Page 70 of Choosing the right Man

“I’m ready.” I take a deep breath. My stomach flutters.

My dad nods at someone, and the doors part. The music shifts, then we’re moving forward. It’s like I’m walking on air as I clutch my father’s arm. I don’t see the people, the flashes of cameras, or the beautiful decorations. All I see is Mason standing at the head of the aisle, looking at me as if I’m the most beautiful creature to ever exist. The last of my nerves vanish, and I try to move faster. My dad chuckles and holds on tightly.

“No need to speed this up.” I rip my gaze away from Mason and turn to smile at my dad.

“I don’t know why I was so nervous,” I whisper.

“Because you should never go lightly into a life-altering decision,” he whispers back.

Beautiful. His words have been perfect all day.Heis perfect. I hope Mason will be as wonderful a father as mine is. We stop in front of the preacher, and he steps down to address the crowd. He says words I don’t remember and then turns to my dad.

“Who...” My father’s look stops him cold, because he looks at his notes and smiles before gazing back at my father. “Thank you for raising such a beautiful daughter, and for sharing her on this day,” the preacher finishes.

My dad leans over and kisses my cheek. He holds my hand as if he isn’t going to let go. Finally, he turns to Mason. “I expect you to treat her right,” he says, his deep voice easily carrying through the church.

“I promise to always cherish her, sir,” Mason says. I love the respect he gives my father. It makes me love him that much more.

My dad nods and finally lets me go. He sits down in the front row as I step up to the sanctuary with Mason. The rest of the ceremony is a blur, as is the entire night.

We do all of the traditional things: cut the cake, make toasts, have our first dance. It’s truly beautiful. In the end the decorations don’t matter, the dress doesn’t matter, and the many guests don’t matter. What matters is the first dance I share with my father, the first kiss Mason and I share as husband and wife, and the moment we leave the reception to enter life as a married couple. These are the things that truly matter, the things I’ll always remember no matter what happens.

Forever isn’t long enough when it’s right. And this is exactly right. It feels as if it can never change. I know love doesn’t always last, but I’m not worried about this at all when it comes to Mason. Our love is meant to last an eternity.

Chapter Forty-Six

Chloe

The night passes by in a blur. I giggle with girlish delight as Mason lifts me at the doors of the vineyard where we held our reception. He walks down the steps, and our friends and family gleefully throw birdseed in the air, calling out good wishes — and a few lewd comments.

I don’t care. It’s been so magical. I’ve been the center of the world this night, and Mason is right here with me. I can’t imagine feeling anything other than love for this man who gives me everything I could ever want.

We don’t see anything from the back of the limo on our ride through town. The only thing that pulls us apart is a tap on the window before the door opens. I blush as the driver holds it open.

Mason thanks him, then makes me laugh again as he quickly sweeps me into his arms. There are flowers and balloons lining our walkway, and a sign that readsjust marriedin beautiful teal and silver lettering.

“This is real, isn’t it?” I whisper in awe. “This is us as husband and wife, entering our house together.” My voice is hushed. I can’t believe how my life has turned out. Me. The girl whonever had anything she didn’t work dang hard for. Now I have a husband, a house, and a stunning diamond resting on my finger, proving it’s all real.

“This is just the beginning,” he says.

He manages to open the door without setting me down, and he walks across the threshold. Our lives are just beginning. I’ve been with him for nearly two years, but this is different. We won’t have to be apart anymore. We won’t have to wonder if we’re meant to be. We’re together, and we’ll stay together. We’re officially husband and wife.

Mason doesn’t stop as he makes his way down the hallway. Flameless candles glow on the floor, and rose petals are strewn about. He’s gone all out to make this night special. We aren’t leaving for our Jamaican honeymoon until tomorrow. I’m glad. It would be terrible to fly all night after such an eventful day. I don’t want to wait that long to make love to my husband. I may never get used to thinking of him as my husband. What a beautiful word.

“When did you have time to do all of this?” I ask as he steps into the bedroom. What appears to be at least six-dozen roses are scattered across the bed, and a gorgeous bridal see-through negligee rests on top.

“It doesn’t take me nearly as much time as you to get ready,” he says with laughter.

I attempt a glare. “Are you saying Ineeda lot of time to be pretty?” I ask. He laughs.

“You have such a natural beauty it doesn’t take anything to get you pretty.” He grins, expecting praise.

“You’re a smart man,” I assure him.

We don’t need to talk anymore. I want this man with a desperation unlike anything I’ve felt before. He’s mine — mine forever. He slowly lowers me to the floor.

He trails his fingers down my back, over the top of my butt and back up again, making me shiver. I want us to worship each other all night. I want to cry again and again in pure pleasure. I want it all, and I want it with this man.

“Kiss me,” I demand as I lean forward and gently bite my bottom lip. He groans, letting me know exactly how turned on he is. I don’t want either of us to hold anything back.

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