le

l dress. The handover cere

und as people move around, glas

ging nervously at

es tur

are judgmental, like I'm a stain on their family reputation. I hear the whispers alre

n the

I see

olding a glass of wine like he owns the place.

st like it always

eyes are

a woman who just

ening gown hugs every perfect curve. Her hair is style

ree

ws. 'This is her.' The woma

he walks str

of the moment,"

cross Rowan's face could

tightens

eople glance at me, then quickly look a

r closer witho

there, he

lips move slowly, like they'

the air fr

d. I feel hollow, like someone j

t to

nt t

can'

there, watchi

d like this, not in front of peop

y pulls away

ervers and taps it gently with a spoon. The sof

oday," he says, raising the gla

om is

out love. And none of this would be possi

st tig

new

The third wheel

ust got back

eart. I can't wait to spend forever with you. I wa

y knees

w important you are to me," he says, turning t

rs to o

you ma

e room. Then applause

y heart pounds.

mouth, nods, and le

ld cav

isn't the kiss, it's th

isper, then qui

d not to not

. enjoy

alked away lo

m to move. I turn slowly, my eyes s

cel

ss of wine in her hand and tha

and I was meant to wat

e a ghost, holding myself

e corridor, I sp

lk i

It smells of faint r

f onto the co

l I can't tell if it's

ed to Calista, ri

world

i for the lady." A baritone voi

y spine. And I hate that it does somethi

y lift

wrapped in sin. His tailored suit hugs his body perfectly,

ls up his che

o

immed beard outlines his sharp features, and his dark hair is slicked back in a way t

bl

me just by breathi

I want. He just orders.

, trying to clear the h

the offer," I say, s

et away fro

my heel snags on

i

fabric gives way

ns for a second too long. I feel m

t my

never

trong arms catch

s... and my b

a

ly. And when he looks down at me smiling my heart skips. A dimple ap

he cover of every forbidden f

s. Like it's forgotten Rowan

out of the gu

y pull away from him, like touching

e asks, with

owly. Because I do

might just say, 'Take

wrong w

o another woman. And now I'm meltin

isn

him. He cast

removing his suit jack

mble slightly as I wrap it around my

sper, my voice bar

. "Let me take you t

link at him

ore comfortable waiting in my suite. It's quiet. P

gain. I hesitate. Every part

en aga

I finally

or, but no one says a word. Either they don't care..

ps are

voice screams, leave,

stay

lead me to

now I'm crossing a l

have turn

on't choose safety.