Seven

 

CRYSTAL

Vegas, Nevada

 

All I want is something simple. Just a plain, gold band to go with my engagement ring, dammit. But Conti isn’t having it. The need to bash him over the head is growing by the second and the only thing stopping me is the thought of being married in jail if I can’t control the need to hurt my damn fiancé.

“What about this one? The diamonds wrap around the whole thing,” Conti suggests, holding the ring between his fingers.

“No. I want a simple white gold wedding band. That's it.” My finger points out the one that sits next to the board that he's looking at.

“Legs,” his tone is stern, but I'm not bending.

“Fine, you want me to have diamonds? Then you're getting them too.” The stomping of my feet as I make my way back over to the men’s section echoes in the tiny shop.

“Men don’t do fucking diamonds, Crystal,” Conti growls from behind me.

“You want me to have a diamond band, then you're getting the same. I don’t need one with fucking diamonds. I don’t want it taking away from the one that's on my engagement ring. It's so beautiful that I just want the focus on it,” I try to explain one more time.

Turning I look at the expression on his face. It still hasn’t changed and I have a feeling I’m not going to get him to come around to my way of thinking.

And if that's the case, then he'll get a ring with diamonds too.

“Why can't you see that I also want people to also see your band? Please, I need this, Crystal,” he whispers.

“Then explain it to me so I can understand.” My foot stomps in frustration.

“Fine,” he huffs, throwing his hands in the air. “I want you to have a diamond band so it sparkles in the sun. That way any damn cock out there that thinks they have a chance with you will see that they fucking don’t, okay? I know it's fucking caveman of me, but I just need to make sure nobody assumes you're single.” He grabs me and his lips crash against mine, as he takes me in a punishing kiss.

Finally, when I'm beginning to be desperate for air, he pulls back and his eyes move down to my lips, a smile forming on his face.

“I like seeing your lips swollen from my kisses. Now, let’s get our rings.” All I can do is nod in agreement since my head is in a deep fog.

I take a moment to ponder what his words truly mean. He said he couldn’t stand guys thinking that I’m single. Does that mean he loves me? And why does him acting like such a fucking caveman make my panties drenched with desire? I’ve never liked it before when men did shit like this but on Conti, it's like it brings out my need for him even more.

Before I realize it, we're leaving the store and I really take a good look at him. Realization that he got his damn way hits me like a two by four to the forehead, and the need to bash his head in comes back in full force.

However, I stop myself from slapping him silly. If I'm honest with myself, I don’t want him to have a messed-up face in my wedding pictures. And seeing the smile he's now sporting is somewhat worth him getting his way.

 

 

Myla’s a genius and I have no clue how I’m going to thank her for what she did for Conti and I. The shock I’m still in that today is my wedding day, doesn’t stop my eyes from slowly scanning their way around the room. In just a few moments I'll be making my way to Conti.

Two different colors of blue flowers fill almost every nook and cranny in the room with bits of silver thrown in as an accent color. There's about twenty people all standing waiting for me to make my entrance. And since they're all standing up, I can’t actually see him. That has my feet moving with sure steps just so I lay my eyes on him. To make sure he's here and waiting for me.

The moment I turn the corner my mouth drops. If I thought he looked good in jeans and t-shirts, well then he's fucking amazing in a damn tux. Immediately, my eyes spot that he isn’t wearing a tie and has left the top few buttons undone. My thighs become slick with my arousal and I walk a bit faster, hoping that nobody can smell it as I pass by them. That would be completely embarrassing and has my desire starting to fade with the thought.

Hands swoop around me and before I can stop him, Conti’s lips are on mine, giving me a kiss that takes my breath away. The laughter in the crowd is the only thing that pulls me quickly out of the damn fog that he likes to keep me in.

“Legs, you look breathtaking. Let’s get this over with so I can finally sink into you,” he whispers into my ear and then bites it.

We turn toward the officiant, and Conti nods at him to begin. The words flow over me as I watch my soon-to-be husband from the corner of my eye. The reality of what's happening sets in, and I wonder again if we're doing the right thing. Maybe I should stop this before we get too far into the wedding.

“Crystal, your vows.” I swallow before turning to Conti. Closing my eyes, I decide that no matter what happens, I'm going to go through with this. A life without him . . . isn’t possible.

“Conti, you were someone I wasn’t expecting life to throw at me. To be honest, I was content on living my life as a single cat lady that just happens to write books. I don’t own any cats at the moment, but I was planning on it anyway.” The giggles in the crowd have him softly smiling at me. “However, life said that isn’t what was in store for me. You were placed in that damn bar almost a year ago. And now here we are, on our wedding day. I promise to be the best wife, mother, friend, and comrade you can ever need and want. I promise to encourage your dreams, and hold your hand when you face the impossible. I promise to always come to you with my concerns and fears, as I would want you to do the same with me. I give you myself fully and ask for only you in return.” My hands shake as I take the band from the Bible and begin to slide it on his finger. My eyes slide back up to his and tears slide down my face. “With this ring, I take you, Vigo Conti as my husband.”

 

CONTI

 

Crystal’s words gut me and I realize just how fucking lucky I am to have this beautiful creature marrying me.

