B my Forever: Wedding Novella (Sticks & Hearts)

by Rhonda James

  Speaking of my handsome husband… He approaches from behind and brushes his lips against my ear.

  “How are my gorgeous wife’s feet holding up?”

  “God, they are killing me already. What do you say we ditch the party and go back to the hotel so you can rub my feet?” Our lips meet and for a few seconds, his kiss makes me forget all about my aching feet.

  “Uh huh. You sure it’s your feet we’re talking about? I’m pretty sure there may be something else you’d like me to rub,” he says smugly.

  “You’d get no complaints out of me. So, what do you say?”

  He steps back a few inches and threads his fingers with mine. “Sorry, sweetheart, but we can’t leave just yet. We haven’t danced our first dance as husband and wife. There’s no way in hell I’m missing that for a lousy foot rub,” he says with a wink.

  As if Sebastian was eavesdropping on our conversation, he takes that opportunity to call us to the dance floor. Our guests circle around us and watch as we dance to one of my favorite songs by The Shires. ‘I Just Wanna Love You’ is a duet and Sebastian’s wife, Brooke, has joined him for this song.

  Brantley leads me effortlessly around the floor, and I’m reminded of how graceful he is on his feet. No matter the surface, ice or wood, or even the bed, my husband knows how to move.

  With my arms around his neck and his amber eyes gazing into mine, I toe up and press my lips to his, lingering just a moment before easing back.

  “Thank you,” I tell him.

  His eyebrows draw inward, forming a deep V on his forehead. “What are you thanking me for?”

  “For Paradox. For proposing. Loving me. For never leaving my side when I needed you most. Everything.”

  He simply smiles and draws me in tight against him. “Cassie, you don’t have to thank me. If anyone should be thankful, it’s me. I wake up every morning and thank my lucky stars that you’re lying next to me. I will never leave you, and I will always, always coming running if and when you ever need me. Like Charlie says, I’m only ‘One Call Away.’”

  With that, he raises a hand in the air, and Sebastian starts playing our song. We’re joined on the dance floor by all our friends, and they surround us as we sing along with Sebastian.

  As the songs plays, I look around me and can’t remember a time when I’ve been happier.

  EPILOGUE

  B

  The sun bounces off the crystal blue water, making it appear as if a million diamonds are floating across the surface of the ocean. The wind kicks up as I make my way around the deck of the luxury catamaran to where Cassie is stretched out, soaking up the sun’s rays.

  We’ve spent the last two weeks in Aruba, tucked away in a beautiful cabana overlooking the ocean. We’ve snorkeled, swam with the dolphins, hiked the island, and made love in just about every available cove we could find. A part of me just wants to stay here with Cassie forever. When I’d originally booked the trip, it had only been for a week, but Sebastian wanted to give us a wedding present, so not only did he pay for our trip but he tacked on a second week and surprised us by renting a luxury catamaran for us to enjoy before heading home. The crew has been amazing, and I can honestly say I could get used to this kind of living. No worries. No interruptions. Just me and my wife, the sun, and miles and miles of beautiful, blue ocean.

  When I reach her, I can see that she’s had too much sun, so I stand in front of her, casting a large shadow over where she’s lying.

  “You’re blocking my rays,” she says without looking up.

  “You need more sunscreen. You’re starting to pink up.” I grab a bottle of SPF 30 and squeeze a dollop into my palm.

  “Fine, but I want to leave Aruba with at least a little bit of color,” she grumbles and rolls over onto her stomach. “I can’t believe we have to go back home tomorrow. This has been the best two weeks ever.”

  “I’ll admit, I was just thinking that I’d love nothing more than to stay here with you and spend the rest of our lives hiding out in our little cabana, but we both know we’d go stir crazy after the first month. Besides, you’re meeting up with Sebastian next week to finally record your song and I know how much you’re looking forward to that.”

  A sheepish smile fills her pretty face. “Yeah, I can’t lie. I am pretty stoked about that, but right now if you held out your hand and asked me to run away from the world with you I’d say yes in a heartbeat.”

  We rub noses and quietly ponder the fantasy, all the while knowing we have to go back to the reality that’s waiting for us back home.

  So far, married life has been amazing. Not only was I able to surprise her by having Paradox play at our reception, but Laney knew a friend of a friend who owns a bakery, and she designed a wedding cake that was beautifully decorated on one side but then when you turned it around, the fondant icing was made to look like a curtain being drawn back to reveal four superhero-themed tiers. Cassie absolutely loved it, but what she loved most was the cake topper. It was of Superman holding Lois Lane, but Lois’s hair had been painted blonde. She loved it so much she brought it with us on our honeymoon and it’s been sitting next to the bed in our cabana.

  I have to tell you, knowing Superman is there watching while I make love to my wife has certainly made me work a little harder to please her.

