Page 747 of The Tempted

Look at that.

We already aced the teamwork shit.

He walks us closer to the door and bends his knees so I can fit the key into the lock and unlock the door. His massive boot kicks the door open and we both glance inside our home before our eyes find one another’s.

“Ready to make this the last first time you’re carried over the threshold?”

“So ready,” I say, tightening my arms around his neck.

He grins, taking one large step over the threshold before gruffly whispering into my ear.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Valente,” he croons.

The last first time Mikeywelcomedme home as hiswife.

He kicks the door closed, sets me down on my feet and we stare at one another for a few moments. This was it, the beginning of the rest of our lives, and as scary as that was it was also exciting. It was as if the life I knew before today was tucked away safely in a box full of memories and our home was our blank canvas. My father’s voice rang in my ears.

Paint me a picture.

Mikey and I were going to paint him one hell of a picture.

I look at my husband wondering if he was as excited and as nervous as I was. Would we fuck up? Probably. Would we fix it? Always.

Simultaneously our lips spread into grins as we find our footing and I turn around and run up the stairs.

He follows me.

He’d always follow me just as I had followed him in the past.

I’d always let him catch me.

After all, he let me catch him.

His arms snake around my waist as he reaches our bedroom. His fingertips curl into my sides, tickling me and sending me into a fit of giggles.

Laughing felt almost foreign after all the crying I had been doing but it felt good to let go of my grief and live in the moment.

Mikey’s hands slide underneath the hem of my shirt, his fingers draw circles on my skin as he presses my back against his front and leans his chin on my shoulder. My laughter tapers off as I twist in his arms and wrap my arms around his neck. Staring into Mikey’s eyes, every uncertainty I carried fades away from me and all that is left is the promise of forever.

Making one another happy,forever.

Living in the moment,forever.

Experiencing life together,forever.

Loving one another,forever.

Foreverhim and me.

I reach for the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head tossing it on the floor before raising an eyebrow, daring him to mimic me.

The last first time Idaredhim ashusbandandwife.

With one hand he reaches behind him and lifts his t-shirt over his head, dropping it onto the floor beside mine. I extend my hand and close my fist over the rosary beads that dangle from his neck—his mother’s.

Thanks Maryann, for creating the perfect man for me to spend forever with.

I lean down and kiss the crucifix before releasing the beads. I run my fingers down his arms, his muscles flexing beneath my fingertips until they take purchase on his hips. Mikey trails one hand down my stomach and pops the button of my jean shorts with his fingers. He reaches out with his other hand and draws the zipper down before crossing both arms against his chest and taking a step back.

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