Page 71 of Nothing to the Wedding
Pushing up to her tiptoes, it was almost impossible to resist his mouth.She only managed it because although he bowed, he kept it just out of reach.
“You’re too hot and rich for your own good,” she whispered.“You know that?”
“Mm hmm.”
Curse her lack of foresight.Quick access in her wedding dress should’ve been a primary demand.If she had to go upstairs and take it off, even without being explicit about her purpose, Zairn would follow.This was a SIAG day, that’s “sex is almost guaranteed” day.He’d know if she was alone, in private… and naked.Though, in fairness, with Zairn, whenever he decided it was one of those days, it instantly became one.Man knew how to talk, and tantalize, his way into a woman’s panties and now all that superpower was reserved for her.
Rings.
“With this ring, I thee wed…”
The best men produced the rings and words were said.Wedding bands were the one thing taken care of by the grooms.Well, groom, with Jane not knowing her guy would be a groom that day and all.
The black band with its ring of rubies gave her further proof this was the right guy.That certainty didn’t come in its shine or likely high cost, no, that came in how well it suited her.Beautiful.Unique.Different.Them.
His was just the same only thicker, the stones square and flat.They matched in case anyone was keeping score.Before the Empress Ruby, she hadn’t been one for wearing rings.Now she felt naked without it.Already the band felt at home.By wearing it, she was more complete.
The bow on top came with the hands that curved around her waist and squeezed.Zairn teased her like that in bed too, when she was on top and he wanted to possess her.
She loved it when he possessed her.
“And now…” the officiant said, “you may kiss your brides.”
Three pairs of eyes went to Jane.
On a giggle, she nodded once.“Now’s the time.”
TWENTY-ONE
THE ROOM ERUPTED in a blast of cheers and hilarity as each man complied.A kiss.So simple; something she took for granted.Zairn was already her husband, he’d kissed her as her spouse many, many times—done a helluvalot more than kiss her.
Technically, they’d had their wedding night, been on honeymoon… Right then, that didn’t matter.The moment was profound.This wasn’t only for them, it was for everyone.The world knew.No more secrets.No more hiding.
Clarity awakened her to Zairn’s urgency that they be joined, whether the masses knew it or not.The link of marriage was different.It wasn’t easy to explain the wholesomeness of it, the unity, the depth of commitment it required.Now she understood why it was so important to Jane too.
So much time and energy had been focused on making the event happen.Not just the details, but the talk of it, the conversation, the questions.For so long it had been wedding, wedding, wedding.She’d lost count of how many times it came up online and in real life.The media, her streaming viewers, everyone wanted to talk about it.With all the talk, it had become almost unreal.
Now, as the music rose, that was it.Deed done.This life event would never happen again.
Yeah, they still had a reception ahead, a meal, a party, but… What would they do with their time now?What would they talk about?Was that just it?
Zairn released her as someone touched her back.Jane.She immediately turned into her friend’s embrace.Being up there together, doing this together… They’d have to renew their vows when Toria got hitched, just to be up there as a trio.
The men shook hands, there was back slapping and laughter as she got kisses and hugs from everyone up there, even Ballard, maybe he was drunk already.You’d think Knox might be the hold out, but he was a goddamn Collier, they learned presentation and appearances before they left the womb.
“The register is just here,” the officiant said.
Off Knox and Cam went with Jane ensconced between them.She wasn’t so quick off the mark.
“Uh, how does this work?”she whispered to the men on either side of her, watching her friend’s progress.“We’ve already signed one of these.”
“And we’re smart enough to have a dummy one,” Ballard said.“Make like it’s real.”
Huh, the Colliers weren’t the only ones privy to the necessity of presentation and appearances.
Jane laughed with the officiant, still with that aura of pure joy.Her hand rose until her knuckles landed on Zairn’s abs.
“Let’s give them a minute.”
