“All okay?” he asks.
“Yes, Dad. A few nerves perhaps.”
“Oh, that’s only natural, dear. You look radiant.” Mum leans in to air kiss my cheek. “I’ll see you in there.” She squeezes my hand and heads into the library where the ceremony will take place.
My limbs begin to buzz with a shaky nervousness. I take a few steps around, fidgeting with my dress, my flowers, anything to distract myself.
“Izzy, relax. Now.” Natasha's firm words cut through the butterflies and centre me.
I can do this. I want to do this.
“Get out of your head, Izzy and think about Seb. You good?”
I stare at her beautiful, composed face and wish I could be calm.
“Yes. Thank you, Natasha.”
“No problem.” She turns away and lingers by the double doors that lead our way into the library. Jess joins her, waiting for me to signal that I’m ready.
Today might not be the first time I’ve stood waiting to walk down the aisle to the man I love, but I knew, in the very heart of my soul, that this time would be different. Seb was my missing piece. He completes me, and I’m able to complete him. He made me happy and set me free.
All the reasons why I’m standing here fill my heart with sheer joy. I nod to Jess, take Dad’s arm and stand behind Jess and Natasha.
The door to the ceremony room opens, and I hear the rustle of bodies twisting in their chairs to watch as I walk towards Seb. The piano begins the first few notes of Christina Perri’s, A Thousand Years and we wait for the strings to join in the melody. Jess and Natasha take a few steps forward and move gracefully down the chair-lined aisle.
I take a breath and straighten. I smile at my Dad and then lock my focus on my man.
Seb steps into view at the front of the room and sets my heart racing. Those pesky tears are burning my eyes, and I force myself not to give in. I want Seb to see me happy, not tear-stained.
My cheeks quiver as I try and hold my smile, fighting with the emotion that is now pulsating around my body. Dad takes controlled steps forward, keeping pace with the music and I let him lead. Seb is devastating in his tailored suit. The fabric sculpts his broad shoulders and reminds me of what’s under the shirt.
My steps bring me closer and closer to Seb, and I see his handsome face taut with the same emotion that I’m fighting inside.
Jess peels off to sit to one side while Natasha takes her place next to Seb. Dad comes to a stop, and Seb nods towards my Dad and then his gaze rests on me.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Hi,” Seb replies.
“Thank you for the flowers. They are perfect.”
“Couldn’t resist one last message to you.” He takes my hand, and we turn towards the registrar.
The ceremony proceeds with a welcome address. Seb maintains a firm grip on my hand, and I use his strength to conquer my overwhelming emotions. I may have opposed getting married again, but right now, I know I want to be Seb’s wife just as much as he wants to be my husband.
The registrar continues with the formalities before turning to Seb.
“Sebastian, you have a few words.” Seb faces me. He takes the flowers from my grasp and hands them to Jess.
“Izzy. I love you with everything I am, and that will never fade. You hold all the splendour I could wish for, and I promise to cherish you and our love. I am your constant, and I’ll guide you to wherever you want to go in life. You hold my vows in your hands, and I am proud to stand before our family and friends and share my love for you. I promise compassion and love in everything we do.”
My heart bursts with the love I have for this man. Every atom of my being begs to echo his words back to him. I resist throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him to me as closely as I can.
“Sebastian, will you repeat after me… I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, Sebastian York may not be joined in matrimony to Isabel Fields.”
I stare, transfixed at Seb’s lips as he speaks the words that will bind us as man and wife.
I follow the registrar's words and make my declaration. The registrar again turns to Seb. “Will you, Seb, take Izzy to be your wedded wife, to share your life, to love her and support her, whatever the future may hold?”
“I will.” The deep timbre of Seb’s reply pulls at my heart, and another wave of euphoria crashes over me.
“Will you, Izzy, take Seb to be your wedded husband, to share your life, to love him and support him, whatever the future may hold?”
