Just as the music began, I heard a few sniffles and knew it was Mom and Anya. But it was the raspy groan that had my eyes lifting and locking with Ryan’s dark gaze. He looked amazing in his dark suit with his hair pushed back from his face. His strong jaw was clenched, his nostrils flaring as he drank in the sight of me in the borrowed wedding dress like a man dying of thirst.
My lack of nervousness suddenly made sense. What was there to be anxious about when I was only moments away from marrying my best friend? The boy who’d always loved and protected me at all costs. My heart filled with so much happiness that it was too much to contain, and tears filled my eyes.
Ryan saw them, and I watched through blurry eyes as he swallowed with difficulty just as Garret and Cali reached him. My brother stepped up beside him, while Cali moved off to the side, waiting for me, but my gaze stayed locked on my groom.
I felt like I was floating as we finally started to walk forward. There was no aisle, just a cluster of chairs placed off to the side where our parents, Maria, and Guzman sat with a few of the other gua
rds. Mom and Anya sat side by side, clutching hands as Dad took mine from his arm and placed it in Ryan’s.
The tremble in Ryan’s fingers didn’t go unnoticed, but the moment my palm touched his, every muscle in his body seemed to relax. He tugged me into his arms and pressed a kiss to the center of my forehead. With his lips still touching my skin, he growled, “Begin,” to the priest.
I fought a smile as the poor man stumbled through the ceremony. The entire time, Ryan barely allowed an inch to separate us. I could feel all the eyes on us, but my gaze stayed glued to Ryan. My tears kept falling, but I didn’t even care. Happy tears were the best kind of tears.
Ryan didn’t seem to think so, though, because his jaw grew tenser and tenser with each drop that spilled over my lashes.
My voice shook as I spoke my vows, and he began to tremble. I clutched at his hands, letting him know everything he’d ever wished for was coming true. This was our day. Even though we’d belonged to each other from the moment we met as children, now we were legally and spiritually bound together.
His vows came out choked, his eyes begging me for something I didn’t understand, but I gave him a smile, letting him know, whatever it was, I’d give him. Rings were produced and blessed, and we said our “I do’s” as we slid them onto each other’s fingers. I didn’t know where they had come from and mine was a little too big, but I was just glad to have the small band.
When his ring covered up my name on his finger, I shook my head and pulled it off again, placing it instead on the opposite hand. “I’d rather see this tattoo than you wear a ring. It makes you mine more than a little circle of gold.”
He didn’t complain, but he lifted my left hand to his lips and kissed the ring he’d placed there, waiting for the priest to pronounce us husband and wife.
The moment the words left the man’s mouth, Ryan grasped my hips. It was second nature for me to wrap my legs around his waist. I combed my fingers through the hair at the back of his neck, and I angled my head, ready for our first kiss as a married couple.
His lips barely grazed mine, but that gentle contact took my breath away. It was over far too soon, but the banked hunger I saw in his gaze told me he was barely holding on. I grinned, knowing that as soon as we were alone, he was going to lose control again. I loved sweet and tender Ryan, but when he was out of control, it drove me wild.
“We don’t have to wait around for cake,” I murmured, tracing my thumb over his bottom lip. “I heard Anya telling Mom earlier that one of the jets was ready and waiting for us. I don’t know where we’re going, but all I really need is a bed and lots of privacy.”
“I never canceled the villa in Fiji that I reserved for our honeymoon,” he said gruffly. “I’d had it reserved for the past year and couldn’t bring myself to cancel the reservation.”
“Nice,” I purred, nuzzling my lips against his neck. “Grab the bags, and let’s go.”
“The bags are already in the car.” He clenched his hands on my hips.
“Then why aren’t we already walking to the car?” I breathed at his ear, making him shudder.
“Because I’m trying to get control of myself so I can walk.” His answer made me giggle, and he groaned as if in physical pain. “That is my favorite sound in the world. I’ve missed it so fucking much, baby.”
I lifted my head just enough to meet his gaze. “I promise you will hear it every day for the rest of our lives.”
His dark eyes were tormented. “Are you happy, my heart?”
The question surprised the hell out of me. “Ryan, this is the happiest day of my life. I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. How could I not be happy?”
“Earlier—”
I covered his mouth with my hand. “I was just worried this wasn’t going to be perfect for you. I don’t want you to have regrets. Ciana isn’t—”
“I don’t want to talk about her,” he cut me off, his face going blank at the mention of her name.
“But—”
“No. This is our day, and I’m not going to spend it thinking about her.” He pushed a few strands of hair that had fallen from my braid back from my face. “I love you, Nova.”
All thoughts of Ciana fled for the moment at those words. “I thought…” I licked my lips. “I thought you were punishing me by not saying that last night or today.”
His brows pinched together. “I haven’t said it?” I shook my head, unable to speak through the lump filling my throat. “Fuck, baby. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hold back the words. I’ve said them a hundred times in my head since I first saw you last night.”