Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

I couldn't take my eyes off Sloan as she walked up the aisle toward me. Steady. Calm. Stunning. God, she was so beautiful. When the doors had opened to reveal her standing there, I'd gone weak in the knees.

She wore a strapless gown that was simple and elegant. The cream fabric draped across her chest before nipping in at the waist then flaring out again over her hips. It was sexy and classy, and I couldn't wait to take it off her.

When she joined me at the altar, I offered her my hand, eager to touch her, hold her. To confirm that she wasn't a figment of my imagination as I feared. But her hand was warm in mine, and her smile was watery and full of love as she gazed up at me.

"Hey," I said, keeping my voice low so that only she could hear.

She grinned, her green eyes dazzling in their intensity. "Hi."

Greer popped up from her seat in the front row, fluffing Sloan's train and veil before taking the bouquet from her hands. Sloan and I turned and faced each other fully, our eyes locked as the officiant welcomed everyone to the wedding.

He spoke of love and loyalty, but I couldn't concentrate on anything but Sloan. On her red lips that curved into the most beautiful smile. Her hair that was curled in loose waves like she'd worn when we first met. On how happy she looked.

When it was time to say our vows, I took a deep breath.

"Sloan." I drew in a shaky breath, trying my damnedest to hold it together. "You're my past, my future, my everything—forever. I love you, and I pledge to honor, love, and cherish you every day for the rest of my days." I smiled at her, wiping away a tear. "Today, I say ‘I do,' but that means ‘I will.'"

" Acta non verba ," she mouthed, smiling through her tears.

I knew she'd understand perfectly. "I will hold your hand and stand by your side, no matter what challenges come our way."

I slid the infinity wedding band on her finger. I'd purchased it to go with Sloan's grandmother's engagement ring. Together, the two rings would symbolize both the past and our future.

"Jackson," she said, removing a ring from her pocket. Damn. "If it is our actions that matter, our deeds that define us, then know that I have never felt more loved than I do with you. You are my protector, my first mate—" She laughed at that, and our guests joined in. "And now, my husband. I promise to cherish you through all of life's adventures. To trust in you and our love. And to always honor our relationship."

She slid the ring on my finger, and the weight of it was both comforting and sacred. A symbol of our union and the power of love overcoming all obstacles.

I didn't hear much the officiant said after that until he spoke the words, "You may now kiss."

I stepped forward and placed my hands on Sloan's lower back, holding her to me. She slid her hands around my neck, and we smiled at each other. When I pressed my lips to hers, I was greeted with the smell of wild roses and sunshine, of home. I smiled against her mouth, kissing her until I realized the audience was whistling.

Sloan pulled away, her cheeks tinged with pink. She threaded her hand through my arm, and I placed my other hand on top of hers. Greer handed her the bouquet, wiping away tears with a tissue. Everyone was smiling and clapping, and even Graham gave me a nod of approval on our way out.

While everyone else filed out, I pulled Sloan into my arms and kissed her deeply. "Fuck, hayati . You look so damn beautiful."

"Mm." Her eyes were liquid heat as she surveyed me. "You clean up nice, sailor."

I twirled her around so I could admire her. She was stunning. She was mine.

"Are you happy?" I asked her later, while dinner was being served. Everyone was seated at a single table, and I was so happy we'd decided to have an intimate wedding.

Everything from the candles to the flower arrangements were like something out of a magazine. It was luxurious, and I was pleased that everyone seemed so at ease. My mom was talking with Knox and Nate. Even Graham seemed to be enjoying himself. At least, as much as Graham seemed capable of enjoying anything.

Sloan smiled at me. "Incandescently."

"Indecently?" I teased, giving her thigh a squeeze through the layers of her dress. For not the first time, I wondered what—if anything—she had on beneath her gown. I couldn't wait to find out.

"Perhaps that too." She placed her hand on my cheek and kissed me.

Someone tapped me on my shoulder, and I glanced over to see Brooklyn standing beside me. "What's up?"

"Now that you married Auntie Sloan, can I call you Uncle Jackson?"

I grinned. "You can call me whatever you want."

"How lucky am I?" she asked Sloan. "I got a mom and an uncle this year."

I laughed and pulled her in for a hug. "I'm going to teach you all the important things."

