Page 81 of Sheldon

“If we must.”

He laughed, then placed a quick kiss on my lips. “Let’s go.”

With my hand in his, Forest led us to the tent where everyone waited. They cheered as we entered, not stopping until we kissed again.

“I should always be applauded when showing my love for you,” I whispered in his ear.

“I applauded you once when you did that thing… You know what I mean.”

“Oh yeah. That was worthy of a standing ovation.” It was very dirty but also very hot. A moment I won’t soon forget, especially the way Forest…

He slapped my chest with the back of his hand. “Stop thinking about it.”

“You brought it up.”

“But you didn’t have to relive it when we should be thanking everyone for joining us.”

“Please. We live in the same building as most of them. We can thank them later.”

That was another thing, Forest had officially moved in. The apartment above Hartley’s studio was now vacant, although I’d heard Hartley threaten to sleep there one day when Jordan pissed him off. It wasn’t far away, but enough of a warning that it didn’t go over well with my boss. His men slept with him every night. He made sure to fix whatever he did to irritate Hartley so he wouldn’t be tempted to say that again.

The tent had tables along the perimeter filled with food and a cake. There was also one for gifts, even though we’d explicitly told them not to give us anything. We didn’t need much, just each other.

As the music began, this time from speakers instead of the instruments, I led Forest to the center of the floor and took him into my arms. We swayed to the song, his chest to mine. I did nothing more than breathe him in and soak up the warmth from his body. I’d never been happier than I was in this moment.

“Sheldon?”

“Yeah, beautiful?”

“I know we said we didn’t want to write our own vows, and that was more than fine with me, but I need you to know I will never take you for granted. I won’t ask you to do anything that will make you uncomfortable. And I will always be here for whatever you need. I don’t care if you come home covered in blood, ready to confess what happened to make you that way. Everything you say to me won’t go past my lips. I will hold all of your secrets and lie like a pro if needed. You’re the most important person in my life. I will love you with every beat of my heart.”

Somehow, I managed not to let tears fall during the ceremony. Forest had to say sweet words, and now I couldn’t hold them back. One fell down my cheek.

“And I will always support you,” I said, my lips to his ear. “Anything you need, I’ll readily provide it. I’ll hold you in my arms every night, kiss your body and lips, and tell you I love you. Whatever we do, wherever we go, no one will be as important as you are. You’re my dream, my reality, my life. I love you more than I thought was humanly possible.”

He held me tighter. “Forever, baby.”

“And beyond that.”