Chapter 17

• Hayley The wedding ceremony is over. It was more beautiful than anything I could have dreamed up on my own... and that kiss... I place my fingers on my still tingling lips as I turn to look out the window of Xander’s sports car. Damn, that kiss was magic. The gates to the mansion are open as we approach, with cars already lining the long driveway. Xander parks and comes around to help me out of the car. One hand holding up my dress and the other hand in his, we make our way to the huge white tent set up for the reception, each silent, taking in gravity of our situation and emotions swirling in the background. We enter to applause as the master of ceremony welcomes us and we take our seat at the main table. Who knew a tent could be the entryway to a whole new world? Fairy lights and chandelier like light fixtures add a warm glow to the tent and give an air of extravagance. Beautiful flower arrangements and gift bags adorn the long tressle-like tables and a proper dance floor has been set up to one side of the tent with a massive sound system and disc jockey to man it. During the wedding I barely noticed the guests, all I had eyes for was Xander. Now as I take in my surroundings I notice quite a few celebrities and prominent political leaders amongst the guests and my new life begins to sink in. The master of ceremonies is a popular comedian and has us in stitches with his jokes. Then its time for the speeches and champagne glasses are raised as our friends and families toast to our happiness and regale us with stories of our youth and embarrassing moments. The atmosphere is light and fun, I could almost believe this were real, especially with Xander sitting so close beside me. Soon the music starts up and the master of ceremonies announces its time for our first dance. Wait, why didn’t it occur to me that I'd have to dance? I can’t dance! Xander is already pulling me up from my seat and I have no choice but to rise from my chair. I lean into him and look up whispering “Xander, I can’t dance!” He doesn’t seem phased as he whispers back “Just hold onto me and follow my lead... I got this". Matt Stell's “I prayed for you" is playing and it’s so perfect for what I feel for Xander, like he’s my miracle that my insides clog up with emotion. Xander places his hands on my waist and I wrap my arms around his neck instinctually as I follow his lead and we begin swaying to the music. I haven’t been this physically close to a guy in ages and my breathing deepens as Xander tightens his hold on me. I'm lost in my own world with Xander and barely notice the other couples entering the dance floor. It takes everything in me to just try and breathe normally as Xander’s fingers play along my back. The song ends after what feels like an eternity and my body is still buzzing from wanting something it knows it can’t have. We cut the wedding cake and Xander and I feed each other, the gesture so intimate as if we’ve known each other for ages. Then the master of ceremonies announces that all the single ladies should make their way to the front. It’s time to catch the bouquet. II turn with my back to the crowd and give my best throw before turning back around to see the young women push each other before one catches the bouquet. II can’t help but laugh until the master of ceremonies announces “Guys, now its your turn" and my eyes widen as a chair is placed in front of me and my groom grins at me “What? We have to have the full wedding experience Hayley, wouldn’t want to short change anyone" he winks as he gets on one knee in front of me. His hands start at my ankles and make their ascent up my calves leaving a trail of electricity in their wake. I can feel myself getting wet as I stare at his prone figure before me. His hands make their way mid-thigh before reaching my garter and looking up at me. His green eyes have flecks of gold in them and his breathing is labored, all signs of mirth have left his face and I'm confused because what I see looks a lot like lust. Could he really be feeling what I am? He slowly pulls the garter down and when he looks up again, his eyes are still flecked with gold but his grin is back as he gives the garter a backward throw to the guys behind waiting to catch it. I am in general an emotional person but tonight is too much even for me. After being in such close contact with Xander the whole day, I am an emotional basket case and horny as hell. I'm overwhelmed knowing I won’t be sleeping in my own bed tonight and as I say goodbye to my family I’m close to tears as if I’m moving to a different state instead of the same town. The reality of what I’ve agreed to hits me hard. Our guests bid us farewell and as we make our way from the tent on the grounds to the house I am an exhausted ball of nervous energy . We make it up the front steps before I let out a yelp as I am lifted up and carried bridal style over the threshold. “Gotta make it good for those still watching us babe" he says. I'm not exactly skinny and I’m a bit embarrassed by how heavy I must be but he acts as if I don’t weigh a thing as he continues striding into the house with me in his arms. Once inside, I'm not exactly sure what to do but I do know I need to get out of these heels. “Do you mind if go shower"? I ask“No ofcos not. Shelley put your stuff away in the walk in closet and there’s shower gel and whatever else you may need in the vanity.” Shelley is Xander’s housekeeper and she’s such a gem “ I have to thank her when I see her... erm ok I’ll see you in a bit then" I carefully walk up the stairs to the first floor, not wanting to fall and embarrass myself. Xander’s door is open and I enter to find a sexy black negligee laid out on his bed. My cheeks go crimson as I quickly grab it and fist it into a ball... that must be Shelley’s doing... thank God I got up here first! I walk into the closet to grab clean underwear while taking it all in for the first time. My clothes are neatly arranged to the right of Xander’s. I search till I find what I’m looking for. A pair of short black sleep shorts and a black t-shirt. I want Xander to notice me but I don’t want to be overtly sexy. I grab a towel and I’m about to open the shower door when I realise I can’t get out of this blasted wedding dress. I try my best but I can’t reach the seemingly hundreds of tiny buttons running down the back of the dress.