Page 32 of Broken

I can see Bryce approaching, and I roll back my shoulders. “Would you mind escorting me to my spot, Mr. James?” I ask before my brother can attempt to take that honor. Not that this is really walking down the aisle, but it’s as close as I’ll ever get.

“Now, if I have to call you Mel, then you gotta call me Dalton,” he says, his eyes twinkling. Then he takes my glass and places it next to his on a nearby table. “And the pleasure would be all mine.” He holds out his arm and I link mine through his.

Together, we make our way to the small archway in the garden outside Nathan’s family home, where the official stands with my husband-to-be. Nathan is wearing a black tux, and I’ve never seen him look more handsome. An unexpected twinge ofregret niggles at me, a wish that this was real. I wish he was actually mine.

I push those ridiculous thoughts to the back of my mind and fix a smile on my face. Nathan catches my eye and winks at me, and I remember why I’m doing this. He’s a good man. We’ll have a nice life. And even if we aren’t soulmates, I’m sure we’ll be lovers and good friends. And that’s more than a lot of people get, right?

“HaveI told you that dress looks amazing on you, Mrs. James?” Nathan hands me another glass of Scotch. Between his father and his brothers slipping them into my hand every ten minutes, I’m starting to feel woozy.

I look down at my cream silk gown. “Thank you.”

He slips an arm around my waist and pulls me closer. “And I wanted to let you know that you’ve been incredible today. I know this wasn’t the wedding you dreamed of, but we can make it a successful marriage.”

Successful?What does that even mean? I want more than successful, but I swallow that thought down with a mouthful of Scotch.

He presses his lips to my ear, and his warm breath makes me shiver. “You think we should put some music on in here or something?”

I glance over the small gathering that consists of Nathan’s dad, two of his brothers, Bryce, my mother, and Ashley. Not exactly party central.

I snort. “I’m not sure even music could liven up this party.”

His lips move closer until he’s almost nuzzling my neck. “Not even ‘Yeah’ by Usher?”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “You play that, Mr. James, and I’m filing for divorce.”

His eyes darken as they lock on mine. “Actually I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear that song again without being eaten up by jealousy.”

I roll my eyes. “Stop teasing me.”

“I’m not teasing. You’re mine now, and that means all of you. I’ll give you your six months, but then all bets are off.” His voice is deep and low, and it rolls through my bones.

My heart stutters in my chest, but before I can remind him that the six months only relates to baby making, Ashley grabs my arm. “This house is incredible, Mel,” she says excitedly. “Mason just gave me the tour. Please tell me we can spend the holidays here.”

Nathan steps back, and my sister wraps her arm around me, giving me a tight squeeze. “I don’t know, it depends on…” I look to Nathan for an answer.

His eyes are still burning into mine. “We can spend the holidays here, if that’s what you want.”

Ashley squeals, and I’m glad my glass is almost empty when she jumps up and down while holding onto me. “I already picked out my room. Come on, let me show you.” I offer my husband an apologetic shrug as she drags me away, and I swear I can still feel his eyes boring into me even when my back is turned.

Chapter

Eighteen

NATHAN

Drake wraps an arm around my shoulder. “I think you need to take your wife home, brother.”

I glance at Mel, who’s wearing a grin while watching her sister carry on what looks to be an animated—if a bit one-sided—conversation with Mason.

I wince. Why am I so fucking nervous about being alone with her? Because I have no idea how to play this. We should have had sex before tonight and taken the pressure off, then this would be a whole lot less awkward. But this entire situation has been far outside my comfort zone. I’ve done my best to be respectful of her wishes to wait until after we got married, but now it’s our wedding night and I want to consummate our marriage more than I’ve ever wanted anything. And given the way she was rubbing up against me earlier, I think she does too.

Drake slips away to talk to our father, and I watch my wife for a few moments. She laughs at something Mason says, and fuck me, but she looks so damn beautiful. Then her expression changes on a dime, and her gorgeous smile disappears. When Ilook to find the source of her mood change, I see Bryce closing in on her. She visibly bristles when he pulls up a chair beside her. What the fuck is their deal?

I march over to her. “Mel, it’s time to go home.”

She blinks up at me, her eyes full of trust and longing—either that or she’s completely tanked. Or maybe I am. But I reach for her hand, and she curls her slender fingers around mine. After giving her sister a sideways hug and a kiss, she says goodnight to Mason, and with barely a nod to her own brother, she stands and allows me to pull her against me. I slide an arm around her waist, and her body molds into mine like it was made to fit there.

“Will you look after Ashley?” I ask Mason. The girl looks no more comfortable with her older brother than Mel did.

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