Page 105 of Offside Angel

I spent a week straight planning this day and now, it’s over. We’re married.

We’re married.

I want to hit pause and savor the day a little longer. I want to spend a few more minutes with the people we love.

Then Zane wraps his arms around me from behind. He hasn’t had a drop to drink, but there’s something intoxicating in the air. He feels heavy on my shoulders, his body loose and relaxed and at ease in a way I haven’t seen in way too long. “I hope you’re not tired. I have plans for you, Mrs. Whitaker.”

I barely resist letting out a wolf whistle, reversing course, and pushing everyone towards the doors. Okay, party is over.

My heartbeat kicks up, and I wonder when this will go away. When will I get used to the magnetism that is Zane Whitaker?

All at once, something occurs to me and I gasp. “I’m Mira Whitaker now.”

I’ve been so busy the last week that I didn’t have time to come to terms with everything that would change when I became Zane’s wife. My name being one. I roll the idea around in my mind and smile.

Mira Whitaker.

I feel Zane’s matching smile against my neck. “Say that again when we’re alone. I like it.”

Twenty minutes later, once the perishables are packaged in the refrigerator and anything that might blow away in the night is strapped down, folded, or stashed in the back of Daniel’s truck, Aiden grabs me and Zane by the hands.

“I know you just had your marry, but Jalen wants me to stay at his house tonight.” He delivers the news with a somber face, like he’s telling us something we don’t know. “I’m gonna do that.”

Zane and I both bite back a laugh. “We’ll miss you every second, son,” Zane says in all seriousness. “But we understand.”

I kiss the top of his head and remind him to grab the overnight bag I packed for him twelve hours ago from the closet. Jemma and Reeves wave as they follow the boys into the house.

Next, it’s Taylor’s turn to grab my shoulders and look deeply in my eyes. “I know you just had your marry, but it’s time for me to leave so you can get railed by your husband.”

“Taylor!”

She laughs and ducks away when I try to swat at her. “I’m sorry—the deep and meaningful bullshit was for before the ceremony. Now, I’ve had a little too much wine and your husband is looking at you like he wants to eat you.”

I follow the flick of her eyebrows and, well, she’s definitely not wrong.

Zane is talking to Jace, but his eyes keep slipping to me. His jaw is set in the soft glow of the lights and he ditched his jacket somewhere an hour ago to roll his sleeves around his forearms. He looks even more unbelievable than usual.

Mine. He’s mine.

The reality that this man belongs to me snaps into place all at once. Something feral claws at my chest and I barely resist the primal urge to walk across the lawn and pin him to the ground.

“Wow. Yeah. That’s my cue.” Taylor backs away. “I’ll see you whenever you’re done…” She flits a finger from me to Zane and back again. “Later. I’ll see you later. Probably in a few weeks.”

I’d be annoyed with her if she wasn’t spot on. Once I fall into Zane, I don’t think I’ll want to come up for air for a good, long while.

Taylor whispers something to Rachelle and, after a quick look at me, Rachelle crosses the yard and pulls Jace away by the elbow.

“I was in the middle of—” He starts to argue, but Rachelle tosses a pointed look at me and Zane, and Jace blanches. “Congrats again, you two! Bye!”

They walk around the side of the house, and Zane and I are finally alone.

“Our friends aren’t much for subtlety.” His voice is a deep rumble that sucks out all the oxygen in my lungs. He’s stalking towards me with purpose, and I should be scared. A man like him looking at me like that should register some instinctual alarm bells, but all I feel is heady anticipation curling low in my belly.

Mine.

I’m Mira Whitaker, and he’s mine.

“To be fair, neither are we. I think we made them uncomfortable.”

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