Chapter 160: CHAPTER 160

ROBIN

“Oh no. No!” Mum raced to the door, fighting his big body out of the room and blocking the small gap between the door and the frame but she was no match for him.

“Jack, you need to get out of here. You can’t see the bride before the wedding.”

“I need to see her, just for a few minutes.” He said, his eyes pinned on me the whole time. “You look magnificent, baby.”

“No! Get out, Jack.” Mum fought even harder, but he barely moved, his body stayed glued to the door, her foot wedged at the bottom. He wasn’t moving an inch until he saw me, that was certain.

“Lindsey, I’m not going away until I see Robin.” He braced his hand into the gab, extending the door backwards. I giggled to myself, seeing my determined mum busy with shoving him out, while Jack remained serious on trampling just so we could talk. “I’m not moving an inch.”

“Mum, let’s excuse them for a while. There will be no wedding without them.”

“No, Lana. This is bad luck! The groom never sees the bride before the wedding, have you forgotten tradition? He’s not stepping in.” Jack gained a leverage with Mum’s distraction, hoisting her clean off her feet and pinning her neatly in the centre of the colossal room, before making his way to me, a brown envelope in his grip.

“Jack!”

“Mum, I just need five minutes. Please.” My mum huffed, chest rising and falling as she rearranged her dress and straightened her hairpiece.

“Five minutes!” She snapped, placing my underwear in the chaise lounge before Lana led everyone out. He wore a simple plain shirt, hair roughly tousled and looking incredibly hot.

No one was ready around here. I tightened the knot on my robe, taking slow measured steps towards him.

“Hey,” he whispered, taking both my hands into his.

“Hey. You’re not supposed to be here.”

“I’ve never cared about rules, baby. I won’t start now.” He leaned in, brushing his tongue gently over my lips. My breathing slightly faltered, zaps of electricity coursing through me.

“Have you been drinking?”

“I just took a sip.”

“Are you nervous?” He reached across my face, stroking my lips tenderly.

“Yes, Jack. I wanted a small wedding with family and close friends. This place is fucking huge.”

“I want the entire world to know I’m marrying you.” He hunkered down, pressing a chaste kiss to my lip. “You deserve a big wedding.”

“You can’t do that too.” I mumbled against his skin, his lips barely inches away from mine. If we continued like this, I’d be losing all will power.

“I can’t control myself around you, Robin. You know this. I can never.” I was lifted from the ground moments after, suspending in thin air and gazing into his mesmerising eyes before his lips came crushing on mine, his tongue invading my mouth. I gasped softly, surrounding my arms around his neck, pushing him further into my mouth on a gentle moan, my excited core igniting a sea between my thighs. If we didn’t take care one of us was going to take this to the next level—and it would be me.

“I missed you, so much.” He mused, kissing me again.

“It’s only been a day since we saw each other.” I whispered, tracing his perfect jawline. This man was incredibly beautiful, even for his age. Forty-two years and still breathtakingly beautiful.

“It felt like an eternity. I had to see you, I was going nuts.” He reached to my face, brushing my lips with his thumb, his gaze locking into my face.

“You’re too beautiful, my God. I have to kiss you one more time.” He rested his lips slowly on mine, tugging gently on my bottom lip, before breaching into my mouth, lapping and stroking his tongue with mine. Sucking on my tongue for a few seconds, he withdrew gently before taking a hold of my mouth again. “Oh God you drive me crazy.”

He murmured, biting my lower lip slightly.

“As do you.” I barely pulled the words out, lust was hanging taut in my throat.

“You have no idea just how crazy you make me.” He kissed my nose—his second favourite place to my lips.

“Happy birthday, Wife.”

I chuckled. “Thank you.”

“I got you something.” He let me down slowly, thrusting the envelope into my hand.

“What is this?” I asked, roving curious eyes over the plain envelope.

“Open it.” I did, keeping puzzled eyes rooted on his face before drawing the content out. A sharp breath of shock escaped me, clamping my hand over my mouth in utter disbelief.

