Page 7 of Pulling Heartstrings

“Yes,” she says, and she falls into my arms.

I close my eyes and hold her next to my heart, finally taking my first real breath since I don’t know when. Maybe I’ve been holding it since I was fifteen and drove away from her, but I’m here now, and I’m never letting her go.

“Let’s not keep them waiting,” I say as I stand up with her in my arms.

“What?” Her eyes widen in disbelief, and I smile.

“Everyone is here and waiting to see us tie the knot.” I hold her face in my hands and press my forehead to hers. “I’ve spent my whole life thinking about my first kiss, and I knew that it would be with you on our wedding day.”

“I love you so much.” She closes her eyes just as the door behind us opens and Star pushes in.

“Let’s get this show started,” she squeals.

Nick stands beside her, shrugging. “Sorry, but we listened to the whole thing,” he says, and Star slaps him on the chest.

“Don’t apologize, I’m not the least bit sorry.” Star is smug as she stands there watching us.

“Let’s get married,” Astrid says to me with a huge smile on her face.

“I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind,” she squeals as I scoop her up in my arms and carry her out to the place we’ve got set aside for the ceremony.

Everyone is in their seats, and I carry Astrid down the aisle to cheers from the audience. When I get to the stage, I place Astrid on her feet and stand across from her, holding her hands. The minister begins, and as he talks, all I can do is stare at my beautiful bride. I can’t believe we’re finally here and that I’ve got her after all this time.

Nick hands me the wedding band, and Star hands Astrid hers. We slide them on at the same time, and my wife looks up at me with wonder and awe. It’s the single greatest moment of my life, and when the minister pronounces us husband and wife, I don’t hesitate to wrap her in my arms.

“I love you, wife.”

“I love you, husband,” she says, and I lean down and place my lips on hers.

Chapter Five

ASTRID

When Cupid’s mouth presses against mine, I realize everything I’ve ever dreamed of is coming true. All those fantasies I’ve played out in my mind are becoming a reality, and they all lie within this man. It’s always been him for as long as I can remember. How have I gone and fallen in love with the same man over and over?

That's why I knew when he asked me to marry him right now, it wasn't actually crazy. It has been and always will be him. It didn’t matter how he came to me—my heart, brain, and body always picked him. There have only ever been three people I’ve thought about the possibility of more with, and it was always the same person.

Cupid’s fingers sink into my hair as he moves his mouth against mine. My eyes close, and I let myself feel him at first. I want to remember every detail of this kiss. When his tongue strokes across the seam of my lips, I part them, wanting him to deepen it.

He does.

Neither of us may have been kissed before, but it’s all natural. There is no tentativeness to his kiss. His tongue slips in and strokes mine. I let my body melt into his, and my knees weaken. Cupid keeps me on my feet, wrapping his arm around my waist to hold me in place.

A groan rumbles through him into me, and I answer it back with a moan of my own. Desire swirls up inside me and builds quickly. My body wants more, and a whimper leaves me when I realize his hard cock is pressing into my stomach. Anytime I make a sound, it jerks against me.

“Guys, I don’t want to interrupt but…” Nick’s voice pulls me back to reality.

A wonderful reality, but it reminds me that I’m standing in front of a room full of people having a very intense first kiss. Another growl leaves Cupid before he lifts his mouth from mine. He licks his lips and then his smile is gigantic.

Heat rushes to my face for a million different reasons, but not embarrassment; it’s more shyness than anything. But most of all, it’s the excitement of not only staring up into my husband's handsome face but seeing his mouth all swollen from our kisses. I love seeing the ring on his finger when I slipped it into place, but seeing this mark on him is easily as hot. Especially knowing I’m the only girl to have ever kissed those lips and I’ll forever be the only one.

Cupid takes my hand and leads me back down the aisle. Everyone stands and cheers, and no sooner does he gets me out of the room than he has me in his office with the door shut behind us. When the lock clicks into place, he’s kissing me again.

“You’re my wife,” he says between kisses. “Fuck, I knew you’d taste sweet.” His mouth travels down my neck, and he pushes me back to sit on his desk.

“Cupid,” I moan when his hands start to bunch up my dress, trying to get it pulled up around my waist.

“Please don’t tell me to stop.” His fingers slip into the front of my panties, pulling them to the side. I know he can feel how soaked they are. “You’re bare,” he grits out between his teeth. “Who did you shave for?” He tugs on my panties, and they rip apart, but they never stood a chance.

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