Losing It: A Collection of VCards (11 page)

When the burning subsided, I nodded, then bit my lip when he started to move. It no longer felt intrusive or weird, it felt kind of wonderful.

I brought my legs up and wrapped them around him. That’s what I always read in books, so I figured it must be the right thing to do, then I placed my hands on his shoulders to try and steady myself as he rocked against me.

I enjoyed the sensations going through me, but mostly, I loved watching Giovanni as he reached his release. His face was so filled with pleasure, it warmed my heart to be the one giving it to him, and I knew it was a moment I’d never forget.

He moved over me one last time, then kissed me sweetly on the lips and said, “Tu sei l'unico per me, Ti amo.”

I ran my finger over his swollen lips and replied, “I love you too, Giovanni.”

He smiled at me, and gave me one more kiss, before moving to his side and pulling me in toward him. We lay there for a few moments, holding each other, and basking in the glow of happiness and fulfillment.

After a little while he got up and went to the bathroom, then I moved quickly off the bed to assess the damage. There was a little blood on the sheets, but it wasn’t too bad. Still, I threw the top sheet over it to cover the evidence, and figured we’d sleep with just the comforter over us. Hopefully Giovanni wouldn’t notice.

When he was done in the bathroom, I went in and cleaned myself up. I’d brought a nightgown in my overnight bag, so I put it on, then brushed my teeth before going back out into the bedroom. Giovanni was sitting against the headboard, his eyes half closed, looking like he was struggling to stay awake.

I stood in the doorway and watched him, playing with the hem of my nightgown, suddenly feeling shy.

“Come here, Jess,” he said, his voice rough and sexy.

I walked around the bed and climbed in, scooting over to where he was laying.

“Thank you,” Giovanni said. He kissed me softly on the tip of my nose, then scooted down and covered up. I noticed he was just under the comforter, and breathed a sigh of relief before joining him. I laid my head on his chest and drew hearts and squiggly lines on his abs as I listened to his deep breaths beneath my ear.

It didn’t take long before we dozed off, and spent our first night together, snuggled in each other’s arms.

It was
a sweet sixteen that I’d remember forever.

***

About the Author

Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.

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Titles include:

Indelible

Nissa

Time for Love

8 Weeks (Time for Love, book 1)

21 Days (Time for Love, book 2)

42 Hours (Time for Love, book 3)

15 Minutes (Time for Love, book 4)

Friends & Lovers Trilogy:

Make it Last

I Choose You

Trust in Me

Stories About Melissa series:

Ta Ta For now!

XOXOXO

Ciao

TTYL

With Love

Wedding Night

By Julia Crane

Elves
have been residing in secrecy amongst the humans since the start of time along with many other creatures. In elfin society, mates are predetermined but not allowed to meet until they are eighteen, when they are to be wed. Elf mates Rourk and Keegan met before their time and were driven apart by dark magick before finally coming back together. When Keegan nearly lost her life, the unthinkable happened. Her bond to Rourk was shattered. They spent a painful year apart. Rourk joined the human military and Keegan tried to come to terms with her lost feelings for Rourk and the expectations of her family. Thanks to magick, her memories were eventually restored and her love for her chosen was reignited.

*

Rourk swallowed hard as he watched his chosen, Keegan, walk down the staircase towards him. Gods, she was stunning. The veil was so sheer he could still see her auburn hair hanging in loose curls around her delicate face. When her striking blue-green eyes met his, it was a wonder his legs didn’t buckle beneath him.

They’d been through so much and now they were finally to be joined as one. He didn’t know what he did to deserve someone like Keegan but he thanked the gods every night before his head hit the pillow.

Keegan slowly descended the stairs, clutching the flowers and the horseshoe. Each step brought her closer to him and their new life together. When she reached the final step, she grasped his hand. He could have sworn sparks flew when their skin met. “You take my breath away, Keegan. I swear on everything I am, I’ve never seen a creature look more lovely,” he whispered. He lifted her hand and kissed it while his thumb glided along her wrist.

Clutching his hand she smiled up at him. Her face flushed at his words and her eyes sparkled.

They stepped outside. Rourk tore his focus away from her so they could follow the stone pathway. 

 Celtic music could be heard in the distance. Keegan squeezed Rourk’s arm, and he smiled warmly down at her. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was nervous. He’d never been surer of anything in his life. He was born to be with her and she with him.

Once they reached the clearing, Keegan inhaled sharply. Brightly colored flowers and lush greens replaced the bare winter grounds. Rows of white chairs flanked the spot where they would be wed; each chair was hung with purple lilacs. Magic was a wonderful thing, creating a spring in the middle of winter.

As they approached, the Wedding March flowed through the air. Their guests turned in their seats. Rows and rows of elfin families grinned back at them.

Rourk noticed his father and tilted his head in his direction. The only thing that could make this day any more perfect would be if his mother were alive to see it. Suddenly a warm tingling sensation covered his neck and back, and he knew it was her letting him know she was there in spirit.

 He and Keegan stopped in front of Sarah, the priestess, who had married Keegan’s parents and many other chosen mates throughout the years. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.

“Today, Rourk and Keegan will be joined in a handfasting. Their hands will be tied together with a knot that binds them in such a way that they choose to be bound. This ritual symbolizes their oneness not only with each other but with all creation. Thus their union is blessed, its sacredness recognized by all creation.

“The elfin soul shares characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief that assigned virtues to the cardinal directions: East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.” She paused.

Rourk couldn’t believe this was finally happening after all they’d been through.

