Page 149 of Wedlocked

“Husband,” she whispered back.

I licked that sweet word right off her lips, my tongue invading her mouth as I kissed her long and deep. Her body went boneless over my arm, and I pulled back gently, lifting us upright where she swayed a little on her feet.

I kissed her again because I could, and then we turned to our friends who stood there whistling and clapping.

“About time!” Win hollered.

“Congratulations, Ben.” Even though Matt’s voice was quieter than everyone else’s, I still heard and turned to where he stood and grabbed him for a two-armed hug. “Thanks for being here for this. For us.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he replied.

“Look at us,” I said, pulling back. “Married.”

“Married.” He smiled.

I had to admit marriage was a good look on him.

I hugged him again. “You’ll always be my brother.”

He squeezed me a little tighter. “Same.”

Grabbing Jess’s hand, I gave her a little tug. “C’mon.”

“Where are we going?”

“Who cares? It’s with your husband.”

She laughed and nodded.

We took off down the white aisle while everyone threw rice.

“Don’t drink all the champagne!” I yelled behind me and then pulled her through the house and to the front where a horse-drawn carriage sat waiting.

“Oh my God.” She gasped. “Is that for us?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Kruger,” the driver said, gesturing to the stairs leading to the inside. “Would you like to go for a ride?”

“You did this?” Jess asked.

“I’d do anything for you.”

A tear slid onto her cheek, and I wiped it away.

“So how about it? I want some alone time with my wife before we head back inside to our reception.”

“I’d love to.”

Once we settled inside with faux fur blankets piled high, I snatched the two mini bottles of champagne off the seat across from us and popped the cork on one, handing it to her before popping the cork on mine.

“I’m sure there will be more than one toast later,” I said. “But this one is just for us.”

She nodded.

“To friendship that turned to love, and may our love turn into forever.”

“Benji.”

Ooh, I got a Benji.I was so getting laid tonight.

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