How to Discipline Your Vampire(120)
Once I had hit my stride, I was able to make out the shapes that were waiting for me at the end of the dock. William stood at the entrance to the yacht, hand stretched toward me, beckoning me to marriage. A few steps farther, I made out the figure of Erin, hands on her hips in a sassy pose, wearing a tight fuchsia dress that wrapped around her figure and wound around one shoulder. Then there was Harvey, who blinked and blotted his eyes as he saw me approach, and Claude, his partner, clasping Harvey’s free hand. Breanna rested her head on Steven’s broad shoulder and smiled at me with a dreamy expression. I was thrilled I had earned their approval. Joan, wearing a simple black dress and blazer, nodded at me as I continued my promenade down the dock. Then, a small figure came into view, a woman in pale green, the color of our eyes. Mom.
“You look stunning,” William said, slipping his cool hand into mine. I was shaking. He was not. He smiled at me so broadly that the corners of his eyes crinkled. “My beautiful bride.”
We ascended the stairs to the ship’s outdoor patio, where William had set up a dozen tall heat lamps, which stood over us like warm palm trees, allowing the guests to enjoy the beautiful April sunset without its blustery breeze. Several intimate cocktail tables dotted the deck, decorated in a nautical theme with white rope trim wrapped around the napkins and candles. Oh, William, you scamp, I thought.
Joan led us across the gleaming cherrywood deck toward the bow of the yacht, where she had a small book set up on a table, and several candles. Erin, Harvey, Claude, Breanna, Steven, and my mother sat in a semicircle, facing the sea behind me and William.
“Friends, we are here to show our love and support for Cerise and William as they embark on the journey of marriage. The couple has elected to speak their own vows, so I’m going to step aside and allow them to speak their words of love. William?”
He nodded to Joan, then focused completely on me. His eyes, blue and glimmering in the light of dusk, held my gaze for a moment before he began. “Cerise. The love I have waited a lifetime for. Today I bind myself to you.”
My mouth nearly unhinged at his wording. How cheeky! He was going to get a spanking before the night was out, that’s for sure. I clamped my lips shut and allowed him to continue his vows.
“I vow to fasten my life to yours, and weave the strands of our fates together. I want the future we have together to be trussed with the cords of respect, compassion, and love.”
I glanced sideways at Erin, who had covered her smirking mouth.
“Today, Cerise, I ask for your name, your commitment, and your permission to allow me to submit my very soul to your keeping.”
I blinked slowly, allowing the tears to brew inside my eyes. This was so perfect.
Joan handed him a ring. A lovely diamond and ruby band that matched my engagement ring—a pear-shaped diamond with pavé rubies encircling the center. “Cerise Norrel, with this ring, I promise to love and cherish you for all eternity.” He slid it down my finger and it felt like a caress. The little platinum circle didn’t strangle my finger, it hugged it. I exhaled at the feeling.
“Cerise?” Joan prompted.
I closed my eyes and pictured the words before I spoke them. I could do this. “William, you are my every fantasy. Each day, I find new ways to love you.”
Now it was his turn to hide a chuckle. I watched the corners of his mouth waver.
“You’re my prince, my knight, my Romeo. My everything. You have taught me to love, to risk, to challenge, all while being able to stay myself. You bring out the best in me even when you’re not by my side. Because of you, I’m proud of who I am and who we will become together. Here’s to a lifetime of dreams coming true.”
William smiled at me again and wiped a tear from his eye. “I love you.”