Page 46 of The Spring in My Heart

I want to press her against the wall behind her and kiss her breathless. She would be up to it too. I can tell by the way she’s looking at me, by that quick swipe of her tongue across her bottom lip. It makes my cock stir in my pants, and it takes all of me to stay rooted and not back her into that wall.

But no, we’re supposed to be only professional. So, shove the sucio in the closet and go about your business.

“Let me know if he comes back. We don’t need to bother Chase with this.”

She blinks a few times and clears her throat. “You’re right. I need to go inside. I don’t want to give Lauren any worries. Her bride anxiety is already at level ten.”

She doesn’t move.

I nod but don’t move either. Walk away, Oliver.

She turns, taking two steps toward the door.

Good. This is really good. Let her go.

But I can’t.

“Luciana…”

She turns to me again, and there are so many things on the tip of my tongue. I want to tell her that I would love to take her out sometime. That I have not forgotten what her lips taste like. That I still dream of the day when I can wake her up with my mouth, my fingers, and my dick.

Yet, as I look into her eyes, only one truth flows out of my lips. “You look bella, breathtaking.”

Oliver

I lied, I realize as the organist plays the bridal march, and the wedding party walks in.

Lux doesn’t look just breathtaking. She’s like a wet dream, gliding down the aisle. Her smile is brighter than the chandelier lights. Her gaze alternates between her brother at the altar and Felix, whose hand she is holding. She’s trying to pace their march, mindful of his height. Thankfully, he’s not tugging at his bowtie like he was in the groomsmen's room. His hand is tight around hers, but a grin lights his face up. He’s not bashful or nervous.

When they walk by me, I catch a whiff of the sweet notes of her perfume. Sweet and dark and mouth-wateringly sexy.

Like her.

Our gazes meet, and I’m caught up in those hazel eyes. We linger, and she quickly looks away.

You’re going to have to let that go, Oliver.

She walks Felix to stand by her brothers, stopping briefly to kiss Chase’s cheek. She whispers something in his ear. He blinks a few times then swallows and nods at her. I follow her trajectory as she joins Bron on the other side of the aisle.

I turn around fast, not wanting to miss the next entrance. My eyes may want to stare at Luciana Blake forever, but my baby is about to enter the room, and I can’t miss that.

And here comes my Ayla, two inches taller in the heels I brought her earlier. She’s holding onto Justin’s hand. He’s trying hard not to smile but failing. He can’t hide the gigantic crush he has on my niña. Who could blame him? She’s the most beautiful, sweet, and kind-hearted girl. Her smile widens when she looks at me, and I fish out my phone and take a burst of photos.

God, please slow down time. I’m not ready for how fast she’s growing.

When she passes by me, I mouth how beautiful she looks. It makes her smile harder. She goes to stand by Bron, and I really need to let go of how grown-up they both look. I have to be the only person more worried about the young bridesmaids. But when I look at Cam on the stage, he’s shaking his head.

Yeah, he’s got it worse.

I’ve seen Ayla through the years. From our talks, I can tell it’s hard for him that Bron is growing too fast, and he’s already missed so much of her life.

In the next second, everyone is laughing and cooing as Spencer Grayson walks down the aisle holding his barely walking daughter’s hand. Avy, in her princess white dress, is sprinkling rose petals as she goes along. She’s giggling as she dumps them. My A was that small just yesterday. I hope Grayson is remembering every moment.

Avy takes her time, and the whole crowd is watching her, except for Chase, whose eyes widen, and there’s this shocked look on his face. His eyes go warm and even a little wet before he swallows and smiles.

I follow the direction of his gaze, and my throat catches.

Lauren is standing in the back of the room, in her pristine silk and lace white dress, a black leather jacket, and a bouquet of white and pink flowers with huge orange and red hibiscuses. I don’t know much about the other flowers, but Cayenas—hibiscuses—line the front porch of my abuela’s house in Dominican Republic. When I was a kid, my friends and I would pick them and chew on the bottom of the bulb where it’s sweet.

---