Page 3 of Beautiful Revenge
“To mywife.” He stresses that last word with a possessiveness that isn’t at all romantic or sexy before he looks down at me. “May we be rich in all the fortunes—health, happiness, and longevity.”
I sip my champagne and smile for the cameras. I know what I have to do. It wouldn’t be the first time my father’scorporation has sold off the rights to our private lives to control the narrative.
Another short applause before an army of waitstaff marches from the sidelines, pushing trays and trays of decadent desserts. We might be the manor’s first big affair, but it doesn’t show. The service is impeccable as our personal server places selections in front of us before we can take our seats.
“Coffee, Ms. Madison?” he asks as we sit back down.
I shake my head. “No, thank you.”
“It’s the family brew, Harlow,” Albert mutters after the server leaves. “The least you can do is accept a cup.”
“You know how I feel about waste.” I break my spoon through the sugar-crusted crème brûlée and catch a raspberry with the custard. “There will be enough excess this weekend, don’t you agree?”
He does his best to hide his irritation as he drapes an arm over the back of my chair while stabbing his chocolate cake with his free hand. “I love every part of you—even the part who doesn’t want to waste a cup of coffee that was specially roasted for our wedding. They even named it after us.”
“Wedding favors.” I mutter with my mouth full. “At least they were purchased wholesale, right?”
He wipes his lips with his napkin before leaning close to me. “Come back with me to my room tonight. You’ve been traveling nonstop. I’ve hardly seen you. I want you and I can’t wait until tomorrow.”
I focus on my dessert. “We’ve talked about this. Do you want me to look tired on our wedding day? The day that will be documented from now until eternity because the damn internet will never die?”
His fork clanks on the bone china. “It’s been weeks, Harlow. Weeks. You’ve gone from hot to cold on me. What did I do?”
I swallow and dab my lips with the linen before turning to him. I grab his lapels with both hands and gaze up into the hazel eyes I became obsessed with way too fast. To anyone else, we probably look like lovers talking about our big day and even bigger plans beyond that, like the month-long honeymoon we’re set to leave for the day after tomorrow.
A safari … because Albert insisted.
“I explained already. I had to get ahead before the wedding. My work is not something I can delegate to someone else. I’ve made commitments that I need to see through. For me to take a month off from the foundation took long hours and a huge amount of coordination, but I did it. For you. This trip to Africa is important. Not to mention, this wedding has been a job in and of itself. I’m tired. One more day, Albert. We can both wait one more day.”
“One more day,” he echoes, like he’s trying to talk himself into it.
I swat at his chest playfully before I pluck another raspberry off my dessert and pop it into my mouth. “Besides, all you have to do is roll out of bed and take a shower. I have hair and makeup starting at seven in the morning. I will forever hate the mothers for insisting we have a morning wedding. I might need a nap before the whole thing is over.”
Albert sits back in his chair and tosses his napkin on the table, finally realizing he’s not going to get his way with me tonight—just like he hasn’t for weeks now.
I take one more bite of my crème brûlée before turning to him. “I have such an early morning. I’m going to go back to my suite, take a long bath, and try to get a good night’s sleep.”
He pulls me close and lowers his voice. “You’re not nervous, are you?”
I shake my head and tell him the truth. “No. For once, I can honestly say I’m happy. So happy about what’s to come.”
His exhale turns into a relieved smile. “I’m anxious to make you mine.”
I tip my head and return his warm expression. “I know you are, but I need a good night’s sleep. I want to be my best tomorrow. I know you understand.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “I’ll walk you to your suite.”
I look around the outdoor venue as people start to mingle. Despite the guest list that goes on for a mile, we have no attendants. Janie insisted. She demanded that our wedding would stand apart from the rest, and that Albert and I should be the stars of the show. My friends from childhood and college will be here tomorrow, but I don’t have anyone I wantto spend time with tonight. Socializing is the last thing I feel like doing, and I didn’t lie when I said I was tired.
I’m so damn tired.
“I’ll be fine. The bridal assistant can drive me back to the main tower in the golf cart. Stay and make excuses for me. I am the bride and should get everything I want, right?”
Albert looks around and seems like he wants to argue but finally gives in. “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll be the one waiting at the altar.”
“Yes, you will. One more day,” I repeat the mantra that’s been running on repeat through my head like a news ticker.
He doesn’t chant it with me. Instead, he pulls me to him for one more kiss. This one is deeper and more desperate. When he finally breaks our connection, he doesn’t let go of me when he promises, “Tomorrow.”
