Page 86 of Finding Us

Garret pauses to look at me. “You’re so damn beautiful.” His head dips down to my stomach and he leaves kisses along my hip and down my lower abs. His hand glides over my skin, hitting all my sensitive spots, stopping only to remove my special wedding lingerie.

The butterflies that were fluttering inside me have been replaced by an aching need to be with him, as my husband, for the very first time.

“Garret,” I whisper.

“Yeah,” he whispers back, his kisses trailing up my chest.

“I can’t wait any longer.”

“Good.” His lips meet up with mine. “Because I can’t either.”

His warm, strong body lays over me and I keep my eyes open as he brings us together. He gazes back at me. “I love you.”

As I say it back, his lips cover mine and our need for each other takes over, our kisses deeper, our bodies moving together.

I hear the ocean just outside the tent and realize that this is my fantasy. Having sex on the beach. That’s why Garret did this. He wanted me to have my fantasy. But this is so much better than that. My fantasy was just about sex. This is about love and sharing this moment with the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with. A man I trust more than anyone else and who I know I can always count on. I feel even closer and more connected to him now, being together like this as a married couple.

Afterward, he grabs a blanket and places it over us, then turns on his side to face me. “I love you, Jade Kensington.”

Hearing him say my new name makes me smile. “I love you, too.” I scoot up closer and kiss him. “Do you feel any different now that we’re married?”

“I think I love you even more. You just keep taking up more space in my heart. I’m gonna run out of room soon.”

“I don’t think so. You have a big heart.”

“Doyoufeel any different?”

I nod. “I feel like, um, like I finally have a home.”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind. It’s hard to explain.”

“Jade. Tell me.”

“It’s just that I never felt like I had anything permanent. A place that was mine that wouldn’t be taken away from me. A place where I belonged and wasn’t just a guest. But I have that now. It doesn’t matter where I am or where I go, I know you’ll always be there. And that I belong with you. So you’re my home, Garret.”

He smiles as he picks my hand up and kisses it. “I hope you like your home because you’re never moving.”

I smile back. “I love my home.”

I glance around at the tent, noticing the flameless candles flickering all around us, the little round table set up in the corner, and the colorful pillows and blankets scattered over the floor. “This is so incredible. Thank you for doing this.”

“I didn’t do all of it. Sean and Harper helped.”

“Is this all because I told you my fantasy?”

“I know it’s not on the actual beach, but you mentioned something about not wanting sand in your girl parts so this is what I came up with. But if you change your mind about the sand, the beach is right there.”

“I don’t want the sand. This is way better.”

“Did it live up to your fantasy?”

“Definitely. And the extremely hot guy I’m with put it over the top.” I walk my fingers down his chest. “Now I need to give youyourfantasy. Tell me what you want.”

“I already did. That’s why I had Harper give you the skirt. You in a skirt? That’s my fantasy. Or a sundress. I like those, too.”

“You’re easy to please. So I guess I should’ve left the skirt on.”

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