One Night to Risk It All

“And what will our lives be?” he asked.

“We’ll be together.”

Yes, she was his. She truly was. His muscles relaxed, his entire body getting the post-sex languor he’d been anticipating.

There was nothing to worry about. He’d been in control of all of this, from beginning to end. Sure, things had gone off the rails a couple of times, but in the end, he was getting what he wanted.

In the end, he was getting her.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

IT WAS HER WEDDING DAY. Again. How strange to have a second wedding day in just over three months’ time.

But here it was, that time again.

She smoothed down the front of her wedding gown and looked in the mirror. It was a simple chiffon dress that flowed over her stomach. Her stomach which was not up to being squeezed into anything fitted. It was tender and she was already having to ponder maternity pants.

The difference this time was that she loved Alex, and she knew that being with him was what she wanted. No, he didn’t exactly love her back. Or at least he hadn’t said that he did, but she wanted to be with him.

And as Leah had said, sometimes you had to make choices.

They were marrying on Alex’s island, rather than her father’s estate. It made her feel sort of wistful and sad. Actually, the fact that her family didn’t feel as much a part of it as her first wedding made her feel wistful and sad.

And Alana hadn’t been able to make it, either, because she was attending a movie premiere in the States, as the guest of a celebrity she’d dressed. Great for her, but sucky for Rachel. Not that she would have ever asked her friend to give the opportunity up.

It was for their business, after all. It was Alana’s career, but it was Rachel’s investment. It was a nice distraction, really. Knowing that was going on halfway around the world.

Weddings, whether she loved the groom or not, made her nervous, it turned out.

But at least she knew she wasn’t going to have any past lovers crashing this one.

She took a deep breath and picked up her bouquet. No, nothing was going to mess this day up. And then she and Alex would be married and the rest would...just work itself out.

She ignored the leaded weight in her stomach that said otherwise.

* * *

Alex looked out his office window, down to the grounds below. Chairs had been set up by the water, and people were already filling them. An arch was in place at the altar. There were flowers all over it. It looked a little bit fussy for Rachel. Not any more indicative of who she was than the first wedding had been. But then, she’d said she didn’t want to be part of the planning, so the coordinator had taken the helm.

She’d have to be happy with what she got, because she was the one who’d made the decision not to make decisions. And he shouldn’t care if it “looked like Rachel” or not.

It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that the wedding happened, and quickly.

It was all about to begin. It was, in fact, time for him to head down there. He opened the door and started down the hall.