Page 12 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

Second thing, Maxim Caldwell was nothing like his brother. While Livy’s husband was arrogant, his brother was everything but that. Alexander Caldwell, for all intents and purposes, should be more attractive to me, but to my relief, he totally wasn’t.

Yay, one wellness point for Layla Cambridge.

Unfortunately, Maxim impacted me in the strangest ways. I couldn’t quite understand it. My body heated up just knowing he was in the same room. I didn’t even have to see him. I swore I felt him before my eyes would even see him. But when he looked at me, I pretty much melted like some fucking virgin. Well, I wasn’t one. I haven’t been a virgin for a long time.

All I knew for sure was that I didn’t like it. I didn’t like him at all.

Everyone at this reception was an acquaintance or a friend of the Caldwell’s. Everyone except for Livy, Brandon, and myself. I was sure I’d never get married, but it made me sad to think that if I would, it would be pretty much the same. Livy and Brandon would be the only people on my side. My grandparents didn’t count, assuming they would even show. The only way they would come to my wedding was if I was marrying a king.

I leaned against the wall, sipping my champagne, and watched my sister dance to her favorite song with Alexander. Those two looked good together. His towering frame looming over her, protecting her. Despite it all, I had a really good feeling about this. About him.

It warmed my heart to feel hope for Livy’s future. I wanted her to find happiness. Find love and passion. Callen leaving her at the altar hurt her badly, but she’d gotten through it. That piece of shit didn’t deserve her. Alexander Caldwell could wipe the floor with the likes of Callen. He would ensure Livy and Brandon were always taken care of.

“They look pretty good out there.” I sensed Maxim before I saw him, or heard him. But upon hearing his voice, my body’s temperature rose another hundred degrees and delightful shivers ran down my spine. At this rate, I’d get a sunburn without ever stepping into the sun.

I threw him a side glance. This damn guy needed to keep far away from me.

“He better not fuck it up,” I told him, returning my eyes to the dance floor. “Otherwise, he’ll look good dead.”

Maxim’s booming laugh hit something in my chest, and I hated it.

“He won’t hurt Livy. Want to dance, Layla?”

I raised an eyebrow. “With you?”

“I certainly wouldn’t ask you to dance with someone else.”

“No, thank you.”

His lips curved into a half smile. It was as if he was telling me, he knew what he did to me. But he didn’t. He had no idea. A woman with fake-ass red hair appeared out of nowhere, completely ignoring me, all her focus on Maxim.

A familiar feeling of envy swelled in my chest, and I immediately shut it down.I am not jealous,I lied to myself. It was a feeling of annoyance.

“Hey babe,” she purred like some damn cat. I was just waiting for her to start pushing herself against him, but she damn well tried to give him plenty of eyeful of her low cut décolleté. Freaking slut. “Want to dance?”

“Candace, meet Layla Cambridge,” Maxim answered instead. “She is the bride's best friend.”

The woman never even spared me a glance, all her focus on conquering Maxim. For the dumbest reason, I wanted to punch her in the face. Really hard. And see how well a purple bruise matched that red hair. Geez! It seems I’d started getting violent as I approached my thirties.

“I can’t stop thinking about you, Maxim,” she purred into his ear. She made sure I could hear it. Feeling threatened or something? I rolled my eyes.

He is all yours, lady!Then why was I jealous or annoyed, whatever that damn feeling was in my chest.

I looked away not wanting to witness their exchange, ignoring both Maxim and her. God, this was uncomfortable. That was probably why my body responded to him. It was like having a knack for asshole playboys. The bigger the asshole, the more my body responded. So damn sick.

Brandon waved at me enthusiastically across the dance floor and I hurriedly walked over to him, leaving Maxim behind me without a backward glance. Brandon didn’t even know, but he’d saved me from making some stupid comment at those two back there.

“Hey buddy,” I took him into my arms and gave him a big hug. “Are you having fun?”

“Yes, I want to dance too.”

I glanced at the dance floor, Alexander and Liberty finishing up their dance.

“I think you should dance,” I told him. “As soon as Livy is done with her dance, it is your turn.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You are the most important person at this party, besides the bride and groom.”

---