I bring my attention back to my groom. “When I look at you, I don’t see trouble or a bad boy…I see my rock. I see the most selfless, honorable, dependable man I’ve ever known.”

I love you, he mouths, his eyes shining with emotion.

“I love you, Lyle Livingston,” I say, loud and proud. “Not the fame. Not the image. I love you—my best friend. My protector. And more times than I can count, my knight in shining armor.”

“Awww,” Darci coos behind me, drawing a similar reaction from the crowd.

“I promise to love you. To honor you. To cherish every moment with you…”

“Obey,” he whisper-shouts, and the guests titter.

“Not a chance,” I respond, further encouraging their laughter. “After all, you just said my independence was something you loved about me.”

He nods, shrugging one shoulder.

“Our relationship has been unconventional, to say the least. But I’d like to believe the time we’ve spent apart, growing as individuals, has given us the maturity and knowledge necessary for a successful marriage.” I clear a wad of emotion from my throat. “I gave up on us.” A fat tear tracks my cheek. “For that I’m so sorry, but I promise it’ll never happen again.”

His tongue darts out to wet his lips.

“From this day forward, I promise to communicate my feelings and fears, and to be a sounding board for yours, and a soft place to land when you need it. We’ve spent years growing apart, and I can’t wait to see what we can do together.”

Chapter Three

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations to the both of you.” Pastor John offers me an encouraging nod and murmurs, “You may kiss the bride.”

My bride… Holy shit! I’m a fucking married man.

Cheers explode behind us when I cradle Sammi’s face and begin lowering my mouth to hers.

Warmth spreads through my veins, and my heart expands to near bursting with how eager I am right now. It’s been five long years since our lips first touched. The memory of that fleeting kiss has been built up in my mind; it’s the standard by which I’ve judged every one since. And it doesn’t hold a candle to reality. I can only explain the sensation that rockets through me when our lips finally reunite as euphoric. The warmth of her breath as it mingles with mine. The taste of desire bleeding from her tongue. The sweet little mewls and moans that are for my ears alone. This is my very own version of heaven.

I’m a junkie, relapsing—tumbling into sweet, sweet oblivion.

This girl… she’s intoxicating in the best of ways. I’m addicted to her touch. Entranced by her beauty. And that smile of hers—those dimples—I swear they could bring about world peace.