I don’t want to influence her one way or the other so I keep my voice calm. “I have.”
She elbows me. “So what’d you think?”
I turn my head and kiss her temple. “I want to see what you think.”
She pouts, which doesn’t sound hot but somehow is. I love her lips. Just about anything she does with them is hot. We collect her checked bag and head out to the car. She tries to pump me for information the whole way. I annoy her by pantomiming locking my lips and throwing away the key.
I try to change the subject and ask about Sawyer.
It works. “Something is going on with her and Jared but she won’t talk about it, which is not like her.”
“Has he already moved in?”
She nods. “He takes over my old bedroom tonight. He moved in last week but crashed on the couch.”
I laugh, remembering how he looked at Sawyer when we went out for dinner. “You think he stayed on the couch the whole time?”
She spins her ring. “I don’t know. One night, I thought I heard something in the living room, but when I went out and checked, he was alone, asleep on the couch.”
She hasn’t noticed I’ve parked yet. I smile and nod at her while she keeps talking about how she knows Sawyer is up to something.
Then she looks around. “Hey, where are we?”
I point to the house across the street and her eyes widen. “It’s beautiful, Will.” She pauses. “Can we afford it?”
I open my door. “It needs some work.”
She gets out and meets me at the front of the car. “How much?”
I shrug. “Come see and find out.”
Our realtor is waiting for us inside. It’s a two story craftsman-styled house with a foyer and staircase right off the front door. Sarah pulls out a notebook from her purse and starts jotting things down, pro/con style. Pro, love the woodwork. Con, floors are in bad shape. We go through the whole house like that, with Sarah writing in her notebook. Normally, I can read her, but I can’t tell this time if she likes it or not.
After our realtor has shown us the whole house, she leaves us in the kitchen to talk about it.
“So what do you think?”
“Hmmmm,” she says, noncommittally as she looks at her pro/con list.
“You’re killing me. Do you like it?”
She sets her notebook down on the counter and rushes over to me, putting her arms around my neck. “I love it. I want it. I think you do too or there is no way you would have taken me straight here from the airport.”
I wrap my arms around her waist. “So you want to make an offer?”
She nods and we call our realtor back in. Since the owners have already moved out, maybe we can close this month, in time to pass out candy for Halloween. The next day, we find out there was another offer on the house, but ours was accepted. Getting the appointment to have the house inspected takes longer than we expect, and we find out the wiring is bad and will need to be replaced.
We negotiate with the sellers and split the difference of rewiring the house with them. It pushes back any hope for closing in October. Then that takes longer than expected, which pushes us past November too.
Now we’re sitting here at the closing, Sarah’s hand in mine, her other hand with a death grip on the keys. I’m praying this house is worth the frustration. We drive straight there afterward to see it again now that it’s ours.
Our footsteps sound too loud, and the walls increase the boom of our voices instead of absorbing them. It’s like the first time we saw it together, minus the electrical fire hazard and our realtor. I come up behind her in our new master bathroom, locking eyes with her in the mirror as I push her hair out of the way and kiss her neck.
“Mmmm,” she moans pressing back against me.
My hands cup her through her blouse as she grinds against me, her hands reaching behind her to grip my neck. I lower my hands to unbutton her pants, and she shimmies out of them before turning around to undress me. I pick her up and press her up against the wall.
“Will?”
I pause. “Yeah?”
“This is going to be our first time together in this house.”
I’m not really sure where she’s going with this. “Yeah.”
“We should make it memorable.”
She wants memorable? That I can do. I set her down and drop to my knees in front of her, pulling one and then her other leg over my shoulders. She’s trapped, against the wall. She buries her fingers in my hair as I feast. She probably expected me to stop after I feel her pulsing around my tongue, but she did ask for memorable so I’m just getting started. She has never been quiet, and with the echo of the empty house all around us, I wonder if the neighbors down the street can hear her. Once I’ve practically sprained my tongue and she isn’t speaking English anymore, I lower her onto my cock.
“Was that a good start to memorable?” I whisper in her ear, nipping it.
She looks at me, dazed and nods.
I slowly lift her up then down, matching my thrusts into her. She kisses and nibbles my neck as her nails dig into my back. It doesn’t take me long to release. We sit there, wrapped up in each other and catch our breaths.
I kiss her softly before asking. “Memorable enough for you?”
She drops her head, resting it on my shoulder. “I don’t think I can walk.”
I chuckle. That sounds pretty memorable.
What’s worse than having a fiancé and still not living with her? Having a fiancée and a house and not having either. We haven’t moved anything into the new place because the floors are being refinished, and we can’t have furniture on them until that’s done. Buying a house, fixing it up, and planning a wedding at the same time sucks. I feel like I haven’t seen Sarah all week. The wedding is Saturday, and the following week is winter break. We’re going to spend it moving our stuff in.
I pull up in front of her parents’ house. I have to laugh when she takes two steps out the front door then turns around and heads back inside. Some things never change. We’re having dinner tonight with Brian and Christine.
She leans over to kiss me once she’s in the car, and her lips linger near my neck. “Mmm you smell good. Is that a new cologne?”
