Wheels of Fire
“I’m not worried about that. I’m just so happy to see you.”
Chaser
Alvin, Audrey, Doug, the officiant, a discreet photographer, and I are the only ones on the beach.
The crashing ocean and my pounding heart provide the only soundtrack I need. The setting sun turns the sky vibrant shades of pink and purple, the perfect backdrop.
No one needs to nudge me when Mallory arrives. Her magnetic pull is enough to turn my head as she glides down the simple sandy path lined with big green palm fronds and plump red flowers. She’s an image from my dreams. Simple white two-piece bathing suit, with straps crisscrossing under her breasts and pink ribbons tied into little bows at her hips. Pink and purple flowers at her ankles, wrists, and tucked behind her ear. A small bouquet of matching island flowers is clutched in her hands. Pure love curves her lips and shines in her blue eyes when she reaches me. I extend my hand and she twines her fingers in mine. Together, we face the officiant.
“Welcome, friends. We’re here today to celebrate the marriage of Mallory and Russell. Marriage is one of the greatest blessings and challenges of human relationships. Only through love, patience, dedication, and perseverance can two people create a marriage. I am here to help you affirm the choice you have both made to spend your lives together as husband and wife.”
“Thank you,” Mallory whispers.
He nods to her. “I understand you both have personal vows you’d like to recite.”
“We do.” I pull the slip of paper from my pocket although, I probably have the words branded into my soul, I’ve gone over them so many times.
“Mallory, you’re the strength I didn’t know I needed in my life and the happiness I didn’t realize I was missing. No matter what challenges life throws at us, I promise to always protect you, cherish you, and to love you for the woman you are today and the woman you’ll become.” I take a breath. My body’s coiled tight, my voice hoarse with emotion and the most important parts are still to come. “I pledge to always nurture your dreams and help you reach them. My whole heart, my body, and soul are yours. My love for you is never-ending. I am honored to be your husband. To be by your side for the rest of my life.”
Mallory
I’m a blubbering mess by the time Chaser finishes his beautiful pledges. His dark eyes reflect nothing but honesty and devotion when I peer up at him. He takes a deep breath and releases it slowly, gently rubbing the pads of his thumbs over my hands.
“Mallory? Do you have vows you’ve written as well?” the officiant asks.
“Oh! Yes.” I slip the piece of paper out from under the ribbon holding my bouquet together.
I’m so overcome with emotion, I have to blink and silently read my vows several times. It’s not like I memorize lines for a living or anything. But these words are the most important I’ll ever speak. I need the extra second to compose myself.
“Chaser, you love me and complete me in ways I never imagined were possible. You have held my hand through my biggest challenges, encouraging me to grow, and believe in myself. For as long as I live, I pledge to always support you, inspire you, and love you. I will celebrate your successes and mourn your failures as if they were my own. Together, anything is possible. I am so proud to choose you to be my husband, my one and only, today and for the rest of my life.”
“Thank you,” he whispers, pulling me just a bit closer.
“Russell Everett Adams, do you take Mallory Angelina DeLova to be your wife?”
He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he answers, “I do.”
“Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, until death parts you?”
“I do.”
“And, Mallory, do you take Russell to be your husband?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and support him, forsaking all others, until death do you part?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Do you have rings to exchange?”
“I do!” I carefully work the knot holding Chaser’s ting to my bouquet loose. He raises his eyebrow when I hold out the ring. “I know you wanted…” I trace my fingers over his knuckles. “But I had to give you something today,” I whisper.
He stares down at the polished platinum band. “When did you…?”
“A while ago.”
The officiant clears his throat. I guess we’ve gone rogue.
“Mallory and Chaser will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment to one another.”
Chaser pulls a small blue velvet box out of his pocket, leaving it closed. He’s probably as worried about dropping it in the sand as I am.
“Your rings are a circle—a symbol of your never-ending love for one another.”
