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Everyone coos and ahhs when Bear appears, his little tux still in perfect condition. He tosses all of the rose petals in the first few feet, then decides on a gracious beauty queen wave the rest of the way to the altar, eliciting laughter from the guests. I wear a smile the entire time, making sure I keep my focus on my sister and Deuce. It’s their day, but I can't deny, my eyes itch to roam to Dolly, to take in the sight of her wearing that dress from another angle.
It isn’t until the rings have been exchanged and the bigkiss is over that I’m able to look her way, and that’s because Bear runs to her when he’s done. He sails into her open, waiting arms, and she tucks her face into his neck, patting his back. The words on her lips are clear as day to read.You did so good. I’m so proud of you.
The blood in my brain starts moving south at the sight.
And she never once looks to see if I’m watching, or even glances my way. She slides him off her lap, waffles their fingers together, and leads him to the reception area. It renders me motionless amidst the celebrations and cheers around me.
I want Dolly.
I know it now.
But my trust issues have me stuck in cement boots, scared to go for what I want. Dolly’s got secrets, and I don’t know how deep they run, but I can’t do secrets again. I can’t have a relationship with someone who isn’t my best friend. My wife will be my world, and I want to be hers. Call me selfish, but that’s what I want. That’s what I want Bear to experience for his role models, too.
All thoughts on my love life are put on pause as I begin greeting guests, showing them to the reception area, and accepting a slew of congratulations on Deuce's behalf. I don’t see much of Dolly at dinner, but glance her way a few times as Bear chose to sit with her and her sisters. He alternates from her lap to his own chair, and they share a piece of cake, and the entire night, I can’t stop watching her.
She’s so beautiful and charming. There isn’t a person here that didn’t walk away from a conversation with her without wearing a smile. She knows how to talk Bear down from his fits, and she’s content being with herfriends and family under the stars on a cool Saturday evening. She thrives in Bluebell, and her bare feet and gentle waves have me dreaming of quiet Sunday mornings with the paper, her body nestled into mine, the kids playing quietly by the fire.
Kids.
I pull my hat from my head and lay it on my chair, getting to my feet. It’s the end of the night, I’m three whiskeys and two glasses of champagne deep, but there is no buzz in my veins, no ringing in my senses, no dips in reality or fuzzy, foolish happiness. I feel sober as ever as I tread through the dwindling sea of wedding guests, toward Dolly, who appears to be tipsy as she dances with Deuce. Everly and Bear are sharing a dance, and I did promise Dolly a dance.
Deuce peers at me over his shoulder, and grins in a way that makes my blood pump a little quicker. “Dol, might I pass you off?” he says, his mouth close to her ear. So close that her blonde hair sticks to his scruffy chin, and this man just married my sister, but still, a bout of jealousy surges through me.
He spins her, and her glassy, red-rimmed eyes meet mine. The way her entire face and body softens at the sight of me has my cock hard and my chest tight.
“Dolly,” I greet, taking Deuce’s place.
“I wanted to dance with you all night,” she breathes, her eyes fluttering closed as she closes the inches between us, sinking into my chest. “Put your arm around me, tight. Hold me close like we’re really slow dancing.” Her words are so light, they’re almost a sigh, and the way her hands cling to my back have me following her commands, wrapping her up so tight I feel her hard nipples through my dress shirt.
“Did you have a nice time tonight?” I ask her, lowering my head to reach her ear. She’s tiny in my arms, and the urge to protect her and keep her safe has overwhelmed me since the day she broke the vase. Seeing her bloody and upset made me realize how much I love seeing her happy. With her tiny body pressed to mine, the stars casting an ethereal glow over the scene, the desire to keep her safe for her entire life engulfs me, powerfully. I tighten my arms around her, and a tiny sigh slips free from her plump lips.
“That’s nice,” she sighs. “And yes, I had a nice time tonight. Did you?”
I see Dolly in my mind, her bare feet tucked into the dirt, that dress clinging to her hips and ass. “Great time, yeah.”
She hiccups. “I drank alcohol tonight.”
I peer down at her, hating the way my cock loves the subtext. Dolly doesn’t usually drink alcohol, except once she told me she drank a bottle of champagne. She’s never given me a reason why she doesn’t usually, but I’ve always known she doesn’t drink. I like that about her. But tonight, she drank. And I like that she’s admitting it quietly, like being a bad girl is just for me.
“How was it?” I ask, hoping she doesn’t shift in my arms and brush against my erection.
“Bitter. But… I like feeling swimmy,” she says, her voice growing more and more distant. I glance down at her, surprised by the way I feel. I love how she looks tucked against me, and erection aside, I love how it feels, too. Howshefeels.
“How many drinks did you have?” I ask, realizing now that she’s not just buzzed but drunk. I slow our dancing andtake her chin in my hand, tipping her face to mine in the moonlight. “You have any water, Dahlia?”
Her tongue darts out, swiping her lips, stealing some of my finger, too. “Hmmm,” she hums, eyes fluttering closed, sinking her face into my hand.
“I think I should get you home,” I tell her, looking over her head, searching for Juniper or Ivy. But I recall them saying goodbye, so they’re likely home.
“I think your sisters are home, so I’m gonna take you there and tell them to get you into bed.” I push blonde hair from her face, stifling a groan at how good she smells.
“Juniper sleeps with earphones on,” Dolly tells me as I link my arm through hers, nodding to Deuce in the distance. “And Ivy didn’t go home. She went out.”
“All right,” I tell her, “I’ll get you inside and to your room.”
Dolly’s bedroom.The thought of being in her space has my skin hot. Nothing is happening tonight because she’s drunk and we need to talk but… still, I will be spending time with that farmers market photo tonight.
The front door is unlocked, which I don’t really like. I make a plan to lock it with a key on the way out, and return the key to Juniper tomorrow, along with a healthy lecture. Dolly’s legs go a little wobbly in the entryway of her dark, quiet house, so I scoop her up, keeping her safe against my chest.