"Like what?" she asked. "Ooh." Her eyes widened. "Will you teach me how to punch someone?"

"Absolutely." I smiled. "But your aunt Sloan can you teach you that."

"Yes!" She fist-pumped the air, and Sloan and I laughed.

Someone tapped their glass, and I expected it to be one of Sloan's brothers, not Greer. Brooklyn returned to her seat, and I shot a worried glance at Sloan. "Uh-oh."

She patted my thigh. "It'll be fine."

Greer cleared her throat, glancing at her phone. "They say that a marriage doesn't just unite two people but two families. I guess you could say that I'm gaining a sister, but I've always considered Sloan my sister, so today merely cements that relationship." Everyone laughed.

She turned to us, meeting our eyes. "The two of you have been through a lot, and you deserve all the happiness in the world. I'm so glad you've found that in each other. And I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure." She raised her glass. "To Jackson and Sloan."

Everyone echoed, "To Jackson and Sloan," and then drank.

Nate made a speech next, and I was touched by how accepting he'd been of my relationship with Sloan. My impulsive plan to marry so quickly.

After the speeches, Brooklyn surprised us by stepping up to the microphone. Her guitar was slung over her shoulder, and she smiled nervously at the guests.

"Did you know about this?" I asked Sloan.

She shook her head. "Not a clue."

Brooklyn started playing, and when she sang the lyrics, her voice was pure and beautiful. The song was about love and walking through fire for someone. About adoring them. It was incredible.

Everyone gave her a standing ovation when she'd finished. Her cheeks were pink, and her smile was proud.

After dinner, I stood and offered Sloan my hand. "Can I have this dance?"

She smiled and placed her hand in mine, allowing me to lead her to the dance floor. As we swayed to the music, surrounded by the people we loved, I knew that it had all been worth it. And the fact that we'd endured so much only made this moment that much sweeter.

Later, after the dinner and the dancing and the goodbyes, Sloan and I boarded Knox's yacht. I'd been on it a few times as Nate's bodyguard, never as a guest. I was still getting used to the fact that this was my life now. That I was married to a billionaire. It was…strange at times, but Sloan's money was the least interesting thing about her.

Sloan had removed her veil after the ceremony, but we'd stayed in our wedding attire. The crew welcomed us and opened a bottle of champagne before making themselves scarce. We were going to sail to Catalina Island, but I didn't care about our destination so long as Sloan and I were together.

I handed Sloan a glass of champagne. I lifted mine to hers. "To us."

She smiled. "To us."

We sank down on the outdoor sofa, and I wrapped my arm around Sloan. "This is gorgeous," I said, admiring the view. "Though I prefer the Athena ."

"So do I." She grinned. "But it's nice to be pampered for our honeymoon."

I leaned in, grazing the shell of her ear with my teeth. "Oh, I'll pamper you on our honeymoon."

"Mm," she hummed. "And how do you intend to do that, Mr. Shaw?"

"Actually," I said, "It's Mr. Mackenzie-Shaw."

"Is it now?" She bit back a grin.

I lifted a shoulder. "Just an idea. I thought it might be nice to have the same last name, but I wanted it to be something that reflected both of us."

"I like that," she said, placing her hand on my thigh. My cock thickened. "Shaw-Mackenzie. It has a nice ring to it."

"It does. Plus, when we have kids, then we'll all have the same name."

"We just got married, and you're already talking about kids?" she joked.

"I'm not in any rush. But I have to admit, the idea of seeing you carrying my child brings me to my knees."

"Such a caveman," she teased.

She had no idea. Claiming her as my wife had definitely brought out my inner caveman. I could only imagine how a pregnancy would affect me. My cock twitched just thinking about it. But even if it didn't happen, I would still be happy. We were more than enough. We were a family.

I smiled down at her left hand and the ring that now sat on her finger. "Seeing my ring on your finger is hot."

"Oh, I get that." She lifted my left hand. "This ring, plus the uniform, is…" She swallowed. " So hot."

"Did you bring my favorite swimsuit?" I nipped her ear. "The white one."

She smirked. "I might have. Are you suggesting a swim?"

"Maybe tomorrow. Shall we go to bed, wife?"

