Opening my mouth to protest, I barely get a sound out before Aunt Karen bursts through the door and starts fawning all over both of us. Then we’re whisked into the dressing area where every one of us is tucked and zipped until we’re nothing but taffeta and tulle.
“Okay, let’s get married,” Georgia says, taking her bouquet and giving me a shaky smile.
We walk to the tall hedge where the bridal party is gathered out of view of the guests and my stomach does a little flip flop at the sight of Colt and Sean. Tuxedos shouldn’t look that good on anyone. It’s dangerous. Both sets of gorgeous and intense eyes focus on me as we approach and I nearly melt on the spot.
Taking a deep breath, I step toward them, muttering to myself, “Here we go.”
12
SEAN
Chloe has always been fuckinggorgeous. Fresh from the shower, hopping on her horse, sweaty and streaked with dirt from digging in flowerbeds, you name it, I’ve seen it. Each time she’s been the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Today is no exception. In my eyes, there’s no bride for her to upstage, because I see no one else.
“Hi,” she offers, casting her eyes down with more than a little apprehension in her posture.
“Hey, bunny.” I want to talk, to discuss what happened at the stables and get her to understand I don’t want this to end here.
“Darlin’, they’re playing our song,” Colt interrupts, his arm offered for her to take.
Damn this wedding. I need more time.Weneed more time. But I take up my place on her other side and offer my arm as well. It feels right, having her between us, and after the conversation Colt and I shared on the ride home, we need a night to make her see that.
We walk slowly down the aisle, both of us looking at her rather than the altar, and when we have to part with her, a piece of my heart goes along for the ride. I’ll always be hers, no matter what happens. In this moment, I really understand that.
I watch her watch the wedding, not able to tear my gaze from the emotion flitting across her face. She won’t let herself look at either of us, instead she trains her steady gaze on Georgia and her smile beams when they’re finally pronounced husband and wife. It goes by fast, and I’m thankful, but when we get to the part where Colt and I are supposed to escort Chloe back down the aisle, she bolts, refusing our arms and leading herself to the staged photo area.
“What the fuck is happening?” I ask Colt.
“She’s spooked. This got too real for her.”
“We need to calm her down before she does something we’ll all regret.”
He shakes his head. “We need to give her some damn space so she can work out her fears and come back to us.”
He’s right. But fuck if I want to admit it.
“We can’t let her go home without hearing us out.”
Colt nods just as the photographer comes out and starts lining us up for the hour long photoshoot. Every click of the camera has me wishing this would move faster, because each minute I spend here is a minute I’m not making Chloe mine.
“All right, I think I’ve got all I need from the wedding party. Just the bride and groom for the rest.” The photographer’s dismissal of us couldn’t have been more welcome, and I make a path straight to Chloe.
“I need to talk to you,” I murmur, leaning close.
“Not now,” she hisses. “I’m busy.”
She’s not busy. The woman is standing with her aunt, listening to her yammer on and on about appropriate skirt length. So, I snatch her by the hand and tug her away, offering a short, “Excuse us,” to Karen.
“Sean, what are you doing?”
We walk around to the side of the building and I can’t stop myself anymore. I push her up against the damn wall and kiss her long and deep. I kiss her like I might never see her again, because it might be the case. She melts into me, her low moan music to my ears.
“I don’t want this to be over,” I tell her, my forehead pressed to hers.
“Sean.” My name is a breathy sigh.
“Please tell me there’s a chance we can have more.”
“I don’t—”