A jolly Hawaiian man with a big belly and a wild floral shirt, Ano, officiated. Our pastor had fallen through at the last minute, but I preferred this guy anyway. He was happy, which seemed like a good omen for our marriage.
“Ryke and Kate,” he said, smiling and looking at each of us. “We’ve gathered here on this most beautiful day to celebrate two becoming one.”
I squeezed Ryke’s hands and grinned like a giddy schoolgirl, unable to focus on anything but the look of love on his face. Nearly every day I wondered how I’d gotten this lucky. He was fierce, sweet, powerful and rugged. My heart still fluttered when he kissed me. And I was about to become his wife.
Ano turned to Ryke. It was time to share the vows we’d written in secret. I’d agonized over mine, scrawling them in a notebook, typing new ones on my laptop and then begging Kirk for help. That hadn’t worked, either, and I’d been up late last night working on what I wanted to say.
I glanced over Ano’s shoulder when he turned to Ryke. The ocean beneath the cliff was the most vibrant blue I’d ever seen. This place was paradise; the perfect spot for our intimate summer wedding.
“Ryke, please share your promise to Kate, before your family and friends,” Ano said.
After shifting and clearing his throat, Ryke stepped another inch closer to me before starting.
“Kate, you already know hockey players are fighters. That’s who I am, and you need to know that I’ll do a lot of fighting in this marriage.” I gave him a quick, nervous smile. He winked at me and continued. “I’ll fight for your dreams even if you think they’re impossible. I’ll fight for our future, no matter what obstacles we face. There’ll be times when I’ll fight with you, because I promise to always be open and honest with you, even if you won’t like what I have to say. No matter what life throws our way, I’ll fight for our love. You’re my everything, and I promise you’ll know every day that I’d take on any fight for you.”
I held back the tears pooling in my eyes, trying to smile them away.
“Kate,” Ano said, “Please share your promise to Ryke, before your family and friends.”
I smiled again and opened my mouth to start, but closed it quickly because I knew I’d cry over his vows if I spoke. A few seconds passed, and finally I laughed nervously and let a few tears fall. Ryke reached over to brush them away, but I beat him to it, swiping my thumbs beneath my eyes and then putting my hands back in his. He stroked a thumb across my hand and I made the exhilarating jump.
“Jason Patrick Ryker, it’s hard to remember there was a time when I didn’t know your name. It’s as familiar to me as my own now. I once heard that love is giving someone the ability to destroy you but trusting them not to.” I paused, my throat tight with emotion. “Today I promise you both of those things. I entrust you with my heart, and I promise to always be true, honest and supportive. I’ll be your best friend and your biggest fan. I will love and honor you every day for the rest of my life.”
When he kissed me to seal our vows, the happiness that washed over me was as warm and bright as the sun that sparkled off the ocean waves. In that moment, no one but the two of us existed, and absolutely nothing was impossible.
Chapter 10
The apartment was silent when I opened the door, so I closed it quietly and went to the bedroom to look for Kate.
She was curled up on the bed, which was still made, sound asleep. I sat down beside her and ran my fingers over a stray section of her long hair. This soft, feminine part of her always stirred something inside me. As usual, just the feel of it brought my cock to life. Because this gorgeous blonde hair was hers, it was also mine. And I loved everything I did with it. When I kissed her, I ran my hands through it to make her moan softly into my mouth. Sometimes I pulled it just the way she liked – hard — when she was about to come. I loved waking up to the familiar coconut smell of her smooth hair when her back was nestled into my chest.
“Kate,” I whispered, running a fingertip over her cheekbone. Her eyes opened and took a second to focus on me.
“Hmm?” She sat up. Her swollen, groggy eyes reminded me I’d left when she was upset.
“Hey. Just wanted you to know I’m home.”
Her face registered her memory of our argument. “Okay.”
“You’re exhausted.” I reached beneath her and picked her up, sliding the covers down and setting her back on the bed. She usually slept in one of my t-shirts, so I went to the closet and found one.
She was asleep again when I got back to the bed. I grabbed the waistband of the flannel pants she wore and pulled them down, but she didn’t wake up.