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Blake spun me toward him. “Did you hear what I said to you, Sierra?”

My eyes tried to follow his.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you. Ever.”

His strong arms wrapped me toward his chest and I relaxed against his body. He was like a solid wall, daring anyone to pass through him. And in that moment I knew that if someone tried they wouldn’t make it through. Blake had me. He would make sure no one hurt me again.

“Want me to take you home?”

“No. I want to stay for the wedding.”

“Good.” He tipped my lips toward his.

“I guess we should take our seats.”

“Come on.”

He pulled me from the railing and helped me down from the pier. We walked across the grass and waited for Cole to escort me to our seats while Blake followed behind us.

“Glad you came,” his cousin whispered, depositing me in one of the groom’s family seats.

“Thanks. Me too.”

Blake sat next to me. He pulled my hand into his lap.

“Did I tell you how sexy you look?” he asked.

I nodded. “I think you mentioned it.”

He looked over his shoulder. “Do you remember that little beach down there?” he whispered.

I was trying to read through the program. I recognized some of the names from high school.

“Yeah, I think so. Isn’t that where we…” my words trailed off. I wasn’t about to say what we had done there. We were surrounded by wedding guests.

His teeth grazed my ear. “It’s where I—”

“Shh … don’t say it,” I warned him.

He smiled. When he did that I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stop him.

“Why? You don’t want anyone to hear about what a naughty girl you were?”

I eyed him. He couldn’t be serious. “Blake, the ceremony is getting ready to start.”

He squeezed my hand. “Just having a little fun, darlin’.”

Before he could torture me further the music started and the first bridesmaids walked down the aisle. I sighed with relief. I was dangerously close to letting him push me to the edge of the fire. To that circle where the flames danced in my belly and I couldn’t help but the let the combustion take hold.

We stood when Alex’s bride appeared. Blake held my hand through the vows and afterward when the bride and groom kissed. It was sweet, but quick. We moved to the cocktail area to let the staff breakdown the ceremony seats and convert it into the reception site. Everything was all in one place.

Blake handed me another glass of champagne.

“I don’t know if I should.” I eyed him. I wasn’t exactly tipsy, but there was something about the night. Something in the air that was making me buzz with excitement.

“I think you should drink it.” He knocked one back. “I like it when you’re a little more daring. You let down your hair and let me do all the things I dream about doing.”

My core burned at the suggestion.