The wedding - Part 1

My lips parted at the sight of him.

The charcoal black tux he donned with a white shirt underneath hugged his broad and powerful upper body perfectly. Black pants, shiny black shoes and a blush pink pocket square, matching my gown, completed his look. With his dark strands combed back neatly, his jaw was clean shaved. My hands itched to touch them.

Gosh!

A breathless sigh left my lips. My eyes couldn't move away from the Greek god before me.

He looked… sinfully gorgeous.

My poor heart had difficulties to beat normally in his presence.

And with that particular intoxicating cologne of his wafting to my nostrils, it just made the butterflies in my tummy crazy.

I was so busy drooling at my man that I almost didn't notice how his eyes trailed down my body. Slowly and sensuously.

A shiver ran down my body.

Once those suddenly dark electric blue eyes met my gaze again, his fists curled at his sides. A breath left his lips.

"Out!"

From the corner of my sight, I saw the ladies in the room flinching before they scurried out of the room. Throwing a glare in his way, Laura also took her exit along with Chloe, who sent me a wink before leaving.

"You," said his deep husky voice as he took slow steps towards me, like a panther approaching his prey.

My heart palpitated. Mouth went dry. The temperature of the room suddenly rose as his dark eyes roamed over my body once again. Delicious shivers sent goosebumps to my skin.

"You have been a very bad girl over these days. Do you know what I do to bad girls, love?"

With him standing inches away from me, my senses were engulfed with his intoxicating cologne. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulled me against his hard chest.

A whimper left my mouth as leaning in, he trailed his lips on my jaw to my neck, slowly, burning my skin. My heart pounded down my chest, my breathing came out ragged.

My whole body itched for more, more of his lethal yet desirable touch.

I haven't let him touch me for two painful weeks. And now I desperately needed his warmth around me, his hands and lips on my needy skin.

God! How much I missed him!

"I think you do, really well. Don't you, love?" he asked, when I didn't say anything.

My insides trembled remembering the night he had punished me for disobeying him and following Alex.

I licked my lips.

Nuzzling my neck, he took a desperate sniff before letting out a rough groan. The sound vibrated through his chest, tugging something in my lower region.

"A-adrian…"

Before I could say any more words, his mouth was on mine. When he forcefully shoved his tongue through my lips, I shuddered in ecstasy. A moan escaped me as he ravished every inch of my mouth, like a man hungry for months.

My hands went to his shoulders, to his neck, to feel him more.

But grabbing my hands, he took them to my back and held them with one big rough hand while the other held my neck firmly, keeping me in place.

When he sucked on my lower lip, his teeth grazing my skin, I moved against him like a cat in heat. Letting out another moan, just as I went to kiss him deeper, he pulled away.

Shocked, I blinked at him.

I had to resist a whine that threatened to spill at the distance between us.

While I panted, he shoved his hands in his pockets. A blank look took over his face as if he wasn't just making me all hot for him just seconds ago.

That son of a devil!

I glared at him. "What was that?"

He raised one of his perfectly arched brow. "You want more?"

Frowning, I nodded like a shameless woman. Well, it seemed my own decision took a toll on me. Especially on my horny body.

The side of his lips twitched, mocking me.

My temper flared.

"I thought you wanted to stay away from me until the ceremony?" Blue eyes dropped to my lips before glancing back to my eyes.

"I- I," I cleared my throat, my cheeks turning hot. "Yes, but now that you literally barged into my room and kissed me, it doesn't matter anymore."

He shrugged. "But I think I'm now enjoying this decision. Let's stay just the way we were in the last two weeks. No intimacy until the ceremony, what say?"

My lips pursed. He was taking revenge, wasn't he? Because I had refused to let him touch me.

"That's not fair! You can't say that after kissing me like that!" My voice came out desperate as I walked close to him.

God! I had managed to stay away from him for the last two weeks. But now that he was here, right in front of me, every fiber in me wanted him.

I needed to control my hormones.

"What's fair and what's not, we will talk about it later. In our room tonight."

I gulped at the dark promise in his tone.

"Now tell me, what are they doing here?" Anger was coming back on his features.

"Who?"

"You know really well whom I'm talking about?" He pressed his lips.

