My life.
My husband.
Richard was there, so tall and fierce, extending his elbow.
I grabbed it.
Held on for dear life.
Not understanding his sacrifice.
But knowing it was true.Twinkle lights glittered from where they were wound in the branches above. The rows of chairs had been moved out and round tables set in their place, the centerpieces glowing and gorgeous in the middle of each.
A makeshift dance floor had been set up in the middle, and a two-foot stage was on the far right.
The delicious dinner had just been cleared away.
Emily was glowin’ where she sat directly across the table, Royce glued to her side, his hands all over her every second, never breaking their connection.
I guessed I could say the same thing for the man beside me.
I glanced to my right. Richard shifted to look at me the second I did, no doubt sensing me peeking at him.
Since we were surrounded by the rest of the wedding party, Richard squeezed the hand he had rested on my bare thigh under the table.
It hadn’t taken him long to find that high slit, taking advantage of the situation, not that I was gonna complain. His fingertips kept making leisurely passes up and down my leg.
Flesh tingling.
Lifting with chills.
My stomach in constant knots of needy anticipation.
A smirk ticked up at the corner of those lush lips, and Richard dipped down to whisper in my ear, “You have any idea what this dress is doin’ to me?”
I gave him an innocent look.
He chuckled low, and his mouth went traipsing along my jaw, teeth nipping at my earlobe. “If you aren’t sure now, don’t worry, I’ll be showing you later.”
Need sloshed and spun and throbbed between my thighs. A tangible, perceptible flush.
One that Richard felt.
He groaned, and his fingers twitched on my leg. He gripped me tighter.
I heaved out a shaky breath.
Rhys was suddenly there, draping his arms around both of our shoulders and poking his head between us. “And what are you two up to over here?”
He cracked a cheeky grin.
Redness flushed.
Richard elbowed him in the gut.
Rhys howled, ducking back, laughing and guarding the spot. “What’s wrong with you, man? I’m just coming over to say hi. Be friendly and genial. And you go around gettin’ violent.”
“I’ll show you violent.”
He clapped Richard on the shoulder. “Oh, I think you were definitely gettin’ ready to show us something until I intervened.” Rhys shot me a wink.
Embarrassment went racing.
“Huh. Funny you were watching. You lookin’ for lessons?” Richard tipped him a smirk.
These two.
Rhys howled with laughter and curled his arm tighter around my shoulders. “No, man. Just worried for our beautiful Vi, here. Need to make sure your sorry ass knows what he’s doing. Poor girl.”
My head shook with the flush I was choking down, and I couldn’t stop the smile when I looked up at the goof grinning down at me. “Don’t worry, Rhys. I’m just fine.”
“Just fine?” Richard challenged.
I shrugged a tease.
His nostrils flared.
I laughed.
Feeling free.
Light.
So different.
So right.
“Well…” I said, the ribbing twitching all over my mouth.
Those fingers were sinking into my thigh again, and Richard dipped his face down close to mine.
“You’re gonna pay for that later.” His eyes danced and played.
My teeth clamped down on my bottom lip. “I sure hope so. I wouldn’t want to walk around bein’ just fine for all my life, would I?”
Melanie cracked up. “Oh, Vi. I love you. Thank God you took this sorry sucker back.”
Yeah.
Thank God.
I smiled at him.
He shook his head, lips fighting their smile.
Amor. Amor. Amor.
I felt it shimmer and dance.
Rhys grabbed Richard’s arm and tugged at him. “Was actually here for a reason other than pointing out that you’re a wet noodle in bed. It’s time.”
Richard’s brow lifted in warning.
Rhys grinned. No shame. “Come on, let’s do this.”
Richard gave me another little squeeze before he pushed to standing. “I’ll be right back.”
I frowned in confusion.
“It’s a surprise,” he added low.
That was right about the same time a bunch of different people started popping up from the tables spread around the meadow.
Rhys and Richard started it.
Leif pushed back from the table where we sat and stood with them.
At the next table over, the rest of Royce’s band, A Riot of Roses, stood, chugging their beers and setting the empties on their table before they joined the group that gathered.
The members of A Riot of Roses—Van, Arson, and Hunter—gave off this unruly vibe. This disordered crew who were ridiculously tight.
Best of friends that carried their secrets like mysteries on their skin.
Covered in mayhem. Rough and raw. Screaming of trouble and big city. But man, did they make something to look at in their fitted suits, tats twisting out from their sleeves and necks.
They all started to climb to the small stage.
Off to the left, almost the whole table stood.
Sunder.
I’d gotten to meet them earlier.
Austin Stone.
Lyrik West.
Ash Evans.
Zachary Kennedy.