Michael managed to look offended. “Hey, I wouldn’t dream of skipping out on the role of best man. You can count on me. I won’t let you down.”
Bryan signaled that he was ready to begin and the men walked into adjoining fitting rooms to try on the suits the tailor had set aside for them.
After the fitting was complete and Bryan was left to make the required adjustments, the men went to the bar down the block for a beer. Michael was raring to hit some of the city’s top spots but Carson begged off and convinced him to settle for a beer at a sports bar before he headed home for the evening. It wasn’t like him to say no to a night out and Michael knew that, but trying on his wedding tuxedo had sobered Carson up and driven home to him the enormous step he was about to take. Dressing in tuxedos was second nature to him of course but this suit was different. He’d stared at himself in the fitting room mirror, trying to imagine what it would feel like to stand up in front of family and friends and commit his life to Arial Jackson. He’d quickly tossed that thought aside, annoyed with himself for allowing it to cross his mind in the first place. He wasn’t committing his life to the woman. Within six months, possibly even less, he would be a free man again and back happily playing in the world he knew so well.
Michael chugged back half of his glass of beer and leered at a scantily clad waitress as she sashayed past. “Can’t believe you’re giving up the single life. What’s this girl like, anyway?”
“She’s…” He took a minute to search for the right words to describe Arial and he didn’t notice the smile forming on his face in the process.
Michael nudged him with his elbow. “What’s the grin for? You’re not getting mushy over a business transaction, are you?”
Carson had told Michael the basic details of his arrangement with Arial and Michael had sympathized with him over Terence’s ultimatum. Michael was one of three sons and his older brother had already married and produced a son of his own. He was off the get-married-and-produce-a-heir hook and Carson envied him for it. “Nah, I’m not getting mushy,” he said quickly. “She’s hot. She’s a babe.”
“And a virgin?” Michael crudely licked his lips. “I had one of those once. Miranda. I like knowing that she’ll never forget me. Women never forget their first.”
“She’s a sweet thing but I’m starting to get the idea that she’s no pushover.” Her little tantrum at the restaurant had been the first sign of that and they’d had a brief tussle yesterday too, after their little tete-a-tete with Terence and Martha. He’d walked with her through the rose gardens before calling a driver to take her home and although he was ashamed to admit it now, he did attempt to kiss her in the privacy of the sundial lawn. It wasn’t as if he’d planned it. They were standing and talking by the sundial and she’d giggled at something he’d said, turning her face up and parting her lips in a manner that was impossible to resist. Unfortunately, she’d guessed what he was about to do and swiftly ducked out of the way, leaving them both feeling awkward. She’d asked if she could go home after that and he hadn’t spoken to her since.
Michael was watching him closely. “I hope you know what you’re doing. You wouldn’t catch me marrying a chick that I barely knew.”
“It’s not forever,” Carson reminded him. “It’s just to keep the olds happy. Do you want another beer? I’ll make it my last and then I’ll hit the road.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Arial
Today was the day. After a whirlwind of planning, fittings, appointments, and more than a few tears, Arial was about to pledge her life to the man whom she would one day come to love above all others. She stood in front of the large oval mirror in one of the guest bedrooms at the hill mansion while Bethany rearranged the last curling tendril of hair around her face.
“You look incredible, Arial. Seriously, I’ve never seen such a gorgeous bride.”
“Hold still for a minute. Both of you. Just there. Yeah. Beautiful.” Clarice clicked off another volley of shots.
“You must have enough photos by now,” Arial said sweetly. “Why don’t you go out and find yourself a seat? I’d like to have a few minutes alone with my best friend.”
Clarice looked as if she was about to argue but then she nodded. “Ok. Sweet. Garden shots next.”
Arial waited until the door closed behind her before turning to Bethany. “I’m so scared.”
“I don’t blame you. This place is a freaking palace!” Bethany spun around, the skirt of her royal blue gown spinning with her. “I thought I was going to have a heart attack when the driver pulled up outside.”
