Alicia
"Basta, Alicia!" my father hisses, tugging gently on my arm, silently commanding me to sit in my chair. "Estás avergonzando."
I sigh and sit in the seat opposite my husband-to-be, shamefully staring down at my plate after being scolded by my father as if I'm still a little girl.
"Oh, don't be silly. She's allowed to express how she feels."
I look up in shock to see Dominic's mother, Louise King, smiling back at me as she sweeps a blonde strand of hair away from her face.
"At least one of us is allowed to," Dominic grumbles as my father and brother take their seats to the right of me.
Michael nudges him and subtly shakes his head, showing that he disapproves of his son's snarky comment, and I smirk, enjoying the fact he obviously isn't happy to be here.
As everyone settles into their seats around us and a waiter comes over to take everyone's orders, I discreetly flick my gaze back to the man across from me, scanning his features and taking him in while he's distracted.
He's tall, easily over six feet with how he towered over my small frame when he stood up to greet us all. From the quick sweep I didof his body before he sat back down, I can tell he's got a muscular physique with the way he fills out his shirt and suit trousers.
His thick, dark hair is neatly cropped at the sides, but slightly longer and messier on the top. Sharp, dark brows drawn down in a frown that shadows his brown eyes, making them appear darker than they actually are. His nose is straight and narrow, along with sharp, chiselled cheekbones that add to his intimidating aura.
The dusting of stubble along his jaw has me intrigued as to what he'd look like in a couple days when it's grown out slightly, and I lick my lips as I picture it in my mind.
He's handsome, not that I'd admit it out loud.
My eyes trail down his arms, impressed by the muscles I can see hidden beneath his shirt. When my gaze catches on the three silver rings sporadically placed on both his hands that are tightly clasping the menu he's pretending to read, my brows raise in surprise.
I wouldn't have pegged him for the sort of man to wear jewellery.
He seems too clean and proper.
I wonder whether he has any tattoos hidden beneath his clothes.
"What are you having, Lissa?"
My father's voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I quickly tear my eyes away from Dominic, glancing down at the menu I've been holding.
"I'll just have the seared scallops with the baby spinach."
Folding my menu back up, I hand it over to the waiter and then reach for the bottle of white wine that's in the centre of the table, pouring a generous amount into my glass.
Dominic scoffs, and I glance up at him, narrowing my eyes.
"Problem?"
Before he can respond, Michael clears his throat and leans forward in his chair, resting his arms on the table.
"Perhaps we should start talking business already? Get that out of the way."
"Brilliant idea," my father adds, sending me a sharp glare which has me rolling my eyes.
"Why the sudden change so close to the wedding?" Dominic asks, his dark, curious gaze locked onto my father.
"Well, my eldest daughter didn't want to go through with the marriage, and I wanted to respect her wishes."
Lenny chuckles from beside him, and my father and I both sigh in response.
Dom's brows raise as he turns to my brother.
"You have something to add to that, Lenny?"
