I take a deep breath, trying to hold my emotions back, biting on my bottom lip. My eyes latch onto his and suddenly all my nerves vanish, and it’s as if he and I are the only people in this room.
I begin. “Quill, you came into my life at a time I wasn’t expecting you. You have taught me love has no boundaries, and that when you find your true soul mate, nothing else matters.” I sniffle, and continue. “You have given me your love, and proved how much I mean to you. You make me feel safe and whole, and I can’t imagine life without you. I promise that I will be here for you, and love you until my last dying breath.”
Taking a moment to take a breath, I continue. “You have given me life again, and although you’re a little bossy”—laughter erupts all around—“I wouldn’t want you any other way. I can’t wait for us to begin our future together as a family.” I reach my hand to my stomach and rub it, noticing a tear falling from Quill’s eye. “I know you will be the best father our baby could ever wish for, and I thank God for the day he brought you into my life. Thank you for not giving up on us, Quill. I love you, and will cherish you with my body and soul for the rest of our lives.”
Quill swipes at his tears, and I take him in with my eyes. Even with his club here witnessing everything, he doesn’t hold back his emotions.
I look back at Luisa, who hands me Quills ring, and I turn back to face him, pushing the thick white-gold band onto his finger. My hands tremble in his, and our eyes lock. The intensity I see in them sends a chill through me. He’s mine, all mine.
““Quillentine and Jasmine, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
Quill smile widens, his expression showing so much tenderness. He cups my face and I fall into him, sharing our first kiss as husband and wife. Cheers and whistles surround the garden, and I smile against Quill’s lips.
I pull back, and with Quill still cupping my face he says, “I love you, Mrs. Owen.”
I beam with happiness. “I love you too, Mr. Owen.”
He gives me one last brief kiss before pulling away, and then we turn and accept everyone’s congratulations. I’m on cloud nine by the time everyone has finished wishing us well.
We make our way to the dance floor as “Never Gonna Be Alone” by Nickelback plays. Quill wraps me in his arms and I link my hands around his neck, playing with the ends of his hair. He leans down and kisses me, a slow and soft kiss, the shivers it evokes reaching all the way to my toes. He tastes amazing; all man. The tip of his tongue sneaks into my mouth and tangles with mine. His hands slide up my back to my nape, and he tightens his hold, keeping me captive to his kiss. Whistles sound around us but Quill doesn’t stop, just continues making love to my mouth. Tenderly taking and giving. I moan when his lips cover my bottom one, grazing on it gently with his teeth.
He pulls back slightly, smiling that sexy grin of his, and whispers against my mouth, “I love you, baby, so, so much. I want you so much, I’m dying to get you out of this dress.”
I laugh as we continue dancing. “What’s wrong, Quill. Don’t you like it?” I ask, pretending to feel hurt.
“Baby,” he says, growling deliciously into my ear, “I fucking love it. That’s the only reason I’m not taking you back up to the house to rip it off you. But I will have it off you soon, that’s a promise.” His eyes bore into mine, his promise evident; he means every word.
We’re interrupted when my father steps in, asking, “Do you mind?” Quill looks over at him and nods, letting me go and allowing my dad to take me in his arms. I watch as Quill puts his hand out to his mother, and she smiles up at him, taking his hand and following him to the dance floor.
“I’m so proud of you, baby girl,” my dad says, and I pull him in to give him a hug.
“Thanks, Dad. It means a lot to know you approve of Quill.”
“Like I had a choice,” he answers, laughing. “That man loves you, Jasmine. It scares me how much,” he admits, staring down at me. “But I’m glad you’ve found him. He’s a good man.”
“I know he is,” I say. “I’m so happy I found what you and Mom have.”
“Oh, darlin’, what me and your mom have is something special. I love your mom so much. To me she’s still that girl I met all those years ago. You just make sure he treats you right. I know he will but, baby, if you ever need me or your momma, you call us and we’ll be there.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” I say sniffling.
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?”
I laugh. “Yes, Dad, you did, but you can say it again.”
The song ends and my dad walks me back to Quill, at the edge of the dance floor where he and his mom stand watching us. Quills eyes are hooded with desire, and his mom has the biggest smile on her face. She kisses and hugs me, pulling away eventually and swiping at her tears. “Oh, Jasmine, you look so beautiful. I only wish Antonio was here to see you two get married,” she says, and begins to cry again, pulling a handkerchief out of the sleeve of her dress and wiping her tears away. Quill hugs her but I don’t miss the way his jaw ticks. It must be hard for him to keep the secret of his father’s death in check.
“There you are.” I turn, smiling when I see Luisa approaching us. She embraces me and I keep her close a little while longer.