“It is nice.” She gazed out the window at the sweeping grounds guarded by the cluster of purple-hued hills. This property was smaller than the city mansion but just as grand and just as superbly furnished. Tonight she would spend her wedding night here with her new husband. The lush West Wing was closed off and awaiting the new Mr. and Mrs. DuMonde – at their convenience, of course.
“I had a peek outside earlier. Carson and his best man were out there mingling with the guests before they went to get changed.”
“What does he look like?”
“He’s amazingly sexy. He’s built like a peasant farmer.” Bethany rolled her eyes in mock ecstasy. “He can plough my furrow any day of the week.”
“Carson?” She certainly wouldn’t have described him like that but Bethany had always had an unusual way with words.
“No! The best man. Jeepers, Arial. I’m not about to jump on your husband. What do you take me for?”
“Sorry. My mind is all over the place.” She looked again at her reflection in the mirror. She’d opted for the ball gown in the end, with an off the shoulder bodice, cinched in waist, and Cinderella skirt. The hairstylist who’d been here earlier had woven her hair into an intricate up-do laced with tiny pearls and her makeup was subtle but sophisticated. She hardly recognized herself. She looked like a model from the pages of a bridal magazine.
“Did you manage to get hold of Steve?”
“No.” This was her single biggest regret. She’d messaged him all week but every text she’d sent remained unread. This was expected but it was such a shame that her darling brother did not know that she was saying her I Do’s today.
“He’s going to get a shock when he comes back and hears that little sis has married into the DuMondes.”
“I know. I hope he’s not mad with me.”
“Have you kissed him yet?”
“What?!”
Bethany giggled. “You should see the look on your face. I’m talking about Carson, not your brother.”
“Oh. No, I haven’t kissed Carson but he did try to kiss me in the gardens back at the city mansion. I ducked away from him. I don’t know him well enough to kiss him.” His attempt to kiss her had taken her by surprise. They were laughing together by the sundial in the middle of the rose garden and then suddenly his eyes had darkened and he’d swooped in. She’d managed to sidestep but it had left an uncomfortable atmosphere between them. She’d asked him to call a driver to take her home and he’d readily agreed.
“You don’t know him well enough to kiss him but you’re going to marry him and share his bed tonight?” Bethany said the words slowly, spacing each one out. “Did you hear what you just said?”
Arial blushed. She hadn’t allowed her mind to wander down that path but she had to face facts. She and Carson were to sleep in the same suite tonight but they wouldn’t be sleeping in the same bed. He wouldn’t expect her to share a bed with him so soon. They would take their time getting to know each other and then, maybe in a few weeks or so once they knew each other better, it would happen naturally.
“Are you ok? You look kinda woozy.”
“I am a bit light-headed. This is a massive step for anyone to take. I always thought I’d marry a man whom I loved with all my heart and I haven’t had time to fall in love with Carson yet.”
“You can still back out.”
“Apparently I can’t. I finally had a lawyer tak
e a look at that contract I signed. It’s watertight. He told me off for not consulting him first.”
Bethany wrinkled her nose. “I’ve never been a fan of watertight. If you don’t want to go through with this, take your dress off now and we’ll climb out the window and escape. I’ll be by your side regardless of whatever decision you make.”
“No, I’ll go through with it. I think I’m doing the right thing. He really is a lovely man and he’s as committed to this as I am.”
“Well, if you’re sure. Here. Take your flowers.” Bethany placed the trailing bouquet of roses and babies’ breath into Arial’s hands and stared solemnly into her eyes. “You’ve got this, ok? You can do it. I’ll be standing up there alongside Carson, the hot best man, and the marriage celebrant by the time you walk down the aisle with Matthew. He’s waiting outside the door, by the way. Shall I tell him to give you a few minutes before coming in to get you?”
“Yes. I need some more time to get my head together.”
