"You won't see me tonight. The rehearsal starts in fifteen minutes, and the dinner is directly after. We're about to head down now."

"Damn," he murmurs disappointedly into the phone.

A knock at the door reminds us we're running a little behind schedule.

"I have to go. There's someone here."

"Bye, Adisia," he says with his far too sexy tone.

My foolish grin finds my face again, and then I end the call and walk over to answer the door. I swing the door open and gasp when I see most delicious man there is.

Devin is propped up against the doorframe, his eyes instantly locking with and hypnotizing mine Mmm. He looks so gloriously good in a suit.

The charcoal, designer fabric is tailored too perfectly, making chills form in all the wrong places on my body. He looks like he just stepped out of Armani. His dark hair is tousled sexily, and his incredible smile forces my cheeks to flush.

I quickly realize I'm not breathing, and I almost choke on the air entering my lungs when I try to speak.

"It's... well... I... You're here," I babble.

"I'm here," he says with his smoking hot tone that brings me down to a pint-sized girl.

"How did you..." I stammer out, but nothing follows.

"I left shortly after you did. I've been here for a while. I told you I'd change your mind."

He doesn't give me anymore time to stutter or try to argue. His lips cover mine, and I'm drowning in this incredible man just that quickly. My hands slide up to be behind his neck as I revel in his delicious, intoxicating taste.

"Okay. I'll see you kids downstairs," Clara giggles while rushing by us to leave me alone with this incredible wonder dripping his sex appeal all over the inn's floor.

Devin pulls back slowly and kisses the top of my head.

"Who's Jerry?" he asks so softly.

Jerry who? Oh yeah. My ex.

"How do you know about Jerry?"

"I don't. That's why I'm asking. I don't particularly like not knowing things."

He leans back and admires my tight, black dress with a low dip in the front. For some reason, I felt like showing cleavage tonight. I usually stray from such, but today I felt the need to try for sexy. I'm glad I did now.

"Jerry is my ex," I mumble while wrinkling my nose to accentuate the sour taste left in my mouth after expelling his disgusting name.

I feel his long fingers tightening on me as he pulls me closer, and in that instant, I forget what we're even talking about as the heat from his body warms mine.

"And you still care for him?" he asks.

"Who?" I ask, lost in the moment.

I feel my breath catching each time I try to breathe as he lowers to kiss my neck and shoulders. His soft, velvety lips stroke my exposed skin, and my body sways under his gravitational pull.

"Jerry," he says between his patterned kisses.

"No," I murmur through a rasp, breathy tone. "I actually hate him."

"Good," he says far too enticingly while continuing the seductive dance across my exposed chest area.

"No," I say quickly as I snap out of the hypnotic moment. "I have to go downstairs without crazy-fucked hair and clothes."

He chuckles while taking my hand in his, the sizzling sparks between us trying simmer down.

"Then let's get you down there," he says smoothly.

He leads me down the old, creaky stairs, and Clara giggles as we pass by. It's almost embarrassing to see her acting like such a fool. I swear she acts like a giggling fifteen-year-old any time I mention Devin.

My strong, rich slice of heaven pulls me to him to inhale his delectable, mouthwatering scent, and I just fall into his embrace as a short, round man walks into the room.

"Alright. Take your places please."

I'm sick now. I don't want to be separated from Devin for this stupid pretend ceremony. I want to stay in his arms and just be happy. He frowns too when I move toward the line to join the wedding party, and he leans against the wall while watching me.

Jerry walks over to me to take his place at my side, and I do all I can not to spit in his face.

"Hey, gorgeous. You look amazing," he says cockily, his eyes alight with more enthusiasm than he deserves to have.

Slime.

Apparently he didn't get the memo about how I desperately want to see him castrated.

Hmm. He seems to have lost some of his toning. I remember him looking a hell of a lot sexier when we were dating. Of course, now that I've fucked Devin, no guy will ever seem sexy again. What was I thinking?

"Hey," I say curtly, my eyes moving back to my newfound obsession.

Devin's eyes are still locked in place on me, and he walks up show the world I'm with him. I can see the possessive glow blooming around him as his eyes size up Jerry, and my knees wobble when those smoky swirls of blue find mine again.

"Hey. I'm going to take a seat. I'll see you in a bit," he says in a way to let Jerry know we're together.

Then he takes it a step further and kisses me a little inappropriately - his tongue parading around in my mouth as though it owns it. I try to stifle the grin that's forming behind the kiss, and then I let it free while blushing when he pulls back.

"Okay," I giggle out like a giddy schoolgirl.

Sheesh. Did I really just giggle out okay? Oh boy.

I'm already in trouble, and I barely know this guy.

