Page 32 of Protecting Player #73
“Ladies?” Our escort lingers at the elevator, holding the doors open. As we enter, they close with a quiet whoosh, and I meet Alex’s stare in the mirrored panels as we ascend quickly. We exit into a stunning suite where my dress hangs in the center of the room, waiting for me to slip into it.
Popping champagne bottles causes me to jump and giggle before sobbing when I notice both of my parents here, with broad smiles on their faces and pure happiness in their eyes.
“You came!” I cry out, rushing into their arms.
“You didn’t think we’d miss this, did you?” Dad cups my shoulders as he holds me away from him, searching my eyes.
“I was worried,” I whisper, ashamed now because, of course, I knew better.
“We were surprised at first, but nothing would stop us from being here and walking you down the aisle,” Mom vows, wipingthe tears from my eyes. “Besides, the other night, it was instantly obvious that T.K. was head over heels for you.”
Sniffling while I laugh, I nod my head. She’s right. “T.K. is in it for the long haul,” I reassure them, happier than I’ve been in a long time.
Chapter 23
T.K
My eyes are fixed on the closed doors at the other side of the room. Flowers and candles set an intimate mood as I await my bride. The entire team is here, and my brothers, T.C. and T.J., stand beside me. Our parents are seated in the front row, with open seats for Brea’s mother and father. They plan to walk her down the aisle.
“You sure about this?” T.C. leans forward past T.J. to ask in a hushed whisper.
Before I can answer,Love Storyby Taylor Swift begins playing through the speakers around the room, and the grand doors open to reveal Adeline and Alex walking forward with their arms linked together. I spot Brea’s dad popping out to check on where the girls are, and I’m ready to dart down the aisle to grab the woman myself. My patience has reached its breaking point.
Ten seconds later–I counted–Brea starts her walk down the aisle, and my heart stops. She’s stunning in the strapless lace gown. Her face glows with joyfulness, and when I move to step forward, my brothers each grab an arm and hold me back.
“Dude, she’s coming,” T.J. laughs.
“Damn, she’s gorgeous,” T.C. mutters, and I growl at him. I don’t need his ass looking at the girl that’s mine.
It seems like forever before Brea is within reach. Breaking from my brothers' holds, I snatch her from her parents, and our guests chuckle at my impatience, but I don’t fucking care. My need for this woman to be quickly tethered to me beats a drum in my chest.
“Eager beaver,” Jo grins, tears in her eyes as she happily steps back.
It’s impossible to look away from Brea’s sparkling blue gaze as she watches me. Amusement crinkles the corners of her eyes while love shines brightly towards me.
“You’re stunning.” I lean forward to kiss her lightly. If I go in for a lip lock, we won’t come up for air for hours. Days. Months. Maybe years. “Let's do this.” She agrees with me, and I meet her father’s gaze over her shoulder, offering him a hand and saying, “Thank you, sir. I’ll never let her down.” He nods, then sits with his wife next to my parents.
I don’t hear a word the justice says because I can’t stop staring at Brea. She’s my entire world, and every time I think I’ve found my favorite part of her, I find something new. Like the tiny freckle on her clavicle that I don’t think I’ve licked yet.Was it always there?
Her leg shifts, revealing a slit in her dress I hadn’t noticed. I whimper because I can see straight up to her hip. The desire to drop to my knees and kiss from her exposed toes all the way up her leg is so overwhelming that my knees shake.
“Tate.” She whispers my name.
“Huh?” I can’t stop staring. I know what those thighs feel like wrapped around my head, and I need them around my waist.
“Tate.” Her tone is stern, forcing my eyes up her body. “Pay attention,” she scolds. I apologize to the amused crowd and repeat what I’m told to.
“I love you,” I blurt out, interrupting the ceremony. “Not just love. I’m addicted, obsessed. I would do anything for you. You know that, right?”
Brea’s cheeks flame red as she smiles and steps closer until my arms wrap around her waist and hold her tightly. “Tate, say, I do.”
“I do.”Christ, I’ll do anything she says as long as she looks at me like she is right now. Her eyes speak more than any words possibly could, and I realize I am a slave to this woman. “Are we done?” I glance at the justice from the corner of my eye, and he sighs like he’s annoyed, but his amused smirk says otherwise.
“You may kiss the bride.”
The crowd applauds us as I peck Brea’s mouth, then haul her over my shoulder.
“Reception is in the room next door. Enjoy!” I throw a wave up as I run down the aisle to the private elevator that leads to the penthouse suite I paid way too much fucking money for.
