The Reluctant Bride (Arranged Marriage #1)(61)

“Why did you do that?” I ask once he pulls away from me.

“Kiss you?” When I nod, he continues, “Because I wanted to.”

A family member approaches us, pulling Perry away from me and immediately into conversation. Their voices grow distant as I become lost in thought, imagining myself walking down the aisle toward this man in my fairy-princess gown, the veil shielding my face, wearing the earrings he gave me.

Without thought I take off one earring, then the other, settling them on the table. Then I grab my new earrings and carefully slip them on, my lobes drooping slightly from the weight of them. I drop the earrings I originally wore into the now empty box and slip the lid back on, shoving the tiny box into my pink clutch.

I pick up my phone from where I left it on the table and open the camera, flipping the lens so I can see myself. I turn to the left, then the right, admiring the earrings. The way the tiny diamonds sparkle in the light.

They’re stunning. I can’t believe they’re mine.

I can feel him watching me and I quickly look over at him to find he’s actually not watching me at all, still in conversation with his sister’s husband, and it seems almost…tense.

As if they don’t like each other.

I suppose that’s normal, though Perry seems to get along with everybody.

He slips his arm around me yet again, his hand sliding over to briefly rest at my nape, fingers tracing down along the sliver of my back exposed by the dress. Down, then up. Slowly. Again and again. I flush at that seemingly innocent touch, my entire body growing hot and I dip my head, briefly closing my eyes.

What would it be like, to have Perry actually touch me? His hands everywhere. His mouth…everywhere.

I would come completely undone. I know I would.

From the beginning, I told myself I didn’t like him. I would never like him. But if he continues to listen to me, to give me gifts, to touch me like he is at this very moment…

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to resist.





Chapter Twenty-One




Perry


I’m in a hell of a predicament, one I didn’t believe I’d be in so quickly.

I really want to fuck my future wife.

Dying to fuck her actually.

Giving her those earrings, watching her reaction was like a gift to myself. She was so damn happy, practically wiggling in her seat when she popped the lid off the box and saw what was inside.

Wait until she sees the matching necklace. I’ve arranged to have it delivered to her hotel room tomorrow morning while she gets ready, and now, I regret my plan. I’d rather see her face when she opens the box. All that pure joy sparkling in her eyes, aimed right at me…

Been sitting here with a semi ever since.

I scrub a hand across my tense jaw, listening to Lucian Morelli rattle on about how much he hates my brother. The fact that he’s even at my wedding rehearsal dinner tonight is outrageous enough—but this is what happens when your sister falls for our family’s mortal enemy.

You end up somehow inviting said mortal enemy to your most intimate family affairs.

The fact that he’s also complaining about my brother doesn’t help matters. And I’m pretty much fucking done listening to him.

“Been great talking to you, Lucian, but I’ve got to go,” I tell him. “The future wife here wants to show me her hotel room.”

Charlotte actually leans over, her breasts brushing against my arm as she smiles politely at my brother-in-law, playing along with my lie. “I don’t mean to take him from you, but…”

“By all means, go,” Lucian urges gruffly, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. “A little pre-wedding sex always calms the nerves.”

I don’t bother acknowledging Lucian’s sex statement and neither does Charlotte. Instead, we do our best to make our escape, stopping to talk to the few people who remain in the private room, including my mother.

“Already leaving?” she asks.

I nod, settling my hand at the small of Charlotte’s back. “We have to get to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”

The words bed and Charlotte conjure up all sorts of images in my brain. Every single one of them including raw, dirty fucking.

Probably shouldn’t want to defile my almost-wife, but damn. She’s fucking irresistible tonight.

“Indeed you do,” Mother murmurs, her gaze tracking my every movement. As if she knows I’m up to no good. “Good night, you two. Pleasant dreams.”

She hugs me and Charlotte and then, finally, we’re out of there.

“You don’t like your brother-in-law, do you,” she says to me once we’re completely out of the restaurant and walking in the corridor toward the front lobby.

“I don’t like anyone with the last name Morelli, or anyone related to them,” I mutter, shaking my head.

“Bad blood between your families?”

“The worst.”

“He was familiar to me.”

Irritation fills me. “Who? Lucian?”

She nods. “I don’t think I’ve met him before, but maybe I have? I’m not sure. He definitely reminds me of someone.”

“There are Morellis crawling all over this city. I’m sure you’ve come across one or two.”