Darklove

Epilogue NUPTIALS

Unorthodox doesn’t even cover it.

And I say this with all the love and affection I have in my heart.

This is one fucked-up life I have.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m staring out of my balcony, over River Street and at the Savannah River. It’s been weeks since I awoke on the little barrier island with Noah, and then zapped him and, Jesus, even old Preacher Man, into a zombielike state, all so I could get my fiancé alone. Just to see if he’d remember me.

Oh, remember he did.

I almost beat the hell out of him. He wasn’t so gentle with me, either. I kinda dug it, too.

In the distance, the clop-clop of a horse pulling a carriage makes his way through the moss-draped oaks of Savannah’s historic district. The brine off the river is refreshing, slightly pungent. Perfect. The sun is shining. There’s a slight chill in the air. And not a mosquito in sight. How perfect is that?

Today’s April seventh. My wedding day. I can barely wrap my brain around it.

And I’m marrying a two-hundred-plus-year-old vampire.

That’s not as hard to grasp as one might think.

“Oh. My. God!” My door flies open, and my best friend, Nyx, rushes into my apartment. I’ve set the living room up as a getting-ready bridal suite, with a long full-length oak mirror in one corner. I’m standing in front of it now, and Nyx sashays up behind me. She slips her arms around my middle and hugs my bare back.

“You are beautiful, Riley!” she exclaims, looking over my shoulder at my reflection in the mirror. “I’ve missed you so much. I was so scared you wouldn’t come home.”

I smile at Nyxinnia Foster. She and Josie, Eli’s little sister, are my bridesmaids, and we’d gone shopping together. I’d let them choose their dresses, and they’d done a jam-up job.

Fuchsia silk, above the knee, with a haltered top, and a narrow black velvet strip just under the breast. Solid black wedge shoes. Black velvet chokers. Their bouquets are faded green hydrangea and calla lily. Both have their hair down and swept to the side with a black velvet clip. “You look beautiful yourself, Ms. Foster.”

Nyx slips her hand over my shoulder and wiggles her ring finger, where a beautiful platinum engagement ring holds a fairly impressive cluster of sparkling diamonds. She grins. “Not Foster for long,” she sighs. “We’ll actually be sisters, Ri. Isn’t that exciting?”

Eli’s brother, Luc, had asked Nyx to marry him. She’d said yes.

I couldn’t be happier.

I pull her gently to me and kiss her cheek. “Always sisters.”

A tap at the door sounds, and we both jump, then burst into giggles. Phin and Luc both stick their heads in the door. “Everybody decent?”

“Never!” Nyx and I both holler out.

“Yeah, well, that’s a— Whoa.” Phin lets out a low whistle. “Damn.”

I laugh. “Perv.” My gaze moves to Eli’s other brother, Luc.

His eyes are bugged out as he inspects Nyx. “You two are the most gorgeous creatures I’ve ever seen. In. My. Life.” He walks over to Nyx and pulls her into a quick embrace and a kiss, then moves over to me. “Sister, I am speechless,” he says, and studies me. “Eli is going to freak. You’re breathtaking.”

“I hope so,” I say, and I’m surprised to find myself nervous.

“I’m freaking,” Phin says with a grin.

“Bro, watch it—that’s my sister you’re freaking over,” my brother says, entering. His eyes light up when he sees me, and he hurries over to pull me into a gentle hug. “Mom would’ve loved being here, you know? You look amazing. But . . . this feels so weird, Ri,” he says against my hair. “You, getting married? Almost like I’m losing you or something.”

I pull back and look at my baby brother. “I’ll always be here,” I assure him. “Always together, me and you. I promise. Despite Rhine and the Ness Boys asking you to join them in Inverness.”

Seth grins. “I haven’t said no to that yet.”

