Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“Maybe. But his big mouth is guaranteed to cause trouble for you down the road.” Dante’s brows knitted into concern. “He doesn’t need to pat himself on the back quite so hard for doing his fucking job.”
“He’s proud,” I insisted.
“Too proud,” Dante added with a dark scowl on his face. “Just be careful that his mouth doesn’t ruin something good.”
“This isn’t like you and Lucy.”
Dante grinned. “If you say so, Alex.” He smoothed my lapels and took a step back, assessing my appearance until he was pleased. “You look as good as you’re going to. Good luck, man.”
I accepted his handshake with a grin. “I guess this is really happening.”
“It is,” Dante grinned. “Too late to back out now.”
“No fucking way am I backing out.” An image of Sasha flashed in my mind, her sweet smile and sexy mouth, the way she wasn’t overly impressed with me and didn’t let me use my charm to win her over. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s get you married, then.”
Words I didn’t expect to hear for at least another decade, but when Dante spoke them, I didn’t feel fear or worry, only excitement.
Only joy.
And anticipation.
Chapter 30
Sasha
“Inow pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant said with a proud smile. “You may now kiss your bride.”
I hardly remembered the wedding ceremony other than this last moment and the officiant’s proud smile, which was probably for the best. To think, I was falling in love with this selfish jerk and he was planning to rent an apartment to keep up his whorish ways. Anger rushed through my veins as humiliation burned through my flesh at the way I defended him to my parents last night, the hope I held in my heart—however secretly—that what we had would become more. I tilted my head up with a half-hearted smile to accept Alex’s kiss because that was what was expected of me. That was part of the deal and I was a woman of my word.
Alex kissed me like he meant it, like the vows we repeated meant something to him. He cradled my face in his big hands and smiled down at me with something that looked a lot like love in his deep green eyes. A foolish woman, or rather one who hadn’t heard the post-nuptial plans, would have swooned at the words.
Instead, I bit the inside of my jaw to stop the tears that threatened to fall. I wanted to cry because the words I said to my parents were true, the feelings I conveyed were genuine. I loved Alex and he did see me. He saw me for who I was and he appreciated that. He didn’t want me to change, but he also just didn’t want me.
That’s fine, I told myself as Alex lowered his mouth to mine. He didn’t have to love me, it was his right to fall for whomever captured his heart. I wouldn’t punish him for not sharing my feelings because that wouldn’t be right. And there was no need to punish him when my feelings would be punishment enough. I accepted Alex’s kisses but I didn’t return it the way I would have last night. It was a chaste kiss perfect for a wedding, and that was all I had in me to give.
Alex pulled back with a look of confusion on his face, but ever the professional he shrugged it off, clasped our hands together as we walked into the blazing Texas sun.
“We did it,” he whopped. “We’re married!” Alex’s excitement was contagious even though I knew it was an act. He picked me up and spun me around. “Ready to celebrate?”
I wanted to say yes—badly. It was impossible to look into his joyful expression, his inviting smile and shit all over it on today of all days, but I just didn’t have it in me to pretend. Not today. Now right now. I extricated myself from Alex’s strong hold the moment we were alone and took a few steps back to gain some distance.
“Sasha?”
My smile was sad and heartbroken because that’s exactly what I was. “I’m not really in the mood.”
Alex frowned, his hands cupping my jaws as his eyes examined me for any sign that all wasn’t right with me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” I sighed. “The wedding is over, we are officially married now.”
“Exactly why we should be celebrating.” His smile never wavered and I realized what a practiced liar my husband was.
“You don’t have to pretend anymore, Alex.” I motioned around the bridal suite, empty except for us. “I can now go back to my job and you,” I patted his chest gently and tried for a grin I didn’t feel. “You can head to your secret apartment and celebrate your life going on as usual.” I wanted to say more, to tell him that I would have given him everything if only he wanted it, but I couldn’t. Another rejection would be too much to handle so I looked away and then I walked away, holding my tears at bay while I stopped to accept well wishes and words of congratulations from our wedding guests.