Even as I cringe, I can’t help but smile. My Ayla looks beautiful. Not just beautiful. She’s always been the most beautiful girl around, but today…she’s a young-woman type of beautiful. She’s wearing makeup and heels, and I just can’t fucking take it.

“Papi, I’m talking to you. Did you bring the protectors for the bottom of my heels?”

Heels. Santo Dios.

“Si, mi niña. I got the protectors. Here they are,” I say, handing her the bag.

“Then why are you staring at me like that? Do I look bad?”

I shake my head. “No, mi vida. You look beautiful, bellisima. Too grown up for my heart. Your Papi is having a hard time with that.”

She smiles, big and wide, in that Ayla way. “Thanks, Papi. It’s just makeup, you know? Nothing about me has changed.”

I pull her in for a hug. “How was your girls’ night?”

Even as the words leave my mouth, I can’t help but think how ludicrous they are. It feels like I was baby proofing the house for her just days ago.

“It was good. Lauren’s squad came and pampered us. The grownups got champagne. Bron and I got sparkling juice. You should see my swag bag. We also got to practice walking in the heels some more. They thought we did really good.”

I hate this so much but smile anyway. “You’ve been practicing a lot lately at home. I knew you would be impressive—as always.”

“Yeah. I have to go back inside the room. Lauren is super nervous, and I don’t want her to worry because she doesn’t see me.”

“I better go help out with the boys. I imagine Felix must be all over the place.”

She stands on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. “I’ll see you later. Love you,” she says before she dashes down the hallway and disappears into the bride’s suite.

I turn around and head back to the groom’s suite. The door swings open, and a woman steps out in a green dress that clings to her curves. Her face is away from me as she closes the door slowly. But I see all I need in that one step. Coke-bottle shape, a bounce-a-quarter-off-it firm and round ass, gorgeous legs, and dark-brown hair below the shoulders. It’s the kind of hair that you wind around your hand when…

She turns around and freezes.

I freeze too.

Lux’s mouth drifts open, then it curves up, giving way to that inviting smile I can’t help but emulate. I close the distance between us in a few steps, stopping short of being inappropriately close. Nothing that would make her brothers want to have another talk with me.

“Luciana.”

Her smile widens. “Oliver. How are you?”

“I’m well. I was bringing Ayla’s shoes, and now I am going to see if I can help out with the boys.”

“We got Felix to lie down for a nap. He’s way too excited about the wedding.”

“Oh good. How’s Chase doing?”

“He’s doing well. Frankly, I thought he would be a mess. I came to see if he and Cam needed anything. I’m proud of them. They actually have it all together,” she laughs. It’s soft and feminine, widening that kiss-me-suck-me-fuck-me mouth of hers.

God, I want to do all three again. Kiss her, suck her, then fuck her. Right here. I want to make her moans echo down this hallway.

“I guess they don’t need my help, then.”

“They will. Once—” Her gaze drifts past me, her lips flattening. “Shit, this is not good.”

I turn and see a man is standing at the end of the hallway near the bride’s suite. It’s Elias Saunders, Cam’s best friend. From my understanding, they’ve known each other forever, but it’s clear by her face that he’s not welcome.

She moves past me with determined steps.

I follow close behind just in case she needs my help.