by Sadie Grubor
"Okay, we better get going before Viola freaks out."
Thank you Phoebe, for breaking me out of my naughty thoughts.
"Uhhh…" Lilli stammered and I smiled wider. "Yeah, let’s go." She turned to grab her coat as I picked it up and held it out for her. She scowled at me and wrapped the coat around her.
"Shall we?" I held out my arm for her mother and then for Lilli. We headed out the door to the awaiting car.
Pulling up to the pier, I exited the car first and helped each lady from the car. Lilli eyed me suspiciously. I couldn’t help but wink at her.
Having attended weddings at Chelsea’s Pier a couple of times before, I knew this place was a beautiful spot. The fact that it would be my wedding this time, made the whole place seem to glow. Aunt Vi and the organizer she hired quickly pulled Lilli away to talk about a few things.
A few quick directions and run-throughs of the procession was all it took. It was pretty simple and I could only assume Lilli had been the one who made sure of that. Our last run-through was the first we did uninterrupted. So, when I turned seeing Lilli and Dixon approaching my breath caught.
The grin on her face was huge and she was obviously laughing at something coming from Dixon’s barely moving lips. They garnered a glare from the organizer for their actions.
Tomorrow would be the day. She would be binding herself to me, legally. Now, I just had to figure out how to get her to consummate the relationship. When the time came to finish the rehearsal of the ceremony, I made sure to pull Lilli into a lip lock that earned us some hollering and cheering. When I released her, she narrowed her eyes on me. I was going to pay. I knew it.
Once the organizer released us with her approval, we grouped together in the lobby waiting for the cars to be brought around. Decisions regarding who would ride in whose car were discussed and then we drove off to the restaurant.
We arrived to the restaurant and, while Sarah and Phoebe climbed out of the car, Lilli pulled me back towards her.
"What the hell are you doing?" she hissed in a low tone to the side of my head.
Turning my head, my lips were about half an inch from hers. It was obvious she’d been dying to get a moment to question me about all my acting.
"Playing along, so your mother believes the ‘true love’ that we share." I grinned.
"You are such a jerk." She huffed and pulled her head back.
"Hey, I’m just trying to help." I feigned innocence.
"I’m not buying it, Iverson." She hissed out before climbing over me and out the door.
I couldn’t help but laugh quietly before I climbed out behind her.
As I entered the restaurant, Lilli was handing her coat over to the coat check in. That was when I noticed her dress. The solid black satin ribbon that wrapped around her neck, the black material of the top fitted to her curves and gathered at the hollow of her neck attaching back to the ribbon; a large black bow hugged the back of her waist. The fabric began to flare out at her hips, transforming into a layer of dark gray diamonds that faded into a light silver and ended in white fabric that teased the top of her knees. Her silky arms, shoulders and back were completely bare and beautiful. Her hair was half up with loose curls hanging down. She was so beautiful. My body stirred.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lilli
Oh God, if he didn’t stop I was going to drag him into the coat room. Not only did he feel the need to play it up at the apartment in front of my mother and at the rehearsal, but he was still making advances at dinner.
During dinner he slid his hand onto my thigh, somehow managing to get under my skirt. His touch sent fiery tingles to my core. When I tried to cross my legs nonchalantly, he just moved with me. Did the bastard know what he was doing to me? Could he tell?
I was talking to a few guests when he walked up from behind me, snaking his arms around my waist and brushing his lips across my shoulder. Plastering on a smile, I fought to keep my cool as I excused us from the group for a moment.
"Will you stop it?" I hissed at him in an empty hallway.
"Why? Is it getting to you?" He laughed and moved closer against my body.
"Aidan, stop it!" I hissed again. "Why are you being such a pig?"
He glared.
"I hardly think touching and kissing my fiancée is being a pig."
"Oh, I think it could be construed that way in our situation." I poked him in the chest. He grabbed my hand and kissed the tip of my finger. I faltered for a moment and licked my bottom lip. A little too breathy I spoke.
