He’s gentle, but commanding, and holy crap,he knows exactly what I need. I’m lost quickly; every part of himtouching every part of me. Physically and spiritually. I hold ontighter as my whole body tenses; all warm and ready and needy forhim. “Alana,” Ryan moans, almost insufferably, as I match each oneof his sensuous, stabbing, soul consuming thrusts. Reveling in thesound of his rapturous voice, I suck on his skin and nip at hisneck straining in ecstasy as he drives me harder and higher untilhe pushes me right over the edge. Twice. I barely register it whenhe stills inside me; the two of us sweaty and slick and pantinguncontrollably.
“I love you, Alana,” he breathes. “I swear toGod I never stopped loving you. You were the only thing that got methrough.”
And I know exactly what he means; got himthrough those years in prison.
“I wish I could have been there for you,” Iskim my fingertips softly up and down his bare back, his chestrising and falling against mine from his heavy breathing.
“Me too,” Ryan drops his head in the crook ofmy neck. “Me too.”
“Are you sure youdon’t need a date?” Ryan asks for the millionth time. I’m trying totalk hands-free as I pin my hair up with the phone wedged betweenmy shoulder and ear. It isn’t working so well.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I fumble, “and besides,Emily sent the head count in weeks ago. There isn’t a seat for youat the table.”
“I am not above wedding crashing. I can standat the bar all night.”
“Ryan,” I laugh.
“Fine. Send me a pic of you in your dress atleast.”
“I will,” I smile, “but I gotta go, the limowill be here any minute. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, love you babe.”
“Love you too.” I hang up, then stare down atthe phone. There isn’t anything I want more than for Ryan to cometo Emily’s wedding with me. It doesn’t really matter about the headcount, there would’ve been no problem adding him. Especially if hewas my date. But what would I tell my father? Dad, this is Ryan mysecret boyfriend who strips for a living? Who, by the way, you alsoconvicted five years ago on a drug charge. Why don’t you just lockme in a tower now?
I can only imagine my father’s interrogation;where are you from, what’s your family background, where did you goto school, what’s your occupation?
And when Ryan answers every single questionwrong, my father will freeze him out. Then forbid me to see him andwhen I refuse he’ll rip the carpet out from underneath me,forsaking me as his daughter.
Ryan will meet my father on my terms, when Iknow he can’t take him, and everything I want, away. It may takeyears, but I’m more than willing to sacrifice. I just hope Ryan istoo.
There’s a beep in front of my house. It’stime. I run down the curved staircase, my mint-colored bridesmaiddress rippling at my knees.
I hop into the white Navigator limo to findEmily is decked out in the most beautiful wedding dress I have everseen. It’s over the top; an ivory Lazaro bridal ball gown. Thecorset is covered with a sheer overlay that elongates her bodice.The skirt is organza, asymmetrically layered and flows like awaterfall down to her feet.
She’s absolutely glowing. My uncle John thesame; so proud and full of love for his daughter.
He’s dressed in a black tux with a mint greenvest that matches the bridal party colors.
As I sit across from them, I can’t help butfeel a pang of envy.
What I wouldn’t give for my father to look atme that way.
To see me at all.
At least I have my uncle John. He loves melike a daughter, even if I’m not his own.
I’m grateful for that. For him. ForEmily.
They’re my only true family.
I stand by the bar sipping champagne. Emilyand Alex’s wedding went off without a hitch, and now I’m justtaking it all in. I can’t believe my cousin is married. I can’tbelieve she actually went through with it.
I feel his presence before I see him. It’slike a gust of cold wind. My father. The honorable Merrick J.Remington is standing next to me.
“Alana,” he says, like I’m anacquaintance.
“Daddy.”