When she turned the corner, my breath caught in my throat. The need to run down the aisle and throw her over my shoulder was fierce, but I stopped myself. She would have been pissed at me for ruining her wedding by acting like a caveman. The white dress that she had on molded to her body like it was painted on. All I could think of was turning her around and kissing my way down her spine as I took the dress off of her.

The moment she made it to my side, I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her deeply and telling her just how amazing she looked; along with what I wanted to do to her.

Now, my cock is even harder, hearing the words of promise fall from her lips as she made me hers in every way she could before everyone and God.

“Vigo, your vows,” the officiant reminds me.

“Legs, that night at the bar was one of the best nights of my life. I knew from the moment my eyes landed on yours, that I was officially an owned man. I had no regrets about it whatsoever. Hell, I didn’t even fight it like most men do as I knew it was no use. I promise to be the best husband, father, friend, co-worker you could ever want and need. I promise to help you persue your dreams, even if that means you use me to experiment when it comes to your writing. Actually, I'm really down for doing that anytime you want.” The laughter coming from her has my heart jumping in my throat.

God, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life.

Taking a deep breath, I continue. “I promise to hold you when you're afraid, and be the shoulder you need when you're sad. Thank you for not only choosing me to be your husband for the rest of your life, but also for choosing Maddison. You will never understand just how much both of those choices mean to me.” I slide the diamond band that I fought her for up her finger. “With this ring, I take you, Crystal Kopas, as my wife.”

My eyes snap to the officiant waiting for the words that I've been longing to hear.

“With the exchange of rings and vows, I now pronounce this couple husband and wife. What God has put together let no man put asunder. Vigo, you may now kiss your bride.”

My lips are on Crystal's before he even finishes his last sentence. The cheers coming from the witnesses vanish and all I can think is, Thank you, God. Just thank you.

 

 

Glancing to my right, I chuckle when I see Maxim rolling his eyes at his sister. Those two have been a blessing since I met them. Knowing that they’re right next door to Crystal, and get along well with Maddison, makes everything that is currently happening in my life even better. They give me hope that maybe one day when Crystal and I have kids, they’ll have the same sibling relationship as Maxim ad Melanie. My gaze lands on the rest of the guests that joined us here in Vegas. Half of them I have no clue who the fuck they are, but Kai and Myla do.

Myla told me that when her friend Lilly found out about our wedding in Vegas, she decided to lend her assistance. Cash and Lilly showed up, and right away helped to get things together for us. As we were decorating the restaurant we rented for the reception, we learned that they also got married in Vegas. Lilly, since Cash could have cared less, was excited to see another couple do the same thing. Honestly, I didn’t give a fuck if they were here or not. As long as I got to marry Crystal, then nothing else mattered. If they want to witness it, then so be it. But I will say they both are really cool people and super nice.

My eyes find Maddison and Mari sitting in the quiet restaurant. I’m so glad Mari is here with us. She's been a part of my family for years and it wouldn't have felt right not having her here. It's reassuring knowing Mads will have her while I finally make Crystal mine. It would have been difficult getting married while holding on to my sister’s hand. However, that wouldn’t have stopped me from marrying her. If I'd had to do it that way, I would have done it with a smile on my face.

The sound of laughter pulls me from my thoughts and I turn to see Crystal laughing with Brittany, Angela, Curt and Sonya at whatever Tom said. We called Brittany to tell her about our upcoming wedding plans. However, Crystal broke down when Britt answered the phone asking if she was okay. This led to a long conversation that had both women crying and vowing to never let anything come between them again. After they dried their tears, we filled her in about the wedding and she insisted that she'd meet us there. When I found out she was with the Townsends, who I met when I was working on the case in Kansas City, I knew once she told them about me getting married that one of them would be coming with her.

Seeing it was Tom had a groan coming out of me. I knew this would not end well. He would say something that would make me want to either question that he really came from his parents, or knock him on his ass. His parents should have had his DNA tested to make sure he wasn’t swapped at birth. But then Cole comes to mind, and I question if they should just test the whole family for mental disorders.

After that, we called Angela and Curt, who insisted on coming from Nebraska. Angela just gave birth to little Michael about three weeks ago and I was concerned if it was wise for them to travel. But she assured me they would take a train and her mom, Tonie, would come with them so she could help with Michael.

Jumping up from the table, I nod at Mari letting her know she’s officially on Mads duty, and turn to go and save my wife from the shit show that’s all Tom.

“Legs, are you ready to go to the hotel?” I murmur into her ear.

The need to take her upstairs and consummate this marriage is consuming me so bad that I’m finding it hard to not throw her over my shoulder. My body’s kicking my ass for telling her no sex before marriage. I’m not the smartest person at times . . . that time being one of them.

“Yes,” she hisses when I nip her neck just behind her ear. “I wouldn’t be this sexually frustrated if you would’ve just fucked me by now.” she quietly snaps at me.

Her cheeks turn red when Brittany starts humming I Can’t Get No Satisfaction letting her know her comment didn’t go unheard. Hearing this causes Tom to start singing it at the top of his lungs, doing hip twerking movements and all.

“Fucking get me out of here, I want to consummate my marriage without an audience,” Crystal groans against my dress shirt. My cock goes rock hard. It’s time to make this marriage real in every way. The thought of consummating our marriage on divorce papers isn’t exactly a sexy thought. Fucking Kai and his stories.