14. Emily

Chapter 14

Emily

When I see Alejandro standing at the altar, my nerves vanish. He is savagely handsome in a black tuxedo. His eyes burn like smoldering hot coals. My skin tingles with each step I take.

I'm drowning in a haze of fantasy.

Tomorrow, I will return to the States to go back to my life in Maine. However, I will never be the same.

The man before me is my dream.

I only have now, this moment in time, and I will not let it slip through my hands. I'm going to suffuse every second into my soul. Memorize every nuance and hold it close.

And when I wake up, when my wolf is no longer by my side, a part of me will wither and die.

But for now, I'm going to recite my vows with my heart and pretend I'm forever Alejandro's and he is forever mine.

His eyes crinkle in the corners as he gives me a secret smile that sends my heart flying.

The mock priest opens his Bible and I start to shake, the bouquet of pale pink roses quivering in my hands as though it were alive with a hive full of bees. My wolf reaches over, rests his hand over my mine, and the trembling stops.

"You are mi vida ," he mouths.

My breath hitches. Mist burns my eyes and everything else falls away.

"I do" falls easily from my lips.

"You may now kiss your bride."

Alejandro lifts my veil, caresses the side of my face, leans in, and whispers in my ear, " Moriria como un hombre feliz si fueras verdaderamente mio ." And then he kisses me with such reverence, such tenderness, that I melt into him.

"What did you just say?" I breathe.

"I would die a happy man if you were truly mine."

My throat gets tight at his words. Tossing my bouquet to the floor, I grab my wolf and devour him with my mouth. When I'm done thanking him the only way I can think of for making me feel like a queen, I open my eyes and smile up at him.

" Gracias, mi lobo ."

"Perfect Spanish, mi vida ."

"I practiced."

"I'm honored." He bows his head.

Our guests jump to their feet, tossing rice in the air. Pelted by hundreds of tiny white granules, he slides his hand into mine and we throw our heads back laughing. Carefree. Happy-go-lucky. Without a care in the world.

In less than twenty-four hours, it will all be over.

I will be on a plane.

My wolf will be staying in Spain.

And the magic will be gone.

I feel a strange combination of being alive and scared all at the same time. But my mind is made up. I'm going to live in the moment and ride this train as far as it will take me. "Shall we go thank our guests for sharing in our special day, husband?"

"Where you go, I will follow, wife." Alejandro rests his hand on the small of my back, his thumb doing a slow sweep against my exposed skin. "You are exquisite, mi vida ," he whispers against my neck. "Breathtaking."

"Thank you. You are striking in that tuxedo."

"I'm even more striking without it." He nips my ear. "You shall see tonight."

Shivers race across every inch of my skin. "How about now?"

"Patience, mi vida ." He laughs. "Soon enough. We must eat first."

"I don't need to eat."

"You do." He strokes my cheek. "You will need your energy tonight."

Heat blooms in my core. "Okay," I whisper. "Then I will eat. Wait. I promised Janie I would call her, but I don't have my phone. Can we call her from yours?"

"Yes." He puts his cell in my hand. "FaceTime her so she can see how gorgeous you are."

"Oh, I'm going to. I want her to see you."

"You look amazing!" Janie shrieks. "Is the man whose name I will never mention again in this lifetime there?"

"I don't know. We were just getting ready to take a walk around the hall." I hold the phone in the air, doing a quick sweep of the space. "He did an amazing job, didn't he?"

"He sure did! Where is this mystery man? I'm dying to meet him. And I think I want to hire him to work for me."

Alejandro moves in behind me and waves. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Your sister has only said wonderful things about you."

"Ditto." Janie laughs.

I give Janie a pout and turn scarlet from head to toe. "Hush."

"Do not be embarrassed, mi vida ." Alejandro kisses the top of my head. "It is nice to know you approve of me."

"Ooooohhhhhhh…he's a keeper, Em! By the way, Alejandro, you should know I'm stealing your pancake idea."

"It is yours." He grins. "I have many more ideas to share."

"Perfect!" Janie puts her face close to the screen. "On a serious note, I want to thank you for taking care of my sister. If you hadn't come along…well…her vacation would have been awful. I've never seen her so happy. And it's all because of you."

"It has been my honor."

"Janie…" I plead.

"Relax, Em. I had to say that. Now you crazy kids go and enjoy the rest of your make-believe wedding. Don't do anything I wouldn't do on your fake wedding night. Bada-bing bada-boom." She laughs. "Hugs and kisses. And safe travels! I'll see you soon."

Before I can scold Janie for being fresh, she ends the call. I give Alejandro back his phone. "Sorry. My sister can be a lot."

"I like your sister. She is fun. I think we would be good friends. Now, come. We shall go and greet our guests." He weaves his fingers through mine. "Joshua is here. But we shall save him for last."

A thrill runs through me. "He is?"

" Sí ."

"Is it wrong that I'm excited he's here?"

"No." He kisses my forehead. "He needs to see the way you are right now. You are positively glowing, mi vida . And you are mine."

As I'm floating on air, he threads his fingers through mine, and we move from table to table, making quick, casual conversation with the hotel guests. When we arrive at Joshua's table, I gasp.

"What's the matter? Never seen a man with a broken schnoz before?" Joshua taps the splint sitting on his nose. "I get to wear this for the next two weeks, thanks to your new husband."

"I hope it doesn't hurt too much," I offer.

