Page 31 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
Ruthie walks up to Cade before taking her spot next to the girls. “Wookin’ good, big guy.” All of us bite back a smile as she holds her fist out for a knuckle bump.
“You too, kid. Always,” he replies and knocks fists with her.
With a bright smile she skips over to her spot and gives me a light punch in the arm as she passes by. “Goodwuck, Mister Shewiff.”
“Thanks. Do you think I’m going to need it?”
“Well she is hopin’ to knock you on yowr ass.”
We all burst into a fit of laughter, including Pastor Williams. Faith leans down and pulls Ruthie in next to her. “Butt, honey, remember it’s butt for you.”
“Oh yeah, wight, sowwy.” Faith kisses her cheek, letting her know it’s okay.
When the music changes and everyone stands, I swing my attention back to the aisle and suck in a sharp breath at the sight before me. Ho-ly shit. All the oxygen leaves my lungs as I stare awestruck at the girl whose arm is linked with her father’s, as she walks toward me. I knew she would look amazing, but jesus…she looks like an angel, an innocent one, except I know she is anything but. I have corrupted her way too many times for her to be innocent any more. But as I take in her white, strapless dress, long blonde hair flowing down past her slender shoulders in big, loose curls and the veil high on her head—she looks like the most innocent angel that God has ever created. That’s until her sweet, soft smile turns into something else the closer she gets. It’s a smile that tells me she’s up to something.
Stopping a short distance in front of me, her dad leans down and kisses her cheek. Just as he’s about to pass me her hand she pulls free and launches herself at me. I catch her in surprise with a grunted chuckle that quickly vanishes when she gives me one hot fucking kiss. I snap out of my shock quickly then take control, like always. A low growl escapes my throat as soon as her sweet taste touches my tongue, the deep sound is covered from everyone hooting and hollering at her unexpected act.
Kayla is the one to break the kiss first, and thank god she does because I probably would have never stopped. I keep hold of her, her feet still dangling off the ground and stare into her smiling face. “I think the kiss comes at the end,” I tell her with a smirk.
“I’ve never been one to follow the rules, Sheriff. You know that.” She leans in closer then whispers, “But you can punish me for it later.”
My amusement vanishes and I groan inwardly. “You can count on it. I have lost time to make up for. I missed you last night.”
“Me too,” she replies softly. I press a kiss to her forehead then drop her back on her feet. “You like my dress?” she asks, giving me a little twirl.
Chuckles fill the air around us, including mine. “Yeah, baby.” I pull her back in to me. “You look beautiful, just like always, but you’re going to look even better when I take it off of you tonight.”
“Mmmm, agreed.” She reaches up and gives me another kiss, but this one ends much quicker than the last, much to my disappointment. Kayla steps back then looks up at Pastor Williams with a smile. “Sorry, Pastor, I just couldn’t help myself. He looks so darn good in this suit of his.”
She gives me a sassy wink that makes me want to haul her ass up to our room and say ‘fuck all this’ and just sign the papers tomorrow. Somehow, I manage to restrain myself. It’s what this woman does to me, what she has always done to me. She pushes every button I have with just a look, a wink or a sassy remark—all to get a rise out of me. And she loves when I take it out on her later, when we are alone and…
“No problem. Whenever you’re ready we can start,” the pastor replies, interrupting my perverted thoughts.
“I’m ready,” she says then looks at me. “You ready?”
“I was born ready, baby.”
She smiles. “Good answer.”
With a chuckle from the pastor he starts, and thankfully the ceremony is fairly quick, which is what we wanted because South Carolina in June is hotter than hell. After the signing of the papers, exchange of rings and vows, Pastor Williams finishes it with: “Now, by the power vested in me by the state of South Carolina, and as a minister of the gospel, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss…” That’s the last thing I catch before Kayla launches herself at me again. This time though, I’m prepared for her. I lift her off her feet once again and claim her mouth first. Our kiss is slower and more intimate than the last and I get completely lost in her, like always. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve kissed this girl, I can never get enough of her.
She pulls back and drops her forehead on mine with a smile. “I told you I was going to marry you one day, Cooper McKay.”
I return her smile with a smirk. “You did, but little did you know that was my plan long before yours.”
With a sweet giggle she leans in and kisses me again. “I love you, Officer Sexy,” she mumbles against my lips.
“I love you too, baby.”
CHAPTER 8
From the moment that kiss ended everything turned into chaos—from pictures in the smoldering heat, to supper, speeches and now the first dance. I’m not a big dancer, actually, I don’t like it at all, but right now, as I hold Kayla’s soft, slender body close to mine, I decide it’s not such a bad thing after all. Even though we have hundreds of people watching us, I feel like, for the first time today, it’s just her and me, and I’m thankful for the small reprieve.
