Point of No Return

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Tears blurred my vision, my throat too clogged with emotion for me to answer, so I just gave a vigorous nod as a sob built in my chest.

Kade hugged me so tight I could barely breathe. He rained kisses on my face—my forehead, cheeks, eyes, lips. He kissed me until I was breathless. When he finally lifted his head, his smile was blinding.

“I have something for you,” he said.

Before I could reply, he’d set me aside and jumped up with all the excitement of a kid at Christmas. He bent to grab his discarded jeans off the floor while I admired the view, then he was back and holding a small box.

I recognized the Tiffany blue immediately as he took my hand and set the box in my palm.

“I bought this when we were in Vegas,” he said. “I was out of my mind to even buy it—one hell of an impulse buy.”

My hands trembled as I opened the box. A ring was nestled inside, the stone reflecting the light in brilliant glimmers.

I started crying again as Kade took the ring out and picked up my left hand.

“It’s a princess cut diamond, of course,” he said, his lips twisting in a grin as he slipped the ring onto my finger, “and they don’t make them any bigger than this.”

I laughed through my tears, reaching up to pull him down for a watery kiss.

“Thank you,” I said, looking up at him. “It’s beautiful.”

Kade’s grin widened. “I done good,” he said smugly.

I rolled my eyes. His arrogance knew no bounds, but in this, he was correct. The ring was exquisite, diamonds embedded into the platinum band on either side of the stone.

“I love you, Kade, even if you hadn’t ‘done good,’” I said, then raised an eyebrow. “But if you ever even think of leaving me again, I will kick your ass.”

His face turned serious in an instant. Taking my hand, he placed it on his chest, directly over his heart.

“I won’t. I swear it. I’ll never leave you.”

Then the moment was broken when his lips twisted and he said, “But I would like to see you try to kick my ass.” His eyebrows waggled suggestively.

I pinched him.

“Ouch,” he said with feigned hurt. “I didn’t know you liked to play dirty.”

I could feel my face heating and couldn’t smother my grin. “There’s more where that came from, pretty boy,” I warned him.

“I certainly hope so.”

I squealed in surprise when he tossed me down on my back, then he was scooting down my body until I felt the warmth of his breath against my inner thighs.

I started to protest. I hadn’t showered after our last bout of lovemaking and was immediately self-conscious. But then his mouth was on me, his hands pressing my legs farther apart as he slowly licked me. The feeling was torturous, the warm heat of his tongue dipping inside me then sliding to my clit, wiping every objection from my mind.

It seemed Kade didn’t mind dirty at all.

Later, I woke alone. We’d gone back down to the bed, jet lag catching up to us. Confused, I sat up, trying to get my bearings. The yacht was moving, I could tell that, then I heard water running in the shower.

Getting out of bed, I stretched, smiling a bit at the little aches that came with a vigorous night of sex with Kade. He’d seemed insatiable, wringing orgasms from me even after I would have sworn I didn’t have the energy for it.

I glanced down at my hand, the ring sparkling. Kade had proposed. I was going to marry Kade. It seemed unreal. Untouchable, harder-than-nails Kade Dennon was marrying me.

Deciding to wait until Kade finished in the shower, I wandered naked to the windows, which were at eye level, and looked out. The sea was moving past, waves crashing against the sides of the yacht as it made its way through the water. The sun should have been blinding against the ocean, but the windows were tinted. I sighed, crossing my arms along the sill and resting my chin on them.

I heard the water shut off but didn’t turn. A few minutes later, I felt Kade at my back.

“Now this is a sight I could definitely get used to,” he said, his lips by my ear. His hands caressed my bare bottom before settling on my hips. I could feel the denim from his jeans against the backs of my thighs.

“Well, you’d better get used to it,” I said, turning to face him. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

Kade’s expression was one I hadn’t seen before. A small smile played about his lips and his eyes were soft as they studied me.

“What?” I asked, smiling back. “What’s this face?”

