Page 2 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

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Enzo

“Enzo, is everything ready? They’ll be starting soon.” Tony’s a worry-wart, an anal-retentive perfectionist, which, I have to admit, I admire. I’ve worked for him for two years now and he knows I have everything ready.

The bar top is immaculate, all the glassware is spotless, and the shelves are fully stocked with high-end liquor, including a Macallan whiskey that was requested by the groom. I’ve made sure everything in my ability to control is perfect for the high-profile ceremony. Typical southern California weather provides the perfect night for an outdoor wedding.

Guests are seated in their white folding chairs facing the baby’s breath-covered arbor where the priest stands. Two men in tuxedos walk down the aisle and stand next to the priest.

Damn, I know that guy. He starred in Don Matteo. Holy shit. This is his wedding? I’d better be on my game tonight.

The prelude music from the harpist and two violinists stops, and everyone turns their attention toward the center aisle. The trio begins playing “Canon in D” and from behind the bar where I’m standing steps a woman with glowing Mediterranean skin and wavy, cotton-candy pink hair that flows down the center of her bare back. The backless floor-length dress she’s wearing hugs every curve of her lush body and looks like a bottle of champagne that shimmers and sparkles with each step she takes. Like a moth to a flame, I can’t take my eyes off her. When she reaches the arbor, she turns around, revealing the full effect of her tastefully sexy dress. Draped front exposing luscious cleavage and a slit up to almost the top of her left thigh. She’s temptation wrapped in silk and sequins.

Fuck me.

Shit, rule number one: no fraternizing with the customers.

Next comes the bride. Beautiful. More understated than her maid of honor. Matron of honor?Damn, I hope it’s maid of honor. Reminder — rule number one.During the quick thirty-minute ceremony, I watch every movement the pink-haired vixen makes. While the idea of “love at first sight” is a bunch of bullshit, I’m definitely captivated at first sight.

Once the formalities are over, guests head my way for drinks and hand-passed hors d’oeuvres while the photographer takes pictures of the bride and groom and their families. The venue staff breaks down the ceremony area and builds a dance floor. For being a high-profile wedding, I’m surprised to see so few guests. It looks like only about fifty.

Focusing my attention on serving the guests, I catch glimpses of the woman who I can’t stop looking at. From here, it looks like she’s giving directions to the photographer. She even took the camera from him at one point. Pretty damn bold. And kind of spunky, which I like. After the photo session, the wedding party makes their way to the bar.

Finally, I get a closer look at the pink-haired beauty, her eyes the color of melted dark chocolate. She walks up to the bar, her sultry aura ripples through me. Placing her elbows on the edge of the bar top, she extends her forearms across the surface. I steal a quick glance down, grazing past her breasts, at her hands. No wedding ring.Nice.It takes everything in me to not stare at her cleavage.

She and the bride share a look without a word. A huge smile spreads across the maid of honor’s face, lifting her cheeks. Her beautiful brown eyes twinkle. She’s exquisite.

The bride smiles and shakes her head. “One.”

The maid of honor squeals then looks at me, with a peek at my name tag before meeting my eyes. A potent, invisible attraction saturates the atmosphere, encapsulating only us. Held in the moment, her eyes oscillate between mine, telling me she feels it too.

“Two slippery nipples please, Enzo,” she says, her voice sultry and smooth. Raising her sexy shoulder to her chin, she shoots me a beaming smile.

Now I’m thinking about her nipples. “Coming right up —” I pause for her to tell me her name.

“Candi.” The bride chimes in, breaking my gaze on Candi’s eyes. “And I’m Destiny.”

I shift my attention to the bride. “Congratulations, Destiny. Two slippery nipples coming right up.”

I go about making their drinks. Standing in front of them, it’s hard not to listen to their conversation.

“Mrs. Destiny Mancini.” Candi squeals. “Girl, I’m so happy for you.” She hugs Destiny then releases her. “Um, I have a confession.”

“A confession? Why don’t I like the sound of this?” She folds her arms across her chest.

“But you will.” Mischief plays in the grin on Candi’s lips.

“Out with it.”

“Imayhave slightly orchestrated you and Nicco meeting the night of your birthday.” She pulls her smile back into a grimace as the muscles in her neck tighten.

Destiny’s posture drops as she jets her neck forward. “Candice Alessandra Gamal.”

“What?” Her grimace retreats and is replaced with her beautiful smile again as she raises both shoulders.

“You are incorrigible.” She laughs. “And why am I just learning this now?”

“Well, I figured that you can’t be mad at me now.” Candi raises her shoulders again and holds out her hands in surrender.

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