Page 95 of Rainstorm

“I just want a wedding where I get to marry you and we can be together. That’s all that matters. But I do want it to be sorted as quickly as possible, I don’t want to wait a moment longer than necessary to make you my wife,” I told her and meant it with all my heart. The distance between us wasn’t that great, but it was still driving me crazy. “I have a meeting first thing in the morning, but after that I’m free. So pack a bag, I’ll pick you up after that. Let’s spend the weekend in Santa Barbara.”

“Yeah, great idea! Let’s go and get this wedding sorted,” she replied happily.

???

And so we did.

Which meant Labor Day’ weekend I was standing at the altar, stuffed into a tailor-made linen suit, waiting for Roselyn to walk up the aisle on her father’s arm.

We managed to find a compromise with her parents, with a small wedding at one of the sea view terraces at The Four Seasons, surrounded by close family and friends, just how we wanted, but then we allowed Lynn to go crazy with the planner for the reception. All I had to do was to make sure the honeymoon was memorable, something I was more than happy to organize.

I watched Roselynn as she walked down the aisle, in a dress that made my eyes water, my mouth dry and my dick wake up. It was fitted, covered with some sort of iridescent beading, and had a bare back and a big bow tied at the neck. I spent half the ceremony trying to get my shit together and not pull those silky ribbons undone.

Was it bad that I wanted to untie that knot just before tying The Knot?

Roselynn didn’t wear a veil, so I could see those stunning eyes shining as she walked down the aisle to where I was waiting to give her—officially—my entire life.

I didn’t notice things like the flower arrangements, or the seating plan, since all my attention—the whole time—was focused just on her. My hands itched to touch the naked skin of her back and once we’d made our vows and I’d placed the ring on her finger, I could hardly believe this gorgeous creature was mine.

We were finally man and wife.

“You stole my breath away, Roselynn, and then you stole my heart,” I told her at the reception as we stepped onto the floor for our first dance, to the soft melody of the same song we’d danced to on the first day we’d met.

“Then it’s only fair I get to steal your last name, right?” she laughed, as she rested her head on my chest.

I held her in my arms and spun us around. If all the eyes in the room hadn’t been on us, I would’ve made a completely different move. That would come later.

“Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?” Since Rose and her mother had organized everything for the wedding, I’d taken my task of organizing the honeymoon very seriously, but had kept it secret.

“You’ll see,” was all I got the chance to say, before her father cut in to have his moment with her.

I stood at the edge of the dance floor with a lump in my throat, watching my parents as they danced together, wrapped up in their own bubble as they gently swayed to the rhythm of the music. When I glanced over to where my sisters were sitting, their eyes were just as misty as mine, their thoughts clearly mirroring my own, as we tried to make the most of these bittersweet moments, which we knew we would sadly never get the chance to witness again.

Rose took me by surprise as she took my hand in hers, then stood by my side and rested her head on my shoulder. Just her presence calmed me and comforted my soul.

“I want that same happy ending,” I murmured as I touched my lips to her dark hair.

“It’s not an ending,” she whispered, staring into my eyes as my soul soaked up her quiet words. “A love like that never ends, not even when one of them has to say goodbye.”

“Dance with me, Mrs. Holland.” I just needed to hug her, to have her all to myself, for all her attention to be focused on me, even though we were surrounded by people, in the middle of our wedding reception. “I still want that for us, Rose.”

“Then let’s work hard to make sure we get it.”

And I was absolutely certain that whatever it took, it would be worth it. The only way I wanted to live my life was with this woman by my side.

Forever with her.

???

After an almost interminable succession of long flights, we finally made it to the bungalow I’d reserved for the two of us on a private island in the Southern Pacific. Basically, we had the whole place to ourselves for the entire week, with white sand and turquoise water stretching out in front of us, blue sky melding with the ocean, so clear and endless.

Being a selfish bastard, I wanted Rose all to myself. I could have taken her to Paris, Rome, London, but no, I took her to this very secluded place. There’d be plenty of time later on for running around the globe. Here and now, she was all of my cravings and desires, and I planned to have my fix of her time and again.

“Chase, this is beautiful!” Rose exclaimed as she opened the French doors to the covered patio.

“Yes, very beautiful,” I agreed, although I wasn’t commenting on the surroundings. My mind was occupied with how quickly I could get her to discard her clothes.

“I have to say, I’m feeling rather neglected, husband.” She turned to chide me. “All these hours without any kind of special attention from you.”

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