  Yeah, I know it sounds ridiculous, but that’s okay. Cassie deserves the very best I have to give, in all aspects of life.

  “How much longer do you plan on sunbathing?”

  She casts a glance over her tanned shoulder and a flash of her dimple appears. “Why? You got something better in mind?”

  My lips blaze a trail up her neck, while one hand toys with the tie on her bikini bottoms. “I could think of a few things that might be better, but none of them can be done out here in the open. I mean, I could do them, but then I’d run the risk of someone else seeing your naked body and I’d really hate to have to kill someone. I’d rather use my superpowers for doing good things. Things like pressing my lips here.” I kiss her just below her ear because I know that drives her crazy. “And touching you here.” My fingers graze the triangle of fabric covering her breast and that earns me a moan. “Tasting you right here.” I brush the pad of my thumb over her clit and lick my lips. Even though it’s covered by her suit I can feel that it’s already swollen and ready for me.

  “I think I’ve had enough sun for one day,” she answers on a breathless whisper. “Is there anything else you’re saving those superpowers for?”

  “As a matter of fact, there is.” I scoop her up in my arms and head below deck. “I’m going to take you back to our room and then I’m going to fuck you senseless. What do you have to say to that?” I flash her my cockiest grin, and she throws back her head to laugh before resting her forehead against mine and smiling so big both dimples appear.

  “My hero.”

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  This is where I get to thank everyone that helped this story come to fruition. While I do my best to acknowledge everyone, I am sure I will undoubtedly miss someone that played a critical part in helping me get this story into your hands. For that oversight, I am sorry. Please know that in spite of my brain fart, I love you immensely!

  My husband, Dan – Thank you for understanding me and supporting my need to write all the words. I love you to the moon and back!

  Melissa Mendoza – I think it goes without saying that you are my best friend and keeper of my sanity. Thanks for always listening, keeping me in line (and not shaming me when I went off track –which was ALL THE DAMN TIME!). For the laughs, for loving my characters and their quirks, the pics of hot guys, and THE GUMMIES!! I seriously love you!!

  Shawn Garcia – Thanks for always listening and being the best beta ever! Thanks for loving my guys as much, if not more, than I do! Let’s do this again and again!! Love you!!

  My daughter, Taylor – Thank you for creating the most beautiful cover. It is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. You’re amazing and I’m so p
roud to be your Mom! Love you like a crazy!

  Lisa Marie – I can’t thank you enough for all the words of encouragement, love, inspiration, songs, and teasers. Thank you for taking my guys and making them your own!

  Julia Goda – Most amazing editor EVER! This is our fourth book together and it feels as if we’ve been working together forever because you know me so well! I love that you know what I mean to say, even when I stumble around trying to say it. You take my words and make them pretty, and for that I thank you. I can’t wait until Vegas in August when I can finally hug you!!! Love you!!

  C.P. Smith – My incredibly gifted formatter! Thank you for always being there when I come begging. For making my words gorgeous and for being the fastest formatter around!! Big Love!

  Danilo D’Agostino – Thank you for being my inspiration and muse for B. Working with you has been a pleasure and you’ve helped me make B such a fun character to write! Love you, my friend.

  Thanks to everyone in my reader group for supporting me. All of the many amazing bloggers who support and promote me. And to Stefano Cavoretto for his amazing photography. I owe you all a debt of gratitude.

  B my Forever Playlist

  Marry Me by Jason Derulo

  Umbrella by Rhianna

  Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran

  Chandelier by Pvris (cover)

  Stand By You by Rachel Platten

  Vertigo by Jason Derulo

  Yours by Ella Henderson

  Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute

  Between The Raindrops by Lifehouse

  Want to Want Me by Jason Derulo

  Falling Down by Avril Lavigne

  Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran

  Let’s Make Love by Faith Hill & Tim McGraw

  You and Me by Lifehouse

  Perfect by Ed Sheeran

  My Universe by The Shires

  Fight For You by Jason Derulo

  I Could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain

  Lucky by Jason Mraz

  When I Look At You by Miley Cyrus

  Where My Love Goes by Lawson

  1+1 by Beyonce

  You Won’t Ever Be Lonely by Andy Griggs

  Beautiful in White by Matt Johnson

  I Get To Love You by Ruelle

  Better Today by Coffey Anderson

  I Just Wanna Love You by The Shires

  One Call Away by Charlie Puth

  Be My Forever by Ed Sheeran & Christina Perri

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Rhonda James is an Amazon best-selling author who loves a good HEA, believes nice guys don’t finish last, and strives to create a book boyfriend for all her readers. Rhonda is married and lives in Michigan with her family. When not writing, some of her guilty pleasures include kissing, diving into a good book, and wasting time on Facebook, though she may do one more than the others.

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