Zaire did not look convinced.
Sage glanced up at Ryan, who shrugged. “You have to give them time,” he told her.
* * *
The next day, Sage’s schedule was a busy one.
She had meetings back-to-back, one of which started late, so she had to cancel her lunch with Ryan. However, she promised to meet him for dinner at her place.
Sage left the office shortly after five. She wanted to get dinner started so that it would be ready by the time Ryan arrived. She chose a simple meal of baked chicken, broccoli, rice and yeast rolls.
Ryan showed up promptly at six o’clock.
He greeted her with a kiss. “You were really busy today. We could have eaten at the restaurant so you wouldn’t have to worry about cooking.”
“I didn’t mind. I know how much you enjoy a home-cooked meal,” Sage responded.
After dinner, they settled down and watched a movie together.
She laid her head against Ryan’s chest. Sage really enjoyed moments like this—she and Ryan cuddled up together watching television or a movie. She could not have asked for a better evening.
It took her a moment to realize that Ryan had fallen asleep.
Sage eased away from him and rose to her feet. She went into the bedroom and removed her clothes.
She showered quickly and then slipped on a silky nightgown.
Sage slowly turned the doorknob and opened her door, peeking to see if Ryan had awakened. He was still sleeping. “Poor baby,” she whispered.
At the far end of the room, a floor-to-ceiling window gifted her with a looking glass to the beauty of Beverly Hills at night. Sage crossed the varnished hardwood floor in bare feet toward the rich ebony bed that framed an amethyst-colored comforter and several pillows in gray.
Sage sat down on the bed and leaned back against the stack of pillows adorning the king-size headboard.
There was a soft knock on her door.
“Ryan,” she called out.
He stuck his head inside. “It’s me. I’m sorry about falling asleep. I didn’t realize that I was so tired.”
She awarded him a tiny smile. “Honey, it’s fine. Come to bed.”
Walking inside the room, Ryan’s eyes traveled from her face, to her neck and then continued downward. “You look stunning,” he whispered.
A few minutes later, Ryan was bare-chested, and the light from the moon cast a soft glow over his firm muscles. He joined her in bed, tracing his fingertip across her lip, which caused her skin to tingle when he touched her. He paused to kiss her, sending currents of desire through Sage.
“Make love to me,” she whispered between kisses.
Ryan groaned softly. He bent his head and captured her lips in a demanding kiss. Locking her hands behind his neck, Sage returned his kiss, matching passion for passion.
“You are so beautiful,” he told her in a husky voice.
As the clock stoke midnight, Ryan and Sage rode a golden wave of pleasure.
Chapter 17
I can’t do this any longer. I cannot continue to keep secrets from Sage.
She deserved the truth and not only that—she deserved better from him. Ryan decided he was going to throw caution to the wind and tell Sage everything, including the real reason behind his stay in California.
He had no idea how she would respond, but he had to go through with his decision. One thing was for sure: he had to be honest with Sage before they could take their relationship to the next level. Ryan was ready to propose. He wanted to make her his wife.
I’m going to tell her the truth after the wedding. If she’s still speaking to me, I’ll ask her to marry me.
“Hey, you…”
Ryan glanced up from his computer monitor. “What are you doing here?”
Sage sat down in one of the visitor chairs. “I got tired of waiting for you to come to me, so I figured if we had any chance of leaving here before nightfall that I had to come get you. We have a wedding rehearsal and dinner to attend. Did you forget?”
He checked his watch. “Sage, I’m sorry. I let time get away from me.”
Ryan rushed to his feet. “I’m ready.”
She surveyed his face. “Everything okay?”
Ryan pasted on a smile. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Let’s get out of here.” He ignored the wave of apprehension he felt. He was not looking forward to this talk with Sage, but it was something he could no longer put off. But for now, he intended to make sure that she enjoyed the pre-wedding parties and the ceremony. Afterward, he was going to confess all. Sage was going to be disappointed in him, but Ryan hoped that it would not last too long. She had a very forgiving spirit, and he prayed that she would be able to understand his reasons for the deception and forgive him.
* * *
Barbara had the grounds of the home decorated to set the tone for Ari and Natasha’s wedding. She had rose petal initials of the couple’s first names plotted on the lawn, mirroring the monogrammed invitations.
Guests were greeted with sheaves of wheat at the entrance of the huge tent. Flowers and fabrics in the traditional fall color scheme of reds, oranges, browns and yellows were used as decorations throughout. Handmade fans featuring the monograms on top of a diamond grid motif, created by a local artist to represent the paned windows of the Alexander mansion, were given to each guest to double as the perfect keepsake and ceremony program.
Large displays of mums, roses, daisies, yarrow, tallow berries and natural wheat were placed at the front of the house and around the back where a huge white tent had been placed for the ceremony.
