Page 43 of Before We Say I Do

“I’ll leave you to it.”

He released her and took a step away, but London continued to hold on to his arm. He turned back, an eyebrow arching.

There was more she wanted to say. That she wanted to ask, but she stumbled on her words, too unnerved to get the query out.

Finally, she dropped his arm, and he smirked, then reached for her chin for a soft caress.

“I’ll be back to check on you if you don’t find me first.”

London nodded, and Kyle left the room.

Sighing, London tried to shake the fear the settled in her soul. That told her she’d messed up so much that Kyle might be having second thoughts about them. He didn’t necessarily act that way, but he did seem…distant in a quiet cut-to-the-chase type of way.

London dropped out of her clothes, tested the water with a toe, then eased inside, getting comfortable in the warmth of the water. Though she was tempted to submerge completely, her stylist would have a fit tomorrow when the time came to get her mane together.

That is, if that would still be an option.

London shut her eyes.

You’re overreacting.

But was she? Kyle had every right to want to push their wedding back, maybe further than initially planned, perhaps for good.

Her eyes shot open, and the rapid beat of her heart made her sit up.

Why was the water cold?

Her eyes flew over to the clock on her vanity.

“It’s been an hour?” she whispered.

Blinking rapidly, London rose from the water, tracking droplets to the shower where she jumped in and showered, then exited the stall.

At the sink, she stared at her dark cinnamon reflection—full lips, almond-shaped eyes that carried an air of worry in their irises.

Reaching for a terrycloth towel, London dried, oiled her skin, added a light citrus fragrance, then caught a glimpse of a gift box on her vanity.

She’d almost forgotten about it. The present that was sitting next to her side of the bed the night before. One, she’d yet to open because her mind had been elsewhere. She’d even missed it sitting there when she looked for the time minutes ago.

London smacked her forehead and strolled to the gift. On top was a note. She lifted it, flipped it back and forth, then opened the message, taking her eyes across the words:

Borboleta, I love you more than words can translate. As a pre-wedding celebration, I wanted to be the first one to give you a gift, for gifting me the best gift of all, a happily-ever-after.

—Kyle

Her heart melted,and she opened the box to find a rectangular box. Rushing to open it, the sparkle of a diamond choker almost blinded her. Her mouth parted on a gasp. London didn’t think she would ever get used to the luxurious gifts Kyle gave to her. Anytime he did, shock would take over. Like this present, he would never give just one thing.

Adding the choker around her neck, she reached for the folded garment. It was two pieces. A white lace pair of panties, and a silver lingerie nighty, sheer through and through.

Her body heated.

London couldn’t put the lingerie on quick enough. After checking her reflection in a twirl, she left the bathroom in search of him.

In their bedroom, Kyle was sitting on the side of the bed, bare-chested, a pair of gray sweatpants riding his cut waist, steely thighs, and legs.

His head was bowed, and he whispered, making London halt so she wouldn’t interrupt his prayer.

At the doorway, she watched him, trying not to feel like an intruder in his conversation with The Most High God.

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