“Yeah… yeah.” Still, I didn’t move… until Trestan came forward and pried Alivia’s hand from mine and stuck it in Shane’s outstretched hand.
“See? Not so hard,” that little shit said before retreating back to his place while receiving a round of applause.
More karma.
Reluctantly, I turned to take a seat beside my wife with a scowl. That forced Camilla to lean forward and literally press her fingers around my mouth until a smile formed.
“Hi,” Shane said, with eyes only for her.
“Hi,” Livi responded.
“You look incredible.”
“So do you.”
And then that fucker had the balls to grip her face and kiss her like there weren’t a hundred pairs of eyes staring at them, or like her father wasn’t a foot away and well within punching range.
The minister cleared his throat just as Jack chuckled across the aisle from me. Fuck him. His son may have stolen my little girl away, but that meant they both had me to deal with for the rest of their lives.
Shane
All the bodies watching us were forgotten, as was the ocean behind us, our bridal party beside us, and the damn seagulls squawking above us. Without looking, I knew my brothers, Trestan, and Chase watched me with amused expressions, because according to them, today I was acting like a “sap.” I barely even registered how pretty Siarra and Kim were in their pale-pink gowns.
The only thing I saw was my future wife looking more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. The moment our eyes locked, I tried to pull more air in as my chest constricted painfully from my love for her. Those wild curls of hers were pulled back from her face by a few white flowers.
Her dress molded to her breasts perfectly before billowing out in a cloud of white. It was sexy while giving her a sweet innocence at the same time… and so very Alivia. She had told me that she’d insisted on pale-yellow roses for a bouquet because they represented friendship, and that was the core of our relationship.
In fact, every detail of our day was symbolic in one way or another. From the location we’d decided on, to our guests, to our vows—it all meant something in our lives. We chose the same date as my parents’ wedding anniversary as a nod to them. We got tattoos as wedding bands as her parents had done… although I did give her a big-ass diamond the night I got down on one knee and begged her to be my wife.
Our union was the product of all the many profound pieces that had contributed to it. It seemed only right we acknowledged that on our wedding day as well.
It could have been a minute later or fifty when the minister finally said, “Shane, please recite your vows to Alivia.”
When the bracelet I’d given her years ago shifted to where my thumb rested on her wrist, I swallowed the emotion clogging my throat. “Alivia, I have loved you every day for the last eighteen years. You’ve owned my heart since day one. And I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to make you happy. I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife… for better or worse… through sickness and in health… for richer or poorer… every day for the rest of our lives. I can’t wait to knock you up—”
“Shane.”
I shrugged unapologetically, ignoring the varied responses, including her father’s growl. “It’s true. I love you today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives.”
She smiled through tears, and my emotions continued to overwhelm me when the pastor said, “Alivia, please recite your vows to Shane.”
“Shane, I love you more than anything in this entire world. In times of sickness or in health, in success or failure, in plenty or want, I will be standing beside you. I will continue to be your partner, your lover, your best friend… and now your wife. I promise to always cherish you, respect you, and support you. I give you myself, my heart, and my love for all of eternity.” She leaned closer and whispered, “I can’t wait for you to knock me up.” But she quickly rushed on to add, “I love you today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives.”
“Shane and Alivia have… um… tattooed their fingers in place of rings.” We grinned at each other as I squeezed her hands between mine. “So… therefore… if any man can show any just cause why Shane or Alivia may not lawfully be joined together at this time, let him speak now, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.” My eyes slid right to Trey’s face, and the grip Camilla had on his arm caused my cocky smirk.
There were more prayers, blessings, blah blah blah… never had I so anxiously waited to hear the words I needed to hear. “By the powers vested in me by the state of New Jersey, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride… again.”
Instantly, my arms snaked around her waist, eliminating the space between us. Our lips collided, and we both took that kiss to the point of indecency. Our guests’ applause caused her to pull away with a brilliant smile on those lips I’d just devoured. We remained locked in an embrace, nose to nose, lips to lips, ignoring everyone else but each other.
“We need to make our exit,” she whispered against my lips.
“Maybe if we stay right where we are they’ll all leave.”
“And then what?”
“And then I’ll make love to my wife on the very beach where we fell in love.”
“Sounds like a stupid plan, Mr. Lair.”
“Don’t dare me, Mrs. Lair.”
While giving me a sexy smile, she wrapped her arms tighter around my neck and resumed our kiss. Laughter, more applause, and Trey’s grumbles once again went ignored.
We didn’t care there was a party to have, dances to dance, delicious food to eat. We didn’t care the photographer or the videographer or the band were all waiting to do their jobs. We didn’t care about anything but that one perfect moment… the perfect way to prove Liv and I walked to the beat of our own drum.
We had been doing just that since the ages of six and five… and we would until the day we died… together many, many years from now… just the two of us.
Well… along with our parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, friends, fans, JLL employees, security, caretakers, drivers, sound technicians, a few neighbors—the list went on and on.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The End
These two little words contain so much emotion behind them. I created the Devil’s Lair world back in 2013 and released book one in January 2014. It’s been quite a ride. These characters have become a huge part of my life. I even named my corporation JLL Romance, after Jack & Leila Lair.
It was such a blast to write all six books, plus four stand-alone spin-offs. It’s with sadness that I admit Destined will probably be the last one. I love the journey I took these characters on and end their “tour” with a smile.
Thank you to all who have come along for the ride, and especially to my #LairLovers. I dedicate the entire series to you.
Xoxo
If you’d like to start from the beginning,
you can purchase the Back-Up Series box set here: http://ow.ly/FY0330nBexU