by Parker, Ali
I looked up at the high ceiling of the rented bedroom I was sleeping in. Grayson had rented the mansion, where the wedding would be held, for me and Amber to stay in the night before the wedding. The rehearsal dinner had been held in the formal dining room of the place last night. Everything had been so lovely. His family had welcomed me with open arms, something I hadn’t truly been expecting.
I rolled over and grabbed my phone from the nightstand, pushing the button to turn on the screen and saw a text message from Grayson.
Happy wedding day.
I smiled as I read it. It was simple and sweet. It wasn’t overly romantic, but for him, the very idea that he had woke this morning and thought of me was pretty amazing. I could get used to little texts like that for the rest of my days.
“Business, Hannah, business,” I reminded myself for the umpteenth time.
As the wedding day had grown closer, so had Grayson and I. Our relationship had evolved, and we were very much a couple, at least in my eyes we were. He had never once mentioned the fact it was a business arrangement again, but it was always in the back of my mind.
I got out of bed, stretching before getting up and walking out of my room and across the hall to the suite Amber was staying in. I knocked twice, waiting to hear her voice.
“I’m up.” She groaned.
I laughed and opened the door. “Our massages are scheduled for nine. Then it’s the manis and pedis, facials, and a little waxing before the hair and makeup people show up.”
“Ow,” she mumbled.
“Ow?” I asked.
“The waxing. The rest sounds great, but waxing?”
“Fine, you can be a hairy beast, but my dress leaves no room for hair,” I said with a laugh.
She rolled over and looked at me, her hair mussed. “It’s your wedding day.”
I grinned. “Yes, it is and it’s going to be awesome. Now, get up, I need to get all my kinks worked out.”
She laughed. “Why do I have to get out of bed to get a massage? I mean, isn’t that what a massage is.”
“No. Now get up.”
I walked out of the room and headed back to my own. Grayson had ordered us a full spa day, all in the comfort of the luxurious mansion. We didn’t have to leave the place at all to get our beauty treatments in preparation for the wedding. The man had thought of everything. I was grateful he had. I was truly prepared to take care of my own hair and makeup, but he and the wedding planner insisted I pamper myself. It didn’t take much to convince me.
Twenty minutes later, Amber and I were lying facedown in the spa room inside the mansion, two very talented masseuses working our bodies from tip to top. I nearly fell asleep as the woman with the silky hands massaged every muscle, even ones I didn’t know existed.
“I think you should get married every week.” Amber groaned.
“Me too,” I said, so relaxed I could barely open my mouth.
With our bodies fully relaxed, we moved on to the facials and waxing. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect for my wedding night with Grayson. My skin needed to be vibrant and soft. I was expecting him to lavish me with his mouth. It had been weeks. When I had told him I wanted to wait until our wedding night, I hadn’t realized how brutal the wait had been. Despite my attempts to back out of our deal, he held steady and refused to cave in.
I met Amber back in the dressing room, a smile on my face as I walked in. It was close. The hair and makeup were the last part of our getting ready.
“You’re glowing,” she said as I walked through the door.
I laughed. “I think that’s the facial but thank you.”
She sat down in the chair next to mine. I reached out and grabbed her hand. “Thank you for being here for me. You truly are my best friend in the world and I cannot imagine doing any of this without you.”
“You know I will always be here for you,” she said in a soft voice.
I nodded and let the beauticians go to work on my face. I sat in the chair, letting the hair and makeup people do their thing while I tried to calm my nerves. I shouldn’t be nervous. This was nothing more than a business arrangement. This was me securing my job and my future. I had to think of it as a business meeting. This was a merger. I would sign my name on the dotted line and that was it. Amber had left a bit ago, her hair and makeup taking less time than my own, leaving me alone with my own thoughts despite the people milling about the room.
“You’re all done,” the woman holding a makeup brush said, standing back and admiring her work.
“Thank you,” I said with a smile, anxious to see what she had done to my face. She had spent a lot of time applying makeup. I prayed I wasn’t going to look like Bozo the Clown.
“I’m just about finished with your hair,” the woman behind me mumbled as she sprayed hairspray over the updo she had created.
The women stepped away, turning the chair to face the large mirror so I could see what they had done. I looked in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize myself. I looked like an elegant princess. The little white pearls woven into my hair sparkled in the light. My makeup was understated but expertly applied. Every inch of my body had been groomed to perfection, right down to my pretty light-pink toenails.
I heard a soft knock on the door, snapping my attention away from my reflection in the mirror. “Come in,” I called out.
Amber walked in, her smile radiant as she looked at me in the mirror. “You’re gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful,” she said with heartfelt sentiment.
“Thank you,” I said sitting up from the makeup chair and standing to face her. I was taken aback by her own beautiful appearance.
“Well?” she said, nervously smoothing down the blue satin gown.
I shook my head. “You are going to steal the show. That dress loves you. You look stunning,” I told her, fresh tears welling in my eyes as I looked at my best friend in her gown.