"They gave him pain medicine." Peaches pats Joshua's hand. "It's helping."

"Well, we're glad you came."

"An opportunity to see a wedding in Spain for a wedding planner is a must. We wouldn't have missed it." Peaches smiles at her husband. "Isn't that right, Tater Tot?"

"It's a free meal." Joshua shrugs. "And an open bar."

Alejandro sticks out his hand. "I'm truly sorry about your nose, Joshua. Thank you for sharing in one of the happiest moments in our lives. We hope you enjoy your evening. Come, my beautiful bride. It is time for dinner." He looks down at me and grins. "We have a long night ahead of us."

I hook my arm through his. "Don't you think that was pouring it on a little thick back there? Maybe it was too much." I giggle.

"No." Alejandro stops walking. He moves in front of me, brushes his fingers along my jaw, and tips my chin up. "This would have been too much, mi vida ." His lips press softly against mine, gentle and sweet. My hands creep up his arms until they settle onto his neck. Once again, everything around us vanishes. The music. The voices. The clinking of silverware. There is only me and my wolf.

I drink from his mouth, taking all he is willing to give.

When the kiss ends, I'm swimming in a lust-filled daze. My arms are still wrapped around his neck and my heart is pounding with need.

My wolf smiles. "You approve, mi vida . Your eyes are shining like moonstones."

"Are they?" I sigh. "Hmm…I think you should kiss me again. Then I can let you know if I truly approve."

Suddenly, the sound of clinking glasses fills the air.

"What is happening?" Alejandro looks around the room. "Why are the guests tapping their wine glasses with a spoon?"

"It is a wonderful American wedding custom. The guests clink their glasses every time they wish to watch the bride and groom kiss." I lick my lips with anticipation followed by my best dazzling smile. "Shall we give them what they want?"

"What they want?" He tugs me closer. "Or what you want?"

"Both." I beam.

His laugh is warm, deep, and rich. "I'm in trouble tonight, yes?"

"Yes." I reach up to straighten his bowtie. "You will be my dessert tonight, wolf. And you know how much I like dessert."

A low growl rumbles from his chest. "Do not make promises you cannot keep, mi vida ."

"Oh, I'm keeping my promise. Just make sure you get us a large piece of that gorgeous wedding cake. Because I have plans for the frosting." I sweep my tongue slowly across my bottom lip.

Alejandro crashes his mouth to mine.

And I know after tonight, frosting is never going to taste the same.

"This night has been wonderful." We step off the elevator into the penthouse. "An absolute dream."

"It is not over yet, mi vida ." Alejandro rips off his bowtie and tosses it to the floor. Shivers of pleasure dance across my skin as I watched him strip off his shirt. His chest is magnificent. Powerful. My mouth starts to water. He unzips his pants and lets them fall to the floor, the hunger in his eyes unmistakable.

I comb my fingers through his beard, tugging on the short hairs. "Kiss me, wolf."

His thumb trails along the edge of my jaw, tipping my mouth to meet his. "You are so beautiful, my Emily. So very beautiful."

"I'm a sure thing, wolf. You don't need to compliment me."

"I tell you what I know, mi vida . You are beautiful. And in this moment, I'm the luckiest man alive."

He spins me around and cups his hands around my waist, nuzzling my neck. My breath quickens. My pulse races and my insides turn to melted butter.

"Alejandro," I sigh.

He unbuttons my dress, helps me to step out of it, and in a deep, husky voice whispers, " Hermosa ." I try to turn around, but he won't let me. He holds me in place, pressing tender kisses down my spine until he reaches my thong. Using his teeth, he slowly drags it down my legs.

"You're killing me," I moan.

"A good way to die, no?"

"The best." My eyelids flutter closed as I lose myself to the sensation of his touch.

"Sit." Alejandro points to a chair.

"But I'm naked."

"I know. Sit, mi vida ."

He eases me into the chair and tugs me to the edge of the seat. He spreads my thighs apart. "I want to see you. All of you."

My legs tremble as his hands softly stroke my skin. He picks up a small bowl that is on the table beside me, dips his fingers in, and spreads icing all over my core.

"You had frosting delivered to our room," I moan as he slowly drags the frosting up and down.

"I did. There is some for you." He dips his finger back into the bowl and slides it into my mouth. "And there is some for me." He sweeps a finger through my folds and slides it into his mouth. "Mmmm…you taste perfect, mi vida ." He smears more frosting along the inside of my thighs. "I have been thinking of nothing all night but my dessert." He nips his way across my thigh. When he reaches my core, he licks and sucks at the tender flesh until I'm arching off of the chair.

"Alejandro…"

Faster and faster his tongue flicks. Moans pour out of me, deep, loud animal moans. My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. Every part of my body is pulsing, vibrating with shameless need. I can't breathe. I can't think.

He slides a finger inside of me and my control vanishes. Wildly, I grind against his mouth. A wave washes over me…sending me floating…falling…soaring.

I cry out, shuddering, and squeeze my eyes shut as I leave my body.

When I come back to earth, my wolf brushes a tender kiss across my lips. "It is my turn, now."

Suddenly I'm out of the chair and flying through the air. He tosses me over his shoulder, giving me a spectacular view of his backside. He strides down the hallway and declares, "There will be no sleep tonight, mi vida . You are mine."

I shudder in delight. "Are you claiming me, wolf?"

"I'm."

I smile with a sigh.

A perfect ending to an absolutely perfect day.