Sloan nodded, and I stood and offered her my hand. I stepped back, once again admiring how beautiful she was. How mine.

"You're not going to tear this dress off me, are you?" she joked.

"Not until we're safely in our cabin."

"Another reason why the Athena is better," Sloan said, leaning into me as we proceeded to go inside. "No staff."

"I thought you wanted the staff to pamper us," I teased.

"And I thought you offered to pamper me." She elbowed my side.

I chuckled and opened the door to the stateroom. It was definitely a lot nicer than our accommodations on the Athena . Higher ceilings. Bigger bed. Hell, there was even a balcony.

Sloan laughed, and when I looked at her, she was watching me with her hands in her pockets. "This is fun."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Watching you get used to this life."

I shook my head. "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it, nor that I'd want to. It's nice to have wealth, but it's worth nothing without you." I closed the distance between us. "You are priceless to me, Sloan. And all I need is you."

Her expression was full of love when she pressed up on her toes to kiss me. "All I need is you, Jackson. I love you."

"I love you." I smiled against her lips. "Now, turn around so I can undress you."

"Barely married a few hours and already you're trying to boss me around," she teased, even as she did what I'd asked.

"I thought you were supposed to love, honor, and obey me, wife."

"Husband," she said sweetly, "did you ever hear me promise to obey?"

I tugged on her zipper, only to realize there was still more fabric covering her, though it was sheer with boning. She pushed the material of the dress down her hips, and I stood there, unblinking. Holy shit.

She turned to face me, and she looked fucking beautiful. I smoothed my hand over her hip, unable to believe that she was mine. This beautiful goddess was my wife.

Her hair was tousled and grazed her collarbone. Her corset pushed her breasts up to the point they were nearly spilling over the cups then flared over her hips and generous curves. Her underwear was almost entirely sheer, and fuck me, I didn't know whether I wanted to take it off or leave it on, it was that sexy.

She didn't give me time to consider, placing her hand on my chest and pushing me in the direction of the bed. "Sit. Now."

When the mattress hit the backs of my knees, I sat.

"Do you know how many times I've fantasized about you in your uniform?" she asked.

"Oh yeah?" I smirked. "You like a man in uniform?"

"If the man is you, then yes," she said, her hungry gaze raking over me.

She stepped closer, still wearing her heels. I slid my hand up her leg, goose bumps forming in the wake of my touch.

"Good answer," I rasped against her throat, smoothing my hand higher until I reached the apex of her thighs. I stroked her through the silky material of her underwear.

She closed her eyes in bliss and arched her back. "Jackson," she shuddered. "Oh god."

Fuck. She was sexy. Especially when I caught sight of us in the mirror, her hand on my uniformed shoulder. My ring on her finger. Her ass bare, apart from a thin strip of material.

I pulled her bottom lip between mine, swallowing her moans as I quickly brought her to release. Her pleasured sighs were music to my ears. Her body clenched then released. My cock strained against my zipper, needing to be inside her.

I yanked at the hooks of her corset, giving up after the first few since her breasts were free. She clawed at the buttons on my uniform, and we fell onto the bed in a state of partial undress. I didn't care. I just needed to be inside her.

"Lie back," I said.

"I'm ready. I don't want to wait any longer."

"Sloan," I sighed. "It's our wedding night. I want to make this good for you. Special."

"It's always good for me," she said. "You know that. Now, lie down. I want to be on top."

I chuckled, cupping the back of her neck and pulling her to me for a kiss. "So bossy."

"You love it." She smirked.

"I do." I stripped out of my clothes and lay on the bed with my arms behind my head. "Is this what you had in mind?"

"Yes," she practically purred, unhooking the rest of her corset and then stripping off her panties.

She crawled over me, and my cock strained toward her. She stopped to press a kiss to the tip, and the sight of her naked, mouth open, had me nearly coming on the spot.

"Tease," I said through gritted teeth.

I gripped the sheets in my hands, twisting them as she continued to torment me. I gathered her hair, holding it in a loose ponytail. Her eyes were locked on mine the entire time, and it was fucking hot.

"Sloan," I groaned. "Fuck me. Fuck." I squeezed my eyes shut, panting. This was happening way too fast. I was already on the verge of coming, but I was determined to make it last.

