Fusion (Explosive #5) (35 page)

That’s when I realized I wanted soon, too.

Those four weeks dragged, and they also flew. They were frantic at times, but knowing I was going to marry the love of my life in less than a month made every ounce of the stress I experienced worth it.

It was simple. It was relatively easy. It was just like us, and it was beautiful.

We were getting married in the place where we’d met. The place where we’d first loved. The place where I’d set my hand in his and gave him my forever. The place where he had done the same.

Since we were back in Navarre, we could’ve invited all of our old friends. Had a huge party. Celebrated all night long. But, at the end of the day, we decided to keep it low-key. We just wanted each other and our families. That would be enough.

As I stood in front of the walkway, part of me wanted to run, sprint, even fly, because I knew what was awaiting me. Jeremy. Forever. My
husband.
The other part, however, wanted to glide slowly, soaking up every single detail along the way.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Even though it was late June, the temperatures were unusually cool that evening. The sun was setting. The breeze was blowing. And the waves were chipping in, creating their own beautiful soundtrack to highlight this day and where we were.

The beach.

Our
beach.

This place had always been home for me, ever since I’d met my best friend, the love of my life. At least, it had been until we’d moved to Ohio and I’d realized Jeremy was my home. My head against his chest, our fingertips laced and held on his stomach as we stole moments of intimacy. The way he reverently paused for a split second every time he sank into my depths and whispered my name, a sound so perfect coming from his lips. As if he really did believe that it was his love sanctuary and he was offering his reverence. Jeremy’s arms, Jeremy’s embrace, Jeremy’s heart. That’s where I was home. That
was
my home. It always would be.

“It’s time.” Mom’s soft whisper interrupted my thoughts. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”

I smiled and answered straight from the heart. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for thirteen years. Yeah, I’m ready,” I said.

She smiled. “I love you, Sierra.”

“Love you, too, Mom,” I replied, keeping it simple, already overwhelmed with all the emotion bubbling up inside me.

Dad approached, and Mom gave my hand a squeeze then laughed when Dad kissed her cheek. She ventured down the walkway to the gazebo, where my groom was waiting. I wanted to follow quickly, but then Dad cleared his throat and I turned to look at him. The shimmering tears in his eyes startled me, causing my own to form.

“My baby girl,” he whispered, placing a thumb and forefinger underneath my chin. “This day came a hell of a lot sooner than I expected.” He chuckled. “This day came a hell of a lot later than I expected, knowing that boy. He would’ve proposed when he was twelve years old if he could have.”

It was my turn to laugh. “I think we did it right,” I told him, unashamed of how unabashedly proud I was of the path Jeremy and I had taken.

Sure, we could’ve gotten married and started our forever at eighteen, but instead, we had taken our parents’ guidance and assistance, and now, he was a twenty-one-year-old college graduate with a steady job, and I was nearly done with my nursing degree. Neither of us had any student debt, and we’d be comfortable as we began our lives as a couple. Like I said, relatively easy. Completely comfortable. Pretty much perfect.

“You did,” Dad said, interrupting my thoughts. “And I couldn’t be prouder. That kid, as much as I hated to admit it, was always going to be the one who’d put a ring on your finger. You couldn’t have picked a better man to love you, Sierra. As much as it pains me that I’m giving you away today, I know it’s to a good man, which lessens the pain a little.”

Tears pricked my eyes. “You can’t make me cry, Dad,” I laughed. “It’ll ruin my makeup.”

He leaned in close and placed a kiss on my forehead. “The guy at the altar? He wouldn’t care.”

“Just another reason to love him.”

He smiled and took a deep breath. Then he slowly exhaled and held his arm up, and I set my hand in the crook of it.

“Remember what comes after marriage, Sierra,” he said in a teasing tone. “I’m not too young to be a grandpa.”

I laughed even though my belly tightened at the prospect of being a mom. “One thing at a time, Dad.”

His eyes gleamed. “We’ll see.”

“How about you marry me off first? Then we’ll talk babies. In a couple of years,” I informed him.

He sighed. “I guess I can live with that.”

“Didn’t I tell you she couldn’t get married until thirty? I mean, I know you only passed calculus because of Sierra, but I thought you could at least do simple math. You’re a bit early.”

Nick was teasing—I was killer at calculus. And a cocky grin formed on my face even though I was nervous as hell on the inside.

Not that I had any idea why. Sierra and I’d been together for two-thirds of my life. Hell, I barely remembered the time when she hadn’t been there. This was just another normal day at the beach.

Except that it wasn’t. This day was monumental. It signified the beginning of everything I’d ever wanted. And, for some reason, it was…daunting as hell.

But probably not for the reasons you might think. I wasn’t worried about having a ball and chain or anything like that. No, I was fucking terrified out of my mind that, after thirteen years, Sierra was finally going to wise up and realize she could have any man in the world. Why would she want me?

