We can’t keep our hands off each other during the shoot. The photographer tries to give us direction, but we keep getting distracted—touching, kissing, teasing. Every time Colt tucks a strand of hair behind my ear or whispers something filthy in my ear just out of the photographer’s range, my heart skips a beat.
Princess Sofia is just as enthusiastic. She’s in several of our photographs, prancing around like the proud fur baby she is. She jumps up, licking our faces as Colt kisses me, making everyone laugh.
The bridal party watches us with a mix of amusement and eye-rolls, but I don’t care. We’re married. I get to kiss him whenever I want now, every second of every day for the rest of our lives.
By the time we head back to the reception, the sun has dipped below the horizon. The sky is a dusky navy, and the willow tree is glowing beneath hundreds of fairy lights strung through its sweeping branches.
Lanterns line the winding path leading toward the lake, casting a golden shimmer against the darkened grass. A makeshift dance floor sits just to the right of the tree, its surface catching the soft light as petals flutter gently across the lawn. White tables circle the space, set with lilac florals and flickeringcandles, ready to host the hundred guests who mean the most to us.
It’s absolutely breathtaking.
Like something out of a dream.
“Anna,” Colt says, glancing around in awe. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
She lifts her chin, smug. “I know.”
The reception kicks off with laughter, champagne, and a blur of dancing and stolen kisses. I don’t even remember sitting down to eat because Colt keeps pulling me onto the dance floor, whispering dirty promises in my ear that have me completely distracted.
Everything feels magical.
When the energy begins to mellow and guests settle back into their chairs, a single spotlight switches on near the dance floor. I blink at it, confused. It’s aimed at an area I hadn’t noticed before, shrouded in a black curtain.
“What the hell?” I murmur.
Anna claps her hands together excitedly. “Okay, it’s time!” she calls to the band, who are loitering over by the makeshift bar.
Colt gives them a nod, and the guys spring to life, abandoning their drinks and heading toward the curtain.
It drops all at once, revealing a full setup—drum kit, guitars, microphones, amps—the whole12GUAGE-Slayedarsenal.
My heart skips a beat, and a smile spreads across my face.
Colt is about to perform.
At our wedding.
Anna and Sia grab me by the arms, dragging me right up to the edge of the dance floor. I don’t even resist.
Colt steps forward, taking the mic, looking like sin in a tux with his guitar slung low on his hips.
“Hey, everyone,” he says, voice deep and smooth. “Thanks so much for coming to celebrate the best damn day of my life.Dee…” His eyes find mine, locking on. “Baby, I love you more and more every day. And I know this song holds something special between us, so I wanted to sing it for you tonight.”
My breath hitches, knowing exactly what’s coming.
“Until the End of Time” begins, and that familiar, emotional melody floods the air.
Everyone joins in softly, but I only hearhim. Colt belts the lyrics with everything he’s got, the power and pain in his voice reaching into my soul. The song takes me back to the moment when I didn’t know where we stood. When I didn’t know if we’d make it. When he couldn’t say he loved me, he played this instead.
That night changed everything.
And now, hearing it again, as his wife… it’s almosttoomuch.
Sometimes the most powerful moments are the ones that make us wait.
When the song ends, I don’t hesitate, I run straight to him and kiss him like my life depends on it. There’s something about seeing him perform that ignites every part of me. He’s already drop-dead sexy, but on stage? In a tux? With his voice raw and eyes locked on mine?
Yeah. I’m done for.
