by Scott, S. L.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, touched by his generosity.
“We wanted to. We did a lot of checking around with your parents and your friends and they all suggested somewhere tropical where you could surf and Mallory could relax. We came up with Costa Rica.”
Elise comes up behind him and leans her head on his shoulder. “We wanted you to have some time together, just the two of you before diving back into your studies and work.”
Mallory’s eyes fill with tears again, the weight of the evening hitting her. “I’ve always wanted to go to Costa Rica. Thank you. Thank you very much.” Mallory’s voice cracks at the end. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and hold her tightly to me as a single tear escapes and rolls down her cheek.
“Oh, honey, don’t cry. Focus on this husband of yours and it’ll be just fine,” Elise says, taking her daughter into her arms. “We love you.”
I know the move to Hawaii will be hard on Mallory because she won’t get to see her family as much as she likes, but I’ll do everything I can to make her happy here with me. This is where we should be right now, which reminds me that I need to give her my present when we’re alone tonight. I feel a pang of excitement rush through my body, a smile showing as I imagine her face when I give it to her.
Our friends are nearby, patiently waiting as we take the time to say goodbye to each of them.
“Brother,” I say, slapping my palm against Murphy’s.
“Brothers,” he replies with a shoulder bump and a smile.
It blows my mind that one of my best friends might actually seal the deal with my sister and be my brother for real one day. I love the guy to death, but still don’t like to think of my sister being with anyone… in that way. But when Murphy pulls me into a congratulatory hug, I realize I’m fortunate to have him as my friend and I’d be damn fucking lucky to have him as my brother-in-law.
One chest bump later, I ask, “So I hear Manhattan’s in your future?”
Murphy easily replies, “Yep, but I’ll be here a bit longer.”
“Take care of my sister.”
He nods, knowing I mean he will treat her well or I’ll kick his ass, and responds accordingly, “Of course.”
After a fist bump, I turn to my other side where Zach stands. Extending my hand, we do our brah-hood handshake—it comes automatically since we’ve done the same one for at least four years now. He looks down, wiping at his eyes. When he looks up, he sees me watching him and quickly says, “Damn sand.”
I roll my eyes at the cover story to hide his emotions, but I get it. “Yeah, the wind has really picked up,” I say, humoring him. “I’m married now.”
“Yes, you are.” Both of us knowing no matter how much we try to stay the same, things are going to change. Not that it will be bad. No, not bad, I expect better, but it does change the dynamic of the group. I’m responsible for two now and Mallory’s my priority. “Brahs.”
“No doubt, man,” I say, pulling him in for a man hug. When we step back, we straighten our jackets and try to maintain our usual cool, going for unaffected. I ask, “You still up for surfing even though I’m a married man?”
“Totally. You were never my type anyway and I’m kind of taken myself.” He looks over at Sunny who’s hugging Mallory. “We need a surf schedule to keep the tradition alive.”
“Fuck, we sound old,” I say, joking.
“I’m thinking you get your class schedule worked out and I’ll get my job sorted and we’ll make the time.”
“Sounds good.”
Shaking my hand one more time, he says, “Congratulations. You’ve done good, Evan.”
“Thanks.”
“My baby bro is now married making me look like some old spinster at twenty-six. Go figure.” Kate’s words sound tough, but I know inside she’s feeling sentimental.
I start to speak, “Kate…” but a lump forms in my throat preventing anymore words from coming out. I look at her and her eyes fill with tears. We’ve always had a normal bond like siblings do, but the last couple of years, it felt like she was the only one in my family on my side. Knowing she was there for me through all the bad… I gulp hard. Maybe I’m feeling a little sentimental myself.
Wrapping her arms around me, I hear her sniffle against my shoulder. “It’s okay. I know. This is enough.”
Murphy comes over and rubs her back. She turns around and leans against him. “I love you,” she mouths quietly just between the two of us.
“I love you too, big sis.”
