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“Did you think I was playing with you, Wylla Mae? I meant what I said.” I meet her gaze in the mirror as she takes her silver hoop earrings out to get ready for bed.
“Not exactly. You promise there’s only been me since we became involved?”
“How could I want anyone else after having the best? You’re it for me, baby. All I want. All I need.” I get that she needs reassurance after the shit that went down yesterday. Fucking Lynn is dead set on ruining my life. She’s a crazy bitch that I should have cut loose a long damn time ago. That’s my fault but now Wylla Mae is paying the price for my mistakes. I can’t lose her. Not because of Lynn. Wylla Mae saved me when she was still a kid. She may not know that, but I do. After she came into my life, I knew that I’d do anything to give her the world. I never imagined that ten years later we’d be here. I never planned for this to happen. But it did. I won’t take back the way I feel. She makes me feel alive and like I have something worth fighting for.
“I’m the best...out of all the women you’ve been with?”
“No comparison. Your pussy was made for me. Your body and most importantly your heart, were created to be loved and worshipped by one man and that’s me. If I could change one thing it’d only be that you were born twenty years earlier so I could have met you sooner and made you mine.”
“That’s deep.”
“My love for you runs deeper than the bottom of the deep blue sea, baby. I love you more than you know, but I’m going to prove it. Every damn day. Rest of my life I’m going to make it up to you.”
She goes quiet and I know I need to make things right for her. She needs to know Lynn will never come between us.
I find what I’m searching for in my bag and hold the box behind my back. Never thought I’d see the day I’d get on my knees for a woman, but she’s not any woman. No one could ever come close to comparison. Since I made the choice to stop denying myself of her, I’ve not looked at another woman. Not had any desire nor any need to. My Lady is all I need. I don’t know what Lynn expected when she showed up a few days ago claiming she’s having my kid. I told her I want a DNA test. We’ve not been together since I’ve been with Wylla Mae. The timing is bad, but if the kid is mine, I’ll do right by him or her. She says she hasn’t found out the sex of the baby yet. Says she wants it to be a surprise. Told her I’d help pay for her doctor’s visits and if the kid’s mine I’ll handle the hospital bill. What I won’t do is pretend I love her. She always knew the score with me. I was never gonna make her my Old Lady. She was a place filler. It was never about love between us. Was simply passing time. Maybe that makes me a bastard, but I never claimed to be admirable.
“C’mere.”
“I gotta pee.”
“Get over here goddamn it.”
She gives me a funny look but takes the five steps that separate us. “Why are you being all weird?”
“You’re weird. Stand right there.” I nudge her back a step.
“What are you doing?”
“Shh.” I take a deep breath. “No sit there on the edge of the bed.”
“East. What is it?”
Fucking hell, I’ve never done this. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I just know that I want Wylla Mae to be mine in every way possible. “I think I loved you long before I ever met you.” I’m rewarded with her cheeks turning pink. I drop down on one knee.
“Honey, what are—”
I push a finger to her mouth. “As I was saying.” I grin at her. Her doe eyes are big and round, unshed tears glittering in the creases. “I never thought I’d meet someone who’d make me want to settle down, but since the day we met there’s been a connection between us. One I couldn’t explain. One I wouldn’t allow myself to feel for a long time, but I can’t fight nature. I can’t hide the way I feel when I’m with you. Baby, you complete me in ways I never thought possible. I don’t want to go another damn day without you by my side where you belong. Every man needs an exceptional woman and for me that’s you. It’s always been you. I just had to wait for you to catch up to me. I want to bind you to me in every way possible. I’m a selfish bastard, but I promise I’ll always be true to you.”
I produce the black box I had behind my back. “I love you, Wylla Mae Neville. I’m not asking, I’m telling you I’m going to marry you tomorrow.”
“East.” Tears stream down her cheeks. Her mouth claims mine before I can open the box. Wylla Mae throws her arms around me and knocks me on my ass. She pulls back with the cutest smirk on her face. “You honestly wanna marry me?”
“You not been listening?” I chuckle.
“I hear you. Tomorrow?” Her brow shoots up.
“Yeah.” I shift and open the box. “Had this special made for you.”
Her eyes light up taking in the intricate detail on the silver band. It’s diamond encrusted with sunflowers weaved around the yellow diamond in the center. “East, it’s perfect. You’re too good to me. I don’t deserve you.”
“I’m the lucky one.” I slide the ring on her finger.
Wylla Mae holds her hand up studying the way it looks. Her lips stretch into a brilliant smile. “I love it.”
