Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Queenie brings us the rings and doesn’t miss a beat.
Luis—Brady’s best man—unclips the box from her collar, scratching her behind the ears in gratitude as he passes them off to the captain.
Then to us.
The platinum ring feels incredible against my skin, like it’s always belonged there. It’s a plain band, aside from the slight engraving inside it.
Always, Sass. Forever mine.
I try not to choke up, remembering the words as I adjust my rings.
I’m so glad I practiced not crying for a week, or I’d be a total mess right now.
Even Brady’s eyes have a shimmer as he looks at me and mouths, I love you.
There.
My iron grip on my wedding mask cracks, and my face screws up.
“By the power vested in me,” the captain says while I blot at my eyes, “I proudly declare you husband and wife. Kiss the bride.”
If I’m falling apart, one kiss seals me back together.
One searing, intense, explosive kiss as Brady holds me, dips me in his arms, and claims my mouth in front of the world.
And as he cups my face, caressing me so gently, I feel myself unraveling, and I don’t even care.
Nobody ever said weddings were supposed to be easy.
And no love has ever felt like this before. So complete. So utterly fricking right.
“God, I love you,” I whisper as he pulls away.
We’re both too breathless to say another word, so we just go in for a second kiss.
I think the cheering might scare the whales away.
If not, Queenie bouncing up and down, barking like mad until she’s panting, does it for sure.
But all I can see is Brady’s smile, heart stopping and gorgeous as he stares down at the rest of his life.
“My beautiful wife,” he says reverently.
Smiling, I make a silent promise that I’ll never let him see anything less.
The best day of my life is also the longest.
I wish I had a degree in physics to understand how weddings warp time. The day crawls by, yet it’s also gone in the blink of an eye.
And when I’m done blinking, I’m sharing my first dance with Brady as his wife. Then I dance with Mom and do a quick jig with Elle and Granny Lark.
Queenie finally crashes out from the excitement, sleeping with her paws in the air next to Luis, who brings his Miami energy to the dance floor when everyone else starts tapping out.
Even Dr. Ezzie looks happy as she dances with an older gentleman, an uncle of Brady’s in medicine. My heart purrs to see her with a brand-new work-life balance, free from her crushing juggling act.
The sun shines on until dusk. I still feel like I’m walking on air as it gets dark.
I’m certainly dancing on it.
Best of all, the boat only has to dock in Anacortes at the end of our day to let all the other guests off, and then we’re alone with nothing but a skeleton crew to keep the ship running.
After a quick refueling stop, the ship backs into the night, moving through calm waters under a laughing, bright moon.
The night sky might be our best wedding present.
We have this yacht for the next few weeks. Our plan is to lazily work our way down the Pacific coast through Washington, Oregon, California, and Baja, Mexico, ending our celebration with a few days in Cabo San Lucas.
So many gorgeous sights to take in.
So much of the world to see.
If we can bring ourselves to leave the boat, I mean.
I tell myself that won’t be a problem as Brady unzips the side of my dress, stopping when he sees the corset fit snugly against my skin.
“Damn, Sass. Didn’t know you had so many layers,” he says as I lie down, content on the sun bed outside our room. There’s a heater nearby for warmth, but the cool night feels good on my skin.
I’m so tired I could drift away right now.
“All for suspense. That’s what Gran said.”
“How pissed will you be if I just rip it off?”
I crack an eye and look up at him.
“If you want, we can have sex with it on. Right here. That’ll be a sight for the crew.”
“The crew, shit. All this energy must’ve gone to your head.” He nips my neck as he leans over and whispers, “Fortunately, they’re enjoying a late dinner break, and we’re anchored for the night.”
“Mm, well, in that case . . .” I tilt my head, giving him better access to my neck. “Just be gentle. This is the most expensive dress I’ll ever own.”
“We’ll change that soon.”
“What an arrogantly rich thing for you to say.” I laugh under the feel of his hand caressing my bare skin.
“What an arrogantly rich man you married. Worth it, though.” His voice drops to low thunder, and I shiver. “Can’t believe I’m the lucky bastard who gets to be with you for the rest of my life.”