I turn and take my bride’s hand and tug a little to wrap up the goodbyes. I’m becoming a mess and if I stay here any longer, I’ll be no good to my wife on our wedding night. Mallory wipes at her eyes, trying not to make a mess of her makeup. It doesn’t matter, she looks amazing without all that anyway.
Sunny starts organizing the guests to line the path that leads to the driveway as I take Mallory to overlook the beach down below. “Do you regret eloping?” I ask, admiring her in the moonlight.
“Not at all. Everything was just how it should be. We had the wedding we wanted and our family and friends had the party they wanted. It was the best of both worlds.”
“Yes, it was. Now c’mon, I can hear some excitement over there.”
“Here come the flowers,” she says in a sing-songy voice.
“Flowers for what?”
“Just get ready to get pelted with petals.”
We walk to the head of the path and see the guests lined up on both sides waiting. The photographer is at the other end, and yells, “Run!”
After a quick glance at each other, we take off, hand-in-hand, running up the pathway. At the other end, we pass the spot where I made love… okay, I fucked Mallory in the rain, pressing her hard against the side of the house. I don’t bother stifling the smile and proud chuckle that comes from that amazing memory. Thinking back now, that’s when we decided to give our relationship a fair shot—a real shot—and now here we are.
Stealing another glimpse of Mallory, she’s laughing from pure joy. I don’t see the girl I thought was hot at first glance in the airport. I don’t see the girl who fought every one of my bad intentions—stubborn and headstrong—protective of her heart and demanding of mine. When she looks at me, radiance reflects in her eyes, bright and happy. I see her so clearly now. She’s the woman who had closed her heart off to love, but left a light on for me. The woman that gave a careless boy another chance… and another, believing him better than he believed himself. She’s the woman who I thank all the ocean tides and stars in the sky for agreeing to be my wife. She’s filled my life with love I didn’t know existed. When our eyes meet, a simple glance exchanged, I know she understands my feelings, just like she understands me.
We run to the car that’s been tagged with shoe polish and cans hanging from the bumper. Sunny tosses Mallory her bouquet which she then tosses over her head to the crowd of guests. I help her into the car and run around to the other side. When I get in, we look at each other once, sharing a smile, then turn to see a stunned Kate standing there with the bouquet in her hands. Murphy is next to her with a wide grin on his face and an arm around his woman, proudly pointing to the ‘next bride-to-be’ by tradition with that toss. What they’ve hidden for so long, sits proudly on display for everyone to see today.
Turning back to the road ahead, I hit the gas. With her fingers toying with my hair, Mallory laughs then says, “I’m in total, head over feet, in love with you, Evan Ashford.”
Looking at my sweet girl, I say, “That’s good to hear because I’m in total and awe-inspiring love with you, Mallory Wray.”
“Ashford,” she corrects. “Mrs. Evan Ashford.”
“Music to my ears.”
I take her hand and kiss her knuckles several times while driving to our destination. We finally pull off onto a short driveway, and I announce, “We’re here.”
“This is where we’re staying?”
Once we park, she stands in front, staring at the little bunga
low, an expression of content coming through. “I love it. It’s just the two of us?” she asks, looking back at me.
“I thought it would be nice to have the privacy until we leave for Costa Rica in a few days.”
“And I, for one, love the romantic gesture. This location is beautiful.”
“It’s dark now, but I’m quite partial to the beach view as well.” I open the front door of the small house for her, but yank her back after she takes a quick step inside. “Uh, uh, uh,” I gently scold.
Surprised, she looks at me perplexed and asks, “What?”
I bend down and as I start to lift her up, she says, “You’re kidding me. You’re carrying me over the threshold?” She kisses me on the nose. “Awww, you’re such a romantic.”
“I want to do things right by you and don’t want you to miss anything that you might’ve dreamed about.”
“It’s been a wonderful day. Every dream come true.” I set her down over the threshold, and she wanders off to explore the house. I take my jacket off and then retrieve our bags from the car. After setting down the luggage, I flop down on the couch, the day catching up.