“Don’t cry! You’ll ruin your makeup.”
The makeup artist scoffed. “It’s going to take a sandblaster to get that off.”
That was slightly concerning, but I ignored the comment. “I love that dress. You might be single in this moment, but after tonight, I have a feeling you are going to have a long line of men knocking on your door.”
She giggled. “I’m looking for tall, dark, and gorgeous. Being a little rich wouldn’t hurt.”
“You’ve come to the right place my friend. We have those in spades. I’ve seen the guest list.”
She clapped her hands. “Perfect!”
I took a deep breath. “Are you ready to help me get dressed?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I walked to where my dress was hanging on a hook and unzipped the garment bag, revealing the gown I had picked. It took my breath away every time I saw it. The other people in the room discreetly left, leaving me and Amber alone.
“I can’t believe this is it,” I said in awe.
She smiled and nodded. “You’re getting married. I peeked in the garden. It is absolutely gorgeous. Your wedding is perfect. Every detail is in place. I’m only a little jealous,” she teased.
I nodded. It truly was a dream wedding. No expense had been spared. We had found the venue with the help of the wedding planner. It was a mansion often used for weddings. There had been a last-minute cancellation, which meant it was mine for the taking. After touring the gardens where the weddings were held, I knew it was the right place.
“I have serious butterflies in my stomach,” I admitted.
“Do you want a drink before we put that dress on you?” she offered.
I shook my head. “No. I haven’t eaten, and it will go straight to my head.”
“I can have some cheese and crackers sent in.”
“No! I’ll probably puke, plus, that dress is tight. I can’t afford to be even a little bloated,” I joked.
She laughed. “Please, you’re going to look stunning. Now come on, drop the robe and let’s get this thing on y
ou.”
I untied the sash and took off by robe before slipping into the dress, being careful not to tear it or snag it. Amber zipped up the short zipper in back before adjusting the hanging pearls that stretched across my bare back.
I looked in the mirror and felt overwhelmed by it all. The tears were welling once again as it all became very real. I was about to be married. The familiar knot in my stomach grew, making me feel jittery and nauseated at the same time.
“I really love this dress,” I whispered.
“You should. It is simple and elegant, and on you, it is absolutely stunning. Grayson hasn’t seen it yet?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I wanted him to be surprised.”
She laughed. “I think someone should have a garden hose on standby. You are going to set the place on fire.”
I nervously laughed, bending down to pull my shoes out of the box. I slid my feet into the white satin shoes with little pears on the toes and took a deep breath. “Veil,” I said, ready to add the finishing touch.
She pulled it from its own bag and carefully set it atop my head. I turned to face her and saw her fighting the tears from spilling from her eyes. “Beautiful,” she whispered.
Chapter 42
Grayson
It was hard to believe the day had finally arrived. I had played my cards correctly and got Hannah right where I needed her to be—prepping to be my wife. It had been dicey there for a week or two when I wasn’t sure I could repair the damage, but now here we were. We were going to be married in front of two hundred people and get me one step closer to having what I wanted.
I loved the idea of the marriage essentially tying her to me. She wouldn’t be able to run to Jack. If she did, it wouldn’t matter. She could have the younger, lesser brother who wouldn’t hold the family inheritance.
The car dropped me and my best man, Justin, off at the entrance to the east wing. Hannah had the rooms on the opposite end of the monstrous mansion. I had opted to stay home last night, not trusting myself to be in the same house as her. I was horny as hell and this little agreement not to have sex until the wedding was making me crazy. That little paranoid part of me kept telling me her suggestion we not have sex until the wedding was more about her trying to control me than about making our wedding night special. I didn’t appreciate her using sex to keep me in line, but I had gone along with her plan, not wanting to rock the boat and have her back out of the marriage deal. It was too important.
That or she was fucking Jack behind my back and couldn’t keep up with both of us anymore. I knew it wasn’t the best thought to have on my wedding day, but it wasn’t a real wedding. I was marrying her to secure my inheritance—nothing more. I knew deep down there was something going on with her and Jack. I didn’t know how deep it went, but it was there. They could be lovers. The thought of him touching her made me crazy jealous, which I hated.
“You okay?” Justin asked as we walked into the large mansion together. A polite man escorted us to the rooms we would be using to get dressed for the wedding.
“I’m great,” I grumbled.
“You don’t look like a man who is about to be married in a few hours.”
I shot him a look. “You know this isn’t real. It’s about me getting what I want.”
He smiled. “Are you sure about that?”
“I’m positive.”
We walked into the room we were going to be using. I could hear my rowdy brothers across the hall. They were all getting ready together. I had set it up so Justin and I would arrive after them. I had made up some excuse about needing to get new cuff links just so I could avoid them. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing Jack. I was convinced the time Hannah and I had been spending apart, she had been spending with him. She always claimed to be doing something for the wedding, but it was bullshit. They were continuing their conniving and I was going to find out one way or the other.
