I look around, watching as my sister and Luke take their first spin on the dance floor as husband and wife. The last twenty-four hours have been dramatic to say the least, thanks to the wedding planner, Brenda, in the corner, who looks like the cat who ate the canary. While we were able to keep the near catastrophe from Shae, the same can’t be said for Luke, and from what Tony told me, the steam billowed from his ears when he found out. I kind of wish I were the fly on the wall when it happened, but I was busy putting out fires and setting up the reception area, where we currently are now.
Brenda nearly screwed the pooch, taking her sweet time going to pick up the table linens and drive back. She came in like she saved the day, with a flare of dramatics as if the issue at hand weren’t her own fault. I rolled my eyes at her theatrics. My mother elbowed me in the ribs and hissed to watch my facial expression. Brenda attempted to be a drill sergeant, putting us to even more work, and while I’d do anything for my sister, it took a lot of peppermint candy as well as patience to deal with her. By the time we finished everything up, it was nearlymidnight, and all that needed to be done this morning were the floral arrangements.
I was dead on my feet when Tony met me at the hotel door, wrapped his arms around me, and told me Luke was on his way down. I’d winced until he told me Jude had to tell him what was happening. It’s hard to keep things quiet with a group this large, try as I might. Jude, Crew, and Matthew more or less let the cat out of the bag because their women are away from them. I get it. Now that I have Tony, it killed me. Okay, that’s a bit much, but I really did want to spend more time with him and couldn’t.
I’ve yet to hear exactly what went down between Luke and the wedding planner, but I’m sure I’ll hear about it soon enough.
The song ends before another starts, this one the father of the bride and mother of the groom dance. Tony slides his fingers down the side of my neck. Goose bumps appear on my flesh, and my eyes leave the dance floor and land on his.
“You did good, trouble. Real good, to pull off what you all did in the short amount of time. It looks fucking incredible, you look goddamn spectacular, and I can’t wait to get you on the dance floor and show you off.” He links his hand with mine, fingers lacing together, and gives me a soft squeeze.
“I had a lot of help. You never did say what Luke said to the wedding planner.” By the time I landed in his arms last night, tiredness took over. I had enough energy for a shower, to brush my teeth, and climb into bed, where I promptly conked out. My phone alarm blared to life entirely too early for hair and makeup. While none of us were standing up for Shae, we all still wanted to be there to see her through the whole process.
I also took it upon myself to make sure my sister had help getting dressed and praise whatever it is out there for the photographer because she and the entire crew she hired, including videography, are freaking amazing.
“He’s holding back until the end of the night, only to keep it from Shae. She still has no idea what went down, and I’m sure he’ll try to keep the majority of it away. I’m pretty sure finding another job in Whispering Oaks will be damn hard for her.” Wow, I’m kind of shocked Luke was able to hold back, but it makes sense. It would take some fast work to at least have someone oversee the festivities for today. I’d have done it if he had asked. The only problem with that is I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the winter wonderland of their wedding. And after being up to my eyeballs in fluffing Christmas trees, garland, and poinsettias for today, I think I’d rather not think about decorating my own house after the past twenty-four hours.
“I hate to say good, but for what they paid, I’m not sorry for having those thoughts,” I reply before taking the last sip of my peppermint delight, thankful that my winter drink of choice made it on the list. Clearly, I’m my sister's favorite.
“I think in this instance, you have every right to feel that way. Now, are you ready to take a spin with me on the dance floor?” It’s then that I’ve realized we’ve been talking through all of the obligatory dances a reception would have, and now they’re ready for guests to join in. This was the only traditional must-have that Shae insisted on: the dances. Other than that, she marched to the beat of her own drum.
“Yeah, I’d really like that.” Tony stands up, then he proceeds to help me do the same, keeping his hand on my lower back as we walk through tables with occupied guests. While a lot of them are friends from the guys’ group they grew up with, there’s also their parents, siblings, and the like. Then there are Tony and Luke’s work colleagues, who were invited, as well as extended family and friends. Hence the reason they rented the whole hotel.
“Come on, trouble,” he whispers in my ear, causing a shiver to skate down my spine. The dress I’m wearing is emerald-greenvelvet with a twist style front between my breasts, spaghetti straps, and maxi in length. The real show stopper is the figure-skimming skirt that ends with a center slit. I’ve noticed Tony glancing at my lap while we were sitting and his leg presses against mine.
“In case I didn’t tell you today, you look devastatingly handsome,” I tell him as he spins me in a circle, pulling me back in, and pressing us together so tightly nothing could slip between us, well, minus his firm thigh between my legs.Thank you, Shae, for telling me this dress is everything and more.As for Tony, he’s wearing a three-piece, black-on-black-on-black. The jacket, the pants, and the vest are all the same color, are the slim-style tie and button-down shirt. It emphasizes his dark looks and brings out his Italian heritage, making him that much hotter.
“And you look good enough to eat. You’re also beautiful, alluring, and mine,” he says in between kisses, making me fall a little bit more in love with him the more he talks. I like this side of Tony. I also like the man who talks dirty and does filthy things to my body. He’s the total package. And let’s not forget the man has no problem chasing after me whenever I get the urge to run.
“Thank you. Do you feel like getting out of here? I don’t think we’ll miss out on much.” Shae isn’t doing the cutting of a cake, isn’t tossing the bouquet, and Luke damn sure isn’t going to allow anyone to so much as glance beneath her dress to do the garter toss.
“I thought you’d never ask.” With that, he scoops me up and carries me out of the reception area, taking the attention away from my sister. And while I’d cringe or at least stuff my face into the crook of Tony’s neck, it’s kind of hard to do when she’s the one cheering the most. I swear the women in our group are like Cupid, always trying to set the single person up to find happiness like them. And for once, instead of teasing them about it, I’mlapping up the fact that it looks like I’m finding my happily ever after.
TEN
Tony
“Keeping my hands off you has been impossible.” I put Coralynn down on her feet once we’re inside the elevator. In doing so, a strap slides off her shoulder, giving me the perfect view of the upper swell of her breast.
“Then it’s a good thing you can do whatever you want with me now.” She takes a step back, fingertips trailing up the slit in her dress. Goddamn, am I kicking myself in the ass for not having Jude turn the cameras off. Between worrying about Coralynn being exhausted and getting up early to do her thing with Shae and the girls, plus us guys doing similar with Luke, I didn’t even think about telling Jude to cut the cameras.
“Hold that thought till we’re in the room, trouble.” I crowd her for the rest of the way, making sure to keep as much of her hidden as possible.
“You mean you can’t have Jude work his magic?” She sounds disappointed, and it’s exactly how I feel.
“Nope,” I reply, my lips coasting across the column of her throat. A soft mewl escapes her sweet lips, her hands move until they’re beneath my suit jacket, and she attempts to dig her nails in for purchase.
Coralynn’s eyes close, head tilting upward, and that’s when I feel it. The subtle dip in the elevator has me bracing our bodies, using the wall to hold her in place. I’m not sure if she feels or senses it with the way I keep at her throat, but I’m all too aware of what’s happening.
“What was that?” The elevator jolts again, barely more than a hiccup before it shudders to a stop. Her eyes open, locking on mine, and for a heartbeat, stopping in time, neither of us moves.
“Thinking you might need me to kiss you again.” I lick my lips, attempting to simmer down the nerves that are rolling off her in waves.
“Did… did we just stop? Are we stuck?” Her hands dig into my skin even more.
I glance at the panel near the door, noticing the unmoving numbers before offering a calm smile.
“Don’t pacify me, please. No doctor stuff right now. Just the truth.” My demeanor isn’t doing a damn thing to relax her.
