Mine to Hold

That was how she felt about him. No, Claire hadn’t thought that she could love. Then Noah had walked into her life. He’d changed everything for her.

“We’re not having a long engagement,” his voice warmed as he stared into her eyes. His hand still held hers. “I…can’t wait. I need you too much.”

And she needed him.

“As soon as you’re out of this hospital, we’re heading to Vegas. Or, hell, we’ll go any place you want. I just want you with me.” He kissed her again. “Always, Claire. Always.”

There was no other place she wanted to be. “Always, Noah,” she swore, and the love she felt for him filled her. “Forever.”

***

The chapel was covered in roses. Noah knew they were Claire’s favorite, so he’d made sure the florist he used in Vegas brought in as many roses as possible.

He suspected that every rose in Vegas was in that little chapel.

The Justice of the Peace smiled as Claire walked down the aisle.

She wore a simple white dress. Her bracelets gleamed around her wrists, but the blue reminding him so much of her eyes.

Her eyes had gotten to him from the very first moment. If the eyes were the windows to the soul, then Claire’s soul was perfect. Beautiful.

Drake walked Claire down the aisle. The guy was grinning as he put Claire’s hand into Noah’s.

And when he touched her, some of the tension Noah felt eased away. Trace stood behind Noah. The guy was his best man. Skye was Claire’s matron of honor, and she wore a grin nearly as big as Drake’s.

The Justice of the Peace started speaking. Noah didn’t look away from Claire. He’d never thought he’d be getting married. Never thought this was the life he’d have.

But without her, I don’t have a life.

“Noah?” Claire whispered as alarm flickered in her gaze.

He tensed and leaned toward her. Then Noah became aware of the silence. All around them.

“You’re supposed to repeat after him,” Claire said, nibbling her lower lip. “I…is everything okay? You haven’t…haven’t changed your mind?”

“Hell, no, I haven’t.” He’d just gotten lost in her eyes, and he hadn’t heard a word the Justice of the Peace said. He curled his fingers under her chin and kissed her. A deep, long kiss, as he savored the sweetness that was his Claire.

The Justice of the Peace cleared his throat. “That comes later.”

No, it came any damn time Noah wanted.

After a moment, after he’d enjoyed her, Noah lifted his head. The uncertainty was gone from Claire’s gaze.

“Ah…repeat after me,” the Justice mumbled. “I, Noah Robert York, take Claire Cassandra Kramer to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold—”

“To hold forever,” Noah promised her, cutting through the other man’s words. “I’ll love you forever, Claire.”

She smiled at him. Her lower lip curled. The dimples winked. Her eyes glinted.

And he knew that he’d spend the rest of his life loving this woman.

Claire was his, and that was only fitting because the woman truly owned him, body and soul.