“I wished for this. Seeing you walk down the aisle to me. I wished for it all to be real.”
My smile spreads wide. “That was mine. I wanted this to be real.”
“Looks like our wishes came true.” He kisses my nose.
Could this man be more perfect?
We walk together toward the wedding pavilion, where our reception will be, hand in hand, married again. But this time, we’re stronger, steadier, absolutely sure.
No stadium lights tonight.
No scoreboard.
No pressure.
No promises we haven’t already tested.
Just two people who learned the long game is better when you’re on the same team.
SILAS
The reception is in full swing, but I need a few minutes alone with my wife.
We just finished taking a few pictures on some nearby swings with our friends. There were three large swings that can holdtwo to three people on each seat. All the girls—Brooke, Charlie, Noelle, Chelsea, Emma, Arbor, and Lily—sat on the seats. Us guys—me, Beck, Casey, Bo, Archie, Ace, and Aston—stood behind them. It should turn out to be a pretty cool picture.
There’s also an outdoor stone fireplace that has been decorated with the same flowers we used for the wedding, and candles in glass vases are scattered on the mantel and the stone around the fire. It’s private and romantic and the perfect opportunity to dance with my wife. The music from the pavilion flows—ironically, they’re playing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley—loud enough that we can hear it.
I take her in my arms because I can’tnottouch her. “Can I have this dance, Mrs. Arbuckle?”
Her arms wind around my neck. “I’d be honored, Mr. Arbuckle.”
I pull her in close, placing soft kisses along her neck. “How much longer do we have to stay?”
She giggles. “You want to leave already?”
“Well, I mean, yeah. The food was good, and everyone seems to be having fun, but I cannot wait to get this dress off of you.”
When I saw Brooke walking down the aisle toward me, I nearly dropped to the ground. She’s wearing a lace wedding dress with sheer long sleeves and an open-back bodice that flows to the ground. Brooke opted to keep her hair down and flowing. And I’ve never seen her look more beautiful. Clothed anyway.
“Okay, we can leave soon. I have to admit, I’m ready too. I want to take advantage of the time I have with you this weekend before you go back to Dallas.” She leans up to kiss me.
I was drafted twenty-fourth in the first round by Dallas. It was one of my choices so I could be close to Brooke while she’s still in school, and so far, it’s working out well. Still, this summer was a whirlwind, finding a place in Dallas and getting a condo here, where she could live while she was in school. Then we had to find a weekend that I had a bye because we reallydidn’t want to wait to renew our vows. I have to leave on Monday, so as much time as I can spend with her alone, the better.
“How about we go start to make our rounds to say goodbye?” I twirl her as the song comes to an end, then dip her in a kiss.
“Ready when you are.” Her eyes sparkle in the lights.
An hour later, we’ve made it to a small, private cabin, similar to the one we rented in Turner Falls on our mini moon.
The door barely clicks shut before she’s in my arms and looking at me like she can’t wait to see me come undone.
I don’t hesitate. I back her up against the door, slow and deliberate, and feel her smile against my mouth when I kiss her.
This kiss isn’t polite.
It’s hungry. Familiar. Earned.
She moans when I take the kiss deeper, and it goes straight to my cock. I’ve never wanted her more than I do right now.
