Bound To You

Chapter 4

Valeria

Oh my God. We'd done it. We'd. Actually. Done it.

I was married.

I was free.

This was my new home now. I could be whoever I wished. I was blessed with phenomenal in-laws. And Juan didn't seem outwardly hostile or bear any ill feelings towards me.

I didn't stop the smile that unfurled across my face. I was so happy, so buoyant, that I wanted to start singing right then and there. I could do anything I wanted now.

I was free.

I couldn't stop repeating the sentence over and over in my head. It sounded ridiculous and unbelievable, yet my heart knew it was true. I felt so light I actually thought I might float off the dais and start walking on air.

Then Juan answered my smile with his own.

I blinked, my smile turning surprised for a second before it beamed even more brightly. Perhaps this marriage wouldn't be a shit-show after all.

Damn me, but that smile did things to my stomach that it had absolutely no right to do. He was handsome enough as it was. Now he looked downright arresting.

I heard Gloria gasp and turned in time to see her staring at her son in awe. And happiness. She looked jubilant at his smile.

I turned to see Juan watching me curiously, the last remnants of his smile still curving his lips. My smile turned more subdued, and I watched him as he watched me. We stared at each other, curiosity evident in our faces.

We were both snapped back to reality as the pastor declared, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Tumultuous applause broke out through the crowd.

"You may kiss the bride," he said, smiling at Juan.

He looked back at me, the request for permission clear in his eyes. I smiled slightly and gave him the tiniest of nods. He leaned forward with a resigned sigh which told me quite clearly that this was going to be a quick, close-lipped peck.

That decision, however, quickly dissolved into nothing when our lips met.

That had to have been the best kiss of my life.

As soon as our lips touched, electricity zapped through me, leaving every part of my body electrified. Juan stiffened, enough that it told me he was experiencing something similar. We froze slightly, unsure of how to react.

Then, without consciously deciding it, our kiss grew firmer. No tongue, obviously, but we kissed more fully, angling our heads slightly. He tasted . . . so good.

There are people watching us.

The thought flashed through my mind, and I put a hand on his chest as I pulled back. He let me go, rearing back slightly, his eyes glazed. His gaze was on me, as though I was the only one that existed. Then he blinked and I saw him remember where we were.

He turned his head sharply towards the crowd, and I followed his lead, plastering a smile on my face. My parents were already getting up, no doubt planning to leave. His parents, however, were rushing to us, both of them beaming brighter than when they had greeted me.

"Congratulations, mi querido," Gloria gushed, hugging her son. Her husband enfolded me in his arms for the second time since I had arrived. Then they switched, his mother latching onto me with the grip of a viper. She was more forceful with her love than anybody I had ever known, but I liked it. I laughed, hugging her back almost as tightly as she hugged me.