Lying in my bed, I can’t help but stare at the empty space next to me. God, I wish Preston was here. But he’s not, and he won’t be for a painfully long time. A strict rule issued by Sydney. Apparently, the bride and groom cannot spend the night together the day before the wedding. Seems like a ridiculous and jaded practice if you ask me. One only a single and evil friend would come up with. How can she possibly think this is a good idea?

Preston looked so damn sexy tonight that I practically begged him to take me in the coat closet during our rehearsal dinner. But alas, there will be none of that. So instead, I close my eyes and picture how beautiful he’d look if he were standing before me. How his hands would feel if he was touching me. How his lips would feel if he was kissing me. A smile spreads over my face. Tomorrow we will finally be married and no one will ever separate us again, not even Sydney with her prehistoric traditions.

Knock.

A bang on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. Grabbing my robe, I walk to the door.

“Yes?”

“It’s me.” The sound of his husky voice is unexpected. A warm heat spreads through my body. What’s he doing here? I swing open the door—

Preston’s lips are on mine.

He kisses me with abandon before eventually pulling away and pacing around the room. Something is obviously bothering him. The muscles in my stomach tighten as a familiar panic weaves its way through my bloodstream.

I close the door. “Preston, what’s going on?”

Preston strides over to me in two steps and pulls me against him. “It’s not you, Eve. I’m just concerned about Jace.” A small line forms between his brows.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” I ask, knowing full well that after the sudden death of his wife, Jace might never be okay again.

He pulls at his hair. “I hope so.”

“Should we do something?”

“There’s nothing we can do,” he answers, lifting my jaw with his hand. “But enough about my brother. I want to make love to my wife.”

“Future wife.”

“Future wife,” he agrees. “But in less than 24 hours you will be all mine.”

“I have been all yours since the moment I met you.”

“Well, that’s not entirely true.” He grimaces.

“Oh God, Preston, can we just stop talking already? Sydney is going to kill me if she knows you snuck into my room before the wedding. According to her, and I quote, you aren’t supposed to see him until you walk down the aisle.” I say in my best Sydney voice. “So please, can we stop talking so you kiss me again?”

“It’s a good thing Sydney’s not here right now. I’m not she’d approve of what I’m about to do to you.” He winks.

I bite my lip. “Promise?” Dropping my robe, all I’m left wearing is a black silk camisole.

“Oh I promise,” he growls. With one fast move, Preston lifts the camisole off my body, leaving me with only a pair of black lace thongs. His hand pulls at the material until it shimmies down my thighs and falls to the floor. Now fully naked, Preston guides me toward the bed, laying me down in front of him. His gaze is predatory. His pupils dilated with desire.

Warm hands reach out and spread my legs open. He swipes his tongue against his lips like I’m a feast laid out before him. Before I can even breathe, he starts to devour me. His tongue finds me hot and ready as he licks and sucks me like a starved man until I find myself hanging on by a small thread. His pace becomes so maddening that all I can do is grip the blanket to steady myself as I fall over the edge.

When I finally return from my orgasmic high, he places one more kiss on my sensitive skin before climbing up my body. As his hard length teases my entrance, my body trembles with anticipation, growing reckless with need. His mouth finds mine, and in perfect synchronicity, he thrusts inside me. I part my lips on a gasp, and he takes full advantage, thrusting his tongue into my mouth to meet the tempo as he fucks me.

Stretching me…

Teasing me…

Owning me.

The pattern of his movement has every nerve ending in my body coming alive. I can barely find my breath as I feel myself start to come apart. Desperate for the release, I meet his thrust.

I’m teetering on the edge, about to come apart when Preston halts his movements. A groan escapes my trembling body. But he continues to hold still. Every breath I exhale becomes choppier. My hips try to lift but he won’t let me move. He won’t let me put out the fire burning inside me.

When I think we both can’t take anymore, he starts the pattern all over again.

In…

And out.

Still.

In…

And out.

Still.

In…

A primal moan escapes my mouth as I chase and find my release. The sound fuels him as he picks up his pace, fucking me harder and faster than I ever thought possible. With one final push, he empties himself inside me. Together we cling to one another as our breaths regulate. With our bodies still connected and are limbs still entwined, he looks into my eyes, his blue iris penetrating my soul.

“Forever . . .” he trails off, the one word speaking to every part of my being.

“Forever.”

* * *

When the early morning sun peeks in through the drapes, I'm all alone in the bed. Preston must have snuck out in the middle of the night. A smile pulls across my face as memories of his late night visit replay in my mind. My cheeks warm and gentle laughter escapes my mouth. Sydney would give me hell if she knew. Good thing she won’t find out.

Stretching my arms over my head, I ring out the last bit of sleep still harboring in my body. As I move to get out of the bed, I notice a small box sitting on the side table with a little-folded note underneath it.