I return the smile. After what had gone down in Inverness, Rhine had asked Seth to join the Ness Boys. As in live there, with them at the Crachan, to keep Inverness and the Highlands safe. After Carrine’s reign of terror, there’s no telling how many newbloods are roaming the glen. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Seth accepted, too, no matter that he’s hesitating. Might be good for him, although he’d probably have to take Eli’s little sister, Josie. Now that I think about it, she’d also be quite an asset to the Ness Boys. Knowing Rhine, it’s probably his master cunning scheme of getting me back to Scotland. “I know you haven’t, but if you do, it’s totally okay.” I step back and admire. “You guys look fabuloso,” I say. The guys are decked out in black tuxes and Luc and Phin each sport a fuchsia bow tie. Luc’s dark blond hair brushes his tux collar. Phin’s dark blond buzz cut makes him look simply badass. Both have blue eyes that sparkle. My brother? When did he grow up into such a handsome guy?

“Heard all that,” Phin says, reading my mind. He looks at Seth. “She thinks you’re cute.”

I mock-glare at Phin.

Luc looks down at Nyx. “Ready, love?”

“Maybe I should wed Riley, instead of Eli,” Phin says, rubbing his jaw with a knuckle. He winks at me. “He’s so damn old.”

I shake my head. “Please take him out of here,” I tell Nyx.

She gives me a kiss on the cheek and links her arms between both brothers. “See ya out there,” Nyx says sweetly. “I can’t wait! Come on, Seth Poe. You, too.”

My brother gives me a sweet, wide smile. Words aren’t needed. I’ll always remember that smile of his, on this day. My wedding day.

Just as they step out the door, Noah walks in. He looks at me, and I grin.

“God Almighty, woman. You just killed me,” he says, and walks to me. “No, wait. I’m dying now.” He places a hand over his heart. “I’m serious, Ri. It actually hurts.”

“Cut it out,” I say, and twirl in a circle. “Too much?” I ask.

“Are you kidding?” he says, and shakes his head as he studies me from head to toe. “Dupré, that lucky fuck. He better thank me later that I didn’t bite him a little longer.”

“Noah!” I exclaim.

His mercury eyes dance with merriment. “Kidding. Sort of.”

He walks over to me and stares at me through the mirror. “You’re beautiful, Riley Poe.”

I look at my reflection. I admit, I do feel like an inked and slightly unconventional version of Cinderella. My hair is a messy updo, with fuchsia tendrils swirling down toward my collarbone. My dress is pretty simple, A-line, antique white, with a layer of fine lace overlay, strapless, backless—almost obscenely so. I turn in the mirror, inspecting my inked dragon that goes up my back and down my arm.

“I want to do just one thing before I put you on the back of Eli’s bike and drive you to your wedding,” he says, and turns me around to face him. He’s wearing a black tux, just like Luc’s and Phin’s, complete with a fuchsia bow tie. So very handsome. With my white strappy heels on, I’m just about eye to eye with him.

“What’s that?” I ask.

Gently, he takes my face in his hands, turns my head to the side, and presses his mouth against mine.

And kisses me. I kiss him back.

It’s not a short kiss.

But it’s not perverted and obscene, either. I’m a little stunned.

And I’ll never, ever forget it.

He pulls back, and his eyes are softened. He smiles. “I will always love you, Riley,” he admits. “And I’ll always regret the day Eli met you first. But . . .” He pulls me into a hug. “I am satisfied just loving you as a friend. And I will always, forever be here for you. No matter what.”

I smile, adjust a loose dread that has escaped the velvet tie at the nape of his neck. “I’m the luckiest girl alive,” I admit. “To have you, Eli, and so many others. I’ll always love you, too, Noah. You’ll always be more than a friend to me.”

His mercury eyes sparkle. “Really?”

I laugh. “I’m trying to be serious. And yes, I mean it, but not in a nasty, sex way. I do love you.” I kiss him quickly on the lips. “But I can only be in love with one. And it’s always been Eli.”

