“Aria! Thank God you’re here!” She squeals, shimmying in her floor length wedding dress, and I gasp at the subtle beauty of the piece. I’d been shopping with Farah the day she found her dress and now, I just stand there with clutch in hand, taking it in. It’s a low cut neckline, an ivory colored fabric that looks to be made of silky threads that hug her curves perfectly. The waist is tied at the back and as she turns I see the corset styled dress back, showing off her spine and an inked design I’ve not seen before. Holy crap! My jaw drops open and I just gape at her, walking closer to see the tattoo better. It’s beautiful, an intricate design of cursive writing and a singular red rose underneath the words, and I love him. I run my hand over it. When she turns towards me, her eyes are filled with joy and immediately, tears pierce the backs of my eyes. She’s so happy.
“When did you get this?” I ask, kissing her cheek as she pulls me over to the vanity and Farah gives me a look, telling me she has to talk to me. Oh, no.
“I wanted to give Lucas a wedding gift he’d never forget. Do you think he’ll like it?”
She sits in front of the large oak wood vanity, painted white. Her makeup is light and Farah steps behind her, primping her curly blonde hair into a clip at the back of her head so that a few strands fall out, framing her face easily.
“He’s going to love it, honey. You look beautiful. Are you nervous?”
I ask as I sit next to her and squeeze her hand when it begins to thrum against the wooden tabletop.
She shakes her head, her tear filled eyes flicking up to mine.
“No, he’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Still, I can see the nervousness exude off my beautiful sister.
“That man loves you so much, Kel.”
She looks at me hesitantly for a moment and when I squeeze her hand, her lips curve up into a smile once more.
“I know.”
She wraps her arms around me and we hug, both savoring this moment. This is her day and joy courses through me knowing that this is the beginning of her new life, her happily ever after.
“Love you” I whisper. She leans away and we stand, a knock sounding at the door once we’ve both wiped our tears away and she slips her white sandals on, with her something blue across her neck. Her something old, a diamond plated bracelet across her right wrist which dad gave to her. It was our grandmother’s. And of course, her something new dangling from her ears, ruby earrings that Lucas gave her this morning. She looks like a princess.
Dad comes in through the door, stopping when he takes a look at the three of us huddled by the vanity. His green eyes are filled with tears, and he’s dressed in the same black David Scott tuxedo that he wore to my graduation almost a year ago. Kel comes up to him and he smiles, the proud father exuding from within him.
“Oh, sweetheart. You look beautiful. Are you ready?”
She kisses his cheek, giving us both a smile as she hooks her arm through his and they make their way out of the room, closing the door quietly behind them. I sigh, a part of me wondering if one day, I’ll be the one dressed in white walking towards Gavin.
God, I hope so.
* * *
Farah and I descend the church stairs leading to the main floor arm in arm and I see that the chapel doors are already open. As I peer into the chapel, I see that each pew is filled, familiar faces lit up with laughter as they talk among themselves. My eyes scan over the top three rows of seats and then, a pair of blue gray eyes meet mine. Gavin. He gives me a warm smile, his eyes filled with adoration. I feel my mouth spread in a smile, my eyes taking him in as if it’s the first time. God, I have it bad.
“Ready?” Farah whispers, as we all line up to go down the aisle and a little girl with blonde curly hair and bright blue eyes begins her walk, tossing lilac petals as she goes. She’s Lily, our cousin from mom’s side. I turn and smooth my hands down the front of my dress, feeling the soft material beneath my fingers.
“Ready.”
Farah goes before me holding her bouquet as she walks slowly, her smile vibrant as she goes. My eyes move to Lucas, looking happy and ready to start his new life.
I take a deep breath and step out onto the aisle. I clutch the bouquet of lilies and as I make my way down towards the altar, I have to make sure to keep my walk slow as I smile at our families surrounding us. My eyes land on Gavin’s back and I feel the electric current of his presence. God, looking at him—he’s so handsome. Turning his head, his eyes capture mine. I see his features changing. They become softer, his eyes burning heat and love and lust all at once. It’s cathartic and all I can seem to do is smile back at him and take my place beside Farah as desire pools low in my core from that one connection tethering me to Gavin. I listen as my sister exchanges her vows with Lucas.
