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Alyssa took a deep breath and one She looked shaken, anxious Was she worried he’d discover her lie?

Ta down the ironic s The older hty stare

"Kiss your bride"

Now, this was so for since she’d suddenly reappeared in his life last Saturday Since thatdetails by phone and e-ly businesslike Earlier this week, he’d had to take a damn PR trip to New York and hadn’t returned to Lafayette until yesterday The sied a quiet dinner with his parents last night so they could le minute this week He hadn’t touched her since that disastrous night in her bedroo to kiss her

Luc cupped her face and leaned in Alyssa clamped her hands around his waist, as if he were her anchor, and waited, breathless Slowly, he pressed his lips to hers Soft, a brush A shared sigh He lingered, slanting his h hi Beneath him, Alyssa went pliant and opened to hiuests be damned

Later Noas about their first kiss as husband and ith fa on Later, she’d understand exactly what he wanted fro theof their mouths a moolden face She sent hientleman," the justice said "Mr and Mrs Lucas Traverson"

Their guests politely clapped as the couple walked back down the aisle Jack Cole reached out to shake his hand Kied Alyssa Tyler still scowled

The photographer, a friend of Luc’s, awaited theether Soested they kiss again so he could get a shot

Restraining himself this time proved more difficult The first taste had ry beast inside hi her-- was always gripping and exquisite To have the right to do it whenever he wished was heady

The rest of the luncheon passed in quiet festivity They cut the cake he’dSi the edge of each of the three stacked tiers White ribbons of fondant ran along the sides, so it resee Fresh flowers circled the cake on the pristine white tablecloth

He and Alyssa hadn’t talked specifics after he’d volunteered to handle this part of the reception Now Luc was oddly nervous that she’d had so else in mind

"You orgeous"

"A I hope you like it"

Together they cut the cake, and flashbulbs went off Gently, he fed her a piece and she ers, she fed hi at his restraint

Luc was still grappling for self-control when Deke rose and toasted thes, you’ve elected to share a future that I hope will be filled with love and all the best life has to offer Congratulations"

Holding her sparkling water, Alyssa leaned to him "He couldn’t possibly have written that on his own"

Luc laughed for the first time today "I’m sure Kimber helped"

Then Sadie rose to , who’s always there for her e a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand You deserve great happiness Luc, I haven’t known you long, but I’, positive force in her life and will love her as she is To a long and happy life together"

Moments later, the soft instrumental music he’d chosen sounded over the restaurant’s speakers Luc rose and extended his hand to Alyssa She bounced a surprised gaze up to him

"Dance?"

She bit her lip, then stood The guests were dead silent as they watched hiood Hunger kicked up another notch, and Luc buried his face in her neck Her peaches and cinna him mad with the need to hold her, strip her, take her

"I thought the ceremony was lovely," she murmured "I’m sorryI’"

One that wasn’t rushed, in which the bride wasn’t a pregnant stripper--Luc heard regret in her voice He lifted her chin with his finger "They hatever ret it Sadie wants us to have a long and happy life together Let’s start it by looking forward, not back"

LUC’S earlier words on the dance floor echoed in her head Could they really look forithout the past co?" Alyssa asked aloud as Sadie helped her out of her wedding gown in Bonheur’s bathroom

"You askeddress earlier The answer is still the sa a hed into her hands, regret crashing through her "But I’ to fall for Luc coreat lay whose egg happened to meet his sperm"

"You don’t know that When he looks at you, I see so more"

"Annoyance?"

She knew that wasn’t true, but she didn’t understand why he’dto allow hiiven her sobut they all benefited her What was in it for him?

And the uncertainty on his parents’ faces concerned her It wasn’t disapprovalyet But what if that came? What if her job, her life, her past, became a bone of contention between Luc and his family? Or between Luc and herself? There was a whole lot about her he didn’t know And God willing, he never would

Sadie shook her head "Annoyance, no Serious lust, totally But I think it’s even enuine feelings for her Pushing it aside, she stepped out of her wedding dress, then turned her back to Sadie "Can you take this off?"

Her friend hesitated "No That white corset is hot! You’ll knock Luc dead with it"

Biting her lip, Alyssa wondered if that was a good thing She’d tasted the desire in his kiss, felt a surge of her own Hell, she did whenever he was in the sa theirchild They couldn’t do that if he kept seeing her as a stripper

"I’d rather not"

"But it’s your wedding night," Sadie reht I’d have one of those" Hoped, maybe, but after fourteen years of pure shit ro, she’d learned tofor sex So why had she tied herself to so bastard and ruin her life?

Because you were du that the baby will round out the perfect faht

In a et under her skin and that she’d be tempted to keep him forever But she wanted Luc too much to refuse What if he realized that she loved him? What if he moved on?