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Pushing up on one elbow, she looks thoughtful.
“Is it always like that?”
My voice softens and I reach out to touch her cheek, caressing the delicate skin. “No, Ivy. Making love to you is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. What we created was something special, something rare and wonderful.”
“We made love,” she whispers back to me, angling her face into the palm of my hand.
“Yeah, angel. And now you’re fully mine and I’m fully yours.”
“Until death do us part.”
If only we knew in that moment of bliss how truly fated those words would be.
Chapter Ten
Ivy
This could not bemy life. A week ago, if anyone had told me that I would ditch my old life and drive across state lines in a hideous wedding dress to demand a complete stranger marry me, I would have thought they needed to be committed.
Now, as I rush down the tight city hall chapel aisle, holding my husband’s hand, I’m hit with a complete sense of happiness. I never thought I would get a happy ending like this. That I would have the love of a wild, good-hearted mountain man.
We both haven’t say the words out loud; maybe we’re both waiting for the perfect moment—for me that was tonight, our wedding night—but I knew without a doubt that Connor loved me. And I loved him.
Laughing as pink rose petals flutter down around us, thrown by our guests, Connor spins me into his arms and dips me into a kiss. Everything is perfect.
There are only three people at our small vow exchange. Connor’s older brother, Cohen, and his friend Lennox with his fiancée, Katrina. A couple days ago, when Connor had gotten down on one knee in front of the firepit and proposed to me as the sun set into the valley beyond, he’d also confessed the white lie he’d told me when we first met.
While shocked, I wasn’t upset about the small deception. It was sweet how he stated he had taken one look at me and knew he wouldn’t be giving me up.
I’d be forever grateful that I took a wrong turn on that mountain and ended up with the right man.
The men who stood by Connor and my side as we exchanged vows were not only there to support us and bear witness to our marriage but also as protection. My stepmother had vanished off Cohen’s radar yesterday. He was furious and Connor had upped his overprotectiveness to a whole new level.
Feeling light as air, I interlock my fingers with Connor’s, squeezing him close. I can’t contain my goofy grin as we make our way out of the chapel and to the SUV.
“We did it!” I shout as soon as we’re outside. Holding my arms out wide, I spin in a circle, my tiny bouquet of flowers and evergreen branches coming apart as I twirl and twirl. “Husband!” I giggle, falling dramatically into his arms.
“Wife, are you happy?” he asks sarcastically, giving my nose a quick peck.
“Can you not tell?” I laugh with him, half-heartedly propping myself back up, steady on my feet.
“We’ll follow you back to the cabin,” Cohen remarks, not sparing us a glance. His gaze is on his phone.
“Oh! I can’t wait to pop the champagne.” Katrina happy-claps as she runs over to give me another hug. “See you in a bit.”
“Bye,” I call, climbing into the SUV when Connor holds the door for me. Once I’m buckled in, he leans down and kisses me. A sweet, soft kiss full of so much love. My adoring gaze follows him as he rounds the vehicle.
Throughout our journey home, we steal heated glances at each other. While I am looking forward to spending some time with Connor’s family, I honestly can’t wait to get him alone. How is it that I’ve known him only a week and yet it feels like forever? And now we’ll have a lifetime.
The scenery turns from paved roads and busy sidewalks to green, rough terrain. I’m still getting to know these roads, but something feels off. Prickles of awareness break out on my neck and down my spine, making me unconsciously reach over and grab the material of Connor’s sleeve.
“Con…I think—” My words are cut off with a scream. A loud bang echoes through the trees and the SUV swerves.
Stunned and shaking, I try to understand what just happened. The windshield in front of me is shattered. From the center, when the glass starts to split and the damage stems from, there is a small indented circle. It looks like a—
“Connor…” My voice trembles as I gape at the windshield, understanding slowly dawning. “Is that—is that a bullet?”
“Stay calm. We’re okay. It’s bulletproof.” Ripping my eyes from the almost bullet hole, I hold my breath as I watch Connor scramble for something on the floor.
