He drew closer, replacing my hand with his full lips and pressing them against mine. “Well, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I love you, too,” he said against my mouth.
I beamed as my heart soared. “I had sort of figured,” I admitted.
He chuckled and kissed me again.
“And I don’t think you’ll have to chain me to anything, unless you want to that is,” I added.
“Well, okay then, good,” he said as he nodded, moving to stand up.
“Come here,” I beckoned with my good arm as he stood over me. I took his shirt in my fist, pulling him down into a soul-searing kiss.
“Did we just agree to live together?” I asked quietly against his lips.
“I thought we already were,” he replied with a shrug.
“Of course you did,” I replied, fighting off another smile as he kissed me again.
Chapter 16
“You may kiss the bride!” the reverend declared as Wes pulled Connie into a tongue-tangling kiss. It was so typical of them to have a full-on make out session when they were announced as husband and wife.
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and grinned over at Sal as he stood beside Wes, looking strikingly handsome. He smiled in return, his eyes shining as they swept over my form-fitting bridesmaid’s dress.
It was a casual wedding at the Italian restaurant Wes’ family ran, but it was beautiful. They’d decorated the entire back patio with lights and candles. It created a casual elegance, which suited the couple getting married to a T.
Glasses clinked, music blasted, and everyone was ready to let loose.
“Dance with me,” I pleaded, trying to pull Sal from his chair where he sat next to Cole. Gracie was sitting contentedly on her daddy’s lap and looking beautiful in her tiny little dress. She was growing every day, becoming more aware of her surroundings. She’d started smiling now, and I saw Cole visibly melt every time her gummy grin was directed at him.
“Don’t dance, babe,” Sal said as he shook his head with a smirk. I knew this of course, but it didn’t stop me from trying.
“Just one dance?” I tried with a small pout.
His eyes zeroed in on my lower lip and he pulled me down to bite it gently. “The only place I need to know how to move is inside you,” his deep voice rumbled against my mouth. “If you’re good I’ll prove it to you as soon as we get home,” he said, his promise making my panties instantly wet.
I nodded in agreement and accepted Scarlet’s hand as she came to retrieve me. None of the guys really danced. Mack would on occasion with Ettie. Wes had agreed to one dance with his new bride, but that was pretty much it. So, all of the girls had perfected the art of dancing together. Sometimes I wondered if the guys said they didn’t dance because they liked watching us so much.
Connie came to join us, gorgeous in the strapless wedding dress that hugged her tan, slender form. The three of us twirled and moved to the music until my feet ached, and I grabbed a beer and went to take a breather next to Sal.
He continued to talk to Cole but reached out and put his large hand on my thigh, squeezing in acknowledgement. Little by little, he’d become more affectionate. Not by leaps and bounds, but with gestures like this, gestures that said I was his and he was mine. They were more than enough for me.
I looked down at the bandage covering the ugly gashes on my arm. It wasn’t all that painful anymore, but I worried about the scars. Parker was right that Sal would never be able to look at them and not think about him, and I worried about that, too. So far they were covered, but when the bandage came off permanently, I wondered if Sal could get past it. I really hoped he could.
He looked over at me, his intense expression telling me he’d caught onto my train of thought. Sal had a knack for doing that.
His fingers traced over the bandage lightly as our eyes met. He pulled my arm up, never breaking eye contact, and kissed the bandage.
His brow quirked as though to say “see, no big thing.”
I had to swallow down the lump in my throat as he briefly kissed me on the mouth before turning back to Cole. He resumed their conversation as though he hadn’t just completely rocked my world.
We didn’t get home until late. I was pretty tired as I took my strappy shoes off in what was now officially our bedroom. It had been a beautiful, fun night. I was so happy for our friends.
I heard Sal enter the room, but didn’t immediately turn around as I put my shoes away in the closet. “How about that dance now?” his deep voice rumbled from behind me as his large hands grabbed my hips, pulling my body against his from behind.
My energy level immediately spiked along with my libido.
“Yeah?” I murmured, tilting my head as he kissed my neck. Goose bumps rose all over my body as his warm breath caressed my skin, his teeth grazing slightly under my ear.