Page 63 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

The tunes signaling my entrance sounded and Alexander’s grandfather showed up along with Brandon.

“Ready, dear?” his grandfather asked, as Brandon ran over to me.

“Livy, you look so pretty,” Brandon exclaimed and I had to smile. He was handsome in his little suit with a bow tie.

“Yes, my dear,” Alexander’s grandfather chimed in. “You look stunning. And those peonies are a perfect fit. These flowers grow in our gardens. White peonies represent sorrow, pink represent romance, and red ones passion and adoration. Beautiful.”

I gazed at the flowers and wondered how he came up with it.

“Did you know that pink peonies also represent a mother’s love?” he added and I looked at him in surprise.

“My mom used to say each flower had a special meaning,” I whispered. “These were her favorite flowers.”

He nodded as if understanding, and sadness came over me. I wanted my mom and Lena with me here today. Regardless that this was a business arrangement, I wanted to share it with them.

I quickly blinked; it wasn’t the right time to start crying.

“They are here with you,” he told me as if he understood, and I nodded.

I liked him a lot. He was gentle and warm, just like a grandfather I always imagined when growing up. Alexander’s grandfather didn’t look ill, but people often didn’t. He took my slightly trembling hand, and we started. Layla was fixing my long train as we walked. I had to swallow hard, several times, while my heart raced, thundering in my ears. Layla instructed Brandon to go in front of us and followed right behind him. He was our ring bearer and was excited for his responsibility. He couldn’t wait to walk over to Alexander and Maxim, and have Maxim put the rings on his little bearer pillow.

We slowly walked down the aisle and it hit me.

“Shit,” I spat out.

I stopped suddenly in total shock, in the middle of the aisle while everyone’s eyes were on me. Brandon and Layla stopped as if on cue and turned around. I heard mumbling of the audience, but they couldn’t hear what we were saying, we weren’t close enough to them. I glanced at Alexander waiting for me at the altar with his brother as his best man. There was no worry edged in his face that I stopped my walk towards him, he was so sure of himself. I wish I had some of that confidence.

His grandfather looked at me with worry. “What’s the matter, dear?”

“Rings,” I whispered quietly to him. “I forgot to get him a ring.”

He chuckled and patted my hand, that was still in his. “He took care of the rings. You know he takes care of everything.”

“Oh,” I glanced back at Alexander and he watched me intently, like he was trying to pull me forward.

I barely knew the man! But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised he took care of that too.I couldn’t say that to his grandfather though. He was part of the reason we were doing this.

Brandon was now back by my side.

“Livy?” he asked worriedly. I looked at him pensive, wondering for the hundredth time why he wasn’t concerned that I was marrying Alexander. After that comment about Callen, I expected the talk to be one of the difficult ones, but he was thrilled.

“Ready to carry on?” his grandfather asked me. I nodded and smiled encouragingly at Brandon.

“Everything is good,” I told him. “I thought I forgot something.”

Brandon beamed, and we continued on, my hand in Grandfather’s.

Fifteen minutes later, we were married. I couldn’t believe it. It seemed unreal, Alexander’s voice was unwavering and firm during his vows and as he slipped his ring, cold, shiny, and expensive, on my finger. When it was my turn to say the vows, my voice shook, and so did my hands as I tried to slip the ring onto his finger. I kept waiting for someone to call us out on this bluff.

The priest announced, “You may kiss the bride,” and I froze. I stared at Alexander in shock. I didn’t think about this part.

He wasn’t actually going to kiss me, was he?

We haven’t talked about anything beyond the fact that we were doing this to benefit each other, I would get Brandon and he would get his grandfather’s publishing house. He agreed to minimize changes in Brandon’s life but we didn’t discuss kissing.

I watched him as time stood still, everyone in the church a distant noise. He was so much taller than me. When he bent his head, I couldn’t look away from his eyes. I licked my lips, and his eyes locked on them. His arms wrapped around my waist, and as he pulled me closer, my body curved into his. The moment his lips touched mine, a volcano erupted. My first thought as we shared our first kiss was that his lips were warm and soft, second was that he kissed passionately. Unlike the calm and cold person I had known for the past month.

He pushed his tongue into my mouth, and my eyes fluttered shut as I let him in. His kiss sent shivers and fire down my body. I could have sworn I heard a moan and realized it was me. Shocked at myself, I pulled away, breathing heavy as I tried to understand what just happened. His eyes were dark with desire, and I wasn’t sure if panic or thrill shot through my body. The applause broke out and the sudden loud sound startled both of us out of the haze.

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