Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Zane

M y dad and I walk down the hallway beside one another, our strides and gaits the same. I glance over at him and he grins. As we round the corner, my father nearly runs head-on into Nicolas.

Our eyes meet, and he looks hollow inside, like a shell of himself. I feel pity for him, knowing Celine hollowed him into nothing. A puppet. He hesitates, and I think he may speak, but he doesn't. As I continue, my father exchanges a few friendly words with him.

I stand on the side of the stage until my dad eventually catches up with me. We say nothing because it’s a pointless conversation right now when the ceremony will begin soon.

“I’ll meet you out there, okay?”

“Yeah,” he tells me. I move to the staging area. The itinerary with a map was emailed to me this morning.

I walk down the steps and pass Autumn, sitting in the audience beside Billie. She perks up as we focus on one another. An overwhelming amount of joy floods me—this woman is mine. When I’m close, I bend toward her, devouring her lips. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

“It’s been twenty minutes,” Billie says, checking her elegant wristwatch.

“It only takes seconds before it sets in,” I explain with a laugh. “We’re about to get started.”

“Okay,” she whispers. Her eyes slide over me, the hunger behind them barely restrained.

“Behave,” I playfully warn and she smirks.

I hear my sister’s contagious laughter from the back of the room. I excuse myself from my wife and allow the sounds to guide me to where I need to be when I enter the room, where Harper passes tequila shots between Weston and Easton.

With a tilt of her head and a wide smile, she hands me one too.

“It’s my kry?—”

“Tonight, you’re Batman, because you might need it to fight the Joker later,” she says, pouring me a double. Harper has always despised Celine.

“No one is fighting anyone tonight. Okay?” I shoot it back. “Dad doesn't need that.”

“It’s time to line up,” Frederick tells us, meeting his son's gaze.

“Mr. Calloway,” Harper says, pretending she’s not buzzed. Easton and Weston leave the room and sit beside Billie, Autumn, and Lexi. There is someone else with them that I don’t recognize.

When Harper walks out, I ask her.

“Oh, that’s Carlee, Lexi’s best friend. I think she’s dating Weston. He denies it, for now.”

I give her a look.

“They end up together. I was hoping I could drink the prophecies away today. No such luck.”

I inhale deeply when I hear the piano music begin. Soon, the pastor emerges.

Harper stands beside Frederick.

Moments later, someone moves in close next to me, and when I glance over, I see the woman who took my virginity all those years ago. Miranda smiles. I knew I’d walk down the aisle with her because she’s Silvia’s only daughter. It’s the only thing that makes sense.

“It’s been a long time,” she mutters, keeping her eyes forward.

“It has. I believe it was your wedding,” I say.

“It was. And you refused to speak to me.”

“Ah. I did. Sorry about that.” I shrug. “What did you want to discuss?”

“I wanted closure,” she whispers.

“This is a joke, right? You called it off.”

“I wanted you to fight for me. You didn’t.”

Harper must’ve predicted I’d need the booze, so she carried it. Tequila makes me not give a fuck. All inhibitions disappear. This conversation would’ve made me anxious, but right now, I feel nothing.

“We were always in different places. I’m sorry I ignored you.”

“It worked out exactly how it was supposed to. I love my husband, and every step I took led me to him. Seeing you like this…Zane, I would’ve never been able to make you as genuinely happy as you are right now.”

“I'm not sure how to respond to that,” I tell her.

“I’m happy for you. That's all. So. How was it? As personal and private as you always wanted?”

“Actually, yes,” I admit. “It was a dream come true.”

I meet her eyes. “She’s very lucky.”

We exchange a friendly smile. “I'm the lucky one. Now. Are we ready?” I ask, stepping forward.

“Yep,” she tells me. One ghost down.

Cameras snap and my eyes lock on Autumn. She turns her head as I pass, sitting up taller. I mouth I love you, and she mouths it back. I move up to the raised stage and stand beside my father. Moments later, Silvia comes into focus with Nicolas escorting her. He looks like utter shit.

I glance at Harper and we hold a silent conversation before focusing on my father. My heart warms, seeing a happiness he hasn’t had in twenty-four years.

The thought takes over and I search for Autumn in the crowded chapel. She’s watching me with kind eyes and a smile that lights the whole fucking room. A grin touches my lips.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here on this beautiful evening. It feels like we were all doing this together not too long ago,” the pastor says, grinning. I nod, glancing at Autumn, and she winks at me. If anyone in the room didn’t know I was married, they do now.

