Page 134 of Rebellious Hearts

“He’s so head over heels in love with you, it’s insane,” Charlotte said.

Amy joined us, a glass of wine in her hand, and Elena followed suit.

“Who?” she asked.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Ben, obviously.”

“God, he’s crazy about you,” Amy said. “I’ve never seen him like this. And to just propose and get married like that? Ben doesn’t do impulse like that, you know.”

“So I hear.” I laughed. “Everyone tells me he’s so different with me, but I just know one side of him.”

“That’s because you bring out the best in him,” Charlotte said.

“And the same goes for you,” Elena said.

“You think so?”

“Of course. He brings out the best in you, too. You’re so much calmer around him, more relaxed. You’ve always been so uptight, and Ben really makes you look like he lets you breathe.”

I thought about it and smiled. That was exactly how I felt when I was around him, too I hadn’t known that it was so obvious. But the best thing that could happen between two people was that they brought the best out in each other.

The rest of the reception was beautiful. The food was divine.

Foie Gras with fig compote, filet mignon with red-wine demi-glace, grilled asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, wild mushroom risotto. And for dessert there was a selection—chocolate lava cake and raspberry coulis, a macaron tower, and a crème brûlée trio.

We cut the cake together—a majestic, tiered cake with sugar flowers and a perfect tiny replica of me and Ben on top facing each other, lost in our own world as we always were.

Everything was so incredible, I felt like I’d died and gone to heaven.

But it was all real, and this was my life now. Where people cared, people made an effort, and no one asked anything of me that I wasn’t ready to give.

The party was still in full swing, with the dance floor full and the dessert table raided when Ben came to me.

“Are you ready to go?” he murmured in my ear, his hot breath making goose bumps break out on my arms.

“I am.” I nodded.

He smiled at me, kissing me quickly.

When we announced our departure, the party stopped, and we said our goodbyes before the guests continued on. They would probably party into the night, my mom keeping a watchful eye over the wedding of the century, but we were going to Ben’s place to spend the night before we left on our honeymoon in the morning.

“That was incredible,” I sighed when we sat in the back of the car that took us to Ben’s apartment.Ourapartment, after this.

“My mom really pulled out all the stops. I told you, this is her forte.”

“You weren’t kidding. But your whole family is so nice and made such an effort. Even with my family… it means a lot.”

Ben leaned in. “They’re your family, and now they’re my family too. They’ll be treated with just as much respect and lavishness as you’ll be treated.”

I smiled and planted a kiss on Ben’s lips. “You spoil me rotten.”

“And it’s just the start, sweetheart.” We kissed again, and our kiss deepened. He pulled me closer, and I wrapped my arm around his neck. His hand slid onto my breast, the heat of him bleeding through the material and filling me, heart and soul.

My body responded to him, and an ache grew at my core.

I wanted him inside me, to claim me as his own. I wanted to consummate what we’d done today—becoming husband and wife.

When we stopped in front of the apartment building, Ben took my hand, and we walked in together. Everyone cheered and waved, and we laughed at how happy they were for us. It was beautiful, and we were surrounded by so much happiness.