Page 3 of Falling for Him
“You may now kiss your bride.” I’d daydreamed through the entire ceremony but was so happy to catch this part. To see Brantley waste no time before stepping in close and cupping Sutton’s face in his hands.
“I love you so damn much,” he whispers. I know it was meant for her but we all heard. It’s a beautiful moment, one I look away from, feeling as though I am intruding.
I want to be loved like that. To have a man look at me like I am his everything and always would be. I wanted a partner, someone who would stand beside me through anything holding my hand for support.
Lifting my gaze once more I see Sutton and Brantley turn to face the guests, holding up their joined hands in unison and I can’t help but smile. For the first time in months I feel pure joy coarse through me.
They step forward and Bennett takes their place holding out his hand. I freeze looking down at it, and it’s like my feet won’t move.
“Girl.” Adley nudges me from behind leaning in to whisper near my ear. “Get going, Bennett is looking mighty fine in that suit. Who knows, there could be some dirty wedding sex in your future.”
My eyes grow wide and I look back at her. “Seriously?” She wags her brows and I roll my eyes.
Then I reface Bennett only to find he is trying to hide his grin and I know he’s heard her too.
“There will be no dirty wedding sex.” It’s the first real time I’ve talked to him since he found me outside of the bar in a heated altercation with my ex. A fight he broke up and ended with me lying in a hospital bed.
A night that no matter how hard I try to forget, keeps playing over and over again in my head, haunting my dreams and robbing me of my smile.
CHAPTER THREE
Bennett
I’m standingacross the venue, with all my lifelong friends and family around me, laughing and carrying on, but all I see is her.
Lexi is only a few feet away, listening to something Adley is saying and a small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. I can’t hear the discussion because the music plays from the hired band. Brantley and Sutton are moving around the room, greeting their guests and celebrating their union, while we all watch absorbing their happiness. My brother seems so relaxed, so at peace, which is rare. But Sutton does that for him. It’s amazing how one moment he can be barely holding things together and one touch or smile from her and all seems to realign.
Without another thought, I set down my beer and take a few steps, closing the distance between Lexi and I. Instantly her eyes widen when she looks in my direction and notices the shift. My pulse quickens, my chest grows tight, but I push it all aside.Holding out my hand, her gaze follows my movements, simply staring down at my extended hand.
“Dance with me.” I know this could be the moment she tells me to buzz off, right in front of everyone. I’ve hurt her, without meaning to I’ve scarred her and it’s something that has eaten away at me every single day since it happened.
I find myself holding my breath and wishing for a yes. Silently begging for another chance to prove she deserves everything I can give and more. Everything I should have given her from the start. I grew comfortable and in that comfort I became cocky and that’s where it all went wrong.
CHAPTER FOUR
Lexi
I stare at his hand,my mind going back to the moment we were on his couch, his body over mine, his lips pressing to mine. Feeling his hand travel along my side, gripping my hip as he grinds his hips forward. My throat feels tight, a burning sensation pushing up as I lift my gaze to meet his.
Bennett watches me with so much hope.
“This was a mistake.” His whisper from months ago clouds my thoughts.
“Maybe we shouldn’t.” My words are nothing more than a hoarse whisper.
Bennett doesn’t pull his hand back but instead takes another step forward. Doing his best to urge me to reconsider.
“It would be a mistake.” He flinches the moment the words leave my mouth and instantly I feel cruel for saying them.
When he threads his fingers with mine, holding my hand securely in his, he leans in close so only I can hear him. “The only mistake made was when I said those words to you. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness Lex, but I’m asking for it. Kissing you was not the mistake, the timing was wrong. You deserve more than I could have given you then. Because half in with you would never be enough.”
I had a million words rolling around in my mind, but I couldn’t seem to force myself to speak.
“That night is one I will never forgive myself for, and not because of what happened with us, but because I made you feel like it meant nothing. I’m not proud of how I handled it.”
“This isn’t the place.” I turn my head looking around, feeling suddenly like everyone is watching us.
“You’re right.” Bennett gives my hand a gentle tug. “Let’s dance instead.”