“I take you, Lucas Mathew Jones as mine. I will love you through good times and bad times. I will hold you up when you cannot stand. I will be your strength when you’re weak, and I’ll support you for always; withholding all others, for as long as I shall live. I love you”
And as I watch them sweep across the dance floor only minutes later, I long to have this dream with Gavin, taking him as mine, for always.
“What are you thinking about, baby?” Gavin whispers in my ear as he wraps an arm around my waist and kisses my temple gently. I turn in his arms and see the love and desire in his eyes.
“You, always you.” I whisper, lifting up on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his. His hands come up to my cheeks, his mouth opening as he claims my mouth, adoring me, consuming me. I wrap my arms around his neck, moaning when he bites down gently on my lower lip. His minty breath encases my senses as he cups the back of my head and licks ardently into my mouth, stealing my breath and creating pooling desire deep and low in my belly as his fingers dip into the silky strands of my hair.
“A dance, Aria?” he whispers, his eyes soft and filled with want as he gazes down at me. I nod as he leads me onto the floor and once we’ve reached the perfect spot underneath the chandeliers, he brings me to him for a soft, tender kiss that renders me breathless. His strong arms wrap around my waist and my hands glide up his chest to his neck. My lower lip trembles as he slows the kiss until his lips are just barely brushing against mine.
“One day, I want this, Beautiful.” His mouth dips to my shoulder then he leans back to meet my eyes. Mine widen, my mouth parting as I realize what he’s saying. He wants to marry me… oh, my. My breath hitches in my throat as I gasp, and press my face to his neck, just above his collar and inhale him as I memorize this moment. I want to be his wife, I want this. Oh, God I want it so much. But a small part of me hesitates, not knowing if I’m ready.
“Gavin… . I want to marry you,” I say, lifting my head to meet his eyes filled with wondrous love. They fill with such joy as he clasps my face and places such a tender kiss to my lips. It makes my heart soar.
“I know you’re not ready, Aria. We aren’t there yet. I just want you to know, that one day, this dream—this day, will be ours. And when that time comes, with all my heart I promise you, baby. I’ll give you the world.”
Tears fall from my eyes as I gaze up at him, gasping at his beautiful words. Is this real?
“Oh, Gavin. I love you, so very much” I whisper and he wraps his arms around my waist tighter, lifting me and when his lips press to mine I feel his love in every fiber of my being. He slips his tongue into my mouth and licks along mine, adoring me with such tender care. Gavin’s body presses to me and I wrap my arms around his neck, moaning and burying my hands in his hair without hesitation.
He ever so slowly lowers me till my feet reach the floor again and as he kisses me, his hands cradle my face. Gavin sweeps us into an easy slow dance, never taking his mouth off mine. And somehow, all I can feel is this man, my love.
“I love you, Beautiful. I promise you that when I ask you to be my wife, there won’t be a doubt in your mind. Do you trust me?”
He pulls his lips from mine and gazes lovingly down at me.
I do, I trust him with my whole heart.
“Always,” I whisper, then reach up and grasp his neck once more, lowering his mouth for another delectable kiss.
Thirty One
BY THE TIME NIGHT SETS, my feet are aching for relief from the heels I’m wearing. I sit beside Kel and Lucas along with the rest of the bridal party. Gavin is standing by the D J’s table, and I wonder vaguely what he’s up to. I don’t think I can take another dance tonight, my feet are so sore. His stormy eyes shift to mine and he grins, giving me a wink as he approaches me, his eyes dancing between mine. My heart beats fast in my chest and when he stops in front of me, I find myself placing my hand in his once more.
