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“We are alone,” he says in a low voice, then louder so the guests can hear, “Vanessa Bedalia, the moment I jumped through that window and knocked you to the floor, my life changed forever.”
I laugh, the sound watery as he lifts the vows I wrote to say to him straight out of my head.
He continues, “I thought you were a misguided human when we were hauled off to jail together, but I’ve come to realize you are so much more. You are strong, resilient, intelligent, handsome, and compassionate. You are determined to make my life better every single day. You protect and love me in a way no one has since my mother. I wish she could have met you because she would have loved you.”
Even though he’s still reading my vows instead of his own, they mean so much to me and the tears fall unchecked.
“I’ve never looked forward to anything more than I’m looking forward to a future with you.” He stumbles, clearing his throat and his voice grows deeper, gruffer. “Every day I have with you is precious and I know you will make sure each moment counts. I love you Vanessa Bedalia and I can’t wait to become your husband and mate.”
I suck in a breath, using my fingers to catch the tears, turning my head away from our audience to surreptitiously swipe at my runny nose.
Keenan pulls a white satin handkerchief from his pocket and presses it into my hand.
When I’ve fixed myself as best I can, I turn back to him.
He raises a brow, smiling gently. “You ready to hear my vows now?”
I nod, then shake my head, taking a deep, shaky breath. “Allow me.”
He squeezes my hand encouragingly as I immerse myself in his head. It feels like coming home, his blue aura wrapping itself in my yellow one. Together, we look like the sun and moon. Calm washes over me and when I speak, my voice is clear and strong. “Keenan Wolven-North, I devote my life to you. I will watch over and protect you until the last breath leaves my body. I will protect and care for the people you love.” The words are blunt but beautiful, just like him. I love that we’ve reversed our vows because every word he wrote for me could have easily been written for him. “You’ve brought the sun back into my life giving it the meaning I thought I lost. You are everything to me and I will love you with every cell in my body until we are nothing but dust. The natural order brought us together and our love will bind us for eternity.”
As the last word leaves my lips, he swoops in, crushing me in his arms, kissing me. Applause bursts out all around us but we’re in our own world now, a world of two.
Chapter 27
Love Actually
VANESSA
Step one to my perfect life: land the acting role of a lifetime. Check!
Step two to my perfect life: marry the prince of my dreams. Check!
Step three to my perfect life: move into my brand new Hollywood Hills mansion. Check…CRASH!
“Oh dear, what was that?”
I race from the back door of my new home to the front, which isn’t an easy feat considering the amount of real estate I purchased. Well, technically Keenan purchased it, but I’m paying him back for half when my first big paycheck lands.
“What happened?” I wheeze, clutching the stitch in my side. Apparently, I’m willing to suspend my no running rule if it means my precious mansion is at risk.
“Nothing a coat of paint won’t fix,” Lennox says, mopping his brow while leaning against my purple couch, which seems to be wedged in the doorway. “You married rich, Vanessa. Why not replace this ugly thing?”
I run a critical eye over the couch. “Because it’ll keep me grounded as I rise through the ranks of the super famous.”
“Not a doubt in your head, eh?” He grins at me with approval.
Keenan slings his arm around my shoulders, squeezing me against him. “Why should there be any doubt? This woman is magic on film. You’ll see when the movie comes out.”
“Laz is in talks with Ashlyn Pierce about me having a role in her next period piece,” I announce, sighing contentedly as I press myself into Keenan. “What a whirlwind of awesome.” Straightening, I add, “Which is why I’m keeping the couch. It’ll remind me to stay humble.”
“Not sure humble is the word I would use,” Lennox grumbles, attempting to pull the couch through the door.
Keenan lends his strength to help yank it out of the doorframe. “It’s just as beautiful as Van…” He pauses and I pick up on the fumbling comparison in his head. “I mean I’m sure it’s as beautiful on the inside as Vanessa is.”
Lennox makes a gagging sound. “You two are disgusting.”
Keenan elbows him in the side. “One day you’ll find your mate, then you’ll be spouting all this romantic stuff.”
