Untamed (A Moretti Novel) (19 page)

“I’m not sure I can talk about it yet.  Every time I try to, I relive it.”  Steve stared into the distance.
“I’m not even sure what I remember is real.”

“Can Kevin tell me?”  Lily’s eyes were full of love.  There was no question in his mind that his feelings for her were
the same thing she was feeling.  He nodded at Kevin.

“We were heading up to the softball tryouts.  This seventeen year old was driving too fast and lost control coming around the corner.  We were up on the ridge, about two miles from the ball field.  He was coming right at us.  Steve had to swerve to miss him.  Moretti and I had to lay our bikes down.  Moretti got clipped by his bumper while he was trying to put it down and flew off the front of the bike.  Andi and I headed right for the edge.”  Kevin shivered.  “Steve was in the car.  His brakes were smoking.  Rocks were flying everywhere.  By the time he stopped, the car was hanging off the edge. 
One fucking rock blocking his tire.  That’s what kept him up.”

Lily thought she would hyperventilate.  “Baby, oh my God.”  She climbed into his lap, her eyes full of tears and her face drained of all color.

“This dude came by in a truck.  He had some chains and wrapped them around the back tire and pulled Steve up.”  Mark put his hands on Steve’s shoulder.  “I couldn’t describe him to you.  I couldn’t even describe the truck.  The EMTs said they never saw anyone.  But he saved Steve.  Kevin too.  He was bleeding out and wouldn’t even sit down.  He just wanted to get Steve out.”

Lily sobbed into Steve’s chest.  “I love you so much.  I don’t know what I would’ve done if something… I can’t even say it.”

“Here’s Steve in this car that could go over at any time and he’s telling us that it’s ok.  We were frantic and he was so calm. He just kept telling me that I needed to tell you that he loved you and he was sorry.”  Mark winked at Lily.

“You were what he was thinking about when he thought he wasn’t going to get out of there.”  Andi hugged her.  “So we
’re very happy you’re back with us.  You’re family now, Lil.  And we all need you as much as Steve does.”

Lily hugged her.  This was home and she loved her new family.

Lily rolled over in bed and rubbed Steve’s back.  His lean body sprawled across the bed in pure exhaustion.  She had almost lost him and hadn’t even known.  She couldn’t imagine a world that Steve wasn’t in.  He was her everything.  She shivered thinking about the way he must have felt.  She’d cried several times during the party.  Just knowing he was thinking about her meant the world to
her.

He moaned as her fingers skimmed his perfect ass.  His body was perfection.  Taut, tanned skin covered his rock hard muscles.  His dark eyes were mesmerizing and when they met hers, she never stood a chance.  The smirk that he wore was enough to get her blood boiling.  His abs were perfection, his lips were
heaven.  But underneath it all, was a heart of gold and she fell more and more in love with him every day.

“I’m thinking about getting a tattoo.”  Steve
’s voice was blanketed in sleep.  “The man that saved me had Jesus written on his truck.  He was my guardian angel.”

He rolled over and met her eyes.  “I’ll get one too.”  She smiled.

“I got a second chance at life that day.  I got another shot at being with you.  I get up every morning and I need to remember that I’m here for a reason and that God took a gamble on me that afternoon.”

“Do you think we’ll ever find him?” 

“No.”  Steve shook his head.  “But I would do anything to get a chance to say thank you.”

“God strong.”
  Lily yawned.

“What did you say?” Steve shivered.

“God strong.  My dad used to read psalms to us every night before bed.  My God is my rock.  He used to tell us that there would be people that we’d meet that made such an impact that it changed the direction of our lives. He called those people God Strong.  The man that saved you defines that for me.  He gave me a chance to love you and you’ve made all the difference for me.”

Steve kissed her, soft and gentle, a dance of tongues.  He poured every ounce of himself
into the kiss.  “I want to make love to you, Lily.”

“No.”  Lily rolled on top of him.  “Tonight, I want to make love to you.”

Chapter 24

Lily sat on the floor in front of the full length mirror putting on her makeup for Caleb and Jena’s big day.  Sophie stood over her putting the finishing touches on her hair.  Lily couldn’t help but smile.  It was a beautiful day for a wedding and she was so honored to be a part of it.  She put the cap back on her lipstick with a click and looked up at Sophie.  Lily and Sophie had been roommates in college.  Thrown together at random, the two had become instant friends.  This many years later, she still felt she could turn to Sophie with anything.

Lily watched Jena in the mirror.  Everything about this wedding screamed laid back.  Jena had opted to do her own hair and makeup.  She had found her
dress in the first store and bought it on the spot.  The bridesmaid’s dresses had been the same way, one store and done. 

Lily zipped the side of her
dress.  It was the most beautiful dress she had ever worn.  The color was a soft neutral, just a few shades darker than Jena’s.  The asymmetrical one shoulder design was flattering on all of them.  She felt like a Grecian goddess.  Her blond hair fell loose down her entire back.  She smiled.  Steve would have fun taking it off her.

Jena smiled at her.  “Can you believe it’s the big day?  I feel like I’ve waited forever.”

“I’m excited for you.  Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”  Lily hugged her.  “It’s a beautiful day.”