All of the ushers and groomsmen looked elegant in their tuxedos adorned with boutonnieres made of a mum accented with a pheasant feather and a spray of wheat.
Barbara met with the florist and the wedding coordinator to make sure that everything was as it should be.
Sage glanced at the clock and rushed out to get her mother. It was time for her to get ready for the wedding. The hairstylist had arrived and was waiting for Barbara in the master bedroom.
“Mama, you need to get ready,” Sage told her. “Everything looks wonderful.”
“This is Ari’s wedding,” Barbara stated. “It has to be perfect.”
Sage slipped an arm around her mother and said, “Mama, it is perfect. However, if you are not ready when it’s time for the ceremony to start…”
Barbara nodded. “Okay, sweetie. Let’s get inside. I don’t want to be late for my son’s wedding.”
Sage released a soft sigh of relief. Her mother was a perfectionist, but when it came to weddings, she was obsessed even more. When Ari married April, they had a small traditional church ceremony, but it didn’t matter to Barbara. She still insisted on making sure that it was perfect and romantic.
After making sure her mother was in the master suite getting dressed, Sage joined the other bridesmaids.
“Where have you been?” Zaire questioned. “Natasha has been looking for you.”
“I had to make sure that Mama would be ready in time for the ceremony,” she responded. “You know what a perfectionist she can be when it comes to weddings or parties.”
Zaire nodded in agreement. “C’mon, we need to change.”
Sage followed her sister into a nearby bedroom.
“You were right about Meredith,” Zaire commented as she removed her robe. “We had lunch together yesterday. I like her. She told me about her upcoming wedding to Dale. What’s he really like?”
Sage slipped out of her sundress. “He’s great, and it’s clear that he loves Meredith,” she murmured with a smile. “He makes her very happy.”
“Ryan’s doing a great job of making you happy.”
Sage walked over to the closet and removed the hanger, holding her dress off the door. She
glanced over her shoulder in Zaire’s direction. “I think he’s the one—the one man for me.”
“I’m not surprised,” her sister said with a grin.
A few minutes later, both Zaire and Sage were dressed. Zaire stood in front of the bathroom mirror and fingered her spiral curls, while she studied her reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall above the tall oak chest of drawers.
Sage surveyed her sister. “You look beautiful, Zaire.”
“So do you, sis. Natasha chose the perfect bridesmaid dress. I have to give it to her.”
Natasha’s sister, Natalie, knocked softly before opening the door. “You ladies ready?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“How is Natasha?” Sage asked.
“She’s all nervous and worried that something is going to go wrong.” Natalie handed Sage and Zaire bouquets that consisted of five roses that had been stripped of leaves and thorns and were surrounded by white tulips, snapdragons and lilies of the valley. The stems were wrapped with a beautiful bow.
Sage made her way to the door. “I’m going to go have a little talk with Natasha. Nothing is going to ruin this day for her. I won’t let it.”
* * *
What is she doing here?
Ryan’s mouth dropped open in surprise when he glimpsed his ex-wife and her new husband making their way down the aisle. Ryan hadn’t expected to see her at Ari’s wedding. He had no idea that Sandra even knew the Alexander family.
She was probably here only because of her husband. Ryan could understand why he had received an invitation.
Ryan turned around to avoid meeting Sandra’s gaze. It amazed him that he had actually had feelings for her once upon a time. How could he have ever loved such a selfish, manipulative woman?
Someone walked up behind him.
Ryan turned around expecting to come face to face with Sandra. He was pleasantly surprised to find Sage standing there.
“Why are you out here? I thought you’d be with the bride.”
“I just came out here to check on you.”
“I’m fine, baby.”
She smiled. “I have to go, but I’ll see you right after the wedding ceremony.”
He met her gaze. “I’ll be here.”
“I love you, Ryan.”
He smiled at her. “I love you, too.”
It was killing Ryan inside at the thought of disappointing Sage. She loved him unconditionally.
* * *
Harold walked into the tent as if he owned it. The last time he had been at the estate home was the day that his uncle died. Now it belonged to Malcolm Alexander. He glanced around, recognizing many of the high-profile guests who had come to witness Ari and Natasha’s wedding.
Meredith had received an invitation to the wedding but he had not. However, he was not going to let that discourage him from attending. If anyone asked, Harold was prepared to tell him or her that he was here as Meredith’s guest. It didn’t matter that she was here with her fiancé.
Harold wanted to attend because he genuinely cared for Natasha and wanted her to be happy, although he did not entirely approve of her choice in a husband.
The ceremony was about to begin.
Harold sat down across from Ryan. He wasn’t surprised at all to see him among the guests. He knew all about Sage’s boyfriend. She had literally taken to the streets to find him.
