Page 124 of Unplugged

47

CERYS

Liam’s handsroam around to my backside and he pulls me into him as we move together on the dance floor. I rest my head in beneath Liam’s chin, the perfect fit as if made for me. Placing my lips on his neck, I relish the comfort of his arms around me. The giddy feeling of being loved completely is with me since the moment I saw the terrified Liam in the chapel, and the transformation on his face when he saw me is etched on my mind forever. Any remaining doubt I had that we rushed into marrying evaporated with his inappropriate kiss.

Time on the dance floor is the only way we can be alone together—even though this is a small wedding, everyone wants a piece of us and I’m exhausted. The love songs playing currently no doubt hurt Liam’s ears—a world away from most of Blue Phoenix’s work, but we stay on the dance floor away from the guests. We decided that the band wouldn’t play. I didn’t want Liam away from me.

“How long before we can leave?” Liam whispers, tugging my earlobe with his teeth.

“A few hours yet.”

He groans and drags me closer. “You’re driving me fucking crazy. I need to see what you’re wearing under that dress.”

“All the best things in life are worth waiting for,” I say and giggle, heady with champagne and the emotion of the day.

“I’ll tell you what I’m going to do to you,” he continues and as the music plays around us, he stops in the middle of the dance floor and proceeds to tell me in great detail about the night ahead of me. I squirm as his words pull vivid images into my head and the arousal he causes. To shut him up, I drag his mouth onto mine. Kisses shouldn’t feel any different to twenty-four hours ago but they do. The giddy feeling from the slide of his tongue and the taste of him rushes to my head, joining the constant dreamlike feeling of the day. This is different because I’ll never be without these kisses again.

The number of guests drop off as the evening grows later. An exhausted Ella appears carried by Liam’s dad.

“We’re leaving now,” says Jim.

Ella reaches out to me and I take her. She wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head on my shoulder.

“You look tired, baby,” I say and brush a stray ribbon from her face.

“I want to stay here with you and Liam.”

“We’ll be back tomorrow. I think Goldie wants to see you,” I say.

Ella switches her attention to Liam. “Can I have a dog?”

Confusion crosses Liam’s face and I poke Ella. “What a silly question. Why are you asking him that?”

“You said no, but if he’s my dad I can ask him.”

Liam laughs softly and Ella reaches out to hug him. My heart flips as Liam kisses the top of her head. Ella has the man she deserves watching over her now—one who came into both our worlds and transformed our lives with his love.

“Come on, Ella.” Jim takes Ella from Liam and gives us a gruff goodbye. Ella kisses us both and as I watch Ella leave with her new grandparents the pang of disappointment that my parents didn’t come returns. But I chose not to invite them, just as they chose not to acknowledge me or Ella for the last five years.

Liam wraps an arm around my shoulder. “‘Dad’,” he whispers. “Do you think that suits me?”

I look up at him and nod as I fight the tears. “You’ll be an amazing dad,” I say. “Once I’ve taught you a few things about dealing with kids.”

“Yeah, I know,” he says. “Make sure they have coats on and don’t push them too high on the swings.”

His eyes glint but through the teasing is his happiness at Ella being part of his life too. I place my lips on his. “I love you.”

We return to a nearby white-clothed table where Sky and Dylan sit half-hidden in the darkness. Sky hugs and kisses me which takes me by surprise, but she’s generally friendlier after a few glasses of wine. I sit on the chair next to her, and smooth my dress.

“You look beautiful,” she says. “And thanks for not telling me what to wear.” Sky indicates her dress, dove-grey, fitted at the top and floating to above her knee.

“Thanks. I think,” I say and look at Liam who shrugs.

Dylan pokes Sky who giggles again. “Too much champagne,” he says and pulls an apologetic face.

Sky makes a ‘pfft’ sound and puts a hand on his cheek. “You won’t be complaining later.”

“Okay. Too much information,” says Liam and holds his hands up.

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