Page 28 of Healing Bonds

“You’re beautiful and smart,” he began, and my chin wobbled as I smiled. “Your laugh is absolutely contagious. Even when the joke isn’t funny, I find myself laughing with you. You have the most beautiful heart, and you have become the most selfless person I know. Your eyes are my favorite shade of green, and your smile sets my soul at ease.”

He paused to draw in a deep breath, and I took that moment to slowly close my eyes and breathe with him.

“You take me as I am, battle scars and all, and you love all the parts of me that I hate. You care about my feelings. The day that you fell in love with me, I fell in love with you, too. I fell in love with the wild, free-spirited, red head who wanted to hear my problems, even though she had her own. I wanted to kiss youthe moment you rushed into my house to see how my sister was. I wanted to marry you the day I saw you at her graduation. But instead, I pushed you away like a damn fool.”

I heard Celine snort behind me, and I fought the small smile forming on my lips. Ace barked out a laugh before roughly clearing his throat and rolling his lips into his mouth.

Fucking Ace.

“A year of being without you showed me that I couldn’t live without you and be happy, that you were the reason my soul felt free. And I realized it’s not about having a perfect relationship like everyone else—it’s about finding someone who understands and loves every inch of you, even the ugly bits. You went through six years of long-distance with me, six years of wondering if I was alive, so many days alone, and you never gave up on us.”

I was crying, big tears rolling down my cheeks so fast, I could barely make out his face.

“I am so in love with you, spitfire. I am honored to be given the opportunity to spend the rest of my life by your side.”

“Now, repeat after me, children.” The priest brought me back to the small beach, to the people around me, all sitting on the edge of their seats, many crying over our heartfelt vows.

“I, Amber Phillips, take you, Ryan Wilson, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” My voice shook, and my bottom lip trembled with emotion. My fingers were unsteady as I slid the silver band onto Ryan’s finger.

This was really happening. We were sealing our futures together.

“I, Ryan Wilson, take you, Amber Phillips, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

His warm hand held mine as he slipped a beautiful silver band onto my finger and raised it to his lips to kiss.

My knees wobbled, and I feared I was going to faint at the thunderous emotion coursing through my body.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Ryan took a slow step forward, his hands coming up to frame my face, and his eyes—those gorgeous blue eyes—drew me in as he lowered his face to mine.

His lips brushed mine softly in a tantalizing tease, and then, he applied a little more pressure. I plunged my fingers through his short hair, holding him to me. His tongue teased at my bottom lip as our family and friends cheered, their applause and screams of joy barely making sense in my mind.

Ryan pulled back, leaning his forehead against mine. “Hey, Mrs. Wilson,” he whispered before kissing me again. I beamed at him.

“I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Wilson,” the priest announced.

I laughed, more tears spilling down my cheeks, my smile so wide, it actually hurt my face.

I was finally Ryan Wilson’s wife.

Chapter Twelve

AMBER

ONE WEEK LATER

I glanced up from the steamy romance novel I had been reading to steal a peek at my sleeping husband.

Husband.

I still couldn’t believe he was all mine and that I was now Amber Wilson. He had surprised me with a trip to an island not too far from our home for a month-long vacation. It had been just a week since the wedding, and it felt amazing for it to just be me and him, no one else around to disturb the tranquility and peace of our honeymoon.

The strong smell of sunscreen and salt lingered in the air, casting a sense of ease around me.

I checked his face for tension and found none, my eyes trailing over his features to the new beard he was growing just for me. I knew he’d probably shave it once we got home, but I was enjoying it while I could. It felt particularly nice between my thighs as he worked me to completion before sliding inside of me each night.

I continued raking my gaze over him, appreciating the view of his slowly rising and falling chest with a light dusting of brown hair covering it, down to his abdominal muscles that were still just as toned as the day he came home.

“Checking me out again?” His sexy, half-asleep voice interrupted my thoughts. I jumped in surprise, a blush staining my cheeks “You know the room isn’t that far—just through the lobby and up the elevator.” He hadn’t even bothered opening his eyes yet, but a smirk was playing on his lips. “Then, I can do whatever has you blushing, baby.”

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