She runs out and says, “Hey babe, the bedroom faces the ocean. We can open the windows and wake up to the sounds of the water.”
Her excitement is a relief. I thought she’d prefer a place like this opposed to a resort hotel, but I wasn’t sure. “Pretty awesome, huh.”
She continues to explore, sliding open the large pocket doors that lead to the patio and the beach beyond. Standing there, the wind blows her hair, the skirt of her dress rustles, and the sound of the ocean wafts in the background, I’ve found my own personal paradise. “This place is amazing. You did good,” she says as she comes back inside and sits next to me, curling into my side.
I wrap my arm around her as she rests her head on my lap. Leaning my head back on the couch cushion, I say, “It’s your present.”
“You’re always so thoughtful. I’m glad we came here instead a touristy hotel.” She sits up and kisses me on the cheek. “We can make love and… well, whatever else you do on a honeymoon and then we get to fly off to Costa Rica.”
Sitting forward, I realize she doesn’t understand what I mean. She sits up, uncomfortable as I adjust. I lean in, giving her a quick kiss. “I didn’t rent this house,” I say as she looks at me. Her smile turns into confusion, but returns as she waits for me to explain. “I bought this house... for you and me, a home for us.”
Her back straightens as her face shows her shock. “You bought this place?”
“Uh-huh. It’s my gift to you. A wedding gift.”
“Ummmm…. holy shit, Evan. I didn’t buy you anything at all and you bought me a house?”
“You said it was amazing. You still think that, right?”
“Yes, it’s amazing. I mean, you just gave me a house, on the beach, in Hawaii. That’s freaking huge.”
“My mother and Kate picked out the couch and mattresses since I apparently know nothing about that stuff as I was promptly told. Sunny, Sarah, and your mom chose the decorative stuff lying around, but I thought you’d like to personalize it when you have time. You know, beyond the basics.”
“I think I’m still in shock right now. I need time to process this.”
I lean forward resting my hand on her forearm. “Good shock or bad shock?”
She lunges, toppling me backwards onto the couch, and crawls the best she can in that big dress onto my lap. With our bodies pressed together, she says, “The best kind. I love it. I can’t believe this is our home. Are you for real right now?”
“Yes. I like to tease you, but I wouldn’t when it comes to something like this.”
“Thank you.” She kisses me with all her excitement wrapped up in it.
Holding her up by the hips, I lift onto my knees and bend so she lays down on her back. We adjust until I’m over her, my lips lingering on hers before I move to her chin and down her neck. She writhes beneath me, yearning laces her every moan, which signals my body into reaction. I continue planting wet, open mouth kisses across her chest, working my way methodically toward her breasts.
She arches her back and groans. “Evan, take me to bed and make love to me.”
“My pleasure.”
In the bedroom, I push her hair over her shoulder and wiggle the dress to loosen it from her body, kissing her neck and coming back up. “You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Her head lulls back as I squat down to make sure to hold the dress low enough so she can step out of it without falling. My body pulses from the site of her— garter intact. I kiss each of her shoulders again, then gently bite. “You’re so sexy.”
The dress pools around her ankles, and I lift her up and out of it. Her lacey undies removed… with my teeth, leaving her garter on while her body is displayed before me. “It’s just not right. You’re dressed to sin,” I accuse, watching her on the bed looking way too fuckable. She licks her upper lip and then fucking teases me by running that pink tongue over her bottom lip. If I ever had a doubt before, which I didn’t, I definitely don’t doubt my lust or love for this woman.
“It’s not sinful if we’re married. Speaking of sinful, got any fruit?”
“Fuck the fruit. You’re driving me crazy.” Instead of giving her what she thinks she wants, I give her what she needs. I lower myself onto my knees and hook my hands under her legs, pulling her closer. Mallory lays flat on her back with her arms out to the sides, her head resting on the mattress and looking much more comfortable.