My father and Silvia stand in front of one another, repeating their vows of love and forever. There are smiles and tears. Throughout the ceremony, I steal glances at Autumn, who hasn’t taken her attention away from me. Soon, I’m passing over Silvia’s ring to him, and they seal their promises with a kiss. I’ve managed to narrowly avoid falling under the spell of my beautiful wife and pay just enough attention to the ceremony to fulfill my role.

The room erupts into applause as the photographer snaps photographs. Once my father and his bride have exited the room, I move toward Miranda and escort her out.

“It was nice seeing you,” Miranda says.

“Same.”

The pastor speaks over the microphone. “The happy couple invites you to celebrate in the main ballroom.”

I glance at my sister, who shakes her head.

“You know what’s going to happen tonight.” It isn’t a question.

“So what?” She grins, pulling a flask from the pocket of her dress. “Trust me when I say you’ll need more tequila soon.”

“Shit, probably.” I take it from her, swigging it back.

A chuckle escapes her and Autumn’s arm wraps around me. I kiss her hair as she smiles up at me.

“I’m ready for cake,” Harper says. Autumn takes the flask, swallowing down two gulps.

She does a little wiggle. “Tequila?”

“Dangerous,” I whisper, thinking back to the last time we drank together. I wanted to cross the line so many damn times.

The thought makes me smile. She notices.

“What?” Autumn whispers, chuckling.

“Reminiscing.”

We enter the dimly lit reception area. Silk hangs from the ceiling and a live band has set up in the corner. In the middle of the room is an ice sculpture of a heart. Autumn’s eyes widen as we walk past it, moving toward the open bar.

“What would you like?”

“Vodka and cranberry,” she says.

“Tequila, dressed.”

Autumn leans forward. “I’ll take the same. Plus my other, thanks.” She turns to me as the bartender makes our drinks. “Do you plan on fucking around and finding out tonight?”

“Hell yes,” I whisper, and she snuggles against me.

“Here ya go,” the guy says.

I place a tip in the jar and Autumn and I move out of the way to a high cocktail table. She lifts the tequila. “To us.”

“Forever.”

We lick the salt and shoot back the liquid before biting into the lime.

“Eh. I think I’m getting too old for that.” Autumn does a little wiggle and I notice her nipples at full attention. I swallow hard, my eyes sliding back to hers as the band introduces my dad and Silvia. We watch them dance together as husband and wife, smiling and laughing. My dad kisses and spins her around and it warms my heart.

Autumn gulps the other drink. I lean into her. “You’re so fucking sexy.”

There is a massive line at the bar as most attendees dance to the slow song that plays out.

She turns to me, running her fingers into my hair. I lean into her, kissing her arm.

“Will you dance with me?”

“Always.”

She finishes her drink and I lead her to the middle of the room. With my hands resting on her hips, we lose ourselves in a sea of people. Some faces are familiar, but many aren’t. We slowly dance together and my eyes flutter closed as our mouths drift together.

“Fuck,” I growl against Autumn’s mouth, growing desperate. Fairy lights overhead cast enough brightness for me to see the desire in her eyes.

“Come on.” She takes my hand, leads me down the hallway, and opens a storage room full of extra decorations. Immediately, she locks the door and I push her against it.

“Now, who was prepared?” I ask. Our lips crash together as waves of passion take us under.

“Me,” she says, thrusting her fingers through my hair as I desperately lift her dress, sliding my fingers between her legs. No panties. She removes her dress. No bra, either.

“Very prepared.” I obsessively eye fuck her perfect body as I unzip, remove my coat jacket, unbutton my pants, and step out of them. I lift Autumn’s leg, holding it upright as I slam inside of her warm, wet pussy.

“Yes. Zane,” she moans out, and I slam my mouth into hers.

I whisper in her ear, thrusting deep into her tight cunt. “Shh. Don’t want anyone to hear me fuck your brains out.”

“I don’t care,” she hisses as I pump into her, hard. Autumn is so fucking tight for me. I think I see stars. With a firm hand, I grab her ass, jerking her against my hips, filling her greedy little pussy with every ounce of force I can muster.

She kisses me and steadies herself with her back pressed on the door, pinching and twisting her perky little nipples. Her eyes roll into the back of her head as she greedily chases that orgasm, the one I’ve been thinking about giving her since we arrived.

