Absolutely Mine

Once that was out of the way and I’d marked her as mine in my way, the cover of Adele’s “Love Song” was next, which was the choice Jilly and I’d agreed upon. Though with tears in her eyes, “Mine” hadn’t been a bad surprise.

Our family joined us and I felt like the luckiest bastard out there.

When Cam cut in, I grudgingly let my brother steal my wife for a second. And only because I trusted him with her. Besides, he was madly in love with his wife and would never do anything I’d have killed him for.

I found my friend staring at the dance floor like he wanted to kill someone.

“Damn, brother,” I said. Wolf was my best friend. I could count on him like I could count on Cam. “Who do you want to kill and where should we hide the body?”

His eyes found mine. “It’s nothing.”

I’d caught sight of who he’d been looking at. I hadn’t met her, though I’d heard her name over the years.

“Is that Beth?” I asked.

His snarled yes was almost indiscernible. I watched as his younger brother danced with Beth the way I’d held Jilly in my arms.

“Are they together?”

His head snapped in my direction. “Hell no. They’re just friends.”

“Are you sure about that?”

She looked happy with him.

“Yes.”

I lifted my hands, knowing Wolf would talk about it only when he was ready.

“Look, I thought about your offer.”

When I’d invited him, he told me he was making a run for public office, though he had grander plans for the future. He wanted me to join his campaign.

“Yeah, what’s your answer?”

“I can’t. Not now anyway.” My business was still recovering from all the press I’d gotten. The last thing Wolf needed was for me to be involved. Besides, he lived in Washington, DC. Jilly wouldn’t want to leave her mother and sister. “But maybe Jilly can help you with your marketing campaign.”

That was something she could do from afar.

My bride showed up then. Since Wolf had arrived late the night before, I hadn’t formally introduced them.

“Jillian, you remember Wolf. He was the guy who came to the door the first night we were married.”

She held out a hand and Wolf’s sly gaze perused her. If I didn’t know him as well as I did, I would have taken that as a move. But his eyes only stayed on her long enough to greet her with a hug.

“You can always change your mind,” he teased.

My wife was perceptive. “Oh, I’m pretty sure you’re taken,” she joked.

His eyes found his prey as his brother continued to dance with the one woman I’d ever seen Wolf give two shits about.

“I was just telling Wolf here that maybe you could help him with his campaign.”

Wolf was half-listening but nodded. “Maybe we could talk next week if you’re interested,” he said.

Her jaw dropped. “Really?” Her eyes found mine and it was hard not to offer her the world, because I would give her anything she wanted as she mouthed I love you.

“Excuse me, Wolf. I’m taking my wife upstairs.”

He turned, amused. “Of course, you are. Who cares about the toast and all the other formalities?”

I laughed. “Exactly. Make my excuses.”

Then I led my bride out of the ballroom.

“Where are we going?”

“Upstairs.” I kissed her swiftly before leading her to the elevator.

Damn, that was tempting. I wondered how much it would cost me to get the hotel staff to take a blind eye to the elevator stuck between floors if I pushed the emergency button. I wasn’t entirely sure that would work.

“Oh no, you don’t,” Jilly said, giggling. “Not going to happen.”

“Well, let me tell you what’s going to happen.”

“What’s that?” she asked, having no fucking clue how hard I was and her teasing me with her lip caught between her teeth was going to be my undoing.

“I’m going to get you upstairs, cue up the original version of Bazzi’s ‘Mine,’ and make good on every word.”

“Yours?”

God, I loved this woman. Sexy as hell in nothing and in everything.

“Absolutely mine!”