“I’m glad you’re getting married regardless. I think it will be good for you,” he said.
I rolled my eyes. “It will be good for me, but I think we have different ideas about how it will be good.”
“You’ve got to let it go,” he said, unzipping the garment bag.
“I can’t.”
“You could. You could ask her or give her the benefit of the doubt. I saw the two of you together last night. This isn’t a completely cold, unfeeling relationship. I can see you care for her.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “That’s what I want her to believe.”
“Bullshit.”
I sighed. “It’s the truth. I’m not like you. I want this company and all that goes with it. It is mine as the firstborn son. I’m making sure I get what I deserve. Hannah and Jack can scheme all they want. I’m going to win this little game they’re playing.”
He shook his head. “What if it isn’t a game? What if she really cares about you?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t think she does, but if she does happen to care about me, she’ll get over it.”
“I’m going to tell you right now, you better not hurt that woman,” he said, his voice stern.
The thought of causing her any kind of emotional pain did not sit well with me. “It isn’t intentional.”
He was staring at me. “You can say you don’t have feelings for her, but I know you do. You don’t want to hurt her.”
“Of course, I don’t, but if she’s doing something behind my back to hurt me financially or personally, I can’t worry about whether or not she gets hurt. She put herself in the position, not me. When she chose to collude with my brother, she decided I didn’t matter.”
“I don’t want to piss you off, especially on your wedding day, but you have to consider the alternative,” he said.
“What alternative?”
“She could be exactly who she says she is. Your brother has told you he isn’t interested in stealing your birthright, and she’s told you she isn’t talking to Jack. Don’t you think you owe it to yourself to at least listen to what they are saying?”
I scowled at him. “I owe it to myself not to get taken for a fool.”
“That’s your pride talking. You’re going to ruin this relationship if you let that giant ego of yours get in the way. Listen to reason. You sound like a paranoid lunatic. You’re seeing shadows when there is nothing there. Give yourself a chance to believe they are both telling the truth,” he lectured.
I shook my head. “No way. I did that once and it nearly cost me everything.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the one who dumped her. You yourself said that. You weren’t in danger of losing anything.”
“You didn’t see them together,” I reminded him.
“I saw you with her last night. She didn’t even talk to Jack. She was by your side all night like the perfect doting fiancée. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice either. You were strutting around like a proud peacock.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “She’s a beautiful woman. I’m happy to be able to call her my wife—assuming she doesn’t leave me standing at the altar like a fool.”
Justin laughed. “I doubt that will happen.”
“I should go and talk to her, make sure she’s going to show up,” I said, anxious to see her. I needed to confirm she was actually in the mansion and hadn’t wandered off in the middle of the night.
“No, you shouldn’t. You can’t see the bride hours before the wedding.”
“I can do anything I damn well please,” I shot back.
He grinned. “You want to see her.”
“I want to make sure she is going to go through with this.”
He smiled and slowly nodded. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.”
“I’ll talk to her through the door,” I promised.
He laughed. “Sorry, as the best man, it is my duty to keep you on this side of the house.”
“I’ll go wherever I damn well please.”
“Not today you won’t. Come on, you need to get this contraption
on,” he said, pointing to my tux.
I rolled my eyes. “It’ll take me ten minutes to get dressed. I’ve got plenty of time.”
“You might, but she’s probably getting her hair done right now. It takes women hours to get ready for something like this. I know you’re anxious, but the waiting will make it all the better when you see her.”
I wanted to tell him he was full of shit and it wasn’t like that, but it would be a lie. I was anxious to see her. She had told me nothing about the dress. My imagination had run wild imagining something sleek and sexy. Then again, she would look amazing in a gorgeous full gown as well. Hell, she would look good in a paper bag, I mused.
Instead of arguing with him, I grabbed the tux and headed into the bathroom to change. She had chosen the style and insisted my cummerbund and bow tie be royal blue to match Amber’s dress. I didn’t see the need, but it was her show and despite everything, I wanted it to be a great production. My family had to believe the wedding was real in order to keep them from contesting the will. I was so close, I couldn’t afford to screw up now.
I returned to the main room to find Justin had already changed as well.
“You clean up real nice, if I do say so myself,” he said with a cheesy grin.
I laughed. “Gee, thanks.”
“I got us a bottle of scotch. I figured you could use a drink to take the edge off,” he said, walking to the side table and pouring two fingers in each glass.
I shrugged. “I don’t have an edge. I’m not nervous. This is just another day for me.”
He burst into laughter. “You’re a shitty liar, but fine, I’ll go along with that. Take the drink just because we can and get away with it.”
I took the drink, appreciating the calming effect it did have on me. I was anxious, but not about the marriage itself. I couldn’t shake the feeling something was amiss, and I was disregarding it. I thought about going across the hall and demanding Jack confess what his plans were, but I knew it would be fruitless. He’d only deny it again.