She’s been pestering me to use the stuff she bought me a couple months ago. I was just waiting until I finished the cologne I already have. I hate to admit this stuff does smell better. I pull her by the neck back to my lips and kiss the sass right out of her. When I lift my head, she blinks her chocolate eyes open and lets out a shuddered breath.
I reach up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “It was a gift from the most beautiful girl I know.”
She wipes the edge of her mouth and smiles. “She’s got good taste.”
I nod, looking straight ahead as I pull out on to the main road. “She picked me.”
We meet them at the same tapas restaurant we went to before Brian and Christine’s wedding. The way Sarah acted that night, I never would have imagined we’d be here, six months later, engaged. Christine and Brian are already seated when we walk in.
“Hey, guys,” Sarah says, leaning over to kiss Christine’s cheek. “Have you guys been waiting long?”
“We just got here,” Christine smiles.
Brian looks over at Sarah. “All ready for the big day?”
She looks over at me and holds my hand. “I think so. Sawyer and Jared fly in tomorrow.”
When the waiter comes over, we order.
Sarah rubs her hands together when the sangria guy comes over. Watching her take a taste is just as hot now as it was last time. She licks her lips. Christ.
After ordering a glass, she glances over at Christine. “Aren’t you going to have some?”
Christine shakes her head and glances over at Brian.
He puts his arm around her shoulders. “We actually have some news we wanted to share with you guys.”
Sarah’s jaw drops, and she looks at Christine. “Are you?”
&nb
sp; “Pregnant? Yes! We’re going to have a baby.”
Brian drops his arm from her shoulder, picks up her hand and kisses it. I didn’t even know they wanted kids right away. Sarah’s out of her chair and around the table kissing and hugging them.
Once she’s done with Brian, I shake his hand. “You’re gonna be a dad.”
He laughs and scratches the back of his head. “Crazy, huh?”
I shake my head. “Come on. You guys will make awesome parents.”
He glances over at Christine, his eyes warming as he looks at her. “I hope so, man. We are going to start looking for a bigger place. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be neighbors.”
I lean over the table to hug Christine before we all sit back down.
“There was another reason we wanted to get together with you guys,” Christine starts.
“We wanted to know if you’ll be the baby’s godparents,” Brian finishes for her.
Sarah looks at me, and I don’t even think about it. I nod. She looks back at them. “We’d love to.”
Our food comes out not long after. Sarah excuses herself to go to the ladies’ room, and I follow her after a minute for old time’s sake. I lean up against the wall outside the door and wait for her.
When she comes out, she laughs when she sees me and leans back against the doorframe. “There a long line for the men’s room?” She jokes, crossing her arms over her chest.
I reach out, snaking my arms around her waist and pull her to me.
She looks up at me with those chocolate eyes that own me. “Will, do you want to have kids?”
I shrug, trailing my hands up and down her back. “Do you?”
She smacks my shoulder. “That’s not fair. You’ll just change your answer to whatever I say now.”
I lean down to kiss her. “I want whatever you want,” I murmur against her lips.
She does that thing, where she melts into me, like her soul recognizing it was made for mine.
Only Sarah can argue mid-kiss. “You’ll have kids, even if you don’t want them, because I do?”
I move my lips to her neck. “Yes, ma’am. All I want to do is make you happy.”
Her hands move up to either side of my face, turning it so our eyes meet. “That’s all I want to do for you.”
I shake my head. “You’ve already done it. I’m just trying to catch up.”
She gives me a look that I’m guessing means ‘what am I going to do with you?’
We walk hand in hand back to the table. Brian and Christine are leaned into each other, his hand on her stomach. I’ve never really thought of having a kid, outside of knowing I’m not ready for one right now. Looking at Sarah, her hand warm in mine, I know that if there was anyone on the planet I would consider creating a life with it would be her. I can almost picture a little girl with brown hair and eyes who would own me just like her mother.
I shake off my daydream when Sarah asks what I’m thinking about.
I pull out her chair, whispering in her ear as I shift it forward. “You would be a beautiful mother.”
The week has flown by, full of last minute disasters and not enough time together with Sarah. Part of me wants to skip the ceremony and the reception just so I can be alone with her. She centers me. I don’t feel like myself if I can’t see my reflection in her eyes.
“Ready?” Brian pops his head in the doorway.
I look in the mirror and straighten my bowtie. “Yep. You got the rings?”
He winks and pats his breast pocket.
It’s a bit of a drive out there. Sarah, Sawyer, and Christine spent the night out there last night. Just thinking of her waiting there for me makes me drive a little faster than I probably should.
Brian glances over at the speedometer. “You know, I can represent you in traffic court, lead foot.”
I ease my foot off the gas and gnaw on the side of my lip.
He laughs at my expression. “She’s not going anywhere. Trust me.”
The inn is a restored old plantation, white, with a wraparound porch on each of its two stories. It’s decorated for Christmas, garland and lights are wound around the railings. The lights aren’t on yet. It’s still light out, but I can already picture how beautiful it will be when Sarah and I head to our own private cabin by the lake. Sawyer and Jared greet us at the door. Guests will be arriving in the next thirty minutes.
