Collins || One year later
Standing at the head of the aisle with my best friends standing beside me, I anxiously await Harley to appear as soft music begins to play. When she turns the corner, coming into view, my heart implodes, I choke on a sob, letting out the breath I’ve been holding. My almost wife approaches in a corset dress covered in flower appliques, she opted for a cape-style veil rather than the traditional type. A small bouquet of wildflowers in her hands that she passes off to Sin when she reaches the altar.
“Take a breath,” Sin reminds Harley as she fixes her dress behind her. I give Harley an affirming nod and watch her blow out a slow breath that only I can see.
“Dude, she’s gorgeous,” Dom whispers from behind me, and I’m not sure if he’s talking about Sin or my fiancé. The girls stand behind Harley in velvet, emerald green dresses, tissues tucked into their bouquets—I wish I had stuck some in my suit pocket.
“Baby, you look beautiful.” I can’t help but let my tears fall as I continue to take her in, noticing the Lothlorien leaf jewels adorning her hair that match my cufflinks.
“Thank you, we’re getting married!” She squeaks just enough for me.
“We are right now.” I wink at her, and our officiant begins the ceremony.
"We are gathered here today to witness the joining of…” His voice fades out because no one else exists to me during our wedding ceremony, all I see is my Peppermint, all I hear is her voice (and the officiants), and all I’m thinking about is kissing my bride.
Our exchange of vows is quick and easy, we’ve written private ones that we plan to share just between us when we arrive at our honeymoon destination—neither of us wanting more attention than necessary today. We’ve always been private in that way, our intimacy staying between us (mostly) and our confessions happening in the dark, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Harley squeezes my hand as we slide rings onto their prospective fingers, and when the officiant states that I may now kiss my bride, I pull her into me. A small gasp leaving her mouth before my lips crash to hers, dipping her backward for the perfect photo, then standing her upright.
“I’d like to introduce you all to Mr. and Mrs. Collins McKee!” Our officiant states, the area fills with claps as Harley and I make our way to the bridal suite, the bridal party to the groomsmen room, while the rest of our guests get moved to the reception site for cocktail hour.
When the door shuts behind us, silence enveloping us, I find myself staring atmy wife. The sense of protection I’ve felt over her increases tenfold, the fire burning in my heart for her suddenly blazing like Dante’s inferno, and my cock threatens to burst out of its zipper.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” The shy Harley, the one who loves when I look at her like this, but also squirmsunder the heat of my stares comes to the forefront—eyes wide and puffy lips pursed.
“Just thinking. Come here.” I open my arms, pulling her into me gently without ruining her hair or makeup… until tonight at least.
“Thinking about?”
“How we went from fake boyfriend and girlfriend to married. How lucky I am to call you mine until I take my last breath. How fucking in love I am with you and have been since the beginning of our relationship.”
“Hey, hey save the vows for later, Freckles.”
“Peppermint, you haven’t seen anything yet.” I wink down at her and she grins back at me, free and delighted. I kiss her gently so I don’t smear her lipstick, and while I can tell she wants more by the way she grasps my collar and snakes her tongue against mine, I don’t want to make love to my wife for the first time in a place that anyone could walk in.
Just then, there’s a tap at the door, and our wedding planner, Riley, peeks her head in, smiling at our embrace. “Golden hour is about to hit, ready to get some photos, then dance the night away?”
“Let’s do it.”
The rest of the evening flies by, and now we’re on a plane to Australia where we’ll spend the week exploring, making a baby, and trying all the cuisine.
“I’m so tired.” Harley groans, rolling her neck as we step into the front door of our hotel room overlooking the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
“We’ve been going for a bit between the wedding, travel, and exploring. Want me to get a bath ready?”
“Yes, please.” She moans and it goes straight to my cock. I’ve been ravenous for my wife since we got here, and I’m sure that’s not helping her but the way she moans at the prospect of a bath has me ready to forgo that idea altogether.
“Be right back.” I step into the en suite, finding epsom salts and bubble bath under the sink before turning on water hot enough for a lobster boil because that’s the only way Harley likes to soak.
Once the bathtub is full, I bring my wife into the room, dimming the lights and gently pulling her ponytail loose to release some of the tension in her neck. I help her in before stripping myself and sliding in behind her. The water stings, and I truly don’t know how she manages to sit in this for thirty-plus minutes.
“Come here,” I grumble, pulling her body into mine and letting my hands knead her shoulders—her body automatically sinking deeper into me and the water.
A quiet contented sigh leaves her lips before she whispers, “You could do this for hours and I wouldn’t complain.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t.” I continue kneading her shoulders until she grabs one of my hands, moving it down her front and onto her chest. Then she grabs the other and moves it to the apex of her legs, guiding my hand exactly where she wants it.
“I want you, Collins.” She gasps when I tweak her nipple, her head lolling back and hands seeking my thighs for purchase.
