Page 84 of Before You Say I Do
Abby shook her head. “Nothing’s funny. I was just thinking that I’ve been craving your kisses. Now, I can have them all the time. That made me smile.”
“Any time you like.” Jordan placed another gentler kiss on Abby’s lips. “I’d also like to get you out of your dress, but for other reasons.” She gave her a knowing smile. “You want to see if any of my clothes might fit you? Then you’d at least have something, until we can make it back to your place?”
Abby nodded. “That’s an added benefit of being with a woman I hadn’t considered: double the wardrobe.”
“One of many.” Jordan stood, holding out a hand to help Abby up.
Abby took it, just as Gloria walked into the room.
“Okay, you two. I’d say you’ve got some things to talk about and maybe you need a little space of your own. So I took the liberty of booking you into a hotel on the seafront. Get changed, get a cab or walk if you fancy the fresh air. Just have tonight to yourself, to chat and be together. You can work the rest out tomorrow. I’ve paid for the room, consider it my gift to you both.”
Abby stepped forward and hugged her, before holding her mum at arm’s length. “What about you?”
“Karen has already offered to drive me back to the venue. I’ve been in touch with Delta and Martin, and help is needed there, so that’s where I’m going. Don’t worry about anything that end. Delta, Taran, Martin and I can help on your behalf, and Marcus’s family can pitch in, too.
“I’m aware that tonight was meant to be the start of your new life, and there’s no reason it still can’t be. It’s just a different start to what you expected. Go to the hotel, have tonight, and when you wake up in the morning, it’ll all feel more clear. The good thing is, you didn’t move in with Marcus before the wedding, so there’s no mess there.” She raised a single eyebrow. “Although, I always thought that said a lot. When you fall in love, you want to be with that person all the time.”
Abby glanced Jordan’s way, before taking her hand.
She knew that now she’d found Jordan.
Now she had her, she never wanted to let her go.
Chapter 32
“Wow.”Jordan walked over to the window, and stared out at the sea beyond. “Your mum didn’t skimp on the room. A suite, no less.” She glanced around at the sofa, the bottle of champagne on ice in a shiny silver bucket on the coffee table. Through a large open doorway, a king-size bed with crisp white linen awaited. “It’s almost like she’s congratulating us. Like it’s our big day.”
Abby walked up behind her, and put a hand on Jordan’s shoulder. Heat crept up her back. “It sort of is.” Abby still couldn’t quite come to terms with what had happened. Should she be more contrite? More sorry for everything? In part, she was. But by lying about how she truly felt, the person she’d hurt the most was herself.
Standing here with Jordan, she wasn’t hurting anymore. She might have begun the day pressed down with fear. But now, she was awash with fresh bliss.
Like from here on in, nothing could go wrong.
Jordan turned and caught Abby’s gaze.
“I’m exactly where I want to be, so no complaints.”
Jordan twisted right around, putting her arms around Abby’s waist. “Are you sure? I know it’s a lot.” She laughed at her own joke. “Is that the understatement of the year?”
Abby snorted. “Let’s see. My wedding dress is currently lying on your bed. I’m standing in your jeans and T-shirt. And right now, I should be having my first dance with my husband.”
Jordan pulled her closer. “You look gorgeous in my jeans, if that helps at all?”
“Do I?” Abby looked down. “They’re a little short.”
“It’s how all the kids are wearing them. On trend,” Jordan replied.
Abby leaned in. So close, she could almost taste her. “Do you prefer me with your clothes on or off, though?” Desire coursed through her.
“Follow your heart,” Mum had said. Today was her day for doing that. She closed the gap between them and pressed her lips to Jordan’s.
The effect was like a starburst in her heart. From a day stained with harm, something so much better was springing up. Something akin to a hug from the universe.
Jordan slid her tongue into Abby’s mouth, and she welcomed it.
She wanted all of Jordan. She wanted her now. But they had time. There was no need to rush.
She had to keep telling herself that. They didn’t have to hide anymore.