“How is she?” I ask Sawyer.
She crooks her finger at me so I lean down closer to her, and she kisses my cheek. “Happier than I’ve ever seen her.”
“Thanks.”
She lifts up her fist for a pound dog. When our fists bump, she says, “Potato.” Then splays her fingers and adds, “French fries.”
I shake my head at her as she walks away. Then I glance over at Jared. His eyes are glued to her as she leaves the room. He looks over at me and shrugs before looking down at his feet. While the guests arrive, Brian and Jared seat them. I’m stuck waiting in a glorified coat closet of a room off to the side. It gives me plenty of time to stress over my vows. I’ve never been much of a public speaker. Sure there aren’t that many guests to see me if I mess up, but I want it to be perfect for her. The pastor signals me when it’s time to seat my mom.
“I’m proud of you,” she murmurs as we make our way to her seat.
“Thanks, Mom.” I kiss her temple.
“I wish your father was here.” She gently pats my hand.
I gulp. “I do too, Mom.”
Right behind us, Brian is escorting Mrs. M. The pastor, Brian, Jared, and I line up, and the pianist changes from playing nondescript background music to Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
Christine walks out first. She carries a cluster of white flowers and green leaves with stems of bubbled glass woven throughout that look like icicles.
Christine and Sawyer are both dressed in knee length black dresses with capped sleeves. I see Brian stand straighter as she comes closer, her eyes on him. Sawyer comes next, smiling and almost bouncing up the aisle, which doesn’t seem possible in the shoes she’s wearing.
When the music changes, I hold my breath. There’s a pause before I see her turn the corner with her dad to make their way down the aisle. My chest swells at that fact. She’s all I’ve ever wanted, and today she’s going to become my wife.
She’s wearing a veil so I can’t really see her face. The flowers she carries are like the others, only with pink flowers as well. She’s wearing her mother’s dress. It’s long with a lace overlay, train, and cap sleeves like the bridesmaids’ dresses. I glance over at Mrs. M, who has her arm linked through Chip’s and is dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
Sarah and her father stop right in front of the pastor.
“Who gives this woman to be married?”
Mr. Miller clears his throat. “Her mother and I do.”
He lifts her veil and kisses her on the cheek before putting her hand in mine. I squeeze her hand, and she mouths hi to me. In my opinion, there isn’t a more beautiful woman on earth. She is radiant. I can’t stop looking at her.
When we get to the vows, we face each other and I hold her hands in mine. I rub my thumbs across the backs of her hands when I feel them tremble.
I take a deep breath and stare into her eyes. “Sarah Miller. I have loved you for so long I don’t know what it feels like to not be in love with you. I also know there are no obstacles that will stop me from loving you, not time, not distance. I will always love you and do everything in my power to make you happy. I vow, until my dying day, to shelter you, protect you, and to love you every day.”
My voice shakes during the last part, and I watch her eyes glisten.
She takes a shaky breath and clutches my hands as she begins. “William Price, my Will, my heart, my soul mate. You are the most wonderful man I know. I am honored to spend the rest of my life with you. I vow to lift you up, to meet you halfway, and to love you every day for the rest of my life.”
My hand shakes a little as I slip the ring onto her fi
nger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
I feel the band slip over my knuckle as she whispers to me. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“You may now kiss the bride.”
I smile, putting my hands on either side of her face as I feel her hands rest on my waist. I dip my lips to hers, my wife.
Our friends clap and cheer around us, but I’m lost in her. After a moment, our kiss breaks and we just look at each other.
I drop my hands from her face and reach for her hand. “Hello, wife.”
“Hello, husband,” she returns in a husky voice that makes me groan.
We walk out together, her arm slipped through mine, and we’re directed with the rest of the wedding party to a room for the photographer. She laughs while I ignore everyone else and kiss her.
“Hush, wife.” I silence her with my kiss. Once the room where the ceremony was held is clear, we head back in for pictures. I’ve never been crazy about having my picture taken. I’d rather be behind the camera than in front. Right now, I don’t care. I’m in a daze. I’m married. Sarah is my wife. This wedding seemed to take forever to get here, and now the ceremony is over. I’m too preoccupied to care. Besides I have my slim Canon in my pocket to take pictures with once the professional is done with us.
The rest of the wedding party heads into the reception room while we hang back for pictures of just the two of us.
“How are you feeling, wife?” I breathe into her ear as she stands in front of me, my arms circling her waist.
“Thoroughly wedded, husband.” She shifts her ass against my crotch.
“But not bedded, and you better stop what you’re doing if you want to go to our reception.”
“Or what?” she teases.
“Or I’m throwing you over my shoulder and the honeymoon is starting early.”
She turns to look at me. “Promise?”
My mouth drops. “Sawyer and our moms would kill us, but say the word and I’m in.”
“Ugh,” she grumbles. “We have to at least make an appearance.”
“We probably should,” I agree.
She holds up her hand to look at her ring. “I love it Will.”
“You haven’t even seen the best part.” I take her hand in mine and slip her wedding band off to show her the inscription.
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