Chapter 8
Cally circled around as she looked in the mirror.
The dress was gorgeous, making her figure sexy and appealing.
Her makeup highlighted her eyes, making them look larger, and her lips were so kissable.
She was going to knock them dead today. Her hair was up with a few strands artfully curled around her face.
This might be the only time in her life she had made so much effort and had the help to look this good.
“You’re always beautiful,” Ariel observed.
“You reading my mind?”
“Just judging your thoughts based on the look on your face. You’ve always doubted yourself, even though you have so much going for you.”
“You could make a girl conceited, saying such nice things.” Cally offered.
“Not you. Maybe some other girl.” Ariel grinned. “I’ve been blessed to know so many good people.”
“I wish I were half as good as you make me sound.”
“What’s more important is that he thinks you are. It’s time.” Ariel sent her a wink.
Yes, it was time, and she was nervous. Carlos was waiting for her, and she didn’t want to keep him waiting.
Ariel walked with her outside the door, and then she hurried ahead to sit with her mate in the seats that had been set up for the guests.
There wasn’t nearly enough room, and she knew that some of them were standing, and she didn't want to keep them waiting either.
For many women, this was the biggest moment in their lives, and she knew it was one of the greatest moments in hers.
What would probably come next would be children, and after that, they would be the center of their attention.
Today, it was all about the two of them, and she would enjoy it fully, hoping he would too.
The Wedding March began to play, and it was time to make her appearance.
Harry stood in front of her with a goofy grin on her face.
She'd admitted that this was her first time being a maid of honor.
She had asked Bea first, but she said she had an overload of weddings and didn't want to be in one.
Harry understood that she had been her second choice, but she said she didn't mind because some people hadn't made the list at all.
Harry moved through the doorway, and she was lovely in a dark blue mid-length dress.
Someone had said that you shouldn't let the bridesmaid outdo the bride, but she wasn't worried about it because she and Harry were so different.
A few people gasped when they saw how Harry looked, because she looked different from how she usually did, and she was incredibly attractive.
She began to count because everything had to be done exactly right.
When she got to ten seconds, she stepped into the doorway.
She was alone because her father and mother had not been able to make it, and Ariel was the only one she could think of who could do the job.
She had told her that she didn't need anyone to give her away.
Maybe it was time to strike a blow for women's lib.
Giving a bride away was an antiquated custom.
She knew she looked good, so when several people gasped, she wasn't surprised.
When Carlos saw her, she could tell that he was blown away, and that was all that really mattered.
A tear formed in one eye and slid down before she could blink it away.
Her mate was so incredibly handsome, and even in such a short time, she had come to love him a great deal.
This was truly a wonderful day when she would join in matrimony with the other half that she had already joined with as a mate.
Ariel had really known what she was doing by insisting that they do this.
It made her feel like the bond was complete because, starting out human, she felt this was more important than the bite.
Cally knew from this moment on that the only thing that would separate them would be death.
She could see them growing old together, having several children, and raising them.
This was where she had always been meant to be.
When she reached his side, they turned to face each other, and the preacher began the ceremony.
It was a good thing that Harry was there to let her know when it was time to speak.
Diego was there to help Carlos, and she hadn't realized they were that close, but he had told her they had been raised together.
Her mate had a brother, but he was much older, a Sentinel, and had a hard time getting off work when he wanted to.
He had said he'd visit later to meet the bride and give congratulations.
It was funny, in a way, that their closest family members were unable to attend, but most of their close friends did.
It must be time to kiss the bride because Carlos pulled her in and gave her a deep kiss.
It lasted so long that people began to make comments, so he let her go, and they went to the meeting room where food and drinks were laid out for the guests.
While the room was not large enough to hold everyone, everyone could get what they wanted and then go to one of the other rooms. This was what you would call a packed house.
Cally smiled so much that her face began to hurt. This was what being truly happy felt like. They ate some food so they would not get hungry too quickly and then made their excuses and slipped away,
“You are beautiful!”
“You are incredibly handsome.”
“Oh, you like this old thing?” He pulled on the tuxedo.
“Not as much as I like what's beneath it.”
At that point, they began undressing because they felt the need to be skin-to-skin.
Carlos picked her up and gently laid her on the bed.
Their eyes met, and they were both filled with need.
This was what they had been waiting for all day.
They were alone, and no one would disturb them.
He moved on top of her, holding his weight on his hands.
His lips dropped to hers in a kiss full of need.
This would be a claim, and gentleness would come later.
His eyes glowed, and his beast side was fully awake.
Cally didn't care because her beast was awake as well and wanted everything that he could give her.
His knees pressed between her legs, and she spread her legs around him.
He immediately slammed inside her, and she rose to greet him.
Her body was thrilled. Excitement rose inside her as they slammed together.
She knew that the edge of their incredible need would soon be quenched.
Cally could feel the climax building until it blew.
“Carlos!” She screamed, and it seemed to set him off.
“Cally.” He whispered in her ear.
They snuggled and fell asleep, but it was only a nap before they woke up and made love again, this time slow and gentle. They did that several times, and now they lie resting.
“How do you think Harry did?” Carlos asked.
“We’ll find out tomorrow at breakfast. If they attacked, they never saw her coming.” Cally giggled.
“You worked with her?”
“I did, but only a few times.”
“I hope things went well,” Carlos admitted.
“Her magic is a great equalizer.”
She told him a couple of stories about Harry when she worked the blood drug cases.
“Did she really do that?” He asked.
“Yes, she turned a dozen guys into frogs.”
“I thought she was the toad princess?”
“She switched from toads to frogs. Harry likes them better.” Cally explained.
“It’s time to forget Harry and get back to what we were doing.”
He pulled her into his arms and gave her a scorching kiss.
This time, it was a slow and sensuous exploration of each other’s bodies.
When they finished this time, they fell asleep for several hours.
She woke and saw that it was dawn. It was a little early for her, but Carlos was usually awake by now.
Cally looked in his direction and saw he was awake.
“Playing possum?” She asked.
“I was just waiting to see what you were going to do. Are you ready for breakfast?”
“No, I’m ready for a shower.”
She hurried to beat him to the nearest one.
He must have gone to one of the other showers, and she met him in the dining room, where other people were already eating.
As far as she knew, all their guests would be leaving except possibly Harry.
Cally still felt well-being and happiness.
It wouldn’t last, but she would enjoy it for now.
They would have today off, and tomorrow it was back to work as usual.
Breakfast went well as many of her family and friends said their goodbyes and gave them well wishes.
They continued to enjoy their time off when they got a call around lunchtime.
Their eyes locked, and they were both worried that all hell was about to break loose.
Carlos answered the phone and put it on speaker.
“This is Harry, and Ben has disappeared.
He went into the house and told me to wait fifteen minutes, but I didn't even wait the full fifteen because, you know, I'm impatient.
When I finally went into the house, it was empty, and Ben was gone.
I thought it was no big deal. I'd try a finding spell, but when I went where the spill was, all I found were signs that he had been there at some time.
Again, he was gone. I'm not sure what to do, and I worry about what might be happening to him.” Harry admitted.
“Maybe they heard that you were going to be helping us, and they set this up to freak you out. Was there a way in the back of the house that they could drive away?” Cally asked.
“Yes, there were two ways into the house. Unfortunately, by the time I went to look for him, they were long gone. My only hope was the finding spell, and I was one step behind. Any idea what to do now?” Harry asked.