Page 179 of Hyde and Seek

Oh, hell, I’m gonna cry.

Dad must have been able to tell. “Alright, alright, keep it together. You start crying, you’ll have to go fix your face and all that junk. And Kase wasnotexaggerating. That man up there is the epitome of restless.”

I slid my arm through the crook in Dad’s and we positioned ourselves near the doorway.

When the music changed, a strangled sob mixed with a laugh escaped from me.

The lovely, lilting instrumental was the first song Jake had held me during when we saw the band, Harington, at Rye. Though I’d wanted to kick him in the shin that night, I knew I’d never forget.

What I hadn’t known was neither would he.

Though the melody sounded beautifully romantic, the unsung lyrics were actually about being so turned on by someone that the only thoughts you had were about fucking them in all sorts of kinky ways.

It wasperfect.

Entering the room, I saw nothing but Jake.

And, just like the first time I saw him at Hyde’s, my legs went to jello. As I was again wearing four-inch heels, I had to walk carefully so I didn’t face-plant at my own wedding.

Forget congratulating yourself for walking without falling this time. Congratulate yourself for who you’re marrying.

Standing at the end of the aisle, Jake looked scorchingly beautiful. His hair was down, making his cheek and jaw bones more prominent. The sleeves of his black dress shirt were rolled up to show his inked and tanned forearms. Slim fit, gray jeans tucked into his motorcycle boots, a matching gray tuxedo vest, and a hot pink tie made him look badass formal.

As soon as I was within arm’s reach, Jake’s hand curved around the back of my neck. Hauling me to him, my hands hit his chest as his mouth crashed down on mine.

Catcalls and whistles filled the room, though neither of us cared.

When Jake tore his mouth from mine, he pulled back slightly to look down at me, his eyes full of emotion. “Fuck, Piper. So fuckin’ gorgeous. Thirty-four years of color-blind, lookin’ at a lifetime of bright,” he murmured, his voice ragged.

I knew I was right about why everyone else was wearing subtle colors when we were anything but. Standing up there, my girls and boys were dressed in gray and black.

Instead of the typical white gown, I wore hot pink with a dove gray lace overlay. The halter was attached to a thick, black band and came up as two separate pieces with a deep vee in the middle. The pink ended just above my breasts, leaving just gray lace to cover my upper chest and go around my neck.

The skirt under the banded bodice fell to the ground. Though my pink and gray pumps had a four-inch heel, the dress still dragged when I walked, creating a slight train and moving the slit on my left leg to near indecent levels.

Mom admitted that she and Sarah had convinced Jake to have a traditional white gown ready to go. Though he did, he’d been adamant that it wouldn’t be needed.

He’d been right.

“No more tastin’ bitter. You gave me sweet and bright, Piper. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life givin’ you the moon.”

When Jake jerked his chin, I dragged my eyes from him. Looking up, I saw the entire ceiling of the room was made of glass.

Thousands of stars twinkled brightly in the nighttime sky. The radiant full moon looked like it had been physically placed in the perfect position.

He might be a sex god, but even I know that’s outside of his capabilities.

Maybe.

“Love you, Jacoby.”

“‘Til the day I die, sweets.”

“If we can begin,” Kase started, shifting to stand in front of Jake and me.

Glancing to the side, I saw that his and Rhys’ outfits were similar to Jake’s, though their ties were gray.

“Totally on board with this, but will it be legit?” I whispered.

---