Page 94 of Kiss the Bride

“Have I ever cheated—on you or any woman?”

“No.”

“Do I gamble?” I ask confidently until she cocks her head, giving me a teasing grin.

“Only when you got on the plane to come here.” Her eyes twinkle and now we’re the ones putting on a show for our audience. “I’d say that was one hellova gamble.”

“Fair call. But am I an asshole?”

“Sometimes, but you’re my type of asshole.”

Our first kiss as a real couple seals the moment, all because she calls me, in the sweetest and most loving tones, her asshole. Liv’s lips are intoxicating, a mix of familiar and new with little bites between breaths and her fingers searching for mine, intertwining as if they are having a separate conversation.

“Um, is there going to be a wedding here?” The nervous celebrant looks between Mitch, who paid him, and us, the kissing couple.

“What about it?” I ask Liv, our lips barely separating. I’m not letting go of her body. Not now, not ever.

“You want to get married?”

“I, Hunter Patrick Williams, take you, Liv Marie Woodgrove, as my soul wife until you agree to become my lawfully wedded wife.”

“Really?”

“Jess, can you Skype or do something so our mothers can see this?”

“It’s gonna take time.”

“You can’t be fucking serious.” Shit, I forgot Mitch is still here until he tries to push between us.

“Never been more serious. It’s always been Olivia and Hunter. You knew you only stood a chance while you were making her happy. Liv, are you happy?”

“Only with you.”

“See,” I don’t hide my smug smile as I give him a shrug. “I loved her enough to watch her build a life with you. Now, well, I can love her for the rest of her life if she wants.”

“I want.”

Olivia pushes Mitch away, pressing her body so close to mine that no one stands a chance of coming between us.

“Hunter, we’ve got your parents and Mrs. Woodgrove online. Mr. Woodgrove is in a meeting but sends his approval as long as you know you can’t return her this time.” Jess and, surprisingly, even Tash push Mitch aside under the pretense of broadcasting my crazy idea to people who would care.

“Wanna do this?” I ask Olivia, kissing the tip of her nose. “It won’t be legal until we get marriage licenses and do it all again. But are you willing to stand here, in your gorgeous bathers, and make some promises?”

“Can I trust you?”

“Dunno, have I ever let you down?”

“No.”

“Then based on our history together, and you knowing me since before we could crawl, do you think you can trust me?”

“Except for the last slice of pizza.” Olivia laughs but when Jess joins in, I know which party they are thinking of. “Then I can trust you to eat it but put the empty box back in the fridge.”

“Guilty as charged, but in my defense, it had double olives.” I look to our audience for anyone to agree, but they’re all standing around, stunned. “So, Liv, do you think you could live with that as my greatest sin?”

“What about wet towels? Do you still leave them on the floor?”

“Nup. Got over that one when I had to do my own washing.”

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