“One more dance and then we can take off, okay baby?” He helps me stand, leading me back towards the thinning crowds of the lit dance floor, his lips brushing over my knuckles before he sweeps me back into his arms. Every fine toned line of his body presses to mine. I press my head to his chest, just like I did at that party the very first time he held me. I listen to the steady thrum of his heartbeat and the way he holds me and sweeps us across the floor makes me love him even more.
Then, the song begins. It’s a slow, romantic beat and the words are sung softly as a ballad. Gavin begins to whisper the words in my ear, holding me close. A tear slips down my cheek at his raw voice, so full of love for me:
All of me, loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect
Imperfections. Give your all to me, I’ll give my all to you.
By the time the song comes to an end, joyful tears stream down my face and Gavin cradles my face in his hands, so gentle, so tender. He closes his mouth softly over mine, and once again I’m lost in the love I feel for this man.
And I know, there is no end to his love or mine, I love all of him and he loves all of me.
“All of me, baby. I’ll never give you anything less.”
I look up at him and smile softly.
“Me, too. Take me home, Gavin.”
He smiles against my lips and bends his knees as he scoops me into his arms and kisses me once more.
“My pleasure, baby.”
* * *
My head rests against Gavin’s shoulder as we ascend up the floors in the empty elevator car and my eyes start to drift shut when the doors ping and open.
“Sleepy girl,” he murmurs, wrapping me in his arms as he guides me towards the penthouse doors and unlocks them, sweeping me inside and giving Spencer, who’s standing diligently at the door, a nod before closing the door and tucking strands of my hair behind my ear. Gavin’s touch is soft and his eyes are filled with such love, it warms my heart.
“Turn around, Aria,” he whispers and suddenly, it feels as if every surface of my skin is on fire for his touch and I turn around, my gaze never leaving his. His eyes heat a stormy blue-gray.
Gavin slips his suit jacket off my shoulders and I hear him lay it across the closest surface. Then, his hands glide down my arms and go to my hips, enticing a low moan from my lips. He deftly undoes the tie at the back of my dress and loosens each corset string until I feel the satiated relief of the tight fabric around my stomach and ribs. Then, with achingly slow fingers, he glides the straps off my shoulders and runs his hand over the back of my hair, reveling in the smoothness of the locks. His touch has me wanton and aching and so needy for him, I bite down on my lip when another moan threatens to slip out of my mouth.
“You’re so goddamn beautiful. When I saw you walking towards me in this dress, you took my breath away.”
I moan, pressing against his firm chest from behind in silent invitation to continue. I want it fast, for him to press me to the closest wall and claim me as his. But when he releases my dress and lets it pool to my feet, then takes my hand and lets me step out of the fabric, I realize he wants to take his time. He can cherish me with just one touch, and I know completely, irrevocably I am his.
When Gavin kisses me, it isn’t the gentle kiss like before. Passionate, desperate, loving and all consuming, his lips treasure my mouth for long seconds before I’m lifted up with his strong arms, hitching both my legs around his slender hips. In his kiss, he claims me. Lowering me onto the king sized mattress of our bedroom, my hands knot in his hair in silent pleas for more.
“Gavin… ” I whisper when he pulls away, his eyes taking me in as I lie beneath him in nothing but a purple laced bra and panties, the necklace and earrings I’d put on before the wedding and the pair of three inch black heels that Farah insisted I buy last week. His eyes wander down and I see his arousal, appreciation for me when he bites his lower lip and trails his hands up my thighs to the lacy fabric of my panties. A moan slips out, my eyes closing as desire pools in between my legs and my sex clenches in hot anticipation for him. Gavin lifts my hands to the headboard, holding them there.
“I want this slowly, I want to savor you, Beautiful,” he murmurs and I nod, my eyes never leaving his as he releases my hands and lifts one finger, telling me to wait.
Warmth spreads through me as he tongues his way down my navel and towards my hot and ready sex. Oh, yes.
But then, his mouth leaves me and when I open my eyes, my entire body humming with desire for him, he is gloriously naked in front of me and has that breathtakingly beautiful smile across his face.
