Page 87 of Rocked By the Alpha
Kim strolls in for the fourth time, a clipboard in her arm and hands-free piece attached to her ear. “I’m here to give you your warning. You’re on in fifteen minutes.”
“This isn’t a concert, Kim,” West says.
She forks her fingers and points to her eyes then to West. “I’ve got my eye on you.”
“Woah watch out, West. She’ll turn you to stone.”
She waggles her finger at all of them. “In fact, I’ve got my eye on all of you. Best behaviour. Don’t mess up Layla’s big day.”
“It’s my big day too,” Ash points out.
“Meh,” Kim dismisses him with a wave of her hand. “Your mom’s on her way down by the way, Ashley.”
“Shit,” he says, jumping to his feet, the others following, just as Kim exits and his mom enters.
Ash’s mom wears a pastel blue suit made from some light fabric, in keeping with the colour scheme for the wedding, and a corsage tied to her wrist.
Spotting the four of them she stops in her tracks and claps her hands together. “Don’t you all look handsome? And not a nipple ring in sight!”
“You look very beautiful yourself, Mom,” Ash says, strolling towards the older woman and wrapping her in a hug.
“Careful,” she warns, “we don’t want to get all creased here.”
West steps forward and, resting his hand on her shoulder, kisses the woman’s cheek. “You look stunning as always.”
“And you are charming as always, West.” After she’s kissed Trey and Hunter too, she takes her son’s hand in hers. “Ready? I don’t need to ask you if you’re sure about this because I know you are.”
“Never been more sure,” he says, making his mom sniff.
“Don’t set me off already! I want my make-up to last until the start of the ceremony.” She strokes her son’s cheek fondly and then addresses them all. “Right boys, shall we do this thing?”
“Sure thing, Mrs Canon.” West winks and they walk through the French windows, down the terrace and onto the beach. They discard their flip-flops at the edge of the sand and stroll together to where the arch decked with tropical island flowers and the rows of chairs have been arranged.
Ash positions his mom on a seat in the front row and then goes to stand with West by the arch. The officiant is already there waiting and Ash and he exchange a few words as West checks his pocket for the one hundredth time, feeling for the bulge of the box that houses the rings.
The other guests start to appear, some taking their seats, some coming forward to wish Ash luck and remind West not to fuck up. Martha and Kaz arrive as the seats are filling up and come to straighten his collar and tell Ash how amazing Layla looks. His nieces have somehow wormed their way into being bridesmaids for the event so Darlia and Arla don’t show up until nearly everyone is seated, giving a little wave and blowing a kiss each.
Ash stares out towards the ocean, his back to the guests, feet hip-width apart.
West pats him on the shoulder. “You alright, man?”
Ash lets out a long puff of air. “Suddenly nervous, man?”
“You wanna split? I can cause a distraction.” He grins, knowing this is the last thing Ash would want to do.
“It’s just emotional, you know. Everything we’ve been through. And now we’re finally here.”
“I’m so happy for you, man,” West says, squeezing his shoulder. “You want me to tell you when she’s here?”
Ash nods and West twists back to peer down the aisle and up to the villa. He tries to see if there is any sign of the bride and her entourage yet.
One lone silhouette weaves its way down the steps. Not the bride. Obviously a late guest. The sun is high and blinding so he can’t make out who it is. The shape of the person is female though, small, pinched waist, curved hips. Must be one of Layla’s friends from England. All Ash’s people are already here — even Kim hovering at the back row, whispering into her headset.
The woman reaches the beach and toes off her sandals, stepping onto the fine sand. She pauses and lifts her chin and freezes when her eyes must land on him. He can’t see her face, but then the scent reaches him on the warm breeze. That scent that makes him weak in the knees and has his heart straining so violently, he thinks his ribs might crack.
Ruby?
She hesitates, then strolls across the sand, sliding into a seat at the back.
