Chapter Three
L ayla had just finished applying her mascara when her gaze caught her sisters in the mirror. “Kiki, don’t you dare cry. I’ve just finished my makeup.”
Keira swallowed back the tears that burned her throat. “I can’t help it. You’re so beautiful.”
She watched as Layla stepped away from the mirror, studying herself as she ran her hands down the front of her wedding gown. It was a simple white gown with a lace panel at the top that draped around the shoulders and plunged, showing the top of her breasts and a little cleavage. The rest of the dress was a shimmery white fabric that reached the floor and tucked slightly at the middle, showing off Layla’s tiny waist.
Layla turned away from the mirror to face her. She wrapped her arms around Keira and squeezed tightly. “Oh, God, Keira. I feel like I’m living in a dream. I own my own successful business. My sister is moving here, so I’ll be able to see her all the time, and I’m marrying the most wonderful man I’ve ever met.”
Tears pricked Keira’s eyes again as she hugged her sister back. “I’m so incredibly happy for you. You deserve everything you’ve ever wanted and more.”
Layla stepped back but kept her hands on Keira’s shoulders. “You deserve everything you ever wanted, too. You certainly didn’t deserve what happened before.”
Keira clutched Layla’s hands. “Let’s not think about the past on your wedding day.”
Both quieted for a brief moment, each remembering what Keira had dealt with.
“I really hope you’re happy here and enjoy working in the shop. And just maybe everything will work out between Daniel and you.” Layla clapped her hands and laughed. “Wouldn’t that be awesome? Married to best friends and having children at the same time.”
Keira snorted. “You’re getting way ahead of yourself, Lay. Daniel and I just met yesterday.”
Layla’s lips turned down. “He’d be an idiot if he didn’t fall for you.”
“Biased much?” Keira chuckled and shook her head.
Layla laughed and turned back to the mirror, making sure her hair stayed pinned up in a bun on the back of her head. Little bits of hair were loose on either side of her face, softening the look. “Do you think it’s weird I’m having you walk me down the aisle?”
Keira stopped with the veil in her hands. “Absolutely not. We’re the only family each other has.”
“That’s what I thought, too.”
Keira placed the veil on Layla’s head and used a few bobby pins to secure it. “Although now you will have a husband, mother, father-in-law, and another sister for a family.”
Layla smiled. “And you’ll have a new brother.”
Keira’s eyes widened, and she laughed. “That’s right. See, our family’s getting bigger today. Now come on, you can’t be late for your wedding.”
Layla laughed. “No, I can’t.”
****
D aniel stood beside Logan and the reverend at the front of the church, watching as Layla and Keira walked down the aisle together, their arms entwined and smiles on their faces. Layla looked like a princess in her gown with the veil that swept the ground behind her, but it was Keira who grabbed his attention and affected his heart.
She wore a light icy blue dress that stopped an inch above her knees, showcasing her spectacular legs, her tiny feet tucked into blue high heels. The dress was modest, her arms were bare, but no cleavage was shown, like her sister’s dress. Her hair was down over her shoulders, the sides pinned on top of her head and curled at the ends, and was a beautiful, dark blonde color. She didn’t wear a lot of makeup, which pleased him, but then she was so breathtaking she didn’t need any.
His breath caught in his throat when her gaze turned to him. A jolt of heat raced down his spine. He’d known this woman for less than twenty-four hours, and she made him feel more than any other woman had in his life. If she was anything like her sister, he was afraid his bachelor days had come to an end. The thought should have terrified him, but instead it settled something fundamental inside him, something he hadn’t even known was missing from his life.
****
K eira felt Daniel’s focused attention on her, which made her limbs slightly shaky and her heart pound out of control. Both men stood tall and handsome in black suits and white shirts. Daniel’s dark complexion and hair stood out starkly against his pristine white shirt.
Keira stood on the other side of Layla at the altar and listened as they gave their vows to love, honor, and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. She was glad she could not see Daniel. It took enough effort to get through the ceremony without crying. The last thing she needed was more emotion thrown in.
At the end of the ceremony, Keira beamed and swallowed back more tears as Logan clutched Layla tightly against his side. They made their way back up the aisle among cheers from the forty or so guests who attended the wedding. Keira tore her eyes from her sister when a warm, hard hand clutched her upper arm.
“You ready to go, Keira?”
Her heart seemed to stop at the look on Daniel’s face. There was interest, but also an elevated level of desire that burned from his eyes. Keira nodded. “Yes, I’m ready.” She allowed him to lead her up the aisle after Logan and Layla.
Keira tilted her head up to the sunlight as Daniel walked them outside. She could make out the scent of lilacs as a warm breeze gently stirred around her, lifting the ends of her hair.
Before they’d said anything to each other, Logan’s family moved toward them, gushing about the ceremony and how beautiful Layla was.
The wedding guests, along with Keira and Daniel, waited outside the church doors for the newlyweds. As they came through the door, a cheer went up, and birdseed was tossed at the newlyweds.
Keira swallowed back the tears stuck in her throat. She had never seen her sister that happy in her whole life, and she couldn’t be more excited for her. They watched as the couple got into Logan’s car and drove away toward the small reception site on the edge of town.
“I need to get our things.” Keira turned and walked back into the church.
Daniel turned with her. “I’ll help you.”
They made their way to the back room where the girls had dressed. Keira had organized everything already, so it only took them a minute to collect everything.
Out in the parking lot, Keira started toward Layla’s car.
“Wait, Keira. Layla asked me to make sure you got home safe tonight. Would it be okay if I gave you a ride home after the reception?” Daniel asked.
Keira’s breath stuttered out of her lungs, and a blush of embarrassment covered her face. “You really don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” He held his hand out to her. Let’s put this in my car. Logan or I will pick up her car tomorrow.”
Keira’s eyes widened as bolts of pleasure raced through her, and her pulse became erratic as Daniel’s gaze heated. His eyes glanced down and then lingered on her lips.
She was excited for any time they spent alone together. “Okay. Sounds good to me.”
After stowing everything in his SUV’s back seat, he led her to the other side, opened her door, and waited until she had her seat belt buckled to close her door, making sure her dress was out of the way.
Daniel started the vehicle and followed Logan’s family out of the parking lot. “The ceremony was great, wasn’t it?”
Keira tore her gaze from her side window to look at Daniel. She smiled. “It was beautiful. They look so happy. I’m so thrilled for them.” She inhaled his warm musky scent that filled the cab of the vehicle, making the already shivery feeling worse and causing sweat to slide down the valley between her breasts. She turned away. It was hard to pull her eyes from him, but she’d be embarrassed if he caught her staring at him.
****
D aniel tightened the grip on the steering wheel. He wanted so badly to slide her closer to him and taste her sweet mouth. He wouldn’t, of course. It was ridiculous for him even to consider trying to kiss her when they’d known each other for less than twenty-four hours. He’d be afraid to push her and make her walk away from him, but it was next to impossible to hold himself back from touching her the way he wanted to. She was so incredibly beautiful and serene. He felt a sense of peace being with her. He enjoyed talking to her, enjoyed being in her company, and loved touching her soft skin.
He promised himself before the night was over, he’d hold her in his arms.