She stopped. And when I opened my eyes, she was smirking at me.

I grabbed her arm. "Get up here. Come on." I pulled her toward me. "Otherwise, I'm going to spill down your throat."

"Would that really be so bad?"

I groaned, throwing my arm over my face. "Sloan."

She straddled my hips, sinking down on me inch by inch. Once she was fully seated, she let out the most contented sigh. I sat up against the headboard, bringing her with me. I loved this position—it put her breasts right in my face and gave Sloan more control.

She gasped at the change in movement then held on to my shoulders, writhing her hips. I intertwined our hands, the metal of our wedding rings rubbing against our skin a new sensation. I smiled, content in the knowledge that she was my wife and this was now my life.

Sloan cried out, clenching around me. "Come with me, Jackson. Come now."

I tightened my grip on her hips, thrusting up into her until there was nothing but her and me and our love and pleasure.

I'd made so many mistakes in the past, but I'd come to realize that perhaps we'd needed the time apart—painful as it was. We'd both been so young; we hadn't yet grown into the people we would become. Into two strong individuals who were even better together. Who each knew their worth and the value of their partner.

Being together now, after spending so many years without Sloan, only made me appreciate what we had even more. And if it had brought me to this moment and this woman, then I had no regrets.

Later, after we'd cleaned up and were cuddling in bed, I said, "I wish my dad could've met you." I'd worn his medals on my chest today, bringing a part of him with me to the wedding.

"I wish my grandparents could've been there tonight, but I like to think they were all there in spirit. My parents too.

"Oh, before I forget—" She leaned over and removed something from the nightstand. "I have a wedding present for you."

"I didn't realize we were trading presents." I sat up a little more and unwrapped the gift. Inside the box was a leatherbound book. "What's this?"

I opened the cover, and the pages were filled with pictures from our sailing trip. Everything from me sitting on the deck drinking coffee to the two of us watching the solar eclipse. I paused when I came to an image of Sloan in the hot tub. It was one of the photos Amelia had used to try to blackmail us.

"I couldn't bear to get rid of them," Sloan said. "They were hot, and I wanted to reclaim them. They're ours. Our private moments. No one else's."

I couldn't have been prouder of her. She'd taken something so dark and sordid and turned it into a positive. "Thank you. I love it."

"You're welcome."

She rested her head against my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her. "Any regrets about the quickie wedding?"

"Absolutely none." I could hear the smile in her voice. "And I think everyone else really enjoyed themselves too."

"Me too," I said. "I was worried about Greer, but she seemed happy all weekend."

She nodded, caressing my chest. "I know. She didn't once mention Logan, and I didn't want to ask for fear of upsetting her. But she seemed so much better than when we were in Puerto Rico even just a few weeks ago."

"Maybe a divorce is what she needs," I said, though I knew it wouldn't be easy. But I didn't want to dwell on that. Not tonight. "And did you see how happy my mom was?"

"Everyone was." Sloan sighed happily. "I'm honestly still amazed by everything my brothers did for us."

So was I. They'd handled everything from the engagement ring to the honeymoon. It was incredible, and it reassured me that they were pleased with our match. "We couldn't have pulled off the wedding without their help."

"I know. Whatever you did to win them over…" She leaned back to peer up at me. "But for them to welcome you with open arms… It's crazy."

"Is it?" I knew it was a big deal, and I was grateful. But Sloan spoke of me as if I were a unicorn or some magical creature. I was just a man who loved a woman and wasn't afraid to show it.

"Yes. They were arguing over who would walk me down the aisle this morning. Did I tell you that?" She barked out a laugh. "All four of them. And they've never liked anyone I've dated."

I slid my hand into her hair. "Maybe—" I kissed her "—because they knew—" another kiss, this time longer, more intense "—all along that you were waiting for someone. Waiting for me."

She considered it a moment, and I half expected her to brush off my comment. But then she said, "You know, maybe you're right. I think I was going through the motions of dating, but I never really gave my heart to anyone. Probably because you had it all along."

I pulled her hand to my mouth, kissing her fingertips, her palm. "And you had mine."

Thank you for reading Redemption. I hope you enjoyed Sloan and Jackson's love story. If you did, please consider leaving a review.