A Gentleman for Christmas
Page 13
Maci reaches the altar, and the music changes. It’s the bride’s turn. Everyone gets to their feet, blocking my view.
I step forward a little. The back doors open.
There she is.
All the air leaves my chest. She’s standing there in a white lace gown, the sun shining behind her, picking up hints of silver in her dress. The dress is full at the bottom, and Skylar told me it had a long train, but it’s the plunging neckline that has my full attention. Her brown hair is down in loose waves. Skylar looks beautiful every day, but right now she’s beyond stunning. I can’t believe she’s really about to become my wife. I’m one hell of a lucky man.
I see her before she sees me, but when her blue eyes find mine, she smiles. She takes her first step toward me all alone. Her dad is gone, and her mom wasn’t physically able to walk her down the aisle. The days leading up to the wedding, that weighed on both her and her mom. The aisle isn’t wide enough for her wheelchair and Skylar’s dress, and her mom refused to have her daughter roll her down the aisle. I know that made them both a little sad.
I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it before, but it seems like the right thing to do now. I take a step down off the altar. There’s a rustling in the crowd, unsure what’s going on. Skylar pauses, too, but when I flash her a smile, she continues to walk toward me, her train trailing behind her.
Halfway down the aisle, I meet her, holding my arm out to escort her the rest of the way. She slips her hand into the crook of my arm. The diamonds of her engagement ring catch the light. I had it custom made for her. I can’t tell you how many diamonds are on the thing. There’s the center stone, and it’s surrounded by smaller diamonds. It almost looks like a snowflake. One of a kind, just like the woman wearing it.
“Wow,” I whisper, my eyes taking her in.
When she smiles, I forget myself and pull her to my lips, my hands landing on the bare flesh of her back. Not only is the dress low cut, but it has a completely open back. The crowd starts laughing.
“We aren’t at that part yet,” Skylar whispers, placing her hand on my chest.
“For you, I break all the rules.”
ALSO BY PRESCOTT LANE
All My Life
To the Fall
Toying with Her
The Sex Bucket List
The Reason for Me
Stripped Raw
Layers of Her (a novella)
Wrapped in Lace
Quiet Angel
Perfectly Broken
First Position
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For the past few years, I’ve sent holiday cards out to readers, but this year has gotten away from me, mostly because I was writing this little baby. So I hope everyone considers this book a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays wish from me. 2018 has been wonderful—it brought my books To the Fall and All My Life into the world. And now this one.
The list of those to thank for this incredible year is too long to name. I wish I could list every person who has ever taken a chance on me, taken a chance to read an author they’ve never heard of. I wish I could hug all the readers and bloggers who have been with me since the beginning. Your loyalty and support mean more than you’ll ever know.
Merry Christmas to my team—Nina Grinstead, Social Butterfly PR, Michele Catalano, Michelle Rodriquez, Nikki Rushbrook. You ladies keep me sane, go crazy with me when I need it, and stay by my side through thick and thin. Love you so very much.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. May all your Christmas wishes come true!
Hugs and Happily Ever Afters,
Prescott Lane
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PRESCOTT LANE is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Centenary College in 1997 with a degree in sociology. She went on to Tulane University to receive her MSW in 1998, after which she worked with developmentally delayed and disabled children. She currently lives in New Orleans with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
Contact her at any of the following:
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