Chapter 10

I walked out of the changing room happy with the outfit I'd decided on. Hunter's back was to me as he picked out a tie but the young man next to him was facing my way and his eyes widened when he saw me. That attracted Hunters attention who turned to look at me. His eyes ran over me approvingly meaning he liked what was seeing.

My outfit was a blue ankara print maxi dress with a peacock print and a thigh high slit and pointed lace up heels. The boutique also offered free make up services after making purchases of a certain amount and since I reached that category I got my make up done for free.It was necessary too because I needed to cover the hickeys Hunter had left all over my body.

I stood toe to toe with Hunter and picked out a black tie for him to match his shoes and pocket square. He was wearing a three piece grey suit and white button up. I looped the tie around his collar and started tying it up for him.

"How much will it take for me to convince you to do this for me every morning?"Hunter asked surprising me.

"Nothing because it ain't happening."I replied brushing him off.

"So you say but that's okay, I have my ways."Hunter answered confidently.

If I wasn't careful Hunter would get his way and the last thing I needed was to be tied down so I had to keep my distance.

"A full windsor knot, courtesy of Nala."I grinned happy with the work I'd done on his tie.

"I love it, thank you baby girl."Hunter replied kissing my cheek.

He pulled away and approached Sofia to settle our bill. I stayed as far away as possible to avoid hearing how much I owed him. The young man who had been helping Hunter handed me a bag with his old suit. I already had my outfit in a separate bag so I carried them both and waited for Hunter by the door. He didn't keep me waiting long since we were already behind schedule.

"You didn't get any accessories."Hunter commented as we got into the car.

He backed out of the parking lot and merged into traffic headed to some part of the city I wasn't familiar with.

"I don't really wear anyway."I replied.

"Is that the truth or were you too afraid to get anything because of the money?"Hunter asked me.

"A little bit of both, I don't really wear any accessories, I haven't even pierced my ears but I like bracelets."I explained.

"Twenty two years without getting your ears pierced. Is it a cultural thing or are you afraid of needles?"Hunter teased.

"Neither, I just never got around to do it."I said with a shrug.

"You baby girl are an enigma and I can't wait to get to know more of you."Hunter said glancing at me.

"And you scare me enough to want to run the opposite direction."I muttered honestly.

"I know but don't worry, I've got you."Hunter assured me and his words just made me more skeptical about what he had planned for me.

I had just escaped the claws of one overbearing man in the name of my father and I was not about to fall into the arms of another all in the name of a relationship no matter how good the sex was.

I didn't say anything else for the rest of the drive afraid that I would prompt him somehow.

The cathedral the wedding was being held at was the largest in the city which was to be expected with such an important ceremony.

"That is a lot of cars."I commented once the church came to view.

There was tight security everywhere which was to be expected as the president was in attendance. His daughter was marrying the vice presidents son after all.

"We're late but I honestly don't give a fuck, I would have been happier if we missed the whole event all together."Hunter cussed out as he looked for a parking spot.

"Are you sure they don't have one reserved for you closer to the church?"I asked him.

"They do but I don't want it. I want us to get out of there as fast as possible when it's all over."Hunter replied with a tick on his jaw.

His mood had obviously changed and I had no idea how to deal with this new side of Hunter.

I didn't argue with him since I was there unwillingly anyway and quite agreed with that plan. We had to go through a lot of security to get in but with Hunter by my side it was all smooth sailing. I didn't even have to show my ID which was good as I didn't have it on me.

"Does it feel weird being here as a guest when it would have been your wedding day?"I asked Hunter as we walked through the front garden of the church.

"Yes it is weird but there's nothing I can do about it."Hunter replied with a tight smile.

I knew he had healed from what had happened but I could see he was a uncomfortable. My heart went out to him because if I was in his shoes, I would have been falling apart.

"Bear guess what?"I whispered as we got closer to the door.

