“How do you know Bliss?” he asks, clearly appraising me. I wonder if he’s close to Bliss. If he is, he could know who I am. I have to play it safe and not try to give him too much.
“We met through a mutual friend. Ashton. He’s my roommate.”
“The guy she took to the rehearsal dinner? The surfer?”
I laugh, because surfer describes Ashton perfectly. “Yeah, he’s Bliss’s friend. They met when she got here.”
“Oh, so you’ve only known her for a week?”
“Um . . . yeah. Why do I feel like I’m being interrogated?” I add a bad boy smile on the end. I won’t let this guy intimidate me.
“Sorry about that. I’m a cop. It’s not in me to shut it off. I’m also overprotective at times. My wife’s friends fall under my protection.”
“You have nothing to worry from me. Bliss is something special.”
I don’t owe this guy an explanation, but the thought of someone taking advantage of Bliss makes my insides burn.
Music starts up from the quartet in the corner of the outdoor patio. Flowers surround everything, and the gazebo is decorated with small lights. It’s dusk, and the backdrop of the setting sun makes it look like something out of a storybook.
The wedding procession begins, and we all swivel in our seats to watch the couples walk down the aisle. Three couples walk down before I see her. My breath catches in my throat, and I make a strangled noise before I realize it’s loud enough for people to hear.
She’s stunning. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. It’s taking all of me to stay seated and not go to her. The urge to wrap her in my arms and take her somewhere private is overwhelming.
“You’ve got it bad,” Grant whispers.
I can’t answer him. It’s like I’m being sucked into a vortex. Bliss’s plum dress hugs every curve on her body. The strapless neckline gives me flashbacks of what she looked like under me.
I shift in my chair, resisting the urge to adjust myself. My blood pulses loudly in my ears. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the ceremony.
She’s almost by me. Steps away from where I’m seated. Our eyes lock, and, for a moment, time stops. She hesitates when she sees me, the guy she’s arm-and-arm with giving her a face. I should punch him in the throat for even looking at her.
“Nice suit,” she mouths before smiling and taking her place in front of the altar.
The wedding march begins, and Cassy steps through the doors. Gasps and sounds of encouragement sound around the patio, but I don’t care. I only have eyes for the petite woman standing in front of me.
The ceremony lasts a grueling thirty minutes, and after the last girl leaves the long aisle, I get up, not caring who I bump into as I go in search of Bliss. I need to be next to her. Feel her with me.
She’s standing next to some people in the corner. Her posture is turned in and her bouquet has been discarded on the table next to her. A woman is talking to her, hands in the air and lips pursed.
“Hey,” I say, interrupting whatever was being said.
Her eyes light up as she takes me in. I would give anything to see her that happy every day.
“Who are you?” the woman asks in a curt tone. I don’t take my eyes off Bliss. The woman begins to tap her foot and Bliss sighs in exasperation.
“This is Carson, Mother. Carson, this is my mother, Margaret Meyer.”
I suppress a wince. Should have realized. I need to get out of here and fast. Breaking my gaze from Bliss, I put my hand out to shake Margaret’s. The scowl is still on her face until she looks down and notices my watch. I quickly pull away, but it’s too late. She’s already seen it.
Shit!
“Carson, such a pleasure to meet you. How do you know Bliss?” Her voice is devious. She sounds like my mother.
Please don’t recognize me.
“We met through a mutual friend.”
“And what brings you to Bordentown? Vacation?”
“No, I live here.”
An instant look of disgust crosses her face, and I’m relieved I won’t be the focus of her attention any longer.
Bliss grabs two glasses of champagne from the nearest waiter and pushes one into my hand. I take a sip, trying to find a way out of this conversation.
“Bliss! Carson! Come take a picture,” Grant yells from across the room. He’s holding a little girl’s hand. She’s adorable in her little white dress and flower crown.
“Sorry, Mother. We’ll be right back.” Bliss grabs her flowers and leads me over. A sigh of relief escapes me as we make our way over to the rest of the bridal party.
“Thank you,” I say to Grant.
He pats me on the back and turns to his wife.
“Want to take a walk?” I ask, leading Bliss into the adjacent room.
She gives me a coy smile, but follows.
As soon as the door is closed, I press her up against the wall and slam my lips down on hers. The scent of her travels all the way down to my cock. We devour each other. My tongue flicks out to caress the seam of her lips, begging for entrance. She parts her lips and I slip in, my tongue gliding against hers.
She moans into my mouth and wraps her hands around my neck, pulling me closer. I drop my hands to her waist, grinding into her. The fabric between us becomes increasingly annoying.
Breaking the kiss, she says, “We can’t do this here. It’s my brother’s wedding.”
I lean my forehead against hers and blow out a strained breath.
“You’re right.” I lean down and pick up the discarded bouquet from the floor, handing it to her. “But when this is over, you’re mine.”
She twists her hand in mine and disappears into the crowd toward the reception area. This is going
