Chapter 9
Wedding Day Nightmares
The sun dances on the sandy grounds being stirred by the winds. I smile when I see Hale laughing with a man below, and his eyes look up to the window to catch my spying. He gives me a wink before returning to his casual conversation, and I lean against the frame when I realize I can’t take my eyes off him.
His dark hair is tousled with a seductive edge, his hybrid blue eyes glisten so beautifully I can see them from all the way up here, and his pristine ensemble is tailored to fit him in the sexiest way possible.
He looks back up, and his grin grows a little bashful when he sees my gawking gaze of adoration still fixated on him. I let a shy smile of my own free, and he starts walking toward the building when he sees I can’t look away.
I sigh happily as I walk through to pull my shoes on.
One more day.
As soon as I emerge from the bedroom, Hale is walking in with his silly grin still intact. He walks over to pull me into his arms, and those perfect eyes hold me captive.
“Tomorrow, baby,” he utters so sweetly.
“Tomorrow,” I giggle out.
His lips grip mine as he pulls me to his incredible body I love to feel. I smile behind the delicious kiss when he lifts me up to carry me toward the door.
“Can I please see your dress?” he murmurs against my lips.
“Absolutely. You can see it all you want to tomorrow.”
He chuckles lightly while rolling his eyes, and then puts me down so we walk out of the apartment hand in hand on our way to meet Clay.
“Did he ever say why he needed to speak with us?” I ask as I think back to the urgent tone in his voice yesterday.
“No. He left to meet with the Hershian officials about… a replacement, and you heard the same thing I did. He just said he had to speak with both of us as soon as he got back. Angelica, Grayson, and Brazen will be there as well.”
“I’m sorry about your having to be around Brazen so much. I know that can’t be too comfortable,” I sigh.
“It’s only uncomfortable sometimes, but you chose me. You’re marrying me tomorrow. I want you to be taken care of when my span ends, and I’m almost glad-”
My lips attack his to silence the words he’s trying to speak.
“Never talk like that. I never want you thinking he’s just waiting on your span to end. I don’t even want to think about you ever leaving me,” I whimper, and his lips close back over mine again as his hands tangle in my hair.
“You still want me?” he murmurs softly, and I smile as my lips stroke the side of his neck.
“Yes. Always.”
He picks me back up while walking toward his office where Clay has requested we meet him. I can’t stop smiling, and I couldn’t be happier. There’s nothing in this world that can sour this moment no matter how hard it tries.
My feet find the ground again when his office comes into view along with the pale blue eyes staring at our interlocked fingers as he walks up to hold the door open for us. Hale shifts a little awkwardly as Brazen glares at me with a menacing smirk because he’s constantly thinking of the day when Hale won’t be around to contend with. The morbid fascination only irritates me, and I hope he stops taunting Hale with it very soon.
“What’s up?” Hale asks casually as he shuts the door to the office.
Everyone is calm, collected, and casual except for Clay who looks to have not slept for three days. He paces wildly back and forth while chewing on his fingernails that barely exist anymore. Hale’s body tenses because he knows it has to be bad if Clay is this freaked out.
“For fuck’s sake, just tell us what’s going on, Clay,” Hale demands as he grows frustrated from the suspense.
“I don’t even know how to start,” Clay almost whispers as his remaining color flees, leaving him a ghostly white.
“What the hell?” Brazen prompts.
“I should have probably spoken to just Araya and Hale first, but this is a really big deal. Everyone will have to keep this incredibly quiet - beyond quiet. You can’t even whisper about this until I figure out a way to make it work.”
