~Edward~

The next day, I waited anxiously for Bella to arrive at the church. I had departed early while she was still curled up in the bed we had shared. I had liked waking with her wrapped in my arms. She was a small, warm weight beside me, her hand clutching my T-shirt, and her hair spread everywhere. I dropped a kiss on her head before I left, chuckling as she wrinkled her nose and mumbled something incoherent. I had arranged a wake-up call for her, breakfast to be delivered, and a full afternoon of pampering.

And a special gift.

As we were leaving the store, I had seen the way her eyes lit up when she saw a long, formal yellow dress, but she refused to go back and try it on. I had called and spoken to the woman who had taken such good care of us while we were in the store and described the dress. She had promised me it would be delivered, in the correct size and with all the right accessories, to the hotel. She also promised to make sure to add the note I left at the front desk for Bella. I wanted her to wear that dress today. I wanted her to feel special and to love what she was wearing. I had a feeling that dress was perfect.

I spent the morning handling Emmett, making sure everything was settled the way he wanted, and listening to all of them sing Bella's praises. Especially Riley, who informed me with an exaggerated wink, if he wasn't gay and happily in a relationship with James, he would steal her away from me. When I glared at him, he laughed, then promised he and James would make sure she was okay until we reached the reception and I could return to her side. "She's safe with us."

A car pulled up and Bella stepped out. I sucked in a deep breath at the vision before me. Since the reception directly followed the wedding, she was fully decked out.

And she was stunning.

The yellow of her dress set off her pale skin, the cut leaving her shoulders and arms bare, which meant I'd be able to touch more of her skin when we danced. The beading and fit of the dress made her look elegant, and her hair was swept up from her face in a fancy style, highlighting her delicate neck. The long tresses hung down her back in ribbons of chocolate that rippled and moved as she walked. Forgetting I was supposed to stay at the door, I hurried down the steps, holding out my hand and smiling at her, battling the urge to sweep her in my arms and kiss her until her cheeks were flushed, and her lips swollen. Instead, I brushed my mouth to hers, then nuzzled her neck, inhaling the warm scent that was simply her.

"You are . . . exquisite, Bella."

She blushed as she accepted my arm to escort her up the steps. "My dress . . . It's beautiful, Edward. I couldn't believe it when I got back to the room and it was waiting for me!"

I brushed another kiss over her cheek. "You're the beautiful one, Bella. Did you enjoy your pampering?"

"I did. And look!" She stuck out one foot, showing me her sparkly, bright red toes.

I admired the sight of her foot and shapely calf, chuckling as I looked down at the shoes she was wearing. "Very nice. Are you going to make it intact wearing those?"

"They're not too high," she assured me. "And my toes look so pretty in them!" she added, her tone expressing her delight. "Look at the design she painted on them!" She lifted her long skirt so I could see both sets of glittering toes.

I couldn't resist brushing another kiss across her cheek. I adored the way she found pleasure in such simple things. I was used to women who only smiled when something extravagant was presented to them, and often those smiles were false. I couldn't recall any of the women I ever dated smiling that way over "pretty toes."

I looked again. "Where's your anklet?"

She sighed, the sound sad. "I lost it at some point. The clasp was loose. I should have fixed it."

I squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry. I know you loved it."

She shrugged, smiling again. "It was just a cheap thing. I'll get another one."

I escorted her to the back pew where James sat, Riley in his wheelchair beside him. After she sat down, I kissed her again. "These two knuckleheads are going to take care of you while I'm busy. Make sure they behave."

Riley huffed indignantly. "I think she's the one who needs to be kept on the straight and narrow. Hanging out with the likes of you has no doubt influenced her badly."

I left them teasing and laughing. I looked over my shoulder, smiling.

Bringing her with me was the best idea I'd ever come up with. And that was saying something.

~o0o~

The service was mercifully short, neither the bride nor groom being particularly religious. Pictures were to take place at a local park's atrium. It was a rocky place, so Riley was having his pictures done now, and he and James were taking Bella over to the reception. More than once my eyes met Bella's during the service. She was stunning in yellow, and I decided I needed to buy her something else in that color. Then I grinned, thinking of the fact I thought she was stunning in every color I had seen her wear. Rose caught my wide smile and winked at me, no doubt thinking I was smiling over something about the service.

Knowing horror stories about brides and ruining their days, I decided to let her keep thinking that way. I winked back, then when her head turned back to the front, I glanced to Bella again.

Once it was done, and the register signed, I was free for a few moments while Riley posed for photos, and I turned to search out Bella. Victoria was waiting for me, a hand on her hip and a scornful expression on her face.

"Didn't waste much time, did you, Edward? I don't recall you ever taking me to a friend's wedding."

