Chapter168 The night was far from over

Chapter168 The night was far from over
Chloe

The kiss ended slowly, Julian’s lips lingering against mine as the ocean wind pulled at the hem of my dress. When he finally drew back, his forehead stayed pressed to mine, and I could feel the unsteady rhythm of his breathing. His hands were still wrapped around mine, warm and slightly damp.

“You’re shaking,” I said softly.

Julian let out a low laugh that didn’t quite hide his nerves. “I’ve been rehearsing this moment in my head for weeks. Every time I pictured it, I was terrified you’d say no.”

I studied his face in the lantern light. “I’m not saying no.”

He squeezed my hands. “Good. Because if you did, I might have to throw myself into the ocean.”

From down the beach, Tiffany’s voice cut through the sound of the waves. “Hey, lovebirds! The officiant is waiting, and Matilda keeps checking her watch like she’s timing a race.”

Julian turned his head but didn’t let go of me. “Tell her we’re coming. Two minutes.”

Kim appeared beside Tiffany, holding the veil she had already pinned into my hair. She grinned at us. “You two look like you’re about to combust. Should we give you another five minutes alone?”

Julian’s ears flushed. “Very funny.”

I felt a spark of mischief as I watched the way his jaw tightened. He was clearly trying to stay focused on the ceremony, but I could see the effort it took.

Six weeks of careful distance had left both of us restless, and now that the doctor had cleared me, the tension between us felt sharper than ever. I decided to test just how much he was holding back.

I leaned in slightly, my voice low. “You’ve been so patient these past weeks. I wonder how long that patience is going to last once everyone leaves.”

Julian’s eyes flicked to mine, and for a second the restraint cracked. Then he exhaled and straightened his shoulders. “Long enough to get through this properly,” he said, though his voice was rougher than before.

We started walking toward the arch. Julian kept my hand tucked tightly against his side, his thumb brushing slow circles over my knuckles. Every few steps I could feel him glance at me, but he was clearly trying to keep his mind on the moment ahead.

“You look beautiful in that dress,” he said quietly. “I kept imagining what it would feel like to take it off later.”

My pulse jumped, but I turned the teasing back on him. “You’re supposed to be thinking about your vows right now, not undressing me with your eyes.”

Julian’s ears turned red again. “I’m trying,” he muttered. “It’s harder than it looks.”

When we reached the small group, Tiffany pulled me into a careful hug. “Finally. I was starting to think Julian was going to chicken out and drag you back to the car.”

Julian shot her a look. “I was not chickening out.”

Kim adjusted the edge of my veil. “He was pacing behind that screen for ten minutes straight. I thought he was going to wear a trench in the sand.”

Julian rubbed the back of his neck. “All right, enough. Can we start before I lose what’s left of my dignity?”

The officiant smiled and opened his book. Julian positioned himself in front of me, taking both my hands again.

His palms were still damp, and I could feel the slight tremor running through him, but his expression had turned serious. He was no longer just the man who wanted me; he was the man who wanted to do this right.

Our friends formed a loose half-circle around us. Matilda stood at the front, watching with quiet approval.

Julian spoke first, his voice steady even though his fingers kept twitching against mine. “I know I rushed you the first time. I know I made you feel like this was just another transaction. That’s not what I want anymore. I want every day with you to feel chosen. I want you to know that when I look at you, I’m not thinking about contracts or expectations. I’m thinking about how lucky I am that you’re still here.”

My throat tightened. I swallowed and answered, keeping my voice low so only he could hear. “I was scared for a long time. Scared that you only wanted the version of me that was convenient. But you waited. You planned all of this even when I was exhausted and barely recognized myself. That mattered more than any words.”

Julian’s eyes darkened, but he stayed composed. He leaned in just enough that his next words brushed against my ear. “I’ve been counting the days until the doctor cleared you. Six weeks felt like six years.”

I smiled, enjoying the way his restraint was starting to fray. “Then you’ll have to be patient a little longer,” I whispered back. “Because I want to enjoy watching you try to behave.”

Julian’s jaw flexed, but he didn’t break. He simply squeezed my hands once more and straightened as the officiant continued the ceremony.

After the rings were exchanged and the short vows finished, Julian pulled me in for the kiss. It was deeper than before, one hand sliding to the small of my back, but I could feel him holding himself back, conscious of everyone watching. When we finally separated, he rested his forehead against mine.

“I love you,” he whispered. “And I am not going to be very patient once we’re alone tonight.”

I laughed softly, brushing my thumb over his lower lip. “You did well. I thought you were going to lose it during the vows.”

“I almost did,” he admitted, voice low. “Especially when you started teasing me.”

Tiffany whistled from the side. “All right, you two, save some of that for the honeymoon. We still have photos.”

Julian didn’t step away. His thumb traced the line of my jaw. “One more minute.”

Kim shook her head, smiling. “He’s trying so hard to be good right now. It’s almost painful to watch.”

I looked up at him, enjoying the mix of solemnity and barely contained desire in his expression. The past months had been careful and restrained, but tonight the restraint was finally cracking at the edges. I leaned in just enough to whisper, “You look like you’re suffering. I kind of like it.”

Julian exhaled shakily, then straightened just enough to address the group. “All right. Photos. Then everyone goes home, and I’m taking my wife somewhere private.”

Matilda chuckled from the front row. “At least pretend to be subtle, Julian.”

The small crowd laughed, but Julian’s hand stayed firm on my waist, his body angled close to mine as if he couldn’t bear even a few inches of space. He had taken the ceremony seriously, spoken from the heart, and stayed composed through every word.

Now the only thing left was the quiet, electric promise between us that the night was far from over.