35. Sam
I stand before the full-length mirror, adjusting my bow tie for the hundredth time. The crisp white shirt and tailored black tuxedo fit perfectly, but I can't shake this restless energy coursing through me.
"Sam, stop fidgeting," my mother chides, swatting my hands away from my neck. "You look impeccable."
I catch her eye in the reflection. "Thanks, Mom. Just want everything to be perfect for Kim."
She smooths down my lapels, her lips pursed. "I must admit, she's grown on me. That girl's got spirit."
My mother has finally made peace with the fact that Kim wasn't going anywhere, not that I really care. Kim was staying by my side regardless. And I did have to threaten my mother that if she told Kim again that I'll get tired of her, there would be consequences.
But she's been nice enough and is fine since we are getting married. Plus, practice has started back and I have been performing even better. It's easy to have motivation with my ice girl watching…and a good reward after every practice.
"Woman," I correct automatically. "Kim's a woman, not a girl."
Mom raises an eyebrow. "Indeed. Well, she certainly knows how to handle you."
I smirk, remembering our... passionate discussions. "That she does."
"I hope you know what you're doing," she says, her tone stiff. "Marriage is no small commitment."
"I've never been more certain of anything in my life," I reply, meeting her gaze steadily.
She nods, patting my cheek. "Then I'm happy for you. Truly."
A knock at the door interrupts us. My best man and Kim's brother, Braden, pokes his head in. "Five minutes, man. You ready?"
I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. "Born ready."
"Let me see you three." My mother turns her scrutiny on Braden, ushering him in. He looks uncomfortable, but he walks in, Avery and Zander on his heels.
I smirk, watching my mother fuss over Kim's brothers. We've all had to adjust a little as our families blended. I offered to let the boys live with us, and they've had to adjust to my mother fussing over them, too.
But even I've learned to give Kim some freedom. I always told her I'd give her anything, and even though I fucking hate it, she wants to leave my side sometimes. But she's adapted well to our new arrangement. I've loosened the reins a bit, letting her spread her wings—within reason, of course.
"Braden, straighten your tie," my mother tuts, reaching for Kim's brother.
He dodges her hands. "It's fine, Mrs. Warwick. Seriously."
I chuckle. "Let the kid breathe, Mom. He looks sharp enough."
But I can do nothing to stop it. So I let my thoughts drift back to Kim. She's free to leave the house now, but I'm not stupid. There's always someone watching, keeping her safe. I keep her phone tapped, just to be sure. She knows it too, calls me her "psycho" with that teasing lilt in her voice.
"Sam, are you even listening?" Mom snaps her fingers in front of my face.
"Sorry, what?"
She sighs. "I said, make sure you remember your vows. I won't have you stumbling through them like a fool."
"Relax, I've got 'em memorized," I assure her, tapping my temple.
Zander pipes up. "Bet you five bucks he forgets 'em anyway."
"Let's make it five hundred," I retort, grinning.
"Deal!" He grins wide.
Poor kid. He doesn't know he's going down.
I think this might be part of the reason that Kim doesn't seem to mind my... attentiveness. Because of how I am with her brothers. Hell, sometimes I think she gets a kick out of it. Just last week, she "accidentally" bumped into her old college professor at the grocery store. The way she leaned in, laughing at his lame jokes—she knew I'd show up.
And I did. It took me all of five minutes to pop up, and she didn't even seem surprised when I wrapped my arm around her waist, kissed her neck. The look on that professor's face was priceless, especially as I whispered in my little dancer's ear that I was going to kill the man for looking at her.
"Earth to Sam!" Braden waves a hand in front of me. "You zoning out on your wedding day?"
I blink, refocusing. "Just thinking about your sister."
He grimaces. "Gross, dude. Save it for the honeymoon."
"Speaking of," my mother interjects, "I hope you two aren't planning on anything too... exotic. The press would have a field day."
I roll my eyes. "Our plans are none of your business, Mom."
She opens her mouth to argue, but another knock at the door cuts her off. It's time.
I can't help myself. Just before we're about to leave, I pull out my phone and tap into the security feed. My little dancer's all alone, getting ready. Fuck, she's stunning.
Kim stands before a full-length mirror, smoothing down her wedding dress. It hugs every curve, accentuating that perfect body I can't get enough of. Her hair cascades down her back in loose curls, and I ache to run my fingers through it.
Almost like she knows I'm watching, she starts to run her hands down her body. Slowly. Teasingly. Christ, is she trying to kill me?
"Damn," I mutter, shifting uncomfortably.
"What's wrong?" Braden asks, peering over my shoulder.
I quickly lock the screen. "Nothing. Just checking the time."
He raises an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure."
I clear my throat, trying to focus on anything but the image of Kim burned into my retinas. "Let's go. Don't want to keep the bride waiting."
As we file out of the room, I can't shake the memory of Kim's hands sliding over her curves. Fuck, I'm going to have a raging hard-on during my own wedding.
"You okay, man?" Zander asks as we walk. "You look... tense."
I force a smile. "Never better, kid. Just eager to make your sister mine. Officially."
"Gross," Avery mutters, but there's a hint of a smile on his face.
We reach the doors to the ceremony, and I take a deep breath. Behind those doors is my future. My obsession. My everything.
"Ready?" Braden asks, clapping me on the shoulder.
I nod, adjusting my tie one last time. "Born ready."
The doors swing open, and I step into my future, praying I can keep it together long enough to say "I do." God knows when it comes to Kim I'm more liable to rip her away from everyone and make sure that I'm the only one that she's near.
I don't like to share and today I'm doing a lot of it.
The moment I see Kim gliding down the aisle, my breath catches. She's a vision in white, her dress hugging every curve I know by heart. And she’s giving me a look so full of excitement that I know all this shit was worth it.
"Holy shit," I mutter under my breath.
Braden, standing next to me as my best man, chuckles. "Keep it together, man."
I can't take my eyes off her as she approaches. The church is packed with our friends, family, and teammates. Alexi and Brandi, Kim's fellow ice girls and bridesmaids, stand across from me watching their friend walk down the aisle. Even my mother looks grudgingly impressed.
Kim reaches me, and I take her hand, squeezing it gently. "You're breathtaking," I whisper.
She smirks. "You clean up nice yourself, psycho."
The ceremony flies by in a blur. I barely hear the priest's words, too focused on Kim's face, her eyes, the way her lips curve into a smile. When it's time for our vows, I don't stumble once. Take that, Zander.
Finally, the moment I've been waiting for arrives. "You may now kiss the bride."
I pull Kim close, one hand on her lower back, the other cupping her face. Our lips meet, and it's like the first time all over again. Fireworks, electricity, the whole nine yards.
When we break apart, I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. "I'm never letting you go again, little dancer. You're mine. Forever."
Kim's eyes sparkle as she looks up at me. "I'm not going anywhere, Sam. You're stuck with me now."
We turn to face our guests, and a cheer goes up. I spot my teammates whooping and hollering, the ice girls wiping away tears. Kim's brothers are grinning from ear to ear.
As we make our way back down the aisle, I can't help but feel a surge of pride. This woman, this incredible, fierce, beautiful woman, is mine. And I'll be damned if anyone tries to take her from me.