Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“Now, Chase,” Hannah said.
I retrieved the ring from Blake, and with all the emotion still in my voice, I held it out to her hand. Her eyes found the ring as I repeated the same words to her. Her jaw dropped open at the sight of the wedding ring which was pointed in an arrow of small black diamonds on a gold band that perfectly fit against the engagement ring.
“Chase,” she whispered after I finished, “it’s perfect.”
“Just like you.”
Hannah smiled at the pair of us. “These rings are a pledge before witnesses of your commitment to one another. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
I swept Harley into my arms, twisting her and dipping her, just as I had that fateful night all those years ago. She relaxed into my grip, our eyes locked. There was a little smirk on her lips, and I covered them with my own, claiming her as mine.
21
HARLEY
Bride.
Wife.
Mine.
Those were the words Chase had spoken to me. The words that we’d uttered to each other before a small audience as the sun began to sink toward the horizon. And now, we were married.
I stared down at the rings on my finger as we took the elevator up to the top floor. He knew me mind, body, and soul. Knew what I wanted more than anyone ever had. The black dress cinched around my body matched the black diamond wedding ring on my finger. The new band a mirror to the engagement ring. Somehow, he’d picked out something I wanted more than even I had imagined. I’d never even seen a black diamond until there was one on my finger.
“You’re mesmerized,” he said, loosening the bow tie at his neck.
“It’s beautiful.”
We’d spent the last couple of hours with our friends and Blake’s family. It was nontraditional and somehow utterly perfect. We all had dinner at the five-star restaurant on the property. They’d closed down for the evening just for us, and we were served personally by the chef—a native Mescalero Apache Tribesman who infused his cultural cuisine with quintessential Southwestern flavors that were to die for.
Then, Ivy brought out a cake from a local bakery. The thing was a two-tier chocolate confection that I could barely keep from stuffing my mouth full. It was divine. We were going to have to take some home because I couldn’t just eat it once.
After that, Tawa returned to the piano, and we had our first dance.
But the whole thing had been chill. No big spectacle. No bouquet toss. Nothing fancy. Which meant it was perfect in every way for us.
Now, we were headed upstairs to our honeymoon suite. Chase had the key clutched in his hand. I could tell he’d been ready to go for a while, but I’d wanted to savor the day as long as possible.
“A secret for a secret,” he asked, taking my hand in his.
“You’re my husband.”
“That’s not a secret.”
“Yes, it is,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Fine. I accept it.”
“What’s your secret?”
The elevator dinged open, and he lifted me off of my feet, sweeping my legs out from under me and carrying me down the hall.
“You’ll see.”
He tapped the card against the door and toed it open before carrying me across the threshold. I giggled at the symbolism behind it and pressed a kiss to his cheek, but when we were inside, my laughter faded, and awe replaced it.
“Oh my God,” I whispered as he dropped me back to my feet.
The entire room was alight with candlelight. Hundreds of candles illuminating the massive honeymoon suite. Rose petals littered the floor from the door all the way to the king-size bed. A bottle of champagne was on ice, and a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries rested next to it. Two flutes were already filled and bubbling gently.
I could hear…water coming from another room. I grabbed a glass of champagne and followed the noise to find a Jacuzzi on the balcony of the bedroom. The jets were at full blast, and across the balcony was a sign that read, Just married.
“You did this?”
Chase wrapped an arm around my waist. “I might have had some help, but yes.”
“It’s incredible.”
“As are you.”
I laughed softly. I might have made him wait for me last night, but the anticipation had only grown. Seeing him waiting for me with wide, worshipful eyes at the end of the aisle had done something to me I couldn’t explain. Hearing the words man and wife had made my insides turn to goo. And now, we were here in this huge, momentous place at this exact time, and I was…shy?
Chase pressed a kiss to my neck. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing.”
He scoffed. “I can practically hear you thinking.”
“It’s nothing. Just, you know, the most anticipated night of sex of our lives.”