“As he wrapped her in white terrycloth, Kyle eyed his lingering hardness. “Again?”Cole turned his bride to hug her from behind, nuzzling her neck. “I’ll have you in my bed next,” he said. “I’m going to make love to you so thoroughly that, tomorrow? You’ll walk like John Wayne.”Her laughter sounded so free.”

“Cole turned his bride to hug her from behind, nuzzling her neck.-I'll have you in my bed next. I'm going to make love to you so thoroughly that, tomorrow? You'll walk like John Wayne.”

“When he got to her dress strap, he watched her eyes as he slid it off her shoulder. She smiled her unquestionably Kyle smile. Still present.“I’m still here,” she said in a playful voice. But she was. She was still there.“Kyle, will you come to my bed?” Cole would take this so slowly.“I will.” Kyle followed as he led her to his simple twin bed, covered in a plain tan comforter.”

“Abby,” he murmured, lifting a hand to curve around her neck. “I love you.”A sob slipped free and she wrapped her arms around his waist. One of his hands cupped the back of her neck and cuddled her in close.As he bent around her, he whispered, “I’ve loved you so long, I can’t remember what it’s like to not love you. And I’ll go to my grave loving you. You’re my everything.”

“Kyle, will you come with me?” He whispered the words against her forehead between kisses. His hands traveled over her back as if the Bible were written in Braille on her sundress.“I’m your shadow now, Cole. I’ll be where you are.” Kyle smiled, her eyes steady on his.”

“Kyle, please. Stop. This isn’t you. You aren’t even here anymore,” Cole said softly with his arms around her.Kyle blinked and shook her head. Shame. Again.Then she fought him desperately—eyeing her scattered clothes and the door.“You don’t have to do this for me. I don’t want a show.” Cole put his hands on her face and kissed her lips gently. For the first time.Their separated souls rejoiced and found each other again. He lifted her off the altar and set her on her feet.“Be you for me, Kyle. Be the Kyle you’re so very afraid of being. I’ll keep her safe.” Cole skimmed his lips along her cheek and looked at her hopefully.Kyle gazed into his eyes and nodded solemnly. The moment seemed bigger than the two of them.Cole asked permission. “Kyle McHugh, may I worship you?”A tear fell from her eye as she whispered, “Yes.”Cole took a step back and whipped the cloth off her shoulders. She was no vixen now. Kyle looked terrified. She clenched her fists, as if willing herself not to run. Cole turned and gathered her scattered clothes. He found her panties and took them to her, kneeling at her feet. Kyle looked puzzled, but as he worked the panties up her legs, she got it. Unlike all the other men, he was dressing her.”