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Damn my short genes. Our babies better inherit some height from Maceo.
Chase comes and escorts Opal, who is blushing from all the people admiring how pretty she is. My heart accelerates, noticing the line is getting shorter.
Holy-moly, is it hot in here, or is it my nerves?
Ziggy approaches Jared with a look of tenderness in his eyes. Jared’s handsome face breaks into a big smile when Ziggy takes his hand in his and walks them down the aisle.
Simone turns and pins me with a grin. “Showtime, squirt. See you at the finish line.” Gauge holds out his arm for her, leaving only my dad and I left.
My dad goes to move, and I halt him. I look at him with my heart in my throat. “I loved you first, dad.”
Dad chokes up. “I loved you first, too, baby girl.”
We start forward, my arm laced through my dad’s arm on one side, and Hades on my other side. My head rises to where my future husband waits for me, and my eyes lock with his.
Maceo stands at the end of a short aisle looking tall and strong like the Titan he’s named after. He’s beyond gorgeous in his gray fitted tailored suit. It hugs his body in all the right ways, making him a living, breathing Adonis.
His black hair has been trimmed and shaved tight to the sides in an undercut, longer on top and flipped back the way he likes to wear it. His chiseled face is smooth as silk thanks to a straight-razor shave from Lloyd. He stands proudly with his chest puffed out. And his eyes—those dark pools of onyx—are smoldering with desire, drinking me in.
Maceo’s fingers twitch as he leans forward, looking like he’s going to run up the aisle to meet me. I notice Gauge holding on to the back on Maceo’s belt, struggling to prevent it from happening. I nearly snort with laughter, but quickly collect myself.
This wedding march is taking too damn long.I swear dad is dragging his feet, not wanting to give me up yet, or maybe it’s me being overly excited for this moment to finally be happening.
When we do get near the end, Gauge can’t hold Maceo any longer and curses, chasing after him. Maceo storms upon us and practically yanks me from my dad’s arm, cupping my face and planting a heated kiss on my lips.
“It’s not time for the kiss, yet,” I say, blushing.
“I don’t care. I can’t wait any longer.” Maceo kisses me again as if to prove his point.
Tony clears his throat. “We going to get this ball rollin’ or we calling it good, boss?”
Maceo breaks the kiss and smiles at his brother. “Proceed.”
“Then stop kissing Jo until I say so. Face each other and try to keep the PDA to a minimum,” Tony orders before clearing his throat and addressing the guests.
“Welcome, family, friends, and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the union of Maceo and Josephine, or more appropriately, Atlas and Jo. They thank you for your presence and now ask you for your blessing, encouragement, and lifelong support for their decision to be married. Before I go further, I ask who gives this woman in marriage?”
Dad steps forward. “Her mother and I do.” Hades howls next to him, saying, ‘I do too.’ Everyone laughs, and my dad sits next to my mom. Hades sits back on his haunches next to Maceo, taking his position with the wedding party.
I know I should be listening to the beautiful words Tony prepared regarding our love story, but my attention is focused on Maceo. I look up at him, utterly beguiled, and study every hard angle on his handsome face. The sharpness of his nose, the cut edges of his jaw, the fullness of his lips, the heavy arch of his dark brows, the intensity of his eyes—I memorize all of it even though I plan on staring at him for the rest of my life. But at this moment, I want to remember him exactly like this.
By the way Maceo’s eyes trail all over my face and body, I’d say he’s doing the same thing. The notion makes me smile broadly. He, in turn, flashes me a smile which makes my toes curl and sex ache.
“Maceo and Josephine have prepared their own vows which they will read to each other now. Maceo, if you would start?”
Without taking his eyes off mine, Maceo nods and squeezes my hands. “Pixie, I know I’m an overbearing pain in the ass. I know I’m demanding and needy at times. I know I have a quick temper and sometimes act hastily. I can honestly say it’s all your fault, too,” he says with a wink, making everyone laugh.
“Before I met you, I was running on autopilot—calm, controlled, ruthless, and vacant—everything colorless and lacking life. The day I ran into you on the trail, I could feel my heart expand and beat to life. I never knew how alone I was. I never knew I was living only half a life or that there was more to this world than simply existing.
“You didn’t bring me shades of gray, but a kaleidoscope of colors. You made me feel and want more from life, from you, from me. I went from being a robotic man to one who was finally experiencing what emotions are supposed to be—love, fear, anger, happiness, and all the above. You brought meaning and purpose, giving me a reason to be a better man, a better brother, a better leader, and a better partner.
“You have given me the other half of my soul that I never knew I was searching for, and I love you more with each passing day. I’ve screwed up a lot, and you’ve given me hell for it—which I totally deserve—but I’m fucking grateful for your big heart and your willingness to forgive me every single time. Thank you for taking a chance on me, on us.
“In return, I promise to only love you, honor, and respect you always, protect you in times of need, and hold your hand through everything else which comes our way. You’re it, Josephine. My ride or die. My everything.”
Every single woman here is either swooning or balling their eyes out—myself included. Maceo reaches out with one hand and tenderly wipes my tears away. “Baby, don’t cry.” He looks at Tony expectantly. “Can I kiss her?”
Tony throws out his arm, stopping Maceo from advancing. “We aren’t done. Jo, please give your vows.”
