When Two Becomes One Page 16

  “Not in those words,” he said. “But some iteration of it. He always says you’ll never change your mind about the parameters of this relationship. He either knows he loves you or he represses it. I think it’s the latter.”

  I glanced at Conrad and watched him dance with his mother. She was shorter than him because Conrad was over six feet tall. He had a strong jaw and nice cheekbones.

  “Tell him, Lexie.”

  I turned back to his father. “It’s more complicated than that…”

  “I want my son to be happy. And I know you’re the key to that. Just tell him. I promise you, he feels the same way.”

  “But you don’t know that.”

  “I know my son,” he said firmly. “I can read him better than he understands himself. You’re his reason for living. I’ve never seen him smile wider or been more at ease in my life. You’re the one, Lexie.”

  I watched Conrad again, wondering what would happen if I did tell him I had feelings for him. Would he return that gesture? Or would he turn his back on me and end our arrangement?

  “It’s worth the risk,” Mike said. “You could get everything you’ve ever wanted.”

  “Or I could lose everything.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Slade

  I danced with Trinity, forgetting there were other people on the dance floor. She was the only thing I noticed, the only thing that really mattered. Her strapless dress showed her rounded shoulders, and her soft hair was in endless curls. The pearls on her neck reflected the light. I stared into her blue eyes and couldn’t believe she was mine, now and forever.

  She returned the look with the same expression. Love and endless devotion shined in her eyes. My hands automatically squeezed her, wanting to remind myself she was real. This beautiful night was magical, and it was only possible with one person. If Trinity and I hadn’t gotten together, a happily ever after wouldn’t have happened for me. Trinity was the only woman that possessed the ability to capture my heart savagely and never let it go.

  “I love you.” I said it to her countless times that night. The words left my lips by their own will and I had no control over it. Every time I looked at the other half of my soul I had to cherish it.

  “I love you,” she whispered back.

  “I always knew if I took a wife she’d be hot.” A smile upturned one corner of my mouth.

  “Yeah? I always knew my husband would be a stud.”

  “I could stare at you forever.” And I meant that. She used to be my whole world. But now she was my whole universe. Her lips were slightly shiny from her lip gloss, and her eyes were highlighted by the eye shadow she wore. She’d never been more beautiful.

  “I’ll remember this night as long as I live.”

  “And the good stuff hasn’t even started yet.” My hand moved up her back until I felt the bare skin between her shoulder blades. I couldn’t wait to place gentle kisses there tonight when I made love to her as my wife for the first time.

  “I can’t wait,” she said with a moan. “I’ve missed you.”

  My cock got hard at her words. “Don’t make that sound. Otherwise I’ll drag you behind a building and take you in a very unromantic way.”

  “Even that sounds good right now.”

  I growled at her then placed a kiss on her shoulder. My lips trailed up her neck and to her ear. “I can’t wait to make love to my wife.”

  She released a quiet sigh. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

  “Is it working?”

  “Very much.”

  “How much longer until this party is over?”

  “A while,” she said. “We have to cut the cake.”

  “Then let’s do it.”

  “I don’t want to rush, “she said. “This night is so much fun.”

  “It is pretty awesome.”

  “But I do want cake…”

  I smiled. “You’ve been starving yourself for this wedding. You should indulge and get back the pounds you lost.” I pulled her to where our cake stood on the table. Then I grabbed a cutter while the photographer came over.

  Trinity stopped and examined the cake. “Wait, this isn’t what we bought.”

  Skye appeared with Cayson by her side. “There was a problem with the baker…but everything is fine.”

  It was a single layer and looked like it would only feed four people. “Uh…I don’t think this is enough.”

  “We got other cakes in the back,” Skye said. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Cakes?” Trinity asked. “As in, multiple?”

  “Just cut the damn cake,” Skye sighed. “And don’t worry about it.”

  Cayson stepped in before Skye could explode. “The cake is a touchy subject for her.”

  “We can see that,” I said. “Baby, let’s cut it. I’m sure it’s fine.”

  Trinity came back to me and her irritation disappeared.

  I came behind her and gripped her wrists as we sliced the cake. Once we put two slices on our plates she looked at me like she might kill me if I smeared frosting on her face.

  I wouldn’t dare do that to her on our wedding day. “You can smear it on me if you want. But I won’t get you back.”

  She relaxed. “No, I don’t want to mess up that pretty face.”

  “I’ll do it.” Skye threw a piece right at me.

  Trinity immediately stepped back and laughed.

  I wiped the dessert from my face then pointed at Cayson. “Control your woman.”

  Cayson laughed so it was clear he didn’t care in the least.

  “I think you look better like that,” Skye said.

