Until It Was Her

Husband And Wife

The wedding was beautiful, painfully beautiful, white roses covered the garden like fresh snow, crystal lights simmered above the guests, and soft violin music floated through the evening air as if this were some grand love story instead of an arrangement between two families.

Everyone looked happy except the bride and groom. Elena stood beside Adrian at the altar, trying not to focus on how overwhelming his presence felt this close. The black suit fit him perfectly, his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead and every time she accidentally looked at him, her stomach betrayed her completely.

He was devastating, the kind of man women probably fell in love with too quickly and regretted for much longer. Unfortunately for her, Adrian seemed just as distracted because every time Elena glanced up, she caught him already looking at her. Not casually, intensely, as though he still hadn't figured her out.

The priest continued speaking, but neither of them heard much of it. Adrian's attention kept drifting back to the woman beside him, she was even more beautiful under the golden evening lights.

The fitted white dress hugged her softly without trying too hard, elegant instead of flashy. Her dark hair rested against her bare shoulders, and her eyes…God.

Those eyes were dangerous, warm enough to soften a man, sad enough to ruin him and Adrian hated the fact that he notices any of this. Because attraction complicated things, he didn't want complications.

“Elena Rossi,” the priest said softly, “Do you take Adrian Vale to be your husband?” Elena looked up, for the first time since the ceremony began, Adrian held her gaze fully. Something shifted in the air between them. Small. Silent. But real.

“I do,” she answered softly. Adrian’s jaw tightened unexpectedly, the words shouldn't have affected him but somehow they did. “And do you, Adrian Vale, take Elena Rossi to be your wife?”

His eyes stayed on her and for a second, the noise around them faded entirely. No guests, no pressure, no arrangement. Just her. Beautiful, nervous and standing in front of him wearing his ring. “I do.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Elena felt something dangerous settle in her chest because Adrian Vale said very little but when he spoke, it sounded like he meant every word.

The rings were exchanged next, His fingers brushed hers as he slid the band onto her hand. The touch lasted barely a second, still heat climbed slowly up Elena's spine and Adrian noticed. He noticed the slight hitch in her breathing. The way her eyes dropped briefly to his mouth before returning to his gaze. Tension. Immediate, unexpected and impossible to ignore.

“You may kiss the bride.” A mistake that Adrian first thought because suddenly everyone was watching them. Waiting. Elena's breath caught softly as Adrian stepped closer, too close. Close enough to feel his warmth, close enough to notice the sharp scent of his cologne wrapping around her senses.

He hesitated and somehow that hesitation felt more intimate than confidence would have. Then his hand lightly touched her waist, Elena forgot how to breathe. Adrian tilted his head slightly before pressing his lips against hers. Soft, brief but devastating.

The entire garden erupted in applause around them neither heard it because the second their lips met, something changed. Elena felt it immediately, the heat, the awareness. The terrifying realization that kissing her husband felt nothing like she expected. And Adrian…

Adrian pulled away looking slightly unsettled, as if that kiss affected him far more than it should have. His hands lingered at her waist for a second too long, their eyes met again. This time neither looked away.

“You’re shaking,” Adrian mumbled quietly enough that only she could hear. Elena swallowed “Maybe because I just married a stranger.” Something dark and amused flickered in his eyes.

“Strangers usually don't kiss like that.” Her cheeks warmed instantly and for the first time that evening… Adrian smiled.

Small. Brief. Dangerously attractive. God help her because Elena suddenly had a horrible feeling this marriage was going to break her heart eventually.