The Master (The Game Maker #2)(81)

Jess and Natalie had told me to join them at three to get my makeup and hair done with the bridal party, but even after last night, I hadn’t wanted to impose. Now that it was closing in on five, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to show and see if Jess could use some last minute help.

Máxim took in my appearance.

I’d knotted my hair in a high, loose bun and looped my pearls around my neck to make a choker. Matching pearls adorned my ears. I wore minimal makeup. Against the color of my unforgettable dress, my eyes appeared amber, so I played that up with a smidge of soft tawny eye shadow.

But would he approve of my gown? “Well?”

When the designer had first suggested yellow to highlight my tan and my eyes, I’d scrunched my nose, predicting a more conservative crowd here. Then I’d tried on the simple, strapless sheath dress and fell in love.

Máxim’s gaze turned heated, his lips parting. “You are . . . exquisite, solnyshko.”

Seeing his reaction and knowing his past, I was glad I’d chosen vibrant and bold.

He met my eyes. “And you’re mine.”

I swallowed. He’d meant every word last night.

Just when I got excited, he said, “Give me ten minutes, Miss Marín.” Miss. “Let me grab a shower, and we’ll go down.”

“I thought I’d go see if Natalie and Jess needed anything.”

Tension stole through his body. “Are you . . . are you avoiding me after what I told you?”

I leaned down to cup his face. “No.” I kissed him, brief, hard. “They asked me to be there two hours ago, but I held off. Then I started getting worried about Jess’s wedding coordination today. I need to make sure that Natalie has a wingwoman. After all she’s been through, she deserves to have the most fantastic wedding.”

“Ah. I see.” He stretched his arms over his head, making my mouth water. “I’m glad you hit it off with them. Go. I’ll see you soon.”

Out in the lodge, I headed toward the pavilion. I found the bridal party in an adjoining drawing room by following the sound of laughter. Inside was crowded. I skirted past bridesmaids and friends, hair stylists, makeup artists, photographers, and a videographer to get my first look at Natalie. My jaw dropped.

Her ivory gown must’ve been taken straight from a fairy tale. The dramatic, backless work of art had a skirt of flowing silk chiffon, with tints of pink that made her pale skin shimmer. She wore her long red hair up, loosely pinned and dotted with pearls, wisps curling around her beaming face.

I exclaimed, “Dios mío, tan guapa! You’re so beautiful!”

She blushed and waved me over. “You’re one to talk—you should always wear this color! I’d hug you, but Jess has forbidden me to touch anyone wearing makeup. Or to follow anything shiny. Or to sweat.”

“Is there anything I can get for you?”

“It’s all good, just as long as Jessabel doesn’t catch me eating.”

I saw Jess then. She wore the same soft pink dress as the other bridesmaids, only hers had a plunging neckline to reveal cleavage.

She pointed at me. “You are smokin’ hot in that dress, mamí. Come give me sugars. That limo’s walking as bowlegged as Polly, amirite? Fucking Russians. Grab some bubbly. Catch up.”

I guessed we’d smoothed over our tiff. One day, though, I would make her understand the law of diminishing returns.

I snagged a couple of flutes off a server’s tray, handing one to Natalie. After a sip, I knew champagne remained a no-go for me.

“Were you eating a pastry?” Jess demanded of Natalie. Stern Jess was a force of nature. “Don’t you dare touch that gown with your grubby Natalie paws. You might have no appreciation for couture, but I spent tens and tens of thousands of your dollars on this! You could at least be appreciative.” She turned to snap her fingers at Polly. The girl tripped over herself and everyone else to get to Jess—who promptly tugged her bodice down to a sexier height. “What are we? Fucking Amish, like Cat?”

No longer! I stuck out my tongue at her.

Rebecca wended through the packed room to reach Natalie. Her eyes watered at the sight of her daughter. “My little girl.” She sniffled.

“Oh, Mom,” Natalie said in an aggrieved tone, but she was grinning widely.

When Rebecca’s tears began to fall, Jess snapped, “She’s not walking the plank; she’s merely getting married—to a shady Russian mail-order groom. Did you take the pill I gave you? Take the pill. And I will tongue-check you.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes behind her glasses. “Just to stop you from haranguing me, Jessica!” She plucked something out of her clutch, holding it up with a defiant look.

Jess’s eyes went wide. “Hold up—”

But Rebecca was already washing it down with champagne. “It’s just a Valium, right?”

Jess shook her head no as she said, “Yes, absolutely. In theory.” Oh, Dios mío.

Rebecca thought she was joking. “Now can I cry over my little girl?”

“Ask me that again in twenty, Becks. . . .”

After that, we all chattered about nothing in particular, everyone excited, spirits high. I wished I could have had an experience like this, surrounded by friends and family for such an important event.

“All right, ladies.” Jess clapped her hands. “T minus fifteen. Bathroom? Anyone? Speak now—or forever hold your piss.”