Finding His Mate (Bare Bites #3) - Mila Crawford Page 0,20

that practically dragged me here.” She placed a soft kiss at the corner of my lips.

“I just hate this fucking suit. And standing up in front of people.” I growled as I tugged on the tie again.

“Only for a few minutes, then some pictures, and you can take it off for the reception.”

“Kay.” I dipped my head and pressed her lips to mine in a kiss. I thrust my tongue in her mouth, tasting her, and reminding her that she was mine. For-fucking-ever.

“See you up there, gorgeous.” I stood for a long moment at the door, taking her in, thinking how fucking lucky I’d been to find her. And how fucking lucky that she’d found me that day, was more like it. She’d saved my ass in more ways than that one since then.

I owed her a helluva lot--I owed her my life.

I held Shayla in my arms as we swayed on the dance floor later that night. The wedding had gone off without a hitch, with most of the people I’d grown up with there to celebrate with us. The ceremony and reception were outside, in the park just off from the base of the mountain where the river slipped along the shoreline, just where we’d gone skinny-dipping that day, right at the center, where so much of our romance had played out.

My sister, LIv, had proven to be an essential component to our wedded bliss thus far--her event planning skills had blown everyone away. When the sun had gone down, the crickets had come alive, and soft piano music and fairy lights decorated the woods like an enchanted forest. Picture perfect for us.

Now we stood swaying to a song that I’d never heard before, but one that Shayla had insisted on. I indulged her, because she made me so fucking happy I owed her everything. Although now, as I listened to the words, I understood why she’d chosen it. She was my entire fucking heart and sometimes it did feel like the waves were crashing and the stars were falling all for us. I would never let her fall. I would be there for her forever. She was telling me through the lyrics that I would always be the one, even if saving each other had nearly cost us everything. The words tore through me, sent shockwaves straight to my heart.

I pulled her tighter against me, engulfed her with my body, scented her strawberry hair and reassured myself she was here, this was real, and we were each other’s forever. The song ended and another started.

“Can I cut in?” A familiar voice asked.

“Gavin,” I nodded, “thank you for today. It means the world to both of us, not only that you and Mia were here, but that you could walk Shayla down the aisle when Aydin wasn't able to make it.”

“I would have been a mess without you,” Shayla said. “After my dad passed, I couldn’t imagine getting married without him to walk me down the aisle--but today...was perfect.”

Gavin nodded, wiping a tear from his own eye before taking my love in his arms and replying: “The pleasure has been all mine. There was a time I thought Brett was lost to his pack, but it took you to bring him back home. Your parents would be proud of the young women you turned into.”

“Oh, Gavin,” Liza slipped a hand in her husband’s then. “Let the two of them go, would you? I'm sure they want to get the honeymoon started. Plus, I want a spin on the dance floor with my mate. It’s not every day I get to see you in a suit and tie.”

Gavin nodded at Shayla once, before taking Liza in his arms and spinning her off on the dance floor.

“They’re enchanting.”

“You're enchanting.” I husked, curling her waist with my hands. “And she’s right, let’s get out of here. I need a taste of my new wife.”

“You filthy animal, you.” She batted me away with a hand, but I caught it, dropping a kiss on top of the sparkling new diamond on her ring finger.

“Filthy as always for you, baby, filthy as always. Mmm, so I finally have my wife to myself for a change?” We slipped into the shadowy oak trees that towered over the river and shielded us from the group.

“I’m in high demand these days, what can I say?” Her sweet little lips pursed, making me want to sink my teeth into those plush pillows and taste.

“Got to fight to have