Page 67 of Ashes

Her hair was pin-straight, something I’d rarely seen on her since she tended to keep her hair in its natural curls. Itwas parted in the middle and the front sections were pulled behind her ears, gold earrings hanging from them.

When I took a closer look, I noticed they were the same ones she wore at our wedding and it tugged at my heart.

She glided down the stairs, revealing a slit at the side that ran to the top of her thigh and when she turned to grab the garment bag from the couch, the low back of her dress nearly brought me to my knees.

I swallowed hard, my hands itching at my sides to strip her out of that dress and worship her for days.

Oh, fuck me.

“Jamal?” she asked.

I shook my head. “What?” My voice was hoarse as I looked down at her.

She raised an eyebrow. “I asked if you were ready to go,” she said, amused.

“Oh, yes. I am.” I cleared my throat. “Let me take this for you,” I said, grabbing the bag from her hand.

We walked out of the house and I let her in the car, placing the garment bag into the back seat. After shutting her door, I walked around and took a deep breath before getting into the driver’s seat. Once settled in my seat, I entered the address of the location into the navigation system and peeled out of the driveaway.

My hands gripped the steering wheel, a million thoughts running through my head as we made our way to the venue.

I felt Sienna everywhere.

This is about to be a long night.

Forty-five minutes later, I parked in front of the private estate. I stepped out and rounded the front to open her door. She’d already grabbed the garment bag from the back, so I extended my hand and with her free one, she grabbed it as I helped her climb out.

“Ready?” I asked, shutting the passenger door behind her, my other hand still holding hers.

She looked down at our joined hands before meeting my gaze. She nodded before uttering a strained, “Yup.”

Glad to know I’m not the only one affected.

I didn’t want to let go of her hand just yet, so I hooked her arm through mine as we strode through the entrance.

It was early in the afternoon, and the sun was shimmering over the top of the trees. It was my first time at the Altobelli Manor, but I’d looked it up before coming to make sure it was secure.

Acres and acres of land surrounded the property, the backyard overlooking vast fields of grapevines. The estate used to be a winery, but the owner had since then turned it into a private venue for events.

“You’ll need to smile more today,” Sienna taunted me as she looked around the room. “We’re supposed to be a happy, newly married couple.”

I glared down at her. “I think I smile just the right amount,wife,” I retorted, forcing a smile.

She flicked her gaze at me, a reprimanding spark in her eyes.

“Well,husband, fix it because you look like someone stuck something up your ass.”

No one had ever talked to me the way she did and although she was infuriating at times, or should I say most times, it was addicting. I loved riling her up enough to have her spar with me.

Inside, a group of staff in black attire was placing the final touches in the ballroom for what I assumed would be where the reception would take place.

The room was bright, the walls a cream color. Tan cloths covered the tables, the centerpieces a mix of gold candelabras that held white dripping candles and transparent candle holders with small candles inside, greenery and white florals weaved around.

The giant ballroom had an arch in the back that opened up to a vast backyard. From here, I could see rows of chairs lined up, white flowers decorating the beginning of each row.

“You’re here!” someone shouted from behind us. Arms wrapped around Sienna’s back and she turned around to wrap hers around whoever was hugging her, forcing me to let her go.

I shifted to meet whoever made my wife let go of my hand.