A slow smile cracks his beautiful face in two. “I know. And I know what you mean.” He inclines his head toward the door. “Ready, gorgeous?”

I take a deep breath and ease it out. “Absolutely.”

We head to the door, and he hands me my bouquet. “I told Eli I was gonna do that, by the way.”

I smile at him. My feelings are deep for Noah, and I don’t know what I’d do without him. We’ve been through a lot. “What’d he say?” I ask.

Noah grins and holds the door open for me. “Last chance.”

I shake my head, Noah hands me my shades, and I slip them on. I inhale a lungful of Savannah springtime air, hike up my dress, and let Noah help me onto the back of Eli’s Martin Brother’s Silverback. White silk streamers and tin cans are tied all over the back and fenders, and trail behind us as we ignore the helmet law and move through the streets of Savannah. I slide my arms around Noah’s waist and hold on, and smile at the passersby on the sidewalks as we make our way to Forsythe Park. Azaleas and wisteria are in full bloom, and honestly, it couldn’t be a more perfect day.

If only my mom could be here to see it.

We get to Forsythe. Noah pulls into a space, and parks. He helps me off and tucks my hand in the crook of his arm as we make our way to the fountain.

The invited crowd of loved ones is way too large for an indoor church wedding. Outdoors was the only way to go, and I’d chosen the fountain because, well, it’s beautiful, and my mom had always loved it. God, how I miss her on this day.

“She’s watching you, love,” Noah says in a quiet voice. “She sees.”

Yeah, Noah Miles is one sweet man. I pray he finds a woman one day who deserves him. Luckily, I’ll be around long enough to ensure that. I pull him closer. “Thanks.”

He walks me to a large moss-draped tree, where Preacher awaits me. His white smile nearly blinds me as Noah hands me to my surrogate grandfather.

“I’ll see ya up there,” Noah says with a wink, and disappears up the walk.

Preacher tucks my hand into his large ebony one. Callused, familiar, and loving. “You are a painted beauty, girl, dat’s right,” he says with love. “Me and your grandmudder are so proud of you. Dat boy”—he inclines his head toward the front, where Eli awaits—“he loves you in de same way I love Estelle. The forever kind.” He gives a single nod. “Dat’s all I want for my baby girl.”

“I love you,” I say, my voice choked.

Preacher kisses me on the cheek. “I know dat.”

I suppress a laugh.

“You gonna take dem tings off your pretty face?”

I slip off my shades and ease them into the pocket of Preacher’s black tux. “Thanks,” I say.

He grins and faces forward.

The music starts up.

It’s not your conventional wedding.

Rhine, Tate, Gerry, and Pete are playing my wedding march.

Rhine wrote it himself. It’s the first time I’ve heard it.

It’s nearly breaking my heart.

“Dat’s a fine boy, too, dat Rhine,” Preacher informs me quietly. “Good boy. Nice voice, dat’s right. Your grandmudder ordered his CD on Amazon. Plays it all da time, she does.”

I look at my grandfather and laugh. Lord help the world, Estelle has discovered the Internet.

Through the crowd, I see Rhine with his bass, and I have to agree. He’s a great guy.

Ahead, a small line starts to move toward the fountain, where Garr, also an ordained minister, awaits us. Noah is Eli’s best man, and the pair stand at the fountain, on Garr’s left. But Noah is standing in just the right position, so I don’t have a good look at Eli yet. My insides ping with nerves. Ahead of me, Nyx and Luc make their way up an aisle covered in dogwood blooms. Guests are seated in white wooden folding chairs on either side of the fountain.

They’re filled to the gills with people I love.

Next, Phin grasps his sister’s arm and they head up the aisle. He returns for his mother, Elise, who is stunning in a champagne silk gown with a diamond choker. Gilles follows behind them. Luc returns and escorts Estelle down the aisle then, but not before she turns, her eyes wide, and a big grin stretches across her aged ebony face. She’s wearing a soft light dove gray dress that shimmers in the sunlight. It reminds me of Noah’s eyes. She’s my beautiful Gullah grandmother, and she kisses me, then heads up the aisle.

