Page 72 of Cat and Mouse

He's on me in an instant, pulling me toward him, his lips crushing against mine before I can even process it. And damn it, I melt into him, every protest dissolving on my tongue.

Then, just as quickly, he pulls back, grinning like a damn Cheshire cat. "I need to get myself into a suit and have the makeup team fix you up."

I blink, still trying to catch my breath. "What are you talking about?"

He doesn't miss a beat. "Guests have been waiting since noon."

"Sincenoon?" I practically screech, stepping back like he's lost his mind. "And you didn't wake me?"

He laughs, that deep, infuriating laugh that I both hate and love. "I thought we established I'm a bit crazy."

I stare at him, speechless. This man orchestrated a wedding while I was sleeping, and I'm just supposed to be okay with that?

"Are you out of your goddamn mind?" I finally manage to spit out.

"Maybe," he says with a wink. "But it's happening. Now, are you gonna stand there yelling at me, or are you going to finish getting ready?"

I want to yell. I want to throw something at him. But instead, I find myself sitting down, reaching for the ridiculous strappy sandals he's left out for me. Of course, they're gorgeous, but as soon as I slip my foot into them, I can feel the awkward tilt from my injured leg.

"Yeah, no. Not happening," I mutter, shoving them off.

"What's the issue?" Leonardo asks, eyeing me.

"I'm not limping down the aisle in heels."

His eyes narrow for a second before he nods. "Fine. We'll get you something else."

He disappears for a minute, leaving me alone in this fairy-tale nightmare. I glance at the mirror across the room, and despite everything, I almost don't recognize myself. The dress clings in all the right places, flowing out in soft waves at the bottom, making me look like some kind of Mafia princess.

When he comes back, he's holding a pair of flat sandals, simple but perfect.

"Better?" he asks, watching me slip them on.

"Much," I grumble, though I'm silently grateful. I hate that he notices. Always.

He holds out his arm, and for a moment, I hesitate. But what else am I going to do? Run? Not likely. I take it, and we step out into the hallway, where he immediately pulls me into the grandness of his mansion.

Leonardo looks ridiculously good in his tux, like something straight out of aGQmagazine. His dark hair is slicked back, his jawline so sharp it could cut glass. Damn it, why does he have to look so… irresistible?

"You ready?" he asks, eyes glinting with amusement as if he knows exactly what's running through my head.

I shoot him a glare. "As I'll ever be."

We head down a grand staircase, the entire place just screaming money. It's the kind of décor that says, "I'm stupidly rich, and I don't give a damn who knows it."

We step out into a courtyard filled with people. It's like something out of a dream—no, a nightmare. Beautiful, terrifying, overwhelming. The garden is lined with candles, the soft hum of music filling the air. It's an intimate affair but still larger than anything I could've imagined.

Leo tugs me along, his grip firm but not rough. Eyes follow us as we make our way down the path, whispers in the air. I try to focus on my breathing, but then I catch a glimpse of the officiant standing under the archway, waiting for us.

This isn't real. This can't be real. But it is.

We stop in front of the officiant, and I can't help but glance up at Leonardo. He's staring down at me with something inhis eyes—something I can't quite place. For the first time, I see a flicker of something deeper, something that goes beyond the arrogance, the control.

And in that moment, a part of me wishes it was real.

The ceremony starts, and everything blurs together—the words, the vows, the music. I'm on autopilot, too stunned to process any of it. Leonardo slips a ring onto my finger, a massive diamond that catches the light and sparkles like a promise I don't understand.

When it's over, he leans in, kissing me with a hunger that feels all too real. The crowd erupts into applause, and I hate how my body betrays me, melting against him once again.

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