“I look...”
“You look gorgeous,” Brynne says as the other ladies leave the room. She stands behind me, her hands on my shoulders and a smile pulling at her lips. “Are you nervous?”
“No,” I tell her honestly. “Of all the uncertainties in this life, Blake isn’t one of them.”
She nods, and I know she understands completely. She found the same kind of love with Kane. I’d been envious of them, never thinking I’d have something like that. Not believing I deserved it.
But I know the truth now. Love isn’t about deserving it. It’s about accepting it. There might still be days when my old insecurities creep up and try to steal my joy. But I know now that I have enough people in my life that will be there to remind me of the truth.
I’m loved.
There’s a knock on the door, then Kane opens it and walks in. He’s wearing a suit now, and there’s something that looks like pride in his eyes when he smiles at me. “They said you’re ready.”
“I am. But...” I chew on the bottom of my lip.
“What’s wrong?” Kane moves toward me. “If you’ve changed your mind—”
“No. It’s just... I have to tell you both something.”
“Okay,” Kane says cautiously.
“I just don’t want you to think I’m marrying Blake because of it,” I ramble, a bundle of nerves gathering in my stomach.
Kane’s brows furrow, but Brynne takes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. “We support you, Kiley. No matter what.”
I swallow over the lump in my throat before telling them, “I’m pregnant.”
There’s a startled silence, but then Brynne gives a little shriek of excitement and her arms wrap around me.
I glance up at Kane when she pulls back. “I hope you’re not mad.”
“Why would I be mad? I’m going to be an uncle.” He grins down at me.
I should have trusted that Kane and Brynne would be happy for me. But I’m still learning. It’s not an easy journey for someone who’s never been loved to accept it when it’s finally given. But I accept it now, the gift my brother and sister-in-law have given me.
Family.
Love.
Hope.
“Thank you,” I tell them both. “For everything you’ve done for me.”
They take turns hugging me, then Kane pulls back and asks, “Now are you going to let me walk you down the aisle?”
“I’m ready.” I take his arm and my heart feels like it’s going to burst as we start to walk downstairs.
Chairs are set up, and large bundles of white and pink flowers have replaced the balloons and streamers, and a cellist plays “Canon in D.” I’m not sure how Blake organized all this, but I have no doubt my brother and Brynne had a big hand in it.
I don’t think it’s possible to feel more loved, until I meet Blake’s gaze. People say love is invisible, but the truth is you can see it if you’re willing to let go of fear. And I see it now. Feel it. Consumed by it. I’m no longer standing on the outside looking in.
I belong here.
Kane kisses my cheek when we get to Blake, then gives my hand to his best friend. I see the silent conversation between them. Blake’s gaze rests on me and I’m swept into the joy of the moment. No fear. No hesitation. This is where I belong.
But when the minister asks me to say my vows, I wince, “I don’t have anything prepared.”
“It’s okay. Just speak from your heart,” Blake says, giving my hand a small squeeze.
I swallow, then nod. “Since the first time I met you, you’ve been my rock. You swept into my life like a knight in shining armor, ready to protect me, even from myself. You made me believe that good men really do exist.”
There’s a collection of sighs around the room. But I’m only focused on the man in front of me.
“My vow to you is to trust you and to always be honest with you.” I glance down at our conjoined hands and take a steadying breath, then meet his gaze again. “I’ve never wanted to have to need anyone. But I need you.”
His gaze softens and he mouths the words, “I need you too.”
“I don’t have much to give you, other than my heart. But what I have is yours completely.”
“That’s worth more than all the money or Stanley Cups in the world,” he says, chuckling.
Laughter follows, and even the minister grins.
“I promise you that you have my heart, Kiley. It’s been yours since the day I first met you, and it’ll be yours until I take my last breath. As your husband, I vow to cherish you every day of my life. To trust you, completely. To believe in your dreams. And to do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy. I promise to love you without fear. Without reservation, and without hesitation. I promise to fight for our happily ever after. Always.”
He kisses me before the minister finishes saying, “You may kiss the bride.” And people clap and cheer as I’m swept up in Blake’s arms.
“We’re married,” I whisper against his lips.
“I’m the luckiest man alive.” They’re not just words, I see the truth in his eyes.
Love. It’s the most powerful thing in this world. It heals even the most broken souls. Not everyone gets the chance to experience it. Which is why I know how lucky I am. How lucky we both are. And I’ll never let it go. Because once you find real love, once you've been healed by its strength, you’ll fight with every fiber in your being to keep it.
C.M. Seabrook
Amazon bestselling author C.M. Seabrook writes hot, steamy romances with possessive bad boys, and the passionate, fiery women who love them.
Swoonworthy romances from the heart!
For more information:
www.cmseabrook.com
[email protected]
Also by C.M. Seabrook
Men with Wood Series
Second Draft
Second Shot
Second Goal
Fighting Blind Series
Theo
Moody
Beast
Wild Irish Series
Wild Irish
Tempting Irish
Taming Irish
Savages & Saints Series
Torment
Gravity
Salvage
Beast
Standalones
Melting Steel
One More Song
Also by C.M. Seabrook & Frankie Love
Six Men of Alaska
The Wife Lottery
The Wife Protectors
The Wife Gamble
The Wife Code
The Wife Pact
The Wife Legacy
Mountain Men of Bear Valley
Untamed Virgins
Untamed Lovers
Untamed Daddy
Untamed Fiance
The Princeton Charming Series
Kissing Princeton Charming
Dating Princeton Charming
Losing Princeton Charming
Forever Princeton Charming
Hammers and Veils
Stripped Bare
Nailed Down
Scr*wed Tight
Drilled Deep
Love Without Limits
Naughty Scot
Dirty Brit
Unruly Norse
Filthy Irish
Booty Call Series
Bootyogomy
Bootyversary
Humpany
Booty Camp
Get Some Series
A.D..I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dream About Sex)
G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)
T.Y.P.O. (Take Your Pants Off)
Standalones
Heart of the Mountain
Game Day Baby
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