“I’m happy,” Kade said simply. “You’ve made me happy.” He shrugged. “It’s a new feeling.”

My heart hurt a little at that and I stretched up on my toes to loop my arms around his neck. “And you’ve made me happy,” I said. “It goes both ways.”

Then my stomach decided to remind me that no matter how happy I was, morning sickness waits for no one.

“What’s wrong?” Kade asked, frowning at the sudden change in me.

“Bathroom!” I gasped, pushing past him. I made it in time and had the sense to lock the door before heaving into the toilet.

“Kathleen!” Kade called, twisting the knob. “Unlock this door and let me in,” he demanded.

I heaved again, though there was nothing in my stomach. God, I really hated it. I hated that nauseous feeling and the way my stomach twisted sometimes at just the wrong smell. Morning sickness sucked.

“Kathleen! Open this door or I will break it.”

I flushed the toilet and grabbed a towel to cover myself. A wet washcloth was on the edge of the tub so I grabbed it and wiped my mouth. Shakily, I leaned against the wall.

“I’m fine,” I called out, my voice weak. “Just—give me a minute, okay?” The last thing I wanted was Kade to see me sick . . . again. I’d just take a shower, brush my teeth, then I’d be more presentable. My current condition wasn’t so great.

There was a crack and a splintering sound, then the door flew open. Kade stood there, anger mixed with worry on his face.

“No, that is not okay,” he said flatly.

“Kade,” I whined, covering my face with my hands, “I didn’t want you to see me like this.” If I’d had the energy, I would’ve been pissed, but lack of sleep and the boisterous vomiting had taken it all out of me. And here I’d thought this part of pregnancy was finally over.

“Too bad,” he said, crouching down by me. He pulled my hands away from my face. “I do believe it’s ‘in sickness, and in health,’ right?”

“We’re not married yet,” I said. “And this is gross.” I wrinkled my nose.

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “I’ll decide what’s gross,” he said, “and my bride, who carries our unborn child, is most decidedly not gross. Even when she’s puking her guts out.”

Kade helped me off the floor and started the shower for me. “Do you need help showering?” he asked. “Because I can wash your back. And your front.” His lips curved in another smirk.

I gave a huff of laughter and pushed him away. “I do not feel sexy at the moment. It’ll have to wait.”

“Fine,” he groused. “I’ll wait.”

I felt much better after the shower and wrapped myself in a towel before I emerged. Kade was checking his phone.

“Are you hungry now?” he asked.

I considered. “Yeah. I think the nausea’s passed.”

“Then let’s feed you,” he said. “Come topside when you’re dressed.”

He curved a hand around the back of my neck to pull me close enough for him to brush a kiss to my forehead before he disappeared up the stairs. I gave a contented sigh. I would never have guessed Kade to be the doting type, but I wasn’t complaining.

Something Alisha had said came to mind then. She’d been telling me how comfortable she was with her new boyfriend, Lewis, and how she’d never felt that way before.

“It’s like, you know how you’re with a guy and he’s driving you home or something, and you need to pass gas? Well, you hold it, right?” she’d said, all matter-of-fact. “Even if it gives you a stomachache. And it’s nice to date those kind of guys, but I’d rather find the kind of guy who’d just laugh and roll the window down. If I found a guy who made me feel like that, I’d marry him.”

I’d laughed at the ridiculous analogy, though I could admit she had a point. It struck me that morning sickness and pregnancy and all the things that came with that, all the changes my body was going to go through, none of it seemed embarrassing or beyond Kade’s ability to take it in stride. He’d seen me sick several times now, had stood by my side unflinchingly when the doctor had examined me, and hadn’t batted an eye or made me feel like I needed to hide anything from him.

Going to my suitcase, I pulled out a sundress and flat sandals, finding my brush, too. My hair would dry quickly in the breeze and I dug out my sunglasses and then headed up to find Kade.

To my surprise, a man was bustling around a table for eight that was set for two. He wore white pants and a white shirt. Catching sight of me, he smiled. “Good morning,” he said. “I’m Andrew, the chef. You must be Kathleen.”

