The soft click of the door closing echoed in the quiet room, making Jonathan jump. He gave himself a mental shake, called himself a fool for being so nervous. Tried to tell himself there was no reason for him to be nervous.
Except there was—a million reasons, and the biggest one was standing in front of him, watching him with a small smile on her face.
Sammie stepped toward him and placed her hands against his chest. Sculpted brows arched over wide brown eyes that held a hint of laughter. His heart slammed against his breastbone as Sammie's fingers slowly worked the buttons of his dress shirt.
He closed his hands over hers, brought them to his mouth and brushed a gentle kiss along her knuckles.
Against the simple gold band on the ring finger of her left hand.
The wedding had been a small one, the informal ceremony held in an intimate ballroom of the hotel. Well, maybe not small, not with Sammie's entire team in attendance. But they didn't have any attendants—just the bride and the groom and the flower girl, who kept giggling because she didn't understand why Mommy and Daddy were all dressed up, standing there in front of everyone.
Vows had been exchanged in low voices filled with emotion.
Filled with love.
Toasts had been made—more than one, as a matter of fact. Jonathan made a mental note to pay Mac and Daryl back for their toasts, even if they had caused the most charming blush he'd ever seen to stain Sammie's cheeks.
But the party was over now, at least as far as the bride and groom were concerned. Jonathan had swept Sammie into his arms and carried her out of the room, to the sound of cheers and applause.
There wouldn't be a honeymoon, not yet, not with Sammie's upcoming schedule. It was only January—they still had a few months left in their first season, not to mention the Blades' exhibition game against the Banners in two weeks.
That didn't mean Jonathan planned on skimping on the wedding night. Not even close.
He dipped his head and caught Sammie's mouth in a gentle kiss. Soft, sweet, with just a hint of promise of what was to come. Her hands slid up his chest, dipped inside the open edges of his shirt and traveled to his back. Touching. Caressing. Warm and gentle at first, then growing bolder. More insistent.
Jonathan eased his mouth from hers, pulled away just enough to rest his forehead against her own. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
Sammie's hand traveled from his back to his chest, not stopping until it rested over his heart. Her fingers trembled against his skin, touching something deep inside him, something so powerful, so potent, there were no words to describe it.
"As much as I love you."
The words echoed in Jonathan's mind, travelled to the deepest corner of his soul, and shattered the last bit of darkness there. Sammie loved him. He still couldn't believe it. After everything that happened, after everything he'd done…she loved him.
God knew he didn't deserve it. Sammie. Clare. This second chance. He didn't deserve any of it, didn't deserve them.
But he'd never let them go, never again. And he'd make damn sure that Sammie would never regret giving him this second chance. Every second, every minute, every day, for the rest of his life and beyond.
He caught her mouth with his again, this kiss anything but sweet. She leaned into him, sighed when he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the large bed.
And showered her with the beginning of a lifetime of love.
###
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