Malika was not going to miss out on opportunities.
The groom’s sisters and mother entered the church, accompanied by the bride’s grandmother.She’d asked Adeel about Belle’s mother but got an unsatisfactory answer.All she’d learned was that Shanda Jenkins Forsythe wasn’t welcome in Burning Scrub and had not been invited.
Jayce arrived late, a few minutes ahead of the bride, which was bad manners, or so Malika inferred.Jayce’s father leaped out of the pew so that Jayce and Malika were forced to sit together.She tucked the skirt of her gown out of harm’s way and edged closer to Adeel, giving him room.
Jayce’s handsome face turned red when he realized who he’d be sitting beside.He greeted his mother and Adeel, took his seat, then proceeded to ignore her and stared straight ahead.
He hadn’t ignored her last night.He’d stayed long enough that she knew he liked what he saw.And yet he’d turned her down.
A rage switch tripped in her head.She was second best to no woman, no matter how perfect that other woman might be.
Beau Jones entered the church through the sacristy, a small room off the altar.He caught Jayce staring and flashed him a grin.Then he winked.
Malika’s rage was forgotten.She went weak in the knees.Beau Jones.In all his blond-haired, blue-eyed perfection.She could feel the charisma from here.If he sang a love song for Belle, then she could die happy.
“He’s so dreamy,” she whispered to Jayce, because she knew it would annoy him, and annoying him was her new mission in life.
At least until the moon rose.
His jaw muscle tightened.She wriggled in satisfaction.
But the truth was, while Beau Jones might be excellent to fantasize over, he had nothing on Jayce.Beau was glitz and shine.The charisma was real.Jayce, though…
Jayce didn’t need glitz.He didn’t need shine.Jayce was a cowboy.He was hard muscles, no nonsense, and strength, with his own brand of charm—when he chose to employ it.
Malika was very conscious of all that muscle and strength by her side, even if it was currently lacking in charm.Maybe she should have approached things differently last night, but he was unlike the men in her world, and what her sisters had taught her about men wasn’t enough.
A man from her world would have known how to flirt.He would have acknowledged her invitation.He would have come to her bed and shown her how to please him, then pleased her in return.And if a man from her world had decided he wanted to keep her, he would have approached Adeel and pleaded his case.He would have paid mahr.
Jayce was not from her world.He likely knew nothing of mahr.
But he was a man.Surely, he must know something about how to please women.
Belle entered the church on Adam’s arm, looking breathtakingly lovely.Light from the stained-glass windows splashed color on her full-skirted gold dress.Adam delivered her to the front of the church and passed her to Beau.
And as Benny Jenkins delivered his blistering, long-winded, God-fearing sermon, Malika experienced firsthand how the uncomfortable pews came in handy to keep people awake.
Finally, they got to the vows.
The vows started off fairly standard.The groom promised to love, cherish, and hold his new wife until death, for better for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health.Malika understood that.
The audience participation was where things got confusing for her.
“Repeat after me,” Benny said to Belle.“I promise to love, cherish, and obey Beau until death, for better for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health.”
Adam interrupted.
“We spoke about this,” he said to Benny.“Belle’s not going to promise to obey Beau, not before or after he’s dead.”Adam’s face darkened.“And if he tries to make her obey him, she’ll have to do it after, because he’ll most definitely be dead.”
Belle touched Adam’s arm and spoke gently but firmly.“You and I talked about this too.You promised me there’d be no more threatening Beau’s life.”
“I wasn’t threatening him,” Adam protested.“That was a promise.”
Beau’s best man spoke up.His name was Leon, and according to Adeel, he was also Beau’s agent.Malika had doubts.He looked more like a prizefighter who’d signed on as an enforcer for the mob.She watched TV.
“The only promising that’s happening right now is between Beau and Belle,” Leon said.“Where’s the photographer?”He glanced over his shoulder.“Hey.Jeff.Move up closer, will you?Get a shot of them exchanging their rings.”
Beau took the ring from Leon, held Belle’s hand, and slipped the ring on her finger.He paused while the photographer took his shot.
