I nod toward my brothers and sisters-in-law. “Them. Us. You’re a part of it now. You’re my family, and they come with it.”
A tear slides down her cheek, and I swipe it away with my thumb, leaving my hand to cup her face.
She smiles brightly. “I couldn’t think of a better place to be.”
Epilogue
Two months later
PENNY
“Inow pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the celebrant announces just as the sun kisses the tops of the mountains, throwing the sky into an array of pink, orange, and violet.
The fairy lights strung from the tree branches reflect in Lucas’ eyes as he curves his arm around my waist, dips me, and places a long kiss on my lips. Our family and friends all cheer. My heart soars.
This man is mine, and I am his.
Forever.
He places a quick peck on the tip of my nose. “My wife.”
The words cause goosebumps to explode over my skin. I’ve never been so happy. “My husband.”
Soon we’re surrounded by our guests, congratulating us with kisses and hugs. The band starts playing the song for the firstdance, and Lucas takes me by the hand and leads me to the makeshift dance floor in a clearing by the cabin. We sway to the beat of the music, chest to chest, with my arms hooked around his neck.
“This is the best wedding you’ve ever planned.” Lucas smiles down at me.
“Of course it is. Because it’s ours. I only wish you’d given me longer than two months to organize everything. I could have done more.”
After the night of Lucas’ exhibition and my photos being displayed, my reputation skyrocketed. Once again I was talked about in a good light. Job offers were pouring in from the most famous and prestigious people. Talk show hosts wanted me on their show. Book deals were being thrown my way. None of it was important anymore. I turned them all down. It’s the small weddings, baby showers, and other more personal events that have my juices flowing. Moments like the one I’m having with Lucas is what I want to create for people.
We decided to marry in the woods by the cabin. It’s the perfect location. This is where our love started. I couldn’t think of a better place.
Lucas pulls me close. “You’re lucky I gave you two months. If it were up to me, I would have whisked you away to marry you the day I proposed. Now you’re going to make it up to me for making me waiting so long.” He grins at me with a sparkle in his eyes.
“Oh, how might I do that?”
“Let me show you.” Taking my hand, he leads me off the dance floor.
Over my shoulder, I glance at the people on the dance floor. “Where are you taking me? We have guests. We can’t just leave them.”
“We won’t be long. Everyone is busy dancing and drinking. They won’t miss us.”
Now that the sun has set completely, we follow the pale moonlight deeper into the woods until Lucas stops and pushes me up against a tree.
Leaning into me, he nuzzles his face in my neck. “I couldn’t wait a moment longer to touch you.”
“We have plenty of time after the reception, and for the rest of our lives,” I weakly protest. In fact, I’m thrilled he’s pulled me away, because seeing him in his tuxedo has made me weak at the knees. When he hooks my leg around his waist and grinds his erection against me, I swallow hard.
“I want to start our married life off with a bang.” Lucas cups my breast, and there’s no mistaking what he means, and I arch into him.
My body quivers with wanting. Thankfully, my wedding dress is loose enough to bunch at my waist, allowing him to glide his hand up my thigh and between my legs. When he gets to my panties, he pulls them aside and pushes a finger inside me. My head falls back on the rough surface of the tree. I squeeze my eyes shut, my hips rocking back and forth.
Needing more of him, I unbuckle his belt with frantic fingers, then unbutton and unzip his trousers. Sliding my hand behind his underwear, I take hold of his erection and stroke him from root to tip.
His head falls onto my shoulder as he pumps into my hand. “Oh God, Pixie. I can’t wait a second longer. I need to be inside you now,” he moans.
“I need you too.”