“Chaser, please place your ring on Mallory’s left hand and repeat after me.”
I don’t process the few short lines Chaser repeats. I’m too dazzled by the slender, sparkling diamond band Chaser slides down my bare left ring finger.
Then, it’s my turn. I hold out the ring I fell in love with the first time I visited Cartier and slip it on Chaser’s finger.
He’s all mine.
I’m so happy, laughter and tears flow together. A pleasant buzzing in my ears almost drowns out the last lines of the ceremony.
“Love will make your relationship work. Trust that you always want what’s best for each other. Remember to learn and grow together. Remain loyal to one another in times of uncertainty. And now by the power vested in me by the state of Hawaii, it is my honor to declare you husband and wife. Go forth and hold true to your journey together.” He winks at Chaser. “You may kiss your bride.”
“Finally.” Chaser swoops in, coiling his arms around me, and sealing his mouth against mine.
I curl my toes in the soft, warm sand, still trying to convince myself this is real and not a dream. “I love you so much,” I whisper against his lips. “Thank you.”
“You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
Chapter Sixty-Six
Chaser
After a simple island dinner on the beach with our friends, I finally have my bride all to myself.
“You know I’ve been dying to peel that suit off you all day?”
After the ceremony, she tossed on some sort of see-through beach cover-up over the suit. It just made me want to rip off everything even more.
Inside our room, I don’t bother flicking on the lamp. Mallory leads me onto the patio leading to our private piece of beach. Together, we dance under the light of the moon. The humidity and sea breeze coating our skin.
“You feel good in my arms, Mrs. Adams,” I whisper.
She answers with a happy noise. My hands slip on her slick skin, brushing against the ties holding her top together. I tug at the knot. “Let’s go inside.”
I stop her on the patio, eyeing the wicker chair-swing dangling in the corner. A perfect egg-shaped nest for my little dove. It instantly inspires a dozen dirty ideas. “Come here.”
I leave her standing there for a second, while I duck into our room to grab a towel to spread over the cushion.
“Come sit.” I hold the swinging chair steady while she lifts herself into the seat, then release it to gently sway side to side.
“I think it’s big enough for two.” She reaches out her hand to me.
“Not for what I have planned.”
I kneel down in front of her and finally get my fingers on the pink ribbons at her hips. “These have been fucking with me since you walked down the aisle,” I mutter, working the left one loose and then the right.
Her soft laughter floats away on the ocean breeze.
“Spread your legs.”
Almost shyly, she parts her thighs. Not enough. I grasp one foot, lifting and bracing it against the outer edge of the swing. Getting the idea, she lifts her other leg, leaving her wide open and bare to my hungry gaze.
I sit back on my heels. “Fuck, that’s nice. We need one of these at home
.”
Slow enough to drive me insane, she brings her fingers to her mouth and licks, then slides them over her perfect, pink pussy. “Mmm. We could hang it facing the front door and I could greet you like this every night when you come home,” she purrs.
“We should’ve added that to our vows.” I’m hypnotized, watching as she lazily keeps sliding two fingers through her wetness.
“Chaser?”
“Huh?”
“Are you planning to help me out here?”
I flick my gaze up to her teasing smile. “I’m enjoying the show.”
She reaches for me with her free hand, curling one finger to beckon me closer. I grab the bottom edge of the swing, pushing it away. A surprised hiss of breath escapes her soft pink lips as the chair sways back and forth. I could listen to her make that little noise all night.
Each time she swings forward, I plant a kiss—on her inner thigh, behind her knee, whatever part comes closest. I finally stop the chair’s movement and drag it closer. I take her hand and suck her fingers into my mouth.
“My wife tastes like heaven.”
“Your wife wants her husband to fuck her.”
“What a filthy mouth you have.” I slide the pad of my middle finger against her entrance, slicking her wetness up to her clit and slowly circling it.
She leans forward, watching as I lick and kiss her pussy.