Page 56 of Tamed By You

“They'll be here in a minute with Jack and the guys,” Ria says.

“Okay, Alice, show me how it's done. Play the music again.”

I hold the fake bouquet in front of me that Theodore has made us carry.Until I Found Herby Stephen Sanchez plays through the speakers and I wait for my cue.

I remember my pageant training, pull my shoulders back and glide like I'm on ice. I focus on a spot at the back of the church and keep my back straight. We all look ridiculous dressed in yoga pants and baggy tees wearing our wedding heels.

“Perfect. This, this is what we want, ladies. Perfection. Claps for Alice,” Theodore cheers. The music fades and a wolf whistle echoes through the church. I turn and see Jack, Brad, and Harry standing at the entrance, Elle in Jack's arms, and Lexi running up the aisle towards me in a floaty pink dress. I don’t notice the others as my eyes zone in on Harry.

“Auntie Ali.” I bend down, ready to scoop her up.

“Hey, Lex,” I reply, nuzzling her nose and then kissing her cheek.

“Now, the muscle has arrived, let’s get some of these chairs moved and I need to stage you,” Theodore bellows.

They all move further into the church. “Stage us?” Jack questions with a puzzled expression on his face. Elle fidgets in his arms, obviously wanting to get down, and I reach out and hold her chubby hand.

“Best to go with it. Theodore is on one and I think Ria is about ready to ram the heel of her shoe where the sun doesn't shine,” I tell them quietly.

A look of concern flashes in Jack’s eyes.

“Harry, hold Elle.” He passes her to him, and he holds her like he’s been holding kids his whole life. I won’t lie, I quite enjoy the way his biceps flex in his black t-shirt when he takes her, and the backwards baseball cap is doing things to my body that it has no business doing when we are in the Lord's house.

“Theodore, a word,” Jack calls, heading towards the altar where Ria and he are having a heated exchange.

“I’ll go give him a hand,” Brad mutters and follows Jack.

“Daddy,” Elle says with a sob.

“Hey, baby girl, it’s fine. Daddy will be back,” Harry soothes.

It seems crazy to think she's a toddler now and talking. Only feels like yesterday she was born.

Harry takes hold of the bunny she has clutched in her little hand and starts to play peekaboo. “Where's Elle gone… peekaboo.” She bursts into a fit of giggles and I can't help but smile and swoon. Something about a hot guy holding a child makes me weak.

Calm down ovaries.

“Auntie Ali, can I go see mommy? I wanna show her my walk. I’ve been practicing,” Lexi asks.

“Go do your thing, baby girl.” I put her down and she skips up the aisle.

“You’re not bad with kids, but I guess as you are an oversized man child it makes sense.”

“Ooh, that was almost a compliment from you there, Ali Cat. You sound a little jealous. Am I not giving you enough attention?”

I roll my eyes. “You wish I was jealous.”

“Don’t worry, we can play peekaboo in my hotel room tonight, or hide the sausage.”

A squeal escapes me, and I give him a playful tap. “Harry, little ears.”

He bops her on the nose. “It's fine, she doesn't know, do you cutie?” he murmurs, speaking in that annoying baby voice people use, but it's only making me swoon harder.

Holy hell, I’m in trouble here.

“We won't be hiding anything. I’m in with Ria and Gabby tonight.”

He leans in and speaks loud enough for only me to hear him over the music that’s playing. “I'll make it worth your while.” A bolt of pleasure surges me through and I squeeze my thighs together. The asshole notices and gives me a wink. “Yeah, I’ll see you later for game night,” he says in a low tone, walking past me and heading towards the altar.

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