I glance out over the crowd gathered before me, and I’m in absolute awe of my life and all who is in it.

First, my baby brother, who sits on the front row. This whole thing started when he and his silly friends inadvertently set the Arcos brothers free of their graves. What would have happened if they hadn’t done that?

I shudder at the thought.

All things happen for a reason. I’m so totally convinced of that.

Next to my brother, of all souls, is Victorian Arcos. One of the entombed devils, who turned out not to be such a devil after all. He smiles at me, and I’m surprised he’s behaving so well. Not once since our last mind convo has he entered my thoughts. I think Eli must have had a talk with him.

Gabriel and Sydney are here, Lucien and Ginger. Jake Andorra, and he has a date, which makes me slightly curious. Victorian Arcos is next to Jake’s date. My WUP family. Perfect. They’d settled the wolf war in the Highlands, by the way.

And then all of my lovely Gullah family.

Jack and Tuba, Preacher’s nephews, flanked by big Zetty the Tibetan, are nearly taking up a row all themselves. Preacher’s family. Garr’s family, and several of Noah’s Charleston crew have gathered.

It’s all pretty fantastic.

Werewoves. Gullah. Humans. Vampires.

And whatever Gabriel is.

I am not there, Riley, but I can see you. I’m envious of Eli, and I’ll always love you. I’m here to watch over you. All you have to do is call me.

Thanks, Athios. Because of you, this is possible. I’ll never forget it.

I’ll never forget you, my love. And Miles is right, by the way. Your mother is here. She sees. Her happiness for you makes her light brighter.

Tell her I love and miss her so much, Athios.

She knows.

My eyes mist with tears. My mother’s watching. Of course she’s an angel. She was in life. Why would she be anything less in death? A joy fills me, and I know it’s her.

Thank you, Athios. What do you know? My own guardian angel.

My eyes drift to the other side of the guests.

The side that is nearly taken up by the absolute largest men I’ve ever seen in my life. Tristan de Barre of Dreadmoor Keep, his wife and brood, along with Jason, Gawan, and Ellie, and all of their children, have crossed the Pond to attend the nups. Tristan’s men have come as well, and let me tell you, it’s an impressive bunch of once-medieval fellas.

To think of all the lives that have been lived. Lost. Relived.

Shocks me to the core.

“Time to go, baby girl,” Preacher whispers to me.

Rhine starts a new tune—another he’s written—and Preacher and I start up the dogwood-petal-strewn aisle.

My eyes are fixed now on only one soul. My breath leaves me.

His eyes are mostly back to that beautiful cerulean color I love. But there are still flecks of red embedded in them that may never go away. I’d decided that it’s him, and I wanted all of him. No contacts needed. Our gazes are locked as I make my way toward him. The look on his face reveals much. Jaw muscle flexing, and he’s fighting a smile, but soon loses that fight as his beautiful lips stretch into a wide grin.

I think he’s freaked.

He meets me and Preacher in the front of the fountain. Preacher kisses me and places my hand in Eli’s. Then he joins them together and sits beside his wife.

“I can’t stop shaking,” Eli whispers in my ear as we face Garr.

My heart leaps.

Garr goes through the typical ceremony, and I hear every single word he says. Through sickness and in health. Yes, yes, of course. For as long as you both shall live? Is there any other choice? Longer than that, maybe? His words register, and Eli and I both answer. Inside, though, I’m a quiver of nerves. My wedding day. To Eligius Dupré.

How did I get so lucky?

“You wish to say your own vows, dat’s right?” Garr asks.

Eli nods and turns me to face him. He holds my hands and slips a platinum band over my ring finger. It nestles next to the engagement ring he’d given me, before Edinburgh. It feels right, like it’s belonged there all along, and my breath hitches. “All my life, I’ve waited for you, Riley Poe. You’re everything I could ever want, no matter how many lifetimes we live. You make me full, complete, and I’ll spend every single day making sure you never regret marrying me.”

