I grin up at him, still chuckling. “Just baby Soren when a big scary guy offered him a lollipop and he ran and hid under Mommy’s wedding dress.”
Soren groans and rolls his eyes, running a hand over his face. “Great. Thanks for that.”
I laugh and nudge him gently. “It’s cute.”
He side-eyes me, raising a brow, but there’s a softness in his expression that makes my chest feel warm.
???
I feel… really good. The champagne has loosened everything inside me, turning my blood warm and my confidence up. After everything we’ve been through, I’ve finally settled into this version of myself, the one who isn’t afraid to push back, to tease, to be a little bit of a menace to the man I just married.
I spot him sitting at a table near one of the tall stone pillars, deep in conversation with a few people. Soren looks devastating in his wedding suit, black tailored jacket still on, shirt unbuttoned at the collar, that expensive watch glinting on his wrist. Tall, broad, and powerful.Mine.I don’t even think about it; I just start walking.
Ray’s mid-sentence when I reach them. I don’t hesitate; I turn and drop myself sideways onto Soren’s lap like it’s natural.
Soren’s words cut off instantly. His arm comes around my waist on pure instinct, steadying me.
Ray blinks, then smirks. “Well, hello.”
I grin, looping one arm around Soren’s neck and leaning in like I belong here… because Ido.
“Don’t mind me,” I say sweetly, looking up at Ray. “Please continue. I love hearing about how you almost got your ass handed to you last month.”
Ray’s mouth twitches. “Cheeky little shit.”
Soren’s hand squeezes my hip in warning, but I can feel the low rumble of amusement vibrating through his chest.
I tilt my head back against his shoulder and look up at him with the most innocent expression I can manage. “Hi,husband.”
Soren’s jaw clenches, but his eyes darken with that familiar mix of exasperation and heat. “You’re pushing it tonight, Christopher.”
“Am I?” I ask, all sweet and fake-innocent, deliberately shifting in his lap. “I thought married people were allowed to sit on each other.”
Ray coughs into his drink and mutters something about needing another one before he witnesses a murder at a wedding. He wisely walks away.
Soren’s fingers dig into my hip. But his voice is low, just for me, rough against my ear. “Keep squirming like that and I’ll bend you over the nearest table in front of everyone. See how cocky you feel then.”
I shiver, heat pooling low in my stomach, but I don’t stop smiling. Instead, I turn my head and press a slow, teasing kiss just under his jaw.
“Promise?” I whisper.
Soren growls and tightens his arm around me so I can’t move an inch. “You’re enjoying yourself far too much tonight,” he mutters against my temple, voice dark.
I grin, cheeky and warm and completely unafraid. “I’m married to you. Of course I am.”
I sigh softly, stand up from his lap, and turn so I can straddle him properly, settling my knees on either side of his thighs. The fabric of his suit jacket feels smooth under my palms as I rest them on his chest.
“But seriously,” I say quietly.
Soren frowns, looking up at me. “What?”
I smile and reach up to play with his hair, threading my fingers through the dark strands. I lean in closer, my voice soft against his ear. “I love you.”
Soren huffs a quiet laugh, the sound warm. A grin tugs at his mouth as he looks at me. “Good.”
I raise a playful brow. “Oh,good? Is that all you’ve got?”
He pulls me down by the back of my neck and nibbles at the side of my throat, teeth grazing just enough to make me shiver. “I love you too, pretty thing.”