My eyebrows climbed. Chef? “Um, hi,” I said, shaking his hand.

“Kade said you were hungry,” Andrew continued. “I have some fruit for you, but if you want to tell me what you’d like, I can prepare it.”

I felt a little out of my depth as Andrew clasped his hands behind his back and seemed to be waiting for my request. I scrambled to think of something that wouldn’t sound too demanding.

“Breakfast?” I tentatively asked, even though it was midday.

Andrew smiled. “No problem,” he said. “There’s coffee, if you’d like some. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Thanks,” I said. “Do you know where Kade is?”

“Sure, he’s on the upper deck.” Andrew pointed to a set of stairs leading up.

I looked around a bit before going to the stairs. The yacht was long, not like the typical white luxury yachts I’d seen in pictures. It had to be over half the length of a football field, the long honey-colored deck gorgeous in the sunshine.

I climbed to the top deck. The wind whipped my hair and I caught sight of Kade sitting on the couch where we’d watched the sunrise. I made my way toward him. He had his sunglasses on, shorts, and a white shirt, most of the buttons undone. His arms were stretched along the back of the couch, one ankle resting on the opposite knee as he leaned back, his face tipped up to the sun.

“So what’s the story with the yacht?” I asked, sitting down beside him. I kicked off my sandals and tucked my feet up underneath me.

Kade’s lips twisted as he lifted an eyebrow. “You like?”

I laughed. “What’s not to like? It’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Three huge sails billowed in the wind and I tipped my head back, shading my eyes with a hand, to gaze up at them. The couch we were sitting on was ivory. The whole decor downstairs, up here, and in the bedroom was in whites and ivories. “Another loaner from ‘a friend’?” Kade had access to odd things—nice things—from people he called friends, but who I suspected were really clients.

“It’s mine, actually,” he said.

I jerked my head back around, my mouth dropping open in astonishment. “Are you serious?” I asked.

“Got it for a song from a guy desperate to sell,” Kade smirked.

Alarm bells went off in my head. “And why was he desperate to sell?” I asked.

“He pissed me off, so I may have intimated that it would be . . . healthier for him to stick to land for a while.”

I shook my head, not in the least bit surprised, though I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. Incorrigible. Spontaneous. Unstoppable. Together, they equaled Kade.

“So where are we going?” I asked.

“Just out for a day cruise,” Kade replied. “Thought we’d find a good place to see the sunset tonight.”

“That sounds lovely,” I said. It seemed dreams really did come true. Kade and I were going to be together.

Kade reached for me, pulling me onto his lap. I hooked an arm around his neck.

“What do you say to marrying me today?” he asked. “When the sun sets?”

My heart leapt. “Really?”

“Really.”

“How?”

“The captain used to be a Navy chaplain,” Kade said, combing back my unruly hair with his fingers. “I’ll introduce you later. He said he’d marry us. I had some connections get us a license, and there’s no waiting period in Hawaii.”

We could get married today. By the time the sun set tonight, it would be official. Suddenly, I wanted that. I wanted it more than anything. Maybe I was gun-shy because Blane had broken our engagement, or maybe it was because even though Kade had promised to not leave me again, a little part of me was still unsure. Whatever it was, I felt a measure of relief to think it would be a done deal by the time the day was through.

Reaching up, I carefully removed Kade’s sunglasses. I wanted to see his eyes, their clear blue rivaling that of the sky above us. “Yes,” I said. “Yes, I want that.”

Kade had my hair clasped in a loose ponytail, his hand holding the wayward strands over my shoulder. He gently tugged, pulling me toward him for a kiss. I melted into him.

“Ahem.”

I pulled back, turning to see Andrew standing a few feet away.

“Breakfast is ready,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you, Andrew,” Kade said, taking his sunglasses from my fingers and sliding them back on.

Andrew had made French toast, the warm maple syrup soaking into the thick slices of bread. I ate until I was nearly groaning, I was so full.

