Chapter 39
Carla
My eyes keep moving to the big double doors that lead to the chapel. So much so that it’s becoming annoying.
He’ll be here soon enough.
I’m nervous and excited. I actually feel a little sick to my stomach.
“Muffin?” Robyn asks. “They’re blueberry, your favorite,” she says, taking one and biting into it. “Have one,” she insists.
Another roll of nausea hits, and I put a hand to my stomach. I couldn’t eat anything even if I wanted to. I’m too nervous.
“You know I can’t,” I tell her. “I already had a bunch of grapes.”
“I’m going to eat your muffin, then.” She looks sad all of a sudden. “I started my period yesterday, which means I’m craving sweet things.”
“Oh, no.” I rub her arm.
“We’ve been having sex every night since I threw away the pill. Okay, that’s not true; we were having sex every night before then, too.” She snickers.
I frown. “That’s a little too much information.”
“Not that sex with Ridge is a hardship.” She grins. “It isn’t. Not at all. I could have sex with him day and—”
“Okay, now! That really is TMI, babe. Not to mention that you’re making those of us with zero sex life a little jealous.”
She laughs. “That’s your own damned fault.” She gets serious. “I’m not pregnant. I thought it would happen quickly, despite my age.” She makes a sad face.
“You’ve been trying for all of five minutes. It’ll happen. Enjoy the ride.”
She nods. “You are right. I’m so glad the bridesmaid’s dress fitted Cath and that the color works on her too,” Robyn says, looking over at her sister. “You need to stop worrying about your figure already. You can have a muffin.” She points at the plate of muffins again. They look so good.
“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
“It isn’t like you to be hung up on something so—” She waves her hand. “Trivial.”
“Fitting into my dress next weekend is hardly trivial.” I sigh. “I’ve worked hard for four weeks,” I say, “and I’m still only a pound down. It’s irritating. They say when you turn thirty it all goes downhill. I never believed the rumors until today.”
Robyn laughs. “You’re not even thirty yet.”
“Semantics. I’ll be thirty in less than three months.”
“You’re still seriously young.”
“Why haven’t I lost any more weight? I haven’t touched chocolate or alcohol.
I’m eating turkey and chicken breast. We won’t even talk about all the lettuce and cucumber.
I’m just irritated. That’s all. I plan on having all the food next weekend.
I swear, I’ll ease up after that. There’s one good thing about you not being pregnant. ”
Her face falls. “What would that be?”
“We get to drink copious amounts of champers on your wedding day.”
“That’s true. I’m glad you’re going to go easy on yourself for my big day. In fact, I’m holding you to it.”
There’s laughing at the entrance, and I look over there.
It’s him!
He’s here.
It’s him, dammit!
Stay cool!
Magma comes through the door behind Flint.
Holy shit! Holy crap! It’s him!
I’ve been waiting for this moment for weeks; I’ve been dreading it and looking forward to it. I’ve been running it through my head over and over on repeat.
And here we are.
I’m panicking.
I need to stop!
None of that preparation makes any difference at all because here he is and he looks incredible. He’s in dark jeans and a white T-shirt that stretches tight across his chest and his shoulders. My mouth goes dry looking at him, so I stop looking and take a sip of my diet soda instead.
“That’s cool,” I say. “You can hold me to it.”
“Something else to consider: you’re also working out really hard. You told me you’re pushing heavier weights.”
I laugh. “I’m up to five pounds now. That’s hardly heavy, Robyn.”
My gaze drifts back to the entrance, and I can’t help but notice that Magma’s arms are like tree trunks. He’s let some stubble grow in, enough to trace the line of his jaw and gather around his mouth. It’s a good look on him.
I snap my mouth closed.
Act normal.
Pay attention to Robyn.
“Still, it’s five pounds heavier than you were lifting a few weeks ago.”
“I wasn’t pushing any weights a few weeks ago.”
“My case in point. And keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat. That’s probably why the scale isn’t moving as much as you want it to.”
I hadn’t thought of that. It actually makes me feel considerably better. “You know, you’re right. I want everything to be perfect for next week. I’m being too hard on myself.”
“It will be perfect. I’m marrying the man of my dreams. Let’s go and say hi to the guys.” She grabs my hand and pulls.
My stomach drops.
We walk across the room, and he’s closer with every step. I have to force myself to keep breathing. He’s talking to Cathrine, his dark head dipped slightly, saying something that makes her smile. He hasn’t seen me yet.
The man is better up close. How is that possible?
My mind offers me an image I hadn’t specifically asked for. His mouth on me. His cock deep inside me. His face when he let go.
Now is absolutely not the time.
“Magma,” Robyn says.
He turns.
His eyes land on mine, and my heart goes a little nuts inside me.
I want to smile. Instead, I just stand there and look at him like a complete idiot.
“It’s so good to see you,” Robyn tells him, and she steps in to hug him. His eyes don’t move from mine.
They’re freaking beautiful. I’d almost forgotten how gorgeous and how intense. It’s like he can see right into me.
I make myself look away. I’ve been staring, and I know it. I look at one of the pews, composing myself.
