Six months ago, I was terrified for my life. Scared. Cowardly. I was afraid of everything and everyone, and trust didn’t come easily, but then Maddo
x Blake came striding into my life, acting like he knew it was where he belonged, and he stayed.
And he won me over.
And I can’t imagine my life without him.
I don’t want to imagine my life without him.
“You make a beautiful groom, Maddox Queen,” I tease him, and he laughs.
“Baby, for you, I’ll be whoever you want me to be.”
“I just want you,” I whisper.
“I know, sweetie, I know.”
He kisses me, and my entire world feels right. Our guests fade from my mind as wrap my arms tighter around his neck, kiss him even more sweetly. Our song plays over the speakers and Maddox and I dance like the night has no end because our journey together is only just beginning.
June
I’ve never seen Piper look so happy. She’s smiling and laughing, and Maddox is staring at her like she’s the most beautiful creature he’s ever laid eyes on. Something tells me it’s true. Something tells me that these two are going to last forever: an eternity. They have their entire futures together, and for them, it’s going to be something beautiful.
They were both lost, both searching, but fate brought them together, and it’s been incredible to see. Oh, their road is going to have its ups and downs, but that’s just life. That’s part of being a couple. The question is whether two people are willing to work through those hard times, and something tells me that Maddox and Piper are. They’re not going to give up.
Those two are forever.
Now that Maddox is back on the police force, he’s much happier. He’s excited to talk about his job, and although he still works security for me at the club from time to time, he’s been busy with his position at the force. He even managed to get paired up with his old partner, so life is looking up for Maddox.
And Piper, beautiful Piper.
She’s still the incredible tech girl I first met years ago, but she’s different now. She’s determined and brave like she always was, but now she has the peace of a woman who knows she is truly loved and cared for. She is truly, totally protected, and Piper is at peace.
It’s beautiful.
I manage to pull my eyes from the happy couple. They decided to have their wedding reception on the ship, which is a huge honor. Yeah, we had to put away a lot of the whips and chains and floggers to make it family-friendly enough for their grandmothers to come in, but somehow, we’ve made it work. Somehow, this entire night just feels right.
Grabbing a cloth, I start wiping down the bar. There have been a few spills throughout the night, and I like to keep things neat and orderly as much as possible. While it feels different to be standing back here in my bridesmaid dress instead of a corset and booty shorts, being behind the bar still feels right to me. It’s still where I belong.
I’m not going to give myself a chance to feel proud of everything I’ve accomplished with Anchored. Not right now. Now, my only goal is to make sure everything goes smoothly on Piper and Maddox’s big day. This is it: their wedding day. This is the day they’ve been waiting for, hoping for. This is the day they celebrate everything they’ve been waiting for.
Has it been a short engagement?
Absolutely.
Does that matter?
Not really.
There’s no such thing as a short engagement when you’re in love. After all, why should you wait? Why should you wait to get married? Why should you hold back? Most of us only get one shot. There’s no need to keep the other person waiting, dangling on a thread. Not when you’re ready. Not when you’re in love.
Everyone is dancing and laughing. Most people are drinking. A couple of them are well on their way to drunk, but I’m keeping an eye on them. Me and my security team have got things covered.
And then I do a double take.
Ryder is here.
Ryder: the new guy.