AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His lips twitched. “I’ve been watching you.”
“I know.” If I were more practiced in flirting, I would have asked if he liked what he saw, but I wasn’t. I was rusty with the witty back and forth and the sexy innuendos. I was in over my head and questioning what I was doing in a hallway alone with a man this potent.
“You’re gorgeous.” His tone was filled with awe as his gaze slowly slid down my body, heating every inch of my skin at his perusal.
On Savannah’s wedding day, it was beyond satisfying to know that I’d attracted someone’s attention. I was dressed to blend in and not stand out, but he’d noticed, anyway.
I licked my suddenly dry lips. “Thank you.”
“Will I see you later?” His gaze returned to mine, the heat I’d seen banked there flaring to life, warming me from the inside out.
I shrugged, the casual motion belying my pounding heart. “I’m working.”
He tipped his head to the side, as if my reaction amused him. “Do you get some time off? Maybe at the reception?”
I nodded, unable to speak without my voice breaking. I usually took my break after the cake was cut. That was the unofficial time for everyone to let loose.
He touched his hand to my cheek, and all I could do was blink up at him when he said, “I’ll look for you.”
He winked again and walked away with a swagger I couldn’t tear my eyes from.
I should have said no. I should have told him I was a single mother, and he didn’t want to get involved with me. But I wasn’t looking for anything serious.
“Wait.” My voice was breathless. I rested a hand over my stomach to settle the butterflies.
He paused and arched a single brow over his shoulder.
“I don’t know your name.” Maybe it was better without one. It was easier to fuck a nameless guy and then never see him again. I’d pretend he was a fantasy.
Finally, he said, “Nick.”
He didn’t move, and I assumed he was waiting for me to reciprocate, so I said, “Abby.”
He smiled wide, seemingly satisfied at my reaction to him. “I’ll look for you later, Abby.”
This time when he walked away, I didn’t feel regret, only anticipation. And I loved the sound of my name on his lips. It was sinful, a promise of something delicious to come, and I was here for it.
He moved out of sight, and I sagged against the wall. When he focused on me, it was intense, like I was the only woman in the world. That feeling was addictive.
I’d indulge in Nick tonight, forget that I was a single mom with responsibilities, and enjoy an evening of freedom.
* * *
During the ceremony, I focused on getting the right angle, capturing the look in Ethan’s eyes when Savannah walked down the aisle. That one took my breath away because he’d already seen her in that dress. What would it be like for a man to look at me like that?
Nick had looked more like a guy who wanted to devour me.
I snapped a shot of Miles holding Ethan’s hand, so trusting and sweet, and the way Savannah’s dad dabbed at the tears in his eyes when he thought no one was looking. This was why I wanted to be a photographer. I wanted to memorialize the moments people forgot about later. They could look back on these images, and it would bring back every emotion they felt that day.
Occasionally, I noticed Nick watching me, but I tuned it out. I only had one chance to get the perfect wedding shots—the photos that would hang over the mantel and on the wall for years to come.
After the ceremony, I was consumed with bridal party pictures. Gia was a tremendous help, positioning everyone so I could stay behind the lens.
It was a reminder that I needed to hire an assistant. Lily and Sophie had both hired one as soon as we signed on to partner with Gia. I was more cautious about expanding my business. Relying on my income alone to support Hunter and me, I was conscious of not taking risks. Besides, I could do the job myself, even if it took longer.
The butterflies in my stomach never went away as I transitioned from the ceremony to the reception. There was this heightened anticipation that I’d see Nick later. Would he buy me a drink? Would he want to talk? Or would he want to take me to a room and have his way with me?
I kind of liked the latter option. I was always tired, and I just wanted to lose myself in the promise I saw in this man’s eyes.
