49. Storm
Auden’s sitting on my lap, watching the tattoo artist puncture my skin with needles. We got matching crescent moons. They have vine leaves encircling them, and hers has a little rose. She wanted something cute and girly, putting it on her hip while mine is on my wrist. We met on a rainy night, and even with all the clouds in the sky, the moon was poking through and it was a crescent moon. For me, these tattoos mean redemption. I’m still living and breathing because of those blue eyes.
She smiles down at my tattoo and it’s absolutely everything. Her beauty is beyond anything I’ve ever been grateful to obtain. I continue to wonder how in the hell I got so lucky. My guardian angel decided to come down in human form, that’s all that can explain it.
“How do you like them?” she asks as we step out of the tattoo shop.
“They’re perfect,” I tell her, taking her hand and spinning her until she is pressed to my chest. “You’re perfect.”
She laughs. “You are crazy.”
“I have to admit.” I smile so large, a wrinkle starts in her nose and a laugh begins to brew again. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy with someone.”
“Right back at you,” she says, leaving a gentle kiss on my lips. “Is it weird that I’ve never been surer of anything before?”
I lift her and twirl. “I feel the same way.”
The best decision I ever made was agreeing to be hers.
“Storm?” she says, ending a string of giggles.
I kiss the side of her neck, inhaling her floral scent. “Yeah, baby?”
“I see myself falling in love with you, too,” she says, making me shoot my gaze at her.
She remembered what I expressed earlier. She remembered because that’s what angels do, they remember the smallest moments and make them so much better.
I’m healing for her. I’m going to be better for her.
Auden’s become my world. And I’ll make sure it’s the best world she’s ever lived in.
***
We knock on the glass door of the pool room, seeing the entire wedding party swimming in the pool. Sean jumps out of the water in his boxer briefs, and opens the door for us, smirking when he sees Auden. “You guys made it? I didn’t think you would from the loud lovemaking,” Sean says, chuckling. “Believe it or not, my room is beside yours.”
Auden giggles. “Oh, what fun.”
“Charlotte!” Millie slurs, swimming over to us. She’s so wasted, she’s swimming in her wedding dress. “Come swimming with me.”
“I don’t have a bathing suit,” Auden says, blushing when the guys say ‘so’ in unison.
I tap her ass. “C’mon, baby, it’ll be fun.”
She points at my wrist. “We can’t get them wet.”
“So I’ll go in, you get your feet wet,” I say, pulling my shirt over my head.
She rolls her eyes and pulls her dress off. All eyes dart to her as she tiptoes to the edge of the water. That immaculate body, so perfectly designed with a round bum and such plump breasts. And that itty-bitty waist. God created her with perfection in mind—no matter what size she is—knowing so many would bow down to her. Love her. Cherish her.
“What’re the bandages?” Ryan asks, staring between Auden’s hip and my wrist.
Auden sits at the edge of the pool, Sean putting a hand out to help her. “We got matching tattoos.”
I don’t think Evan likes that all that much. His mouth is set in a hard line and I can see his fits clenched under the water. Even though I’m not a fan of this fucker, he’s respectful toward Auden. He doesn’t try to hit on her or make any inappropriate moves. He stares at her a lot, but who wouldn’t? Ryan—the newly married man—is checking out my woman right now. So is Sean. My woman is a goddess, but these fucks better not try anything. No matter if they’re drunk.
Millie whines, watching Auden sit at the edge of the pool beside Sean. “Ryan.”
“What’s up, babe?” Ryan asks, kissing Millie’s cheek as she wraps her arms around his neck.
Millie points at Auden. “Buy me those.”
Ryan frowns, looking Auden up and down. “Her earrings?”
I jump in, the water is fucking cold. I swear my balls have been sucked into my body. But I try not to show it even though my skin pebbles with goosebumps.
“No, silly, her boobs,” Millie says, making everyone stare at those succulent breasts that are all mine. “I want them.”
“They are real pretty,” Sean comments, looking over at my angel.
“My God, stop.” Auden blushes, putting a hand on her chest as her shoulders slump. Sean chuckles, nudging her and she doesn’t hesitate, she shoves his head away, making a laugh leave him.
I pout, removing her hands and kissing each breast. “Don’t hide them.”
Ryan chuckles. “You don’t mind if my wife gets matching tits?”
“She can, but at least mine will be real,” Auden teases, sticking her tongue out.
“Not everyone’s fucking perfect,” Millie spits out, then giggles. “Why are you so hot?”
Auden smirks. “I got it from my birth mama.”
“How was that?” Ryan asks, taking a swig of rum.
“Interesting and weird,” Auden replies, glancing at me. “Weird meeting someone that shares the same laugh as me, and my eyes, too.”
“Your parents were so chill about it,” one of the girls adds. “Adopted parents, I mean.”
“Yeah, they’re the best.” Auden giggles, pulling me closer to her and wrapping her legs around my chest.
When I roll my head back to look at her, my head hits the tits that everyone’s been staring at and I pucker my lips. Her kisses give me goosebumps, and I know it’ll never go away.
Millie gasps as soon as Auden presses her lips on mine. “You have a nipple ring.” She swims up to me and pokes it, making me laugh.
“Mm, that’s what being eighteen and drunk will get you.” I nod, passing on the rum Sean offers me. “Do not recommend.”
“I want a nipple ring,” Millie whines. She’s hilariously annoying.
“I gotta pay for a boob job and then you’re going to botch them with piercings?” Ryan cackles. “You’re driving me mad, woman.”
“You love me,” Millie squeals, diving under the water for the deep end.
The bottle of rum has been passed around a couple of times before Sean takes a swig and hands it to me again. It’s shit rum, I don’t know where they got it, but this isn’t something I would want to be passed around at our wedding.
This perfect queen sitting behind me has opened my eyes to such a thought I shoved so deep into my mind that I thought it was locked away forever. I can see her now, walking across the lawn in Frank’s yard as I’m waiting by the willow tree. All our guests are on their feet taking an abundance of photos of her in a tight white dress. Lace, it has to be lace. I won’t cry when I see my angel, but I know there will be a halo of light beaming around her. God telling me I chose a good one. We’ll kiss in front of our friends and family, our first kiss as husband and wife. She’ll be laughing, her nose will scrunch, and she’ll be ever more beautiful than she’s been. I can’t wait.
“Storm, join us for two-on-two volleyball. Gigantor can’t play because his wrist is fucked,” Sean says, sliding an arm around me and winking at Auden.
Auden runs her fingers through my gelled hair. “Ryan’s really good, be warned.”
“I’m great at volleyball. I’m not worried,” I say, leaving a kiss on her lips.
Millie and her bridesmaids are floating side by side in the deep end, leaving Auden and Evan alone. I do not trust this guy around her, but then again, I trust her enough to know she wouldn’t do anything. And the way she’s watching us set up the volleyball net, she couldn’t care less that Evan’s around. My angel, always looking out for me.