Greydon

---

The wedding was taking place in one of the opulent ballrooms whose windows overlooked the Eiffel Tower. It was grand. The hotel had arranged an arbor we would stand beneath and it was adorned with a multitude of flowers that matched the ones in Marin’s bouquet. We’d opted not to see each other before the wedding. I wanted my first look to be when she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm.

When she did, I got the wow factor. Her gown was simple, off the shoulders, exposing their creamy flesh, going down to a deep V neck showing a good deal of her sexy cleavage. When she got close enough, her sparkling blue eyes lit up the room and my own nearly watered with unshed tears. She was radiant and stunning. Around her neck was a simple strand of pearls I had gifted her earlier that week, and she wore diamond studs in her ears. Her engagement ring sparkled; it was the one thing I had insisted upon. She balked, of course, but after hours at the jewelers, we finally settled on a two-carat solitaire. Today she would be getting two eternity bands to wear on either side. One was for our eternal love and the other was for the eternal love of our kids and our future children. She didn’t know about that one and I would give it to her later tonight.

Our vows were traditional because we decided to follow along with the sexy French version, as Marin claimed. I laughed at her. “But they’ll be in English,” I had said.

“It doesn’t matter. Whatever they say is sexy with that French accent. I’d rather hear them speak than me.”

I’d give her anything she wanted, so I agreed.

The funny thing was, her eyes were glazed as she stared at me and I’m not quite sure she even heard the minister in his sexy French accent after all.

When he said I could kiss the bride, I took great pleasure in that. People cleared their throats, including him. Then he said, “And I thought we French were amorous.” Turning to our guests, he announced, “I’d like to present to you Dr. and Mrs. Greydon West.”

The room exploded in applause. Having a destination wedding, we didn’t expect to have many guests. We were wrong. Over seventy-five people accepted. We were thrilled they wanted to join us in Paris to celebrate.

Josh and Ashley were some of the first to congratulate us afterward.

“Marin, your dress is out of this world,” Ashley said, hugging my wife.

“Thank you.”

“And what a place. This hotel.” The women chatted while Josh congratulated me. My brothers were also there man-hugging me.

“Dude, you finally did it,” Pearson said.

“What are you talking about? You’re the perennial bachelor,” I said. “He who will never be married.”

“There’s a reason for that. I’m an attorney. I see what happens in divorce court.”

“You just have to pick the right one,” I said.

“I’m proud of you, bro,” Hudson said.

“Hey, there’s hope for you. Look how I came to my senses.” Hudson backed away, his hands raised. “I enjoy being a bachelor for now.”

“You deserve the best, man, after everything you went through.” Pearson and I hugged again.

“Thanks, Pearson. And when are you at least going to settle on dating the same girl more than once?”

Pearson wore a sheepish expression. “Who knows?” He was the womanizer in the family.

“Hey, I may have found Marin a therapy puppy,” Hudson said.

“Yeah? Where?” I answered.

“There are some puppies at the local breeder near my office, but there’s one that’s showing a lot of promise.”

“Thanks, man. Keep me updated on that.”

The band struck up the wedding song and Marin and I came together for our dance. We’d chosen “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz. After all, I had texted her the thing and annoyed her with it, but she confessed it was what swung her to my side after all. At the end, I kissed her honeyed lips. Then her dad took his turn. They’d chosen “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart. As they danced, my eyes sought out Kinsley and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I’d be doing the same with her. A grin grew across my face as my heart warmed with those thoughts.

Marin was back by my side and then Kinsley ran up to us because we’d planned on a group dance. It was Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling. She loved the movie Trolls, so that was a no-brainer. When it started playing, we pulled out the sunglasses I had stashed in my pockets and went to town.

“Marniemom, you have to hold your arms stiff, like this.”

Oh, boy, the step dancing dictator was back. Marin played along, but then I grabbed everyone’s hands to save us all because no way in hell was I going to Irish step dance. We circled around and did all sorts of crazy moves. It distracted her enough so she didn’t care anymore.

The hotel had arranged for a babysitter. We required a substantial number of references and did a complete check on her before we agreed. The hotel assured us they also did security checks on the sitters they hired, so we felt safe. I bought a portable camera to leave in the room, just in case. Every so often I’d check it to see how Aaron was doing. He seemed to be having fun with her, so I was good with that.

