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I dug through the cushions until I found my phone. Once the shutters were rising I tossed it to the ground and focused on my bride. "These shorts need to go."

While she wiggled them off, I did the same. We tossed shirts and kicked away shoes and then I was on top of her, kissing my way over her breasts, belly, and thighs. Then I parted her with my thumbs and licked.

"This is magical. Just magical. All the light, the trees, the everything."

I looked up. "Darlin', you're starting to make me think I forgot how to make you come."

She smiled down at me, running those fingers through my hair while she tugged on a nipple with her others. "You're doing just fine. Trust me."

"I'll be the judge of that," I grumbled, but the two fingers I slid inside her proved she was right. Her arousal coated my fingers and more. "How many times shall I make you come? How many does it take to break in a writing cottage?" I was hoping for something in the ballpark of three or four.

"However many you can give me before my phone starts blowing up."

That wasn't nearly enough time. "And tomorrow?" I had secret plans to fuck her so hard in the morning that she still felt me between her legs when she walked down the aisle.

"Jackson, stop talking and start doing."

I licked a slow, lazy line up her slit and then sucked on her clit. "But I thought you liked my dirty mouth."

"I do. I do. But you were talking numbers. No numbers. Numbers mean thinking and all I want is you."

I pressed my hand and slid my tongue into her heat.All I want is you.That ripped me apart and put me back together. It made my chest ache in the best way because I felt so fucking loved and needed. I felt like I was home.

"No more numbers then." I climbed over her, sucking kisses all the way up her body until I was thrusting deep inside her. "Just my name the way only you say it."

"Jackson," she sighed as she wrapped her legs tighter around my waist.

"Yeah, just like that." I turned it from a prayer to a shout that told me she was close. "I can't wait to feel you come for me, Lee."

"Jackson!" her voice bounced off the glass as she squeezed me so tight.

I pounded her through her orgasm before I let mine loose. Until we felt like one. Then I rolled us so I wasn't crushing her. I was really glad I opted for the deeper couch.

"We need to put some tissues or something in here," she laughed and sighed and nuzzled.

"Already did." Not that I was going to reach for them just yet. "I planned for success, darlin'."

"Good job." she patted my chest as her eyes fluttered closed.

I let mine close too. There were things to build and parties to enjoy, but for now I wanted to savor the peace that came when I was inside Marley. Tomorrow would be a lot. The noise, the crowd, the expectations, and I would get through it all, mostly because of moments like this.

"Jackson?"

"Yeah, Lee?"

"I want this always. I want you and me. Sex or no sex. Books and buildings, whatever comes. I just want us to take care of each other for always."

Whatever last insecure shred of doubt I had left in me went up in flames. I kissed her forehead. "I'll take care of you for always. With my cock or my kisses or my incredible food delivery services. I just want to have all my lunches with you."

Forty-Eight

Marley

Somehow Scottie had acquired a bullhorn

"Everything's ready when you are,"Charley said with just her head poked in my bedroom door. "No rush. This is your show."

"Thanks. I'll be out in a minute." I'd been dressed for a while. My hair was just a tamer version of normal, long and wavy and free. I wore a light dusting of makeup. The dress was simple and lacey. Something I pictured at a forest wedding. I topped it all off with a long lacey veil that was attached to my hair by a comb. It hung down my back to my knees.