Christian Kingston.
It’s as if a button in her was switched the moment those words left my lips, for she blinked, becoming alert. And in a matter of seconds, she had pushed me away from her, regaining her footing but the bouquet falling between us.
I leaned down and picked it up, before extending it out to her. She didn’t take it, but did glare at me, and if daggers were to shoot from there, I’d be long dead by now. “Take it,” I urged, my voice low. “Everyone’s watching. It’ll be awkward if you don’t.” Normally, I don’t care what everyone else thinks but it’s different. Everyone’s eyes are practically on us; it’ll be way too awkward if we remain in the position we’re in.
She turned around, seeing I was right. She then offered them an awkward smile, and met my gaze again, her eyes still slightly narrowed. She didn’t say a thing, but did snatch the bouquet out of my hands, making me smile and shake my head. She’s cute. Every side of her is, even the one that’s pissed at the moment.
“It seems we have another beautiful couple coming up.” A voice declared, belonging to the emcee of the event. A light hum of chatters came from the crowd in agreement, as they stared at us. “Why don’t you two come up and take a picture with the bride and groom? The next wedding might just be yours.”
“As if.” I heard Isabella mutter under her breath, and when I looked at her, she had plastered a smile on her face, as if she wasn’t the one that uttered those words.
I closed the distance between us, leaning so I can whisper in her ears. “Let’s go take the pictures, Isabella.” She tilted her head up, our faces mere inches away, her eyes warning. “You heard, we make a beautiful couple. Who knows? The next we’ll talk might just be our wedding pictures. We should practice.”
“Don’t push it, Kingston,” She gritted out, despite still holding up that smile.
I folded my lips in to hold back my smile, but I couldn’t, not when I’ve finally got the chance to speak to her again. “What? You scared of a few pictures together?” I arched a brow. “We’ve done more than that if I’m not mistaken…didn’t we?”
I watched as her eyes dilated slowly, her cheeks heating up. I searched her expression, wanting to see if she’s solved the riddle of that fateful night in her mind. However, judging from her flushed cheeks, I guess she hadn’t. I might just enjoy teasing her with it for a while longer it seems.
If possible, her eyes narrowed even more. “Christian…” She warned in a low voice, as if that would stop me.
I chuckled, my eyes dropping down to her lips, then to her eyes again. “You know my name at long last.” I remember her clearly not even recognizing who I am that night, and I’d admit, it hurt my ego. But, for her, I’d take a lot more bruised egos, I’d gladly lose to her. I then sighed. “As much as I love hearing my name from your gorgeous lips, we have people waiting so…” I extended my hand out and reached out to interlace our fingers, hers fitting into mine perfectly as if it’s meant to be there. It is.
If possible, her eyes dilated even more if that’s possible, making my grin widen as I wiggled my brows at her slightly, before softly pulling her with me in the direction of the awaiting newly married couple.
Once reaching where they are, the groom, one my closest friends gave me a look that screamed we’d talk about this later on, though there’s an underlying teasing look in his orbs. I shook my head, unable to wipe the grin from my face as we came to stand beside them.
Isabella stood next to the bride stiffly, while I stood beside her, our fingers still interlaced together. Noticing that, I leaned down due to her short frame, an action I know I’ll be acquainted to probably for the rest of my life, so I can whisper to her. “Relax.” I kept my voice low. “You look way too stiff. Don’t tell me I make you nervous.”
Isabella huffed, then she whispered back. “You’re arrogant still it seems. Good to know.”
“And you’re as beautiful as I remember you to be.” My eyes met hers, my voice dropping. “Maybe even more.”
With the two of us staring at each other, I heard the camera clicking, the picture being snapped. I turned around to look at the camera man, urging us to look at him, I nudged my head in his direction. “I know I’m good looking, Isabella. But, eyes on the camera. You can stare at me later all you want.”
That pretty much did it, she snapped out of whatever trance she’d found herself in, looking at the camera as well. She tried to get her hand out of mine, but I held it firmly, unwilling to let her go again ever, not when I’ve finally gotten her.
A few more pictures later, and we were finally done. We offered the newly wed a smile, then turned around to walk away, or more like I pulled Isabella away while she tried to fight her way out of my hold.
“Stop that.” I said, turning my head to stare at her. “Else I’d swing you over my shoulder if you’d prefer that to walking.”
She glared at me, her lips slanted into a deep frown. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.” I wouldn’t mind doing just that. “Or would you prefer I carry you bridal style instead? We’d beat the newly wed to it, nothing much.”
She held her glare, but didn’t say a thing more. Instead, she quietly allowed me to pull her back to where the chairs were set, while everyone else carried on with their various tasks, as the newlyweds disappeared to get dressed and prepped for the reception to follow.
I made Isabella settle on one of the chairs, then shrugged off my suit jacket and draping it over her shoulder. “You should cover up more.” Her dress is sleeveless, and the wrap dress hugged her curves like it’s made for her skin. I’d seen a couple of guys ogle at her. And I admit, it doesn’t sit right with me in the slightest.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.