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A small cry slipped out when he pulled out of me, but it quickly faded when he laid me out on the bed, getting rid of his boxers and my panties, before filling me once more.
“I love you, baby,” he groans into my ear as his body begins to pulse inside mine, and my arms wrap around his neck, lifting my body up against his trying to hold onto all of it.
“I love you, Rafe, always,” I cry into his mouth, letting him steal some of my breath for himself as he pushes me right over the edge into heaven with him.
Chapter 17
My heart races a bit as Mom takes out my dress. Maggie is beaming as the hairdresser puts the final bobby pin in her hair. It’s dark like her daddy’s and the thought of having another little baby with that dark wavy hair floods me with a hungry desire that’s near impossible to resist.
While I might not have been sleeping around, I have been on birth control since I started working in the club. Mainly to stop from having a period at all because dealing with that while at the club isn’t fun. Worrying that a tampon would leak is not what you want while trying to get money out of men.
Now that we’re getting married, I want to stop taking it more than I can begin to say. I know Rafe’s said he wants to have more kids, but I definitely think it’s something we need to discuss first before I just decide to stop taking the medication. I think it’s something Maggie should also be considered during as well. She’s turning nine soon and I don’t want her thinking a new baby means we’ll love her any less.
“It’s beautiful, honey,” Mom says staring at it in shock. I’m a bit surprised that she thinks it’s beautiful because it’s a bit more risqué than most girls from town dare to wear. Not that it’s scandalous, but the back is open to just above my waist, the top a sweetheart neckline that highlights my breasts, with illusion capsleeves that have just a hint of the lace that makes up the bodice which then flows down onto the skirt edging them. It’s lined but doesn’t necessarily look like it. I fell entirely for it when Maggie, Lorie and I were out browsing one day and amazingly, the designer was able to get it to us in just two months.
I love it and when I finally slip it on, it is absolutely perfect. Maggie looks amazing in her flower girl dress that’s made of a similar material that has a hint more pink in it than mine. The underlayer of mine has the palest pink kiss while the overlay and lace is a brighter white.
Like I said, I guess I was in a pink mood when it came to all of the wedding things, but I don’t think Rafe will mind.
No, I know he won’t. Things between us keep getting hotter and hotter. Partly because I’m far more comfortable indulging in the naughty side I didn’t know I possessed, but Rafe certainly enjoys it and I love him pulling it out of me more and more. The rest is simply because I know he loves me, and I can accept him loving me.
The thing with Harrison might have been terrifying, but I needed to know. I had to know in order to let go of all of that fear and the self-sabotaging I did so we could be here today.
I’m sure you were probably yelling at me to stop being stupid a long time ago, but sometimes, a girl’s simply got to hit bottom to know what’s truly in front of her isn’t going to go away.
Now, I’m so anxious to get to Rafe already, to make him mine entirely—or to let him make me his entirely. I keep sneaking peeks at the clock, willing time to hurry up and move faster. I’m probably one of the only brides that’s ready well ahead of time but I couldn’t sleep another minute this morning. I was too anxious for this so now, I’m trying to cool my heels but it’s definitely not working.
A knock sounds on the door of the building where we’re getting dressed and Mom heads to it, opening it just a hint andI’m surprised to see Rafe there. He was the one that didn’t want to do a first look, wanted to see me in my dress for the first time as I walk down the aisle to him.
“Is everything okay?” Mom asks moving into the doorway so he can’t see inside but I can hear him.
“Yes, everything fine,” he assures us. “I debated about whether to let him see Amelia before or wait until tonight to tell her, but I think this way is best,” he adds, and I move up behind the door so he can hear me but not see me still.
“Who’s here?” I ask as Mom takes a step back when Rafe’s hand reaches around the door for mine.
“Sheriff Walters,” he answers, giving my hand a squeeze when my heart starts to race. “It’s okay, baby. Everything’s going to be okay,” he promises, his thumb running over my wrist, making the panic fade and desire fill in behind it.
“Okay,” I say giving Mom a nod and the man moves into the room around Rafe, taking care not to touch the door as he gives us a light smile.
“I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone else, especially today of all days,” he starts, and Rafe squeezes my hand again, keeping me calm. “Deputies about a hundred miles south of us located Harrison’s body. His parents have been informed and are upset, but they’ve been instructed not to bother you. There will likely be stories coming out in the papers about everything that was discovered about him now, beyond what we know from the things he said to you that night. Some of those stories may be upsetting and graphic, especially as a few are in relation to women that resemble you, Amelia. We will keep your name out of it unless you want to come on record about what he did to you. You have my word on that.”
“He’s really gone?” I ask, dragging in a shaky breath trying to stop the tears of relief from ruining my makeup.
“I went and viewed the body myself. It’s him,” he says, and I lean back against the door, my hand tightening in Rafe’s even more.
“Thank you,” I tell them both. Sheriff Walters for coming to tell us in person and Rafe for knowing I’d want to know now.
“I hope the two of you have a wonderful wedding and marriage. You deserve all the happiness from it,” he states before heading out and I lift Rafe’s hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to it.
“Ready to marry me now?” Rafe asks, his tone a bit teasing and I love it.
“I’d show you how much if you weren’t so insistent on not seeing me until I’m coming down the aisle, babe.”
“Good thing your dad’s ready then. I’ll be coming in there after you if you all aren’t making your way towards me five minutes from now, Ame. No running, baby,” he warns, and I can’t stop the light laugh that hits.
“Never,” I promise, and four minutes later, a new, pleased smile hits my lips when he turns, seeing me in my dress as Dad walks us towards him. Maggie’s standing just in front of him, nearly bouncing out of her shoes, and I give her a wink as we finish the walk.
It might seem strange to my family and the guests from town to have a woman older than my mom as my maid of honor, but no one in my life has been there for me quite like Sam has. She’s been part mom, part best friend, part boss, and part bully—in the best way—to me over the years. Without her, I may never have even been here. She pushed me to read Chad’s letter which brought me the truth, even if it was ugly, which brought me back to Rafe. She also gave me Maura’s name, which helped me stay in New York long enough to even meet Rafe.