“I’ll see you at the sacrificial altar.” Bethany blew her a kiss and then she was gone.
Couldn’t she have chosen a better word? Arial closed her eyes and slowly counted down from ten. In little more than twenty minutes’ time, she would be Mrs. DuMonde forever and always. She exhaled slowly. Just concentrate on your breathing, Arial. You can do this. You know you can.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Carson
He was nervous even before he took his place at the altar to wait for his bride. He hated feeling nervous. Nervousness did not sit well on a DuMonde. He walked through to the adjoining bathroom to rinse his hands while Michael looked out the window and supplied a running commentary on all the hot women who were arriving for the ceremony. Carson wasn’t listening anymore. He gazed somberly at his reflection and attempted to compose himself. What am I doing?
“Gabriella’s here! I didn’t know she was coming,” Michael shouted delightedly from the other room. “Fuck me, she’s had another boob job. Her tits are massive.”
Carson continued to stare morosely into the mirror. If he had his way, he’d been on the first plane out of here, heading to somewhere exotic where no one could contact him but unfortunately that wasn’t an option. This was his only chance to save his place in the familial queue and he wasn’t about to forfeit everything and hand it on a plate to smug Matthew. He needed to think of more pleasant things instead of keeping all his focus on the upcoming ceremony. Those pleasant things could include undressing Arial tonight once they were in the privacy of the bridal suite, finally kissing those luscious lips, and leading her to the marital bed.
“Are you ready?” Michael suddenly appeared in the doorway. “We have to go and wait at the altar for your sweet little lamb to arrive.”
“I guess.” He dried his hands on the towel and allowed Michael to adjust his corsage.
“The chief bridesmaid is a cutie. Do you know if she’s single?”
“Uh, yeah. She’s single but she has a baby.” Arial had told him her name. Barbara? Bonnie? Beth?
“Ah, physical proof that she puts out. I thought she might be uptight and chaste like your bride.”
Carson frowned at him. “Arial isn’t uptight. She’s outgoing and friendly.”
“On the surface. Seriously, how many women are still virgins in the mid-twenties these days? She’s either uptight about sex or her father has forced her to wear a chastity belt since she turned sixteen.”
“Her father is dead. Matthew is walking her down the aisle in his place, remember?”
Michael gave a snort. “And that’s probably the funniest part about today. Why did you agree to it?”
“I didn’t …” Nope, he wasn’t going to tell Michael that his bride had made the decision for him. He’d never live it down. “We should go out there. It’s nearly time.”
“Well, good luck.” Michael gave him a hearty clap on the back. “My deepest condolences and all the rest of it.”
The men had just reached the door leading out to the fern garden, where chairs with white bows on the back had been set up for the guests and strings of tiny lights decorated the palms surrounding the entire area when Martha hurried across the lawn toward them. “Everything is on schedule and all the guests are here.” She fussily rearranged Carson’s corsage again. “I do hope your bride isn’t planning on keeping everyone waiting for hours. We had the area sprayed but there are still a few little bugs about.”
“I’m sure she won’t. She probably wants to get this over and done with just as much as I do.”
Martha turned a cool stare on Michael. “And you, young man. I sincerely hope you won’t let your family down again today with your appalling behavior.”
Michael gave her a sickly smile.
“Mom, you need to go and sit with Dad.” Carson pressed a light kiss on his mother’s cheek. She smelled cloyingly of Chanel No. 5 and face powder. “Everything is about to start.”
Her eyes filled with sudden tears and she nodded before walking away. Carson felt a pang of regret. His mother should be getting emotional because he was marrying a woman he loved and instead this wedding made a mockery of both the term and concept of marriage. He was marrying Arial because he’d been forced into it and while there was no doubting the woman’s physical desirability, this was never going to be a long term arrangement. His mother should save her tears for the real deal, which would be years away from now. He knew better than anyone that he wasn’t ready to settle down.