Luisa pulls back but keeps her arms around me. “Oh, Jazz, I’m so happy for you. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful.” I don’t miss the way her eyes gloss over with tears, and I find my own doing the same.
“Thanks, Lu. Quill sure surprised me with his vows.”
“It was so romantic, he had everyone in tears with his beautiful words.”
I search for Quill and find him having a conversation with my dad. My father has his arm around Quill, looking as happy and proud as though Quill is his own son, and my heart swells with pride and happiness. “I sure did pick a keeper,” I mumble, unable to keep my eyes off my new husband. He must sense me watching him, because his eyes scan the room as my father continues talking, and once they latch onto mine, desire deepens them. I swallow hard at the intense look, the way Quill’s eyes are undressing me. I feel heat surround my body, and I lick my suddenly dry lips when he smirks at me, like he knows what he does to me.
“Jasmine? Jasmine? Are you still with me?”
I giggle. “Sorry, Lu, my mind was elsewhere.”
Luisa follows my line of sight and sighs. “Yeah, I see exactly where your mind was at. He looks so hot in a suit, Jazz.”
“I know, right?” I reply in a husky voice, loving the way he’s trying to concentrate on my father’s conversation, but like me, is unable to focus on anything other the sexual tension that’s crackling through the air between us.
I watch as he taps my dad on the back, whispers something to him, and begins to walk toward me, utter hunger in his eyes.
“I’m gonna go check on Hawke. I’ll be right back,” Luisa says, but I don’t speak, I just focus on Quill as he gets closer to me.
When he reaches me, he sneaks his hands around my waist and brings one up to the back of my neck. He looks deep into my eyes and whispers, “I love you, babe. You’ve made me one fucking happy man by marrying me today.”
My smile barely has time to form before his lips crash down on mine. I’m loving the way he kisses me, like I’m made of porcelain, so gentle. His tongue sneaks into my mouth and briefly tangles with mine. His scent of sandalwood stirs my senses, and it takes everything in me not to shove his jacket off his broad shoulders and rip his shirt off. I have to remember we’re surrounded by our guests.
He swipes my bottom lip with his tongue before pulling back. I protest with a groan, and his husky laugh surrounds me. “Soon, baby, soon.”
“Ahem, may I have this dance?” Quill and I both look over and find Tristan standing there.
“You came,” I squeal, and run into his arms, nearly knocking him out.
“Whoa, I wasn’t expecting that,” Tristan says as he wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead.
I look up into his blue eyes and tap his chest. “You said you were moving to a new house this weekend, and couldn’t make it.”
Tristan looks down at me and smiles. “I couldn’t miss my best friend’s wedding now, could I?”
I shake my head. “No, you couldn’t.”
Feeling a hand on my back, I turn around to find Quill smiling at us.
“Hey, man, glad you could make it,” Quill states, holding his hand out to shake Tristan’s. Tristan lets go of me and steps aside to shake Quill’s hand. That was probably Quill’s intention I realize; to get me out of Tristan’s arms. Even though Quill has made peace with the fact Tristan is my good friend—and yes, a male friend—he still doesn’t like the whole situation. I just put it down to his alpha personality, but at least he’s trying.
“Thanks, I hope you guys don’t mind but I brought a date.”
“Date? You never told me that you’re dating. Where is he?”
Tristan spins around and points his finger at a tall, handsome male in a suit, standing by the table with our wedding cake on it. He has long black hair, and I can’t make out his eyes but they look almost yellow. He smiles once Tristan’s facing him, and Tristan crooks his finger at him to come over. He walks over to us, and once he’s close enough Tristan brings him into his side and squeezes him. “Jasmine, Quill, this is Anthony. The love of my life.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Anthony says, leaning in and kissing my cheek, then holding out his hand for Quill to shake. Quill looks at me, then at Anthony’s hovering hand, and I nudge him, silently telling him not to make a scene.
“Thanks for coming, man,” Quill says, finally reaching and shaking it. Quill looks down at me, his eyes clearly saying “What the fuck is going on here?”
I briefly shake my head, then smile up at Anthony. He has a slight Italian accent. “I’m so glad you two could make it. Thank you for coming.”
Tristan smiles and kisses Anthony on his cheek, replying, “Anthony insisted we come, even though it’s a big moving day.”
“Wait,” I say, pointing my finger between them. “You guys are moving in together?”
Tristan smiles then looks over at Anthony, warmth and love radiating from his gaze. “I asked Anthony to move in with me, and he said yes,” Tristan states, keeping his eyes focused on Anthony.
Anthony cups Tristan’s face. “How could I have said not to that face?”
Oh my God, that is so sweet.
