Crash Into Me - L.A. Fiore Page 0,100

I understand the appeal because this place is amazing.”

I was determined to get those closest to us to move out here, too. Not immediately, but some day, all of us together again. I’d really like that. “You should think about moving here.”

“It’s crossed my mind,” he said

“Yeah? There’s a hospital on the island. You and Sandy, sun, sand.”

Sandy was the nurse who’d cared for him when he’d been shot. He no longer had women coming and going because he’d found the one. “We’ll definitely think about it because she’s loving this place.” He glanced at his watch. “Man of honor duties. Ten minutes,” he said, then added more softly, “You look beautiful, Molly.”

“Don’t make me cry,” I said. “Thanks for being my man of honor.”

“Thanks for asking me.” The door opened, my mom peeked her head in. “I’ll see you out there,” he said as he kissed me, and then kissed my mom, before he disappeared out the door.

“Oh Molly. There has never been a more beautiful bride.” She touched a strand of hair that had fallen from my knot. “I don’t have to ask if you’re happy because I can see you are. I’ve never seen you so happy. And that man out there would move heaven and earth for you. He would pull down the moon if you wanted it. Hold on with both hands, Molly. Life is a rollercoaster, as you well know, but the ride is so much sweeter when you have someone to ride it with.”

I started to cry; she did, too. Then we hugged. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too.”

Dad walked into the room. He kissed Mom, before she left, then turned his attention on me.

“You’re not my little girl anymore.”

I felt a new wave of tears burning my eyes. “I’ll always be your little girl.”

“You’ve grown into a beautiful, strong woman. It’s not easy for a father to give his daughter away because there is no man who will ever be good enough for her, but Kade is as close as a man can come.”

“Oh, Dad.” The tears fell again.

“I love you, Molly.”

“I love you.”

Dad wiped at his eyes, then offered his arm. “We should go. Your future husband is getting impatient.”

I reached for my bouquet of white peonies and took his arm.

The wedding was on our beach. White chairs were setup right on the sand. Dad and I reached the patio; my heart was like a jackhammer behind my ribs. We stepped outside, the steel drum music started. People stood. I didn’t see anyone but Kade. Standing at the end of the aisle, he was dressed in a linen suit and white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and his feet were bare. The breeze off the water stirred his hair; those eyes I loved were burning into mine. The distance closed, and then he was there, taking my hand from my dad, holding it so tightly in his. I didn’t hear the words from the minister, I didn’t remember saying my vows, but I remembered slipping my ring on his finger, remembered him slipping his ring on mine, and then he framed my face with his hands. In that moment, it was just the two of us, the world faded.

“Every breath, every beat…yours forever,” he whispered.

“Forever,” I whispered back.

And then, my husband kissed me.

It was late. Our friends and family had all retired to the hotel. As soon as the guests left, Kade brought me to our bed and fucked me hard and fast and then loved me slow and gentle.

We were in the kitchen. Salem was on the counter eating some grilled fish we put aside for him. I was in Kade’s shirt, on the counter, drinking a lava flow. Kade was in sweats feeding me grapes. I couldn’t stop looking at his hand and the ring, a simple platinum band.

I touched it. “I love this,” I said, my gaze lifting. “Mine.”

He kissed me, ran his tongue over my lips, and then reached for my hand that wore his rings, the diamond and a simple platinum band. He kissed them. “Mine.”

“That first day when I walked into your office, did you think we’d find ourselves here?”

“On some level, yeah.” He walked to a drawer and pulled something out. It was my business card.

“You kept it?” My heart did a long slow roll.

“You left my office, and I felt like I’d just been in a hit and run.” He dropped his hands on the counter on either side of me. “Two