“You too, Robyn,” he says. “Your sister looks just like you.”
Robyn laughs. “Thanks for coming.” She pulls back, eyes happy. “You two know each other already.”
Yes, we do!
I look up at him. I manage a smile, but I think it might be a little wooden.
My stomach clenches. I feel nauseous again.
“Hi,” I say, hoping very much that nothing on my face is giving me away.
“Hi.”
That dimple. He’s grinning, and there it is. I love that dimple. It’s so darned sexy. It does things to me.
He steps in and opens his arms.
I plan on a quick touch, a back pat, and done. That is the plan. Instead, I step in, and my hands find his back, and I pull him closer and take a long, slow breath against his shoulder.
It feels good to be in his arms.
Right, somehow. Which is all wrong.
He smells incredible. Oh, my gosh! They should bottle this scent. Someone could make millions.
He pulls back first.
Crap!
I had planned on pulling away first.
I pull myself together in the approximately half a second between him stepping away and the next thing I’m supposed to say.
“It’s good to see you,” I manage. “You look great.”
His eyes drop, just a fraction, just for a beat, and then come back to my face. “You too, Carla. How have you been?”
“Good.” It comes out slightly too fast. “I’m working out. If I’m ever back in the jungle, I’ll actually have stamina this time.” I giggle.
Something moves through his expression. His jaw tightens. “You had plenty of stamina.”
“You had to carry me half the time.”
“It was my pleasure.” A small pause. “I’d carry you anytime.” He clears his throat. “I mean, if we were ever stranded again, that is.” He smiles. “You know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean.” I laugh, and it sounds more like me than I expected.
“I mean it. You weigh nothing.”
If only that were true.
“I’m doing weights too,” I blurt. “I’m working on getting stronger.” I lift my arm, flex my bicep, and instantly know I shouldn’t have done that, but it is too late; the arm is up.
There isn’t much of anything to see.
I don’t think Robyn’s theory about muscle weighing more holds much truth when it comes to me.
Magma reaches out and squeezes my arm gently. “Impressive.” He nods.
My cheeks go warm, and I actually giggle again. “It’s early days.” He’s such a liar and so nice.
“Soon you’ll have muscles like me.” He raises his arm and flexes, and it is unfair because of the size of that arm. I feel something low and specific in my belly and hard-ignore it.
“Stop showing off,” Flint says. “Hey, Carla.” He wraps me in a hug.
I squeeze him back and let go first. “How are you, Flint? How’s Mistveil treating you?”
“It’s good. A lot of challenges to work through. Being very busy keeps me out of trouble.”
“You? Impossible,” I say.
“That’s what I said.” Magma smiles.
Robyn appears on my other side, all light and happiness. “We’re taking Cath to dinner after the rehearsal. You guys should both join us.”
“Sorry, Robyn. I have work to do,” Flint says. “I’m under the gun to get the Mistveil frontline up and running. My PA starts Monday, but until then, the admin is all my responsibility, and I’m buried.”
“It’s Saturday night,” Robyn says, frowning. “Surely you can take a few hours for dinner?”
“I really can’t.” He shakes his head. “I’m blocking out the whole of next weekend for the wedding. That’s the best I can do right now.”
“I can’t make it either,” Magma says. “I have plans.”
“He needs to video call his girlfriend,” Flint says, grinning. “It’s going to be one of those video calls, if you know what I mean.”
“He talks absolute crap.” Magma points at him. “We talked about this.” He gives Flint a look that says the conversation is done.
Flint laughs. “I’m teasing you.”
“You shouldn’t let him get to you,” Ridge says. He’s also smiling. “I think it’s great.” He pats Magma on the shoulder.
“I’m not video calling Brook later. It—” Magma starts to say.
“Can we have the groom up front,” the minister says from somewhere near the altar, “together with the rest of the bridal party. You should go outside, Robyn, with whoever is going to walk you down the aisle.”
“You’re up, Carla,” Robyn says, smiling.
“Me?” I frown, forgetting all about feeling like shit for a moment.
“Yes, you. My parents couldn’t make it. My dad hasn’t been well.”
“You said so,” I tell her.
“His heart wouldn’t take the existence of dragon shifters,” Cath says, glancing at the males.
“I’m sending them a video of the service,” Robyn says. “I need you to give me away, please,” she asks me, and a lump lodges in my throat. I swallow.
“Of course, I’ll give you away.” I smile, feeling a little lighter. “You’d better take excellent care of her,” I tell Ridge.
“I’ll kick his ass if he doesn’t,” Magma says in that deep baritone of his.
He’s taken.
I need to wrap my head around that fact and very quickly.
I still need a date for the wedding. I should have sorted it weeks ago, and I didn’t. I’ve been dragging my feet.
Why?
Was I secretly holding on to something? Hoping there was still— What? Something there, on his side? Did I really think we’d meet again and Magma would be single and suddenly want me?
Yes.
That’s it exactly.
That’s what I was hoping would happen, but he’s taken and will be having video call sex with his girlfriend later.
I’m alone and pathetic.
It changes now. I need to move forward, starting with finding a date for Saturday. I refuse to have an empty seat next to me.