“I will.” I push the words past the lump in my throat and feel the tension ease from my body at my decree. I look into Seb’s aqua eyes and feel our connection hum through my body. My words are more to him than just agreeing to be his wife. I’m giving him my submission.
“Izzy, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. May it always remind you of our unwavering love and commitment. A symbol of our love and our forever more.” Seb slides the platinum band dotted with tiny diamonds along my finger and brushes over it with his thumb.
I take Seb’s ring from Natasha and mirror the words he just spoke to me. My voice catches as the power of this moment hits me in my chest.
Seb is my husband.
Jess and Natasha follow us from the library into the garden room as man and wife.
Seb has a death-grip on my hand but a wicked smile on his lips. I suddenly don’t want to be social and celebrate with friends. I want to be alone with my husband.
A waiter approaches and presents a silver platter with bubbling glasses of champagne. Seb takes a glass and hands me a flute.
“Cheers, Mrs. York.”
“Cheers, Mr. York.” The chime of our glasses is drowned out as our guests flood into the room behind us. Our friends and family engulf us with congratulations. I can’t shift the smile from my face, and I don’t want to. I can’t remember a happier time.
For the next two hours, my feet are hardly still. They only rest for the quick snap of a photo before being manoeuvred into another position. I’m sure that I’ll look back fondly on all of the images and be glad that I can re-live this day with such a detailed photographic account. But right now, I want to sit down with my husband.
“Are we nearly done?”
“We can be done as soon as you say the word.”
“I’m done. I don’t need any more pictures.” Seb’s smile lights me up, and I watch as he turns towards the photographer and takes him to the side.
“What’s Seb doing, Iz?” Jess asks.
“Moving things along I believe. I’m done with the photos.”
“Oh thank god. I need to be out of these heels. Why did you have to make me wear them again?” Jess huffs and bends down to remove her shoes. “Arr, that’s better. If we’re done, I’m not putting these back on.”
“Okay, hun. Thank you for tolerating them today.”
“Only for you, Izzy. Only for you.” She leans in and gives me a quick kiss before heading off on her own.
Seb crosses the room towards me, and I feel his eyes trail over my body. His look alone can heat my blood and send my pulse into orbit. Now that the important part is complete, my mind strays to what Seb has in store for this evening.
Seb’s fingers caress my bare arms and send a ripple of goosebumps over my body.
“It won’t be much longer until I can have you all to myself, Mrs. York. Don’t think for one moment that I won’t savour every second we’re alone tonight.” His whispered promise resonates as if he shouted the words at me. His fingers find my hands and he leads me into the banquet room across from the quaint room we’ve been using.
Half a dozen round tables are decked out in pristine linen table cloths. Cream covers encase the chairs, and all of the neutral tones are set off against elegant displays of stargazer lilies in the centre vases. It’s everything I could have wished for. The room oozes warmth with its neutral shades and low light, the romance of the day follows us. I squeeze Seb’s hand a little hard
er. As we make our way to our table and he seats me, I catch sight of a flustered hotel employee heading out the other door. I guess Seb moved up the schedule.
“Ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention.” Seb’s commanding voice leaves our guests no room to disobey.
“Thank you. We are breaking with tradition when it comes to the speeches. Natasha, as my best woman won’t be causing me any embarrassment. Thank you, Natasha.” I tilt back in my chair to catch the smug look she wears. “But I would still like to say a few words. You’ve already heard me make my vows to Izzy, and I can say that nothing in the world will make me happier than she has done today by marrying me. She is the woman I’ve been waiting to come into my life, and now I have her...” he turns to me before finishing his sentence...“I won’t be letting you go.” A vice-like grip squeezes my heart at his words. The communal murmur that follows tells me it’s not just me feeling the meaning behind them.
“We’d both like to thank our closest friends and family for being here as witnesses today and for all of the support you’ve given to us over the past months. Please raise your glasses to friends and family.” I look to Jess as I raise my glass. She has been my rock, and I wouldn’t be here today without her. She downs the remaining champagne in her glass before looking for the next one.
