50
Savannah
12monthslater
Xavier’s blue eyes burn into mine as I pull back from the kiss. The few friends around us cheer as we are declaredhusband and wife. Elise’s dress swirls around her as she runs to us with unsteady legs. Her soft tufts of hair flow behind her before she crashes into my legs. With a tight grip, she hugs them. The moment lasts mere seconds because she’s called back to her seat.
Xavier smiles at me, and I return one back.
“Ready?” Huxley asks.
I nod. “Never been more ready.”
There is a glint in his eyes that I’ve missed. He threads his fingers through mine as we leave our guests behind.
The car ride is silent as we are lost in our thoughts. I didn’t expect to become a wife, but I need it.
Once we arrive at his house, he sweeps me into his arms and carries me in.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Ray.”
“MrsHuxleyRay. I like the sound of that.”
There is a troublesome glint in his eyes. “What would you like our first act as husband and wife to be?”
I cup his face with a tenderness I didn’t think I was capable of anymore. “You know what.”
He kisses my cheek. “I got it.” He carries me up the stairs into his bedroom.
His long hair is pulled into his signature bun. His eyes are soft yet determined. His facial hair tickles my fingers as I trace his jaw.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“For what?”
“Everything.”
“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.” He gently places me down on the foot of his bed. He draws his curtains closed. “Clothes on or off?”
I chuckle at the look on his handsome face. “Would we be doing it right if our clothes were on?” I start pulling the straps of my wedding gown down, but his rough hands stop me.
“It’s our wedding night. Let me undress you.”
Huxley’s hands move slowly as he unbuttons my dress. Every brush of his skin against mine makes me shiver. Once he’s done, he steps back and admires the view.
“You’re perfect,” he murmurs.
The soft look in his eyes weakens my defence. I want to fall apart in his arms, but remember what this was for. I’m not going to be blindsided this time.
This time, I’ve got my eye on the whole board.
I stand taller. “Your turn.”
Huxley undresses himself faster than he did me. We’re both naked in the middle of his bedroom within a few seconds.
“Ready?”
I swallow hard. “He made everyone think I was crazy. He got me institutionalised. He’s the reason my mum died alone. He’s why I couldn’t be there when they laid her to rest. He snatched my chance of saying goodbye to her.”
