Page 126 of Engulfing Emma

“Sorry,” I say. “Hearing you say that made me think of a guy Emma went out with before.”

“Ouch. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories. Want to give me his name so I can ruin his credit?”

I narrow my eyes.

“I’m kidding.” He motions to the sanctuary. “They are letting people in now. You want to sit together since we’re both going solo?”

“Lead the way.”

We get seated six rows back from the altar. Brian and I talk about our summer trips overseas as the organist plays softly. After about ten minutes, the music gets louder, signaling the ceremony is about to start.

Everyone stops talking when the preacher, groom, and groomsmen come in through a doorway in the front. The family of the bride and groom are escorted to their seats, then all heads turn to watch the flower girl and ring bearer traipse down the aisle.

The ring bearer can’t be more than four years old. He gets distracted a few times before making it all the way to the front of the church. He earns a few laughs when he takes a bow.

Brian’s face lights up when his wife appears. I’m sure my expression mimics his when I see Emma. She spots me and smiles. I give her a wink and then watch her make her way to the altar.

We all rise as the bride appears with her father. Everyone looks at Becca, but I look at Emma. The happiness radiating from her as her friend walks down the aisle is almost palpable. She takes my breath away.

I glance at Jordan, the groom, wondering if I’ll ever be lucky enough to be standing at the altar like he is, waiting for the woman I love.

Amanda and I didn’t have a big wedding. We barely had a wedding at all. We each brought a friend with us and got hitched in a municipal building in the city. We didn’t have much money, and she wanted a big honeymoon rather than a big wedding. Judging by the look on Emma’s face, she would want the wedding.

When Jordan and Becca recite their vows to one another, Emma and I lock eyes. We stare at each other as the bride and groom pledge their love to one another. It’s almost as if we are pledging our love as well. I don’t think either of us does so much as blink. It’s the most intense conversation I’ve ever had, yet no words are spoken.

The preacher pronounces them husband and wife, and that’s when the spell is broken. Emma goes back to being a bridesmaid, and me, a spectator.

Brian stares at me curiously. “Just how long have you and Emma been dating?”

“Officially? About a week.”

He laughs. “Shit, man, you’re toast. I saw the way she was looking at you. She wants this. She wants it bad.”

I can’t help my smile, becauseIwant this. I want this, too. Bonnie was right. All the mushy love stuff makes me want to tell Emma how I feel.

As soon as I make my way out to the vestibule, I find Emma and pull her off to the side. I don’t say anything, I just look at her.

She puts a finger to my lips to keep me from speaking. “Can we wait?”

I kiss her finger and then push it aside. “Wait for what?”

“To say what I think we’re about to say.”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure I can.”

“Please, Brett? Because I’m pretty sure I know what you’re going to say. I want to say it, too. I really do. But this isn’t the time.”

I lean back against the wall. “I suppose we can wait, as long as you promise to dance with me.”

She smiles. “Oh, I’ll dance with you alright.” She leans her body into me and gives it a shimmy. “And if you play your cards right, I might even go home with you.”

I push her hair behind her ear and blow a hot breath across her neck. I whisper, “You want to go for the record, Miss Lockhart?”

Her breath hitches and she inhales deeply. She takes my hand and puts it on her hip, running it up and down. My dick starts to swell when I realize what she’s doing. She’s showing me she doesn’t have any panties on. Then she turns her head and faces me so our lips are only inches apart. “Game on, Lieutenant. Game on.”

Chapter Thirty-four

Emma

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