“I thought you’d never ask.”
We spotted Rory’s grandmother sitting at a table with Maria, Josie, Bo, and Luke. The kids looked sleepy, and the adults were beaming. “They look okay,” Rory said, clutching my hand. “Let’s make a run for it!”
We ducked out of the tent, not before being spotted by Abigail Furst and Cousin Andrew, who were dancing by the exit.
They laughed when they saw us sneaking out. Abigail gave us a thumbs-up.
Once we finally reached the house, Rory sighed in relief. “We made it!”
“Not just yet.” With that, I swept her into my arms and carried her across the threshold of Barrington Manor. I didn’t put her down until we made it inside my suite.
“Here we are.” I put her down gently on the bed. “How’s that for service?”
“It’s amazing, just like you.” Rory’s expression turned serious. “Thank you for bringing Grammy and the kids here. You totally surprised me.”
“I know how important they are to you.” I hesitated. “I didn’t invite your mother, though. I wasn’t sure how you would feel about that.”
“Your instinct to hesitate was correct.” She shrugged. “It makes me sad, but our relationship isn’t what I wish it was. Maybe someday it will get better.”
“Maybe. I actually apologized to Miranda at the reception. So if I can do that… Maybe your mother will wake up someday.”
Rory blinked at me. “You apologized to Miranda?”
“I did.” I slid out of my jacket. “It was about old business. I wasn’t always nice to her when I was younger.”
“Wow, Rhodes.” Rory looked impressed. “That’s some serious self-awareness.”
“I know, right?” I grinned at her. “Speaking of awareness, I’mawareof something else right now.”
I let the silence stretch out between us. The energy in the room shifted as we watched each other.
Rory’s cheeks started to flush. “What’s that?”
“It’s our wedding night.”
“I know.” She tilted her chin and looked at me. “I’ve missed you these past couple of days.”
“Not as much as I’ve missed you.” I crossed the space between us and crushed my lips against hers. Our tongues connected, and I felt a surge deep inside me—need and deep, deep relief.
Rory’s chest was heaving when we finally broke apart. She rose from the bed. “Can you help me with my dress? It has five thousand buttons.”
“It would be my honor.”
My hands trembled a little as I carefully undid the fastenings. Once she’d slid out of the gown, my skin grazed the smooth skin of her bare back. “Finally.”
“I told you there were a lot of buttons.” She moaned as I pulled her against me, my hands roaming, my kiss against her throat. “But it was worth the wait. All of it was.”
She turned to face me and drew me in for a deep kiss, igniting a fire between us.
“And now we get to spend the rest of our lives together,” I said.
“Yes. I’m yours, Rhodes. Forever.”
“And I’myours,” I growled, gently forcing her back on the bed.
I had to take her,now—I couldn’t wait any longer. But she was my virgin bride, and I had to make sure she was ready for all of me. I kissed every inch of her incredible body, nipping at her greedily, my kisses working over her incredible breasts, to her stomach, to her thighs. She whimpered when I put my mouth on her sex, cried out when I grazed my teeth over her clit, and bucked against me as I gently inserted two fingers inside her, testing and stretching. She was so wet, ready for me.
Ready to be claimed.