I crossed my arms, studying her. How had I never noticed the permanent scowl she wore? It was as if she was smelling something foul. I searched my brain for memories of tenderness and laughter, and found myself coming up short on both.

"I don't recall you being around much for trivial things like friend's weddings or parties . . . unless, of course, they involved caviar and champagne, Vicky. And besides, you have someone here, too."

She stepped forward, waving her hand dismissively as if that fact was without merit. "How dare you bring her here!" she hissed. "You're just trying to humiliate me!"

I glanced over to where Bella was standing, watching us with a worried expression. When I caught her eye, she raised her eyebrows in a silent question. She wanted to come over and help. I gave the barest shake of my head. I didn't want her anywhere near Victoria.

I tore my gaze back to Victoria and sighed. "Vic, in order to humiliate you, it would mean I had to be thinking about you. Caring what you would think." I held up my hands. "Neither one happened, nor will happen. I can honestly say, I haven't given you another thought since I finally got smart enough to dump your high-maintenance, silicone-injected ass. We're done. We were a mistake from the start." I leaned down and grabbed her elbow. "Act like a lady for once and stop trying to start something. This is Rose's day, not yours. Live with it. And as for the real lady I brought with me . . . you stay away from her, or you'll regret it. You know what my temper is like. Don't push it."

I stood back up. "Enjoy the rest of the wedding, Vicky."

I moved past her, ignoring her muttered curses.

Bella was waiting.

~o0o~

"Are you okay?" Bella asked anxiously when I reached her.

"I'm fine. She's just pissed." I snickered as I wrapped my arm around her waist. "She's always pissed."

"She's glaring at us."

"I'm not surprised." I huffed out a sigh. "Bella, Vicky isn't like you. There's no tenderness or kindness in her."

She bit her lip. "Why . . ."

I knew what she was asking. I stroked my fingers down her cheek. "I didn't see her for what she was at first, Bella. I saw her beauty, not her personality. She said the right things, did the right things. I wasn't paying enough attention. She served a purpose—a pretty woman on my arms for events, someone who didn't bitch when I was too busy to see her every night." I shrugged. "She liked a certain lifestyle, and I helped her live it."

"What happened?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I saw the real Vicky. I knew she wasn't the nicest person in the world, but I saw her in action one day, and I was shocked. I called her on it, and we had a huge argument. And after that, I started seeing everything. I had been stupid. She didn't like me; she liked my money and what I could give her." I rubbed my cheek reflectively. "She didn't like it when I shut off the money train, but it only confirmed what I had suspected. My worth was my bank account, not me."

Bella moved closer, sliding her hand up my arm and cupping my cheek. "Your worth is far greater than your bank account, Edward." Her hand slipped down, covering my heart. "I think your worth lies right here."

All the air left my body. One sentence and she made me feel . . . different. She made me feel like I mattered. The man—Edward. Not my bank account.

I bent low, capturing her mouth and kissing her softly. "Your worth is priceless, Bella. You are priceless."

She blushed.

"I moved, planning on living the same life, just a different city—the only new thing I expected to find was the view," I mused quietly against her mouth. "I never expected to find you."

"Edward," she breathed.

"Tonight, love, you're mine. Tell me you're ready."

"Yes."

"I don't want to leave you."

She smiled. "Go do your groomsman duty."

"James is going to take you to the reception. I'll meet you there."

"I know. I'll be waiting."

"All your dances are mine."

She grinned. "I already promised both James and Riley a dance."

"First off—I don't think so, and second, Riley has two broken legs—how on earth is he going to dance?"

Her grin grew wider. "He said something about me sitting on his knee while he rocked the wheelchair."

I growled low in my chest. "He can forget that idea. The only knee you're sitting on tonight, or any other night, is mine."

"Is that a fact?"

"It is."

"So bossy."

"We've established that." I pulled her close and ran my lips over her neck. "You like me bossy."

"I do," she hummed.

"Then Riley's out."

"He'll be heartbroken."

"He'll get over it."

I heard my name being shouted and I groaned.

"I have to go."

"See you at the reception."

"You'll be okay?"

She rolled her eyes. "For someone not protective, you do a pretty good imitation of someone who is."

I chuckled. "I'm a quick learner."

She pushed me away. "Go. My other dates are waiting."

"Bella," I warned lowly.

She turned, walking toward Riley and James. She glanced over her shoulder with a wink, making me smile.

I hurried over to Emmett, who was waiting for me. The faster the pictures were done, the faster I'd be back with her.

And knowing how the evening was going to end, I wanted this wedding done.


Thank you for reading. Another update on the weekend. And for all of you who purchased my book yesterday - a huge thank you. It was a great day and the book made #30 on amazon in my genre. Awesome! If you are still thinking about it - it is The Contract by Melanie Moreland.

See you on the weekend!