The rest of the evening is a test of both our patience.
Stolen glances, sweet kisses and an all too brief dance in Seb’s arms, keep the underlying sexual tension simmering between us.
The party is in full swing, and our friends fill the dance floor. A party isn’t where I want to be. I go in search of Seb, ready for him to take me upstairs. He’s standing at the bar with Natasha. I lean against the doorframe and wait for him to spot me. I know it won’t be long—it’s as if he can sense me when I’m close.
Sure enough, he pauses in his conversation and looks towards me. A grin tugs at the corner of his lips. An unspoken communication passes between us at that moment. His posture hardens, and I watch as he excuses himself. He prowls across the floor. That invisible switch has been flicked, the one that sets desire loose in my body.
“If you tell me you want to stay down here, I’ll understand. But I can’t fucking wait to get you to myself.” The scrape of his stubble grates against my neck as he nips at my ear.
“Do we have to say good night to everyone?” I tease.
“No fucking way. We’ve been polite, celebrated, and enjoyed the day. Now it’s my turn to enjoy my wife.”
He plants a demanding kiss on my lips, sending my pulse skyrocketing. The lacing on my dress halts my attempt to take a deep breath. All I want now is for Seb to strip it off me. His lips slow and give me time to catch my breath. He takes my hand and pulls me behind him in his haste to exit our party.
We make it unhindered to the stairs and up to our suite. Anticipation flares inside me and sends a bolt of lust through my veins. Seb opens our room and makes a purposeful show of slamming the door and locking it behind us.
“No interruptions. Just you and me.”
I stand frozen in place in the middle of the room waiting for Seb’s instruction. His gaze assesses every nuance of my body as I wait. The longer his eyes stay on me, the hotter I become. My lips part as my breathing falters.
“Stay where you are. Let me take my fill of you.” Seb prowls around me, keeping out of arm’s reach. I’ve learned to relax under his gaze and to have confidence that he enjoys looking at me. He’s certainly spent a long time staring at me over the last few months. Mostly when I’m naked or in varying states of undress.
“You’re exquisite. You’ve always been beautiful to me, but today you are radiant. I love seeing you happy. But I think I’ve seen enough of the dress, baby.” He steps closer to me, and it takes all of my willpower not to wrap my arms around him and pull his lips to mine. I know not to rush Seb and wait for his instruction. “Turn around and hold onto the corner post of our bed. Use it to support yourself.”
I grasp the post and continue to wait. I resist the urge to fidget. With this dress on, any movement is amplified. It doesn’t stop me from wanting to press my thighs together in an attempt to suppress the growing ache.
The deep pile carpet silences Seb’s movements, and with my back to him, I’m left to my imagination. My ears strain to hear movement, and I’m rewarded with a muted thud that I hope is his jacket.
“So perfect, waiting for my command.”
Feather light touches trace patterns up my side, avoiding the wide laced-up back of the dress. I slide my eyes closed and picture the flow of his touch. Curves and spirals dance through my mind. He’s tracing the patterns of embroidery and pearls sewn onto my dress.
His fingers grow bolder as I feel the gentle tug on the silk ribbons that hold my dress together. My grip on the post tightens as he loosens the ties, jolting my body with each pull.
“You’ve given me the greatest submission by agreeing to be my wife. But I want more,” he growls out the final words, turning them from romantic to sexy. “Spread your legs a bit wider.”
I step wider, careful not to get my heel stuck in the carpet and lean harder against the bed post.
Seb continues working me out of my dress. I feel some of the pressure release from around my chest, but I have a bonus for him tonight. His hands cage my ribs, and he slides the dress from my body revealing another layer of lace as he does. The gown pools at my feet, but he’ll be able to see the outfit I chose just for him.
“Jesus, woman. You’re killing me, and I’ve barely touched you.”