Andi hugged them both and laughed.  “No sappy love stuff.  Let’s get you dressed.”

Jena had chosen a dress by David Tutera.  She had been in love with his style for ages.  Her obsession with his show didn’t hurt either.  The bright white was set off by sequin, lace and tulle.  It was gorgeous and Jena had never looked more beautiful.  The gown hugged her hips and floated to the floor.  It took Lily’s breath away.

“You look gorgeous.”
  Lily whispered.

“My brother is going to swallow his tongue.”  Andi helped clip the veil into Jena’s hair.  “I can’t wait to watch him as you walk down the aisle.”

The knock at the door had all the girls turning around to hide Jena.  Charles Allen poked his head in the door.  Jena smiled at her future father in law.  “Wow.  You girls look gorgeous.  Can an old man join you?”

Jena stepped forward and hugged him.  He had become a father to her and that was the best gift anyone could ever give her.  “Is it time?”

“It’s time.  Let’s go walk down the aisle, shall we?”  He extended his hand and led her from the bride’s room.

Steve fidgeted at the altar.  Caleb was the last of his friends to get married. 
Steve had been in a long term relationship, engaged to the woman he now affectionately called Satan, and he was the last man standing, but not for long.  His hands were sweating.  Getting through the next few hours would be torture on his nerves.  He told himself to relax. 

As the music started, he watched as
Layla stepped through the doors of the church. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head and her smile was radiant as she looked at Caleb.  He’d been her rock during Ryan’s illness.  Next came Sophie, Caleb’s first real love and now one of his best friends.  Her carefree spirit was apparent in everything she did.  Steve couldn’t help but smile at her. 

Lily stepped into the doorway and Steve forgot how to breathe.  His body ached for her.  She was alluring and he
was addicted.  With each step she took toward him, he found himself falling harder.  His heart felt like it was going to explode in his chest.  She had torn down all his walls, stormed the castle and put his life back together.  He had been broken and she had picked up the pieces and put him back together.  She had saved him.  Her love had empowered him.  Her smile had healed him. 

“I love you.” She mouthed as she took her place next to Sophie at the front of the church.  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.  In this moment, life was perfect. 
He was a whole person for the first time in years. 

Andi was next down the aisle, her dark hair and eyes captivating everyone.  She was beautiful and had pushed for
Jena and Caleb’s relationship from the moment she saw them together.  She winked at Kevin as she took her place at the head of the bridesmaids.  Steve always joked with her that she had super powers because she made Kevin want to settle down.  If he was honest, he also meant he was glad Kevin had stopped sniffing around Lily.

As the music changed, he saw Jena step into the doorway on Charles Allen’s arm.  She was breathtaking and looked happier than Steve had ever seen her.  He shifted his eyes to Caleb, who was wiping tears from his cheeks.  Steve had a habit of watching the groom watch his bride walk down the aisle.  The amount of love he saw in a groom’s face gave him hope for the future.  Caleb did not disappoint.  His eyes were
wide; his breathing shallow and his face was in awe.  Steve smiled.  Caleb and Jena were a love story that was a long time coming.  He was proud to be standing at the altar as a witness.

He glanced at Lily and noticed she was also watching Caleb. Her emotions were written all over her face. Sensing Steve, she turned her eyes
to him.  Her feelings for him were so clear.  He’d been a fool not to see it earlier.  This gorgeous, brilliant woman wanted to be his and he’d been a coward, running for the hills.  He’d almost lost her.  Looking back, it was so obvious.  He had fallen for her almost instantly.  His body had recognized its other half.  With just a touch, she healed him.  With just a laugh, she soothed him.  With just a smile, his world meant something.

“Ladies and gentleman, we ar
e gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments.  The joining of two lives, Jena’s and Caleb’s, as they become one.  True love is a gift, one that is treasured.  Today, we witness the joining of Caleb Allen and Jena Turner, as they make their vows in front of God to love, cherish and honor one another.  Who gives this woman to be married?”

Charles Allen lifted the veil from Jena’s face.  “Her family, her friends and I do.”

She kissed him on the cheek as he joined her hands with Caleb’s.  Jena winked and wiped a tear from Caleb’s face.  The simple act had Steve longing to hold Lily and never let her go.

“
In love, no acts are two small. Love is saying you’re sorry even if pride gets in the way.  Love is never being too old to hold hands.  It is saying you love each other, even on days when you don’t like each other very much.  Love is standing next to each other in defeat and rejoicing with each other in victory.  It is learning to forgive and giving the other room to grow.  It is putting someone else first and allowing them to do the same for you.  Caleb and Jena have found that in one another.”  The pastor closed his book.  “They have decided to write their own vows.  Jena, if you are ready.”

Jena took a deep breath.  “The day I met you, I knew.  You drew my eye in a crowd.  You
made me feel joy just by being near you. You have a beautiful soul and I trust you with my life.  You are my best friend and my soul mate.  I promise you love, every day for the rest of our lives.  I promise you loyalty and dedication.  I will laugh with you through our good days and cry with you through our bad.  I will be your partner and your biggest cheerleader.  Today I dedicate my life to you and to your family.  It is my honor and my privilege to be a part of something so amazing.  I cannot wait to be your wife.  Thank you for picking me.  I love you.”