Page 41 of Fit for Love

I swallow hard and shake my head.

Ashton’s eyes grow flinty, but he doesn’t comment.

“Why not?”Gala asks.“Aren’t you a couple?”

I gape at her.“What?No!What gave you that idea?”

She shrugs.“When you shoot weddings for as long as I have, you develop a knack for these things.”

“Well, we’re not,” I snap.

“Can you stand together anyway?”She bats her eyelashes pleadingly at Ashton.“It would make the picture look more balanced.”

Muttering something under his breath, Ashton walks over and stands by me, which makes me feel like a space object caught in the devastating gravitational pull of Jupiter.My palms sweat, and my heart pitter-patters in my chest as if I’m having a heart attack.

“No.There.”Gala takes me by the shoulders and thrusts me right into Ashton.

Holy shit.There’s an erection poking my ass.

What.The.Fuck?Does Ashton just walk around with a hard-on?Or did he sprout it just to bring forth that heart attack for real?

“Say ‘conjugal,’” Gala squeaks.

Everyone does, but thanks to his proximity, Ashton’s voice is like a purr in my ear… and it reverberates in my nipples.

“Thank you,” Gala says.“I think I got it.”

Thank God.I leap out of range of Ashton’s cock and take a few steps down the pier, just in case it chases me.

I really don’t want a heart attack right now.Or an orgasm.

“Hi, everyone,” says a newcomer who’s dressed like a priest.“The bride and groom are going to be here any minute, so please take your positions.”

After some confusion, we’re told where to stand, and it’s pretty obvious in hindsight: bridesmaids on one side, groomsmen on the other.

A live band shows up, seemingly out of nowhere, and starts playing classical music, a melody I soon recognize as “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy.

I choke back a laugh.This is clearly Emma’s idea of a joke.Then I see Ashton grinning, which ruins my mood.

Predictably, considering the song, Marcus walks down the aisle and stands in front of the priest—with Emma’s grandmother at his side, which is so adorable my eyes get misty.

Smoothly, the band transitions into the traditional “Here Comes the Bride.”

Everyone looks to the base of the pier as Emma appears in a magnificent Vera Wang ivory lace concoction that flatters her curves and makes her pale skin glow.Her hair, styled in a gorgeous updo, looks especially radiant with the sunlight shining on it.Her grandfather is escorting her down the aisle, a proud smile on his weathered face.

Damn it.I should’ve brought some water with me.Between my eyes leaking and the dampness in my panties from being next to Ashton earlier, I’m at risk of dehydration.

“Dearly beloved,” the priest says and proceeds with the charming ceremony, the highlight of which is when one of Emma’s cats walks down the aisle on a leash held by Marcus’s butler.At first, I’m unclear as to why, but then I spot the little pillow attached to the cat’s back.

The fuzzy furball is the ring bearer.

Actually, no.The highlight of the ceremony is when Emma and Marcus read their vows—because they are heartfelt and touching, and contribute further to my dehydration.

“—and now, I pronounce you man and wife,” the priest concludes.Smiling at Marcus, he adds, “You may kiss the bride.”

Oh, wow.The kiss Marcus gives my friend is of the type where, under any other circumstances, everyone would say “get a room.”It’s so passionate and possessive it makes me feel like a voyeur.

Flushing, I look away, only to have my gaze fall on Ashton’s lips.

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