Hitched (Hitched #1)(55)

Chapter 38


Happily Ever After


I'm dressed in silk and lace, in a gown so elegant I'm scared to breathe, let alone move. Clara runs around, making sure everything and everyone is in place. Vi stands with me—I'm too scared to sit—and mumbles the occasional reassurance every few moments like a pre-recorded program.

When the text comes, I'm almost too nervous to pick up my phone. What if I chip my French manicure? Vi rolls her eyes and picks up the phone for me. "God, Kacie, you're not made of porcelain. Relax!"

"I just don't want to do anything to f*ck up this day."

"Stressing to the point of immobilization is the only thing threatening to f*ck up this day." She scrolls through my texts. "Lover boy says he can't wait to see you. He's fantasizing about you. He… Oh my, he sent a cock shot. He is as huge as you said."

I grab the phone from her and check it myself, and she just laughs.

"Figured that would get you moving again," she says.

No cock shot. Which is good, since I definitely don't want Vi checking out my soon-to-be husband. And a little disappointing, because… well… sexy cock shot from soon-to-be husband would have been yummy.

Guess I'll have to make do with memories. And future plans.

My parents are here, and my sister, who is also a bridesmaid, is helping Clara with something. I think mostly Clara is helping keep Jessica out of my way, which I appreciate. I can't handle too many people right now.

The Donovans went all out in decorating their home for my special day, and I'm in awe of how it's turned out. We debated between an indoor or outdoor wedding, and opted for indoors so I could come down their winding wrought iron staircase, now tastefully decorated with reds and silvers, the colors of our wedding in honor of the holiday season.

We won't get snow, sadly, but I'll settle for Christmas decorations.

Clara and my sister come back in and close the door behind them. "It's almost time," Clara says. "Are you ready?"

I nod, the pearls around my head tapping my forehead as I do.

Tate barges in and grins broadly. "Sis, you look stunning. Just had to see you before you make your big entrance."

He kisses my cheek, whistles to the bridesmaids and then exits as fast as he entered.

I look at my maid of honor and bridesmaids, each lovely in their red gowns carrying white roses. I've got red roses with white baby's breath. The contrast is stunning.

And against everyone's advice, particularly my mother's, I'm of course wearing the red shoes that have been with us every step of the way.

I peek down at them and then let my dress fall to the floor as Vi straightens me out and gives the okay to follow them down the staircase.

The live music begins, and the groomsmen meet each of the women at the top of the stairs and walk them down. I wait until the cue, and then meet my dad at the top, where no one can yet see me. He looks at me, and his eyes gloss over. "My little girl. You're all grown up. You look beautiful sweetheart."

"Thank you."

I will not cry. I will not cry.

Despite using waterproof makeup, I'm not convinced I won't look like a raccoon by the end of the ceremony. The only hope for me is not to cry.

I will not cry.

As we walk down the stairs, slowly, deliberately, in pace with the music, I search through the crowd until I see Sebastian standing in the center under the arch of flowers next to the pastor and his groomsmen.

Sebastian made Tate his best man. I would have made him my best man and broken all tradition—as was our plan since we were children—but he loves Sebastian so much, and my husband-to-be needed some padding on his side, so we broke with our plans after all.

As my eyes lock with Sebastian's and I see the love on his face and the joy he feels in seeing me, my heart swells.

And I know, no matter what else may happen in our lives, I'm looking at my forever.

And this time, I won't forget a moment of it.





Chapter 39


Déjà Vu


Our bed is disheveled in a way that only all-night f*cking can accomplish. Empty bottles of Don Pérignon litter the high-end hotel room I've woken up in.

"Seems we had a bit too much to drink last night," Sebastian says with a smirk.

I'm holding one red shoe as I stare at this naked man in front of me. Tall. Dark. Sexy as sin.

"I can't find my other shoe," I tell him.

He strides toward me, water still glistening on his body from his recent shower. "I'm sure I can help you look. Later."

He touches me so gently, sending shivers up my spine, and my body instinctively arches into him. Even after an evening marathon of sex, I can't get enough of this man.

"Aren't we going to be late for our flight?"

"We have time," he assures me, pulling me back toward the bed.

I drop the red shoe, no longer caring where its partner is.

Heat throbs in my belly as he slides my panties off with ease. "You look good enough to eat," he says.

My legs spread as I lean back against the pillows. His head dips between my legs, his tongue teasing my labia.

"I need more than that," I tell him, grabbing his hair and pushing him harder against my clit.