I smiled and didn’t comment. If my mother knew that my “true love” had tied me up the night before and fucked me for hours, she might rethink the fairy tale aspect she was implying with her statement. Ha! Best she doesn’t know.
“I love you dress!” Mandy walked over to hover at the mirror as well.
My short friend had needed her red bridesmaids dress hemmed twice so she didn’t step on it. But the end result was fantastic. She, Eileen and Sloane all looked lovely in the off-the-shoulder red chiffon dresses with A-line skirts. People might say that you needed bridesmaids of similar heights to make the pictures look good, I could care less. Mandy, and Eileen had stuck with me through thick and thin; they would stand with me at my wedding—even if they did have a foot of height difference between them. And Sloane had come through for me in the end. Our new friendship was something I would always cherish. I was honored when she agreed to be part of the wedding.
I turned from the mirror and my mom and waddled towards Sloane and Eileen, who were still seated on the couch.
“You better learn to walk a bit more graceful, Reese,” Sloane giggled. “What possessed you to buy a dress you couldn’t walk in?”
In answer, I just raised my arms and let them all observe how the ruched taffeta hugged my curves. I looked sexy and I knew it. The fabric was so tight over my ass, I had decided to not wear a veil. Why be traditional when you could knock your fiancé’s eyes out? And I wanted Kane drooling the whole ceremony.
Eileen laughed at my display. “Okay, girl. Good point.”
The music started softly in the distance and it was time. I rubbed my hands together to quiet my anxiety. Quickly, unbidden, my fingers rose to my throat and the diamond pendant there. Kane had given it to me to replace the lucky star pendant. If we made our luck, like he said, then with him, I had made enough for a life time.
However, I still had a six-pence taped in my shoe, a blue garter under my dress, my grandmother’s silk handkerchief wrapped around my bouquet, and a new diamond tiara. I would break some traditions, but I wouldn’t press my luck and break them all.
Holding on to my mother’s and Mandy’s arms, I hobbled through the foyer and over to the door that led outside. At her appointed place in the music, Eileen looked back at me and gave my arm a gentle squeeze. Then she was out the door and down the short aisle we had designated in the rooftop garden. Mandy was next. Then Sloane. The music changed, and it was time for me and my mom to walk down the aisle.
I found myself trembling slightly, but not with fear. I wasn’t worried about marrying Kane, I trusted him completely. I was excited to be his wife. Our life together would be an adventure. One I couldn’t wait to start on.
The door opened and my skin chilled in the cool night air. The stars show out above us, the best wedding decorations we could ever hope for. I stepped forward gracefully, holding my head tall and proud. I was about to become Mrs. McKenzie, nothing in the world could be better.
Mr. McKenzie, my boss and the love of my life, stood in the middle of the rooftop garden—his chocolate eyes went hot with desire when he saw me. His gaze was so inflamed, I wondered if we would even make it through the ceremony. But we did. We said our vows, proclaiming how lucky we were to have found each other—all the while Kane’s eyes ran over my curves that threatened to pop out of my clinging dress. And when the priest wasn’t looking, he would mouth the dirty things he was going to do to me as soon as he had me alone.
“I now pronounce you man and wife!”
Those words couldn’t come soon enough. Kane grabbed for me, wrapped his arms around my body, and kissed me deeply. We clung together as he slowly lowered me down in a dip, as if we were dancing. I ran my hands through my new husband’s hair and kissed him back with all my heart. I was his and he was mine.
The ceremony and reception were over in a blur. I met Ashton, Kane’s friend and the man who would soon be his business partner. The merger was successful, and the employees of Ashton’s company were already moving into our building. Ashton was shy, but friendly, and unfortunately, he had come to the wedding alone. I would have to find someone to set him up with. Now that I was a married woman, I wanted everyone else to be as happy as I was. And I was ecstatic.