When I'm with You (Hope Town #3)(82)

“Nate! I look like a princess,” she whisper-yells before standing next to Maddi and Dani on the other side of the little stage we’re all on.

I give her a wink but look away the second I hear the music change again and the pastor asking everyone to stand.

I can’t have an erection at the altar.

I can’t have an erection at the altar.

I can’t have an erection at the altar.

Then I see her.

The woman that, for almost a year, has shown me a love that almost brings me to my knees daily.

All previous thoughts disappear from my mind when I get my first good look at her. The skintight white dress fits her mouthwatering curves like a glove. The tiny straps at her shoulders look like they would snap with one tug by me.

Maybe with my teeth. I’ll have to try that later.

The small flare that starts at her knees comes up slightly at the bottom when she takes her first step, and I can just see the tip of a sparkly shoe.

My eyes roam back up the white fabric, following the intricate lace design until I’m looking at her chest. She takes another step, and they bounce. I have to look away before I embarrass myself.

When I see her face, though, that’s when I feel like my heart might stop. She’s crying, and even though I know it’s because she’s over the moon happy right now, I hate seeing her tears. But it’s the look of pure f*cking love, for me, that has my heart restarting and thumping wildly in my chest. Each step she takes makes the rhythm crank up until I feel like I can’t breathe.

I swat at my cheeks when I feel my own emotion trickling from my eyes. I have no shame in my tears, not one f*cking ounce. I want the world to see what this woman does to me.

When she takes her next step, bringing her to my side, I have to swallow the huge lump in my throat. The pastor says something, I couldn’t tell you what, and she continues to smile through her tears at me.

“Her mother and I do,” I hear.

I lose her beautiful face when she turns, and for the first time since she walked through that doorway, I see her father. He kisses her temple and pulls her into a hug while looking over her shoulder at me. I’m not sure what I expected from him right now, but seeing his own eyes wet wasn’t even in the realm of possibilities. Hell, I was still anticipating him coming down the aisle guns blazing and refusing to give her away.

Ember steps back and he straightens. Instead of turning to go sit next to his wife, he reaches his hand out. I close mine around his and almost fall on my face when he pulls me forward. His hand tightens as he pulls his other around me with a strong smack against my back.

Then his head turns slightly. “I couldn’t be more proud that my girl found a man worthy of her. You’re a great man, Nate. Enjoy this blessed life.”

He steps away, and I watch his back until he sits next to Emmy. She hands him a tissue and he wipes at his eyes, eyes that I notice are now letting those tears fall freely.

I give him a nod and then … then I turn.

“Hey,” she whispers.

My mouth twitches, and I whisper back, “You look hot.”

Her eyes widen, and I notice my mistake instantly when I hear the pastor clear his throat into the mic. I just shrug, not ashamed at all because she does look hot.

With her hand in mine, not even hearing a damn thing that is said, I follow the cues and speak when I’m told. The whole time my heart grows a little bigger, filling my chest until I’m convinced it will burst.

“And I now pronounce you man and wife. Nate, you may kiss your bride.”

She’s in my arms before he finishes. I get an ear full of flowers when she wraps her arms around my neck, and I tighten my hold around her waist to bring her up off her feet.

And I kiss my wife deeply and thoroughly.

I would have kept kissing her, had I not gotten a nudge on my back. I make a mental note to kill Cohen later, then place her gently back down on the ground. Her lipstick is slightly smudged, and when her free hand comes up to wipe at my lips, I’m sure I’m wearing some now too.

Her eyes dance, and she smiles up at me before crooking a finger at me.

She turns obviously wiser than I am when it comes to the damn mic and I feel her breath against my ear. “You said not a day over six months and I should have believed you … Daddy.”

I can’t move.

I’m not even sure I’m breathing.

Nope, I’m lightheaded, definitely not breathing.

“It’s my pleasure to now introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Gregory Reid.”

I hear the pastor talk, but f*ck if I’m not dumbstruck.

Her giggles bring me back to my senses, and I have to choke back a sob as I stand to my full height to look down at her. She’s smiling through her tears as she wipes my own away with her finger.

“Come on, husband.”

“I didn’t think I could ever love you more, but you proved me wrong, wife.”

I turn, the tears still falling, and after her arm loops through the crook of my waiting elbow, we walk down the aisle. This isn’t the first time I’ve felt the intoxicating power that loving her brings me, and it damn well won’t be the last.





EIGHT MONTHS AND SEVEN DAYS LATER



“I’M NEVER LETTING YOU PUT a baby in me again!”

I bite my tongue when her hand clamps down on mine with the strength of ten men. Fucking hell, I think she might actually break my hand before she gives birth.