Untamed (A Moretti Novel) (20 page)

Caleb squeezed her hands.  “I can’t promise you that I will always put the cap on the toothpaste or pick up my socks.  I can’t promise that I won’t try
to sneak a peek at your cards at Moretti’s during game night.  I certainly can’t promise to stay on my feet at the site of blood when you are trying to help someone.  But I can promise you that for as long as you live, there will never be anyone that loves you more than I do.  I promise to protect you and always have your back.  I promise to make sure you know that you are the most beautiful woman in the world.  I promise to stay faithful and dedicated to you every second of my life.  You are home to me and there is no one else I would rather face the future with.  I love you, J.  With everything I have and everything that I am, I love you.”

“It will take faith to head into the unknown future and dedication to learn to grow
together.  It will take trust to truly do what is best for the other and commitment to each other to always keep the other safe.  But most of all, it will take love.  Jena and Caleb, as you have pledged your life to one another in the presence of God and these witnesses, it is my extreme honor to pronounce you husband and wife.  Jena, you may kiss your groom.”

The church erupted in applause.  Caleb dipped Jena in a passionate kiss
as the music began to play. Caleb pumped his fist in the air and laughter filtered through the wedding party.  Their love story was truly one that deserved a happy ending.

Steve met Lily in the center of the church to start their trek back down the aisle.  Her eyes were puffy from crying happy
tears.  He imagined what she would look like on their wedding day.  He hoped that day would be soon.

“You are breathtaking.”  Steve whispered in her ear.  “Where have you been all my life?”

“I’ve been right here waiting for you.” 

Chapter 25

“Is this the first reception you haven’t worked?”  Lily laughed as Steve rolled his eyes at the DJ. “You’ll survive.”

Steve laughed.  “Come dance with me.”

Lily squealed as Steve pulled her onto the dance floor.  The beat of the music thumped through the room, echoing of the walls of the hotel ballroom.  The guests danced and laughed as the early evening turned to night.  The DJ they had hired was good and took turns alternating with the live band Caleb had hired.  It could have been a good party but Steve couldn’t keep his mind on the reception.  The surprise he had planned was all that occupied his mind.

Mark had his turn, Caleb had his, and now Steve would have his.  In true Steve fashion, he had called in some favors. 
Mark’s performance had been full of heart, Caleb’s had been based on regret.  Steve’s would be full of love.  He couldn’t wait to surprise Lily and make her his for life.  The ring in his pocket was a constant reminder of what life had in store for them.

Caleb waved Steve toward the side door.  “I’ll be right back, baby.  Caleb needs me.”  Steve kissed her on the top of her head before walking away.

He heard Damien’s laugh before he saw him.  He couldn’t help but smile.  As he stepped into the hall, all the members of Liquid Regret cheered.  Steve motioned for them to be quiet but laughed when Damien shot him the bird.

“Thank you for doing this.  It means so much to me.”  Steve fist bumped his cousin.

“I’m not doing this for you.  It gives me huge points with the sister.  It’s purely selfish.”  Damien winked.  “I’m glad the tour schedule had us in California.  Ready to go out there and make an ass out of yourself?”

“More than ready.
Is her family here yet?”  Steve led the band to the stage.  As the guests realized what was happening, they began to cheer. 

“Dad and mom were in the car behind us.  You got this, brother.”  Damien whispered.

Lily walked toward the stage, confused.  When Steve stepped to the microphone, she froze.  Kevin stood next to her with a smile on his face.

“Can
I have your attention please?”  Steve winked at Lily.  “It all started a few years ago when Molly and Rich got married.  It was the first wedding for one of us and this song began its journey.  At the first reception, Mark sang this song for his sister and for the beautiful Sophie.  Things may not have been exactly how any of us wanted them but they worked out better than we ever expected.  At the second wedding, Ryan and Layla took their first steps as husband and wife to this song.  When Mark and Sophie tied the knot, Caleb sang this song to them as a tribute to how far they had all come.  Then it was Kevin and Andi’s turn, choosing it as their first dance.  Today is Caleb and Jena’s day.  I don’t sing but I do call in favors.”