“So where’d you find these people to work here?” I asked.

Kade helped himself to a slice of pineapple. “They came with the boat,” he said with a shrug.

After we ate, Kade had us change into swimsuits, then he introduced me to Captain Hugh, a nice man who looked to be in his mid to late fifties. His skin was tanned a deep brown, his face creased with crow’s-feet from many hours in the sun. He was friendly and easygoing, and I liked him right away.

A woman was aboard, too, the only female member of the crew, and her name was Jennifer. Kade introduced me to her and said she was the first mate. The last member of the crew was Taylor, the butler. He arranged two deck chairs for Kade and me, and he gave me a friendly smile before disappearing below deck.

I was wearing the white bikini Kade had bought for me in Las Vegas. I caught Kade blatantly staring as I settled myself on one of the chairs.

“See something you like?” I teased, preening just a bit under his appreciative gaze.

“See something I adore,” Kade frankly replied.

Ah, the things Kade said sometimes. My face almost hurt from smiling so much, even as tears pricked my eyes. I was so happy and yet, deep down I was terrified. I’d been happy before and look how that had ended. Surely this couldn’t be real. I should enjoy it while it lasted because who knew when it would end?

“What happened to your job in Boston?” I asked, reminded of what felt like ages ago when Kade had said we’d be traveling there. I wondered if the security job had been sidelined when he’d gone back to his old occupation while we’d been apart.

Kade shrugged, lying back in the other chair with his arms bent behind his head. “I decided to take a vacation,” he said noncommittally.

I let it go at that. I didn’t want to argue and there would be plenty of time to discuss the future. I really wanted to enjoy the here and now. My stomach was full and I wasn’t feeling sick, despite the rocking of the boat. I was on an amazing yacht in the middle of the ocean, enjoying a gorgeous, sunny day with the man I loved. Nothing got better than this.

Of course, Kade wasn’t one to lie around doing nothing for a long period of time, so pretty soon he was wandering, digging up a radio and fiddling with it until music drifted from the speakers. Then he got thirsty and had Andrew make five different types of smoothies, both of us trying each one and choosing a favorite. After that, he dug up fingernail polish from somewhere—I didn’t ask where—and proceeded to drag me back to the couch so he could paint my toes a candy apple red.

“You just can’t stand sitting still, can you?” I asked with amusement as Kade carefully painted the last two toes.

“I get antsy on a boat,” he said.

I looked quizzically at him.

“No escape route,” he clarified.

I snorted. “Then why did you buy a yacht?”

He shrugged, blowing a little on my nails to dry the polish. “Thought you’d like it.”

My eyebrows climbed. “Kade,” I said carefully, a suspicion forming in my mind, “how long have you owned this yacht?”

He didn’t answer right away. Testing the dryness of my nails, he seemed satisfied, resting my feet in his lap as he leaned back on the couch.

“Since Christmas.”

I was speechless for a moment, the implications of that statement sinking in. When I spoke, my voice was quiet. “You’ve known for that long?”

“I knew the moment I first laid eyes on you,” Kade said, matter-of-fact.

I remembered that day in the courthouse. Me, still reeling from being attacked and held as a hostage. Kade, stopping to make sure I was all right. Now looking back on it, I realized it had been out of character for him to do so. Kade wasn’t known for his compassion toward strangers.

“You were like a princess out of a fairy tale,” Kade said, his hands caressing my legs as he spoke. “I still remember my first glimpse of you, standing in line at security. Your hair was the color of the sunset.”

I couldn’t help my smile. “I didn’t know you’d noticed me,” I said, “at least, not before that guy held me hostage.”

“You saved his life that day,” Kade said, surprising me again. “If you hadn’t done what you did, I was about two seconds from blowing his brains out.”

“How did you have a gun inside the courthouse?” I asked, bewildered. Kade just smirked and I rolled my eyes. Of course he would have found a way around that.

