Chapter 3

I sat there lostin my thoughts so long that I didn't hear Jessa or Chance come back in the room until they tapped my shoulder. I jumped to my feet.

"Were you sleeping?" Jess asked.

"Nah… just deep in my thoughts. What's up?"

"It's time," Chance said. "Oh, and I got that information you asked for."

He handed me an envelope that I quickly tucked into my suit pocket.

"What's that?" Jess asked.

I grinned. "A surprise for my wife."

She eyed me suspiciously as we left the room.

"You might have a winner in the looks department," she whispered. "I saw her family… all attractive. Now, unless there are some boogerwolves in there, you're in the clear."

I chuckled. "Thank you, Jess."

"I got you, big brother."

We continued down the corridor in silence until we came to a door. Chance spoke into his microphone.

"We're ready."

"Copy that."

Soon, soft music began playing. Chance waited for the cue before sending Jessa down.

"See you at the altar!" she said, beaming.

She kissed my cheek before disappearing through the doors. Not long after, Chance got the okay for me to make my way down.

"Showtime," he said, slapping me on the back.

The door opened, and I stepped through. As I made my way to the front, I admired the beautiful layout of the venue and decorations. While we hadn't had to worry too much about any of that, I could admit it was very upscale and elegant. They'd worked wonders from the questionnaire we had to fill out. I wouldn't have changed a thing.

My eyes landed on the section reserved for the bride. It was quite full, but most people had their phones out, leading me to believe that this whole wedding was a spectacle for them, just something to talk about. Turning to my side of the venue, I noticed they were doing the same thing.

I frowned.

I knew they didn't agree with my decision, but damn. They could at least have the couth not to act like this. The frown remained on my face as I approached Jessa at the altar.

"I shouldn't have invited them," I said softly to her. "Look at this shit, Jess."

"Well, you're the first in the family to get married like this, Jake. I get it, though."

She looked out at the audience, and aggressively motioned for them to put the phones down. Groans and eye rolls fill the space, as most of them complied. The music slowly shifted to another song. The minister motioned for everyone to stand. My heart raced in its cavity. This was it. This was the moment I met my wife.

The doors opened, and my heart stopped. I couldn't see her eyes, but damn was she beautiful. She was shorter than my height of six foot five. Her hair was long, hanging in loose curls that framed her beautiful face. I couldn't tell if she was wearing makeup, aside from the glossiness of her lips. Her wedding dress hugged her voluptuous curves to perfection. The diamonds in her jewelry glistened beneath the lighting.

"Shit," I mumbled as she got closer to me.

My nervousness played out through my hands. I couldn't keep them still. I felt Jess reach out and pinch my arm.

"Stop fidgeting," she whispered.

"I can't help it… look at her. Why is she alone? Why didn't anybody escort her?"

"I don't know, but you two can talk about it later. Focus."

I tried to focus, but all I could think about was the fact that not a single person on her side of the venue thought enough of her to stand beside her in this moment. It pissed me off. She wasn't even my wife yet, and already I could see me checking her people behind her once she was mine.

My anger dissipated as she approached the altar. I smiled and extended my hand to her to help her up. She accepted, finally stepping into my space. She looked up at me with the most mesmerizing pair of brown eyes.

"I'm Jacob," I said, kissing her hand.

"Kachelle."

Her voice was silky and smooth… almost angelic.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I've been waiting for this moment all day."

She blushed as my eyes slowly passed over her. They paused briefly on her full, kissable lips… lips I would soon have the pleasure of tasting. From the way she slightly shifted in her stance, I could tell she was just as attracted to me as I was to her.

"Damn," I whispered. "You are breathtaking."

"Thank you. You're quite handsome yourself."

It was my turn to blush. I could feel Jess beside me, sizing her up. Their gazes met momentarily before Kachelle looked back at her family. Their body language read that they didn't want to be here. I may have felt it, but the tears pooling in her eyes told me she knew it. I gently reached out and touched her face, slowly turning her head back to me.

"I'm right here with you," I said softly. "Nobody else matters but us right now, okay?"

She nodded. "Okay."

I squeezed her hand, and she finally turned away from them. We both focused our attention on the minister before us. As he was talking, I looked over at my bride. Her hand trembled slightly in mine. Either she was nervous, or she was afraid. I didn't want her to be either. I wanted her to relax and trust that I was here for the same reason as her.

Lifting her hand, I kissed her knuckles, before leaning down and placing a soft kiss to her temple. She smiled softly.

"Remember what I said," I whispered in her ear. "It's just me and you."

She looked up at me. "Me and you."

"Let's do this."