Oh, he didn’t!

“Oh my God, Jack.” I run my eyes through the document for the second time. “I can’t believe this.”

“It’s yours baby.” He grabbed my waist, pulling me closer to his body. “Now whenever you step in there, you’ll be reminded of our epic love. You’d be reminded of every obstacle we’ve faced to get here.” He brushed the tear off my face, reinforcing with a chaste kiss.

“You convinced your friend to sell?” He giggled softly, kissing my eyes once more.

“The restaurant belonged to me, baby. Your soon-to-be-husband is a big deal around here.”

I looked up at him, a little between shocked and stunned. “Just how wealthy are you, Jack?”

“The kind that can shut everyone up.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Better?” I nodded.

“I feel a bit relaxed. Thank you. And now I have to seriously get ready before I’m late for my own wedding.”

The door slammed open, my very unhappy mother standing in the doorway.

“Out, Jack! Now!” Jack laughed, making his height lower to match mine, spreading kisses all over my face. Mum moved over to my side, forcefully yanking me to detach from him.

“Get away from my daughter, Jack!”

He pulled away. “I’m going.” He reached over to the door and turned around, welding his eyes on me, not blinking.

“You’re the most beautiful creature alive, Robin.”

“And now she isn’t because her makeup is ruined.” Mum run to the door, shoving his body out. As if it was going to work. “Out, out, out.” He blew me a kiss before disappearing.

Mum huffed.

“Your rhinoceros’ man will be the death of me.” Angel joined us, then Lana with Margaret.

“Oh, my fucking Christ!” Angel’s scream rammed through the room, gasping, wide eyed with a gaping mouth. “Your makeup.” Angel said, I whimpered, making a remorseful face.

But was I really?

“I’m so sorry.” I whispered.

“Okay.” She released a long exaggerated breath. “We have an hour and a few minutes left, we’re all going to work together to make you flawless again.”

“She looks flawless now.” Margaret piped up, Angel shot her a don’t-fucking-make-me-go-nuts-look. “I’m sorry.” Margaret whispered, marching to a vacant chair and cradling the scarlet designer shoebox.

I sat gingerly in front of the gigantic mirror, observing Angel as she worked more magic on my face before Mum helped me into my underwear. Lana and Angel brought out my wedding dress.

An exquisite corset mermaid gown with intricate floral lace, illusion long sleeves embellished with crystals, and draped pearl strands at the shoulders, shimmering beadwork whipped through every flourish of the lace.

Angel had doubled as both my wedding dress designer and makeup artist, coming in highly recommended by Jack for the job, and I trusted his judgment completely.

Mum helped Lana and Angel carry the gown into the room, though I doubted it was a three persons job. Together, they carefully laid it across the oversized chaise lounge before helping me step into it.

Everyone’s mouth fell open.

The ivory tulle skimmed over my bum and hugged my hips, sculpting every curve in a long flowing cathedral train. Sparkling floral embroidery flowed from bodice to hem, hand-sewn with delicate appliqués, pearls and crystals.

Angel’s eyes watered as she gazed at her masterpiece, no doubt thinking of the countless sleepless nights she’d poured into creating it. She was proud and I … dumbfounded.

“My shoes.” I pointed to where I’d last seen my Christian Louboutin heels, and Mum scooped them up, placing them at my feet.

Lifting my pooling dress with Lana, Angel and Margaret, Mum gently slipped them onto my feet, the towering stilettos adding several inches to my height.

The fairytale finish, the daring plunging back framed with delicate lace appliqués and crystal detailing was nothing short of spectacular.

Every stitch, every thread, every embellishment meticulously placed. The design was one of a kind and the execution even more awe-inspiring.

The train was astonishingly long, puddling across the entire floor in a sea of ivory and shimmer, requiring their combined efforts, Margaret included, to spread it out into perfection.

“My goodness!” Lana breathed. “Jack is going to drop dead when he sees you.”