AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sadie’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “You look beautiful in your dress,” she said, changing the subject.
“So do you. That shade of blue suits you,” I replied, admiring her gown.
“I love this dress,” she said, twirling slightly.
The dresses I chose were long gowns made of lace and chiffon in powder blue with a keyhole back and an A-line skirt. They were sleeveless and looked lovely on all my bridesmaids. I had them put their hair up like mine. “I think Finley will too.”
“He already saw it,” she admitted with a shy smile.
Teagan started to stir in her crib, and Sadie went to her. “I’ll give you some privacy so you can feed her. Will twenty minutes be enough time? We’re leaving soon.”
“Should be plenty. She doesn’t eat that long,” Sadie replied, picking up her daughter.
I left the room, closing the door softly behind me so Sadie could take care of Teagan. Today was bound to be a nerve-wracking day for her and Finley, especially since they were leaving Teagan with Sadie’s aunt to attend the wedding. As I walked back to the main room, I couldn’t help but think about how much love and support surrounded me. Despite the nerves and the chaos, everything was going to be just fine.
Chapter 9
I heard the music start to play for my entrance. My heart pounded as I grasped my mother and Ander’s arms, standing at the door. Two attendants dressed in gray suits pulled them open, and my nerves went into overdrive at the sight of the packed room. It was standing room only.
Oliver stood at the end of the aisle; his mouth slightly open as he stared at me. He looked so handsome in his black tux and white shirt, a powder blue boutonniere on his lapel.
He recovered quickly, smiling widely and revealing his perfect, straight white teeth. I felt tears coming and tried to force them back, but it was no use. By the time Oliver took my hand, my eyes were brimming. He reached into his pocket and handed me a powder blue handkerchief so I could wipe them.
“You look gorgeous,” he said loud enough for some of the audience to hear. They clapped their hands, and my face reddened with embarrassment.
“So do you,” I whispered, feeling a mix of nerves and overwhelming love. I wanted to touch Oliver, to let him know how much I loved him, but I kept my hands to myself until the reverend told us to exchange rings. Oliver slipped a diamond-encrusted wedding band on my finger. His own ring had four diamonds across the front of the platinum band.
When he kissed me, it was soft and chaste, but I could feel the passion simmering underneath. I knew he wanted to pull me closer, to deepen the kiss, but he restrained himself. He held my hand as we walked down the aisle. I caught a glimpse of Lara Harvin’s sour face as we passed by, but I didn’t care. Today was our day.
While our guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, we took pictures at the waterfront of the Hudson River. Vlad, Brenda, Trevor, and Raquel were ever present, trying to blend into the background, but I knew they were there. It was hard to ignore the fact that this wasn’t just a normal wedding. I was married to one of the richest men in the world. I was now Mrs. Ryleigh Fox.
Cocktail hour was winding down by the time we arrived, and food was brought into a private room reserved for the wedding party. Despite the delicious spread, I remained a bundle of nerves, picking at my food and only sipping half a glass of champagne. I peeked out the door at the beautifully decorated room.
The stained glass ceiling shimmered with soft lights, casting a warm glow over everything. The room was adorned in my chosen wedding colors of powder blue and sapphire. Table linens, plates, glasses, candles, and drapes all reflected these hues.
Large centerpieces with sapphire glass vases held delicate powder blue roses and baby’s breath, adding an elegant touch to the ambiance. Lost in admiration, I was pulled from my reverie by Oliver's voice.
“Sweetheart aren’t you hungry?” he asked, concern etching his features.
“No, I ate a lot for breakfast. I’m fine,” I replied, forcing a smile. It was a lie, but Oliver didn’t need to know that I hadn’t eaten much earlier.
He lounged on a couch, his tuxedo coat unbuttoned, looking relaxed while I felt like I might burst with nerves. Our wedding party bustled in and out of the room, mingling and enjoying the festivities. My parents stopped by briefly before heading out again.
Oliver picked at my father’s gold watch from my wrist, examining it thoughtfully. “This is unusual. It doesn’t fit you.”
“It’s my father’s. I wanted him with me today,” I explained softly.
“You should’ve told me. I would’ve had my jeweler fix the band for you, so it fit better,” he offered, concern evident in his voice.
“I wanted it just the way it is. Just the way he wore it,” I insisted, holding onto the sentimental value.
“Come here,” Oliver said, beckoning me closer.
I moved beside him, and he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close for a kiss. It wasn’t the brief, public kiss we had shared earlier; this one was filled with passion.
I tangled my fingers in his hair as his kiss deepened, forgetting the world around us. When we finally broke apart, the room was empty, and I couldn’t help but smile at the private moment we had stolen amidst the chaos of our wedding day.
"I'd love to take you home right now," Oliver whispered, his voice laced with desire.
