Page 77 of Fireworks & Forehead Kisses

“To support your dreams, goals, and visions, to be your partner and confidant, the Clyde to your Bonnie,” I added the last part.

Ashley’s eyes widened, and a wide smile spread on her face. From the look of amusement on her face, Nadia also got the reference, and Fred and Dorothy exchanged knowing grins. I was happy to cut the tension. Even if this wasn’t Ashley’s dream wedding, it didn’t have to be the worst.

Jimmy repeated the vows to Ashley, and she parroted them back, even including my addition.

Once she’d promised to be the Bonnie to my Clyde, Jimmy asked, “Do you have the rings?”

Ashley quickly corrected him. “No, we don’t have rings.”

“Yes.” I took the ring I’d picked up from my jeweler, Noah, this morning out of my pocket. I’d messaged him before flying back to Atlanta last night, and he’d opened his shop this morning at five for me. As soon as he showed it to me, I knew it was the one for Ashley. The setting was simple yet so breathtakingly beautiful. It was a four-carat, round, six-prong diamond engagement ring and platinum halo wedding band.

She gasped as she looked down at the set. “You didn’t have to?—”

“Yes, I did.”

When her eyes lifted to mine, there was a moment, just a second, when nothing about this felt fake. I knew she felt it, too. That this was real. It felt like we were actually getting married, not for the company, not for her to get out of debt, not for any other reason than for her to be my wife and me to be her husband.

“As you place the ring on Ashley’s finger, repeat after me, with this ring I thee wed.”

Ashley’s hand was trembling as I held it in my own and slid the rings down her finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

We hadn’t discussed the kiss, but given our history, I was confident she wouldn’t mind sealing our vows with a kiss. Her breath caught as her eyes lifted to mine beneath thick, dark lashes. I lifted my hand and cupped her face as I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. I’d forgotten the softness of her mouth, or how perfectly it fit with mine. I’d forgotten the way the curves of her body melted against me, forming to mine as if she was tailor-made to my measurements and mine to hers.

I was barely aware of the others around us as Nadia wolf whistled in the background. Skylar and others began clapping and cheering as loud explosions erupted, causing Ashley to gasp and break our kiss. When she looked up into the sky, she saw the display of fireworks I’d arranged as flashes of brilliant color lit up the inky sky.

“Is that…for us? Did you do that?” she whispered in wonder as I watched the tiny bursts of light dance in her irises. I was literally seeing the world through her eyes.

“Yes.”

That wasn’t our first kiss. Our first kiss occurred in the presidential suite at the hotel. But it was a kiss I’d remember forever. It was our first kiss as man and wife.

27

ASHLEY

“Where are we going?”Excitement was bubbling over inside of me like a can of soda that had been opened after it had been shaken, but I was trying to play it cool as we drove down along the water.

“It’s a surprise.”

I did love surprises, so I wasn’t trying to spoil it, but I still really wanted to know. I was trying to figure it out but having a difficult time. We were still on the island, but we were driving down a road I’d never been on before. There’d already been fireworks, so I didn’t think that was what he had in store. I still couldn’t believe he’d gone to all this trouble when he’d first suggested we just get married at the courthouse. All I’d said was that my sister had to be there, and that somehow turned into a real ceremony with a beautiful arch, fireworks, a gorgeous catered dinner, and now this, whatever this was.

Once the dinner was over, Declan asked if I would go on a drive with him, and Nadia practically pushed me into the car, not that I needed that much of a nudge. I had insisted on checking on Skylar first. She was lying down after she ate. She gave me a hug and, surprisingly, her blessing. Even though itwas after the wedding, not before, and we were only going to be married for ten weeks, it still made me happy to get it. Sometime between I do and her excusing herself to lie down, Declan won Skylar over.

She wasn’t the only one. Tonight had been full of surprises. One of them being how well Declan, Hank, and Jimmy Comfort got along. The three men acted as if they’d known each other their entire lives. I’m not sure why it had been so surprising to see how well they hit it off. I guess it was because they came from such different worlds. I had to admit, seeing Declan having a beer and laughing with the men had made me feel all sorts of feels. It was just so… normal. So every day.

He’d been Big, who was this unattainable fantasy man who I never thought I’d see again.

He was Declan Wolfe, who was this arrogant billionaire boss who thought he was better than everyone.

But I’d never thought of him as just a guy who had a beer with friends. It was…endearing. And for me, endearing was dangerous.

My mind was still going a million miles an hour when we came to a stop in front of a small bungalow overlooking the beach. I reached for the door, but Declan placed his hand on my arm. “Stay there.”

The authority in his voice sent a thrill racing down my spine.

“I need control. In and out of the bedroom.”

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