At that moment, everything faded away and it seemed it was just him and me. I was only aware of Kade, our gazes locked together.
He began walking toward me, his steps sure and unhurried. I couldn’t move, my heart so full of emotion it seemed incomprehensible that I could feel so much for this man. Surely my body couldn’t contain all the love inside.
Kade stopped in front of me and I knew I would remember the look in his eyes for the rest of my life.
“My bride,” he murmured, his voice edged in awe. His hands drifted lightly down my arms. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
My face split into a smile. “Likewise,” I said, my voice a bit breathless. The way he looked was enough to take my breath away. Now that he was close, I could see the tuxedo he was wearing. The lines were classic, the fabric expensive and tailored to fit him perfectly. The white of his shirt was blinding, a stark contrast to the deep black of the jacket. He’d even tied the bow tie.
“What’s this?” I teased, reaching up to tug a bit at the tie. “Another attempt at a tie?”
“Well, I went all out,” he said with a shrug, the corner of his lips tipping up. “Took me forever to get it right, and if Taylor says he had to help me, he’s lying.”
I laughed. “You look amazing, but it’s not . . . you.” I tugged on the tie until it came loose, then undid the top two buttons of his shirt. “That’s you,” I said with satisfaction, pressing the silken tie flat as it dangled on either side of his collar.
Kade wasn’t even looking at what I’d done. His gaze was fixed on my face, a small smile playing about his lips.
Taking my right hand, he threaded it through his bent elbow, resting my palm on his left arm.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded. I was more than ready.
Glancing up, Kade gave Taylor a nod. The crew assembled near the bow, Captain Hugh at the head and all of them facing us. They looked glad to be there. It seemed everyone really did love a wedding.
Kade walked me slowly toward the bow and the setting sun, the music drifting around us. I could smell the heavy perfume of the flowers mixed with the salt of the ocean. The lights above us danced in the breeze and gave everything a fairy-tale quality.
“You wore the shoes,” Kade said softly as we walked.
I glanced down. The toes of my blue shoes peeped from underneath my gown with each step I took.
“They’re my ‘something blue,’” I replied, glancing up at him with a twinkle in my eye. “Plus, I seem to remember you telling me a while back what I wouldn’t be wearing the next time you saw me in them.”
Kade gave a low groan. “I love you.”
I grinned. “I know.”
It seemed like I shouldn’t be smiling so much for such a solemn occasion as my own wedding, but I couldn’t help it. Kade had always made me smile, no matter the circumstances.
Kade didn’t look away from me as we made our way across the deck, his gaze seeming to drink me in. I kept an eye on the deck, which rolled a bit with the waves. I didn’t want to end up falling on my ass, but Kade’s presence at my side was strong and steady. I glanced up at him every few steps, feeling a little shy at the adoration in his eyes.
We drew to a halt in front of Captain Hugh, who was waiting with an indulgent smile on his face. Kade took my bouquet from me and gave it to Jennifer to hold as he clasped my hands in his.
Kade’s eyes captivated me and I barely heard Hugh begin the ceremony. The bottom of the sun had just hit the ocean’s edge and the burnished golden rays bathed us in a warm glow. The cry of a seagull resonated through the baritone rumble of Hugh’s voice, the pulse of the waves a steady undercurrent.
The breeze gently tousled Kade’s hair, as if touched by loving fingers. His hands were warm and reassuring as they covered mine, his thumbs tenderly brushing my knuckles.
“I have,” Kade said, answering a question I hadn’t heard. I glanced questioningly at Hugh then back at Kade. “He asked if we had written our own vows,” he said. “I have.”
I was surprised. This was unexpected. But then again, when had Kade ever done what I’d expected?
“From the moment I saw you, I was lost,” Kade began, moving a little closer to me. “You hold my heart and my soul. I promise to be with you, to be your friend and your lover. I’ll be your strength when you’re weak, your comfort when you’re sad. You are the best part of me, and the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I will love you, for always.”
His beloved face was a blur, tears welling and spilling down my cheeks. Reaching into his breast pocket, Kade took out the white linen square and softly brushed my tears. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to my cheek.
I blinked rapidly, taking the handkerchief and quickly dabbing my eyes. I replayed his words through my mind, memorizing them and the cadence of his voice as he’d spoken the vows so I would always remember this moment.
I looked at him, the love shining in his eyes, and I spoke from the heart.
“Kade,” I said, my voice thick with tears, “I looked in your eyes and saw my perfect match. You’re every good thing I’ve ever dreamed my husband would be. I never knew who and what I could be, until I met you. You see the very heart of me. It beats only for you, and always will.”
Kade’s eyes were very bright, the blue so clear it seemed I’d get lost in their depths.
“I’m going to need that pocket square back,” he deadpanned, drawing a little laugh from me. The slow smile on his face was entrancing.
“The ring,” Hugh said, handing it to Kade. “Repeat after me.”
Taking my left hand, Kade slipped off my engagement ring to slide a platinum band with more diamonds embedded in it onto my finger, then replaced the engagement ring, repeating “With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.”
Hugh handed me a thick plain platinum band. My hands shook as I took Kade’s left hand in mine. Everything blurred again as I pushed the band over his knuckle and into place. I wished I could stop time, freeze this moment for just a little while longer.
“With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you,” I vowed, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Kade cupped my face in his hands, leaning down to kiss me. His lips were soft as they moved over mine. His tongue was a gentle brush before he lifted his head. Distantly, I heard the crew applauding, then Kade had wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me in his arm. I twined my arms around his neck, holding on as he swung me around in a dizzying circle. He laughed and I kissed the joy from his lips.
No longer was I Kathleen Turner. I was Kathleen Dennon.
Our kiss deepened and Kade let me slide down until my feet touched the deck once again. He pulled back and I abruptly realized the crew had melted away and that the music playing had changed.
“Hope you don’t mind that I picked the first dance,” Kade said. “It seemed fitting.”
The strains of a song I recognized washed over me. It was “Kiss Me.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for an Ed Sheeran fan,” I teased. My hands moved to his shoulders as Kade began to slowly turn me in time to the melody.
“I’m not usually,” he said, “but heard this, and thought of you. When I missed you, I’d listen to it, and dream.”
I had no words, but we didn’t need any.
And we danced.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kade took me to a hotel on Oahu for our wedding night. At least it was supposed to be a hotel, even though it seemed like another part of the fairy tale to me. We ended up being shown to our own little bungalow right on the beach. The bedroom had an entire wall that could be opened to the outdoors, giving us a spectacular view of the ocean.