My Dearest Eve,

As I sit here next to you while you sleep, I can’t believe how lucky and blessed I am.

I never thought I would ever love again. I never thought I would ever feel so complete. But then you came into my life, and everything changed. I still remember the first time I saw you. How beautiful and serene you were. I didn't think I would see you again, but luckily, fate had other plans. It’s been a long road to get here, but I would weather the storm over and over again just to have you by my side.

I know I tell you this every day, but I love you. You are my heart, and you are my soul. I can't wait to make you my wife.

All my love,

Preston

My vision fogs from the tears collecting in my eyes. With a swipe of my hand, I dry them and then open the box. Inside is the most beautiful pair of diamond and pearl earrings I have ever seen. I smile softly to myself while placing them in my ears. They are perfect. Now all I have to do is get up, shower and prepare for the biggest day of my life.

* * *

Two hours later, freshly showered and dressed only in a white silk robe, I find I’m no longer alone in my room. Sydney is there. Of course she is. She is officially the best maid of honor in the world. Every last detail so far has been perfection. From the flower arrangements to set up, Sydney took care of everything. I’m able to breathe today, and I will forever be grateful.

“Morning,” Sydney greets me. “I hope you’re well rested.” The tone of her voice leads me to believe she is fishing to see if Preston came by last night.

“I am,” I mumble out looking down to the floor, with that Sydney laughs.

“I knew he’d never be able to resist.” She shrugs. “Okay, throw on some clothes so we can go and get your hair and makeup done. It’s time to get you ready for tonight.”

* * *

After being primped and primed, I slip into my dress. When I catch a glimpse in the mirror my breath leaves my body.

I’m gorgeous.

A dream.

A fairytale.

“Oh my god.” Sydney says from behind me and through the mirror I can see that her eyes are wide and start to glisten wit unshed tears. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks. I feel beautiful.”

“Good, you deserve it. So, are you ready?” Sydney asks.

“Never been more ready for anything in my life.”

“I can't imagine.” She smiles at me, and I know she understands.

“Thank you for doing all this for me,” My voice cracks with emotion.

“Don't you dare cry,” Sydney says narrowing her eyes.

“I won't. I won't. But seriously, I don't know what I'd do without you. Without you and Preston . . .” I trail off.

“Eve,” she says taking my hand in hers. “You would have been okay. I promise even with out us, you would have been fine. You are the strongest person I have ever met. You single-handed took care of your mother for years. Look at her.” At her words, I look at my mom who's getting the final touches of her makeup done in the corner of the room. “When I first met you, this would never have been possible. She was a shell of a person. You were her lifeline her strength and now look. You helped heal her. You treated yourself. Sure there were a few bumps in the road.”

A laugh escapes my mouth. “A few?”

“Fine. A ton,” she laughs and I raise an eyebrow. “A shit ton. Better?”

“Yes. Much better,” I giggle back and she winks.

“Okay, where was I? The moral of the story is. You are amazing.”

“Oh, that was moral of the story? Seriously though. Thank you, Syd. You have done everything. You have handled the whole wedding, planning. Everything and I don't think you will ever understand how grateful I am.”

“You deserve it. And it was my pleasure. But enough of this sentimental stuff, if you smudge your makeup, she will kill you,” she says pointing to the makeup artist. “Or better yet she’ll just kill me.”

* * *

With each step, I walk into the future. With each step, any hesitation fades away. I'm finally getting everything I have ever hoped and dreamed of—love. Unconditional love. Heart pounding, soul-shattering love.

Preston Montgomery.

My future.

Any nerves I might have had slip away. A calm falls over me as I step through the door of the building and into the warm summer air. Beginning the walk down the aisle, I reminisce about how far I have come. The last time I walked down this path to where the earth overlooks the sea, we weren't supposed to be together. We had started down a path we couldn't continue. I’d thought our moments were fleeting, but now I know it's for eternity.

Finally, I reach the clearing, and I see all I ever hoped for standing on the edge of the cliff under a canopy of flowers.

Preston.

My Preston.

He looks at me with complete adoration as I make my way to where he stands. Sighs and gasps echo around me, but I don't look at anyone but him. I can't. I’m to lost in Preston. To lost in the knowledge that soon I will be his wife.

Once standing in front of him, he takes me in his arms and kisses me as though he's never kissed me before, as though I am his lifeline. And, in truth, that's what we are to each other. We are each other’s oxygen. Air. We need each other to breathe.

Words are spoken, but they fade away into the blue of his eyes into the conviction of his voice as he repeats his vows. Through tear-rimmed eyes, Preston takes my hand into his and promises to love and cherish me all the days of my life. His gaze is unwavering. His love is absolute.

We are creating something beautiful here.

A future.