“That’s all you have?” She quips, and I guide her over to the table. With one sweep of an arm, the extra decorations are on the floor. I press her titties onto the cool wood and fuck her from behind, giving it to her how she wants—hard and slow.

She arches her body and I reach out, rubbing gentle circles on her clit.

“Zane,” she hisses.

“Mm. Can’t take anymore?” I ask, continuing, noticing her pre-cum on my cock. My girl is so horny, so fucking turned on, and I love teasing her when she’s this close. Her breathing increases and she rocks against me.

“Fuck me,” she begs.

“Did you say stop?” I try to pull away, but she grabs my wrist and moves my hand back to her.

“I’m dripping wet for you,” she says.

“You always are.” I pull away, dropping to my knees and devouring her pussy from behind. Sliding my tongue from her clit to her deep hole to her ass. Her precum is on my tongue, and each time her moans increase, I slightly pull back, edging my girl until I’m ready for her to come.

“Fuck me,” she whispers, and I do as she requests, taking her from behind with my thumbs digging into her waist.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she seizes, her pussy clenching against me, and then she squirts all over my cock and the floor, screaming out my name. I slap her ass. “Good fucking girl.”

She inhales ragged breaths, gripping the table's edge as I increase my pace. I’m so fucking close, and any second I will lose control. Autumn rocks her hips, creating more pressure, then I slam deep inside her, filling her full.

I collapse onto her, trying to come down from my high as I throb inside of her. We stay connected for minutes, and I soak in her.

Up-tempo music quietly drifts into our little slice of Heaven, breaking the spell and reminding us we’re not, in fact, the only people in the world. The reception is still going. We’ve been gone for too long. But I’m not sure anyone will notice.

When I pull out, my cum drips down her leg and I smile. “What a fucking sight to see.”

Her lips are swollen and her hair is a mess. Everyone will know where we’ve been. I help her clean up, giving her my undershirt.

“I’m glad you took off your pants. Not sure how we'd explain it.”

Her squirting.

“I’d have proudly worn you out there.” I steal a kiss, playfully twisting her pebbled nipple.

She moans out, tugging me toward her. “I can never have enough of you.”

I lick my lips, studying her. “One day, I want to watch you please yourself.”

“Ahh, want to see the only way I used to come before you?”

I smirk. “Yes.”

I move over to my clothes, redressing as Autumn returns to the table and lies back on it.

“I don't mean now.”

“I’m still so turned on.” She moves her hands down between her legs. “Like this?” she asks, her mouth falling open when she grazes her swollen clit.

“Fuck yes,” I say, tucking my shirt into my suit pants.

“It’s so sensitive.” Autumn gently thrusts her hips upward before sliding two fingers inside. “Many nights, I’ve imagined this is you.”

She places her fingers into her mouth. “I taste us.”

I move toward her, bending down and kissing her. When our tongues swipe together, I taste our passion. Taste our love. “Keep going,” I encourage as she returns to her clit.

“Mr. Dreamy wanted to watch too,” she says, eyes on me.

“Of course he did.”

She closes her eyes, writhing against her hand, and it’s a beautiful fucking sight as she teases herself. “No one has ever watched me.”

“Do you like me watching?”

She bites her bottom lip so hard I think she might draw blood.

“Yes,” she hisses, sliding one finger inside and guiding her other hand back to her clit.

“Were you awake?” She lets out a moan. “The first night.”

“Yes,” I say, smirking, and she looks at me with hooded eyes.

“I hoped you were,” she confesses. “I could’ve used your help. Oh, oh, fuck.”

“Come for me like a good girl,” I demand. “Let me see that pretty pussy wink when you do.”

With my words, she grows more aggressive, increasing her speed, and her body quivers, her back flying off the table as she moans. “Fuck yes, yes, yes. I’m still…coming.”

Autumn opens her thighs wide, showing me all of her, and I take the opportunity to face dive between her legs. Licking and sucking up every drop of her, not letting any of her go to waste.

She’s breathing hard, and when she stops throbbing against my tongue, I try to pull away, but our mouths collide together.

“Now, come on before I suggest we leave the event and go home.”

“ Home ,” she says with a grin. “I love the sound of that.”

“I’ve missed the manor,” I admit.

“I have too.”

Autumn dresses and I meet her eyes.

“How do I look?” she asks, adjusting my tie and hair. It’s no use.

“Fucking gorgeous and guilty. But there’s nothing you can do about that, babe.”

She presses her fingertips across her lips. “I guess you’re right about that.”

