Incinerate

When Jace meets Lexi, he whispers something to her dad, who nods before placing her hand in his. They continue until they get to the minister, where they turn to face each other.

“Well, normally I’d start this ceremony by asking who gives this woman, but Jace already took matters into his own hands,” the minister says, causing Jace to smile sheepishly.

He launches into a prayer, blessing the union, but when I sneak a peek, Jace and Lexi are staring at each other, both beaming from ear to ear. The ceremony continues with a few readings until it’s finally time for the vows.

“Jace and Alexa have decided to recite their own vows,” the minister says and gestures for Jace to begin.

He clears his throat, looks directly into her eyes, and begins. “My beautiful girl, first and foremost, I love you. I’ve loved you for over half of my life, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of it doing the same, but this time with you beside me. My love for you has never wavered, never faltered; it’s only grown stronger. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known, and I promise to be your loving husband, your best friend, your confidant, your lover, and your partner in every facet of our life together. I’ll love and cherish you every single day. I promise to be a loving father to whatever children we’re blessed with, and I will raise them with you in a home filled with laughter and love. I vow to be your support, your protector, your shelter in the storm whenever you need me to be.”

He pauses, bringing his thumb up to wipe away a few tears that are streaming down her face.

“I promise to laugh at your jokes, even when they aren’t fu

Wiping away the tears that have fallen as I watch him pledge his undying love for her, I can only hope to someday be loved like that. Knox grabs my hand and brings it to his lips to place a quick kiss on it before he places his arm around me, allowing me to settle in close to him.

The minister then turns to Lexi, nodding for her to go ahead. She dabs at her eyes, before lifting her chin to look at her handsome groom. “You had me at the Reds games,” she says, sending a ripple of laughter through the small crowd. “I can’t believe I’m standing here, in this dress, in front of you, pledging my life to you. Sometimes, late at night when you’re sleeping, I have to pinch myself to convince myself that all of this is real. And I mean that in the most uncreepy way,” she says, shaking her head when he smiles at her. “Before you came back into my life, I didn’t think I could ever find true happiness again. I was drowning, and you became the lifeline I didn’t know I was looking for. From this day forward, I promise to love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I promise to cherish every single moment we have together and to never take each day for granted. To never waste another minute. I promise to love you not just with my words, but with my actions. I promise to cry with you, laugh with you, and grow with you. To raise our children with you in a loving, stable environment and to be the best mother I can be. I vow to share your dreams and goals and to be your support system, your comfort, and the shoulder you need to lean on. I promise to always make you laugh, because my jokes are fu

Her voice catches on the last word, and Jace leans in, placing a long, slow kiss on her lips. The minister steps back, waiting for the moment to pass. When Jace pulls away, he grins. “Sorry, Reverend. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I just couldn’t help it.” It’s completely adorable yet masculine, and I’m not surprised that Knox and Jace are best friends.

The ceremony gets back on track as we watch them exchange rings, and say their ‘I Do’s.’ Before the minister can even get the words out, he has her swept up in his arms, pressing a kiss so hot on her lips it causes even me to blush. When he pulls back, Lexi’s face is flushed, and Jace is gri

“Ladies and gentleman, for the first time, I’m pleased to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Jace McAllister.”

Chapter 32

Knox

AFTER ALL the congratulations, we move to a covered patio outside the resort where a DJ is set up and the catering staff is putting the finishing touches on the buffet tables.

“Damn, they did all this in a month?” I ask, astonished that they pulled it off so quickly.

Charlie nods, looking around absentmindedly. “Lexi said it wasn’t that difficult because it’s the offseason and most people vacationing go more south this time of year,” she says just as a chill passes through the air, and I see her shiver. Grabbing her arm, I pull her into me and lock my arms around her.

“Cold, sweetheart?” I ask, and she nods. “I can warm you up.”

Pulling back, she looks around and nods to where the new McAllisters are getting photographs taken. She places her hands on my ass and presses up against me, shocking me a little with what she says next. “Make it a quickie? I don’t know what it is. Something about weddings is a total turn-on.”

She barely gets the words out before I take hold of her hand and make my way across the patio, through the sliding doors, and to the elevator. This isn’t how I expected to warm her up, but I’m making this happen before she changes her mind.

“Like I’d say no to that. We’ll be back before they’re even done with pictures to notice we’re missing,” I tell her, pulling her into the elevator and pressing her against the back wall as the doors shut.

We reemerge after a very enjoyable fifteen minutes, and I grin as I watch Charlie messing with her hair, smoothing it down as we try to sneak back into the reception. When I wrap my arm around her waist, my hand grazes her ass as I’m looking around for the happy couple.

“Jesus, I’d tell you two to get a room, but I think you already did that,” Jace teases says from behind me.

We turn around to find him gri

“Can I steal this guy for a few minutes? Mom wants him in a photo since we’re both in uniform,” Jace asks Charlie, and she nods. Leaning down, I give her a kiss before heading off with him.

A little while later, after all the pictures are done and everyone’s gone through the buffet line, Lexi’s sister, Sierra, stands up and heads over to the DJ table, commandeering the microphone, tapping it to make sure it’s on.