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I put the necklace on carefully and then straighten and stand tall. “It’s time. Let’s do this.”
*****
Bryce holds his breath, his eyes piercing into mine. I read every emotion running through his mind because they mirror my own.
“I do.” I don’t break his stare. “I absolutely do.”
He exhales and moves to me instantly, his mouth claiming mine with little restraint. Vaguely, I hear the officiant announce us as husband and wife, but I’m lost in a fog. Bryce’s tongue caresses mine gently, and I follow his lead, paralyzed with the love he’s pouring into me.
A throat clears, once, twice, and on the third time, I finally snap back to reality. Nate mumbles under his breath, and Quinn makes lewd comments when we break apart.
Bryce doesn’t let me go far and presses our foreheads together; his lips stay so close I can feel his breath.
“Mine.”
“Yours,” I confirm.
“Forever.”
“And always.”
His eyes flash with approval, and he moves back, clutching my hand. We turn to face our small group that is now standing and clapping. Quinn starts whooping, which sets off a reaction from the whole crowd. I turn and reach for my bouquet and am stunned by the look on her face. Her tear-stained cheeks contradict the wide smile. I lean into her arms. Bryce comes to my back and holds my waist as I whisper to her how much I love her.
Finally, I step back, and Bryce leads me down the aisle to more cheers. At the edge of the sand, the wedding planner takes us to a private area so the guests can go to the ocean-front restaurant and start cocktail hour while we do pictures.
“This is probably one of the cruelest things that’s ever happened to me,” Bryce says into my hair, tugging my back to his front.
“What?”
“The last ten weeks I vowed that you’d have the wedding you deserve—the reception, the cake, the dancing, all of it. But, right now, I’m fighting a battle to take you upstairs and claim every inch of your body. My mouth waters thinking about devouring you. My dick cries to be inside you. My heart races, wanting to hear you call my name as I make you come. I’m literally twitching to steal you away. You are breathtaking.”
I turn into his body and run my hands up his chest. “Pretty sure the sight of you in a tux started my own dirty fantasies.”
“Dirty, huh? Think we can sneak away?”
“Not if you want to live. Steve and Nate are right behind me!” Quinn gives us a warning, and Bryce drops his head to my shoulder, groaning.
Once pictures are over, we join our guests in the restaurant and are bombarded by screams and loud cheers.
Champagne, beer, and wine are shoved our way as Bryce and I try to get around the room to speak to everyone. The small crowd is made up of our families and close friends, which includes some of my cheer group, classmates, and peers from the Summer Expo. Bryce’s guest list is a few of his ROTC buddies and Navy friends. As we make our way around, I spot Dani, Rick, and his girlfriend at a window table. They all wave and raise their glasses.
After Bryce was released from the hospital, Dani showed up at his house one day with a load of food and a sincere apology. Unlike Nicole, she was deeply sorry, and it was obvious she was a much more humble woman. I had already forgiven her, but she won me over that day. During the last few months when I’ve visited Bryce, she and I built a friendship outside of the Navy group, and I became fond of her. So when Bryce made his list, I insisted she be invited. The three of them are now a part of our small crew in Norfolk.
We stop by a few more tables and take some pictures. When we get to Shana, I drop Bryce’s hand and wrap my arms around her.
“There are a lot of things I’ll never understand in my life. One of them being that I married the man of my dreams. The other that my idol is here to w
itness it. Thank you for coming. I’m not sure how I got so lucky.”
She hugs me back, and a warm tear falls on my shoulder. “I need to thank you. There’s a good chance you helped give me the greatest gift ever.” She stands back and rubs the small bump on her stomach.
“Oh my God! Congratulations!”
I jump to the side and throw my arms around Professor Grant’s shoulders. “This is amazing, Prof—”
“Devon, I think it’s time you call me Henry.”
I nod and look between him and Shana. Both are glowing to the point of blinding. “I guess your special assignment took a turn?” I ask Shana.