Raising both hands to the air, Sarah went on. “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home. The heat of the heart's passion. The light created by both for the lightest, the darkest of times.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake. The swift excitement of the river. The refreshing cleansing of the rain. The all encompassing passion of the sea.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North. Firm foundation on which to build. Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives. A stable home to which you may always return.”

Sarah smiled at Keegan and Rourk as she lowered her arms. “Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet, they are only tools. Tools which you must use together to create what you seek in this union.

“Know that before you go further, since your spirits have crossed in this life, you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter into this state of matrimony, you should strive to make real the ideals that give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.

“With full awareness, know that you are declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, present, absent, and departed. The promises made today, and the ties that are bound here, will greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth.”

Smiling, Sarah asked them, “Do you still seek to enter into this ceremony?

Together, Rourk and Keegan spoke. “We do.”

“Rourk and Keegan, I bid you look into each other's eyes.” Sarah waited while they turned their eyes to one another, and then went on. “Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor?”

Keegan smiled at Rourk, causing his heart to quicken as they answered. “We will.”

Sarah draped the blue cord over their hands.

“And so the first binding is made,” she said. “Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?”

“We will.”

She wrapped the yellow cord around them. “And so the binding is made. Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?”

“We will.”

Sarah draped the white cord and smiled. “And so the binding is made. Will you share each other's laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?”

“We will.”

She draped the red cord around their hands. “And so the binding is made.” She swiftly tied the cords into three knots. “Rourk and Keegan, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. The knots of this binding are not formed by these cords but, rather, by the vows you have made. For always, you hold in your own hands the fate of this union. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars, your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will go quickly. Be free in the giving of affection and warmth.

Sarah produced the two weddings rings and held out her palm. They sparkled in the sunlight. “A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. In these rings, it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you will always return to your shared life together.

“As you have stated your desire to be united, one with the other, take now these rings and place them upon each other’s finger, as pledge and testimony to your love and commitment to each other.”

Rourk reached forward. His hand trembled as he placed the braided white-gold ring on Keegan’s finger. A magical hum raced through his frame at the touch.

Blinking away tears, Keegan placed a larger version of the ring on Rourk’s finger.

“I now proclaim you husband and wife. Thus are your hands fasted, two are now made one.” Sarah opened her hands and gave them a wicked smile. “You may seal your union to your chosen with a kiss.”

Rourk gathered the veil in his hands and pushed it over Keegan’s head so that it fell down her back. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers, and then intensified the kiss. For a moment, they were both lost in the kiss, forgetting their surroundings for their first taste of forever. When Rourk finally pulled away, loud cheers went up from the crowd.

“Settle down. It’s not over yet.” Sarah laughed. She looked back to Rourk and Keegan. “This will be your first act of working together as a couple.

“Brooms are used for cleaning and sweeping. Therefore, that they are used to symbolize the sweeping away the remnants of the past which no longer serve us is appropriate. The sword symbolizes the wielding of power and personal responsibility. As the bride and groom jump they are reminded that remaining vigilant over these aspects of the day to day shall help them to achieve the quality of life that they aspire to. Anna, Lauren, and Thaddeus—will you now lay down the Sword and Broom?”

Anna and Lauren, Keegan’s best friends, walked forward and laid down the broom.

Keegan’s brother Thaddeus came forward and crossed the broom with the sword.

“Now putting the past behind you, and remembering that you have the power to create a strong future. Jump together into your new lives.”

Keegan grabbed Rourk’s hand and gave him a reckless smile. He shook his head, smiling in return. Together, they jumped and landed safely on the other side. Keegan laughed, and Rourk pulled her in for another kiss. His. She was his now and forever. He was the luckiest man on the planet.

The reception was soon in full swing, but all Rourk could think about was getting Keegan alone. Tonight they would truly fuse their bodies and become one. How many nights had he lain awake imagining what it would feel like to make love to Keegan? Pretty much since the first day he’d laid eyes on her and knew they were fated.

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t anxious. It was almost laughable with all the training he’d had as an elfin warrior that one girl could make him so nervous and unsure. He’d had virtually no experience with girls, other than stolen kisses with Keegan. The thought of disappointing her weighed heavily on his mind.

Hours later, just when he didn’t think he could stand it any longer, Keegan approached him, her eyes dancing with excitement. The teleporter was by her side.

“Are you ready?” Rourk asked, hoping his desperation didn’t show too strongly in his voice.

“Let’s get out of here.” She grasped his hand in hers. With the other, she reached for the teleporter’s hand. Rourk closed his eyes. His stomach dropped. Teleporting was a feeling he never quite got used to.

A moment later, Rourk squeezed her hand. “Open your eyes.”

Turning, she gazed around and clasped her hands over her mouth. “Ireland?”

“Of course. Where else would I take you?”

Rourk turned to the elf that had transported them. “Thanks, Pete.”

The silent man nodded and disappeared.

Rourk took Keegan’s hand and hurried with her to check into their hotel room.

Keegan laughed as he carried her through the door and down the hall to their room. He fumbled with the key and pushed the door to their room open, then lowered her to the ground. Rourk watched as she glanced around at the beautiful honeymoon suite. Her eyes stopped at the huge wooden bed waiting for them. His heart raced in anticipation.

Never one to hesitate, Rourk moved up behind her and gently brushed her hair back, exposing her delicate skin. He burrowed his lips into the hollow of her neck as he unzipped her dress with uncertain hands. He felt a gratifying jump in her pulse. She was as nervous and excited as he was. Her dress fell to the floor, and a shudder went through him.