Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Gavin shot me an exasperated look. “That’s sufficiently terrifying.”
“I’m all bite.”
“And since when are you a romantic? I didn’t think you ever wanted to get married.”
“Who says they never want to get married? Even you had a wedding ring handy like in your sock drawer or whatever. You clearly had planned on it or at least thought about it.”
“Yeah, well, my mom gave it to me after my grandma died. It’s been chilling in my drawer for a while.”
I shrugged and lounged back. I was still in the shorts and tank I’d fallen asleep in. I’d already fixed my hair and makeup, but I wasn’t quite ready to get into my dress. Gavin slipped his suit jacket on with the pink tie hanging loose around his neck.
“Romantic, King.”
I set the coffee down and crossed to him, threading the tie through my fingers. My dad had taught me how to knot a tie at a young age so that I could help him get ready for church services. He had a thousand different ties, and I’d loved being the one who got to pick it out. I’d practically learned tie knotting before I could tie my shoes.
That was a long time ago. Dad and I weren’t on great terms. But old habits die hard.
“What are you doing?”
“Tying a perfect full Windsor.”
“Is that what we’re calling it nowadays?”
“Stop moving,” I ordered. “I’ve got this.”
I felt Gavin’s eyes on the top of my head, but I didn’t lift my gaze to meet his until I pulled the tie knot through.
“My masterpiece,” I said when I finished.
There was no amusement in his expression when I met his gaze. My breath hitched at the look in his bright emerald eyes. Not desire—or not simply desire. It was tinged with something deeper—admiration and trust. Something much more dangerous than pure desire. Desire could be thwarted and cast off. This look could cleave mountains.
I stepped back hastily. “Go look in the mirror.”
Gavin moved to the full length and admired my handiwork. “You’re good at this. Where’d you learn?”
I shrugged. “My dad.”
Then, I snagged my dress and went into the bathroom to change. The dress was a marvel. I’d found it at a boutique on Fifth Avenue. Katherine would be upset that I hadn’t taken her along for the ride, but I’d been on a deadline. And frankly couldn’t explain what I was doing to my friends yet. Even though they’d been messaging me all week and asking questions. English had even tried to call me, but I’d been too busy to answer.
The miracle of the dress was that it was a light layer of ice blue that fell to my feet in my four-inch heels. It was nearly impossible to find long formalwear that didn’t have to be hemmed six inches at bare minimum. I had been looking for anything that didn’t require a hem, and this had been the best fit. It was almost Roman in style with a deep V at the front and a cinched waist. It was easy to move in, modest—well, for me—and, most importantly, the right length. Not to mention, it made my hazel eyes look almost blue in the right light.
I stepped out of the bathroom and said, “Well?”
When Gavin faced me, he froze. “Jesus Christ,” he whispered, barely audible.
“Good?” I twirled for him, the skirts fluttering around my ankles.
“You look stunning.” He caught my hand and pulled me into him. “I’ll be honored to have you on my arm.”
My cheeks heated at the unexpected words. “Thank you.”
“I’m going to be the envy of every guy in the room.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
That was an understatement. I’d been trying not to ogle him as I fixed his tie, but the suit fit him as if it had been made for him, which, of course, it had. The angles intensified his height and the breadth of his shoulders. It came in sharply at his waist with a single button done. The pants were trim, just hiding the powerful thighs underneath.
A well-made suit was to women what lingerie was to men.
He winked at me and then offered me his arm. “Shall we?”
I nodded. It was safer for me to get out of this room right now or I might have second thoughts about stripping him out of that suit. But we hardly had time.
Even though it was an afternoon wedding, Gavin’s family had asked him to be there for pictures. He was an usher and dressed to match the groomsmen. I didn’t mind arriving with him and ingratiating myself with Margaret.
Gavin parked in the gravel lot before the gorgeous barn that would house the reception. The wedding itself was being set up outside in a meadow surrounded by large oaks. Already, the caterers, florists, and other event planning specialists were getting ready. A tent was being pitched next to the barn for overflow seating, a dance floor, and drinks.