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RYAN STOOD AT THE ARCHED canopy in his backyard near the pool, grinning like a fool as the music started. His groomsmen were standing beside him, their friends and family were sitting in white chairs watching, and the back door to his house had just opened.
Sarah’s niece Abby skipped down the aisle in her flower girl outfit, followed by Logan, who was carrying the rings. Bree came next, smiling as she held her bouquet, followed by Morgan, who winked as she got to the canopy.
But his heart pounded and ears thundered as Sarah began to walk toward him. He’d never gotten to see her in her original dress, but she was stunning in this one. It was strapless and ethereal, with the long skirt of it flowing around her as she walked. Her long hair was loose, bouncing around her bare shoulders, and when she beamed as she looked at him, he thought she was the prettiest damn thing he’d ever seen.
He took her arm when she reached him, and he realized that she was trembling.
“Everything okay?” he murmured quietly as they faced the officiant.
“Perfect,” she said, tears smarting her eyes. “This is the happiest day of my life.” She handed her bouquet to Morgan to hold, and then they stood in front of the officiant and God, ready to say their vows.
Ryan had done a lot in his lifetime—gone into combat himself, commanded his SEAL teams from Little Creek. He’d met with Admirals and Generals, but this was by far the best and most important moment of his life.
After a flurry of words from the officiant and underneath the sun-kissed sky, they turned to one another. Holding both her slender hands in his, Ryan looked down at Sarah, feeling his chest swell with pride.
“I Ryan, take thee Sarah, to be my wife. I promise to always love and protect you, care for you, not wake you up when I go into base early, keep your vegan and vegetarian food in the fridge, champion your latest cause, and make you as happy as I can all the days of our lives.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek, and Ryan reached out, swiping it away.
“I Sarah, take thee Ryan,” she said, taking a deep breath and wiping away another tear. “I promise to love and care for you, to attempt to understand the ways of the Navy, to support your career and look the other way when you eat steak instead of tofurkey. I’ll always love and cherish you and can’t wait for us to grow old together.”
Patrick produced the rings, and Ryan and Sarah slipped them on each other’s fingers.
There were a few whoops and hollers, as their guests’ excitement couldn’t be contained.
Ryan glanced out at the friends and family watching their backyard ceremony—the Alpha and Delta teams from base, his officer friends, their families and neighbors. It had been a hell of a long road to get here, and he knew he was in for the ride of his life with Sarah.
He looked back at his beaming bride, watching as the wind lightly tousled her hair. She was beautiful. Ethereal in her dress. And absolutely perfect for him.
“I love you,” she mouthed, looking up at him as her eyes shone with happy tears.
“I love you, too,” he murmured quietly.
“And now, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The backyard erupted with whoops and cheers as Ryan bent down and kissed his new bride. Sarah flushed with excitement, and they turned, facing their friends, and grinned from ear to ear as everyone jumped up to congratulate them. Sarah’s bridesmaids suddenly appeared at her side, and the photographer snapped a few candid pictures.
“Hoorah!” Jacob shouted, grinning as the guys gathered around.
Ryan’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he briefly glanced down at it as he pulled it out.
“Not another op,” Patrick said, catching the expression on his face.
Ryan quirked his brow. “Thank God, no, because I’m leaving tomorrow on my honeymoon. Just something that came up with the Coronado team. We’re good.”
He pocketed it again, ducking down to kiss Sarah once more.
“To the CO!” one of the men yelled, and suddenly champagne glasses and bottles appeared. Bailey and Noah began popping the corks, and Sarah screamed as a burst of champagne flew into the air.
“Leave it to the expert,” Bailey said with a wink as the men ribbed Noah.
Everyone began passing glasses down, and Ryan paused for a beat, watching his and Sarah’s families talking by the chairs.
“We did it!” Sarah said, smiling up at Ryan. “We’re married!” she shouted, throwing her arms up in the air and twirling around. Ryan swept her into his arms and twirled the both of them around as everyone laughed.
“To the newest SEAL wedding!” one of the men yelled.
Sarah looked up at him, her eyes bright and face flushed with happiness. “We really did it, baby. We’re finally married.”
“We did it, baby girl,” Ryan confirmed with a grin as he ducked down and kissed her again in front of all their friends and family. “And this is just the beginning.”
♦ ♦ ♦
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading Ryan and Sarah’s story! If you enjoyed this book, you’ll love SEAL’s Desire. Find out what happens with Blake “Raptor” Reynolds and the Alpha SEALs Coronado team.
He’s her fiercest protector. She’s his only weakness.
A Navy SEAL doesn’t expect to find a beautiful hostage when running his op...
Navy SEAL Blake “Raptor” Reynolds is a legend in his own right. His ability to sneak into enemy territory, sight unseen, and eliminate the target has earned him the reputation of being cool, hard, and calculating. When his team infiltrates an enemy camp in Colombia to disarm a terror cell, the last thing he expects is a beautiful, injured blonde to bring him to his knees.
Biologist Clarissa Rothchild has been conducting research in the Colombian rainforests. When she leaves her camp unescorted, she is captured by Colombian insurgents. The leader of a Navy SEAL team with penetrating dark eyes and brute force strength is just what she needs to get out alive—and exactly the type of man she’d never fall for.
When they’re separated from the others, the sparks between them begin to ignite. Heated nights in the jungle shouldn’t lead to wanting anything more, but Blake realizes he’ll risk everything for Clarissa’s safety and the chance to make her his.
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