Page 7 of Always and Forever

I huff out a breath. “You’re crazy, Quill.”

“Crazy about you, babe,” Quill retorts, the intensity of his look causing all the breath to leave my lungs.

Just as he’s about to kiss me, we hear my dad’s voice coming over the microphone. “Ahem. Sorry to interrupt folks, but our meals are being served.”

“Soon, babe,” Quill whispers in my ear. “Soon I will have you alone, and then I’m gonna kiss every inch of your body.” I squeeze my eyes shut, letting his words run over me.

I open them again when I hear Tristan say, “Next dance is mine.” Tristan then kisses my head, and walks with Anthony to their table.

Quill leads me up to ours and holds out my chair for me. “Why thank you, sir.” He smiles down at me and helps me take my seat, my dress proving a little complicated. Once he’s seated beside me, the waiters bring us our meals, and I don’t waste any time digging into mine.

Quill arches an eyebrow at me. “Hungry?”

Licking my lips to remove some of the leftover sauce I can feel on them, from our pepper steak, I reply, “Famished.” Quill’s eyes focus on my lips, and I take the opportunity to tease him a little further, sucking my bottom lip into my mouth.

Quill clears his throat. “Watch it, baby, or I’ll drag you up to your room now, not caring we’re missing our wedding.” I swallow hard at his intense look and turn to my eyes back to my food, continuing to eat. Quill’s laugh rings out. “Thought so,” he says smirking.

The night has gone by in a blur. There’s been more dancing, people drinking, and Quill grabbing kisses from me whenever he can. If he keeps going the way he is, I’m going to drag him up to my room instead.

My mother interrupts another kiss. “Ahem, sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds, but it’s time to throw your bouquet, honey.”

I search the marquee, looking for Luisa, but she’s nowhere in sight. I know she put my bouquet somewhere. “Sure, Mom, I’ll just go find Lu. She has it.”

“Sure, darling.” She leans in and hugs both Quill and I, caressing my cheek before she leaves us.

“You go find Lu, I need to have a word to my boys,” Quill says softly, rubbing his thumb along my bottom lip.

Smiling, I lean up and peck his mouth before walking outside the marquee in search of my friend.

Not having any luck, I stop and have a rest. It’s been a big day. Trigger walks up to me after a moment, concern for me evident on his face. “You okay, darlin’?” I don’t miss the way his suit hugs his broad chest snugly, and how his hair, styled with product, is spiked on top. His smile reveals his perfect white teeth, and that dimple appears.

“Oh, hey, Trigger,” I reply, grabbing hold of my train so it doesn’t get dirty from the ground. “Just looking for Luisa, have you seen her?”

“Oh sure, yeah, she walked that way. Probably heading to the house.” He points in the direction of my parents’ house. “Everything all right?”

“Yeah, of course, why?”

“Lu just looked upset, that’s all,” he explains, leaning in closer. His hand reaches out to lift one of my curls. “You really look beautiful tonight, Jasmine. Quill is a lucky man.”

I feel my cheeks flush with his compliment, and smile at him and playfully tap his shoulder. “Aren’t you just a sweet-talker tonight?” He laughs, letting go of my hair at the same time, then placing his hands in the pockets of his pleated pants. “You know what, Trigger? You look really handsome tonight.”

Trigger’s smile widens, and he looks down at himself. “I do, don’t I?”

“There you are, Trigger, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” I turn to the familiar voice of Hailey, and smile when she turns bright red, knowing I’ve caught her blushing after Trigger. I can’t blame the girl, Trigger is a ladies’ man. Nice eyes, a smile that could literally stop you in your tracks, and a broad chest. I can only imagine what’s below that, rock-hard abs and—no, Trigger’s like a brother to me. He was there when I went through all that crap with Jess and Quill.

“Oh, sorry to interrupt,” she says.

“No, that’s okay, I was only looking for Lu. I’ll leave you two.”

Just as I’m about to walk away, Trigger stops me, and leans in to whisper in my ear, “Make sure he treats you right, Jazz. And if you ever need me, I’m here. You got me?” He pulls back and looks deep into my eyes, no hint of sarcasm evident on his handsome face. I swallow hard at his overprotectiveness, and the fact he’s just admitted he would help me if Quill ever hurt me. I’m touched. Trigger’s always had a special place in my heart.

I smile, and lean in and kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Trigger.” He smiles back, and I turn around and head toward the house where Trigger said he saw Luísa heading.

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