I was wrong.
So,sowrong.
I’m less “over it” than ever.
His hair is slicked back, dark and smooth as sin. His piercing gray gaze has me pinned, like I couldn’t move if I wanted to. Not that I particularly want to. After all, the view is pretty damn good.
His three-piece suit hugs him like it’s carved from marble. He’s wearing black—we decided I’d seen enough white and cream suits for a lifetime—and God above, if it doesn’t look spectacular on him… I’m dead serious. He should never be wearing anything else.
Well, except his birthday suit.
I let my eyes travel over his crisp shirt, so tight I can count the ridges in his rock-hard abs. His pants, pressed to perfection. His shoes, so shiny I can see myself reflected in them.
Then his cologne hits me, and I’m a goner.
I breathe in deeply. Notes of cedarwood and amber wrap around me, sinful and inviting.
Yes, I’m waxing poetic. But I feel like it’s a forgivable offense, considering how hot my husband-to-be is.
My husband-to-be.That thought makes the butterflies in my stomach go wild.
“Nothing.” I blurt the answer to his question without even remembering what it was. “Definitely, um. Not a thing.”
His perfect lips curl into a smirk. “Thought so.”
“Hi, Mommy!” Eli rolls down the window and waves at me from the backseat. In his arms, he’s holding a little pink bundle—his baby sister, Kira. “Did you get into school?”
Warmth spreads into every part of me. “I did.” I grin. “You’re looking at NYU’s freshest comeback student.”
“And hottest,” Yulian murmurs into my ear from behind.
A sweet shiver zaps down my spine. I desperately try to tamp down the surge of desire his husky voice makes me feel. “S-Shouldn’t you be at the venue?”
“Thought I’d give you the chance to change on the way.” His gaze grows darker. “For old times’ sake.”
“Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?”
“I don’t need luck.” He caresses my hand, trails the edges of the diamond on my finger. “I’ve already got you.”
Christ. If he doesn’t stop acting so much like—likehimself,we might not make it to our own wedding after all.
Thank goodness he brought the kids.
Speaking of…
“Hey there, baby girl.” A little gurgle comes in response. “Having fun with your big brother? Has he been showing you all the sights?”
“I’m teaching her the names ofallthe colors!”
“Good boy.” I don’t point out it’s way too early for that. Just seeing them like this, acting like the best of buddies only three months after Kira’s birth, is enough to make me feel fuzzy all over. “She’ll be the smartest kid in pre-K.”
“I hope so. I don’t want her to get bullied.” Sadness flits through Eli’s eyes, but only for a second. “Not like…”
My heart clenches. “She won’t be.” I press a kiss to the top of his head, then Kira’s. “And I promise you won’t be, either. Ever again.”
“I know.” He gives me a small smile. “Ally and Marcus are nice. And Daddy already said he’ll have a talk with anyone who tries to bully me.”
“Did he, now?”
