She laughs as she wraps her arms around him. “Yeah, well, Zach wouldn’t let me read his speech beforehand, so I knew I had to go big or go home to top whatever epicness he had planned.”
I love the bond they have together. My brother closes the distance between us and pulls me into him. I wrap my arms gently around his waist, making sure not to move Emme, who is sleeping peacefully. I take one hand and brush the curls out of her face and press a soft kiss to her temple.
My life feels complete.
I watch my bride on the dance floor, smiling and laughing as she dances. I needed a break, so I am enjoying the quiet of our table while everyone else is elsewhere. The seat next to me slides out, and I am greeted with eyes similar to mine.
“Hey, Mom.”
She reaches over, grabbing my hand. “Enjoying your day?”
“Of course. I think I might definitely crash hard later tonight.” I leave out the part where I plan to after making love to my wife for hours.
“It was a beautiful wedding and a wonderful reception. That dance was something else, Ky.” She laughs.
It was. I think Dani was surprised, as well as our other guests.
“You’ve been quiet today. Everything okay?” I ask.
She pats my hand.
“Of course, I’m just taking it all in. I just can’t believe that my baby boy is all grown up and married.” She chokes out her words.
“Aww, Mom.” I pull her into a hug. “I’m twenty-seven; I think I’m not a baby boy anymore.”
She smacks my chest, laughing. “You will always be my baby boy, Kyler Christopher Lawson. When you are a father one day, you will understand.” She grows silent. “I just wish your father were here to see the man you’ve become.”
I pull her tighter into my arms, feeling the same way. Before we can continue the conversation, the music fades, and the DJ walks out from behind his booth.
“If I could have everyone clear the dance floor for me,” the DJ announces as he places a chair in the center of the dance flo
or. “Dani, Kyler, you are being summoned up front here.”
I kiss my mom’s cheek before rising from my chair. I join Dani where she stands and clasp my fingers through hers and lead her to the chair.
“Dani, I need you to take a seat, and Kyler, you stand over there.”
Dani fluffs out her dress as she sits in the chair, waiting for me to make my way over to her and feel my way up her dress. It’s the garter removal, of course, but while I’m up there I might need to have dessert early.
The sounds of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” plays through the speakers, and the hoots and hollers from the crowd cheer me on.
I lock eyes with my bride, and she throws her head back in laughter at my attempt at eye-fucking her in front of her family. Just in front of her, I wink before unbuttoning my vest, doing my best at a striptease. I cup her cheeks and claim her mouth in an anything-but-subtle kiss. When we break apart, her eyes are glazed over and cheeks flushed. I slide down her body, mouthing the lyrics to her.
I get down on one knee in front of her and slowly begin to trail my hands up her silky-smooth skin along her legs, applying the right amount of pressure to give her an idea of what’s in store for later.
I lift the material of her dress, just enough to duck my head underneath. Oh man, I could totally have some fun under here, but I remember my task at hand. I massage her legs, up her thighs, and trail kisses in their wake. I wish I could see her face right now. The blue lace garter is just above her knee in the middle of her thigh. I see it with the silver cursive of my last name—our last name.
A tap on the top of my head through the dress tells me I need to hurry this up. I grip the lace with my teeth and slowly drag it down her leg. When I emerge with it still in my mouth, the crowd’s cheering grows. I swing it over my head as I close the distance, kissing her one last time before rising to my feet.
I run my fingers over the lace and more importantly the name on it.
Dani stands in front of me and wraps her arms around my neck. “You like that? Haylee gave it to me this morning.”
“I love it! The girl has good taste.”
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I think it got a little hotter in here.” The DJ fans himself dramatically.
Dani buries her head in my chest, but I can feel her body vibrate with laughter.