Page 31 of Reckless Encore

The official cleared his throat. “Are we ready to begin?”

Leah stepped forward and held out a hand. “I’ll take your flowers.”

Melody handed over the bouquet, then reached for him, tangling their fingers in a tight grip.

As Alana captured memories with her camera and the crowd continued to build, they repeated their vows and spoke solemn words of love and devotion.

Every syllable that left his lips was an oath. An unbreakable pledge he would never retract. This woman would forever be his one and only. He would never be tempted by another or let anything come between them.

They were best friends, soulmates, and now, they were husband and wife…Well, as far as he was concerned.

“You may kiss your beloved.”

Red sucked in a shuddering breath and peered up at him with those deep, loving eyes. He was definitely going to kiss this woman. He was going to kiss the fuck out of her. Right now, on this beach, then again, back in their villa.

He wouldn’t stop until morning and even then, he wouldn’t want to quit.

“Come here, gorgeous.” He grabbed her around the waist and dipped her, cradling her lithe body in his arms. “I love you,” he whispered.

She relaxed into his hold, her hands around his neck, her lashes blinking with such gentle happiness. “I love you more.”

“Not a chance in hell.”

He pressed his lips to hers, and a squeal sliced through the air, followed by a loud bang. He kept kissing her as fireworks exploded through the night, as the crowd ohh’d and ahh’d, and their friends cheered and whistled.

He kissed his love into her and felt so much more in return. Happiness flowed through his veins. A niggle of redemption began to build. And above all, gratitude consumed him. So much gratitude he was sure he would cry from the weight of it.

Chapter Eight

Chase glanced along the line of adults positioned around the campfire, trying to gauge how drunk they were. A few already slurred, others appeared tipsy. Aunt Sidney and Uncle Ryan didn’t seem under the influence at all. Which meant they needed another drama-filled story to push them in the right direction.

“So, the two of you aren’t actually married?” He smiled at his friends, encouraging them to hold onto their fake enthusiasm for a while longer.

“Technically, no.” Sean shook his head. “But in heart and soul, you betcha.”

“You could’ve tried harder to disguise the part of the story where you had sex in the ocean,” Ethan muttered. “‘Cuddling’ in the water was pretty lame.”

“And emotionally scarring,” Sophie added.

Melody blushed. “You kids are getting too smart for your own good.”

“God, help us all.” Blake stretched his legs toward the flames and threw another empty beer bottle to his growing pile.

“I don’t think I would’ve forgiven Uncle Mason as easily as you did.” Maya stood and grabbed a can of soda from a nearby cooler. “I’d still be angry.”

“Don’t worry, kiddo. I still remind your Uncle Mason about it whenever necessary.” Sidney gave a devilish grin.

“Yeah, that celibacy punishment really worked well for you,” Mason drawled. “Didn’t it, kitten? How long did you hold out? One hour? Or was it two?”

Ethan slid off the log onto the grass, his arms crossed over his chest. “And there goes another mental scar slicing its way through my brain.”

“The night ceremony worked out for the best.” Sean raised his voice, diverting the sexual topic. “And we should’ve told everyone to begin with. Gabi could never have made it in the morning due to the pregnancy. Which meant Blake couldn’t either. The way it turned out meant everyone could attend.”

Melody grabbed her husband’s hand. “The night was perfect.”

“I guess.” Ethan nodded. “But it’s not surprising my dad was to blame. Have you always been a screw-up, old man?”

“That’s enough from you.” Mason pointed the neck of his beer bottle at his son. “But in answer to your question, yes, I have.”

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