I look up at Quill, now standing behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist. He leans in and whispers, “Tristan really is gay?”
I shake my head. “Why? Did you think I was making it up?”
“When it comes to you, babe,” he says, turning me around in his arms and cupping my nape in his large hands, “I’m not taking any chances. No man is going to be close to my wife without me knowing.”
I huff out a breath. “You’re crazy, Quill.”
“Crazy about you, babe,” Quill retorts, the intensity of his look causing all the breath to leave my lungs.
Just as he’s about to kiss me, we hear my dad’s voice coming over the microphone. “Ahem. Sorry to interrupt folks, but our meals are being served.”
“Soon, babe,” Quill whispers in my ear. “Soon I will have you alone, and then I’m gonna kiss every inch of your body.” I squeeze my eyes shut, letting his words run over me.
I open them again when I hear Tristan say, “Next dance is mine.” Tristan then kisses my head, and walks with Anthony to their table.
Quill leads me up to ours and holds out my chair for me. “Why thank you, sir.” He smiles down at me and helps me take my seat, my dress proving a little complicated. Once he’s seated beside me, the waiters bring us our meals, and I don’t waste any time digging into mine.
Quill arches an eyebrow at me. “Hungry?”
Licking my lips to remove some of the leftover sauce I can feel on them, from our pepper steak, I reply, “Famished.” Quill’s eyes focus on my lips, and I take the opportunity to tease him a little further, sucking my bottom lip into my mouth.
Quill clears his throat. “Watch it, baby, or I’ll drag you up to your room now, not caring we’re missing our wedding.” I swallow hard at his intense look and turn to my eyes back to my food, continuing to eat. Quill’s laugh rings out. “Thought so,” he says smirking.
The night has gone by in a blur. There’s been more dancing, people drinking, and Quill grabbing kisses from me whenever he can. If he keeps going the way he is, I’m going to drag him up to my room instead.
My mother interrupts another kiss. “Ahem, sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds, but it’s time to throw your bouquet, honey.”
I search the marquee, looking for Luisa, but she’s nowhere in sight. I know she put my bouquet somewhere. “Sure, Mom, I’ll just go find Lu. She has it.”
“Sure, darling.” She leans in and hugs both Quill and I, caressing my cheek before she leaves us.
“You go find Lu, I need to have a word to my boys,” Quill says softly, rubbing his thumb along my bottom lip.
Smiling, I lean up and peck his mouth before walking outside the marquee in search of my friend.
Not having any luck, I stop and have a rest. It’s been a big day. Trigger walks up to me after a moment, concern for me evident on his face. “You okay, darlin’?” I don’t miss the way his suit hugs his broad chest snugly, and how his hair, styled with product, is spiked on top. His smile reveals his perfect white teeth, and that dimple appears.
“Oh, hey, Trigger,” I reply, grabbing hold of my train so it doesn’t get dirty from the ground. “Just looking for Luisa, have you seen her?”
“Oh sure, yeah, she walked that way. Probably heading to the house.” He points in the direction of my parents’ house. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, of course, why?”
“Lu just looked upset, that’s all,” he explains, leaning in closer. His hand reaches out to lift one of my curls. “You really look beautiful tonight, Jasmine. Quill is a lucky man.”
I feel my cheeks flush with his compliment, and smile at him and playfully tap his shoulder. “Aren’t you just a sweet-talker tonight?” He laughs, letting go of my hair at the same time, then placing his hands in the pockets of his pleated pants. “You know what, Trigger? You look really handsome tonight.”
Trigger’s smile widens, and he looks down at himself. “I do, don’t I?”
“There you are, Trigger, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” I turn to the familiar voice of Hailey, and smile when she turns bright red, knowing I’ve caught her blushing after Trigger. I can’t blame the girl, Trigger is a ladies’ man. Nice eyes, a smile that could literally stop you in your tracks, and a broad chest. I can only imagine what’s below that, rock-hard abs and—no, Trigger’s like a brother to me. He was there when I went through all that crap with Jess and Quill.
“Oh, sorry to interrupt,” she says.
“No, that’s okay, I was only looking for Lu. I’ll leave you two.”
Just as I’m about to walk away, Trigger stops me, and leans in to whisper in my ear, “Make sure he treats you right, Jazz. And if you ever need me, I’m here. You got me?” He pulls back and looks deep into my eyes, no hint of sarcasm evident on his handsome face. I swallow hard at his overprotectiveness, and the fact he’s just admitted he would help me if Quill ever hurt me. I’m touched. Trigger’s always had a special place in my heart.
I smile, and lean in and kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Trigger.” He smiles back, and I turn around and head toward the house where Trigger said he saw Luísa heading.