“Though it did give me a chance to talk to you,” Kade continued. “But you weren’t real talkative.”

“I was in shock,” I defended myself, though my cheeks heated. The real reason I hadn’t said much was because I’d been blown away that a man who looked like Kade did had stopped to talk to me.

“And here I thought it was my stunning good looks that had your tongue all tied up,” he teased.

Even though Kade’s ego needed no stroking, I ’fessed up. “Yeah, that too.”

Kade’s laugh was a soft rasp that made my face even warmer, but I was still smiling. It was good to see him so happy and relaxed.

“So why didn’t you ask me out?”

Kade’s smile faded and he cocked an eyebrow at me. “What would I have said to you? Hey, I kill people for a living, but I’m really great in bed.” He shook his head. “There was nothing about me that was worthy of you. You were innocent, sweet. It would’ve been a fucking crime for me to ask you out.”

There were so many things wrong with that statement, it was hard to know where to start. “I was not innocent, or sweet,” I argued. “And you know I hate it when you say stuff like that about yourself.”

“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter anyway,” Kade dismissed. “I’m not exactly known for my self-restraint, which is how we find ourselves sitting here.” He indicated the yacht.

I thought for a moment. “Kade,” I began carefully, “would you have ever said anything to me if Blane hadn’t made you play bodyguard when he was working that case?”

Kade didn’t answer for a moment. “I wanted to stay away, not come back to Indy. Being around you while you were with Blane was torture.”

“Is that why you were so mean to me?”

His smile was bitter. “It was easier if I could make you hate me. But then you had to go and almost get yourself killed . . . and I couldn’t make myself be cruel to you. Not after that.”

I pulled my feet away, crawling over to settle on my knees next to him. I looped my arms around his neck and smiled. “I’m glad,” I said, pressing my lips to his.

“Mmm,” Kade murmured. “You smell like coconut.”

He still wore the white shirt, only now no buttons were fastened. His chest was warm from the sun, our bodies touching and sliding from my suntan oil.

I abruptly sat back. “Coconut,” I said. “That sounds good. Do you think Andrew has any?”

Kade slid his sunglasses down to peer at me over the top. “You want coconut? Just coconut?”

I nodded. “Yeah.” My stomach growled.

Kade grinned. “I’m on it.”

He returned shortly with a bowl of shredded coconut and insisted on feeding it to me. I didn’t mind. My head in Kade’s lap while he teased me and fed me coconut was the stuff dreams are made of—my dreams at least.

A few hours later, I was standing in our bedroom, surveying myself in the mirror, dressed in what would become my wedding gown.

I’d never gotten to wear the dress I’d bought in Vegas, instead stashing it in the back of my closet when I’d gotten home. It happened to be made of a floaty white chiffon, with little straps that went over my shoulders, then crossed and tied behind my back. The sweetheart neckline dipped low between my breasts, meeting an empire waistband of rhinestones and crystals that wrapped around me to another deep V in the back. The chiffon skirt fell all the way to the floor. The dress wouldn’t have worked for a regular wedding, but for this setting, it was perfect. And it seemed fitting that Kade had unknowingly ended up buying my wedding gown.

My peacock-blue stilettos winked at me from my suitcase. I slipped them on. That took care of my “something blue.” I added the diamond bracelet Kade had given me in Vegas. It was a few months old, I supposed. As for “borrowed”—well, I guess I’d just have to go without.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said.

Jennifer stepped inside. “I hope you don’t mind my intruding,” she said with a smile, “but Mr. Dennon had mentioned you might want to borrow these.” She held out her hand. Two diamond stud earrings lay in her palm.

“That’s perfect!” I exclaimed in delight. “Thank you so much! I was just thinking how I didn’t have the ‘something borrowed.’”

“Glad to help,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “This is for you, too.” This time she gave me a small bouquet of deep purple flowers, then she left, closing the door softly behind her.

It seemed Kade had thought of everything.