The guests laughed as Steve continued.  “
We all got quite the shock this year when Damien crashed back into our lives.  He was the missing piece of our group.  I couldn’t imagine this day without him here.  Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he’s the lead singer of my favorite group.  I stand here today passing the torch.  So I’d like to propose a toast to Jena and Caleb.  May you wear out the words I love you.  May you feel like forever is never long enough.  May you sing to each other when all the music dies. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Liquid Regret singing the song that started it all, Marry Me by Train.”

Jena and Caleb began to dance as Liquid Regret’s soulful sound filled the ballroom.  Steve smiled at Kevin, who asked Lily to dance. Having all his friends involved in something so meaningful would be something he’d never forget.  He watched as Lily’s parents slipped into the room and began to make their way to the edge of the dance floor.  Mia followed, her eyes locked on Damien’s. 
The wedding party formed a line in front of her parents, keeping them hidden from sight. 

“You mean the world to me, doll.”  Kevin kissed Lily on the cheek.  “When Steve took my place in your life, it was tough to watch.  But seeing how much you love him, how he looks at
you, it makes it ok.  We’ve been through a lot, kiddo.  I love you.”

Lily’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you too,
Kev.”

“
Looks like Moretti wants to cut in.”  Kevin spun Lily toward Mark.

Lily wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck.  He always smelled so good and Lily couldn’t help but smile.  Mark dipped her and she giggled.  “I miss having you around the house. 
I miss walking into the guest bathroom and having to wade through the sea of makeup and scary looking hair torture devices.”

Lily laughed and punched him in the arm.  “You didn’t think all this beauty came naturally did you?”

Mark chuckled.  “I’m glad you came home to us.  We missed you.”  He kissed her on the top of her head.  “Looks like the groom wants to cut in.”

“Hey stretch.”  Caleb’s height dwarfed Lily and she had always felt safe by his side. 

“Hey shortie.”  Lily laughed.  “Why aren’t you dancing with your wife?”

Caleb’
s crooked smile lit up his face.  “I have the rest of my life to dance with my wife.  I wanted to dance with you.  We haven’t seen each other much and I miss you.”

“I miss you too, C.  I’m glad I’m
home.  When you get back from Hawaii, let’s all go out for a night.”

Caleb sang along with the band, his voice warming her heart. “Guess my time’s up, Lil bit.  Steve wants to cut in.”  He spun Lily on the now completely empty dance floor.

Lily let go of Caleb’s hand and turned.  Her eyes filled with tears.  Steve was kneeling in the center of the dance floor, open ring box in hand.  Her steps felt like slow motion as she made her way to where he was.  Liquid Regret hummed the last few notes of the song.  It was her fairytale come true.

“Lil, you surprised me.  You picked me even though I was broken and lost. You saw through all the sadness and found the real me.  You saw me. You pushed me out of the darkness and stood by my side when I tried to find hope again.  Lord knows, you gave me
every chance to see you back.  The day you walked out of my life, I knew I would have to fight to get you back in.  I love you with my heart, my soul, my everything.  I see you now and I won’t ever let you go. My lips were made to kiss only yours.  My hands were made to hold only yours.  My heart was made to beat with yours. Spend the rest of your life with me? Baby, will you marry me?”

Lily threw her arms around him, knocking him onto his back.  She kissed him and shook her head yes.  Their kiss deepened, and she sighed.  “Yes.” She said against his lips.

Steve sat up, laughing.  He slipped the ring on her finger and she shivered. It was beautiful and simple.  The one carat center stone was surrounded by tiny diamonds that sparkled like fireworks. The platinum band was dainty and feminine and looked perfect on her slender finger. “Your mom and Mia helped me pick it out last night.”

“
My mom?” Lily looked up at the people around them.  “Oh my God, daddy.”  She squealed as she launched herself into his arms.

