I lean in to whisper, “I can’t wait to tear it off your body.”
She giggles and hides her embarrassment behind her bouquet.
In the crowd, Franco gives a gentle wave, and I smile back. I’m glad he’s on his feet again with no lasting injuries, and that he came to see us at our second wedding. Even Sarah and Leticia and all of my other staff have shown up, and it warms my heart when Stella gives them a gentle wave.
The pastor begins his talk, but I’m not even listening, because all I can focus on is that we’re here again, and that this time I’m marrying someone who actually loves me, instead of someone who hates my guts.
I laugh to myself.
“What’s so funny?” Stella whispers.
“I was just thinking of the last time we did this.”
She narrows her eyes. “Against my will.”
“Is it still, though?” I whisper back.
She just smirks at me. “Maybe.”
Always the little vixen.
“You won’t be so sassy when I throw you over the kitchen counter after we get home.”
I enjoy watching the obvious strawberry-red streaks spread across her face very much.
The pastor clears his throat. “Matteo De Silva, will you continue to have Stella De Silva as your wife? Do you reaffirm your love to her, and will you love, honor, and cherish her in sickness and in health ... as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” I say without a single shred of doubt, keeping my eyes locked on hers.
“And do you, Stella De Silva, continue to take Matteo De Silva as your husband? Do you reaffirm your love to him, and will you love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health ... as long as you both shall live?”
“Positively yes,” she says, smiling.
Leticia’s child comes hopping down the aisle with a basket containing two new rings, and Stella’s eyes widen.
“What?” she mutters. “You got us new ones?”
I slip the ring Lucio bought for her off her finger and grab the new one from the basket, which the little boy holds up.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“You’re welcome, sir,” the boy says.
I grab Stella’s hand and slip the new ring around her finger. “A diamond? It’s beautiful.”
“I wanted to go all out to make you happy.”
“I’m already so, so happy,” she replies.
The boy offers her the basket, and she takes the ring, grabbing my hand to slip the old ring off so she can put the new one on. It looks much better, and this time, it was given to me out of her own volition.
This time, shewantsto be mine.
“You’ve renewed the promises you made on your wedding day today, and I’m honored to pronounce you as still happily married! You may now … kiss your wife.”
The pastor chuckles, but I pay him no mind as I grab my wife’s face with both hands and kiss her so passionately that even the crowd begins to cheer and whistle for us. My hand slips down her waist, and I grasp her ass and squeeze it tight.
“Get a room!” someone shouts.