I put in the earrings and studied my reflection. My hair was in waves down my back, the way Kade liked it. We’d docked on the far westward side of Oahu, and it was a lot less windy there than on the open sea, so I thought my hairstyle would be okay. My tan had deepened today and the white dress was a really nice contrast against my bronzed skin.

My wedding dress. Tears stung my eyes and I had to hurriedly blink them back, not wanting my mascara to run. I held the bouquet in front of me, the diamonds at my wrist, ears, and finger sparkling in the mirror.

I was getting married.

There was a deep pang inside. I was sad that my parents weren’t here, to see me happy and marrying the man I loved. But it seemed like I could feel them, looking down on me. I closed my eyes.

“I miss you so much,” I whispered. “But I’m happy, and loved, and I know that’s all you wanted for me.” A sense of peace came over me, soothing the lingering melancholy, and my heart lifted.

It was time.

When I appeared on the deck, I gasped in surprise and delight. It appeared the crew had been hard at work while I was getting ready. Flowers that matched my bouquet were everywhere, wrapped around lines that stretched overhead, covering the rails at the edge of the deck. Everything was lit by strings of lights, their soft glow intermixed with the flowers twined among them. I caught sight of Taylor adding a final few blooms to a railing.

Music floated softly through the air. Someone must have found the yacht’s sound system. It was lovely, but I couldn’t place the tune.

Then my gaze landed on Kade.

He stood at the far end of the bow, the setting sun a blazing shimmer of red and orange behind him, making him a stark figure limned in gold. He was speaking to Captain Hugh and laughed at something Hugh said. Glancing up, he caught sight of me, and his whole body went still.

At that moment, everything faded away and it seemed it was just him and me. I was only aware of Kade, our gazes locked together.

He began walking toward me, his steps sure and unhurried. I couldn’t move, my heart so full of emotion it seemed incomprehensible that I could feel so much for this man. Surely my body couldn’t contain all the love inside.

Kade stopped in front of me and I knew I would remember the look in his eyes for the rest of my life.

“My bride,” he murmured, his voice edged in awe. His hands drifted lightly down my arms. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

My face split into a smile. “Likewise,” I said, my voice a bit breathless. The way he looked was enough to take my breath away. Now that he was close, I could see the tuxedo he was wearing. The lines were classic, the fabric expensive and tailored to fit him perfectly. The white of his shirt was blinding, a stark contrast to the deep black of the jacket. He’d even tied the bow tie.

“What’s this?” I teased, reaching up to tug a bit at the tie. “Another attempt at a tie?”

“Well, I went all out,” he said with a shrug, the corner of his lips tipping up. “Took me forever to get it right, and if Taylor says he had to help me, he’s lying.”

I laughed. “You look amazing, but it’s not . . . you.” I tugged on the tie until it came loose, then undid the top two buttons of his shirt. “That’s you,” I said with satisfaction, pressing the silken tie flat as it dangled on either side of his collar.

Kade wasn’t even looking at what I’d done. His gaze was fixed on my face, a small smile playing about his lips.

Taking my right hand, he threaded it through his bent elbow, resting my palm on his left arm.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded. I was more than ready.

Glancing up, Kade gave Taylor a nod. The crew assembled near the bow, Captain Hugh at the head and all of them facing us. They looked glad to be there. It seemed everyone really did love a wedding.

Kade walked me slowly toward the bow and the setting sun, the music drifting around us. I could smell the heavy perfume of the flowers mixed with the salt of the ocean. The lights above us danced in the breeze and gave everything a fairy-tale quality.

“You wore the shoes,” Kade said softly as we walked.

I glanced down. The toes of my blue shoes peeped from underneath my gown with each step I took.

“They’re my ‘something blue,’” I replied, glancing up at him with a twinkle in my eye. “Plus, I seem to remember you telling me a while back what I wouldn’t be wearing the next time you saw me in them.”

Kade gave a low groan. “I love you.”

I grinned. “I know.”

