: The Wedding

e what she had agreed to when h

ite gown she hadn't chosen. It was stunning-dainty lace trimming the bodice, the fabric tightening at her waist before cascading in a l

ands of her black hair into place as the makeu

excited. Anx

as. h

k like you're g

a, her best friend, stood with arms crossed, wear

this," Jess continued. "A marriage co

skirt. "It's a year, Jess. That's all, and I'll be able to leave wit

y short. You barely know him, and he's-cold? Bossy? Bi

eakly. "Someth

ou sure you can manage this? I mean, living with him,

t the mansion that morning, her tiny hands gripping Elena's dress as if afraid she would disappear. It wa

Elena whispered.

oor swung open, and a wedding

knotted. Time to

aire's wedding should be-grand, extra

red 'I love you's.' Just the cool exchange of rings and the firm

her finger. He looked just the same as always-immaculately

iss, he paused for the small

his

est pressure, no passion, no fe

of warmth, Elena's hear

rds husband and wife, she bar

as d

now Elen

ion was wo

olite congratulations. Elena felt like a guest at her wedding,

ide, but Alexander's chilliness made it impossible. He was

aturally, s

ria H

ging her like a second skin. She swept in as though she owned t

ctoria stated, her tone dripping

ghtly. "It's gr

ever thought Alexander would marry again. He's not exactly the sentimental type." She leaned in a

her champagne glass. She knew Victoria

A hard hand came

xan

fingers resting lightly on

ictoria," he drawled, his voi

r eye expanded to where his hand rested on Elena's wais

isfaction, leaving behind a heavy

ed slowly. "

brusquely, jerking his hand away

t to him. "Why

wh

me. In

"Appearances, Elena. That'

Appea

in still burning wher

y small talk and forced smiles, b

ed into the waiting limousine. As soon as the

on the other side of the vehicle, his back r

hard. "That wa

dn't

in oppress

ntract, but I do think we should at least try to be civilized. We're going to

then, his gaze

she admit

omething almost vulnerable, but it

Elena," he answered finally. "This is a busin

d known it-had accepted

im say it feel so

aring out the window as city

a man who did no

se, she couldn't help but feel that she had jus