“How lucky am I to call you mine? Your love for me and trust in me make me a better person daily. You’re everything I never knew I needed and fill a void in me I never knew existed. You were there for my darkest moments. You believed in me when I didn’t. When I was spiraling out of control, you grounded me. Because of you, I know I am enough. I know I am worthy, wanted, and loved—and I can’t wait to make sure you know the same, day in and day out, for the rest of our lives. I love you, Mateo, and I am proud to call you my husband.”
After we exchange rings and the officiant prays over us, the moment I’ve been waiting for is finally here. “By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may now kiss the bride.”
Mateo wraps an arm around my waist, pulls me flush against him, and kisses me like his very existence depends on it. Cupping my cheek with his free hand, he moves his lips against mine in a sensuous dance. This kiss is not only a sealing of our marriage, but a promise of what’s to come.
We part—reluctantly—and are introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Reyes. Butterflies fill me at the sound, their wings flapping at warp-speed.
“I love you, Mrs. Reyes,” Mateo whispers, clasping his hand in mine for our walk down the aisle as husband and wife.
“What a beautiful ceremony,” Letty says, the second we reach the end of the aisle.
“Thank you,” I reply, knowing good and well she wanted us to marry in the church.
“It was no St. Peters, but still, very lovely.”
Mateo nods, his lips twitching with a barely suppressed smile. “Thank you, Mamá.”
“And thank you for allowing us to use your yard,” I tack on.
“Of course.” My mother-in-law grins. “Now, come, let us celebrate your union.”
The next several house pass in a blur of toasts, well wishes, dancing, and mingling, until finally only a few stragglers are left.
I try and help with the cleanup, desperate to get my husband alone so I can give him his wedding gift, but Lety isn’t having it.
“You two go; we have this under control,” she says, shooing us out the door.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue, but Mateo doesn’t need to be told twice.
I can’t help but admire his profile as he drives. He’s so insanely handsome—and so totally mine. He takes notice and entwines our hands together and tugs my hand close enough to kiss.
His lips fuel the burning need within me to make this marriage extra official.
“Let me check us in,” he murmurs, idling the truck in front of the hotel entrance. I fidget the entire time he’s gone.
He returns, room key in hand and parks the truck. “Stay put,” he commands, causing me to pout.
At my door, he bends and scoops me into his arms. “Mateo,” I squeal, throwing my arms around his neck. “You don’t have to carry me.”
“Yes, I do.”
I squirm in his grasp, but he moves steadily ahead, my pleas falling on deaf ears.
He carries me over the threshold of our room—suite actually—stopping only to secure the door before making determined strides to the bed.
Once I’m on my own two feet, he spins me, so my back is to him. He skims his long fingers over my exposed back before nimbly working free the closure.
I love a man with a purpose. And right now, that purpose is getting this dress off as quickly as possible.
I don’t know why I’m nervous, but I can’t help the little flutters of anticipation running through me. Mateo takes his time, helping me onto the bed before worshiping every inch of skin he reveals until I’m wearing nothing but the special pale blue lingerie I purchased specifically for tonight.
“Dios mio,” he groans, slowly running his hands up my body. “You are a vision.” He leans down to place a gentle kiss on my soft swell of my belly. “And all mine.”
I try to sit up, needing to even the clothing score, but he refuses. Instead, I’m gifted with my own private strip show. I’m practically drooling as his suit joins my dress on the floor.
This man is a god. My god.
“Is it crazy that I’m nervous?” I ask in a quiet voice.
“Not at all.” He hovers above me, careful not to put too much pressure on my stomach. “But this is only the beginning.”
Whatever nerves I had disappear in