Reckless Abandon(93)

The look on their faces as Leah was walking down the aisle and Adam waiting impatiently for her to get to him was breathtaking. As excited as she was all morning, Leah was nothing but calm and composed at the thought of marrying the man she loves. Adam had tears in his eyes as she came toward him, the two wearing matching grins. When she made it to the altar they grabbed onto each other’s hands and I swear they’ve been glued to each other since. Eighty guests watched them exchange “I dos” and promise forever to each other.

Everyone should be loved as much as they love each other. Have I ever been? Lord knows I have felt more loved by a man in the last few weeks than I have in my entire life. He may not have uttered the words but Alexander has shown it repeatedly.

Maybe I was wrong for not fighting for him. Alexander’s never had someone fight for him. The man has abandonment issues and I did the worst thing—I abandoned him.

As soon as pictures are over and we make it to the reception hall, I run up to the bridal suite. I have to call him. I need to tell him I was wrong.

While Leah and Adam mingle with guests at the cocktail hour, I lock myself in the bathroom of the bridal suite and take out my phone. I let it ring.

And ring.

And ring.

Until I get voice mail.

He didn’t pick up. He always picks up the phone when I call him. Am I too late? Has he given up on us?

This isn’t something I was planning on saying to his voice mail but I am so inspired right now by Leah and Adam’s love and the complete feelings of forever I have for Alexander I can’t hold back. When the beep comes on the other line I start to talk.

“Alex. I . . . I’m so sorry. I should have brought you with me. I should have fought for you. I have been blaming you for leaving me in Italy but I did worse to you. It’s so much worse because . . . I love you. This is probably the least romantic way to tell you but I am in love with you, and I wish you were here. I’m miserable. I need you, and I want you. You should be here with me. I just—call me back. I need to hear your voice.” I am about to hit the red end button when I throw in, “It’s Emma by the way. Okay . . . bye.” I hang up and then feel like a total fool.

So much for the controlled Emma. I am seriously losing it.

I make my way to the banquet room and stand in line outside the doors with the rest of the bridal party getting ready to be introduced. I am paired with Adam’s brother, Landon, and when our names are called we walk in with our arms raised, dancing to the music and the crowd cheers. We take a spot on the dance floor and clap along to the song playing as the DJ introduces “for the first time, Mr. And Mrs. Adam Reingold.”

The room erupts in louder applause as the bride and groom come in arm-in-arm with foolish grins, fist pumping in the air. The music goes from a fast-paced dance beat to a slow country love song they chose for their first dance.

My mind keeps on wandering to thoughts of Alexander. I wish I had my cell phone with me. I left it upstairs in the bridal suite and now I can’t stand the thought of possibly missing his call. My arm is pulled and I look over to see Landon motioning for me to join him on the dance floor. Apparently the bridal party was called to dance. I am so lost in thought I didn’t even hear the DJ make the announcement. I take his hands and start to dance. Around us the dance floor starts to fill with more people and soon almost all the guests of the wedding are on the dance floor.

I feel so awkward dancing with Landon. His height is too short and his hands are too rough. His hand on my back feels tense and he has these light eyes that are so far from the beautiful golden ones I fell in-love with.

Golden eyes that are staring back into mine and tapping Landon on the shoulder.

“May I cut in?” Alexander asks from behind Landon who turns around and has to look up to answer him.

Without saying a word, Landon lets me go and backs away from the dance floor.

My mouth is wide open.

Alexander Asher.

He’s here.

He is standing right in front of me on the dance floor of my sister’s wedding. Wearing a black suit that showcases his perfect frame, hugging his broad shoulders and coming in at a tapered waist. A crisp white shirt offsets his gorgeous bronzed skin and a silver tie polishes off his extraordinary look. He is magnificent and powerful, commanding and exotic.

It is too much to take in.

He takes my limp hands that have fallen to my side and raises them, resting on his shoulder and cradles the other close to his heart as his other arm snakes around my waist and pulls me in.

I feel him sigh in relief as our bodies join.

I look up at him, still in disbelief that he’s really here. Maybe I’m dreaming. I move my left hand from Alexander’s shoulder to my neck and give my skin a squeeze.

The action causes him to laugh as if he knows what I’m doing.

I look back at him, tingles running up my back at what this all means.

“You’re here.”

“I’m here,” he agrees. His voice is in that smooth, deep baritone that makes me melt.

I swallow and continue to stare, now at his beautiful square jaw and full lips. “How?”

“There is this thing called an airplane—” he says in a sarcastic tone, but I cut him off by hitting his shoulder.

“I know all about that airplane. It’s beautiful by the way. I should be mad at you.”

“But you’re not.” His lip turns up in a smirk.