Page 87 of Owen (Storm Enterprises)

She bites on her lip, and it takes everything in me not to tug it into my mouth.

“Yes.” She strokes over Romeo’s head, and I love how my boy sleepily nuzzles into my chest.

My lip twitches. “What do I get in return for this dream wedding of yours?”

“All of me,” she whispers as she steps up on the tips of her toes to deliver a soft kiss to my lips.

“I want you to place that ring on my finger, again.”Kiss.

“Chain me to your bed.”Kiss.

“And put a baby in my belly.”Kiss.

My cock stiffens, and I fidget from side to side.

“Deal,” I grunt out while she slides her tongue into my mouth, and I plan in my head how quickly I can pull this wedding together.

FORTY-FOUR

LAYA

My gaze trails down my dress in the mirror. “You look stunning.” My dad adjusts the veil, sliding it perfectly into place. “He’s a lucky man, Laya, and I couldn’t be prouder.” I go to tell him I’m the lucky one, but he continues. “Of both of you, Laya. I’m proud of both of you.” He looks at me pointedly, and my approving smile meets his. “Ready?”

Taking a deep breath, I nod.

The lakeside lodge I had on my Pinterest account has been transformed with white Calla lilies and matching drapes. It’s everything I ever dreamed of, and today, I marry the man who always had a starring role in those dreams.

Stepping through the double doors, my eyes meet Owen’s and everyone else slips away.

Then I close my eyes as the music starts. “All of Me” by John Legend begins to play and memories collide with the here and now.

Every time he threw his head back on a loud chuckle that made his eyes twinkle when I told him a joke and he’d tell me I had a smart and sassy mouth.“I don’t know what I’d do without your smart mouth, Laya.”

The way his eyebrows would furrow as he studied me from a distance.

“What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”

Every sneaky glance he would take of me when I purposely dressed up, knowing he’d be at our home. The way his heated gaze would follow me around the room and leave me aching when he left.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what hit me. But you’ll be all right.”

All the gentle touches to my skin that felt like sparks of embers burning to erupt into flames, only to be dampened as he left me longing for more, like they never had a chance to burn bright at all.

Every memory of our longing comes rushing back with the words of the song as my feet sail toward him.

I mumble, “I love all of you” as my feet glide down the aisle toward the only man who ever held my heart.

The ceremony starts in a haze of tears. My son babbles happily on Tate’s lap with Ava’s hand in his, and a confident nod of approval in my direction has my chest filling with overwhelming happiness I never knew existed.

“I’ve got you, baby girl,” Owen whispers, taking my hand in his. He uses his thumb to draw reassuring circles on mine. He clears his throat. “You look beautiful.” Tears swim in his eyes, and I choke back the emotion, and when a lone tear slips down his handsome face, it’s my turn to swipe it away, causing him to chuckle.

“Thank you. You look gorgeous.” He beams a smile that almost brings me to my knees.

The officiant works through the service, and our eyes never falter from one another. My chest tightens with the intensity of our love, so compounding it becomes difficult to see anything but him.

“Owen, I knew from the moment I saw you I wanted to marry you. I was a little girl with big dreams of making my brother’s best friend my prince.” Our family and friends laugh as I continue. “I knew people thought I’d grow out of this crush, but what they didn’t understand was I was in love with you.” I take a deep breath and place my hand over my heart. “I felt it in here and it never left me. Not once.” I lick my lips. “When I kissed your bloody fists, I was grateful for your protection, but I saw the jealousy in your eyes. Gavin Jackson was going to steal my first kiss, and that was reserved solely for you.” He chuckles, remembering the time. “I wish I could take back the time we lost and do it all over, but I will spend a lifetime making our stolen time up to you. You’re everything I always knew I wanted. Romeo loves you, and I couldn’t wish for a better father for our son. I love you, Owen James Stevens. Thank you for loving me, too.”

Owen clears his throat. “Laya, my beautiful girl. You were always perfect to me, and I was never worthy.” My eyes implore his as guilt swims in my stomach at the way he feels. “You gave me all of you, and it took me far too long to give you all of me. I’ll always regret letting you slip through my fingers, but I will never regret falling in love with you. I wouldn’t want to walk a day on this earth without feeling your love inside me. My heart beats for you and Romeo. Thank you for loving all my imperfections, for loving all of me.”

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