Page 72 of Death

Chapter 17

Inever gave much thought to my wedding day.

I suppose I pictured it like most girls do. A gorgeous chapel full of family and friends, surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen and all of that. Flowers and live music, dancing on into the night with my one and only until a stretch limo pulls up and whisks us away to our happily ever after.

But that fantasy ultimately pales in comparison to today.

Just me, my parents, and my one and only at a lonely cabin out in the woods. Pictures were taken and drinks were had. Stories were told and tears were shed. Lives were changed.

Forever.

Ultimately, I think all breaks in grand tradition were worth it just to see the look on my father’s face as he and my mother ride off in a car with no driver.

I wave at them from the cabin’s porch with one hand, the other lovingly clasped in my husband’s palm. I mutter one final goodbye to them, somehow finding the strength not to cry anymore, as the tail lights disappear into the night.

I exhale slowly. “Now what?” I ask.

Ari smirks with one shoulder casually leaning against the banister. “It’s still your day, Tannis,” he says. “What do you want to do?”

Blanks.I can do anything I want, go anywhere I please. But still, I draw blanks.

“What do you want to do?” I ask him instead.

Ari pushes off the banister. He stands beside me, his hand still softly nestled in mine, as he gazes at me. “I want to give my wife a wedding night,” he says.

He scoops me up into his arms before I can say a word. I chuckle, barely able to even think, as he walks us through the open door of the cabin. He moves with ease, kicking off his shoes and kissing my cheeks at the same time. A feeling washes over me, the same one I felt ten-thousand feet above the earth.

Safe.

We reach the bed and Ari gently sets me down. I settle onto it but I still cling to his arms, not wanting to let go of him for even a moment.

Ari sits down beside me and brings my hand to his lips. “Unless,” he smirks, “you have a better idea.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “No.”

He kisses my palm before holding it to his chest. “You looked so beautiful tonight.”

I sit up, biting my lip as I admire his suit. “Didn’t look too bad yourself,” I say as I lovingly tug on his tie.

He grunts softly. “Never been a big fan of ties.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Well, it’s a fan of you, my friend.”

He laughs as I loosen it with both hands. I slide it free and drape it over his shoulders, letting his collar hang open.

“Better?” I ask.

“Better,” he repeats.

I pull on both ends, forcing him to lean toward me, and we meet in the middle for a kiss. Ari slides closer and brings his warm hands to my cheeks, taking me with an even deeper kiss that I feel all the way down to my toes.

“My queen,” he whispers, our mouths blending together. His hands slide up my back and he pinches the zipper at the nape of my neck. “I need you.”

My lips curl against his. “You said that last time.”