21. Chapter 21
I can’t stop staring at her.
My wife.
God, that’s going to take some getting used to.
For years, I’ve watched friend after friend fall in love. They got their girls, while I’ve stood on the sidelines, loving mine from a distance. I never questioned her choices. Never pushed. I just waited, letting her live the freedom she fought so hard to claim.
But now she’s sitting here, beside me, wearing my ring.
A smile hasn’t left her face this entire night, and I’m mesmerized by her bright blue eyes glimmering in the candlelight. She looks radiant in her dress, glowing in a way that seems effortless. I still can’t believe my sister found something this perfect. Every part of her is shining.
She’s breathtaking.
And she’s my wife.
“Okay, but seriously,” my sister starts, leaning back in her chair as she swirls the champagne in her flute. “This is incredible, Grant. Who the hell knew you could pull off such a day?”
I scoff, rolling my eyes. But it’s Crew who speaks first. “Give the man a break. He’s in looooove .”
Sav chuckles into her water goblet as we wait for our dinner. Our eyes meet, and she blushes, smiling down at her lap.
“Everything was amazing, Grant. It doesn’t even feel real.”
“Believe it, Peach.” I reach over and grip her hand, running my thumb over the back of her hand.
She shakes her head, looking around the room. “I can’t believe how quickly everything came together. I figured we’d do something small, but not until next week. This is…well, this is everything I could’ve ever hoped for.”
“That’s what happens when you bribe a courthouse clerk and beg your friend to have her dad give you the private dining room.”
Savannah’s head whips in my direction, eyes wide. I give my sister a look that has her cowering behind her champagne flute. My little sister and her big fucking mouth.
“You bribed someone? Grant…”
“I only offered him some season tickets and maybe a Quinton Boyd autograph.”
Sav lets out a nervous laugh. “Lies and bribery. Should I be worried?”
“Nah, baby.” I lean forward. “I’d do anything for you but never toward you.”
And I mean every word. There’s no way in hell I’d ever lie or hurt Savannah, but if I can give her something she wants, you bet your ass I’ll do it.
I’ve always kept my head down, followed the rules, and done everything the right way.
If pulling a few strings to make her happy is what I need to do, then so be it.
Before she can say anything else, the waiter arrives with our meals—pasta, filet, and shrimp for me and Crew, lobster ravioli for Bret, and chicken parmesan for Sav.
For the next twenty minutes, it’s nothing but clinking silverware and laughter.
Bret rehashes childhood stories, like the time I swore I’d be the next Tony Hawk and nearly broke my arm trying to skate a bowl at the local park.
Savannah once told me her cousin Ridge could probably teach me a thing or two. He grew up skating, which led him into even riskier stunts. These days, he’s into underground fighting and motorcycle racing on a crotch rocket. Remind me never to end up on his bad side.
“I’ve got a little surprise for you,” Bret says, her attention locked on Savannah as the waiter clears out empty dishes.
Savannah lets out a nervous laugh. “Okay?”
Bret smiles at me as she practically vibrates in her seat. As Savannah looks nervously around the table, I lean forward, placing my hand on the table, palm side up.
“Come on, wife .” I wink at her and wait for her to take my hand.
Savannah slides her hand into mine. Soft and warm. Delicate. With her hand in my grip, I stand from the table, helping her up. As I lead her to the center of the room, I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s beautiful. She’s mine .
Gently, I tug her into me, my hands finding her waist as hers wrap around my neck. Glancing over her shoulder, I nod at my sister. While we wait for her to queue the song on her phone, I lean toward Savannah's ear.
“Hey, Peach,” I murmur.
“Hi.” Her voice is breathy, a little nervous.
As the instrumental sounds of The Beatles’ “In My Life” start to play, a soft gasp leaves her lips. Her eyes find mine, tears glistening in her blue irises.
“Grant…”
“I know we skipped a lot of steps, a lot of traditional steps, but I couldn’t go without dancing with my wife for the first time.”
As I guide her into a slow sway, we move together as much as her bump allows. Every few steps, I spin her carefully, then pull her right back to me. With each pass, she melts a little deeper into my touch.
As her head rests on my chest, I lean down and press a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
“This is everything,” she whispers.
“Good, Sav,” I breathe into her hair. “I want to give you every damn thing you wish for.”
I feel her smile against my chest.
“You’re mine forever, Mrs. Campbell.”
Her body shivers, and my mind flashes back to the other morning when her body was shivering for a whole different reason. I can’t wait to get her home. To feel her soft curves beneath my hands. Watch her writhe and beg for me as I bring her to ecstasy.
“It’s always been you, Peach,” I murmur. “Even when we were just friends. Even when you kicked my ass in a beer pong tournament while wearing next to nothing. Even when I had to carry your drunken ass up a hill. It’s. Always. Been. You.”
