Page 132 of Ivory's Ruin Romance

After she finished with the buttons and knotted his tie, he slid his hand up her arm and gingerly took her wrist. Time froze, as it always did when they took a moment to be quiet and still, and he didn’t have to watch her face to know they were looking at the same thing, their thoughts all but synonymous.

Lifting her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to the golden engagement band around her finger. One that matched the shiny new ring on his.

Eight months, three weeks, and a handful of days passed since she’d approached him on Halloween night. Almost four months since Jun died. And he’d counted every second that his sweet witch could be in his arms, safe and happy and cherished. He spent years trying to spite fate for taking away his family, and finally, it gave him someone in return.

He sighed and let go of her hand. “I came to help, but I think I ended up being more of a distraction.”

Ivory rewarded him with a loving grin. “That’s okay. I enjoy you being a distraction.” Her tease earned a glare, which only made her giggle. “I really am almost done. Is everything else ready?”

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll go double-check.”

???

At first, he hadn’t understood why Ivory wanted to wait to put on their own wedding. Making babies was one thing, and as much as he wanted to inflate her belly and let their mini-mes run around wild, he knew it would be better for everyone if that happened after graduation. But making her his wife felt too important. Too monumental to set aside.

Tonight gave him a new perspective.

Between helping everyone get to where they needed to be and ensuring everything happened when it needed to happen, he’d barely seen Ivory outside of taking the wedding party photos.

Like hell he’d let her out of his sight at their own wedding.

He didn’t care about decorations or food or if anyone else came at all—but Ivory did. She’d want her special day to be flawless, and she deserved no less. Rushing things would only add unnecessary stress, so their big event could take as long as she needed. Until then, he’d celebrate her every day on his own. After all, she’d always be his.

The wedding venue’s ballroom glowed with the soft white light of hanging orbs, a romantic ballad playing through the speakers as the two newlyweds spun in slow motion on the dancefloor.

Caspian had stepped up and wore a fashionable tux while Nia donned a simple, elegant white gown. The epitome of a happily ever after. For the first time tonight, they both looked at ease, able to enjoy each other’s company without splitting their attention between the other guests.

He’d watched them struggle to grow together, but against the odds, they did it. Maybe their strength is what had inspired him. Maybe helping Caspian had afforded him some good karma. Either way, seeing his friends happy was a priceless gift. Finding his happiness alongside them was a blessing he never anticipated.

They’d gotten a bigger turnout than he expected. He’d seen Avril helping Ivory for most of the evening, and was surprised to hear Serena got an invite, too. Of course, it turned out she couldn’t make it. Both Nia and Caspian’s families had come, and outside of him and Caspian not-so-politely convincing Nia’s stepfather to leave before the bar opened, everyone had been supportive. Ivory clearly enjoyed shining a spotlight on her friends—some things about her would never change, and those lucky enough to get a piece of her heart knew just how fiercely and persistently she loved.

Waiting for Ivory to finish whatever task she’d gone off to now, he rubbed the petal of a flower he didn’t know the name of between his thumb and finger, wishing it was Ivory’s skin instead. She felt softer. Warmer. Better in every way imaginable. Nia had purposely thrown her bridal bouquet to Ivory, yet he ended up guarding it while she faithfully returned to her duties.

“Hey.”

He glanced up as Ivory’s voice filtered through the crowd, more subdued than usual as she emerged to stand by his side. Instinctively, he discarded the flower and reached for her hand. “How’s it going?”

Her fading smile said more than her words, giving away her exhaustion, happiness, and pride all wrapped in one. “I think I got everything taken care of.”

That’s exactly what he needed to hear. He offered his thigh and pulled her close. “Sit.”

In her state, she didn’t need to be told twice. She followed his gentle tug and folded herself into his lap, then deflated against his chest. He banded an arm around her waist while keeping their fingers entwined. “Have you had any cake yet?”

“A little.” She stifled a yawn and laid her head on his shoulder.

Of course, Ivory offered to bake for the event, but Nia wisely insisted she was already doing too much. From the looks of it, if Ivory tried to work herself any harder, she’d collapse on the spot.

He reached over to his plate and pinched off a bite-sized piece of the slice he’d been saving. “Want some?”

Her face lit up, and she parted her lips, humming as she licked icing off his fingers. “Mm, it’s so good.”

He grinned as her enthusiasm returned, and he quietly fed her more, piece by piece, until she came back to life. The slow melody over the speakers shifted into a new song, and he leaned in to whisper against the shell of her ear, “Do you want to dance? Or are you too tired?”

She turned to grace him with a tender kiss, sugary and sensual. He pulled her against him, making her ass press into his hardening erection. His hand tangled in the hair at the nape of her neck, and she broke into a smile. He licked her lips, craving a taste of her happiness.

“Nothing a foot rub when we get home won’t fix,” she murmured, then stood and pulled him along with her. Her expression looked as radiant as it was seductive.

But before they reached the dancefloor, he pivoted and led her to the open exit door.

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