Page 81 of Denim & Diamonds

“You have no idea how much it means that you’re here.” I reached for him, wrapping my arms around hisneck. “Work has been so stressful. And I’ve missed you every second of every day on top of that. To go from not knowing if I’d ever see you again, to this…” I pulled back and looked into his beautiful eyes.

Before I could blink, his mouth was on mine again. I didn’t want to mess up his slicked-back hair, yet I couldn’t help digging my fingers into it. The heat of his body felt like it would singe my dress right off of me.Maybe we should just skip the damn wedding altogether.A nightinsounded like a much better idea.

Brock suddenly stepped back. “We’re gonna be late. We should go.”

“You sure we shouldn’t just skip it?” I wasn’t exactly being facetious.

“We can’t, Red. We need to make a scene.” He winked.

“Okay.” I grinned.

“Plus, my driver is waiting.”

The idea of Brock having a driver amused me. I couldn’t picture him sitting passively in the backseat of a car. Anything other than him bulldozing his way through Manhattan in his big red truck didn’t make sense.

“Your driver, huh? Since when do you have a driver and wear tuxes, Brock Hawkins?”

“I already paid him to stay and take us to the wedding.”

“Cool. Thanks. I’ll cancel my ride.” I took out my phone.

With that task managed, Brock and I headed outside and into the back of the waiting black Town Car.

As the driver took off, Brock moved close. He reached over and found the slit in my dress,slipping his hand underneath it. The heat of his touch sent shivers through my body. He slid his palm all the way up my leg, stopping where my thigh met my hip.

“I’m suddenly having second thoughts about going.” He groaned. “Kidding, but not really kidding.”

“There’s still time to turn around.” I pulled on his bow tie. “I didn’t think you could get any hotter, and then you showed up in this tux. You’re nothing if not versatile.”

His hand, still on my thigh, rose a bit higher.

“Fuck,” he muttered. “Red, you look so damn beautiful.”

Then I looked down and noticed the bulge in his pants. My nipples immediately reacted.

He forced his hand away. “I need to stop touching you before everyone in that church gets an eyeful.”

I squirmed in my seat, willing myself to calm down.

By the time we arrived at the church, fashionably late, the wedding party was lining up inside the entryway, preparing for the procession.

As Brock and I zipped past them hand in hand, I couldn’t help but notice Ilona’s reaction. My former friend, dressed in her designer bridal gown, had a look of true surprise on her face. Many of the bridesmaids were also my former friends. The whispers behind us faded into the distance as we walked down the aisle together in search of a seat. I somehow knew they were all eating their hearts out right now, which brought me great satisfaction. Imagine if they also knew how wonderful this man was on theinside.

We made our way to one of the pews on the groom’s side of the church. Technically, I could’ve chosen either side. That was the twisted advantage, I supposed, when your ex-husband married your ex-best friend.

Even better than the bridal party noticing us? When I saw my ex-husband’s eyes land on Brock and me—particularly on Brock. I gave Johnathan a curt nod. Brock had no idea what pride I felt having him by my side. My ex nodded back, likely trying hard to figure this out.

Good.

Brock whispered in my ear, “That’s your ex, I assume?”

“Yeah. That’s Johnathan.”

“He looks easy to snap in half if he ever makes you sad again.”

I patted his knee. “Hopefully that won’t be necessary.”

When Ilona came down the aisle, a chill ran along my spine. Brock leaned over and whispered in my ear again, “She’s got nothing on you, Red. He’s crazy.”