace and satin, a dress that hugged her curves. It didn’t come close to competing with her beauty, nothing could, but fuck me she was incredible in white. “You look amazing.”

The smile grew across her lips. “So do you.”

I didn’t listen to the officiant as she started with an introduction, thanking our guests, or when she transitioned into her opening monologue.

I focused on the moments it had taken me to get here.

The fight.

The resistance.

The second-guessing.

The fall.

Each phase I had gone through since Jovana had come into my life.

My thoughts ended at the promise I’d yet to make.

But she knew if I was under this arch, holding her hands, staring into her eyes, then I was completely, madly in love with her.

“As you know,” the officiant said, “the exchange of wedding vows is not only a long-standing tradition, but it’s the most important part of the ceremony. Words that the bride and groom use to signify the growth of their union and the promises they make to one another. Rather than going with traditional vows, our bride and groom have opted to write their own.” She glanced up from the paper she held, adjusting her glasses while eyeing us at the same time. “I’m going to ask you now to look at each other and speak those sacred words.” She signaled to Jovana, letting her know she should go first.

My soon-to-be wife stared at me while a wave of emotion trickled into her eyes. A smile that I knew was different from the other versions she used. It was an expression that had taken me months to analyze and understand, but now I knew the truth about it.

She reserved that smile for only me.

“Grayson,” she began, “when we found each other—or hooked, however you want to call it”—she stopped to wink—“this was what I envisioned. Maybe not this setting. Or this dress. Or all the papers we’ve now signed our names to.” She paused to inhale, her eyes telling me she was referencing our twelve-month contract, but our guests would assume it was something home or utility or marriage-license related. “But what I saw was this depth of love. The feeling of wanting forever. A desire to hold you and never let go. I could promise to always love you, but those are just words. I’d rather show you, so you can feel all the love I have for you.” Her chin trembled as she continued, “What I can promise is that you will have all of me. The good. The injured”—the crowd chuckled—“and the days that are my darkest when I’ll rely on you to find the light. I can promise you my heart. My commitment. And I can promise you that there isn’t anyone who could ever fulfill my fairy tale like you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Grayson, and I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you know that.”

God.

That fucking woman.

She couldn’t have crafted a more perfect set of promises than the ones she’d given to me.

I carefully squeezed her fingers, making sure I didn’t hurt the ones sticking out of her cast, and said, “Jovana, I know, like our vows, our story hasn’t been traditional. The way we met. The way we grew. The way we fell. Or the steps that took us here, to our wedding, where I’m giving you all my promises. But if I’m being honest, a traditional courtship wouldn’t have led us here. A place where I can look you in the eyes and tell you how much I love you.” The first tear dripped over her eyelid, and I released her hand to catch it. “I promise to do that every time I see you cry—and I hope—Jesus, I hope—those tears aren’t because of me. Not when our love is this deep. Not when I know that whatever comes our way, we’ll jump those hurdles together, baby.” Now that I’d wiped her tear, I held out my fingers, waiting for her to grab them again. “I promise that you’ll wake up every morning in my arms and that my embrace will show you not only the kind of husband you need but the kind of husband I want to be. I promise to do everything in my power to keep you safe and protected. No one will ever hurt you again as long as I can help it. Including me. And I promise to love you, not just in my soul, but to make sure you feel that love, to make you see it, and hear it. Not just now. Not for the next year. But forever.”

As she interpreted my vows, her head shook, her thumb ran across the backs of my knuckles, and her lips mashed together, like she was stopping herself from responding.

Her eyes showed me everything she wanted to say but couldn’t with the seventy-five guests in attendance.

Jovana and I had secrets that would never be unlocked.

But it didn’t matter.

I’d obliterated her fears.

I’d given her what she wanted to hear, and I’d voiced every word I wanted to say.

This was the true beginning.

Of us.

“Beautiful,” the officiant said. “Now it’s time to exchange rings.”

I reached to my side, where my three best men stood, first my father, then Easton and Holden. I didn’t believe in choosing one to have a higher role than the others. The three were in my life for different reasons.

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