“Your mother is undoubtedly the scariest woman I’ve ever met,” Michael muttered.
“My father runs a close second. Hey, can you try to tone it down a bit today? This is an important occasion for my parents.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Michael peered out at the throng of well-wishers. “Your nuptials have drawn quite a crowd.”
“Yes, most people RSVP’d a yes which was a little unexpected. We didn’t exactly give them much notice.”
“I doubt that many people would say no to an invite to a DuMonde wedding, even if they had to scramble to rearrange their schedules in order to get here for the big day. Come on. Your fans are waiting.”
The nervousness was back, sitting in the pit of his stomach like a dodgy takeaway. He stared straight ahead as he stepped out of the house. He’d already said hello to most of the guests earlier and the ones he hadn’t spoken to yet could wait until this debacle was out of the way.
They walked across the lawn and up the aisle to the altar, a wooden lectern decorated with strings of flowers and yet more of the ubiquitous fairy lights. The nattily dressed marriage celebrant smiled at him. “Are you ready?” she asked softly. “You don’t need to be nervous. I’ve done this a hundred times before now and I promise it won’t hurt a bit.”
“Ha.” That didn’t do much to boost his confidence. The pretty chief bridesmaid gave him a lusty wink before her gaze slid across to Michael. Bethany. That was her name. He remembered it now.
A small stir behind them alerted him that the bride was beginning her slow walk down the aisle. He took a deep, shuddering breath, braced himself, and turned around. His heart suddenly stopped and hung uselessly suspended in his chest. Walking toward him with her eyes firmly fixed on his own was the most beautiful bride he’d ever seen.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Arial
She was suddenly stone cold sober. Her wedding day had been a true fairytale come true but Carson had whispered in her ear a few minutes ago that they would slip away soon and retire to their suite in the West Wing. She grabbed Bethany as she sashayed past with two glasses overflowing with champagne, the expensive beverage slopping all over the floor without Bethany noticing or caring. “I need to pee. Can you come and help me with the dress?”
“Sure, babes. I’ll just take Michael his drink and then I’ll be back.” Carson’s friend Michael was boorish and uncouth but Bethany seemed to like him. She’d flirted up a storm with him for most of the afternoon and evening and the man had lapped up her attention.
>
Bethany returned a few minutes later and she walked with Arial to the bathroom attached to the room they had used to get ready in earlier. “I’m having a blast. Did you know that this is the first real night out I’ve had since Nico was born? You should get married more often.” She was slurring her words and her cheeks were candy pink.
“It is fun. Everyone seems to be in party mode now.” Particularly some of the beautiful women guests. She’d seen them all, the Gabriellas and the Sorayas and the Giselles, sliding up to Carson to ensnare him with their eyes while their manicured fingers danced lightly up his arm and settled possessively on his bicep.
Bethany held up the bulk of Arial’s gown and multiple petticoats while she gingerly lowered herself down onto the toilet seat. “You’d think someone would’ve invented an easier way for brides to pee by now.”
“I’m worried about dripping on my white dress. Can you pass me some toilet paper? This is so awkward.”
Finally, and with lots of fumbles and giggles, the task was accomplished. They returned to the guest room and Arial sat down on the bed. “My feet hurt.”
“You looked adorable when you and Carson danced the bridal waltz. You look perfect together. I have my fingers crossed that the two of you can work through your unusual start and make a marriage that lasts.”
“I do too.” I Do. She stared in wonder at the gold band on her ring finger. The ceremony itself was a blur but she did remember the moment that Carson pushed the ring onto her finger. He had gazed into her eyes and it had felt as if they were the only two people present.
There was a sudden knock at the door and Bethany hurried across to open it. Carson stood on the other side, his eyebrows raised in question. “Is everything ok? I was hoping to escort my dear wife to our suite.”
Arial joined Bethany at the door, trying hard not to let on that her heart was beating like a wild thing. “I’m ready.”
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