It seemed like I shouldn’t be smiling so much for such a solemn occasion as my own wedding, but I couldn’t help it. Kade had always made me smile, no matter the circumstances.

Kade didn’t look away from me as we made our way across the deck, his gaze seeming to drink me in. I kept an eye on the deck, which rolled a bit with the waves. I didn’t want to end up falling on my ass, but Kade’s presence at my side was strong and steady. I glanced up at him every few steps, feeling a little shy at the adoration in his eyes.

We drew to a halt in front of Captain Hugh, who was waiting with an indulgent smile on his face. Kade took my bouquet from me and gave it to Jennifer to hold as he clasped my hands in his.

Kade’s eyes captivated me and I barely heard Hugh begin the ceremony. The bottom of the sun had just hit the ocean’s edge and the burnished golden rays bathed us in a warm glow. The cry of a seagull resonated through the baritone rumble of Hugh’s voice, the pulse of the waves a steady undercurrent.

The breeze gently tousled Kade’s hair, as if touched by loving fingers. His hands were warm and reassuring as they covered mine, his thumbs tenderly brushing my knuckles.

“I have,” Kade said, answering a question I hadn’t heard. I glanced questioningly at Hugh then back at Kade. “He asked if we had written our own vows,” he said. “I have.”

I was surprised. This was unexpected. But then again, when had Kade ever done what I’d expected?

“From the moment I saw you, I was lost,” Kade began, moving a little closer to me. “You hold my heart and my soul. I promise to be with you, to be your friend and your lover. I’ll be your strength when you’re weak, your comfort when you’re sad. You are the best part of me, and the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I will love you, for always.”

His beloved face was a blur, tears welling and spilling down my cheeks. Reaching into his breast pocket, Kade took out the white linen square and softly brushed my tears. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to my cheek.

I blinked rapidly, taking the handkerchief and quickly dabbing my eyes. I replayed his words through my mind, memorizing them and the cadence of his voice as he’d spoken the vows so I would always remember this moment.

I looked at him, the love shining in his eyes, and I spoke from the heart.

“Kade,” I said, my voice thick with tears, “I looked in your eyes and saw my perfect match. You’re every good thing I’ve ever dreamed my husband would be. I never knew who and what I could be, until I met you. You see the very heart of me. It beats only for you, and always will.”

Kade’s eyes were very bright, the blue so clear it seemed I’d get lost in their depths.

“I’m going to need that pocket square back,” he deadpanned, drawing a little laugh from me. The slow smile on his face was entrancing.

“The ring,” Hugh said, handing it to Kade. “Repeat after me.”

Taking my left hand, Kade slipped off my engagement ring to slide a platinum band with more diamonds embedded in it onto my finger, then replaced the engagement ring, repeating “With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.”

Hugh handed me a thick plain platinum band. My hands shook as I took Kade’s left hand in mine. Everything blurred again as I pushed the band over his knuckle and into place. I wished I could stop time, freeze this moment for just a little while longer.

“With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you,” I vowed, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Kade cupped my face in his hands, leaning down to kiss me. His lips were soft as they moved over mine. His tongue was a gentle brush before he lifted his head. Distantly, I heard the crew applauding, then Kade had wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me in his arm. I twined my arms around his neck, holding on as he swung me around in a dizzying circle. He laughed and I kissed the joy from his lips.

No longer was I Kathleen Turner. I was Kathleen Dennon.

Our kiss deepened and Kade let me slide down until my feet touched the deck once again. He pulled back and I abruptly realized the crew had melted away and that the music playing had changed.

“Hope you don’t mind that I picked the first dance,” Kade said. “It seemed fitting.”

The strains of a song I recognized washed over me. It was “Kiss Me.”

“I wouldn’t have pegged you for an Ed Sheeran fan,” I teased. My hands moved to his shoulders as Kade began to slowly turn me in time to the melody.

“I’m not usually,” he said, “but heard this, and thought of you. When I missed you, I’d listen to it, and dream.”

I had no words, but we didn’t need any.

And we danced.