Chapter 18
ROSIE
I stare at myself in the mirror, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with nervous energy. The reflection staring back at me is almost unrecognizable. The woman standing there in a strapless ivory gown, with her hair pinned up in elegant curls, doesn’t look like someone who used to think love was too complicated. She looks like a woman who’s about to marry the man of her dreams.
My gown hugs my curves in all the right places, cascading down in soft waves of silk and lace. Candace outdid herself with the styling. I look… I feel like a bride. My heart races as I smooth my hands over the dress, glancing down at the tiny baby bump just beginning to show.
“Girl, you look stunning,” Candace says, appearing behind me in the mirror. She’s grinning from ear to ear, holding a champagne glass filled with sparkling water because we’re keeping it classy today. “Knox is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
“I hope so,” I laugh, but I can feel the nervous flutter in my stomach. This is it. My wedding day. I take a deep breath, smoothing down my dress one last time before turning to Candace. “Do I look like a woman about to say ‘I do’?”
“You look like a woman about to change her last name,” she teases, winking at me. “Now come on, it’s showtime.”
* * *
KNOX
I’m standing at the altar, watching the doors at the end of the aisle, my heart pounding like I’m about to step into the biggest game of my life. But this isn’t a game—it’s the real deal.
I can feel the heat of anticipation coursing through me, every muscle in my body tensed as I wait for Rosie. My Rosie.
I adjust my tie, my fingers twitching as I catch the faint scent of her perfume drifting through the open doors. The moment those doors swing open, I know my life is about to change forever.
When she appears, it feels like the air has been knocked out of my lungs.
Rosie.
She’s walking down the aisle, her arm looped through her dad’s, her dark skin glowing against the soft ivory of her dress. Her eyes find mine, and I swear I see everything—our past, our present, and our future—flashing between us in that single look. She’s mine. Forever.
My throat tightens, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her. Not for a second.
And then she smiles. That smile that makes my heart race, my blood hum in my veins. Damn, I’m one lucky bastard.
* * *
ROSIE
I take one step, then another, the world fading into a blur as I walk toward Knox. It’s just him and me. His green eyes locked on mine, his broad frame looking so fine in that tailored suit that I want to drag him back to the honeymoon suite right now.
When I finally reach him, my dad gives me a squeeze before stepping aside. Knox takes my hands in his, and I can feel the steady warmth of his touch, grounding me in this moment.
“Hey, baby,” he whispers, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.
“Hey,” I breathe, my heart fluttering.
“Are you ready?” he asks, his thumb gently caressing the back of my hand.
I nod, biting my lip to stop the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “More than ready.”
The ceremony goes by in a whirlwind. Vows are exchanged, sweet words spoken, and then…
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Before I can even process the words, Knox’s lips are on mine. It’s not one of those polite wedding kisses either—it’s possessive, deep, and oh-so-sexy. The kind that makes my knees weak and has me gripping his shoulders to stay upright.
The guests cheer, but all I can feel is the heat of his lips, the way he’s pulling me closer, like he can’t get enough of me.
When we finally pull apart, my heart is pounding, and Knox’s smirk tells me he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
* * *
KNOX
The reception is in full swing, music playing, people laughing and dancing. But all I can think about is getting my wife—yeah, wife —alone. She looks absolutely breathtaking tonight, and I’m counting down the minutes until we can sneak away.
Rosie’s across the room, talking to her mom, and I can’t stop staring at her. The way the soft lights catch in her hair, the way the dress clings to her curves… damn, it’s torture.
I sidle up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck. She laughs, a low, teasing sound that makes me want to drag her off the dance floor and into a dark corner.
“You keep looking at me like that, O’Malley, and we’re gonna have to leave early,” she murmurs, leaning back into me.
“I wasn’t planning on staying for the whole thing anyway,” I murmur back, my lips grazing her ear.
She laughs again, and I can feel the tension building between us, the same intensity that’s been there since the day we met. But now, it’s deeper. It’s forever.
“You’re terrible,” she teases, turning in my arms to face me.
“And you love it,” I grin, my hands sliding down her back.
We dance for a while, slow and close, until I can’t take it anymore. “Let’s get out of here,” I whisper against her lips.
* * *
ROSIE
By the time we make it back to the honeymoon suite, my heart is racing for an entirely different reason. Knox is behind me, his hands sliding over my hips as he leans in, his lips brushing the back of my neck.
“I’ve been waiting for this all night,” he growls softly, his breath hot against my skin.
I shiver, anticipation curling in my belly as I turn to face him, my fingers trailing over the buttons of his shirt. “You’re not the only one.”
His eyes darken, and before I can say another word, he’s kissing me—hard, possessive, his hands pulling me close like he can’t stand even a second without touching me.
I feel the soft silk of my dress slide down my body as Knox undoes the zipper, his hands roaming over my skin like he’s memorizing every inch of me.
He lifts me up, carrying me to the bed with a growl, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’re mine, Rosie. Now and forever.”
* * *
The sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I wake up in Knox’s arms, his body warm and solid against mine.
I stretch, feeling the delicious ache in my muscles from last night, and a smile tugs at my lips. This is my life now—Knox, me, and the baby growing inside me.
“Morning, Mrs. O’Malley,” Knox’s voice rumbles sleepily in my ear.
“Morning, Mr. O’Malley,” I tease, turning to face him.
He grins, pulling me close. “How does it feel?”
“To be married to you?” I smirk. “Pretty damn good.”
He laughs, kissing me softly. “I love you, Rosie.”
“I love you too, Knox. Always.”