She snorts. Her groan is muffled against my chest, and I know her cheeks are flushed pink with embarrassment. “Oh god, I almost forgot about that time.”
“I remember everything. And even with your shoes dangling from your fingertips, mascara giving you raccoon eyes, you were the most beautiful girl in the world,” I confess. “Tonight? You’re radiant.”
The song fades, but our love only strengthens. A lone tear slips free and trails a path down her cheek. I lean forward and kiss it away. Looking down at my wife, I can’t help but admire her ethereal glow.
Our lips meet in a slow, unhurried kiss.
I don’t even care that my sister and her boyfriend are in the room—it’s just us, suspended in this moment.
Too soon, Savannah pulls back as the waiter returns with dessert.
I guide my wife to her seat, and when she goes to sit, her eyes widen before a low chuckle slips out.
“Lemon cheesecake?”
I huff a laugh. “Surprisingly, it was on the menu.”
“I could kiss you so hard right now.” She squeals.
“Before you do that,” my sister says, interrupting the moment and lifting her flute in the air. “I want to say a little something.”
Our attention goes to my little sister, who stands from her seat.
“Time and time again, I’ve watched Grant put himself last to make sure the ones he loves are cared for.
When I think of Grant Campbell, the first thing that comes to mind is a protector.
He’s been my hero, the fixer, the steadiness in my chaotic life.
Always the broody, quiet guy, Grant never lets his guard down.
For some reason, he’s always on high alert, but that was until you came into his life.
Whenever someone said your name, his whole face lit up—a crack in his armor.
That’s when I knew. You were the one for him.
Thank you for loving my brother, for trusting him, and for being his safe place.
Welcome to the family, Savannah.” Bret pauses, stretching her flute toward the center of the table.
“And congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell.”
With dessert finished and the plates cleared, I thank my sister and Crew for being here for us today. Then, I turn my attention to Savannah.
“As great as today was, I’m ready to take my wife home.”
The door clicks shut behind us, the soft sound detonating the tension that’s been building all night.
“You okay?” I ask, turning to where Sav hesitates in front of the door.
She nods. “Just taking a moment to soak everything in.”
I cup her cheek, my thumb brushing across her skin. She melts into my touch as I lean down and kiss her temple. Sav’s fingers slip into the collar of my shirt, pulling me closer until she’s kissing me in a way that has my stomach flipping. She tastes like lemon and mine .
“C’mon,” she murmurs against my lips, which has me pulling away. My brow furrows as I watch her lips form a sexy little smirk. “Take me to bed, husband.”
Husband.
Holy fuck me.
My cock has never jumped to life faster.
The way her sparkling doe eyes stare up at me.
The sexy-mixed-with-tired voice saying those five words.
I nearly let a growl escape as I inhale slowly.
My hard dick strains against my zipper. I ache to be inside her.
To feel her wrapped around me, pulling me deeper into the heat of her body.
Savannah flips the lock and takes my hand, leading me down the hall. It feels like miles before we step over the threshold of my room. The quiet is heavy, broken only by the pounding of our hearts as anticipation builds.
My fingers trail up her arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Across her collarbone, making her shiver. Up her neck, slender and begging to be held—but I won’t. Not yet.
With my thumb and forefinger gripping her chin, I tilt her head up. “Still tired?”
“Not anymore.” It’s the only thing I need to hear as my tongue plunges inside her mouth. She grips my hair, pulling me tighter. Teeth nipping, tongues dueling, we both give in to the moment.
I slip a hand up her back and clasp the zipper of her dress.
Slowly, oh-so-slowly, the zipper gives way, inch by inch, building the anticipation of getting her naked.
With her zipper undone, I trail my fingers over her spine before pushing the fabric away and helping it fall to the floor.
I’m thankful for the bright moonlight through my cracked blinds that gives me enough light to see all of her.
Still fully clothed, I drop to my knees. My fingertips grip the light blue panties she’s wearing as I slide them down her legs.
I hum. “So beautiful, Peach.”
“Grant,” she gasps, begging for more.
I help her step out of her panties and place open-mouthed kisses up her legs before leaning forward and placing a kiss at her center.
My mouth salivates as I inhale her scent, my cock thickening almost painfully.
Before I have a chance to taste her, Savannah finds my hair.
Her grip tightens, pulling my head back until I’m looking at her.
Desire swirls in her irises, and it makes me weak to see how desperate she is for me.
That, out of all the men in the world, she’s chosen me. My touch turns her on.
“Make love to me, Grant.”
At her soft declaration, I stand. One hand grips her cheek while the other helps lead her down onto my mattress.
And I make sweet love to my wife. It’s slow and unhurried. Loving and tender. The last time was wild and frenzied, but this time, it’s gentle and full of emotion. She arches under me, clings to me, wraps herself around me like I’m the only steady thing she’s ever known.
I worship her the way she deserves.
I promise her security while she promises me the world.