Page 45 of Wrecked (McIntyre Security Bodyguard #16)

Sam nods as he pulls me to my feet. “Yes! God, yes!” And then he pulls me close for a heart-wrenchingly sweet kiss.

The guests’ soft applause fills the room as Shane says, “Wait, guys, we’re not done yet.” He holds up his notebook. “You still need to say the vows and the I do parts.”

As the laughter finally dies down, Shane says, “Now, Sam, repeat after me. I, Samuel Wayne Harrison, take you, Daniel Lee Cooper, to be my lawfully wedded husband….”

* * *

The rest of the ceremony is sort of anti-climactic because we’d already said the important parts.

The rest is just bureaucracy. I don’t need fancy words to know Sam’s mine.

I already know he is. He’s mine, and I’m his.

Forever. It’s a done deal. We already have our notarized marriage license from the Cook County Courthouse.

After the ceremony, the chairs are pushed to the edges of the room to make way for dancing. Because this is the other piece of it—dancing with my husband. After the fiasco that happened during Beth and Shane’s wedding reception, I need to make a point here.

I signal to Jonah to start us off with the first song of the reception— Make You Feel My Love .

Sam lights up when he recognizes the first few notes of one of his favorite songs. I walk up to him, look him straight in the eye, and hold out my hand. “Sam, will you dance with me?”

He nods, swallowing hard as his big brown eyes fill with tears. Despite the waterworks, he smiles at me. “You’ve got to stop making me cry in front of all these people.”

“Sorry, baby.” Holding his hand tightly in mine, I lead him to the dance floor. As we start to move to the slow, plaintive rhythm of the song, I can sense everyone’s eyes on us.

Sam wraps his arms around my neck.

I settle my hands on his hips and pull him close.

“You are too much,” he says, his eyes locked on mine. He strokes the back of my neck, sending shivers through me.

“But is it enough?” I ask him in all sincerity. Yes, I bared my soul to him in front of all these witnesses, but is it enough?

“It’s more than enough,” he says. “It’s everything .” And then he leans in and kisses me.

I manage to have three dances with my husband before his mother cuts in and steals him from me. His sister asks me to dance.

“I always wanted a big brother,” Rachel says, smiling up at me with the same brown eyes as her brother. The same red hair and freckled face.

That’s when it fully sinks in— I have a family . Sam’s family is mine now, too. I tuck a strand of curly red hair behind her ear. “I always wanted a little sister.”

Rachel throws her arms around me and squeezes. “Then you’ve got one.”

Rachel and I dance for two songs, until Michelle cuts in, and Rachel goes to dance with her brother.

“I’ve never seen Sammy so happy,” Michelle says as she gazes up at me. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I’m the one who should be grateful. He put up with a lot from me before we got to this point.”

“You’re together now, and that’s what matters.”

I go on to dance with Beth, Ingrid, Bridget, Erin, Sam again, even Lia. I’m overwhelmed with emotion at the outpouring of love directed at me and Sam.

Finally, when I get a chance to catch my breath after an hour or so of dancing, I sneak off to the bar to join some of the guys. Troy Spencer and Calum McIntyre are acting as the bartenders this afternoon, handing out beer and soft drinks.

Shane and Jake both pat me on the back.

Troy hands me a beer. “Who’s the gorgeous redhead?”

“Which one?” I say with a laugh. There are four of them in the room. In addition to Sam, his sister, and mom, Miguel’s girlfriend, Ruby is here, and she’s a redhead.

Troy nods to the dance floor. “The one who’s currently dancing with your husband.”

“That’s Sam’s sister, Rachel. Don’t be shy. Go ask her to dance.”

“Is she single?”

I nod. “As far as I know, yes. Go ask her. In fact, come with me.” I motion for Troy to follow me as I cross the room to Sam and Rachel. I tap Rachel on her shoulder. “Mind if I dance with my husband?”

Rachel smiles as her gaze flits to Troy and then back to me. “Of course not.”

“Rachel, this is Troy Spencer, Esquire. He’s Shane’s attorney. Take pity on the man and dance with him, would you?”

Rachel smiles up at Troy. “I’d be delighted to.”

* * *

After the photographs are taken, the boutonnière is tossed (Troy catches it), and the cake is cut, the party continues.

Gina Capelli, who catered the event, has laid out a huge spread of hot appetizers.

Most of the guests are staying overnight at the house, including Sam’s family.

I’m looking forward to spending time with my new in-laws.

I do find humor in the fact that I’m older than Sam’s mom.

I’m also looking forward to this evening. Sam and I will spend our first night together as a married couple here at the estate, and I’m counting the hours until I can cart him off to our room.

Around eight o’clock, the moms take all the kids upstairs to bed.

The bar starts serving liquor.

A high-end sound system pipes music into the room.

As the evening draws on, I’m feeling eager to steal my groom away from the crowd so I can finally have him all to myself.

I walk up behind Sam, who’s chatting with Erin and her new husband, Mack Donovan. I put my hands on Sam’s shoulders and lean in to whisper in his ear. “I need you in my bed.”

He turns to face me, his cheeks flushing as he grins. “Right now?”

“Yes, right now. That is, if you’re not too busy.”

“I’m never too busy for you.”

I take Sam’s hand in mine. “Goodnight, everyone! Thanks for coming. We’ll see you all at breakfast.”

As we climb the stairs, Sam says, “Everyone knows what we’re about to do.”

“Yes, they do.” When we reach the second floor hallway, I throw Sam over my shoulder.

“Danny!” he screeches, laughing so hard I’m afraid he might piss himself.

I open the door to our suite and carry him across the threshold. When I set him down beside the bed, I say, “Have you ever kissed a man?”

Sam grins. “Yes.”

“And did you like it?”

He nods. “Oh, yes.”

“Good. Then take your clothes off, right now.”