"What… oh!"

Realization hit me. Damn! How could I forget about them?

Well, it was his fault, playing with my senses like that.

"Uh, umm..." A sheepish smile formed on my lips when his glare only hardened. "I- I thought you could use some groomsmen. So... I invited them! Ain't I the best fiance ever?"

A muscle of his sharp jaw ticked. "I already have Liam and John."

"Yeah, but compared to the number of bridesmaids I will have, you will be lacking in that department. Since Liam is your best man, then John is the only groomsman you will have. Now, it won't look good, right? So many bridesmaids with the bride but only one best man with the groom." I tried my best to form excuses. "And you already went to a talking terms with Dominic if you thought I didn't notice. So I thought why not invite him and your other best friend also?"

"They're not my best friends!"

"Yeah, but they were, right? Come on, Adrian. I know you miss them." My voice came out gentle.

Something flashed across his face.

I knew he missed them no matter what happened between them. But this stubborn man won't just accept it.

"No, I don't!" he said through gritted teeth.

I blew out a sigh.

What do I do with this man?

"Is he being his usual self even today? We can take care of him for you if you want," said a deep yet velvety voice.

Both of our heads turned to the door where two equally tall, well-built men stood.

Dominic Petrosyan and Dimitri Rothschild. Two former best friends of my stubborn hot headed billionaire.

The dead look on Dominic's harsh features and a sly smirk on Dimitri's lips greeted us.

I gazed at those two and then at my fiance. Seriously, I could imagine the heart failures girls of their boarding school had back then when these three would walk around the campus with their unearthly looks and deadly auras.

"Dimitri," said Adrian. The area between his brows pinched as if uttering his name bothered him. "Why are you still here? I thought I already told you to leave."

"Adrian, behave!" I elbowed him at his side. But he didn't even flinch.

At his glare, Dimitri's smirk just broadened. While Dominic just glanced at his phone, looking like he would be rather planning someone's death than being here.

I still couldn't understand how these three, who were totally different from each other in nature could be best friends?

"It wasn't you who invited us. It was your fiance. So technically, we're her guests, not yours. So you can't tell us to leave." Dimitri shrugged, ember eyes were challenging electric blues.

When Adrian's flaming gaze snapped to me, I blinked at him innocently.

"It's been years. Come on, baby. Let it go. You guys were all young then. You can't hold the grudges forever," I whispered.

But his gaze only narrowed.

And then suddenly when Dimitri engulfed him in a hug, Adrian's form went stiff.

"You're still the same, didn't change a bit. It's been so long. Nice to see you, man!"

I bit my lip at my man's very uncomfortable stance. He stood straight like a rod, not moving even an inch.

He was never good at showing his emotions, except to me. I could understand how he was feeling at this moment. He loved his best friends, Liam told me how close they were. But due to his stubbornness, he wasn't letting the grudges go.

When Dimitri slapped Adrian's back in a manly way, letting out a grunt, he pushed Dimitri away.

"You still smell like girls!" He pursed his lips.

"Manwhore," grumbled Dominic under his breath.

Dimitri shrugged. "You might have became a saint nowadays. But I can't. What I can say? Girls love me."

He winked at me, making Adrian growl.

"Don't even look at her!"

I rolled my eyes.

But I was glad that at least he was talking to them. Rudely, but it was something.

Letting out a chuckle, Dimitri stepped back. "Don't worry. I still honor our bro code."

"Are you guys done? Let her be ready for the wedding so that we can get done with it as soon as possible. I have an important meeting to attend." Dominic interrupted, glancing at his wrist watch impatiently.

While Adrian still glared down at Dimitri, I threw a smile at them.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation and coming here."

"We had to. Especially me. I wanted to meet the girl who finally tied this man down to her, so much that he took a bullet for her," Dimitri said. "Thank you for inviting us, Sofia. And congratulations for the wedding!"

"Thank you."

I smiled, while Dominic stayed quiet. Well, it seemed he didn't like to talk much unless necessary.

Casting a wink in Adrian's way, Dimitri turned and walked away. Dominic soon followed, leaving us alone.

My lips parted as hot breath fanned my neck.

"Be ready for your punishment tonight. I'm not done with you yet."

