Page 98 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
RYAN
The week had been wild. If I didn’t know it before, I knew it now. I was absolutely crazy about Claire. We had yet to have a real conversation about our future, but I was pretty confident things were solid. The conversation was more of a formality. We both knew we were good together. We had spent very little time apart since the night of the storm.
It sucked I wasn’t going to be able to see her until later this evening. She was busy with getting Norah ready and herself. Yesterday they had been gone for hours at the spa. She refused to let me see her dress. I couldn’t wait to see her all dolled up. I adjusted my tie and pulled on my suit jacket.
Because I was a lowly guest and she was in the bridal party, I had to sit in the crowd and wait. The wedding was being held outside on a wide expanse of grass. A tent had been erected to shield us from the sun that was beating down hard on us. The arch had the beautiful backdrop of the ocean. It was perfect.
I waited with all the other guests. Some were fanning themselves with the programs. The music started. I had made damn sure I got an aisle seat so I could see her in all her glory. After two bridesmaids, she finally appeared at the end of the aisle.
She took my breath away. She looked like an angel. A fairy. My angel. She saw me and smiled. I felt like my face was going to split in two. I couldn’t stop smiling.
I barely noticed Norah. My eyes were fixated on Claire. She was the only person I saw. Throughout the ceremony, I gazed at her. She would occasionally look at me and offer a small smile. At one point, I noticed her shed a few tears. She looked absolutely beautiful. I smiled at her and offered her comfort with my eyes alone. It felt like we were the only two people in the area.
“Claire,” someone hissed.
She blinked and whipped her head back. “The ring,” Norah said.
“Oh gosh.” Claire fumbled the ring out and handed it over to Norah. The audience had a good laugh. Claire looked at me and giggled.
I didn’t feel guilty about distracting her. The ceremony went on. When it was over, I waited for Claire. She came over and gave me a quick kiss. “I have to do a few more pictures and then it’ll be just Norah and Tony.”
“You are so fucking gorgeous,” I told her. “I have so many fantasies in my head right now. I spent that whole ceremony thinking of the many things I wanted to do to your body. I’m still working out how I can do those things while you’re still wearing this gorgeous gown. It’s a problem I’m very committed to working out.”
She giggled and pushed at my chest. “You are looking rather dapper in that suit. I know exactly how I’m going to maneuver around it. I don’t know who invented zippers, but I feel like I should give them a big thank you.”
“Woman, you can’t talk to me like that,” I groaned. “I’m a man. A large man if we’re being honest. I can’t exactly hide things in these pants.”
“Those pants seem to be a little tight,” she teased.
“Don’t you move,” I warned her.
I was using her body to shield the erection she brought on. The last thing I wanted to do was sport a woody. I counted to ten and blew out a few breaths. “Get a drink,” she said. “I’ll find you. Maybe fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting,” I said.
I watched her walk away and those fantasies started to spiral. She mentioned there was going to be a break to allow time for pictures with the bride and groom. That gave me an idea. I went in search of someone to help me.
After a small bribe, I was ready. I walked back up to the tent where the guests were mingling. The bride and groom were still getting pictures done. I grabbed a drink and found myself surrounded by some of the women from high school.
“Hello,” I said nervously.
“Did you see Claire?”
That kind of felt like a stupid question. “Yes.”
“Didn’t she look pretty?”
“Yes, she did,” I agreed. This was weird.
“I think her wedding dress should be the same cut.”
I nodded. I had no idea what they were talking about. “Sure.”
“That high waist and all the sparkles is perfect. She was just beautiful.”
“Yes, she is,” I said.
They started peppering me with questions about our wedding. I felt like I was caught up in a tidal wave. Just when I was convinced I was going to drown, Claire appeared out of nowhere. “Hey,” she said.
