Epilogue
Nerves rattle through me though I’ve no idea why.
We’ve already been here once; we’re already married, but this feels more real than it did before.
Before it was something we had to do, now this is something we want.
And I want it more than I want the sun to rise in the morning.
Niamh is the kind of forever that is rare to find.
She is the earth under my feet, the birds in the sky, the mountains that reach for the clouds.
All and everything.
Instrumental music starts to play, and my wide eyes meet Silas’s, who stands at my side as my best man. He grins and then hides his laugh behind his hand. I can hear Remy on the video feed, hooting and hollering, but we had to turn his volume down before he offended someone.
We’re already fucking married, why the hell is this terrifying me!?
His eyes lift above my head, and he smirks.
“You’re so fucked,” He whispers to me.
“Why?”
“She’s stunning, man.”
Unable to stop myself, I look behind me and the entire world stops spinning.
There she is, in a flowing white gown that has flowers climbing up the skirts, toward a tight strapless corset that hugs her shape, pushing her breasts up.
A diamond rests in the dip between her collarbones, the thin necklace hugging her throat.
Dark hair is pulled up and bundled into curls; a floral headband with little diamonds embedded into it rests atop her head.
Her eyes look neon, dark lashes framing them and she’s wearing a shocking red lip.
She grins when she meets my eyes, her dimples sinking into her cheeks.
I’m ready to get on my knees right here and now. Ashley walks behind her in a subtle blue dress, with Rosie next to her.
“Hi,” Niamh whispers to me when she finally comes to a stop by my side.
“Hey baby,” I breathe, “You look beautiful.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself, cowboy.” Her eyes drag down me. “Promise to give me your hat later?”
The words shoot straight to my cock.
“Niamh,” I warn.
She grins and quirks a brow. “What?”
“Don’t go acting innocent on me now, sweetheart.”
“Please be seated,” The officiant calls to the guests who are still standing for Niamh’s entrance.
They lower and he begins our vow renewal ceremony, our real wedding, and I am fucking grateful she agreed to do this for us.
It’s what she — we — deserve. With everything we have been through, what we have survived, we made it out on top. We are forever.
“Roman?” The officiant prompts me to start my vows, so I pull the paper from the inside of my pocket, seeing it blank. Holding it down by my side, I reach for Niamh’s left hand, running my thumb over my mother’s ring.
“Sweetheart…” I meet her eyes. “You changed the world for me. It never occurred to me how black and white my life was before you, and then you showed up, a rainbow of color, a strike of lightning, the first flower that blooms in spring. I didn’t think love would ever find a man like me, I never even knew I wanted it.
Not until you. You changed me, Niamh Calloway. ”
“Calloway-Knight,” She interrupts me, “I got it changed yesterday.”
A burst of laughter erupts from me. “Niamh Calloway-Knight,” I correct, “You showed me what love is. Taught me what love is. You saved me, sweetheart, and I will spend the rest of my life praying I can be half the man that you deserve. I love you endlessly. I will worship you, provide for you. I will look after you, and take every step this life puts before us, with you by my side. Nothing will ever keep me from you.”
“Roman,” She breathes.
“I vow to love you, find you, look after you, Niamh Calloway-Knight, until the last breath I take and even after.”
I dip Niamh low on the dance floor, everyone watching as the last notes of Cry To Me by Solomon Burke ring out through the speakers. Bringing her back up, she immediately reaches for the hat on my head and places it on her own.
“Wear the hat,” She purrs, “Ride the cowboy, right?”
“Fuck,” I groan. I’ve been semi-hard all damn night, and that’s just made it impossible to turn around. “You wanna leave, sweetheart?”
“Right now,” She whispers. The DJ changes the song to something more upbeat, inviting the rest of the guests onto the dance floor, which gives us a chance to escape.
Grasping Niamh’s hand, I drag her out of the tent we had set up for the reception, her giggles sounding behind me as I make my way back to the house, desperation fueling every step.
It’s been weeks since I’ve been able to have her the way I want, with my body still healing it’s been impossible but the last few days I’ve felt better, stronger, and now I plan on working through all this pent up need.
The door slams behind me, and I have her pressed against it in the next moment, smearing that pretty red lipstick.
She moans into my mouth, hands tangling in my hair as I dislodge the hat on her head to angle her in the way I want.
I dive deeper with my tongue, tasting the champagne from her lips.
Her nails scrape against my scalp as she tugs my hair, keeping me against her.
My hands reach for the strings on her corset, working quickly to loosen them enough I can pull it apart.
I break the kiss only to work the dress down her, letting the heavy white fabric pool on the floor in a bundle of silk and lace.
She stands before me in nothing but a pair of lacy panties and heels.
My mouth fucking waters at the sight of her.
“When you look at me like that…” Niamh breathes, words trailing off.
“You are a fucking sight,” I groan.
“Are you going to keep looking?” She challenges. “Or are you going to do something?”
I’m on her in a blink, hands reaching beneath her thighs to bring her up the door, her legs wrapping around me as she tilts her head to allow me access to her throat.
I kiss and bite and mark, my fingers biting into her flesh as she rolls her hips against my cock pushing against the zipper of my suit pants.
“Reach between us,” I command. “Pull those panties to the side.”
Releasing one arm from my neck, she slips her hand down and does as I have ordered, so I rest her against the door and shove at my pants, freeing my aching dick so I can press the head of me into her. We both groan at the feel, pausing to take a minute to soak it in.
“Move,” She begs, “Please, Roman.”
“Goddamn,” I grunt as I slide in further, body shivering as she envelopes me.
I pull out and thrust in deeper, again and again.
Moving her body up the wall with every drive of my hips.
I press forward, making sure I’m adding a grind to her clit.
Her moans are like music, fueling me to keep going.
She has to get there first; that’s always the way.
“Play with that pretty pussy, Niamh,” I command, “Come all over my cock.”
“Fuck,” Her voice rushes out on a breath, and her hand dips between her legs.
Leaning back, I watch her fingers work her pussy, dipping low to gather some of her arousal before she rolls her fingers over her clit.
The back of her head hits the door as her body tenses, pussy starting to flutter around my cock.
I thrust hard, bringing her up to that edge.
“Don’t stop,” She cries, “Please.”
Her fingers move faster, and as her pussy clenches around my cock, it brings my own climax to the surface.
My name is a moan from her lips as she crashes around me, convulsing wildly around my dick. I spill into her, fingers biting as I moan into her shoulder.
After a shower, I have Niamh tucked into me in our bed, her naked body pressed to every part of me.
“It will never be enough with you,” I whisper.
“We have time,” She replies, just as softly.
“We do,” I agree, tightening my arms, “And I still don’t think it’ll be enough.”
She chuckles and shifts, turning until she’s facing me. “I love you, Roman.”
“Always?” I kiss the corner of her mouth.
“Always, cowboy.”