Page 30 of Mr. Big Mistake
“Your favorite.”
Brenden’s voice dawned upon my ears, and every single part of me woke up. Every time he entered a room, I felt more alive than before. I smiled at him as he approached me, and I couldn't take my eyes off him. The white tuxedo jacket he wore contrasted with the black pants he picked out. His brown eyes sparkled with yellow flakes, and, somehow, my red dress brought out the dark auburn highlights of his hair.
I grinned. “I thought the groom wasn’t supposed to see the bride until the wedding.”
He offered me his arm. “She’s not supposed to walk down her wedding aisle alone, either.”
My heart skipped a beat as I threaded my arm around his. But, when the music started playing, I snickered. I rolled my ruby red lips around my teeth, trying so hard not to laugh. However, as I watched Karina and Roxy process down the white-carpeted aisle to the Whoville song from The Grinch, I couldn't contain myself.
I bent forward as laughter fell from my lips.
“Yah-hoo-ray-moo-blah-dee-doo-poo-Welcome-Christmas-something-else!”
Brenden sang the made up words at the top of his lungs as he helped me upright, then the two of us moved down the aisle. I rested against him, seeking out his strength as Karina and Roxy cackled at the end of the aisle. Because right there, before my very eyes, stood the old man who was ready to marry us.
And he was dressed like fucking Santa Claus.
“Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Wedding Day!”
My head fell back as I started wheezing, I was laughing so hard.
“Skip to the good stuff, Mr. Claus. I’m ready to make this woman mine,” Brenden said.
I snorted. “I’m sure you are.”
He growled softly, and it stirred something within me. Something that had laid dormant for so very, very long. I clung to him as Santa Claus laughed with his ‘ho ho’’s and recited the traditional wedding vows.
Then, Brenden looked down at me.
“I do,” he said.
Wait, did I miss it?
“And do you, Miss Kelly Brown--.”
Roxy whispered. “Crown.”
“Oh, oh. Yes. My apologies. Do you, Miss Kelly Crown, take Brenden Hearthstone to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
I smiled. “I do.”
Santa snapped his Bible closed. “Then, by the power vested in me by the State of Nevada and Father Time Himself, I pronounce you man and wife! You can kiss your bride, Mr. Hearthstone.”
I had prepared myself for many things: sleeping with Brenden, having to part ways after the week, simply going back to being friends. But, I hadn’t prepared myself for our first kiss. His eyes closed, and I watched his perfect lips come down to mine. I felt my knees weakening, and I braced myself for impact, leaning softly against him. His arms cloaked my back. His strength held me up. And when his lips touched my own, fireworks burst in my mind.
I’m in deep, deep, deep shit.
I almost moaned against his lips. But, the second I felt my legs flying out from underneath me, I squealed. My bouquet of fake roses fell to the ground as Brenden carried me up the aisle while that stupid Whoville song kept playing over the loudspeakers. The girls clapped, and Zane whistled from the back row. I didn’t even realize he was there until we passed by him, and I heard his laughter. All I knew was Brenden’s warmth against me. All I smelled was his oaky cologne, robust and earthy. Pulling me in as he walked me out of the chapel and towards his car.
“Where to next?” I asked.
He set me down onto my feet. “To our wedding reception, of course.”
I paused. “Wait, our what?”
He opened his car door. “We’re all going to dinner for our reception. We’re even going to have a little dance. And I suggest you fill that stomach of yours because you’re going to need the energy.”
And as I dipped myself down into his car, electricity buzzed through my body. I was ready for it. I was ready for him. Come hell, or high water, or even a broken heart.
