My heart sings as I quickly finish getting ready for the first night of the rest of my life.
Ian grinsat me as he leads me out onto the dance floor. The wedding has been absolutely perfect. There aren’t many people here, but the group that gathered to celebrate Ella and Jack is loving and enthusiastic. We’ve been having the best time.
But now I’m soaking in the euphoria of being heldagainst Ian as he leads us around the dance floor, his heartbeat steady against my ear.
The wedding and ceremony were in Becky, Jack’s cousin’s, backyard. Fairy lights are strung between the trees over the dance floor, giving it an ethereal, romantic feel.
“Ella did such an amazing job. Tonight was perfect.”
Ian hums his agreement. “Not as perfect as you, but it was pretty great.” He looks up at the lights twinkling above us. “Is this the kind of wedding you would want?”
I bite back a smile. “To be honest, I wouldn’t want to plan something like this. I would be just as happy eloping to Vegas. Or even the courthouse.”
He nods slowly with a lazy smile on his face.
Leaning back so I can look up at Ian, my stomach flips with nerves. I lick my lips and swallow before saying softly, “I have something I want to tell you.”
He smooths a hand down my back, landing low on my hip, and with affection glowing in his gaze, he says, “You can tell me anything.”
On a rushed exhale, my words come tumbling out. “I know this might be too soon. And I’m not saying this to get you to say it back to me. Because it’s okay with me if you’re not ready. But…” My heart thunders in my ears. “I love you.”
His feet freeze, and our slow circles cease.
Oh no. I made a mistake.
His throat muscles work with his swallow.
I try to take a step back out of his arms, worried he might want to take a moment to himself. “I’ll give you some space.”
The grip on me increases.
“Don’t.” It’s practically a whisper.
My efforts stop, and I search his face.
His voice is deep and quiet. If I weren’t pressed againsthim, I might not have heard him. “I love you, too, Maggie. More than I thought ever possible.”
I exhale a breath of relief as a tear slips past my lashes. “Thank goodness. You scared me for a second there.”
With his hand on the back of my neck, his lips find mine. The kiss is passionate and filled with all the feelings we just expressed to each other and so many more left unsaid. When we break apart, I recognize the light I saw in me earlier shining back.
“You ready to go home?” he asks.
I smile. “So ready.”
By the time we arrive at his house, we’re frantic for each other. Before we’re fully over the threshold, Ian spins me away from him and unzips my dress. His teeth find the muscles connecting my shoulder to my neck hungrily. When he bites down, my core clenches, and a moan fills the electric air.
“Ian, I need you, like, yesterday.” My voice is as desperate as I am.
He propels me forward until the front of my thighs hit the dining room table. I lose the connection between us when he steps back, allowing my dress to pool at my feet, and a shiver runs down my back. His hands grip my butt and squeeze, separating my cheeks, and I feel my body flush in exhilaration and self-consciousness.
“Mags, you were fucking forged from my dreams. Made with every fantasy in mind. I’ll never understand why you love me, but with you, I’m selfish as hell, and I’m never letting you go. Do you understand?” His hand presses on my back until I’m lying on the table. Moving my thong, his two thick fingers slide inside me, and I let out a long moan. “Tell me you understand, Mags.”
I pant as his fingers move to my clit. “Yes, Ian. Pleasedon’t ever let me go. I’m yours and you’re mine.” His breath hits the backs of my thighs as he kneels behind me. I have a flashback to the night he showed up at my apartment, and I can’t help but tease him for leaving me that night, even as desire rockets through my body. I lift my head and look back at him. “I’m having some déjà vu…you sure you aren’t about to walk out on me?”
A husky laugh blows across my skin. “Not a chance in fucking hell.”
Ian sucks my clit hard, and I forget about any moment other than right now.