I unlock the door and lead her back to the reception with our fingers interlocked.

We move to the far side of the room, giddy, like teenagers in love.

I notice many people are staring, but I try to ignore it. We don’t look disheveled enough to stop a crowd, do we?

“Is my butt hanging out or something?” Autumn whispers, glancing behind her.

I look, too. “Nah, your ass of mass destruction is put away.”

“For now,” she says, and we both laugh.

The bartender approaches us.

“I’d like a gin martini. Extra dirty.” She eyes me.

“Make it two.” I lean over and whisper in her ear. “Keep looking at me like that, and we will leave.”

She smirks. “I love how it sounds like a threat. I know better, though.”

Just as we’re handed our drinks, we turn to a commotion. Across the room, I notice Nicolas and Celine arguing against the wall. Autumn sees it, too, and glances at me over the rim of her glass.

Other people start to notice, too, because she’s raising her voice. I scan the room, searching for my sister as Celine reaches forward and slaps Nicolas.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Autumn says, her nostrils flaring. She glances at me.

Celine’s voice echoes across the room. “I never loved you. I’m still in love with Zane.”

Gasps sound throughout the room and I see my father and Silvia’s heads turn.

“We have to get them out of here.” Autumn steps forward, but I grab her hand and pull her back to me.

“This is part of the game, babe. Ignore it. Pretend she doesn’t exist. She’s searching for attention.”

“Handle it,” she nearly begs, and I can see how uncomfortable she’s growing. How uncomfortable every person in the room is. Eyes traverse the room from us to Celine and Nicolas then back.

“Okay. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

She nods and I place a kiss on her cheek. When I move away from her, I wear a frustrated scowl. When I’m fifty feet from her, I see my dad and sister approaching.

“You need to leave,” my father says.

“Now,” Harper demands like a little bulldog. She’s always been intimidating.

“No!” Celine yells. Her anger is now directed at me. “You were supposed to marry me! Me! You promised to me!” she cries out, her throat raw. “It’s over, Nicolas. It’s over! You’ll never be as good as him. Ever!”

Autumn moves beside me, wrapping her arm around me. “And you’ll never be me,” she says.

Celine tries to attack Autumn.

Easton’s bodyguard, Brody, grabs her and holds her back.

“No,” he says.

“You’re a fucking bitch!” Celine screams at Autumn before turning to Harper. “And so are you.”

My sister’s brows furrow and I step forward, stopping Harper. “It’s what she wants,” I say to my sister.

“It’s what I want, too,” she says.

Billie comes over and takes Harper’s hand, pulling her away. Tequila is her kryptonite, too.

“Zane,” Celine says. “You lied! You said you’d always love me.” I gave her a million chances when she wanted a million and one.

“Get her out of here,” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest, refusing to listen to her act.

Easton rushes over. “What the hell?”

Security splits through the crowd, taking Celine from Brody. She fights against them, screaming at the top of her lungs. I’ve got to give it to the band because they keep the music going and try to capture the crowd's attention, but it’s too late.

She screams, making a scene until she’s escorted out of the room. The crowd applauds when the door clicks closed.

I turn to my dad. “I’m really sorry.”

“This isn’t your fault,” he seethes, glaring at Nicolas. “Enough is enough. She’s banned from all properties and is never allowed in my presence again.”

As he walks off, he shakes his head. “So fucking glad you didn’t marry that one. A nightmare.”

“Fuck, me too,” I say, wrapping my arm around Autumn. “Oh.”

I pull my tiny notebook from my pocket.

I found my daydream

She helps me fight my monsters

My wife, my forever

A wide grin meets my lips. “That one was good.”

“I can’t wait to read it,” she says. As she opens her mouth to say something, I hear my name from behind me.

“Can we talk?” Nicolas asks.

“No. I’m not having this conversation here. Respect your mom’s day.”

He glances at Autumn, then at me, then walks away defeated.

Autumn turns to me and she doesn’t even have to ask. It has been a lot in a short amount of time.

“We can leave,” I say, capturing her lips. It’s one of our rules: if we are uncomfortable or bored or want to go for any reason, we go together. Pulling away, I study her eyes, ensuring she’s okay. She notices me reading her and smirks.

She snakes her hand around my waist and a sexy little smile touches her lips.

“I’m ready for dessert,” she whispers as we move toward the exit.

“You’re a dirty girl.”

“You like it,” she quips as soon as the fresh air hits our cheeks.

“No, Pumpkin. I fucking love it.”