“Good.” I capture that tempting mouth, kissing her soft and slow, drinking her in, intoxicated by Wylla Mae’s happiness. We don’t bother moving to the bed. I roll my girl over and take her right on the floor in front of the fireplace. Roaming her curves, I take my time, tasting and teasing every inch of her body.
My woman’s fingers slide along my neck, tracing the pattern of the ink there. “I love all your ink.”
“I’ve got plenty of it for you to explore.”
Her fingers drift to my chest. “I especially love this one. She taps the sunflower tattoo with her name on the petal.
“Partial to that one myself.” I roll my hips, pressing my dick against her sweet heat. My blood pulses through my veins, heartbeat hammering in my ears. The heat of the fire licks against my back as I guide my way home, rooting myself deep between Wylla Mae’s thighs. Her body rises to meet mine. Our mouths meet briefly, her breath fanning over my lips. I love the sounds she makes. I love the way her fingers bite into my skin when I stroke hard and deep. Nothing better than her sweet pussy squeezing my dick, her walls clenching tight around me.
**
I stand at the front of the chapel wearing this damn suit that makes me feel all itchy and unlike myself, but I want Wylla Mae to look back on this day and know I did it right for her. I know this probably isn’t ideal. She has imagined that this day would be different I am sure. For starters her mother isn’t here. It’s just the two of us, the preacher, and the couple getting married after us serving as our witnesses. All we need is us and for it to be legal.
I will catch hell from Murder for this but Wylla Mae is worth it. I’d move heaven and hell for her. There’s an ache inside me that only she can soothe. The music plays and the door opens revealing my blushing bride. Dressed in a simple white satin dress that hugs her curves with a draping neckline, carrying a bouquet of sunflowers, trimmed with a brown ribbon, she’s picture perfect. A pure dream come true. She’s so damn beautiful I can barely breathe as she walks toward me.
Barely legal. I’ve ruined her just as she’s ruined me. I never knew love could be all consuming but that’s what I have with Wylla Mae. I never even saw her coming with her doe eyes and sassy mouth. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going to love her forever. Till my dying breath, I’ll only ever want her.
Taking her arm, I kiss her cheek, and we stand before the preacher and God declaring our love, promising of forever and a day.
“Do you, Easton Reed, take Wylla Mae Neville, to be your lawful wedded wife? And do you, Wylla Mae Neville take Easton Reed as your lawful wedded husband before God?”
“I do,” we say in unison.
“Then by the power vested in me and the great state of Tennessee, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”
Cupping her face between my hands, I mouth, “I love you.” Wylla Mae smiles and parts her lips. I dip my head and kiss my wife as the couple serving as witness snaps a picture for us.
**
“There’s no going back now,” I murmur and kiss her as I lift her from the cage and carry her toward the cabin.
“East, I can walk.”
“It’s tradition.” I get the door open and turn sideways to cross the threshold with Wylla Mae in my arms. Her feet hit something on the table. I look down and see her purse spilled out on the floor. Three boxes. Three pregnancy tests. “Baby,” I coo, and she struggles against me.
“It’s not mine.”
“Don’t start our marriage with a lie,” I growl at her. “Gonna spank your ass raw for that.”
“I’m sorry.” She grimaces. “It’s just with Lynn. The timing. I didn’t know what to say.”
I sit on the couch keeping a firm hold on her. “Do you know how happy you’ve just made me? Nothing could be better than the thought of you pregnant.”
“I haven’t taken one yet. So...” Her fingers twist together.
I nuzzle her neck and kiss her behind the ear. “So, let’s find out.”
“Right now?”
“Yes, right now.” I squeeze her hip and she gets up looking a little pale. “Don’t be scared. Never with me.”
“I’m just nervous. It’s all so fast. Lynn and now we’re married and this. What if I am pregnant, East?” She bends down to pick up the tests.
“Don’t you want our baby, Wylla Mae?”
Her throat bobs. “I do, it’s just I could be happy waiting a few more years to have it.”
That stings but I don’t take it personal. I know she’s young and had other plans. I did too, but then we happened, and plans change.
“I’m just gonna go get this over with then.” She starts toward the bathroom and I get up to follow her. “What are you doing?” The question comes out in a hiss.
“We’re a team. I am going to be with you every step of the way.”
“I can pee on a stick by myself.”
“I know you can. Don’t be a brat. I’m so damn happy. I don’t want to miss a thing.”
“Whatever.” A giggle leaves her lips and her lips twist into a smile.