Page 28 of Forbidden Flame

I reached the end of the aisle and stood next to Holly, who only seemed to have eyes for Talon. I took a few steadying breaths while the rest of the wedding party moved down the aisle and stood in their respective spots.

The ceremony began, and I focused on the preacher, Sarah, and Knox. When Knox included Sarah’s daughter, Addy, my hands shook as I held the bouquet. My gaze met Cole’s, and I sucked in a breath.

What would it be like for a man to engage with my daughter like that? It was ridiculous to think about because Cole hadn’t even met Izzy. I had no way of knowing if he even liked kids.

Trent hadn’t wanted Izzy. Why would someone else? The thought had my heart clenching painfully in my chest.

Cole was looking at me with tenderness. There was none of the heat from before. Was he thinking the same things I was?

When Sarah and Knox were declared husband and wife, they moved up the aisle with Addy as a family. Then the wedding party paired off and made their exit too.

When it was our turn, Cole stood in the aisle, his brow raised at me. I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow, and we proceeded up the aisle.

Cole covered my hand with his, sending my heart racing. Then he leaned down and said, “You look beautiful.”

My heart fluttered. “Thank you. You look handsome too.”

Cole smiled, and I wondered how I’d survive the day with him and not give into this desire I had to steal him away to a dark corner and make out until our lips were swollen.

At the end of the aisle, Gia whisked us off to get pictures taken in front of the water. The men and women were separated for the pictures, standing on either side of the bride and the groom.

It gave me necessary time to cool off and to try and ignore the effect being around Cole had on me. I wasn’t sure I could resist him if he wanted more. Hopefully, his desire to support his cousins meant he wouldn’t want to associate with me.

Especially after what the girls had said about him not wanting my pies at the wedding. I wanted to ask him about that. But I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to be anywhere near him. We just needed to get through the reception. Hopefully, we wouldn’t be seated near each other at dinner.

Abby was the photographer. She worked with Gia at her wedding planning business, Happily Ever Afters.

“I think it would be nice to have the attendants paired off with their partners for one picture,” Abby said.

“I love that idea,” Gia said.

Cole appeared behind me. “They want us together.”

Just being near him made my whole body hot.

“Guys, stand behind your partners. I know most of you are together so you can pull your women into your arms and show them how much you love them.”

We were the only pair that wasn’t a couple.

Cole dropped his head so that his mouth was near my ear. “You heard them; they want us to be close, pretend we’re in love.”

I turned my head, “I don’t think we need to—” Then realized how close my mouth was to his, and I sucked in a breath.

Gia appeared in front of us. “Daphne, lean against Cole’s chest, and, Cole, put your arms around her. Pretend you like her.”

Gia waited while we complied. Cole’s suit was rough against the bare skin of my shoulders and back, but his warmth surrounded me as his arms came around my shoulders, and he cuddled me close.

“Perfect.” Gia nodded as she moved onto the next couple.

“You don’t mind, do you?” Cole asked softly.

“Not at all.” I smiled to hide my discomfort.

“Just remember how it felt when my mouth was on you, my fingers in your pussy,” Cole murmured into my ear, and my entire body went up in flames.

“You can’t say things like that,” I said, but my voice was breathless, and my entire body softened. I felt every hard inch of him against my body.

“That’s better,” Cole said, a hint of humor in his tone.

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