Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
It’s like a voice in my head, and my seed has developed the ability to speak. I add that thought to the list of insanity.
“So, fellas,” a red-haired woman says. June, I remember.
It’s difficult to even look at any woman who isn’t Becca. My gaze keeps trying to drag my attention there, as though nobody else exists.
“Who’s going to be next, huh?” June goes on.
That provokes a round of laughter and banter, and I do my best to give as good as possible. But it’s way too tempting to return Becca’s attention.
I feel her staring at me, the same way I sneak glances at her when she’s not looking.
My whole body roars impossible things – leap across the table, sweep her into my arms, carry her someplace private, someplace we can reveal our true selves.
But isn’t my true self Alex’s friend? Shouldn’t I be loyal to him first?
“What about you?” one of Alex’s groomsmen says, looking at June. “Think you’ll tie the knot soon, eh?”
I clench my fists under the table, praying nobody makes a comment about Becca, praying nobody suggests – even jokingly – they’re going to claim her for themselves.
If they did, I’m not sure I’d be able to stop myself from shouting, from telling them no.
No.
No.
She’ll never belong to anybody except for me.
Luckily, nobody does, and we continue with our breakfast, Becca and I looking at each other every chance we get.
CHAPTER FIVE
Becca
“Come on. One more dance.”
I laugh as June spirals over to me, radiant in her fire-colored dress. She grins, and her eyes are a little hazy from alcohol. I’ve hardly touched any myself.
I’ve been standing near the buffet table, staring across the function hall, getting as many sneaky glances at Ben as I can.
“Maybe later,” I say. “Honestly, go ahead. I’m fine. You know I’m not much of a dancer.”
June shrugs, and suddenly she’s off, twirling into her next dance. I grin as I watch her, envying her confidence. But I don’t envy the way the men look at her with open admiration.
I only want that from one man.
Shame hit me during the ceremony. I should’ve been wholly focused on my big brother’s marriage, the most important day of his life, but I couldn’t help but stare at Ben. He loomed in the background, his silver hair swept to the side, his body firm and powerful in his suit.
It made my body tingle, thrum with what we almost did, pulse with the near kiss.
A few minutes ago, he was standing on the other side of the room, making polite conversation with a woman.
At least, I didn’t see any physical contact, and she was doing way more laughing than him.
But what if it was more than polite?
He’s disappeared now, vanished from the room. I let out a pathetic sigh of relief when I see the woman emerge, walking across the room to her group of friends.
At least she hasn’t gone with Ben someplace.
A physical ache grips me, like a fist clamping inside my chest, when I think about Ben doing anything sexual, romantic, or intimate with anybody else.
That’s all for me.
We would’ve kissed right there at the pond; we would have if I didn’t stupidly shout yes when Alex yelled my name.
And then what?
I saw how he looked at me when he learned who I really was and heard how he snapped.
It’s a crush. I need to stop. A silly girly crush.
But I know the truth. It’s so much more than that.
Suddenly, my feet are leading me to the nearest exit.
The music is too loud, the air too warm, cloying. I’m careful not to make a scene as I head outside. I don’t want to make Alex’s special day about me, even a little bit, so I slip out the door and walk quietly onto the grounds.
I walk down the stone pathway, coming to a courtyard area with a fountain. The sun is slowly setting, the shadows long, shades of red and yellow clashing.
Watching the water and listening to it splash, I reason with myself.
Ben wanted me. Crazily, unbelievably, he wanted to kiss me.
I felt his want radiating from him like an unstoppable need. I felt his body, the sheer pulsing power of it like he was ready to explode into more than a kiss.
So fine, yes, a dream came true. Ben doesn’t find me disgusting like I often feared.
But he doesn’t want me now. The second he learned who I was, he stepped away like I was toxic.
“I bet you wish you’d brought your camera.”
I gasp, turning quickly. His voice is deep and seems to permeate my body, making me warmer. Goose pimples touch my skin.
He stands a few feet away, leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. His shirt is open at the top, and his jacket hangs casually from his strong body.