Love smacked him on the knee playfully. “You’re silly.”
“I want to say those vows again, in front of our family and friends, sober. And I want to have a redo of our wedding night, sober.” He picked up her hand, brushed his lips against her fingertips, over her palm, then her wrist. Then he pulled a ring box out of his pocket.
“Drake?”
He swallowed before he opened it. The ring he’d purchased in Vegas had been sitting in his safe since they’d arrived home. It was time that she wore it. Slipping it on her finger, he kissed it before he kissed her.
“I love you,” he murmured.
“I love you more.” She winked. “Yes, I’ll marry you again, in front of everybody and their mamas.”
They stood, and he pulled her into another kiss.
“Drake,” she panted a long while later, tearing her mouth away from his. “We can’t do this here. My mom is waiting outside. El is, too. Let’s finish this later.”
“Hopefully, not too much later.” He nibbled on her earlobe.
“You’re crazy.”
“You love it.”
“Oh. One thing,” she said, holding up her index finger.
Frowning, he asked, “What?”
“You can’t ever leave again.”
Drake let his gaze travel over his wife’s face. “You don’t have to worry about that. I won’t.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
She slid her hand into his, lacing their fingers together. “Let’s go, then.”
EPILOGUE
One month later, Drake and Love renewed their vows in front of their families and friends. Both fathers were in attendance and on their best behavior, and Love’s mother had planned an elegant, yet simple reception.
The ceremony was quick, because they’d already gone through that. They’d written their own vows. And Love had cried like a big baby when Drake told her that he’d follow her anywhere, go through anything, as long as she was with him. There was no minister, just them talking to each other as if there was no one else in the room.
When he’d kissed her, the crowd roared with applause—until Gloria muttered “stop” under her breath, three times.
It was a memorable day, filled with laughter and tears. Once everyone left, Drake whisked her away to their honeymoon in Saint Thomas, paid for by Dr. Law. It was, according to him, the least he could do.
They’d spent the first hour making love on their private beach, which had always been a fantasy of hers. And they’d just returned to their suite from dinner.
Love stood outside on the hotel balcony, letting the sea breeze caress her face. Weddings were fun and everything, but she never wanted to do that again. Between floral arrangements, caterers, invitations and color schemes, she was exhausted. But she wouldn’t have changed anything for the world.
“Where did you go?” Drake asked, stepping outside and sliding his arms around her waist.
Tilting her head back, she kissed his chin. “Just wanted some fresh air. Can you believe we got married—again?”
“Twice within three months. Go figure.”
Drake had been her pillar of strength during the hasty planning. She’d come home countless times with tears in her eyes and surrender on her brain. But he’d soothed her, plied her with wet kisses, massages and more.
“Come back to me,” he murmured against her mouth. “You’re so distracted.”
“Just thinking about everything we’ve been through. It’s been a wild few months.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Not even one tiny detail?”
He leaned back, eyed her with curiosity. “Are you trying to give me a hint?”
“Well…” She turned in his arms and snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a quick kiss. “We’ve been right in front of each other the whole time. Don’t you think about what would have happened had we got our heads out of our asses years ago?”
“No.” He buried his face in her neck, laved the sensitive skin under her earlobe with his tongue. “I think if we’d discovered this years ago, it would have ruined us. We had to wait for the right place and time.”
And that was why she loved him. He was calm, dependable and rationale. And sexy as hell. “Drake?”
“Yes, Love.”
“I love you.” She yelped when he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.
He smacked her on her butt, and she laughed with delight. “How about you love me in bed, all night?” Dropping her on the mattress, he bent down, placing a lingering kiss on her swollen lips. “I love you, too… Mrs. Jackson.”