Dane

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John had already fled as soon as the license was signed. And Bert wasn't much slower, making sure everything was legal—he didn't ask any questions about how they'd gotten a license so quickly—and all the details were correct, before he offered a hand to shake for Dane, and a hug for Lila.

"God bless your love for each other," he said warmly.

They both thanked him and walked him to the door. Before they reached it, he paused and said, "Indulge me just for a moment, Dane. I have one piece of advice for you both."

"What is it?" Dane said, a little too sharply, but Lila hid her smile behind her hand.

Bert grinned too. "It's this: Don't ever let anyone else make you believe that God doesn't celebrate your love for each other. He created love. He is love. When you love each other—give yourselves to each other—He loves that too."

"God can keep his eyes out of my fucking bedroom," Dane muttered.

Lila gasped, but Bert threw his head back and laughed. "I'll let you be the one to tell Him that, Dane. But I'm going home to bed now. I pray your union is peaceful." Lila gushed over him for coming at such short notice, and so late and Bert just patted her hand. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world, sweetheart. Keep your eye on this one. He needs you. Goodnight to both of you." And he opened the door and stepped out.

They both said goodnight, then Dane closed the door behind him, ignoring the curious looks from the staff in the reception area.

Then they turned to each other and Lila covered her mouth. "Did that really just happen?"

"You bet your fucking life it did," Dane muttered, then leaned down to put his arm around her waist and lift her up, so she was face to face with him. "I love you, wife," he said, beaming and Lila's tears were back. She threw her arms around his neck, kissing his gorgeous face. "I love you, husband," she breathed.

Dane groaned and let her slide down his body until her feet finally reached the floor, by which time they were both breathing heavily again. "No more waiting," he said, cupping her face.

"I would divorce you if you said anything else," she said with a grin.

"So quick to renounce your vows," he said, one mocking eyebrow up.

"I'm pretty sure there's some old vow about not being able to withhold your body, or something. Be careful, or I'll make you sign a contract." She started pushing off his jacket, but he stopped her, laughed and kissed her again. "Just one more minute, okay?"

"Dane!"

"Stay right here, and don't move."

"What?! Why?" she knew she sounded whiny.

"Trust me," he said and gave her that smoldering look that sent her stomach into her toes.

"Well… fine," she said, but her voice was breathless. He stole the quickest kiss, then darted around the couch, checking his pocket as he went. Then he picked up a thick, plush blanket from a basket in the corner near the television, and ran back to her.

"What—?" she started, but he shushed her, flapped the blanket out and wrapped it around her like a cloak. It was deliciously soft against her skin and she hummed her approval. "That's gorgeous! But I want to be taking clothes off, not putting them on."

"I said, trust me," Dane said, then leaned down and literally swept her off her feet.

She shrieked a laugh, clinging to his neck as he lifted her to his chest and settled her there, then started carrying her towards the other end of the Penthouse, where the fireplace was.

The narrow stairwell was a little tricky with him carrying her, but when she offered to get down, he just growled at her and kept walking.

When they got to the bridge to the little apartment, she realized why he'd insisted on the blanket.

The midnight air was chill, and it howled through the alleyway between the buildings. As they walked, he whispered to her to get the key from his pocket. So she held his eyes while she slide her hand inside his jacket, letting her fingers trail along his chest until she found the silk pocket inside. His eyes got darker while she was in there and she bit her lip—which just made flames lick behind his gaze.

"No. More. Waiting," he snarled and started to almost run.

She shrieked again and had to grab his shoulders, but they were at the apartment door then and he leaned her down to unlock it, then shouldered it open and walked them through, then kicked it closed behind him.

"Welcome home," he said, and kissed her.

Lila sighed happily and lost herself in the kiss, raking her hands through his hair, and pulling him in closer. His breath was already heavy, thundering in her ear and fluttering in her hair.

He didn't stop kissing her, but he was moving again. She thought he'd take her to the bedroom, but he was too impatient, apparently, because he just walked her around the couch and sat down, with her on his lap. Right in the spot where they'd played the first time they were here.

She pulled back enough to meet his eyes and smiled. He sighed then, running a finger along the side of her face, just inches from his own.

"I can't believe it," he whispered.

"Me either."

"I never thought… I didn't think this was possible for me. Let alone with you."

"Dane, please stop talking about yourself like you don't measure up. Please."

He touched her chin and nodded. "I'll try. I want to deserve you, Lila. I want you to be proud."

"Can't you see? I already am," her tears were back, and he wiped them away with his thumbs as she spoke. "Dane, I couldn't have dreamed you up if I'd tried. Your drive to take care of others. Your intensity. Your integrity. It's me who doesn't deserve you!"

"I'm not going to argue with you on our wedding night, but frankly Lila, you're insane."

She coughed a laugh and they both paused just staring at each other. "We're so lucky," she said quietly.

He nodded, then he kissed her.

The blanket had kept her cocooned, but she was warming up now and she pushed it back, turning in his arms to straddle him the way she had the first time they'd been here. Dane's kiss deepened, became more desperate in seconds. She didn't break the kiss, but she was already taking off his tie, then unbuttoning his shirt. His hands were on her thighs through the slits in the dress, and he groaned when she tugged his shirt out of the front of his pants.

When she started pushing his jacket off, he swore and leaned forward, grasping her ass and growling, "Hold on," as he stood up, still carrying her, still kissing her and started for the bedroom.

She should have laughed. Should have teased him. But she was too busy kissing him. The fire inside her growing hotter with every step.