I smile, knowing what he’s looking at. A white lace panelled corset cinches my waist and supports my breasts. I’ve forgone knickers as I knew Seb would approve. The finest, sheer hold-ups cover my legs and lead down to my favourite heels, although they are hidden by my dress until I can move.
My breaths quicken with the expectation of his touch, and my pussy is aching for attention. Again I wait. I lock my arms and hold myself with the confidence that Seb has fostered within me. I open my eyes and move my hand so I can look at the rings on my finger. They twinkle in the soft light of the room.
“You look fucking delicious, Izzy, and I’m having a hard time being patient. I wanted tonight to be about us. No playing games, no rules. But I think we can get to that. Step out of your dress and let me see you properly.”
I stand up and step free of the dress and the bed. Seb is sitting in one of the armchairs, shirt sleeves exposing his forearms, top button undone, looking more handsome than ever. Now he really is mine.
“Come here. If I try and remove that corset, I’ll end up shredding it. You can do it for me.” He points to a spot in front of him. I walk to it and pull myself up, feeding off the knowledge that this man means the world to me.
It’s my turn to tease, and I delicately unhook the first of the many tiny eyelets strapping me in. One by one they free my breasts, and they spill from their confinement. I work lower and lower until I can toss the lace to the side.
I can finally take a deep breath, and I fill my lungs with much-needed oxygen.
“If I touch you, will you be wet for me?”
I smile, enjoying hearing the deep tones of Seb’s Dom voice.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Did I tell you not to wear knickers today?”
“No, Sir.”
“And you failed to mention that fact until now?”
“I thought it could be a nice surprise for you.” I try and keep some of the sass out of my voice and fail. I hear the clink of his belt and watch as he frees his cock from his trousers, stroking it from root to head.
He reaches and trails his free hand down the outside of my thigh. Every nerve fibre tingles with recognition, and I suppress the moan that threatens to creep past my lips. His fingers work their way to the apex of my thighs, and he runs a single finger through my pussy. This time, the moan escapes and my head falls back in pleasure. I’ve been waiting all day to feel his intimate caress.
“I want you
to straddle me, fuck me until you come. Then we’ll get back to me worshipping you as my wife.” Seb shoves his trousers down further and kicks off his shoes.
We’ve barely kissed today, and the need to be close to Seb palpitates through my body. With my heels and hold-ups still on, I kneel over his lap and rest my hands on his toned shoulders.
I dip my head and let our lips brush. Seb inhales audibly and wraps his arms around my waist. My lips work harder, sucking and teasing until they beg for his surrender. He finally gives into the kiss and allows me to deepen it as I lower my body.
I press my slick heat against his rigid cock and grind down. The friction sparks a torrent of arousal through my body that breaks the fragile control I thought I had.
Our tongues duel and the air saturates with the breathy moans and pants from both of us. I tip my hips back and forth working my sensitive flesh with every thrust. His fingers dig into my hips as he anchors me in position. He breaks our kiss and begins a hurried exploration of my neck and chest until he reaches my breasts. He licks around my nipple before sucking it into his warm mouth.
“Arrr!” I moan. The deep ache within me builds as Seb flicks at my nipples.
“I thought I told you to fuck me.”
“Yes… god, yes.”
I lift above him to give myself room, and he positions the head of his thick shaft at my entrance. I slowly sink, enveloping him in my heat. I pause, giving myself a moment to adjust before rocking against him. I arch and thrust, driving him as deep as I can take him. As I surge forward, I grind my clit against the bottom of his shaft and my body tightens in anticipation of the orgasm I’m holding at bay. My muscles tense and heat flushes my exposed skin.
Seb sits back, and I struggle to keep my eyes open and on him.
“You’re close, baby.” He drives his hips up, hitting that spot that makes me lose all coherent thought. He repeats and my orgasm thunders through me. My lust-fuelled cries echo in the room as my heartbeat drums in my ears.
The Izzy and Seb Collection: The Evermore Series Books 1, 2 and 2.5 Page 53
