“I love you too, sweetheart. More than anything.”
After a while, he dries me off and carries me back to bed. To my nest that smells like both of us now. He curls around me, his massive body surrounding mine, making me feel small, protected… cherished.
“Sleep, baby.” His purr rumbles through my back. “I got you.”
Epilogue
The Wedding
Keke
“Girl, stop crying. You’re gonna mess up your makeup.”
Destiny laughs through her tears, fanning her face with both hands. “I can’t help it! Look at him!”
I follow her gaze across the reception hall to where Rahel is standing with his MC brothers. The man is massive, intimidating as hell, covered in tattoos, and currently glaring at anyone who dares to look in our direction.
But every few seconds, his eyes find Destiny. And his whole face transforms. Goes soft. Almost human.
It’s disgusting. And I love it.
“Shadow Daddy cleans up nice.” I grin before taking a sip of my drink.
Des smacks my arm, giggling. “Stop calling him that!”
“Never.” I join her laughter. My best friend. My gorgeous, glowing, absolutely radiant best friend is wearing a stunning ivory gown that hugs each one of her curves and makes her look like a whole damn empress. “You look incredible, by the way. Did I mention that?”
She rolls her eyes, smiling. “Only about fifty times.”
“Whoever helped you pick your dress has great taste.”
She laughs softly through her tears. And I hand her a napkin, shaking my head.
Finding that dress was a whole journey. I think back to three weeks ago: the two of us in a bridal boutique downtown, Destiny trying on her tenth gown while I sprawled across a velvet couch eating complimentary macaroons.
“This one makes my ass look weird.”
“Babe, your ass looks amazing in everything.”
“Keke, I’m serious!”
“So am I! Just pick one so we can go before my belly explodes,” I replied, still stuffing my face.
Then I spotted THE dress. Dropped the half-eaten baked goods on the silver platter they were offered on, pushed off the couch, and made my way to a rack off the side. I pulled this beauty off and handed it to Des, sending her back to the dressing room with a non-negotiable look. And when she walked out, I started crying like a baby. Because my bestie, my sister from another mama, the woman who’d been dreaming about a faceless man for months, was about to marry her literal soulmate, and we found the perfect dress for her.
* * *
“Destiny.”
We both turn. Rahel appears like he materialized out of thin air, which, knowing the guy, he probably did. His amber eyes are locked on his wife like she’s the only person in the room. Damn, in the universe.
“Dance with me?”
He extends a hand.
Des smiles, takes his massive hand, and follows him to the dance floor. I watch them move together, her much smaller frame pressed against his huge one.
“Nauseating, aren’t they?”
