“This time, he didn’t run away, huh?” Dad whispered in my ear.
“Dad, behave yourself,” I told him.
“When have I ever been known to do that?” he asked.
“Never, but you can start now,” I said.
He started to reply, but the music played, and we started down the aisle.
The preacher started with the usual ceremony, and then prompted, “I understand you wish to speak your own vows.”
Lucian answered, “We do.” Lucian faced me and said, “Rainey, since we were little, I have loved you. For a while, I hid that love, even from myself. Now, I declare my love for you in front of all who are in heaven and here on earth. I love your strength, your intelligence, and your bravery. I am honored to be your husband.”
I had to swallow the lump in my throat. “Lucian, I, too, have loved you since we were children. I thought the love we had the first time you asked me to marry you was the most incredible, intense love that could exist. However, now that we have matured and learned what is really important in this world, I know what true love really is, and that our love is a strong bond that can never be broken. You are an amazing man, with the toughest shell on the outside and the gentlest soul on the inside. You complete me, and I am honored to be your wife.”
The preacher asked, “Do you, Lucian, take this woman, Rainey, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” he said huskily.
“Do you, Rainey, take this man, Lucian, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” I said, never more certain of anything in this world.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” he said.
Lucian kissed me. It was a passionate kiss that held a lot of promise for later.
Everyone was jubilant. Gage introduced me to his wife, Luka. They had four little ones running around, including a set of twins. Luka confided in me that they had all finally learned when they were supposed to shift and when they weren’t.
I rubbed my belly unconsciously. “I hope that our babies don’t breathe fire while I’m pregnant. Talk about a serious case of heartburn,” I said.
Luka laughed. “Good luck with that. But Elise, Jared’s wife, and I will be around to help you out.”
A very pregnant woman waddled up to us and introduced herself as Elise. “I’m not as far along as I seem. He’s just a super huge baby. Who knew that wolves got to be so darn big?” she joked.
As we talked, I knew that we were all going to be very good friends.
The music started, and it was time for the bride and groom’s first dance. As I stepped onto the dance floor with my sexy husband, I was on top of the world. Nothing felt better than to be held in his arms.
Anne Murray’s songCan I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Lifewas the first tune played.
The kids had a blast. Bobby and Kami were a hit with the grandparents, who lived a couple of states away. I had a sneaking suspicion that they would be moving a bit closer so they could be more involved with our growing family.
Lucian’s parents were busy fawning over everyone as well. I was gratified to see that Simone got as much attention as the two younger kids. She was an amazing young woman, and she deserved all the love in the world.
Kami and Bobby were going to hang out with Nora, Simone, Grandma, and Grandpa.
Lucian and I were going to take a week off, hiding out in a cabin in the woods.
We arrived later that night. Lucian sang to Neal McCoy’s songKiss Me for a Million Years.
We danced in the small living room in the cabin. The fireplace was roaring and was the only light in the room.
Lucian stared into my eyes for a moment before leaning down and softly kissing me. It was a gentle kiss that made me ache for more.
I opened my mouth as his tongue begged for entrance. As the fires burned in the fireplace warming our skins, the embers ignited deep inside of me, heating every fiber of my being.
Our clothes seemed to melt away, and soon I was standing in front of this amazing man, whose body was so incredible that it made my mouth water.