He grinned at me when he heard me use the nickname I'd assigned him for the first time.

"What?"He asked.

"I forgot to buy panties too."I mumbled winking at him.

His eyes widened and a dirty smirk graced his lips. That was a better facial expression than the sour face he had on before so I gave myself a pat on the back for a job well done. He didn't get the chance to reply because we were already at the door being greeted by one of the ushers.

"Right on time Mr Makau."The young man greeted ticking off Hunter's name on the iPad on his hand.

"Yes indeed, this is Nala, my plus one. Can you lead us to our seats please?"Hunter demanded firmly.

"Yes of course, right this way."Dennis, as shown by the name tag on his uniform mumbled.

We walked inside the completely packed church and just as I had expected we were seated right at the front. I resisted the urge to hide behind Hunter and instead walked with fake confidence right by his side. We were definitely the last to arrive because even the president was already there. I could see so many famous people in the church, celebrities, politicians and even a few delegates from other countries.

Finally after what felt like a ten kilometer walk Dennis showed us our seats in the third row on the grooms side. Hunter let me sit first before scooting in next to me. I looked around hoping to see a familiar face but I couldn't see anyone I recognized.

"I thought your friends were invited?"I whispered in Hunters ear.

"They are in the bridal party."Hunter replied and my eyes widened.

His brother really had taken everything from him, his bride and his friends.

"Won't people ask questions if you're not one of your brothers groomsmen?"I asked Hunter.

"I couldn't care less but I'm sure they'll find a plausible excuse. Aaron did ask me but even I had to draw the line at some point."Hunter explained and I nodded.

It was already hard enough seeing your baby brother marry your ex of six years without you standing next to him and pretending to be happy for him. I totally understood why Hunter was as aloof as he was.

"Show time."Hunter mumbled once the music stopped.

One of the seminarians at the altar stepped forward and announced that it was time for the bridal party to start entering. The choir started singing a familiar ballad just as the groom entered with his parents by his side.

"Remember no panties."I grinned at Hunter just as we stood up with the rest of the congregation.

"How could I forget?"Hunter growled lowly pulling my back to his front so I could feel his hard on against my lover back.

It was the wrong place for him to get hard but he was distracted which was my main goal. I didn't want to be at the wedding but since I was already in attendance I could at least try and make things easier for Hunter. He had been the perfect gentleman and it was my turn to return the favor.

Hunter and Aaron looked exactly like their father, just taller and younger. Their mom was beautiful and one wouldn't even guess that she had a twenty nine year old son since both parents were in their late fifties.

As I watched Aaron walk past us I couldn't help but think that that would have been Hunter. If it had been him, our night together wouldn't have happened and the sadistic side of me found myself grateful that Veronica cheated. Hunter didn't deserve to get his heart broken but anyone capable of cheating on a man with their younger brother didn't deserve him.

I turned to Hunter who's face was stretched into a fake smile since he didn't have those lines that appeared at the corners of his eyes when he was genuinely happy. I wanted more than anything to get that look off his face but we were in public and I didn't have any sway over him.

Aaron walked up to the altar with his parents before they hugged him and stood aside. Next to walk in were six groomsmen and Aaron's best man. I immediately recognized Hunter's friends who looked very handsome in sharp maroon suits with white shirts and navy blue bowties. Brian was the first to notice me and Hunter and soon enough all four of them were looking at us with knowing looks. I turned to Hunter hiding my face behind his arm.

"Stop laughing."I whisper yelled when I heard his body shaking in laughter.

"I can't, why are you hiding from them?"Hunter asked.

"They know we slept together, it's embarrassing."I replied looking at him.

"You loved every minute of it, own it."Hunter said winking at me.

I glared at him before turning back around and facing the altar. Aaron's best man stood by his side followed by the rest of the groomsmen in a single file.

The bridesmaids were next in navy blue maxi dresses followed by the ring bearer and the cutest flower girl ever.