Page 115 of Cruel Vows

Tears well in my eyes, and he reaches up to wipe them away.

My heart beats faster as I clear my throat. “Sean, I never thought we would get here. I thought that you and I were going to spend the rest of our lives doing everything we could to avoid each other, but it seemed like life knew you were the person I needed the most.”

With each sentence, my voice wavers a little more, but I swallow down the tears, determined to get through my vows without blubbering like a baby.

“I love you, Sean, and I know that we’re going to have hard days, but I also know that every other day is going to make up for the hard ones. You’ve taught me so much about who I am and what I’m capable of, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

The officiant smiles and steps closer to the two of us. “And with that, you may now kiss.”

Sean smirks and grabs me around the waist, dipping me low and kissing me before bringing me back up against his body.

Heat flares in my cheeks as I look up at him, heart thundering a mile a minute as I loop my arms around his shoulders and hold him close. Sean presses a kiss to the side of my neck before taking me by the hand and leading me down the aisle and to the reception area.

Lights are strung between the trees, shining bright as the sun sinks down toward the horizon, the day growing orange and hazy.

Sean spins me beneath his arm, leading the way to the center of the dance floor as the band starts to play and people filter into the reception. We dance together slowly, his gaze locked on mine.

“So,” he says, lips trailing along my neck when he dips me low, “this is what it feels like to have a real wedding.”

Laughing, I stand on my toes when he pulls me back to him, brushing my lips over his. “You better enjoy it, because it’s going to be the last wedding we have.”

He takes my left hand, looking down at the ring. “You know, this isn’t going to be very practical when you start working again next week.”

I clasp my fingers around his. “I know, but I’ll get a necklace or something.”

“Actually, I had a different idea.”

Sean spins me around and stops me as a woman with a black rolling case and a folding tattoo table enters the reception.

Glancing at him over my shoulder, I resist the urge to squeal. “You booked a tattoo artist?”

“Surprise!”

He loops his arms around my waist, holding me close as we sway while the artist sets up and another follows, setting up right beside the first.

“I thought we could get bands together, since you said you want something to wear while you’re at work, and then I thought we could get something else to cover the brands.”

My eyes well with tears as I turn and throw my arms around him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He takes me by the hand and leads me over to the tattoo artists.

Within a couple of minutes, the machines are whirring, a soft black filigree design being traced around my ring finger. I wince at the pain while Sean sits, unmoving and looking like he’s in his element.

When the bands are done, we take a picture of them together.

“Alright,” Libby says, switching out her supplies for fresh ink and a new needle after sanitizing the table. “What are we going to do for the next tattoo?”

I glance at Sean. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought much about it.”

Sean pulls out his phone and brings up an image of two playing cards. One is the king of hearts and the other is the queen. They’re skeletons with crowns and florals.

They steal my breath away.

He shows them to the artists. “I was thinking something like these, if they would translate onto the scarred tissue well, and if my wife here agrees.”

I light up, nodding. “If you think those designs will work, I want them.”

Libby nods and sends the pictures to her tablet. “These should work. We’re going to test you for sizing and see if there are any adjustments that need to be made. Why don’t the two of you go get something to eat and then come back and I’ll show you what I have ready.”

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