My heart is in my throat, and I swallow past it. Eli’s words sink to my core. Love makes my nerves tingle. My eyes meet his, and I hold his gaze. My heart flutters. “I worked hard to pull out of the dregs that were once my life,” I say, and I ease the wide platinum matching band over Eli’s ring finger. My hands are shaking. The sun beams overhead but is filtered through the canopy of live oaks. Dapples of sun light on Eli’s face, and just looking at him I feel my heart melting. His mouth lifts on one side, fighting a grin. “But to love you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I’ll love you till the day I die, Eligius Dupré. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re my life.”

I hear Nyx sniffling behind me, and I fight my own tears.

“Well, den,” Garr says. He’s dressed in a dark gray tux and a slick hat to match. “I think you two belong togedder, forever. In the eyes of God, and all dese folk, I pronounce you wife and husband, for as long as you both exist.” Garr grins at Eli. “Well, den, kiss her, boy!”

My whole body is humming with love and excitement as Eli grasps my face with both of his hands and presses his mouth to mine. It’s a sweet, long, sleight-of-tongue kiss, and I melt into him. He pulls back and looks down at me, and the love in his mostly blue eyes takes my breath away. He smiles. I smile back.

You’re mine, he says.

Nuh-uh, you’re mine, I correct.

“Mr. and Mrs. Eligius Dupré, all hitched and legal!” Garr hollers.

Someone in the crowd whistles, and I know without looking it’s Tristan. The sound pierces the air and rivals that of a screeching falcon. The crowd roars then, clapping and rising to their feet. Eli takes my hand and we make our way right into the center of them all, and we stand there forever greeting, hugging, and rejoicing.

“My God, woman,” a deep voice rumbles at my ear. “I thought you were a vision wearing a battle helm and yielding a broadsword.” I turn and look up—way up—into the strange blue eyes of Tristan de Barre. “But I fancy this dress, for sure!”

I throw my arms around Tristan, and for the first time, meet his lovely wife, Andi. In turn, I hug all of the Dragonhawk knights, Gawan of Conwyk and his wife, Ellie, and all of their children combined. It’s like a small army. Eli shakes their hands, and they’re none satisfied with that. They pull him, too, into a tight bear hug.

It’s a day of hugging I’ll not soon forget.

“You did well, gel,” Gawan’s strangely accented voice says in my ear. “You’re a strong-willed lass—that’s for sure. No one else woulda survived that realm, save you.”

I grasp his large hands in mine. “We wouldn’t be here if it not for you, Gawan. Thank you.”

Gawan holds my gaze for a moment, and together we share a silent understanding. He nods, then joins his family.

“Well,” a familiar voice sounds off to my left. “I guess this means you two need paid vacay.”

I turn and throw my arms around Jake Andorra’s neck, and he hugs me tightly. Then he slaps Eli on the back. “Good to see you, Dupré. You both look fitter than ever. Can you two wrap up your honeymoon so we can get back to work? I hear there’re unexplained ghostly slayings in an Irish asylum. Could use your help.”

Eli and I pass a look.

And grin.

Jake walks off, shaking his head.

We greet the WUP team, Ginger and Lucian, as well as Gabriel and Sydney, and I’m thankful for all of the eclectic souls in my life.

Including the one I’m now married to.

My brother hugs me close and kisses my cheek. “You’re the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen, Ri,” he says. Still the sweetest kid ever. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, bro,” I tell him. I’ll later let him know what Athios told me about our mother.

“How about me?”

I turn and, without hesitation, throw my arms around Victorian Arcos. He’s handsome, velvety black hair still pulled into a queue, and looking positively polished in an Armani tux. “Slick threads,” I say. “I’m glad to see you.”

