by Jenna Chase
"Yes," I said, turning to her. "It's not getting married, though. It's getting up in front of all those people that has me freaked out. I don't know why we feel like we have to do this in front of a crowd," I said, turning to her and gripping her arms. "Why am I doing this, Lainey?"
"Because you want to be surrounded by the people you love on this beautiful day. We're all so happy for you, Erica," Lainey said with tears in her eyes. "I hope you're going to be there when I get married."
"Of course I will! You know I wouldn't miss it for the world. Okay, let's get out there before I start crying and mess up my makeup."
The three of us walked out of the dressing room cabana and headed out onto the beach.
Everything was perfect. Multiple tents had been set up with streams of white lights hanging from the ceiling.
Each tent was decorated with bunches of pink and red peonies, both of our favorite flower, and had shimmery fabric that flowed in the breeze dangling from the overhang and from each corner. All kinds of tropical food and beverages were available at the buffet tables, with an underground oven of roasted Kālua pork making the centerpiece of the reception.
All of the guests were dressed very casually and looked relaxed and happy, and not one of them had shoes on. Not even Malcolm's parents or any of the members of his family.
Malcolm was talking to a group of his friends near the bar and when he saw me walking toward the party, he excused himself and came over to us.
"God, Erica, you look incredible. Are you ready?" he asked, kissing me on the lips and then on the forehead before wrapping his arms around me. "I can't wait to walk you down the aisle."
"Yes, I'm ready," I said as I looked up into his dark eyes.
"You're walking her down the aisle?" Michelin asked. "What about dad?"
"He's going to have to wait until you get married to walk a daughter down the aisle. Malcolm and I wanted to walk down together. I've never liked the idea of being given from one man to another, even if it's just a tradition or a gesture, and it was Malcolm's idea that we walk down together. Because we're giving ourselves to each other," I said as I looked back up at him, melting in his gaze.
"Wow, that's really sweet," Michelin said with tears welling up in her eyes. "I hope dad won't be too hurt if I steal your idea because I really love it."
"Sorry to interrupt, but it looks like we're together," a tall, handsome man said as he touched my sister's arm.
"Oh, hey there, Declan. Yeah, I guess we are," Michelin said as she laughed nervously. "It's about that time, isn't it? Oh, Erica, have you met Declan?"
"No, but I've heard a lot about you," I said as I shook his hand. "From Malcolm and Michelin."
My sister gave me a wide-eyed glare and I smiled in return. I had no problem giving little hits to her secret crush.
The chattering of the crowd started to die down as two women seated near one of the cabanas started playing Pachelbel's Cannon on acoustic guitars. Very soon after they started playing everything seemed to stop. No one was talking and no silverware or glasses were clinking. There was just the sound of the crashing waves and the beautiful guitar music.
Declan put his arm around Michelin's and led her to the front of the group of guests near the women with the guitars and Lainey and Malcolm's other groomsman and his sister Sasha all joined in behind them, two by two. Then Malcolm took my hand and we walked past the crowd of smiling guests together.
I could see both of our mothers standing together, both with tears streaming down their cheeks and tissues in their hands and I had to keep myself from tearing up as well. I was thrilled that everyone seemed to be enjoying the simple ceremony as much as we'd hoped.
When we reached the rest of the wedding party and stood in front of all of the guests, we turned to each other and smiled. I watched the cool breeze tousle Malcolm's hair that he had let grow out over the last month. I had a feeling that since the trips to Manhattan were going to be much less frequent that his haircuts would be too. And I loved his slightly shaggy new look.
The excitement in his eyes made him look like a little kid as he gazed down at me. We both knew that we weren't going to say much and that the ceremony would most likely only last minutes. We had both decided that there wasn't much to say other than the way we felt about each other.
Malcolm looked at the officiant who nodded that the ceremony had begun, then he took both of my hands.
"Erica, the only thing that I want you to know is that I will always love you. And that as much as you are mine, I am yours. Forever." He picked up both of my hands and brought them to his lips, then smiled as he watched the tears that had been welling up in my eyes finally stream down my face.
"I will always love you, Malcolm. And no matter where you go or what you do I will always be with you. Forever."
The officiant started to speak but before she could get everything out, Malcolm had already grabbed me around the waist and pulled me against him. The crowd laughed and cheered as the officiant yelled out husband and wife while Malcolm lowered his head and lifted my lips to his.
"Forever," he whispered as his mouth pressed softly into mine. It was a kiss that was deeply passionate yet so gentle that it took my breath away.
I looked up into his smiling eyes and realized that, between the music and flowers and crashing waves on our beach, and the feather-light caress of his lips, that's what he intended. Malcolm McDaniel was going to do everything in his power to continue to take my breath away, forever.
About the Author
Jenna Chase is an emerging author of steamy Alpha Male Billionaire Romances that are the perfect length to read on your lunch break.
Find all Jenna Chase releases on her Amazon page
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authorjennachase
authorjennachase.com/
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About the Author
JB Duvane writes about bad boys of all kinds … always with a HEA.
You can find all of JB’s books on her
Amazon Page
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Also by Jenna Chase
You can find all titles by Jenna Chase by visiting her author page on Amazon
HERE
Here Billionaire Secret Part 4
Billionaire Player Part 2
Billionaire Prince
Taking the Heiress Part 3
Billionaire’s Snow Queen
Her Billionaire Boarder
Country Billionaire Part 3
Her Blond Billionaire
Billionaire Ambition Part 1
Also by JV Duvane
Please visit JB Duvane’s author page on Amazon for a full list of books available.
JB Duvane on Amazon
Hooked: A Bad Boy MMA Romance
The Dark Doctor
Colin: A Serial Killer Romance
Bad Patient: A Mafia Hitman Bad Boy Romance
His to Take (She’s Mine Book 1)
Dark Boys
Dark Boys 2
