“So this is real, right?” she asked, her voice hesitant.
“Do you mean to tell me you don’t know if it’s real, even though you just married me in front of my whole family?”
“I know we were supposed to do that. That was part of the deal.”
“Becca, the deal went out the window a long time ago. If you think I’m giving you up ten months from now, you’re sorely mistaken. I’m keeping you even when we’re old and saggy and...”
“You can’t get it up anymore?”
I laughed. “That’ll never happen. I’ll probably go to my grave with a hard-on.”
Her happy giggle nearly did me in. “You know, you’re probably right.”
“You’re mine. I made you a promise ‘til death.”
“Well, I guess I better legally change my name then.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. I like the way Becca Savage sounds.”
“So do I. You know,” I whispered, nuzzling her neck. “It’s been very hard for me to see you in that dress and not be able to do anything about how much I like it.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes. Do you think they’d notice if we snuck away?”
“I think that’s our prerogative. We are the bride and groom, and it is technically our wedding night. I believe consummation is required to make this legally binding or some archaic rule like that.”
“I think you might be right. Should we go back to the room and consummate, wife?”
“Yes, we definitely should, husband.”
BECCA
We consummated, all right. We consummated all night long.
When we got back to the hotel, the first time was fiery and frenzied, but the next few times, it turned reverent, tender, loving. He worshiped me. It was such a strange feeling to know that we were together. Really, truly together. And that I didn’t have to worry. He was mine and no one else’s. If I had any doubts about his commitment, they were cast aside when he said his vows to me. He was breathtaking in that moment. Then when his grandfather took me out onto the dance floor the way he did and gave me the father-daughter dance I would never have, there was nothing I could have done to stop the tears that spilled out of my eyes as we danced.
Aside from his father, Taylor’s family were wonderful, amazing people from what I could tell. I didn’t want to leave, but our time here was coming to a close. No matter how much I wanted to stay in our happy little bubble of love, we had to go back to the real world. We had to be adults who returned to our jobs and couldn’t just spend every moment of the day basking in each other’s arms. Normal life meant obstacles, challenges, and stressful things. Things I knew I could easily end a relationship. I didn’t want that for Taylor and me. We’d have to deal with issues like the press, the fans, or life in general, but ignoring it wouldn’t be the answer either.
I didn’t think anyone went into a marriage hoping it would end. Except for us. That was exactly what we’d done. Given ourselves a solid end date. An out.
I forced myself not to think of all the ways this could go wrong and instead focused on what I had right now. New love, new family. We were in this together. He’d said as much, and I believed him.
I had woken up sticky, and no matter how sexy he said I was, there was a line, and this was one I didn’t want to cross. So I got up and padded into the bathroom, leaving him softly snoring in the bed. My muscles were deliciously sore; I was swollen and aching between my thighs, and just the thought of him made me wet.
How could I want him again so soon after the last time? But I did. I was ready to go. Ready for him to take me again. I scrubbed myself clean, the scent of lemongrass and sage waking me up. The bright bite of citrus energized me, and I began humming to myself softly, slowly dancing under the spray of water. As I scrubbed my hair and then rinsed it clean, my eyes closed and my body relaxed. I’d never been this happy. And then large, warm palms cupped my breasts. I groaned as I opened my eyes to see Taylor standing in the shower with me, tattoos running the length of his torso on full display. I wanted to lick them. Trail them with my tongue.
“What are you doing in here?”
“I thought you might want some help.”
“I don’t think you’ll be helpful. I think you’ll distract me.”
He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to mine. “That’s the idea. Let me distract you.”
He kissed me. Parting my lips, he slid his tongue inside, and I sucked on it, making him groan. There was nothing I loved more than the sound of his needy groans.