Page 36 of Thirst Trap
14
Whitley
I don’t knowhow this day can be any more perfect. I’m on cloud nine, and I’m not even the one getting married.
There isn’t a cloud in the sky, and by some miracle, it’s not ninety-nine degrees despite it being the middle of July in Alabama. Ella Mae let each of the bridesmaids pick their own style of dress to make up for the fact that Emmilene selected the most hideous color on the chart. I went with a strapless A-line, and it’s almost making me forget that it’s in puke green.
And then there is my date. If I thought Jake was hot in a plaid shirt and Wranglers, then I don’t have a word to describe what he looks like now in his navy suit and white shirt. I can’t help but stare at him as he gets us a drink from the bar. He’s freshly shaven, his brown hair is styled perfectly, and I might have drooled a little when I saw him at the church today.
I also might have been remembering how he made me scream just a few hours before when we were getting ready at my apartment. Who knew my bathroom counters were so durable?
I let my gaze shift from Jake to everyone on the dance floor. The happiness is contagious as I take in the scene before me.
Ella Mae and her husband are blissfully swaying to the beat of their own drum. The song playing right now is an upbeat pop song, but they are in their own moment, and no one is daring to interrupt them.
Betsy currently has her ass shaking in front of one of the single groomsmen, which I totally called last night when I saw them at the bar together. Heck, even Emmilene seems to be having a good time. That has to be some sort of miracle.
Then there is me. I don’t know if happy is a strong enough word to describe what I’m feeling right now. This past month with Jake has been like nothing I’ve ever known. Yes, we’ve spent more of it apart than together, but the times when we have been together, we’ve made sure to soak up every second. And that isn’t code for naked and fucking each other’s brains out.
We’ve gotten to know each other, and not just the superficial things like appetizer choices. I know that he might give Knox and Trent a hard time, but those three are as ride-or-die as they come. In turn, he knows that I might dread being only accepted and liked because of my last name but that I wouldn’t trade my family for all the money in the world.
I also now truly know how much he loves making videos and putting smiles on people’s faces, even if it is doing it half-naked. I have also come to the realization that his followers only know Officer Sexy.
I know Jake. And I know the difference.
“A pretty woman such as yourself should not be sitting here alone. Especially when there is a dance floor just a few feet away.”
I let the sound of Jake’s voice wash over me before I turn to face him. Just like that first night we met, his voice still gives me shivers every time. Part of me hopes that feeling never goes away.
God, I have it bad for this man.
“Are you asking me to dance?” I say, turning to look at him over my shoulder.
He leans in, his breath on my neck sending chills all through me. “I figured this time I’d give you the choice.”
“Is there a chair involved?” I ask, tilting my neck to the side, hoping he gets the hint.
“That dance is tonight, sweetness. Right now, I just want to hold the most beautiful girl here in my arms.”
He places a kiss on my neck and pulls my chair out, taking my hand as I stand up, and we make our way to the dance floor. I can feel eyes on us as he pulls me close to his body, his arms snaking around my waist as I loop mine around his neck. The song playing is one about loving all of someone, faults and all, and how that person can’t imagine their life without them.
“Do you believe in love like this?” I ask, though I don’t know if he hears me considering my head is resting on his chest.
“I believe that if you truly love someone, nothing else matters,” he says before bringing my chin up to look at him. “A feeling like love? That doesn’t happen every day. Some people spend their entire lives searching for that feeling. For that person that makes them feel complete. So I believe that once they find it, you make it work. Because that feeling—this feeling—you don’t let it go, no matter the obstacles.”
My eyes go wide at what I think he just said.
Did he just?
Did he just say?
“Jake…”
He smiles before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to my lips. When he releases them, I don’t even need him to say anything. I see everything in his eyes.
This man loves me.
And I am head over heels in love with this man.
