Van
Nearly fifteen years ago
As I opened the door to her dressing room, Madison turned with a gasp. Her emerald gaze softened as she took me in, scanning from my cheap rented shoes to the rented tuxedo. It wasn’t what I would choose to wear. It hadn’t been my choice.
“You aren’t supposed to see me.”
“I see you.” I waited for her response or a reaction to my voice. Relief came like a breath of fresh air as Madison smiled, the skirt of her wedding dress swooshing across the floor as she came closer.
When she stopped before me, I reached for one of the small golden curls dangling near her cheeks, watching as it sprang at my pull.
“The wedding is about to start,” she said, placing her petite hands on my shoulders.
She was every fucking thing I remembered and more. A woman like Madison deserved so much better than what she was about to get. I’d come with the plan to talk her out of this marriage.
However, now with my hands around her waist and her in my grasp, my plan was forgotten, replaced with the sweet scent of her perfume, the glow of her smile, and the desire in her emerald stare.
I lowered my voice, its cadence rumbling from my throat. “I couldn’t wait.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Her face tilted as she grinned. “It’s only a few minutes.”
My fingers splayed, bringing her closer. “I want everyone out there to know you’re mine.”
“I think they’ll get the picture when we say our vows.”
I peered down her neckline, at the shapely half globes visible. “I want you, Madison. I can’t wait.”
Rose filled her cheeks. “We agreed to wait. After…” Her head shook.
After her affair.
It wasn’t an affair. She wasn’t married or even committed. It had been more than that, more to me.
My finger landed on her painted pink lips. “We’ve waited.”
She sighed against my touch.
“I have something for you.” I reached into the pocket of the tuxedo and removed a velvet-covered box. “I want you to wear this during the ceremony.”
Madison took a step back and opened the box. She stared at the solitary diamond suspended upon a platinum chain. Her head shook. “It’s too much. How?”
“I called in some debts. You deserve this, Madison. One day we can replace the small diamond on your engagement ring. You deserve better.”
She looked from the necklace to the ring on her left hand.
For a moment I was sure she’d realized her mistake. I waited to be called out, but then it happened. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “Thank you. I really do love you.”
My cock pushed against the rented tuxedo.
She stood back, her fingers dancing near the string of pearls. “These were my grandmother’s.”
“I’ll carry them in my pocket. I want everyone to see this diamond. It shines like you do.”
Madison nodded and unclasped the pearls.
Taking the old necklace, I shoved it in the jacket pocket. “Let me help you put my gift on.”