Mockingbird: a Songbird Sequel

Eight: Colt

It. Was. Hot. My tie didn't even make it to dinner, and my suspenders were lost shortly thereafter. By the time we all started drinking and dancing, I felt like I was about to melt, so I decided to sneak into the house for a bit of a reprieve. However, the instant I reached up to open the door to the lower level, my bride opened it from the other side.

"Well, hi there, husband!" she greeted all bubbly and Lennie-like.

I grinned immediately. "Hi wife. Where'd you sneak off to?"

"I needed some air," she answered with a sigh. "Like... cool air. I feel like I'm in a swamp."

"I am right there with you, babe," I stated with a nod. Just then I caught a flash of her bare legs, which definitely weren't on display before.  She was in her cutoffs, and I chuckled. Surprised she lasted this long. "I knew you wouldn't last all night."

She rolled her eyes. "I kept stepping on the skirt. It was annoying."

"Ya could've just gotten married like that. Most Lennie wedding outfit I've ever seen."

"I think your mom or Cora would've beat me. Cora damn near had a fit about the shoes."

I looked at her feet, hidden in the yellow shoes I had delivered to her. "You're wearing the shoes."

"I've had em on all day. They're super comfy," Lennie beamed, pointing her toe, and giving me a little pose. "They're perfect."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, best wedding present ever."

"I got 'em at a secondhand store. Don't give me too much credit."

She stepped forward and draped her arms over my shoulders. "They're perfect, Colton. Besides, I needed something borrowed."

"Well, I mean, you own them..."

"Okay, Mr. Analytical, will you just come inside so I can shut the damn door. Ain't trying to let all the air out."

"Been married a few hours and you already sound like me."

"Oh, God, it's contagious," Lennie said with a roll of her eyes as I finally stepped inside, and she shut the door with a flick of her wrist.

I nuzzled my face against her neck, her arms tightening around my neck. "How do you still smell like coconuts?" I asked, dragging my nose under the curve of her jaw. It must've tickled because she scrunched up a bit in my arms. "Can we make everyone leave yet? I just wanna be with my wife."

"It's not even eight," Lennie giggled.

"Don't care."

"Someone did promise me we'd sneak out after the vows and... we said the vows awhile ago now..."

"Oh yeah?" I retorted, picking up my head to look into her eyes. "You coulda grabbed me at any time."

"Maybe I wanted you to grab me."

I tightened my hands around her hips and spun her around, walking her back into the door. "Like this?"

"This works..."

"Good," I stated before pressing my forehead into hers. "You know damn well we're gonna get interrupted, right?"

"Guess you better work fast then."

"Girl, you are asking for trouble," I whispered a bit gruffly before brushing my lips along her cheekbone.

"You like trouble," she whispered in return before I felt her fingers start to fiddle with the buckle around my waist.