With that, he strode out of the room, leaving me in a hot mess.

***

"Are you ready, princess?" Dad asked, standing before the gate of the church where everyone was waiting for the bride. I could hear their loud chatterings and laughter inside.

I took a deep breath, holding Dad's arm in a death grip. Nervous butterflies danced in my tummy, my palms were clammy. I didn't know why I was so nervous all of a sudden.

"Yeah, just a second."

"Are you getting any second thoughts, Tomato? If yes, then there is still time. Tell me, and I will help you escape," Max said.

Alex rolled his eyes behind him.

They were together here for my wedding. The distance between them was almost non-existent now. It seemed like in the past couple of weeks, while fighting Monet together, the differences between them lessened. And I couldn't be more happier.

"Max! This is not a time for jokes!" Mom chastised. But the solemn look on his face said how serious he was.

Turning away from him, she cupped my face. "You know, this is the same church where your dad and I took our vows?"

"Really?" I blinked.

"Yes." She nodded. A gentle smile touched her lips. "I could still remember the day, how nervous I was. But the moment I saw your dad waiting for me at the altar, all the jitters vanished. And the only thing I could see was my future standing bright before me. All I wanted to do was reach it. And I did."

Blinking her tears away, she cast a loving look at Dad.

"I know you're nervous. But trust me, sweetheart. Everything will be fine. Because you're doing what your heart wants, aren't you?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"Then there is nothing to be worried about. Just take a deep breath and go for it."

Throwing my arms around her, I took in her sweet scent that always calmed my senses. "I love you, Mom!"

"I love you too." Pulling away, she sniffled, looking in my eyes. "Did I tell you how beautiful my baby is looking today? I can't believe when did you grow up so much…"

"Not again, Mom." Alex groaned. "Let's go, everyone is waiting for her. Especially Adrian. He literally threatened me to bring her to the alter as soon as possible otherwise the outcome wouldn't be good."

When a look of disbelief flashed across Max's features, Mom let out a chuckle. And I just turned beet root.

Even after everything, my brothers still didn't seem to be fond of Adrian. And vice versa. But I was glad that at least Dad was absolutely fine with my fiance now. Even though it was him who agreed to Sinister's condition on letting me be in Adrian's life, he didn't like him much at the beginning. But thankfully, things weren't the same anymore.

Well, that man took a bullet for his daughter. What more did he want from a guy to prove that he was worthy of his daughter?

"Alright now. Let's go. Shall we, princess?" Dad asked, his green eyes sparkled with happiness.

Nodding my head, I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

The music began as soon as I started to walk down the aisle. Everyone stood up and turned to me, greeting me with their warm smiles and excited whispers.

My hold tightened on Dad's arm. Putting his his free hand on mine, he squeezed in assurance.

And then I saw him, standing at the altar, with his mighty height and deadly look.

Electric blue eyes were already set on me.

The intensity in them knocked the breath out of me.

With his fists curled at his sides, his lips parted. His gaze roamed over me once again, as if in a trance. Even if he saw me earlier in my room.

And when his eyes met mine, a beautiful smile spread across his sinful features. I sucked on my breath.

The racing of my heart slowly calmed down and the fluttering of my stomach ceased as my feet approached him. Instead, a bloom of happiness burst through my chest.

The world around me seemed to fade away with his blue pools drawing me in. The only person I saw was him. The man who was waiting there patiently for my father to give me away to him, so that he could fulfill the promises he made to me. Promises of a life full of love and passion, respect and loyalty.

"Take care of her." Were Dad's words when he placed my hand on Adrian's.

"I will," he said with sincerity, looking directly in Dad's eyes.

Nodding, once Dad stepped away, Adrian pulled me closer, before kissing my hand. Love, adoration and awe sparkled in his gaze.

"You're the most beautiful bride I have ever seen in my life."

My heart warmed as blood rushed to my cheeks.

"You don't look so bad yourself," I uttered.

A smirk tugged up his lips.

Laura, my maid of honor, rolled her eyes at us while standing beside me, earning a giggle from Chloe.

But we both ignored them.

With an arm wrapped around my waist, he pecked my forehead. "Ready?"

"Always." Holding his gaze, I let out a breathless whisper.