Eve smiled. “Since you put it so beautifully.” She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. “I love you, Beck. I want to marry you for you. Keeping your crazy grandfather from gifting his fortune to Save the Hyenas is just a side bonus.” She went on tiptoes and kissed him. “But I do have to say that I love you even more for wanting to help so many children.”
He ran his hands down her back and pulled her flush against him. “You might say there are a lot of reasons to love me.”
“You might, but you might also say you’re an overconfident hockey star who needs some humbling.” He grinned, making his appealing dimples deepen. She loved that she could turn to teasing with him so quickly. Her confidence was restored and she knew without a doubt she could trust Beck, he would love her completely, and she was right where she should be… in his arms.
“I can see that,” he said. “Do you know anyone who could humble me?”
“Paisley. She’ll put you right in your place. Or Rachel’s pretty good at it too.”
He laughed and kissed her. Softly at first but the need she felt for him and how much she’d missed him had her pressing even closer to him and deepening the kiss. Her mouth and head filled up with delicious tingles.
When Beck pulled back, he said, “I want to adopt Paisley. What do you think of that?”
She blinked quickly but again had no way to hide the emotion. Beck wouldn’t care. He’d love her weepy and tired or happy and radiant. Right now she was weepy, happy, and so in love. “I think she’ll be thrilled, and you’ll be the best dad in the world.”
“What about the best husband in the world?”
She shrugged. “We’ll see about that one.”
“Let me see if I can convince you.” He dipped her back and kissed her passionately.
“Okay you two, your time’s up.” Caleb’s voice interrupted their kissing. “Are we truly having a wedding today or calling it and getting some food? I missed lunch because Rachel demanded I come hungry and promised me the ‘most incredible food ever’. Or are you two just going to make out all afternoon?”
Beck lifted her upright and winked. “I guess if we get married we’ll get unlimited make-out time.”
“For sure.” Caleb agreed. “Em, Krew, and I won the bet and we get to keep Paisley for two weeks while you two go to Luke’s exclusive island retreat in the Caribbean.”
Eve blew out a breath. “Wow. Unlimited make-out time in the Caribbean. It’s a pretty good selling point.” She winked at Beck. “I guess I will marry you after all.”
Beck chuckled, swept her off her feet, and carried her toward her family and his grandfather. “Did I tell you yet how beautiful you look in this dress?”
“No, sir, you didn’t.” She clung to his neck, grinning like a fool.
Everyone started clapping, cheering, and whistling as they approached. Especially when Caleb announced with both fists in the air, “They’re going to get married!”
Beck set her on her feet in front of the preacher and the beautiful wedding backdrop, keeping one arm around her lower back. He leaned in close. “You look beautiful,” he said.
“You already said that,” she whispered back.
“I want to kiss you and never stop,” he murmured against her ear.
“I don’t think you said that,” she whispered back.
“Shh, I’m trying to listen to our wedding vows,” he said in her ear.
Eve laughed so loud the preacher stopped talking. He smiled at them benevolently and said, “Is this going to be one of those weddings?”
“The one where I keep interrupting the vows to kiss my bride?” Beck asked.
The preacher winked and gestured. “If you must.”
“Oh, I must.” Then Beck was kissing her and thankfully everyone seemed so thrilled for their happiness that they didn’t interrupt that kiss or the half a dozen other kisses that they stopped the vows for. Eve had never been so happy.
* * *