“And I, you,” he answers. Then sighs. “I suppose this is the end?”

I lift an eyebrow. Vic and I had spoken on the phone after he’d settled things with his family. I owe him my life. He’d sacrificed so much. I couldn’t imagine, well, life without him. I smile. “Never the end, my friend. But yes. I’m married now. Your chances with me are officially over.”

“I suspected as much.”

Eli laughs and claps Vic on the shoulder. “Don’t sweat it, old boy. You’ll find someone. I’ve no doubt.”

No one like her.

I smile at Victorian for slipping that one past Eli, and kiss him on the cheek.

“So this is the lucky one,” an accented voice says at my side. I turn and find Rhine grinning. He sticks his hand out to shake Eli’s. “I almost stole her from you, ya know.”

Eli’s grin is genuine. “Almost,” he says. “Thank you for watching after her. She’s not stopped talking about you. Quite impressive.”

Rhine leans over and brushes a kiss across my lips. “Anytime,” he says. His green eyes flash with mischief. He shakes his head and walks over to talk to his band.

“So, here we all are, full circle,” Noah says. He drapes an arm over my shoulder. “Now what?”

Eli grins and shoves Noah’s arm off me. “Now we honeymoon. For a long time. Alone.”

Noah’s brow furrows. “I was afraid of that.”

I laugh and lay my head against his chest. “You’re overwhelming, Miles,” I say. “It’s almost like I have two husbands.”

When I glance at Noah, his eyes are twinkling.

“Don’t even think it,” Eli warns.

“He kissed me before we came here today,” I tattle.

“She kissed me back,” Noah adds.

“But I get to take her home,” Eli says, looking down at me. “Now?”

“No, not now, silly boy,” Eli’s mother, Elise, says at his elbow. She kisses me and hugs her son. “We’ve got a huge reception planned. You’ve got to go to that first.”

“That’s right,” Nyx says at my other side. Luc is beside her, and Phin won’t stop staring at me, grinning. Their youngest sibling, Josie, is holding Seth’s hand.

“How long will you guys be gone?” Josie asks me. “I haven’t hardly been able to catch up with you, Ri.”

“I know,” I answer, then look at her brother.

My husband.

“Two weeks, shorty,” Eli tells his sister. “Then I’ll share.”

“Can I have your word on that?” Phin asks, grinning. “My new sister here is supposed to ink me when you get home.”

“Phin’s letting me design it, too,” Josie says. “Wait till you see it!”

“My new daughter,” Gilles says, stepping close and hugging his wife. “You’re simply stunning, chère.” He lifts my hand and kisses it, and I’m briefly reminded of the first time I met him. It brings a smile to my face. He grins in return. “I’m ever so glad to have you and Seth in our little family.”

“I am, too,” I say, smiling.

“Let’s eat!” Seth cries. “I’m starving!”

The whole party moves to the Dupré family home for a reception. Eli and I do all of the traditional things a wedding party does: cut the cake, sans squashing it in each other’s faces; the toast. The throwing of the bouquet, and the flinging of the garter, which Phin catches with a grin. A photographer who’s been taking pictures the whole time smiles to herself, apparently proud of her work.

I’m just glad vampires really can be seen in photos.

Rhine and his band play, and we dance. We eat. We party. I share a dance with, God Almighty, everyone. Rhine, Noah, Victorian, Gabriel, Lucian, Jake, Tristan, Gawan. Jason, and every single one of the Dragonhawk knights. Gilles, Preacher, and Garr. By the time I’ve danced with the last of my Gullah family, I am thinking I will pass out.

Luckily, Preacher had slipped me a little root doctor concoction before my wedding, to prevent me from falling out in a narcoleptic coma. Jesus, that would’ve been a disaster. Me. Asleep. On my wedding night. As it is, I’m wide awake. Anxious. Elated.

Filled to the rim with a joy I can’t even begin to explain.

More hugging, more kissing, and more memories are made. I truly am a lucky girl.