Meredith sat down beside him. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to support Natasha on her wedding day,” he replied smoothly.
“You were not invited, Harold,” his sister pointed out.
“Sure I was,” he countered. “You invited me as your guest.
“Your fiancé looks lonely. I think you should join him.”
“Harold, please don’t do anything to ruin this day for them.”
He acted as if he did not hear her.
Meredith got up and walked over to where Dale was sitting. Harold stole a peek at her. She glared at him for a moment and then turned away.
Harold’s mouth tightened.
He and his baby sister used to be close, but their relationship changed once she hooked up with Sage Alexander. They had already taken so much from him.
Harold vowed to find a way to change that.
* * *
Natasha floated down the aisle on her father’s arm toward the man she would love forever.
Moments later, she and Ari stood facing each other as they said their vows.
Natasha spoke first. “Ari, I take you to be my husband. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart and my love from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”
“Natasha, I give myself to you in marriage. I want you to know that I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us all the days of our lives.”
Sage fought back tears as she listened to Ari and Natasha pledge their lives to one another.
“I now pronounce you man and wife….”
Ari pulled Natasha into his arms, drawing her close. He pressed his lips to hers for a chaste yet meaningful kiss. A few minutes later, he escorted his new wife down the aisle and through the double exit doors at the back of the church. They escaped into a nearby room, waiting until it was time to go back into the chapel for the wedding photographs.
The wedding party joined them a few minutes later.
Natasha broke into a big smile when Sage walked over to them. “We’re married.” She held up her left hand to show off the wedding set. “I can truly say that this is the happiest day of my life.”
Sage embraced her new sister-in-law. “Congratulations.”
When they came out for pictures, Sage looked around for Ryan. She found him talking to Meredith and Dale.
He greeted her with a kiss.
“It was a beautiful ceremony,” she murmured.
Meredith agreed.
Sage heard someone call her name, and said, “Back to bridesmaid duty.”
She spotted Harold DePaul and headed in his direction. “Who let you in here?”
He boldly met her gaze. “I’m a guest…the same as everyone else.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Sage responded. “I have to go, but if you do anything to try and mess this up for Natasha and Ari, I’ll deal with you myself.”
“I suppose I should be afraid,” he responded.
Sage met his gaze straight on. “Very afraid.” She was not going to upset Ari or Natasha, but she intended to let her father know that Harold was there.
Chapter 18
Ryan felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to face Sandra.
“I thought it was you, but I couldn’t be sure,” she said. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same question,” he retorted. “Do you even know the Alexander family?”
She shrugged in nonchalance. “No, but I’m sure I’ll be running into them.” She held up her left hand, showing off her huge diamond engagement ring and sparkling wedding band. “We do run in the same circles.”
Ryan stared at her in disgust.
“I’m really surprised to see you here, though,” she said. “How did you snag an invitation to this wedding?”
“I know someone,” he responded.
“Ryan, I know that you’re still very angry with me, but I hope that one day we can get past all this.”
&
nbsp; “I am no longer angry, Sandra. I just hope you were more truthful with your husband this time around. If not, I assure you that this marriage won’t last either. Do yourself a favor and just be honest.”
Sandra bristled at his words. “How dare you,” she uttered.
Ryan shrugged. “It was just a word of advice. It’s up to you whether or not you accept it,” he stated.
“I know that you don’t believe me, but I did love you, Ryan.” Sandra dabbed at her eyes with a napkin.
Ryan was not buying her act. “You may have loved me, but you loved yourself more. It was all about you, Sandra. There was no room in your life for me or for children.”
“You need to accept the fact that I wasn’t ready for a child, Ryan.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore, Sandra. In fact, it turned out for the best. The last thing either one of us needed was to be tied for life because of a child.”
Sandra did not respond.
“Am I interrupting?” Sage inquired.
Ryan shook his head. “I’ve been waiting for you, sweetheart.”
Sandra’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“It was nice talking to you. Enjoy the rest of your evening,” he told her before leaving with Sage.
“Who was that woman?” Sage asked him when they sat down at their table.
“She is married to some movie producer,” Ryan responded. “Her name is Sandra.”
Sage glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, that’s Frank Miller’s new wife.”
Ryan was ready to leave the reception. He did not like having his past so close, especially when she could blow everything for him. Ryan prayed she would keep her mouth closed. He just needed to get through the rest of the evening and then Sage would know the truth.
* * *
Harold had watched the exchange between Frank Miller’s bride and Ryan with interest. How in the world did a homeless man from New York get to know a woman like that? He saw that there was an empty seat at Miller’s table.
He made his way over to the table where Frank sat with his wife, Sandra. Harold did not know her but had seen her at several events and premieres.
“I wonder what he’s doing here in California,” Sandra was saying to her husband. “He has always hated it here.”
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