November’s Ride with Viper (Mustang Mountain Riders #11)

MARLOWE

It hadn’t been a conventional wedding, though there hadn’t ever been anything conventional about my relationship with Viper. I glanced over at my groom, who sat next to me at the head table. I’d always pictured a big white wedding with a huge reception. Growing up as an only child, my mother had often encouraged me to dream big since she’d only get one chance to see her child tie the knot.

But as I looked around at everyone who’d joined us, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate. Viper’s MC brothers were scattered at tables around the room, most of them with their wife or fiancé by their side. My parents and grandma had made the trip from Florida, and for the first time in my life, everyone I cared about was in the same room.

“How do you feel about this?” Viper twined our fingers together and lifted my hand to kiss my wrist.

“I love it.”

“If you want a bigger reception later on, we can always do it again.” His lips curled into a smile as he held my gaze. “We could even have another wedding. Hell, Lo Lo, I’d marry you again in a heartbeat.”

I let out a laugh but could tell he meant it. “You’ve barely married me once. I’m pretty sure the ink hasn’t even dried on our marriage certificate yet.”

We’d said our vows under an arbor of pine boughs and twinkle lights just outside the Community Center. Since my leg was still in a cast, Hades had pulled me down the aisle on an old-fashioned sled while my dad walked next to us.

In all my renditions of my wedding day, I’d never imagined having a wolf take part, but it was fitting.

“I’d marry you every day for the rest of our lives if you’d let me,” Viper said.

The man looked lethal on the outside but was an ooey gooey marshmallow at his center. “As long as today marks our official anniversary.”

Viper had insisted on getting married on his thirtieth birthday to honor the pact we’d made all those years ago. At least our anniversary would be easy to remember.

“Always. I love that I get to share my birthday with our wedding day.” As he stared into my eyes, everyone in the room clinked their silverware against their glasses.

“Kiss her!” someone shouted.

Viper slid his hand behind my neck and cupped the back of my head. Then he tilted his head and gently touched his lips to mine. Sparks flickered low in my belly. Now that he’d moved from the friend zone to my-one-and-only zone, I couldn’t get enough of him.

He pulled back first. “How long do we have to stay before I can take you home and make this official?”

His eyes crinkled at the corners, but I knew he wasn’t teasing. If my need for him bordered on insatiable, then his need for me was completely limitless. We’d waited so long to push past the boundaries of friendship, it would probably take us a lifetime to get caught up.

“We have to stay long enough to cut the cake and have the first dance.” The women of the Mustang Mountain Riders might not be official members of the club, but in a very short amount of time, they’d become my sisterhood. Lily had made the cake and Luna, Emma, and Poppy had put up decorations. Even Izzy got involved. She wrapped all the napkins in silver ribbons and directed her dad in stringing twinkle lights across the ceiling. I didn’t want to disappoint any of them by leaving before we had a chance to truly enjoy ourselves.

“Maybe we should have our first dance now,” Viper suggested. “I can’t wait to make you my wife in every way possible, Lo Lo.” His voice dropped and he let out a frustrated growl.

“Do we need to visit that closet we never got a chance to try out on Friendsgiving?” I teased. “Though there’s no way I’d be flexible enough to consummate our marriage in a closet. Not since my leg can’t bend with this giant cast.”

“I bet I can think of a way.” Viper ran his finger up the inside of my arm. Shivers raced across my skin, tempting me to give him the go ahead so he’d sweep me up in his arms and carry me to the back of the building.

“It would be too obvious if we both went missing at the same time,” I whispered.

“I’ll just tell everyone you need some help in the bathroom. It’s not like I’m going to trust anyone else to lift these skirts.”

Before I could shut him down, he’d stood and held out his hand.

“If you mess up this dress, I’m going to hold it against you,” I teased.

“I promise what I have in mind will be worth it.” His confidence sent heat hurtling through my veins. He never overpromised, and he always overdelivered. As he picked me up and cradled me against his chest, I wrapped my arms around him and breathed in his scent. Even in a rented tux, he smelled like leather with a slight hint of motor oil. It was intoxicating.

I waved off offers of assistance from several of my newfound besties. Sammy just winked at me and gave me a sly thumbs up. I’d be willing to bet this wasn’t the first time a newly married couple skipped out of their wedding reception for a few minutes.

Viper didn’t bother with the closet. He took me back to the room where I’d gotten dressed in my gown. As soon as the door shut behind us, he flipped the lock. Then he turned to me with a wicked grin on his lips.

“You just stay still, and I’ll do all the work, Lo Lo.” Before giving me a chance to respond, he dropped to his knees and lifted the layers of skirts.

“Don’t cause wrinkles. Then everyone will know what we’ve been… oh.” I sucked in a breath as he slid my white lace thong to the side and his tongue circled my clit. The thought of wrinkles and guests drifted away as he slipped a finger inside me.

“I love you, Mrs. Simon.” Viper mumbled against my inner thigh.

I barely managed an “I love you, too” before I started to come on his tongue. If the start of our marriage was any indication of how the rest of our lives were going to play out, I couldn’t wait.