I’d never felt more alive, more in love, more more.

“I love you,” I whispered against her lips.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the minister said when we pulled away, “it is my pleasure to present Nathaniel and Abby West.”

Holding hands, we turned and greeted our family and friends as husband and wife.

Chapter Four

Abby

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. Everyone we cared for and loved was in attendance to share our day. But best of all, Nathaniel and I were finally married.

I’m not sure I’d ever seen Nathaniel look more handsome. It wasn’t the tux or his gorgeous eyes and chiseled jaw; it was the emotion visible in his expression: the love, joy¸ and overwhelming look of bliss. He was merely handsome the day I met him. Today, he was breathtaking.

We held hands as we walked to the back room of the church where I’d gotten ready. Everyone else was on their way to the reception hall in the city, but we had a few minutes before our hired car arrived to pick us up.

When we made it into the room, he closed the door behind us, turned the lock, and pushed me against a wall.

“Abby West,” he almost growled.

“Mmm.” I trailed a finger down his chest. “Say it again.”

“Abby West,” he repeated before teasing me with a soft kiss.

My hand made it to his waist. “Now say it the other way.”

His eyes grew dark with pent-up desire as he spoke the name he used when I wore his collar. “Abigail West.”

My knees threatened to give way. Holy hell, what it did to me when he called me Abigail.

“How long until the car gets here?” I asked, desperate to have his hands on me.

“Not long enough. Just enough time for this.”

He dipped his head and his lips met mine in a kiss that was long and deep and gave a hint as to what would follow. He entwined our fingers, and pulled our hands above our heads. His lips were strong and insistent, but I knew mine were just the same.

“We could skip the reception,” I suggested when he finally pulled back.

“Don’t tempt me,” he said. “As it is, that gown is temptation enough. Is that a corset?”

Sweet, sweet victory.

“It is.” I gave him a teasing smile. “I hoped you’d like it. Felicia had to lace me up in it.”

His finger danced along the bodice. “Is that so?”

“Yes. In fact, I doubt I can get out without help.” I batted my lashes at him. “Think I’ll be able to find someone willing to give me a hand?”

“Oh, trust me, I’ll get you out. It’ll be like unwrapping a present.”

“If I had a decent change of clothes, I’d let you do it right now.”

He shook his head. “If I did it right now, there’s no way we’d make it to the reception.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Come on.” He slipped a wrap around my shoulders, then took my hand and led me outside. “If we miss the reception, we’ll regret it when we’re old and gray.”

One of Nathaniel’s business associates owned a large penthouse he rarely used that included what could only be described as a ballroom. It was the perfect place for the reception: private, with a stunning view of the city. When he heard we weren’t getting married at our country estate, he’d offered to let us use it.

I’d given Felicia free rein over the decorations, telling her I only needed to know the barest minimum. She had flawless taste, so I wasn’t worried at all.

Nathaniel and I rode in the back of the limousine to the penthouse, sipping on the ice cold champagne that had been waiting for us. The driver was separated from the passenger section by a glass partition, so we had our privacy. We sat side by side and I laid my head on his shoulder while I twisted his wedding band around his finger.

“What time do we need to leave?” I asked. I still didn’t know where we were spending the night. I’d given him my overnight bag earlier.

“No specific time.” He grinned. “I know exactly what you’re doing and it’s not going to work.”

“I wasn’t trying to get information out of you, I was just wondering.”

He gave me his I don’t believe you one bit look.

“Okay,” I admitted with a smile. “Maybe I was trying to find out just a little.”

He kissed my forehead. “You’ll have to wait and be patient.”

“I used up all my patience during the last month.”