“If we don’t get out of here within the next five minutes I’m going to maul you here in front of everyone,” Eli whispers into my ear. I look at him, and his eyes shine. “I mean it.”

I grin.

I believe him. “Well, let’s go, Mr. Dupré.”

Eli grins. “As you wish, Mrs. Dupré.”

Yes. We’re that annoying couple who relishes calling each other by their newly married name. I love it. I can’t say it enough.

“This way,” Noah suddenly says at my shoulder. He grins down at me. “I must love the hell out of you both. Assisting in your honeymoon getaway.” He shakes his head. “What have I become?”

“The best friend a man could ask for,” Eli says, and hugs him. “Lead the way, my good man.”

We weave through the back of the house, and outside, Eli’s Silverback awaits. Cans and streamers sill hang behind it. Noah helps me onto the back.

“I’ll take care of everything until you get back,” he tells Eli. Then leans over and kisses me. “I love you, Mrs. Dupré. See ya.”

“Love you, too, Mr. Miles.”

Noah grins and waves us away.

I hold on to Eli’s waist, and I have absolutely no idea where we’re going. He told no one—except Rhine and the band, who’d helped him get whatever he’s gotten ready ready. He pulls the Silverback up to the landing on River Street and helps me off. Wordlessly, he takes me down to the dock and helps me onto a small boat. Without saying one word, he pulls me against him and starts the engine. We take off into the harbor.

A half hour later, and ahead, through the darkness, one of the small barrier islands is awash in moonlight. On the beach, a fire flickers. Eli runs the boat up onto the sand, jumps out, and lifts me up. He carries me to a lean-to, sits me on my feet.

Not any old run-of-the-mill lean-to.

Our wedding night lean-to. He steps through the gauzy white material of a doorway and looks back at me.

In his eyes shine possession, fierce longing, and something way deeper than I’ve ever seen before in those blue depths. “Come in here,” he says, and grasps my hand, pulls me inside. I follow.

His eyes are trained on mine. “Stand still.”

I do as he says.

Slowly, Eli’s deft fingers move over my skin to the tiny buttons at the lower back of my gown. Loosening each one, he pushes my gown off my shoulders, his lips falling against my skin. My eyes close as his fingers trail down each hip, and he helps me step out of my dress. He removes my shoes. When he stands, I take off his tux jacket. Push his suspenders off his shoulders. Unbutton his shirt. When my hands move to his belt, air hisses from his lips. I slowly push his slacks over his muscular hips, and I’m not surprised to see he’s gone to his wedding commando-style. He grins, kicks off his socks and shoes, and scoops me up and lowers his head. Full lips brush over mine, and he kisses me until we reach the massive pallet of quilts thrown together for our wedding bed. He follows me down.

My body involuntarily shakes.

He comes to me then, close; his body brushes mine, his fingers ease over my bare shoulders, across my collarbone, down the front where my strapless bra clasps between my breasts. He releases it, eases it down, and I wince. With a gentleness that no longer surprises me, he pushes the silky material off my body and drops it to the ground.

Inside, I’m dying.

“I know, baby,” he says, reading my mind. He slips his fingers through the waistband of my panties and eases them off. “I’m going to fix that.”

My heart leaps.

“Close your eyes,” he whispers. I do.

Eli’s mouth moves over my skin, tasting erotic samples of each rib, over my abdomen, each breast. I can feel the heat building inside me. It’s been so long. I reach for him.

“No, don’t do that,” he whispers. “Stay with me, Riley.”

I sigh. “I’m trying.”

His seductive mouth against my skin makes my nerves leap. “Try harder.”

Eli’s hands glide over my shoulders, down my arms, intertwine his fingers with mine, and draw me close. His hard body presses close to me; his lips seek the top of my shoulder, my throat, my ear, my jaw, and slide to my mouth. In a slow, erotic kiss, his tongue grazes mine, his teeth scrape my lips and capture the bottom one, and he suckles gently.

