Page 232 of Goodbye Note

His arms slid around my neck, and his forehead rested against mine. I started with my hands on his hips, but needed him closer so I wrapped my arms around his back.

“Still not funny,” I teased as I closed my eyes, absorbing the moment. Amazed we were here.

“It is a little.” The smile in his voice still put galaxies in my chest.

“We can’t let Nova hear it. We’ll never hear the end of it.”

Varian laughed. “I didn’t think about that. After that deep dive she did on YouTube about our lore with Fox, she’d know.”

“She’d know no matter what. She’s too smart for her own good.”

“Can you believe we’re married?” he said at length.

“No. I can’t believe I get you for the rest of my life and I don’t have to hide it.” I’d been smiling so much today my face genuinely hurt. “I don’t think I could be more happy, beloved.”

“Beloved?” Varian asked, and the catch in his voice made me open my eyes.

“Do you hate it?” I asked.

He shook his head quickly. “Much the opposite. Where did it come from?”

“It just came to me, since you call me Stardust.”

He groaned. “Keep saying that and we won’t be at this reception long.”

My brow lifted. “It does that?”

“Very much. But since you as a whole do this to me, you can’t be surprised.” He murmured over my lips, making me desperate to kiss him.

“If that gets you going, wait until I tell you my plans for later tonight when we’re alone.” It was a little mean, but I loved getting Varian all worked up.

His eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”

I knew he wouldn’t leave this floor until I told him and gave a quick glance to make sure no one was near enough to hear before I put my lips to his ear. “I want you to fuck me.”

His breath caught, and he stopped moving.

“You’re forgetting yourself.” I encouraged his body to move with mine.

“You—want me to…?” he asked, pulling back enough to look me in the eye.

“Isn’t it my husband’s job to take my anal virginity on our wedding night?” I really hoped none of our friends could read lips.

He grabbed my face to kiss me.

Our guests cheered.

I smirked, giving him a hint of tongue. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“I never thought…”

“I wanted to before,” I admitted. “I almost asked when we were at Jekyll Island.”

A moment of sadness flickered in his eyes. “Thank you for trusting me.”

I pressed my lips to the corner of his eye. “No sadness tonight. It’s perfect like this.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I still can’t believe you used to call yourself straight.”

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