Page 55 of Tamed By You

“Well, I wouldn't have to if you had left like you were supposed to. You know the rules. No sleepovers.”

He brushes past me and begins to get dressed. “Excuse me, you fell asleep on me.”

I scoff. “No, I didn't.”

He scoffs back, mocking me. “Ugh, yeah you did, and the drool stains on my shirt will back me up. I couldn't move even if I wanted to. You clung to me like a koala.”

Ignoring his comment, I continue to question him. “And your clothes? What they just melted off you did they? Because you were fully dressed if I remember.”

“No one sleeps fully clothed in their day clothes, Alice, that's disgusting,” he says matter-of-factly while searching for his shoes. “And tell me you didn't sleep well. You were purring like a kitten all night.”

“I was not,” I protest defiantly, folding my arms across my chest.

“Oh yes, you were.” He steps towards me and surprises me by pressing a kiss to my lips. “Thanks for the sleepover. Can't wait for the next one.”

“There won't be a next one,” I bite back.

“We’ll see.” He winks and then he's gone in a flash. I crawl back into bed and pull the comforter over my head, inhaling his scent that he's left behind, finding comfort in it and at the same time feeling an ache in my stomach at the loss of his body against mine.

I did enjoy feeling him against me. I’ve never slept with anyone in bed other than Gabby and Ria. Too terrified my nightmares will plague me. But this morning, I've woken up feeling more relaxed than I have in a while. I stretch out and feel something under the pillow. I pull it and bring it to my face and inhale.

His t-shirt.

It smells just like him. Spice and a hint of shea butter.

I hold it close to my chest, not letting myself focus on why I am clutching it like a comfort blanket or questioning why I have no intentions of returning it or washing it.

I am in way over my head here—this wasn't part of the plan—but he was never the plan. I'm letting him break all my rules, but I'm holding on to one, because no one gets to break that one, not even him.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ali

“And left together, right together, glide dear. This isn't graduation, Maria, we don’t march. It’s your wedding day,” Theodore bellows.

“You try gliding in these heels, then get back to me,” Ria yells back, her voice echoing round the church.

“Don't blame the heels dear, it's your poor posture. Don't make me balance the bible on your head.”

A laugh bursts from me. I don't know where Jack and Ria got this wedding planner from but he's a riot. He reminds me of the one fromFather of the Bride. He's a short man with glasses and silver hair, wearing a suit to match.

“Is it too late to sack him?” Ria huffs, walking towards me.

“I think you’re stuck with him, babe.”

“That’s it. Yes, Gabriella, stunning. Everyone watch how she glides.” Theodore claps.

“Of course she glides, she takes Barre and Pilates classes like tic tacs,” I shout. Gabby reaches the altar and does a little bow.

“Teacher’s pet,” Ria teases and Gabby pokes out her tongue and we burst into giggles.

“Right, Maria, let’s try this again. Chin up, shoulders back, and glide on those heels,” Theodore says, waving her over towards him.

“I know where I’d like to glide my heel right about now,” she mumbles.

It's the day before the wedding and we've been at this for the past hour. Theodore has us walking up and down this damn aisle like we are in some pageant boot camp. I should know I used to do them.

“Not great, but better,” he shouts from the podium. “Now, where are the little people?”

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