Chapter 18 - Tucker
Bonnie melts deeper into my arms, not that she can come much closer. I'm already holding her so close and so tight that we can easily be confused for one person. Yet somehow she manages to bring herself tighter against me. My right hand slides up and into the hair hanging loose down her back. I tip my head down closer to hers and whisper. "It's your turn, Bonnie-bean."
"How do I follow that?" She asks on her own whisper. I'm not used to this sweet side of my normally feisty mate. She's shown it to Bloom, but she's never directed her sweetness at me. And damn if I don't love it. I press a kiss to the tip of her nose and tell her.
"Tell me how you feel. The words don't have to be flowery. Just honest."
She gets an evil gleam in her eye and her mouth curls into a smile. "Honest, huh?"
"Yep, honest." I confirm, a little nervous what'll come out of her sassy mouth.
"Well...You drive me nuts." The people around us chuckle, but she continues. "You came crashing into my life, latched on to me and won't let go. Even though I've tried to push you away more than once. You're bossy, goofy, and inhumanly large. But you're also caring, protective, and completely loyal. You challenge me, tease me, and for some reason love me. I'm not going to be an easy mate to have. I'm going to drive you nuts in return and push you to your breaking point. But I promise I'll stand by you through our hard times. I'll protect you even when you don't think you need me to. I'll do my best to make you laugh when you're sad. Because of everything that makes you, well, you, I love you. And I will till the day I take my last breath, because you are my one true mate."
"I knew you love me."
"You're never going to let me forget it, are you?"
"Never." I tell her as I take her mouth. Behind us I hear Pike announce us as officially mated. There's cheers from our small group of guests but it's all faint background noise while I enjoy the feel of my mate pressed to me, not struggling for once, as I drink in her kiss.
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"Congratulations, brother." Pike says with a slap on my back.
"Thanks." I reply without taking my eyes off my mate. She's standing across the field with the other ladies. Her and Bloom have their arms around each other's waists as they lean into one another. They appear happy, and I have to say it's a good look. I'm not going to think about the fight ahead taking this away from us. Not tonight. We all need this little bit of peace.
"She fought you tooth in nail on this mating, but I have to say she looks pretty damn happy now that your bond is in place."
"That she does."
"Don't fuck up your mating night like I did." He teases, causing me to full on laugh.
"I'll try not to." I reply once I'm able to control my laughter. Bonnie's arms slide around my waist as she presses herself to me, front to front. I put one hand at her waist as the other goes to her neck. Her head tilts back and she beams up at me.
"Dance with me." She commands instead of asking.
I don't hesitate in putting my arms around her to guide her into the center of the clearing. I'm not a man who dances but for my mate I'll do anything. Even if that anything means stumbling my oversized frame around a clearing in the middle of the night. I lift her up and she wraps her legs around my waist, lays her head on my shoulder, and I sway us to the music Rhett is playing on his guitar.
"Perfect." She purrs against my neck.
"That you are." I respond.
She places a kiss to my neck and then with her lips still pressed to my skin smiles. "I meant this night has been perfect. I don't know how you pulled this all together with only a few hours, but you did. And you made it perfect. The only thing missing is my parents."
"If I could've got them here I would have. I promise we'll have a wedding ceremony after we get back and everything settles. You'll have your big wedding with your parents, and the perfect dress." I promise as I kiss her exposed neck.
"That'll be nice.” She gets quiet for several seconds before she whispers. “We have to make it through this next obstacle first."
I stop swaying, and place her feet on the ground so I can look in her eyes. "I don't want to ruin tonight by talking about the bad that's coming our way."
"Tuck..." She starts to protest.
"No." I take the back of her neck so I can tilt her head up as I bring mine down close. "We'll enjoy tonight and then we will make it through the bad that's coming. No other option, Bonnie. I refuse to have any other outcome."
"You're rather bossy."
"When it comes to your happiness or safety, hell yeah."