Page 46 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

“Spin,” he instructed, a guttural rasp I swore I could feel running down my spine like a fingertip.

I slowly turned in a circle, my hand still in his above my head as I did so.

“Jesus, you’ve never been more beautiful. I’ll imagine you just like this our entire lives together.”

“You like?” I bit into my bottom lip as he plastered me to his chest enfolding me in his embrace.

“I don’t like.I love. The dress. Our ceremony. This reception. You. It’s all more than I could have ever imagined. What weshared this evening, it was beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for choosing to stay.”

I chuckled. “It’s you who chose me, remember?” I said, referring to the auction.

He shook his head. “No, I don’t believe that for a second. Something bigger than us was involved. I don’t know if it’s the Universe, God, destiny, or fate. Whatever it is, we were meant to be right here, right now in this moment, experiencing a love that will never fade. We’ll take it with us into eternity. Just as you claimed.”

“Oooh, is my normally rational, science-over-spirituality type husband talking witchy to me?” I shifted my lips into a kissy pout. “That deserves a reward.”

He laughed out loud then pressed his mouth to my exposed neck, layering a line of kisses from my clavicle to the space just behind my ear. His hot breath fanned that sensitive erogenous zone, and I mewled under his attention while clinging to his muscular back.

“There’s only one thing I want,” he whispered.

“And that would be?” I breathed, my heart rate rising along with desire.

“You. Naked. Spread out on our bed for me to ravish as I please.” His voice was a deep rumble I felt race through my body and settle hotly between my thighs.

I squeezed my legs together as I swallowed against the sudden dryness in my throat.

Where the hell was that champagne?

“Okay,” I croaked. “So now then?” I suggested, without any concern for the eight other guests here to celebrate with us.

Jack burst out laughing even harder than before, relieving the sexual tension that could have been cut between us with a knife. “Later, my darling. Later.”

I frowned, and let out a little miffedharrumph,which only made Jack laugh harder and more obnoxiously.

“Come, my boy,” Henrik gestured to the empty seat in the middle of the table. “We’re waiting for you two to sit so we can toast.”

I followed Jack to the center of the table and took the chair he’d pulled out for me. He then sat in the seat to my left. Once we were settled, everyone took a seat. TJ was across from us, in between the grandmothers, something I was pretty sure they maneuvered intentionally. Probably to give Jack and me a break, but I knew my mother. She was getting in as much kiddo time as she could, especially since we hadn’t decided what our plan was regarding where we were going to settle down permanently. I honestly still didn’t know. It was such a huge commitment on both sides. But Jack and I would have those conversations once we were back in Oslo.

The waitstaff handed each of us a filled champagne glass. Henrik then stood and gestured for Irene to stand at his side. He put an arm around her back as he held up his glass over the table.

“Jack, you are like a son to us,” Henrik spoke, his words strong and proud. “Irene and I have always tried to show you that you were welcome in our home and our lives as part of the family.”

Jack nodded. “You did. Absolutely. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without your guidance throughout the years. I’m eternally grateful.”

Irene let a tear slide down her cheek and patted at her eyes while Henrik smiled in return. “Now, as you embark on your own journey, creating a family with Summer and TJ, we both want you to know how loved you are. We are amazed at all you’ve accomplished and are inspired by the man you’ve become. We know you’ll make an excellent father to TJ, and husband toSummer. We’re proud of you, son. We hope you, Summer, and TJ, and any other children you may bring into the family have a wonderful life filled with love.”

“Cheers!” my sister shouted.

“Shears!” TJ lifted his sippy cup, trying to emulate Autumn.

Erik and Savannah lifted their glasses into the air along with Summer’s parents. Then my parents stood. Dad held out his glass, grinning from ear to ear.

“Summer, we are thrilled in the choice you have made to marry Jack. We can see how very much he means to you and vice versa. Sometimes love smacks you upside the head and shows you the way. I believe that’s what happened for the two of you. And after all you’ve been through these past weeks, your mother and I believe this will be a marriage that can withstand anything life throws at you. We love the woman you’ve become and can see that you are both in good hands with one another. May you be blessed with a long and happy marriage.”

“And lots more grandbabies!” Mom quipped, and we all laughed.

After Mom’s outburst came a quick toast by Erik who spoke of brotherhood and finding one’s true love. Then, Jack stood and turned to face me more than our family.

“Summer, you have changed my entire life. All for the better. I used to think true love was improbable for a guy like me. Someone who didn’t really believe something of that magnitude could be mine too. I thought it was reserved for the few like Irene and Henrik and Troy and Ellen. But after seeing my brother Erik enter the auction and find the love of his life in Savannah, my tune changed. I started to believe I could find the right woman for me in the auction. Which I did, but that wasn’t when you ensnared my heart, was it?” He shook his head, and I gifted him a devilish smile.

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