“I’m going to adore you, pleasure you, and love you. All night long. How does that sound?” he says, his voice husky and filled with carnal desire for me. And as his hands close around mine again, I feel beautiful and I don’t hesitate when I answer with a simple whispered word.
“Amazing.”
He chuckles, then uses his knees to spread my legs wider and kneels between them. Taking both my hands in his and kissing them softly, he surprises me with the loving act. His eyes are fierce upon mine and it makes my heart skip a beat, knowing he is making sure I am okay before making love to me however he wants.
“Please, I want you, Gavin.”
As he slowly, teasingly, makes love to me, tasting and pleasuring every part of my exposed skin, I fall even more in love with him. Knowing I never want to leave the high of such passionate lovemaking ever again.
“Mhm, is it morning?” I ask, as my eyes opened to see Gavin hovering over me with that smile I love so much upon his face.
“Yes, it is. Kel called and said she wants to go get cupcakes before they leave to New Orleans.”
I sit up in bed and start to laugh. My sister is most definitely addicted to Jenna’s cupcakes. But then I think about the rest of what he said.
“He’s taking her to New Orleans?”
Gavin grins and kisses the top of my head.
“Yep. Lucas said Kel always wanted to go there.”
“She has. She almost went while we were in college but had a bad case of the flu and had to cancel. She’s going to love it!”
I can just picture Kel’s face when Lucas tells her. She’ll be ecstatic.
“I guess I better get dressed.”
I push against Gavin’s bare chest to get up, but he doesn’t budge.
“I was hoping I could convince you to stay in bed.”
He begins to kiss down my jaw to my throat and heading south. Desire pools inside me immediately.
“Gavin… I have to go see her off. She’ll be so excited.”
I hear Gavin’s low groan and then he gets up and takes me with him.
“Let me at least talk you into making me breakfast. I love watching you in our kitchen.”
I wrap my hands around the back of his neck and bite his lower lip gently.
“If you insist.”
* * *
“You look so happy,” I say, embracing my sister in both arms.
“I am” she whispers against my shoulder and the levity of those words make me pull back and see her teary smile.
“Are you excited?”
She nods and I reach up to her cheek, wipe away a stray tear that’s leaked out.
Then she smiles wider than I’ve ever seen and a glo
w covers her face.
“He’s taking me to New Orleans, Ari. I’ve always wanted to go there!” She starts to jump up and down and like the little girls we used to be, I join her in a happy dance of celebration. We are both laughing like children and it’s been so long since I’ve let myself laugh like this, it’s therapeutic in a way.
“I knew he’d be happy. That man is crazy about you. I knew it the moment I met him in that dive bar.” I sip a vodka tonic at our favorite bar, The Tavern. We came here for one last hooray before the honeymoon. I look over and grin to see Kel is on her fourth martini and well on her way to being buzzed.
“And have you looked at him? My man is hot. Like hot tamale hot!”
She sputters through a laugh and I turn around when the door to the bar swings open. Lucas saunters in, wearing dirty slacks from his workday and a rolling stones tee I’ve seen quite a few times.
“He’s certainly something,” I murmur just as Kel jumps in surprise and Lucas tugs his new wife against his chest and off the stool she’s sitting on.
“Oh! I’m married, you know.” She pretends to try to get away from him, but she’s all smiles. Lucas puts his mouth to her ear and whispers something.
“Yes, you are crazy boy. Let’s get out of here.”
Kel downs her martini and stumbles to stand. I reach for her arm and help Lucas guide her outside. She’s giggling the whole way.
“How much did you drink, Kel? You’re drunk, sweetheart.”
Giggling, she looks up at him and tries to look serious with a pout of her mouth.
“Am not! I only had—wait, how many did I have, Ari?”
“No idea. I think at least three. You should go home and rest it off. I can get home with my car.” I kiss my sister’s cheek and help her towards the car door with Lucas holding most of her weight. I watch him help her in the passenger seat of his truck and kiss her forehead before he closes the door.
Finding Beautiful Page 28