As the night progressed, I led my wife to the cake, where we did the required cutting. And then I whispered to her how I wanted to blow this joint.

“Can we?” she asked.

“Mrs. West, it’s our wedding. We can do anything.”

“Mrs. West, huh. I like the sound of that.”

“Good, because it is your name now.” And I quickly kissed her.

She laughed, saying, “We have to make an announcement.”

“Then let’s.”

We pulled the wedding director aside. Since we weren’t leaving the hotel, Marin had opted not to change into another outfit.

The announcement about us leaving was made and everyone gathered around, sending us off. Kinsley wanted to go to bed with us, which made us laugh.

“Marniemom, can I sleep with you and Daddy tonight.”

Marin looked at me for an answer.

“Not tonight, polka dot. You’re staying with Gammie and Bebop, remember?”

“Oh, yeah. Goodnight.” She kissed us both, then scampered off. She was going to be exhausted and cranky tomorrow since she stayed up so late tonight.

When we got to the room, I couldn’t wait to get Marin out of her dress. The dozen buttons in the back took longer than I wanted and her body shook as I tried to undo them.

“Hold still. You’re making this harder.”

“That’s my goal.”

“Huh?”

“To make it harder.”

I spun her around and kissed her. “Do you want me to shred this gown to pieces?”

She bit down on her lips to keep from laughing. “No. But you’re so funny, Grey, when you try to do things you find difficult.”

“I’m trying to get you naked.”

Her hand reached behind her and tried to grab my crotch.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m playing with you,” she said.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I know.”

I finally got the last dreaded button undone and slid the blasted dress off her shoulders … and oh my … fuck me. She was wearing a cream-colored bustier with a matching thong that had dainty ribbons on the side.

“Are you trying to kill me, Marin?”

“No, but tell me. Was it worth the wait?”

“Every fucking button.” I stared at her for what seemed like days. “You are every man’s dream.” My finger traced the top globes of her creamy breasts and then dipped down into the valley between them. “God, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful.” I kissed her neck then, breathing in her scent. “I want to gaze at you all night.”

Her hands reached for me, unknotting my tie, then undoing my shirt buttons, one by one. Soft hands slid under the fabric and her heat warmed me to the bone. When her hand landed on my chest over my heart, I was sure she felt it pounding and the surging of my blood through my veins. Even though we’d had sex many times before, I felt like it was our first time.

My arms circled her and I undid the bustier and watched its slow fall to the floor. She was left standing in the sexy thong, which I intended to remove with my teeth.

Dropping my head, I took one nipple into my mouth and sucked until I heard her gasp with pleasure. I flicked my tongue across its rock-hard peak until her fingers sunk into my arms. Repeating this action on the other nipple, my fingers sought the place between her thighs that I knew she wanted me to touch. Sliding her thong to the side, I dipped my fingers inside her, only to find her dripping wet. Moving to her clit, I massaged her until she arched her back and moaned. She was so ready and so was I.

“I want to lick your pussy. I’ve been waiting for this all day.”

Picking her up, I carried her to the bed and set her on the edge. Then I finished undressing. She watched me with eager eyes as I knelt before her. Taking one of the ribbons of her thong, I used my teeth to untie it. Then I did the same with the other.

Holding it up, I said, “I want you to buy a dozen of these. They were made for you.” Then I tossed it aside.

I spread her lips apart with my thumbs and licked her from her opening to her clit. She was sitting up, leaning back on her elbows, watching me. My mouth moved to her inner thighs, sucking and nipping at them. I worked my way to the backs of her knees and up to her pussy again.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Exactly what you’re doing,” she said.

“This?” I slid a finger inside.

“Yes.”

“And this?” My mouth landed on her mound and I sucked.

“Oh, yeah.”

“And what about this?” My tongue circled her clit and flicked it.

“Yeah.”

Then I pressed on her G-spot, and using my tongue, I massaged her clit.

