When I first saw her in it, I nearly swallowed my tongue. The dress was a straight-line fit with a cinched waistline and an elegant high-leg slit, which sparked all kinds of thoughts in me that were far from gentlemanly.
And if that weren’t enough temptation drawing me in, the dress featured an open window between her breasts where the fabric crossed over her collarbone and tied behind her neck. My fingers still itched to pull on the ribbons and watch the top portion fall to her waist.
But I needed to get a grip and reel it in before things got embarrassingly awkward.
“It is my great honor and privilege to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Boden Miller.”
Everyone started clapping and whistling, which surprised Sheba, their almost one-year-old puppy, who began jumping, barking, and pawing at her owners, eager to join in the celebration.
Earlier, the little labradoodle nearly stole the show with her haphazard, zig-zag walk down the aisle, following treats tossed on the grass by guests luring her toward her parents. It was a mighty big responsibility delivering the rings, as it required a nap afterward between her owners’ feet while we stood in front of a white rose-covered arch with the lake in the background, and finished the ceremony.
After Boden and Lakelyn made a lovable fuss over Sheba, he handed the pup’s leash off to Jameson, who then, with Arizona at his side, walked in line behind Cameron and Jenna and the newly married couple back down the aisle and under a tent set up to offer a reprieve from the hot California sun.
When I offered my arm to my fiancée, I couldn’t help but lean down and let her know just how gorgeous she was and all the wicked ideas she had incited as she slipped hers through mine. “You steal my breath in the best way possible. You look absolutely stunning Lils. Delicious even.” I was sure to lower my voice for the last two words that crossed my lips.
“Delicious?”
I secretly loved the moments whenever I caught her off guard. The way her brows would pinch with a mix of confusion and an insatiable appetite for the unknown always sparked new playful ways to tease her.
“Yes. Do you have any idea how hard it was to officiate their vows while all I wanted to do was kiss and lick every inch of your body.”
“Pun intended?” she questioned coyly with a flirtatious spark dancing in her sparkling blue eyes.
Her styled updo allowed me the perfect access to kiss her behind her ear, in a spot that I knew drove her wild.
“You have no idea, Lils,” I murmured low enough for only her to hear.
As we reached the end of the aisle, Lily slid her hand down my arm and laced her fingers with mine. I wasted no time pulling her off to the side, where I cupped the back of her head, eagerly bringing her mouth to mine.
I needed a taste. A hit of her sweetness.
“And he says I’m the obsessed one with my girl.” Lily pulled her head back at the sound of my twin running his mouth before he continued to tease me, “Takes one to know one, huh, bro.”
Jameson smirked while I groaned with frustration, suddenly doing the mental math on how long until Lily and I were at home alone.
“Lily, can you come with me while I get some water from the bar?” Arizona asked.
She was seven months pregnant with my niece and glowing. The transition from working full-time to being relatively stuck at home with activity restrictions was a tough adjustment for Arizona. She wasn’t the type to sit still. But, thankfully, between her dad, my parents, and Lily, she never lacked for company when my brother was working.
Lily and I had talked about having kids close in age so they could grow up together, but we decided to take our time and enjoy being together for now. Some might call it selfish, but wedidn’t feel rushed. If it happened naturally, we’d be happy, but we trusted things would work out when the timing was right for us.
“Sure thing.” Lily pressed up on her toes and kissed my cheek. “You know where to find me.”
“Pretty sure his eyes will track your every movement across the property,” Jameson countered, earning a smack across the back of his head from my palm. “Sheesh. What did I do now?”
“I was having a moment with my girl, and you interrupted.”
“You should be thanking me; I was doing you a favor.”
“A favor?” I scoffed.
“Yeah, another minute and you’d be giving everyone a private show the way you were feeling Lily up.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Today had been a big day for my girl. Lily set Boden and Lakelyn’s wedding day as her goal to be walking completely unassisted, and not only did she exceed that goal by three weeks, but she did so in a super sexy pair of nude high heels.
Lily had always been exceptionally beautiful in my eyes, but today, the added badge of confidence she wore with pride shone with a level of radiance that unraveled me in the best way possible. To say I was in awe and so damn proud of her was an understatement. No words could truly capture the feeling and do them justice. Her strength, determination, and resilience knew no bounds.