I plant a small kiss on the inside of each of her knees and then focus on her right thigh. I lick, kiss, and suck a trail, continuing to her other thigh repeating the performance and causing her to wiggle. She props up on her elbows and pleads, “Stop teasing me, babe.”
At her demand, I kiss her there, deep and filling, my fingers and mouth working together to make her come. She falls back flat onto the bed again and I chuckle knowing she’s weak to my talents. Her hands wind into my hair and she pulls hard. I maneuver up her body, positioning myself, and kiss her the same way I kissed her before—meaningful and filling.
I push forward and we’re connected in the most intimate and physical way possible. I take my time, neither of us in any hurry. We’ve got all night. The sound of the waves crashing outside mingles with our heavy breaths as our bodies move in time together.
Her warmth enveloping me brings me close, and I struggle to stop my impending fall. She rolls me over, demanding to be on top. I love when she’s on top. She’s powerful and takes what she needs. It’s quite the sight to behold as she chases her own orgasm. Rocking on top of me, I hold her hips, thrusting from instinct and desire, my needs fulfilling hers as she fulfills mine.
Breathless and heated, she presses her hands down on my chest, and stops. “I can’t believe you bought a house.”
“I can’t believe you married me.”
She licks her lips then opens her mouth, taking in the air she needs to help compensate for the activity. She’s pure sex and a goddess. “I’m the lucky one,” she says, stroking my hair away from my forehead. Her smile is soft, her body relaxed and she begins moving again.
Closing my eyes, all the love I feel and good sensations she’s causing swirl inside, quickly going lower as I let the reality that we’re married sink in, increasing the feeling five-fold. I start pushing harder and faster, harder…
Clenching my teeth, I struggle to hold it together. She feels so fucking unbelievable when she comes. Her body tightens around me, encouraging my own release. I sit up and her hands slide to my back and stroke, moving to my shoulders as her body pushes against mine. With all my efforts and energy, I slam into her making her call out my name as her body responds to every thrust. Seeing her so caught up in the rapture rushes my build-up. “Baby, I’m gonna come.”
“Come inside. I want to feel you.”
Her words are filled with lust and are naughty when uttered from her mouth, but so fucking hot. She wants to
feel me, so I give her all I’ve got.
Hours later, we’re lying in a hammock on the beach and I’m guessing by the moon’s position in the sky, it’s past midnight. Mallory is asleep in my arms, her naked body snuggled around me, her head on my chest. I thought she was asleep until she says, “I’m living in a dream.” She looks up at me. Her eyes tired, her expression soft. “Don’t wake me if I’m dreaming. I like living in paradise.”
I smile, the cool tropical breeze keeping us cool as it brushes across our bare shoulders. A blanket is under us and the sheet from our bed covering us. I kiss the top of her head and say, “Paradise is holding the girl of your dreams in your arms and watching the sunrise the morning after marrying her.”
She cuddles closer, as if that’s possible, and lowers her head back down. “Are we out here for the long haul tonight?”
“We’re definitely in this for the long haul.” I’m speaking as much about us as the night.
I don’t remember falling asleep, but I do. When I open my eyes, I look around while yawning. My body is stiff, but I’m careful not to disturb Mallory as I look out at the sun rising over the water. Glancing back at the window of our bedroom, I realize I’ll be able to start the day with this view for years to come. That makes me smile though it’s a lazier one, not fully awake yet.
Mallory wiggles, readjusting then slides her head up enough to look out at the water. “We’re married,” she whispers.
“Yes, we are. How do you feel about that?”
“Am I still dreaming?”
“No, this is real,” I say, not hiding my chuckle.
“Then it’s a dream come true.”
“You’re a dream come true, Mrs. Ashford.”
She lifts her head up and kisses me. “Say it again.”
“You’re a dream come true.”
“The other part,” she requests.
“Mrs. Ashford, this is the first day of our forever.”
She sighs, resting her head back down on my chest and smiling. “Forever sounds good to me.”
“This may be coming out of left field, but how are you feeling about kids?”