  Trinity grabbed a napkin and wiped my face clean. “There you are, handsome.”

  “You’re lucky I’m too in love to get you back,” I said. “But watch out on your wedding day.”

  Skye stiffened and looked terrified.

  I pulled Trinity toward our table. “Payback is a bitch, ain’t it?”

  ***

  At the end of the night, people started to leave. Our gifts were left on the table, and there were still different cakes dispersed everywhere. Only a few people lingered on the dance floor. Trinity and I were tired because we both woke up early that morning to get everything prepared. And then we went through an emotional separation before we got back together.

  I was ready to leave, mainly because I was excited to get to the hotel and make love to my wife.

  My wife.

  I never realized how hot that sounded.

  And I was eager to see the tattoo on her hip. It was just for me.

  Cayson jogged to me. “The limo is waiting in the driveway whenever you’re ready.”

  “How’d you know we were ready?”

  “I know you haven’t gotten laid in weeks,” he said as he nudged me in the side.

  Trinity was talking with Skye, laughing at something she said.

  I stared at her and imagined undoing the zipper in the back.

  Trinity came back to me, her make up slightly smeared from all the fun we had.

  I didn’t ask if she wanted to leave because I didn’t want to rush her. I wanted this night to be everything she wanted it to be.

  She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I think I’m ready to go.”

  “You’re sure?” I asked as I pulled her to my chest.

  “Yeah, I’m pretty tired.”

  She better not be too tired.

  “You guys run along,” Skye said. “We’ll take care of everything.”

  “Thanks, guys,” I said. “I need to take my wife home.”

  Trinity gave me a smile.

  “The limo awaits,” Cayson said. “Have fun in the Caribbean.”

  “Wear sunblock,” Dad said. “I’m serious.”

  Mike laughed with his arms across his chest. Apparently, it was an inside joke only they understood.

  “We’ll see you in two weeks.” I scooped Trinity into my arms and held her.

  “You’re only supposed to do that befor
e we walk across the threshold,” Trinity said.

  “I know. But I’m sure your feet are killing you.” I cradled her to my chest. “We’ll see you when we get back.”

  “Bye!” Everyone shouted.

  I turned around and walked backwards. “And don’t call us. I mean it.”

  “We’ll remember,” Cayson said as he waved.

  “And thanks for everything, “I said as I turned around.

  “Bye.” Trinity waved over my shoulder.

  I carried her to the limo and put her inside. We were staying at a luxury hotel for the night then we were flying out in the morning. But I knew we wouldn’t get much sleep for the evening. Maybe we could sleep on the plane tomorrow.

  I put my arm over her shoulder then kissed her neck and shoulder, unable to stop myself from devouring her. I didn’t take her as aggressively as I wished because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from getting carried away.

  The visor blocked us from the driver’s view, and soon we were making out and touching each other. Trinity unbuttoned the top of my shirt but stopped herself from doing the rest.

  My hand moved up her dress but I didn’t move past her thigh. I kept it as PG as possible. I couldn’t wait to have her, and not just because I hadn’t been getting any in weeks. I wanted her because I was so desperately in love with her and I wanted to show her that in the best way I could.

  Half an hour later we arrived at the hotel and checked in. It seemed to take forever for the elevator to ascend to the top floor. The valet had already dropped off our bags in the room but it was taking us forever to get there. I held Trinity’s hand and stopped myself from pushing her against the wall of the elevator Fifty Shades of Grey style.

  Finally, the doors opened and we headed to the honeymoon suite. I fumbled with the key until I finally got the door open. When we walked inside, I saw all the low-burning white candles. I assumed it was Cayson’s doing.

  We walked further inside until we approached the bed, which was covered in rose pedals, also Cayson’s doing. When I looked at Trinity in her wedding dress I suddenly felt nervous. All I could think about on the drive was taking off that gown and kissing her everywhere. I wanted to be inside her, to begin our marriage as husband and wife. But now I was anxious.

  She stared at me like she felt the same way.

  My heart raced fast in my chest. This was the beginning of something beautiful, and that knowledge was so powerful it was painful. I’d become a different man because of Trinity, and I feared what my life would have been like if she hadn’t set me straight. I would never know this joy. I would never feel this love in my chest. I would have missed out on so much.

  She came closer to me and looked up into my face.

  I met her look. “I love you so much.” I swallowed the lump in my throat after I said it, feeling my heart swell to a dangerous size. I couldn’t contain all the emotions I felt. It put my brain into overload.

  Trinity made the first move, and with shaky hands unbuttoned my shirt until it fell open. Then she pushed it down my arms, revealing my muscled chest that was covered in ink, including the tattoo I got just for her.