He glides through the crowd as he finds a seat in the back. Every girl around makes sure to lock their eyes on the dazzling, confident creature here for me.

"Who the hell is that guy?" Jerry huffs while glaring at Devin's back.

"Devin," I murmur vaguely while keeping my eyes glued to the smoky eyes that have found mine again.

I hate how perfect he is.

"You ready maid of honor?" Clara squeals, snapping me out of my trance.

I turn to see her face ready to split in two. Her smile is so wide it has to be painful.

"Are you ready bride?" I giggle out.

Oh. That's why I'm giggly. It's a damn wedding. I knew this was a bad idea. Weddings evoke a dramatic sense of closeness that hasn't actually been achieved. This is going to end badly.

"I'm beyond ready," she squeals while jumping up and down.

I join her in her goofy jumping routine, and she just laughs all the louder as her excitement rolls out.

If she's this hysterically excited for the rehearsal, then I can only imagine how she's going to be tomorrow.

"I love you, Aphrodisia," she cries as she throws her arms around me.

"I love you too, Clara. Now get back and calm down. You have to make it down the aisle with only a small, respectable amount of giddiness," I chuckle.

"Okay," she giggles.

At least I'm not the only one giggling out that word. My eyes work their way back over to Devin, and I feel my heart flutter when he winks at me.

"I think we're up," Jerry mumbles with a slighted tone.

I loop my arm in his to fulfill my bridal-party duty, but I refuse to make eye contact with him as we follow the bridesmaid and groomsman in front of us.

Devin has one arm propped up on the back of the chair, and I can tell he doesn't like me being arm-in-arm with Jerry. His sprinkled jealously brings a smile to my face, and he smirks while rolling his eyes in response, apparently catching onto my observation.

I take my place and await Clara's approach as she carries a silk bouquet down the aisle. I barely notice her though. It's my best friend's wedding rehearsal, and I can't look away from the man I barely know.

Devin's eyes are burning against mine as Clara and Henry run through the mock ceremony. I don't hear anything at all besides the overzealous drumming of my flustered heartbeat.

The only thing I can focus on is the man sitting in the back, giving me the sweetest electrical currents I've ever felt.

Then something goes wrong. I can hear the ocean rattling in my ears as though my head is pressed between two seashells. I feel off balance, dizzy, nauseated, and frankly... I feel like shit. My knees start to buckle, and I stumble around while struggling to stay upright.

What the hell?

I start falling, but I feel arms catching me before I can face-plant into the ground. Devin is staring at me with terror etched into his face.

"Adisia!" Clara screams.

Devin scoops me in his arms and speaks over his shoulder as he begins carrying me away.

"I've got her. You can keep going."

"Like hell I can. She's my best friend!"

"Sorry," Devin murmurs, gracefully accepting her scolding tone.

My head bobs lightly, and he nestles it against his chest to help it stay steady.

"She's never sick," Clara murmurs, talking to someone else.

"I've got you," Devin comforts as his soft lips press against my forehead with more affection than I thought possible so early on in a relationship.

I groan a little in contempt for my body that has suddenly betrayed me.

What's wrong with me? Why am I feeling like death warmed over?

Devin carries me up the stairs, and I can hear others scrambling around behind us.

"Where are you taking her?" Clara demands.

"I have a room up here. I thought it might do her some good to lie down," he answers softly.

"Oh," she says in a calmer tone, her momma-bear falling back into hibernation.

He's staying here? Oh no. He's staying at my dad's inn? Why me? He's doing this on purpose.

I'll chastise him later when I'm not depending on him. Right now, I just want to be held the way he's so willing to hold me.

I hear the door creak open and he lays me down on a soft bed. The obnoxious lights blare in my face, and I grumble while covering my eyes with my arm.

I hear a small click to ensure me the room has darkened, and I lower my arm to see the room full of anxious, worrisome faces.

"Is she okay?" Jerry gushes with a touch of panic.

"I'm fine," I groan.

"Hey, is she going to be all right?" Henry's voice chimes in as he joins the group of worried bystanders.

"I'm fine," I huff out.

I put my hand in Devin's for... support? I don't know why I do it. I just want him close to me right now, and it actually pisses me off. I've been fighting a losing battle since we met. I've never been sick before, and now I want him close to me. His presence is comforting.

"You said she's never been sick?" Devin questions in disbelief, addressing Clara's earlier comment.

"Never. We've been friends since kindergarten. Her parents have always bragged about how ridiculously healthy she is. What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know. I can take her to the hospital and find out though," Devin says, completely oblivious to the hell in his words.

"No. No hospitals!" I scream reflexively, my whole body shaking directly after.

Devin jumps at my screeched request, and then he grips my hand tighter. Everyone shifts uncomfortably in the room as they exchange awkward glances.