“Oh, yeah.” She buried her hands in my hair and her moans drove me on. I lifted my eyes and noticed she’d thrown back her head and was no longer watching me. It wouldn’t be long. And it wasn’t. Her inner muscles clamped down on my finger and a series of contractions hit. I loved it when she climaxed. She arched into my mouth and ground herself against me.

When her orgasm died down, I pushed her back farther onto the bed, put her legs over my shoulders, and found her entrance with my cock. I slowly pushed inside, rocking in and out at an achingly slow pace because I didn’t want to come just yet. But it got to the point I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“I’m going to come,” I whispered. “Are you close?”

She barely spoke, only nodded that she was. And then it happened, this crazy climax. She stopped breathing as I watched. Her hand squeezed mine and maybe I stopped breathing too. I don’t know. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever experienced. Her orgasm lasted a very long time.

“Wow,” she said afterward.

“I think you just had a multiple orgasm.”

“It was really weird.”

I grinned. “Weird good or weird bad?”

“Weird good as in more like making love and not just sex.” Her palm cupped my cheek. “Besides, anything sexual with you is good.”

“I hope so.”

“Grey. You should know that by now.”

I kissed her. “Did I tell you how beautiful you are?”

“Yes. Did I thank you?”

“I don’t know. Your sexiness put me in a daze.” And it had.

She play punched me. “You’re crazy.”

I laughed along with her.

It registered then that I’d made love to my wife. My wife. The love of my life. It was hard to believe, yet it was real.

“What are you thinking? Your brow is furrowed.” She took a finger and rubbed my forehead.

“I just made love to my wife. And I love how that sounds.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Close your eyes.” When they were closed, I reached into the nightstand and grabbed the box I’d put there earlier. I slipped on the other band I bought for her. “This is for the eternal love of the children we have and the ones we will have in the future.”

Her eyes popped opened and she blinked several times. “Oh, Grey. It’s beautiful. Thank you.” The kiss was even more perfect than the ring. “It looks gorgeous with the diamond and the other band.”

“I knew it would.”

“I have something for you too.” She got up and went to the bureau where she pulled out an envelope. Then she handed it to me as she got back in bed. “This is for you.”

I opened it up and grinned. “The test results.”

“Yes. But let me explain.”

It was my turn to interrupt her. “Before you say anything, I need to give you something.” I got out of bed and reached into the side pocket of my carry-on bag, where I’d stashed her journal. “This belongs to you. I didn’t read it all, if you’re wondering, but I did happen to see your last entry.”

Her furrowed brow told me she didn’t know what I was referring to. She flipped open her journal and I saw when it became clear. “You know?”

“Yeah, and I couldn’t be sorrier than I already am.”

“Every time I tried to tell you, you wouldn’t let me get the words out, or something would interrupt us. I just forgot when Aaron was in the hospital and I sent it in much later than I originally said I would. But you were so angry with me, I couldn’t explain it to you. You’d lost your trust in me and there wasn’t any point in telling you then. Anyway, you are Aaron’s biological father.”

I took my wife’s face between my hands and kissed her soundly on the lips. “You should probably kill me. We went through all that for nothing.”

“I disagree. It taught us a lot about each other. You learned not to be so self-centered and I learned my assumption about you being an ass was true.” She laughed. “But … you came around eventually.”

We laughed for a moment, but then I became serious. I slid my hands into her hair. “All the heartache. I am tremendously sorry. I never told you, but Susannah wasn’t a warm person, nothing like you are. All those years we were together, I thought we were fine. I asked Hudson not too long ago if he thought she was a pompous bitch. He did but never said a word to me about it. I was a fool. God knows what she did to me behind my back and I was determined not to be made a fool again. So, when I thought you did that, it struck below the belt. Betrayal is a difficult thing to bear, you know? But I was so closed off, I didn’t give you a chance.”

“It is difficult. Especially when it comes from the people you put the utmost trust in. But I promise you, Grey, I won’t ever betray you or your trust in me.”

“I know that.”

I grabbed her hand and said, “You are the solitary person I would trust with my life, with my children’s lives. You are the love of my life … the one who took my life from ashes to flames. I was nothing but a charred-up wreck of a man when I met you, but you put the fire back into my heart. You’re forever mine, Marin West.”