“Your mom and I are proud of you, baby girl.  We think Steve is the perfect choice.  We wouldn’t have missed this moment for anything.”

“I love you daddy.”  Lily cried against her dad’s shoulder.  She held her hand out to Steve, who took it and stepped into her.  “I love you, Steve Wainwright.  I can’t wait to be your wife.”

“You dared me once to feel something.”  Steve pulled her into hi
s arms.  “Best dare I’ve ever accepted.”

As she hugged the rest of her family, her phone buzzed.  She pulled it from her dress and smiled.

The way you looked when I asked you to marry me.

Chapter 26

The light from the morning sun hit Lily’s engagement ring and she smiled at the sunbeams of sparkle on the white blanket.  She smiled.  Engaged!  To Steve!  He had been her best friend for so long and along the way, she had fallen in love with him.  She wasn’t sure the exact moment it happened.  She guessed it was in the first few weeks living together. She had felt it the night they had spent together after they had brought Damien home from the studio for the first time.  She was sure of it the night at the music awards when she realized that she not only wanted him to kiss her, but that she wanted to kiss only him for the rest of her life.

Steve rolled over and smiled at her.  “Good morning, baby.”

“Good morning.”  Lily snuggled into him.  “When did you know?”

“I’d felt something for you for awhile.  I wanted to tell you a few times but I was too scared to lose what we had.”  Steve rubbed her back.  “Jen and I were in the limo behind you the night of the awards show.  You stepped out of the limo and that was the second I knew I loved you.  I knew you were Damien’s and I needed to back off.  I wasn’t what you needed.”

“You were always what I needed.”  Lily leaned her head up and kissed him. 

Their lips fused, Steve moaning against her mouth
, his body instantly responding to her.  He pulled her hand to his boxers.  “I hope what you need right now is this.”  His erection jumped in her fingers.

“I suppose if I have to.”  Lily giggled as Steve pinned her to the mattress. 
“It’s pure torture, you know.”

Steve chuckled. 
He ground his erection against her and she bit her lip. “Torture, huh?”

Lily pushed against him, flipping him onto his back.  She yanked his boxers down his legs.  Crawling back onto the bed, she took him into her mouth.  He hissed when she swirled her tongue around the tip of his swollen cock. 
She sucked hard and Steve grabbed her head.  She hummed and Steve groaned. She sat up and looked at him, her eyes piercing his.  “I love you.”

She pulled her shirt over her head.  Her hair fell loose around them, tangled from sleep.  “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

She straddled his lap and smiled at him.  He was everything.  Easing onto his erection, she began to ride him.  She circled her hips and smiled as his eyes hooded.  Their hands fused together, she rode him quickly.  He met her strokes with jabs of his own.  She whimpered each time she hit her favorite spot. 

“I get to spend the rest of my life making love to you.”  Steve pushed her under him and took control.  “I’m the luckiest person on earth.”

She shook her head as her orgasm began building low in her belly.  “I’m the lucky one.  You’re amazing.”

“You’re close.” Steve leaned forward and pulled a nipple into his mouth. 
“I love how your body responds to mine.”

Lily threw her head back as her breath hitched.  “Don’t stop.”  She whispered.

“Never.  I’ll never stop.”  Steve braced his hands on the mattress as she shattered around him.  Her body milked his.  He refused to let go.  Her spasms continued as he picked up his pace, pounding into her as she screamed with pleasure.  Her body tightened again and Steve smiled.

“Oh my God.”
  Lily’s body trembled.

“Let it go, baby.  Come hard.  I want to watch you fall apart.” 

Her body arched off the mattress.  She grabbed around Steve’s neck, pulling him down for a passion filled kiss.  Their tongues dueled for power, their bodies connected and hot. 

“I’m
gonna come.”  Steve moaned as he reached climax, his erection jumping as he emptied everything he had inside of her.  His mouth fused to hers once again.  “Every time is better than the last.”

“That’s what happens when you find your soul mate.”  Lily took his cheeks in her hands.  “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”