Page 56 of Always and Forever
When he’s ready to let go of my hand, I pick up his wedding band and, with my eyes firmly on him, slide it over his knuckles until it comes to rest in its assigned place. Only then do I allow my eyes to wander to it.
A surprising surge of possessiveness rises within me at the sight. And suddenly I understand Tiero so much better.
“Mine,” I repeat his words, their truth settling in deep within me.
Claudette clears her throat, but my gaze doesn’t go to her. It goes to my love and locks with his.
“By te pow’rs hessed in me, I now pronunce ya hushb’nd and wife. Yu may… umm… kiss te brid.”
Tiero takes a step closer, cocking his head to the side as a smile starts to bloom on his handsome face.
“I wanted to say a few things with my vow, wife. But under the circumstances,”—he inclines his head toward our officiant without once taking his eyes off me—“I’ll save it for later.”
He called me wife.
I want to melt.
The fusion of joy and happiness has my insides twirling in a dance of elation.
Of course, he’s called mewifealready in the past. But this time, it is true, and for the first time, it feels very real. A thrill runs down my spine at his words, and the deep timbre of his voice awakens the butterflies once more.
Then, in slow motion, Tiero lowers his head to mine until the warmth of his breath feathers over my cold skin.
The sense of buildup hits me like the first time we’ve done this, and I’m completely electrified.
Just like all those months ago, Tiero curls his hand around my waist, pulling my body flush against his. And just like when we shared our very first kiss, my face tilts up to meet his eyes. The love shining there takes my breath away.
My hands come to rest on his biceps that even his thick winter coat can’t hide… strength and power… safety and love.
The anticipation of his lips on mine is nearly killing me, but I don’t move.
His eyes only seeing me, Tiero crushes the only distance remaining between us, and just like back in August, his lips feather mine in a kiss that’s barely there.
I sigh against his mouth, every nerve ending in my body thrumming with excitement. Tiero’s hands slide up my body and come to rest on my face, holding it like I am the most precious treasure in his universe.
And I am.
The kiss quickly turns into more – more passion, more fire… just more.
It’s a promise of a wonderful life together.
One filled with love, mutual admiration, and never-ending support.
When Tiero pulls away an inch, we are both breathless and flushed despite the cold.
He rests his forehead against mine, the plumes of our breaths merging together. It’s beautifully symbolic of what’s happening with our lives.
“My wife,” Tiero whispers, smiling. His happiness radiates off him, and I bask in its glow.
“You are mine now… always and forever.”
My heart flutters at his possessive words, and I playfully roll my eyes.
Closing the inch of distance between us, I peck his lips.
“I always have been,” I whisper against them. “From the very first moment we met.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
