Page 46 of One Naughty Christmas Night

Once the ceremony was over and the register signed, they headed to the dining room to eat.

A small family-only gathering followed breakfast, with some stories about the bride and groom told, to the chagrin of said bride and groom.

After some embarrassing advice from her mother about the marriage bed, they headed upstairs to Heath’s room, where they were to spend their wedding night finally as a married couple.

They arrived at his door, and she reached out to grab the handle, but he stalled her with his hand on hers.

“If the lady would allow me,” he said.

Confused, she squealed as he swung her into his arms and negotiated the door open, then carried her across the threshold.

Placing her on the bed, he turned around to close and lock the door before coming back to join his new bride.

“Hello, husband,” she whispered, sighing against his lips as he tumbled her to her back.

“Hello, wife,” he replied between kisses, his hands teasing her nipples through her gown.

He slipped his hands down to her hem and pulled the gown up, his fingers dipping into her warmth that waited for him.

“I missed you,” he whispered, teasing her nub, sending streaks of desire through her.

“I missed you,” she whispered, pressing a hot kiss against his lips.

“Two weeks is too long to be apart,” he muttered.

“I agree,” she said, nipping at his lip.

“I almost couldn’t wait to see you,” he said, tracing kisses down her neck. “I barely made it through the night without escaping to your room.”

“You would have had a difficult time,” she said, slipping her hands into his now-open shirt. “Sebastien sat at my door all night.”

A curse was buried in her neck, his body growing harder against her.

His fingers undid her buttons, and the dress sagged to her waist, revealing her body to him.

Kissing his way from her neck to her shoulder, he whispered, “You’re beautiful, Victoria,” halting with a kiss over her heart.

“I truly love you,” he said, looking up at her, his eyes filled with emotion. “I’m so happy I married you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks, his hands coming up to cup her cheeks.

Swiping at the tears, he asked her, “Are you all right?”

“I’m-I’m fine,” she managed, “I-I promise.”

Heath simply replied with a nod and gathered her into his arms, holding her against him while she cried.

The tears finished, she wiped his now-wet chest.

“I’m so happy,” she whispered. “I promise, I am. I guess I couldn’t hold it in any longer.”

“I’m glad they’re happy tears then,” he replied, placing his hand on her cheek. “I love you, Victoria,” he said, giving her a gentle kiss.

“And I love you,” she replied, his thumb wiping away a stray tear.

“Are you glad to be married?” he asked.

“I am.” She leaned forward to kiss him. “Do you know what the best part of being married is?”

“What?” he replied, entwining his hands with hers, watching as she slipped to her knees.

“This.”

He leaned back on the bed with a groan. “Yes, indeed.”

THE END