Keeping his bride

Nicholas

AFTER A LONG day of surfing, Lina and I sit on the beach, studying for her upcoming GED test. She has a few more days left before the big day, and I want to make sure she’s prepared as much as possible for it.

We’re still in our wetsuits, the sun beginning to set in the distance, as I read practice questions from my cell phone.

“Five,” she answers, and I can’t help but smile when I swipe to reveal the answer and she’s right.

“That is correct,” I tell her, doing my best Chris Farley impersonation from Billy Madison, a movie we just watched last night, while pulling my rash guard up over my head as seductively as I can.

Selina cracks up and slaps me playfully on my bare chest. “Be serious!” she says even though she’s grinning from ear to ear.

I toss the shirt next to me and smile before running a hand through my damp, messy hair. I had to convince her to watch the comedy, but it was worth all the begging I had to do. Hearing Selina laugh through almost the entire movie made my night. No, more like my fucking year. I love seeing her happy. I want her happy, always, with me. Only with me.”Okay, okay,” I tell her before reading another question from the practice test.

“Uhm, Natural selection.”

“That’s right,” I say with a grin. “You’re gonna kill this test, baby.”

“I hope so,” she says, but I can hear the doubt in her voice.This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.

“We can keep practicing,” I offer.

“Maybe later. Let’s just enjoy the sunset together,” she says softly before moving closer to me in the sand.

I wrap my arm around her, holding her tightly to my chest. I kiss the top of her head, breathing in her scent. She smells like strawberries and the ocean, and it’s a wonderful combination.

Neither of us says a word as the sun sets, disappearing beyond the horizon. Only when it gets dark to the point that we can’t see much around us do I finally break the spell we’re under and tell her, “We better go home.”

Standing up, I reach my hand down and pull her up and into my arms. Grazing my fingertips along her cheek, I study her beautiful face in the moonlight before placing a tender kiss against her lips. Ever since we’ve crossed the line from friends to lovers, I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of her. Not that I think she minds. Half the time, Lina is the first one making the move, which I couldn’t be happier about.

I was so afraid of pushing her away, of losing her that I almost fucked up and lost her by keeping my distance. I’m so fucking happy that we found each other somewhere in the middle and that we’re in a good place now, though.

“Movie tonight?” I ask her. Movie nights have become a regular thing between us.

“I had something different in mind,” she says, and I can hear her breath catching in her throat as my fingers trail down her slender neck.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, staring down at her as her eyes slowly flutter shut.

“A shower. Together,” she says before placing a kiss upon my lips.

I hum in approval. “I like that idea.”

“And then…” Her voice trails off when she places another kiss on my mouth.

“And then?” I urge, desperate to know what comes next.

“And then you’ll see,” she promises with a sexy grin.

“Oh fuck, I can’t wait until and then,” I tell her.

Selina giggles and kisses me chastely before taking off in a sprint towards the pack of cars sitting in the parking lot. “First one to the car gets to pick the next movie we watch!” she throws behind her shoulder.

I grab my shirt from the sand and chase after her, loving the feeling of adrenaline when I finally catch up to her and pin her up against the car.

“I win,” she says breathlessly.

“Good,” I whisper. I don’t even care that she gets to pick the next movie. I would watch paint dry on a wall if it meant I could cuddle with her in my room all night long. I capture her mouth with mine, shoving my tongue into her mouth and devouring her as she moans and grinds against me. Her legs wrap around my waist, and I pin her against the car while I kiss her senseless. She releases the softest whimpers against my lips, and the sound drives me crazy. Fuck, I can’t wait to get her home so that I can ravish her in my bed.

Someone clears their throat loudly, and I suddenly remember that we are not alone. I glance over to see Tommaso, one of the guards, staring at us with a grin on his face. He shakes his head at me.

“Sorry about that, Tommaso!” I call over to him. These guys are probably ready to call it a day, and I don’t blame them. They’ve been sitting for hours in cramped SUVs, watching us run around on the beach and surf. “We’ll be heading home now,” I tell him before opening the door for Selina and shutting it once she’s inside.

Before I climb into the driver’s seat, I hear Tommaso on his phone saying, “The lovebirds are finally on their way home,” and I can’t help but smile.

CHAPTER37Nicholas

I’M PACING THE kitchen floor, waiting patiently for Selina to return home. She went for her GED testing early this morning. I sent two carloads of bodyguards with her, not taking any chances. I stare down at the last text from one of the guards.

On our way back.

That was twenty minutes ago. The black SUVs should be pulling up the driveway any minute now, and I can’t wait to see her. She’s been studying so hard for that damn test, and I know she will be super bummed if she doesn’t pass. I have no doubt in my mind that she passed with flying colors, however. My girl worked her ass off. And if the universe isn’t a totally cruel bitch, then she’ll make sure Selina passed.

Light reflecting off the SUV’s windshields catches my eye, and I look out the window, waiting patiently in the kitchen. I watch as Selina steps out of the back, the sun hitting her blonde hair, making it appear as if she has a halo around her angelic form. It takes all of my willpower not to run out the door and scoop her up in my arms.

She’s become a constant in my world, and I can’t imagine my life without her now. Just the thought of losing her again keeps me up at night and has me waking up in a cold sweat and panting like I just ran a marathon.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, and I know without a doubt that I would kill anyone who tried to come between us in any way.

When Selina enters the room, my patience finally snaps. I walk over to her and envelop her in my arms, inhaling the familiar strawberry scent of her hair. She lets me hold her for a few minutes before pulling away. She glances up at the huge congratulations banner I hung earlier and frowns. “What if I hadn’t passed?” she asks.

“So you did pass?” I ask, pulling her back into my arms and squeezing her tight. “I knew my girl would kick that test’s ass!” Releasing her, I walk over to a bottle of champagne and pop the cork before pouring us two glasses. “Congratulations, Lina,” I tell her before handing her one of the flutes.

She takes the glass from me and sips the champagne. “Thank you,” she says, absolutely beaming.