"Ai-Aidan stop it," yanking my hand away from his grinning face. "I will knock that smirk off your face, mister." He laughed and then his lips were pressed to mine. My hands were about to slide around his neck when we were interrupted.
"There you two are." I quickly moved out from under Aidan’s kisses and roaming hands, looking straight at my mother.
"H-hey mom." I stuttered out and heard Aidan chuckle at me. He wrapped his arm around my waist tightly.
"Had to sneak off for a moment alone, I get it." She winked.
I groaned.
"What can I say? I can’t keep my hands off of her for too long." Aidan squeezed me closer.
I sighed.
"Mom, look I need to tell you –"
"That you’re staying at our place tonight. We have a couple of extra rooms to spare, so you’ll stay with us." Turning to look at Aidan in disbelief, I couldn’t believe how far he was going to go with this.
What the hell? Is he seriously trying to play this out like that? Does he really think I’m too stupid to figure out his game?
"Oh…really? Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude on you two." Sarah looked so happy when she answered.
"Actually mom that’s not what I was going to say." I glared at Aidan and turned back to my mother. "Aidan and I –"
"Aren’t even staying in the same place tonight," Phoebe chimed in. I shot a confused look at her.
"It’s the night before your wedding, silly." Phoebe rolled her eyes. "We’re all staying at Viola and Liam’s while the guys stay with Aidan. I already have everything packed and at Viola’s." She smiled proudly.
I smiled broadly and turned to Aidan. He had his eyes narrowed at Phoebe. There was a moment he looked as if he were going to pout. I laughed and he shot the glare at me. I stopped quickly, seeing the seriousness behind it.
He wasn’t as aggressive the rest of the night, but was still pretty hands on. When everyone said their goodbyes, Phoebe grabbed me by my arm to get our coats.
Phoebe was going on and on about how excited she was about tomorrow. I hadn’t noticed Aidan appear behind me. It wasn’t until I felt his hands glide over my bare shoulders, the fiery tingle alerting me it was him. He spun me around to face him.
"Where is my goodbye kiss, darling?" He smiled crookedly.
Surprising him, I leaned into him and brought my lips just a millimeter from his. His scent was all around me. It was like honey and almonds, earthy and rich. I wanted to lick his skin, but I kept myself under control. Instead I licked my lips slowly, earning a low growl from him. Then I smirked and whispered.
"Loser."
Pulling back from him before he could wrap his head around what was happening. I put my index finger and thumb to my forehead in the shape of an L. I watched as he shook his head laughing.
"Diabolical!" He shouted back at me.
With a victory grin, I slipped into the awaiting car. My smile slipped a little when one thought cross my mind. Tomorrow would be the start of my arranged life as Mrs. Aidan Iverson III.
Coming soon…
Book 2 in the Modern Arrangement Series:
Here Comes the Bride
You are cordially invited to celebrate the union of Lillian Pearl Snowe and Aidan Walsh
Iverson III. Join them in their nuptials, sexual tension, and attempt to prove they are more than the contract they signed.
Tentative Release – March 2013
Books by Sadie Grubor:
Falling Stars
Stellar Evolution (a Falling Stars novella)
Hidden in the Stars (coming soon…)
Live-In Position
Under pen name V.S. Tice
Young Adult Books as Saewod Tice:
Amongst the Ruins
About the Author:
To keep up to date on upcoming releases, sneak peeks, cover reveals, and inspirational music & images for the Falling Stars book(s) you can find Sadie Grubor on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and her website.
Amazon Author Page: Sadie Grubor
Facebook: Author Sadie Grubor
Goodreads: Sadie Grubor
Website: www.sadiegrubor.webs.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SadieGrubor
About the Editor:
Monica Black – freelance editor.
https://www.facebook.com/Monica.Black13
http://monicastormynightbooks.blogspot.com