Page 68 of Keeping What He Wants

Chapter Twelve

Ella didn’t want a long engagement. Ryker gave her the most beautiful diamond ring when she got out of the hospital, and it only made sense to get married soon. Thankfully, everyone understood. With the help of her mother and a few friends from work, they put together a fabulous outdoor wedding at her parent’s house. Ryker invited the club members and she invited those that she felt the closest to. The backyard was decorated in soft off-white roses. Beneath the arbor stood the officiate and Ryker—both making her smile as she rounded the corner with her father. The mood was intimate and perfect.

They exchanged their vows and Ryker kissed her in finality. Their friends cheered, and Ryker walked her down the aisle toward the house. When they made it out of everyone’s sight, he grabbed her, pulling her to him for a kiss.

“You look gorgeous.”

His declaration made her tingle. “They won’t miss us if we leave.”

Laughing, he pressed his forehead to her. “You and I both know that’s a lie. How the fuck did I get so lucky?”

“That’s a good question.” Ella looped her arms around his waist. “Did you ever think that when you were fifteen years old, that one day, we’d be here?”

He smiled before kissing her forehead. “No.”

“You’ve somehow managed to stay out of jail, and I’ve somehow managed to stay alive…” He chuckled at her comment. “We’ve been through a lot together. I don’t think there is anything we can’t overcome.”

He held her, and she liked it. The simplicity of that moment meant all the world to her. While he was rough around the edges, she saw the tender parts of his personality come out more and more. It was nice to simply stand there in his arms and revel in the fact that they were married. She needed him, and he was always there for her. It felt overwhelming sometimes that he loved her that much.

Smoothing his hand along her bare back, he pulled back slightly. “Let’s get this party over with so I can take you home.”

Afterward, they spent a nice evening eating and dancing. Ryker kept her close; even when she enjoyed a dance or two with her friends, he kept his attention on her like he couldn’t get enough. So many people doubted their relationship. He came from a different world than her.

She found her way back to their table and sat next to him, enjoying how he immediately pulled her closer. Her face hurt from smiling so much.

“When I get you home, I’m going to strip you bare and fuck you, wife.” His lips pressed against her ear as he spoke. “And you’re going to fucking love it.”

“I always love it.” She lifted his hand to her lap.

“You look gorgeous, Ella,” Ashley, a friend from medical school, declared. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” Ella stood to hug her. “Thank you for coming.”

“Yeah, well, I accepted a job at the hospital so let’s get lunch when you get back from your honeymoon. Catch up.”

“That sounds great.” Ella smiled at her.

Several guests came over to congratulate them and hug her. Ryker looked completely uncomfortable, but she didn’t expect any less. He wanted to get naked hours ago but instead had to wear a leather vest and denim. She could only imagine what punishments he had planned for her to pay her back for that.

“Well, beautiful, I think it’s time for us to go home,” Ryker said finally. He had his arm draped on the back of her chair as one of their guests left their table. She liked seeing the cursive “E” tattooed on his left ring finger. He had a wedding band for ceremonial purposes, but he’d taken it off almost as quickly as she put it on. The tattoo suited him better. It was a powerful feeling knowing that he was hers.

She linked their hands. “This day couldn’t have gone more perfect.”

“Wait until we get home.”

She smiled at him. They said their good-byes, and the guest blew bubbles at them as they got on the back of Ryker’s Harley. Ella wrapped her arms around him and held on as they rode away.

Leather filled her nostrils as she breathed him in. Nothing really felt different. She liked that he was hers officially. He still proclaimed she was the only woman he wanted, and she believed him. Ryker showed her that he loved her, which probably wasn’t easy for him to do.

He parked in his normal spot and killed the engine. Ella climbed off the bike and waited for him. Her ring caught the streetlight and glittered in the darkness. He said he didn’t get the biggest diamond in the store, but she didn’t believe him. He lifted her into his arms and kissed her before he carried her up the steps to their home. After unlocking the door, he carried her inside, closing it with a kick of his foot.

Ella’s shoes slipped off her feet as they walked down the hall to their bedroom. He sat her at the foot of the bed and smoothed his hands along her neck as he leaned in to kiss her.

“I’m going to try to be patient so I don’t rip your dress, but it’s not going to be easy.”

She laughed. “If it didn’t mean so much, I’d let you rip it.”

He kissed her, taking his time. His tongue stroked along hers, intimately teasing her mouth until she panted for more. She loved the way he kissed her. Loved how much he desired her with his mouth alone.

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