Chapter – 22 | The End

Sunlight streamed through the maple-colored curtains. I stretched under the sheets, relishing the soft texture caressing my bare skin. Orlando was missing from the bed. He was an early riser, unlike me.

A tray of food and flowers greeted me. How can I not fall in love with this man? My body ached deliciously when I hopped out of bed and walked to the bathroom.

I smiled to myself at the memories of last night’s events. A deep chuckle had rumbled out of his chest when he flipped me on my stomach. His hand caressed my tattooed ass cheek, giving it a squeeze. His chuckle soon turned into full-blown laughter.

Why wouldn’t he laugh? The tattoo consisted of a dark-colored dick with thick red letters reading “fuck me harder.” The reason I always covered my bottom with modest underwear.

His hand had given a tap, making it bounce. “Those words are encouraging.” He’d caressed the flesh before slipping his hands inside my dripping folds. The slow, torturous caress had driven me crazy. Orlando was like a man on a mission.

Shoving aside the thoughts that had the goosebumps erupt on my skin, I yanked the shower on. Hot water cascaded around me, washing away the remnants of last night. Rosie’s face flashed in my mind. She’d be worried sick, and she would want an update on Brian.

The shower was quick, and I draped a towel around my body before stepping out. Strong hands picked me up, twirling me around. “What are you doing?” My giggle couldn’t be helped. Orlando was already pulling me to the bed when his lips found my neck, kissing the soft spot there.

“I’m kissing you.”

“I know that. Aren’t you working today?”

“Nope. I took a day off to be your date.”

“My date?”

“You have a wedding to attend, don’t you?”

“Oh, yeah, that. I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Mhmm…” He continued to kiss my shoulder, earning a contented sigh from me.

Rosie’s face popped into my mind again. “Could you pass me my phone, please?”

“Sure.” He handed me the phone that was on the table without taking his lips off my skin, and I sent a quick text to Rosie, informing her that I was with Orlando.

“I’ll miss you.”

His gaze lifted to meet mine. The coldness in his gray eyes was now replaced with warmth. “I’ll miss you too.”

“Will you call?”

“I’ll try.”

“Okay.” I averted my gaze to mask the hurt. No expectations.

His finger hooked under my chin, lifting my face to meet his gaze. “I’ll be traveling around Europe, and I don’t know if the time difference will work in our favor.”

“Oh.”

He bent, capturing my lips in a soft kiss. “What are you wearing?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

He continued to pepper kisses along my skin as his hands curled around my waist. “You smell good.”

“That must be your body wash I just used.”

Orlando chuckled. He’d been smiling a lot these days, and I liked it. “I love your smile.” My fingers traced his lips, which he kissed before sucking one into his mouth.

“And I love yours.”

“We won’t make it to the wedding on time if we don’t stop this now.”

“It’s at three in the afternoon. We have enough time.”

“Orlando…” I whispered. The need was growing under my skin, and his lips were there, silencing it.

***

When we reached the wedding venue—the garden of the Swanson residence—the bridal march was about to start. We slipped silently into one of the rows. Many heads turned toward us, which we ignored.

Brian had cleaned up well, as always, wearing a gray tux. His eyes followed us and averted as soon as the bridal march began. Why was I here again? I could’ve chosen to skip it. But I attended because I didn’t want him to think I was weak. He used me and played with my emotions, leaving me scarred.

Orlando’s fingers laced with mine as his lips broke into a soft smile reserved for me. It made me wonder if I could have gotten over Brian if it hadn’t been for him. Would I have accepted Brian’s offer?

I had no choice. Alana is pregnant.

Hell, no. I fell in love with the wrong man, and I dodged a bullet aimed at my heart. If our relationship would’ve gotten any farther, it probably would’ve broken me beyond repair. As they began exchanging their vows, I took a deep breath, letting it all go, and wished them a good life ahead. They deserved each other. Besides, holding emotions like anger and hatred would remind me of him. I didn’t want that. When I left this venue today, I’d hold no remnants of my past relationship.

I stayed by Orlando’s side as the reception began. Many people greeted him, giving me curious glances. My parents tiptoed around us. It was as if they were contemplating if they wanted to talk to us. My dad caught Orlando’s eye and nodded.

Orlando dragged me to the dance floor. When his strong hands encircled my waist, the world around us faded, and it was just us. I gazed into his eyes and saw my future, wondering if he felt the same.

Life didn’t work out for everyone like it had for me. Men like Orlando didn’t come into everyone’s life. There were women who ended their lives, women who broke down and never got up, women who still lived with scars, too afraid of another relationship. The advantage I had was I knew Orlando, and it was easy to trust him again. I believed he wouldn’t leave me with a broken heart or betray my emotions.

The thing between us didn’t have a status yet. We didn’t know how it would turn out. But even if we did not work out as lovers, I wanted him to be a part of my life for the years to come.

With a sigh, I rested my cheek on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. The steady rhythm calmed my nerves. It would hurt me if he walked away. The choice to remain with him was easy. I knew the risks. But it was my decision to make.

When I gazed into those gray eyes again, I knew this was just the beginning. Standing on tiptoe, I brought my lips to his, kissing him. I’ll cherish these moments while they last. And worry about the what-ifs when the time comes.

When Orlando excused himself to use the restroom, I was left alone to wander the buffet tables.

“Thanks for coming. I thought you wouldn’t show up.”

I stiffened, hearing her voice, and then relaxed. My shoulders slumped when I moved to choose a dessert. “Congratulations.” I didn’t turn to see her yet.

“Mike brought a truck and vacated your room this morning.”

“Oh.”

“Are you moving in with him?”

I turned to face her, my twin. She looked beautiful as she always did. I loved her gown. Nice selection, but I would not tell her that. “Why would you ask?”

Alana looked down at her hands. “He seems like a good guy. I’m happy for you.”

My brows jerked, and I tilted my head. Was she the one talking? We rarely spoke with each other, and when we did, it was to disagree about something. It wasn’t the moment to start an argument. She probably looked forward to it. To make me look like a villain. “He is.” I forced a smile. “Thank you.”

Alana nodded and cleared her throat. “Um…Look, I’m sorry about earlier. I was just worried you’d mess with the wedding.”

Did she hit her head or something?

Alana wasn’t sentimental. Maybe it was the pregnancy. “Are you all right?” I asked.

“Yeah, of course.” Her smile was forced, I could tell. Her gaze swept around us as if looking for someone. “So, um…I––”

“Alana, Ms. Gregory wants to talk to you.”

I didn’t turn to see my mom standing there. Didn’t have to. I was in no mood for her judgmental glare.

“Good job, Arianna. Finally, you managed to snag yourself a rich one.”

My fists clenched, and my head whipped around to meet her gaze. It was filled with disgust for reasons I wasn’t aware of. What was her problem? I smiled sweetly at her. “Like you snagged Dad, right?”

Her features hardened, going from that soft, graceful look to red, hard, and murderous. “When this wedding is over, I never want to see you again.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

The muscle in her jaw ticked, and she opened her mouth to say something but changed her mind and stormed away.

When I turned, I saw Orlando coming my way, looking relaxed. “Shall we leave?” he asked.

The desire in his eyes warmed my heart and heated my blood. And I’m done here.

“Yes.”

The distant sound of cheers drifted around us as we exited, bidding goodbye to the family that never wanted me. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it before opening the car door for me.

Rain drizzled without warning, bringing the sound of distressed squeaks from the garden, and we drove toward our beginning.