Inside, I grow heavy with desire; my knees weaken, and I lift my hips; his breath catches in his throat; he captures my hands in his hands and lowers them.

“Not yet, Riley,” he says, his voice strained, his French accent thick. I move my hands to his chest, trail the muscles there, his breath brushing against my ear. “You touch me, I explode. Just . . . be still.”

“Then don’t kiss me like that,” I insist.

I feel his smile against my skin. “No promises there.”

I sigh.

“Turn around,” he says against my cheek.

I do, and he pushes my hair over one shoulder and moves his mouth over my skin. It takes even more control not to touch Eli.

There’s a hot, sexy, naked vampire in the marriage bed with me.

Eli chuckles, reading my thoughts. I think of nothing but Eli, his touch, and the craving he stirs within me. His hands glide over my body, every inch passed makes my eyes roll back in bliss; I want him everywhere, inside, out, and I never, ever want him to leave again.

His hands move over my hips, encircle my stomach, and pull my body against his. I feel his muscles pressing into my spine, his hardness pressing against the small of my back. His arms tighten around me, his mouth at my jaw. “I swear, I’ll never leave you again,” he whispers, his voice strained, somewhat painful. “I’m yours forever.”

I turn in his arms and lock my gaze on his. His dark hair falls across his eyes, and I reach up and push it aside, graze his jaw, run my thumb over his sexy lips. “Promise?”

His mouth seeks mine. “I promise,” he whispers, his tongue tasting mine.

I push him back. “Good. Now you be still.”

A small smile tilts his mouth. “Yes, ma’am.”

I lose myself in his drugging kiss; my hands glide over the muscles in his back, over his tight ass, over his hips. The feel of his tongue against mine, his teeth scraping my lips, makes me hot, wet, crazy. Blind with need, I move my hands over the cut ridges of his abdomen, lower, and grasp his hardness. He gasps in my mouth, groans deep, kisses me deeper.

“Jesus, Riley,” he says, pained. “Control’s slipping.” His hands are roaming all over me.

“Don’t care,” I mutter against his throat, my hands stroking him. “Need you,” I pant, pressing my body to his. “Now, Eli.”

Without words, he moves over me, sinks his hard length in until Eli fills me completely. My head drops back, drugged, weightless. Eli’s mouth tastes my skin; his tongue teases the hardened, sensitive peaks of my breasts, first one, then the other. With his fingers digging into my hips, he moves, the feel of his hardness sliding inside me making me crazy high. His mouth caresses me, makes love to me.

“Eli,” I gasp, and hold on, our rhythms matching, and somewhere deep within me, an intense orgasm begins like a faraway storm. We move together, fast, out of control, until the storm grows in strength and finally crashes, wave after wave of climax claiming us both; I lose my breath, spasms rack my body. Eli holds me close; his mouth presses to my throat. The world tilts still; Eli’s lovemaking has that effect on me. I can do nothing more than hold on to him.

Through the darkness, Eli’s eyes search mine. Slowly, he lowers his head, captures my mouth, and kisses me. Now his control has returned and he uses it to savor my lips, my tongue, to speak to me with just his mouth: actions that speak volumes over any words he could have whispered to me.

Until he does.

Eli pulls me close against him, my head resting on his chest, his arms completely around me, holding me to his body. He pulls back, just enough so I can see his face. With his fingers, he finds my wedding ring. Caresses it.

Serious, cerulean eyes with tiny flecks of bloodred bore into mine. “I love you, Riley Poe Dupré.” He brushes a thumb over my lips. “If I could, I’d die for you. Don’t forget that.” He kisses me then, slowly, erotically, then looks at me again. “Ever.”

I pull his mouth back to mine and kiss him until I’m breathless. “You’re mine forever, Eligius Dupré.”

He smiles against my mouth and pulls me closer. “Not long enough, but it’ll do for now.”