“You’re a beautiful bride.”

Jax’s intimate words, feathered against her ear, made her soar. “The gown is wonderful.”

“It is.” He pressed his palm on her bare back. “Your mom made an excellent choice.”

Her mother had visited a store known as one of the best in town. The owner, Randy, had spent hours with her, looking at dresses. They’d done a video link with her, but Willow had been so overwhelmed and distracted with school that she hadn’t been able to make a decision. So they’d made it for her. The gown flattered her figure and flared out at the bottom. She loved it.

“But it’s the woman who makes the dress,” Jax finished.

The evening couldn’t be more magical. She was in his arms on the dance floor of the rooftop atrium of downtown Houston’s Sterling Hotel. The area had been lit with twinkling lights, and a nearly full moon radiated in the sky above. A jazz quartet serenaded them. Despite the fifty or so people watching from the sidelines, Jax stared at her as if she were the center of the universe.

“How long do we have to stay?”

“The cocktail hour ends in about twenty minutes. Then we need to eat. We’ll be expected to have cake and then my dad is planning a toast.”

“I know what I want to eat.”

Scandalized, she blushed. He was such a paradox. He was a brash personality on his show, yelling at people to kick the shit out of their boxes. His knight-in-shining-armor side could be just as annoying. After she agreed to marry him, he’d decided they would wait until after the wedding to have sex again. No matter what she’d tried, from vamp to vixen, to naughty schoolgirl, he’d refused to relent. She was ready to crawl out of her skin. More than once she’d considered eloping so he’d take her to bed.

The dance ended, and a few other couples joined them for a more up-tempo tune.

Shortly after, she and Jax left the floor to mingle. Her father shook Jax’s hand, then took her shoulders and met her eyes. “I hope he makes you happy. If he doesn’t, I have a shotgun.”

Her mother was all smiles as she kissed Willow’s cheeks. “I can’t wait for your big ceremony! This was so much fun that I’m thinking of becoming a wedding planner.”

“You’d be perfect, Mrs. Henderson,” Jax said. “I’ll do a few promo spots for you and give you some social media pointers.”

“No. No, no, no.” Willow scowled at him. “I’ll give you the pointers, Mom.”

He shrugged.

“You have your hands full, my boy,” Brian said.

“I knew that going in, sir.” He stroked the length of her spine as he spoke. “That was my favorite part.”

Rafe Sterling, owner of the hotel, exited the private elevator and walked over to join them. “I wanted to be among the first to offer my congratulations.”

She’d known Rafe for several years, and stress lines were now grooved next to his eyes. Rumor had it that his father had abandoned his family and the business, leaving Rafe to sort out the mess.

“I’ve upgraded you to the owner’s suite,” he said. “With your permission, the staff will move your belongings.”

“That’s not necessary,” she protested. He’d already comped the honeymoon suite for three days.

“I’m traveling for the next week, so I’d be delighted to know you were using it.”

She glanced at her new husband. The realization that she was his forever made her shiver anew. Every time she looked at him, tingles jumped through her. She wondered if that sensation would ever go away.

“Thank you.” He nodded at Rafe. “I assume I can count on your discretion?”

Was he really referring to their paddles in front of everyone? Her father looked into his wineglass while her mother continued smiling as if she’d heard nothing.

“Discretion is a cornerstone of Sterling hospitality.”

She was going to sink through the floor.

“I’m happy to talk up Sterling next week,” Jax said with a nod. “I’d love to have you on as a guest as well. My followers will be interested in hearing your thoughts on success.”

These men, Titans, were more powerful than she’d ever realized, and a new idea formed. Perhaps after graduation she could use Jax and his access for good. Maybe work for a nonprofit or lend her assistance as a fundraiser. Last week, she had sat down and watched the video he’d mentioned early on, the one where he gave the commencement address at an underserved high school. She’d seen a different side of him, a softer one. She’d be willing to bet he’d support her future plans.

For the remainder of the cocktail hour, they chatted with guests.

According to Jax, dinner took too damn long.

“It was your idea for us to be celibate until tonight,” she reminded him.

“I’m having a fantasy.”

She dipped her head to hide her blush.

“About fucking you while you’re wearing the gown. Just pull it up and take you from behind.”

She dropped her fork.

Her mother cast her a concerned glance as Jax chuckled.

“Smile, princess.”

She gave her mother a reassuring nod.

Jax stayed by her side the entire evening, and after her father gave his toast, Jax stood.

“I hope it’s okay if I say something.”

The crowd chuckled. Jaxon Mills could not resist the siren’s call of an open microphone.

He faced her, as did everyone else in the room.

“In a man’s life, if he’s lucky, he meets a woman who completes his heart.”

Her eyes filled with tears and her mother patted her arm.

“He finally understands why no other relationship worked out, because there’s only one person for him.”

Willow reached for her champagne and took a drink to swallow the lump in her throat, but it refused to budge.

“He will do anything to have her, including fall on his sword in front of her father.”

The crowd laughed, and her father called out, “Hear, hear!”

When the room fell silent, he finished. “You’re my one, Willow. I love you. You’ve made me the happiest man on the planet.”

With that, he tossed the mic onto the table.

To prevent tears from escaping, she pressed her hands to her face. With purpose in each step, he strode toward her.

In front of everyone gathered to celebrate their union, Jax tugged her to her feet. Then, making her gasp with shock, he swept her off the floor and into his arms.

“You’ll have to excuse us,” he said to the crowd. “I’m taking my wife upstairs.”

“Jax!” She kicked her legs helplessly. “You can’t do this.”

“Darling wife, I’ve waited long enough. If you want me to keep my hands off you until we’re alone, you might want to stay still.” His eyes were dark with promise.

She stopped squirming.

“Excellent choice.” He summoned the elevator, and the guests cheered as Jax carried her into the waiting compartment and took her to their suite to claim her as his wife.

I hope you loved Jax as much as I do. Be sure to meet Rafe Sterling in the Billionaire’s Matchmaker. He’s a man in need of a bride. And his solution to the problem shocks his gorgeous matchmaker! There will be plenty of other Titans to make you swoon. All are sexy, standalone reads that will make you blush. I guarantee you a happily ever after with no cheating.

Be sure to check out the bestselling Bonds heroes, beginning with .

Have you ever wanted to be Mastered, here’s your chance. Discover why was a #1 best seller. Master Marcus will curl your toes and give you a very happily ever after.