Page 15 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“Yep.” I let her notice me staring before my eyes darted back up. Piper’s chest raises as she sucks in a deep breath.
After wiping the side of my face, which is mostly where the water hit, I turn to Piper and, without thinking, run the napkin along the bare skin of her neck and down to the dampness of her collarbone.
“If I take it off, you’ll get a better look,” she taunts.
My dick twitches inside my pants as my fingertips lightly dust her skin. The warmth raises my pulse. “I don’t want this night to end.”
She looks up at me with vibrant hazel eyes and giggles. “Neither do I.”
I feel unrestrained and more free than I ever have. Who gives a fuck about what’s going on with the outside world? My whole existence is here in this moment. I’ve fought for control over my life since I was a child. For a brief time, I had it, but I should have known that it would be taken away. I have to live in someone else’s dream. Someone else’s life. My freedom and independence will be gone. My identity asjustJack Bradley will be gone.
I’m an introvert, quiet and would rather keep to myself. Soon enough, I won’t have the luxury of being any of those things anymore. But tonight, in this moment with Piper, I can hang on to just beingJack.
“Let’s get married,” I blurt out, not hearing the words in my head before they hit the air.
Fuuuuuck.
Piper’s eyebrow snaps together. Her pupils dilate even under these bright fluorescent lights. They bounce back and forth for only a brief moment before she answers, “Okay.”
Oh my fucking god.She said yes! This is unbelievable. As if fate was somehow involved, another cocktail server walks by with a shot on her tray. Without hesitation, I snag a glass and down the vodka. Piper does the same.
“Charge it to the card on file?” the server confirms.
“Yes, then close us out,” I respond, not letting my eyes break from Piper’s. Her face is glowing. “Yeah, you want to?” A smile beams across my face.
“Yes!”
“That’s awesome. Let’s do it!” I pull out my phone, and even though my eyes are a little blurry, I can still find the search bar to locate the nearest wedding chapel. Another twist of fucking fate, the closest one is only a short walk down the strip.
Piper grabs my hand as we exit the smoke-filled casino onto the bustling street. The guttering, flashing lights, and warmth of the desert air are a small reprieve from inside. I wish I could say that I’m shocked that at close to three in the morning, the sidewalk is packed with people, but I’ve been here enough to know this is typical.
Walking hand in hand, Piper and I make our way through the crowds of people venturing out at this hour. Or have been out all night, like us. I keep a strong grip on Piper, ensuring not to lose her while we’re back and forth along the crowded sidewalk.
We finally make it to theTiny White Wedding House,and it’s exactly how I pictured it. I laugh as I lead us through a small opening in the white fence surrounding an even brighter white building. We pass fake grass to the side while we walk under the drive-through area.For people in need of a speedier wedding, I guess?
When the door opens, I’m hit with a unique smell that can only be described as old and musty.
“Did we step into a time machine? Because this place looks like it’s from the wrong decade,” she comments.
“I’ve always wanted to travel back to the 1950s,” I add, scanning my eyes across the small waiting space. “And now that I have, I think I’m good staying in our time.”
She laughs.
I see the chapel, and I’m stunned by how cool it is. The decade jokes aside, it’s surprisingly unique in here. There’s an aisle with a bubblegum-colored carpet and three rows of short white pews on either side. Taking in the simplicity of it, I find a small arch at the top of the aisle decorated in fully bloomed white roses.I wonder if Piper likes flowers? And if she does—I wonder what kind?
“Hello, can I help you?” a woman with a squeaky voice asks from behind a low counter.
My eyes dart to hers for approval. She nods, showing me she hasn’t changed her mind. I haven’t changed my mind either. My thoughts and actions take over, and I hear myself begin speaking with the woman.I’ve always been calm and collected, but right now, I’m doing something rash and out of my comfort zone. It feels fitting that I do something for myself before I give my independence away.
Chapter Seven
Piper
ThemanImetearlier today stands directly before me. I face him with apprehension—yet simultaneously, I feel alive, exhilarated, and powerful.Or that could also be the three martinis, countless shots of vodka, and multiple glasses of wine talking.
It’s not like this is what I imagined my first marriage would be like, but here I am. And yes, I expect to have multiple marriages. Isn’t that what happens to everyone? I’m not sure what I’d imagined my first marriage would be. Maybe a man that I’ve at least slept with first? But I do not doubt that Jack knows what he’s doing in the bedroom. I’d bet he’s good with buttons, zippers, leggings—I quietly giggle and blush.
I’m only twenty-six, have had way too much fun tonight, and feel on top of the world. I am fighting to keep my eyes from wandering up and down the length of his body. My ambitions are nonexistent now, but I’m still a classy lady.Or am I?I crack a smile. My personality is one with class, but I also do what I want.