  She stared at the image, her fingers resting on it. She looked at it like it was a piece of artwork. She appreciated it, even loved it. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss over the area. Then she stepped back and undid my slacks.

  After they fell to the floor I pulled my boxers off and kicked my shoes off. I stood naked before her, not hiding behind anything for the first time ever. She saw all of me, every piece of me. She knew I belonged to her, completely and utterly.

  Then my hands moved to her skin and my fingers rested on the zipper. My breathing increased because I was excited. I never wanted to forget this night, to forget this moment.

  My fingers slowly pulled it down until the gown became loose around her. Then it slid down her body to the floor, exposing her in the same underwear she wore earlier. I cherished the sight of her fair skin, knowing she was legally and emotionally bound to me forever. Then I unclasped her bra and let it fall.

  Her breasts were perky and her nipples had hardened due to excitement. I stared at her curves lovingly, wanting to run my tongue along the grooves and valleys of her perfect body.

  But I didn’t.

  My fingers played with her thong before I slowly pulled it down her long legs. Her legs were my favorite feature. They were toned and defined. Then my eyes moved to the tattoo on her hip, where my name was permanently ingrained in her skin. I placed a wet kiss there, loving the fact she inked herself just for me. It was the sexiest and most meaningful thing she could ever do.

  I rose back to my full height then looked down at her. I memorized the look on her face to remember for the rest of my life. When I looked back on my life, I wanted this to be my most precious memory.

  We had enough foreplay for the night and I knew she was ready for me. I wanted to make love, and only make love. I guided her to the bed then scooted her up until her head rested on a pillow. I moved over her, positioning myself between her legs.

  One hand fisted her hair as I held on, knowing what we were about to do would be soul-crushing for both of us. “You have my heart forever, Trinity.”

  “And you have mine.”

  I pressed my forehead to hers and looked into her eyes. This is how our first night together should have been. It should have been meaningful and beautiful. It should have made her feel worshipped and cherished. It should have been a lot of things it wasn’t. But now it was.

  My tip found her entrance and I gently pushed inside her. She was wet but tight. I hadn’t even entered her all the way and she felt so damn good. I slid inside her, and she released a loud moan as she felt me.

  My lips found hers as I kissed her slowly. I thought I would blow my load the moment I was inside her but that wasn’t an issue. Making love to Trinity on this night was different than all the others. All I cared about was her, feeling her heart race with mine while our souls breathed together.

  I made love to my wife, giving everything I had for her. There was no race to finish, and there was no incentive either. We shared the moment together, combining our souls so they would echo across time once our bodies were gone. I slid in and out of her, appreciating the feel of her body. No longer was she another person. We were one and the same.

  “Trinity…” My eyes burned with tears I didn’t think I could conjure. I’d experienced more emotions today than I’d ever had before. My heart bled for Trinity, spilling every drop of blood. She owned me, completely and utterly.

  Her thumbs wiped away my tears, and her own eyes leaked with moisture. “My husband…”

  “My wife.” Hearing her call me that was the sexiest thing I ever heard.

  She kissed my tears as they fell, and her own dripped down her chin.

  We clung together out of love and desperation. I’d never experienced so much emotional havoc. I’d never felt so raw. I already opened up to Trinity, but now I was completely exposed and vulnerable. I let her see all of me, even the parts I didn’t know I was hiding.

  And she let me see her.

  Now I understood what love really meant. I understood what being a husband meant. I understood how to treat my wife every single day of our marriage. I understood how to be a real man.

  I understood everything.

  Check out MONDAY, the free book found at the end of this story!

  I don’t believe in destiny.

  In fate.

  Or in soul mates.

  But I believe in Hawke.

  My life has never been whole since my parents left forever. I have my brother, someone I can barely tolerate most of the time, and I have my best friend, Marie.

  And I have myself.

  But when Hawke walks into my life, there’s an immediate connection. Our eyes lock and an unspoken conversation is exchanged. For the first time in my life, I actually feel something.

  But he doesn’t.

  He keeps me at arm’s
length and pretends there’s nothing between us when there clearly is. I’m not the kind of girl to wait around for any guy, so I don’t.

  But that doesn’t mean he isn’t in the back of my mind.

  Our paths cross again in a way neither one of us expect and it changes everything. Was it destiny that made it happen? Was it fate?

  Or was it something else?

  Love Will Survive

  Book Twenty-Six of The Forever and Ever Series

  AVAILABLE NOW

  Click to Purchase on Amazon

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you could leave a short review, it would help me so much! Those reviews are the best kind of support you can give an author. Thank you!

  Wishing you love,

  E. L. Todd

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