Just as quickly as that stupid thought had come, a plethora of memories hit me like a tidal wave, drenching me with a flood of emotion. In my mind, I saw Sierra, eight years old, standing at the top of the steps, the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. I could hear her teasing me about Michelangelo. Then it was the image of Sierra in her homecoming dress, stopping my heart and tightening my pants from the sight of her all dressed up for me. Sierra launching herself into my arms and telling me that she loved me for the very first time. A million I-love-yous followed, and I heard each and every one loud and clear. And then I saw Sierra, sweet and sensuous, writhing beneath me as I made love to her, right there at that very spot. The sound of her panted breaths as she whispered my name played on repeat in my mind, and if it hadn’t been for Nick placing a hand on my shoulder and shaking me out of my reverie, I might have gotten hard all over again.

I laughed, all the fear draining from my body. Sierra was mine. She always had been. Always would be. Just like I was hers—for now, forever, and whatever eternity awaited us on the other side.

Where she went, I’d follow.

Always.

But enough with the mushy stuff.

“And I’m pretty sure I told you no way,” I finally answered, lifting my chin and setting it in defiance at my soon-to-be father-in-law.

Nick laughed, clapped me on the shoulder, and squeezed. His smile softened, as did his eyes. “You’re the only one I’d ever allow be the exception to that rule, Jeremy. I hope you know that.”

I returned his smile. “I appreciate that, sir.”

For as long as I can remember, he’d been Nick to me. Not Mr. Sullivan or sir, but in that moment, it’d felt right.

He nodded his appreciation. “I always wanted a son, and God changed my mind when he blessed me with two beautiful daughters who grew up to be two beautiful women. But, today, I’m gaining a son, and I couldn’t be happier. Because that’s what I consider you, Jeremy. A son,” he told me.

“Does that mean I can finally call you Pops?” I asked, grinning at the memory of the first—and only—time I’d tried calling him that.

“Absolutely not,” he responded with his own smile.

I ran a hand through my hair. “Look, Nick…I have to thank you.”

He started to hold a hand up, but I continued.

“You’ve changed my life. Not only did you create the beautiful girl I’m about to marry, but you took me in when you didn’t have to. I wouldn’t be standing here, about to marry the love of my life, if it weren’t for you and Vicky. And I know I don’t say it as often as I should, so thank you. Truly,” I said.

“Thanks aren’t needed, Jeremy. Just be good to my girl.”

“There’s no other option,” I replied.

“Then what’d you say we have a wedding?” Nick said, glancing at his watch. “You ready?”

“I’ve been ready for longer than you want to know.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Probably a good thing,” he responded. Then he walked through the gazebo and down the walkway to where he was about to lead his daughter to me.

To her future.

Our
future.

As cocky as I’d been, I wasn’t prepared for the moment Sierra came into view. I was nearly knocked off my feet, ass in the sand, as soon as I saw her. I don’t know what it was. Every single day, I’d looked at Sierra and marveled at how beautiful she was, but this was different. She was dressed in a flowing, white gown that perfectly molded to her curves. Her smile was radiant as she approached. The white hibiscus flower in her soft, flowing hair gave her the appearance of an angel. My heart leapt into my throat, and I couldn’t believe it. This was my bride.

I was undone.

When Nick gave her a kiss on the cheek then stepped to the side to join our families, I barely registered he was even there. My eyes were locked in on hers, and I’m not ashamed to admit that they might have been swimming with the manliest of tears.

“Beautiful,” I whispered then leaned down and captured her perfect, pink lips with mine. I just couldn’t help myself.

A throat cleared, and I pulled back. She was smiling up at me, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“I think the kiss is supposed to wait until after the ceremony,” she teased.

I grinned. “Do I look like I care?” Then I turned to Chris, who’d gone online and gotten ordained for this. “Make it quick, man.”

And quick is what he made it. I was dying to kiss Sierra again by the time we got to the vows. When Sierra had insisted we write our own vows, I wasn’t sure what the hell I was going to say. I sat for hours trying to form the perfect poetic words, and frankly, I sucked at it. So after too many hours wasted and sheets of papers balled up, I decided I’d wing it.

“Banks, you’re up first,” Chris said in his usual laid-back style.

Taking Sierra’s hand in mine, I peered down at her, waiting for the nerves to come. This was it. I was finally saying my vows, and in just a few short moments, she would be my wife. But the nerves never came. All I felt was love. Excitement. Joy. And impatience. As much as I loved Sierra in that dress, I wanted to see her out of it. To slowly slide the zipper down as I kissed her bare shoulder…

I was getting ahead of myself—and getting hard in the process. Which Sierra noticed. Her eyes grew wide as she bit her lip. I leaned forward and placed my mouth just above her ear.

“Not helping, baby. You know what that lip bite does to me.”

Her sharp intake of breath was the perfect opening for my vows.

“First,” I said, taking a moment to glance from Chris to Sierra, “I promise to never grow a mullet again without your permission.”

Chuckles sounded all around us, and Sierra’s shoulders shook with laughter.