Page 29 of Wild Ever After
“It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. The ceremony was like a dream.”
“O-kay. And that’s bad because?”
She looks away before meeting my gaze. “Aren’t you worried that when you do find the right guy, you’re going to regret all this?”
I doubt she’d believe me if I told her it hadn’t even crossed my mind. One of the many differences between growing up with a support system and not—I’m trying to survive the day, the week, the month. Planning for the future is a luxury.
“No,” I tell her, “and you shouldn’t worry about that for me. I’m okay. Really. Today brought me one step closer to my goals.”
Picking up the champagne flutes, I hand her one. “If you can’t celebrate my fake wedding, then celebrate that.”
A smile pulls at her lips and she cocks a brow. “It wasn’t fake. You’re really married.”
“I know. Weird, right?”
She nods, then lifts her glass. “I will always celebrate you.”
“Ditto.” I start to clink my glass to hers, but she pulls it back.
“But promise me there isn’t a fake baby coming next? I’ve started grinding my teeth at night from the anxiety.” She works her jaw back and forth.
“I promise,” I say with a laugh.
* * *
The reception is a blast. Tables are decorated like something right out of a magazine (my magazine) and because the guest list was small, it feels intimate and fun. Scarlett and Piper even managed to put together a photo display with pictures of me and Declan from various events we both attended. They even found one from my engagement party, where we’re standing in the same circle, and Sam is out of the frame. How someone managed to get a pic of us that night is beyond me. He showed up with Ash for less than twenty minutes. I remember, though I don’t know why I recall that detail.
The DJ plays all my favorite songs, and Scarlett, Piper, Dakota, and I dance our hearts out for hours. Declan is the best sport about all of the couple stuff. The only time he seems to sweat is when Scarlett’s dad, the head coach of the Wildcats, stops by. I’ve known Coach Miller since I was a kid, and because Scarlett is my best friend, he’s in on the whole Sam bailing at the last-minute thing, but he’s a true gentleman and doesn’t say a word as he hugs me and offers his congratulations.
We skip toasts, but have our first dance and cut the cake, and the next thing I know, it’s time for the garter toss.
Up until this moment, I hadn’t worried about looking like a regular couple. Most of the guests are our friends and are ‘in the know,’ and we’ve been having such a fun time hanging with them, I’m sure that to anyone who doesn’t know, we look like a couple having a blast with their friends.
But as I take a seat on a chair in the middle of the dance floor and Declan squats in front of me, my pulse races. His dark eyes lock on mine as one hand closes around my ankle. He seems to wait for some signal from me.
I manage a slight nod, and his warm, calloused palm slowly drags up my calf. The single guys are crowded around, clapping and yelling.
Warmth spreads up my body as Declan’s fingers graze my knee. He pauses again and a throb starts deep in my core. Suddenly I’m all too aware of how long it’s been since a guy had his hands on me. A month? Two? I try to remember to distract myself. Sam and I had grown apart, that much is obvious with all the reflection I’ve been forced to do in the past week.
Declan’s hand disappears under my dress and a shiver rolls down my spine.
I hear Maverick yell from a table nearby, “Use your teeth!”
My eyes widen. I swear if his mouth gets near my pussy, I might combust right here in front of everyone. Is it possible to get off from this? I would have said no, but my body is betraying me.Back down, girl, you’re not getting it on with your fake husband.
Luckily, Declan keeps it PG. He finds the lacy garter on my thigh and tugs it down at a much faster speed than his ascent to the promised land. Standing, he slingshots it into the crowd. Ash catches it and holds it up high to more cheers.
While everyone’s attention is on Ash, Declan turns to me and holds out a hand to help me up.
“Thanks.” My voice is breathy as I accept his hand and he pulls me to my feet.
His arm wraps around my waist and keeps me at his side.
“How’d I do?” he asks quietly.
“Perfect. Just the bouquet toss left, and our official duties are done.”
“All right. Where do you want me for that?”
