Wedding Day
It takes me a moment to gather myself. My blood is rushing through me and I squeeze my legs tight before moving and dressing.
I only put on a pair of sweats and a t–shirt and then wander through, the house, my footsteps quiet against the hardwood floors.
The heat of the moment and of Jake’s touch have vanished and all that’s left is a terrible embarrassment. The last thing I want to do right now is talk to mother.
On her wedding day.
On their wedding day.
I blow out a steady stream of air, hoping it will lessen the ache in my chest.
My mother is nowhere to be found, and with each empty room I check, I am more relieved.
I don’t want to apologize. I didn’t want to be there with Sadie on Zaid’s arm. My cheeks heat, remembering how he watches me as I rode Aiden.
Fuck, what are these men doing to me? Why do they all make me feel things I have never felt before?
I search for a few more minutes, but I decide she’s probably busy with last–minute things and getting ready. At least, if she’s not full on avoiding me.
I decide to call it quits and head back up to my room. I pick up mine and Aiden’s clothes from last night. There’s no time to dwell on this shit show. For now, I need to pull myself together and get ready for the ceremony.
The hot water of the shower scalds my skin, but it washes away some of the tension knotting my shoulders. Steam curls around me as I try to clear my mind. The day feels like it’s happening to someone else.
My mother is getting married.
To Jake.
1/4
Wedding Day
The thought sends a strange, bitter taste to the back of my throat, and I shake my head, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.
I’m surprised when a sob racks through me and I cover my mouth. It’s all too real.
Mother marrying again really means dad is dead. Which is such a dumb thing to cry about now. He hasn’t even been gone for two years yet, I run my fingers over my scar and my
entire body shakes with my cry.
It’s insane that this is making me lose it. I don’t want to feel this.
I quiet and dry off, wrapping myself in a towel as I settle in front of my vanity. Slowly, methodically, I start on my makeup. Light, dewy foundation, a soft shimmer on my eyelids, and a bold, red–toned lipstick. My hair is next. I sweep it up into a sleek bun, leaving a few strands loose to frame my face in soft waves.
Once my hair and makeup are finished, I turn to the dress hanging on the back of my door. The green fabric gleams in the dim light, silky and enticing. I slip it on; the material clinging to my body like a second skin.
The slit runs daringly high, brushing the curve of my hipbone as I adjust the fit. I twist my lips. The band of my black thong is visible and I hike it up more to see if it will adjust.
I turn around. The back plunges low, skimming down to my tailbone, leaving me feeling
exposed.
I can’t wear this dress. It’s terribly out of my comfort. With a sigh, I smooth the dress down, turning slowly to study my reflection.
The girl in the mirror looks bold. Exactly what I don’t feel right now.
A knock on the door jolts me out of my thoughts.
“Alina?” Aiden’s voice comes through.
I take one last glance at myself in the mirror, swallowing the lump in my throat. When I
open the door, Aiden stands there, leaning casually against the frame. His eyes sweep over
me, widening slightly as his mouth quirks into a lopsided smile.
“You look…” He exhales softly, his gaze lingering for a second too long. “Incredible.”
2/4
Wedding Day
“Thanks,” I say, trying to suppress the heat rising to my cheeks.
He presses a hand to my chest, pushing me into the room as he closes the door behind him. “There’s only one problem.”
I frown at him. “What?”
He smirks, dropping down to his knees in front of me. I watch him with a quirked eyebrow. He hooks a finger on the band of my thong. “It would look so much better without these.”
I shake my head. “No, Aiden.”
He’s dragging them down my legs.
“I can’t go commando!”
He grabs my ankles, one by one, and makes me step out of them. “Oh, yes you can, and
it’s fucking sexy.”
“Aiden,” I grit.
He shoves the front of my dress skirt to side and presses a kiss to my pussy, “Perfect.”
I glare at him as he adjusts my dress and stands up. He leans to kiss me, but I stop him. “You’re going to ruin my makeup.”
He rolls his eyes, but doesn’t try to kiss me again.
“Did you get into more trouble after this morning?” I ask as I fix his hair.
His eyes harden, and he turns from me to sit on the edge of my bed. “Dad’s gonna make me start paying for my car.”
I snort. “That’s such a privileged punishment.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Oh, yeah, what was your punishment?”
I clear my throat, trying not to think about the way Jake wants to punish me. “I have to apologize to my mother.”
3/4
Wedding Day
Aiden raises an eyebrow but shrugs. “That sounds terrible.”
I nod, forcing a smile. “Yeah, terrible. Let’s go.”
He stands and offers me his arm, and I loop mine through his as we make our way downstairs, the sound of faint chatter and laughter filtering in from the backyard. With every step closer to the ceremony, my stomach churns, but I keep my nerves in place.
Aiden leans toward my ear and whispers. “Zaid isn’t bringing Sadie today. You’re safe.”
That’s good news, but the thought of Zaid alone is enough to make me shudder.
