“He was sworn to secrecy,” Sia says, leaning into Dingo. “We just wanted to be sure. This was our last shot. If it didn’t work, we were going to stop trying.”
Colt reaches out and shakes Dingo’s hand. “Well, congrats, man. Though I pity the kid having you as a father.”
“Thanks, fucker,” Dingo replies, pulling Colt in and slapping him hard on the back.
“Anytime, mate. Anytime,” Colt fires back, and the rest of us chuckle at their usual banter.
“Right, well, congrats to both of you,” Johnny says, rubbing his eyes. “But I’m knackered and I need to get back to my son.”
“Yeah, we’re heading off too,” Dingo adds. “Guess we’ll see you after the honeymoon?”
Colt nods. “Yep. A couple of days after we’re back, we’re straight into recording the new album. No rest for the wicked.”
“Awesome. I honestly think our newest stuff is our best yet,” Dingo says as we all begin the walk back to the manor. “Plus, the single we dropped this week hit number one today.”
Colt and I both whip our heads toward him.
“It did? Why didn’t you tell me?” Colt asks, shocked.
“You were a little busy getting married and stealing the show,” Dingo replies with a grin. “I figured that took precedence over our umpteenth number one.”
Colt throws his head back, laughing. “Man, I got to marry my woman, perform at my own wedding, and we hit number one? This is officially the best damn day of my life.”
We all laugh together, hearts full, as we reach the waiting stretch Hummer parked out front.
“Okay, guys, have an amazing night,” Anna says, climbing inside. “About time you two finally made it official.”
“Thanks for everything, Anna. You’re the best best friend a girl could ask for,” I call after her.
She laughs. “I know. I’ll see you at the clinic when you’re back for our counseling sessions.”
I nod, smiling brightly as Colt steps behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. Together, we wave everyone off.
I turn in his grip to face him. “Now, Mr. Slade,” I say, my eyes twinkling.
He raises a brow. “Now what, Mrs. Slade?”
I giggle and lean up on my toes to whisper in his ear, “Now you can take me upstairs. I’m wearing the garter you bought me.”
A low chuckle vibrates in his chest, and before I can blink, he sweeps me into his arms. I squeal as he turns and strides through the doorway, carrying me up the stairs like I weigh nothing.
We reach our bedroom, and he kicks the door shut behind us.
“Now, Mrs. Slade…” he murmurs, placing me gently on the floor. “I need a strip tease.”
I laugh, flushed and breathless. “A strip tease, huh?”
He nods, loosening his tie, a wicked glint in his eyes.
I saunter to the bed with a deliberate sway in my hips, turn, and lift one foot to the edge of the mattress. Slowly, I slide my dress up, revealing the lace garter wrapped around my thigh. A low growl escapes Colt’s chest, and I smirk, knowing I’ve got him right where I want him.
He walks toward me, unfastening his tie and tossing it to the floor. “Fuck, I knew you’d look hot in that. I wasn’t wrong.” He drops to his knees and presses a kiss just beneath the garter, his lips searing against my skin. “Tonight, we leave that on,” he says, his voice rough. “And the heels. That’s it. Got it?”
I nod, biting back a grin as I bring my foot back to the floor.
“Now, how do I get you out of this beautiful dress?” he asks, standing and brushing his fingers over my hip.
I point to the zipper. He smirks and reaches for it, dragging it down achingly slow. My breathing stutters with every inch he lowers it. The anticipation is almost too much.
