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Most of these people are family members of the De Leons. A few are friends of the bride.
But they’re all smart enough to avoid being nosy.
It also helps that Alvin and Natasha are keeping them busy with an impromptu toast while my heart feels as though it’ll beat out of my chest. I’m sensitive and in shock. I’m a little lost, too.
He seemed almost desperate. More possessive than he’s ever been.
What the hell is going on?
I thought he’d be happy with my decision to walk with Alvin. That he’d appreciate the distance—to not have to placate the lost puppy always following him around.
Was I wrong? Does he care?
Not that I’m given more time to dissect as a flushed Luna walks in with an apologetic look. “Sorry for the small delay, guys.”
“We’ll blame the groom,” Nat calls out and I flick my gaze in her direction, catching her eyes for a moment. She’s pulling Alvin behind her as she walks over to her cousin, but the quick glance my way warns me we’ll be talking later. As does the bride, so many questions in the quick wrinkle of her nose and raised brow, but I’m not going to make today about me. They each share a quick kiss on the cheek and whisper something low so no one else hears, and then they nod. “All right, folks. Let’s get me hitched and calm Thiago down. He’s not a patient man…something that runs in the family.”
The dig is clear, but other than Ivan clearing his throat, nothing happens.
“Yes, please. Let’s line up and be ready to walk in five.” Mercedes, the wedding planner, claps once and then lifts her tablet, pointing at pairs to come over. “Same placement as last night.”
One by one, the matched partners move into place, and I follow, coming over to Luna first for a quick hug. “You ready to become the chain to his balls?”
“I was born to be.” Her sassy response earns a chuckle from her brother-in-law who also gives her a small hug after I pull back. They don’t exchange words, but the quick glare she sends his way makes the man nod once and then retake his place beside me, hand on my lower back.
The heat sears me. Feels so good.
But I fight the shivers back—how much I want to kiss him.
Because I heard him today. Those words while hovering over my core, they’re something that I can’t ignore, forget, or even begin to comprehend. They make no sense.
One minute I’m an obligation. Reduced to a nuisance.
And now…?
Truth is, I still don’t know. There’s also this hint of betrayal that looms at the edge of my mind: what game is he playing? What do you want from me?
Our stares meet then as if pulled by an inexplicable force, and time once again stops for me. I love this man, always have, but those doubts, that for years I’ve buried deep, can’t be contained. My mind and heart are at war, fighting for domination now that the lull of my orgasm has faded, and I feel as though I’m being split in two.
“We’re up next, Mermaid.” My heart stutters at that, and the two low gasps from my girls mean they heard this too. That in my confused state, I didn’t make this up. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Because what else can I say? Not at this moment. So instead, I take the bridal bouquet of white calla lilies he’s holding out for me, no clue when or who gave this to him, and then shift forward.
Those behind me are staring. I can feel it.
I’m just as lost as they are.
“…your hand,” Ivan whispers, bending a bit to my level and his warm breath caresses my cheek. This time, I can’t control the shiver. “Amberlyn?”
“Huh?”
“Your hand, sweetheart. We’re up.”
A throat clears, and it’s like I snap back into place on autopilot. My hand wraps around his elbow and in a few steps, we’re over the threshold, the warm ocean breeze flowing all around us. He leads me toward the beautifully decorated arch, our movements in sync while his brother stands upfront by himself and anxious.
You and me both, buddy.
At that moment—heck, since he handed over the flower—it’s like my mind has disconnected from my body and I move without conscious thought. Something’s wrong here. I know it, but can’t seem to shake it off.
