CHAPTER 561: WEDDING BELLS ... OR NOT (7)

The stunned silence in the garden lasted all of ten whole seconds, making the unified action even more dramatic than it was, before the chatter erupted like a dam breaking.

"Did he just—?" one of the gossipy women began.

"Yes. Yes, he did," another answered, fanning herself as though she were the one being carried off.

"He is indeed Ian Thornston’s brother," Nicholas whispered, his mouth still agape at what he had witnessed. He had barely sat down comfortably before the groom had carried his bride away, kissing her in the glare of all.

They did not need words to know what was possibly happening between the couple in that moment. This was just like one of the pre-scenes for the kind of videos he edited as his part-time work, the same ones that had given him privy to Clara’s infamous video.

Geneva blinked, caught between pride and exasperation. "That boy... couldn’t he at least wait until the reception?"

Alex had nothing to say to this, and one could assume that, though this action was somewhat shocking, it wasn’t from anyone who really knew Ian and Brad.

"Oh, come on," Some of the random people from Carmichael’s side whispered to a group of friends, eyes wide. "That was bold. I mean, in front of all of us? Don’t they usually do this at night?"

"It’s romantic!" a younger guest insisted dreamily, face all red from this.

"It’s indecent," muttered one of the older uncles, though the twinkle in his eye betrayed he wasn’t distraught.

Some children, oblivious to what this meant, tugged at clothes, asking, "Where did they go? Is there another game?"

Somewhere in the back, Rocky let out a low whistle. "Well... I guess we can all pack up early."

By the time the murmurs died down, everyone had settled into one of two camps—those swooning over the display and those pretending they were scandalized while secretly wishing someone would sweep them away like that.

And in the middle of it all, Mr Carmichaels stood frozen, wine glass in hand, muttering, "I knew that boy was trouble..."

But the broad smile on his face showed otherwise.

Alex tapped him on the back, and the two men stared at the empty space that was supposed to be occupied by the just-married couple.

"Suzie?" Shelby called out softly, causing nearly everyone to glance in her direction, and momentarily distracting them from what had just occurred.

***

The door slammed shut behind Brad with a decisive thud. He didn’t give Alicia a chance to breathe, his mouth claimed hers again, deeper this time, as though the stolen kisses outside had only been an appetizer. Alicia’s back hit the wall as Brad trapped her between himself and that, and the faint clink of her bridal jewellery filled the space between their breaths.

She tried to think as he was saying something, but the shock and the sensations through her were making it nearly impossible for her to hear anything. Her mind was only on one question: ’What is he doing?!

"You..." she gasped when he finally let her speak, " ...are insane!"

"Insanely in love with my wife," he growled against her ear, his voice low, almost dangerous in its hunger. "And I’m done sharing you with anyone else today."

"S-sharing?"

Her heart thundered, not entirely from shock, but mostly from being called a wife! That name was still very foreign to her. Alicia tried to protest again, half-heartedly, this time, "But the guests ..."

"They’ll survive. Besides, they’ve seen what they want to see... the vows. The rest is up to the rest of the family. Brad whispered, finally setting her down, but never let her go. That was when he turned her around and started using his lips to open buttons at her back, kissing along the way, and Alicia couldn’t take it anymore. She moaned loudly, blushing at the same time. She could vaguely hear him saying,

"They’ll eat, drink, and gossip. We have our own... celebration to get to." That was when she felt the rush of air on the lacy bra as the white dress fell around her waist.

Before she could think of another word, he scooped her up again, carrying her toward the massive bed that had somehow been draped in white silk sometime that morning. The heady scent of flowers from her bouquet still clung to her, mingling with the faint musk of his cologne. Brad’s gaze burned as he set her down ... not gently, but respectfully ... and then followed her down onto the mattress like a man claiming what had always been his.

Her pulse stuttered as his lips finally claimed hers fully, no hesitation this time. The kiss was deep, consuming, as if he’d waited all his life for this one moment. When he pulled back just enough to speak, his voice was low and ragged.

"I know it’s an arranged marriage, but I like you, Alicia... I dare say that I love you!"

Alicia froze, panting slightly and looking at Brad’s intense gaze. He looked to be telling the truth, but that didn’t make much sense.

"Yes, all of this may have been orchestrated by our parents, but I’ll never commit to someone. I feel nothing for. Maybe my greatest regret was never mustering the courage to talk to you before Mum and Ian brought it up, but I am very grateful to them for doing so. I am also not one to shy away from declarations.

I will forever stand by the vows I have made today, and you will be properly cared for and lack for nothing, whether physical or emotional. I, Brad Thornston, will do my best to be the one and only husband who will forever put you first."

He paused and examined her face, from above her, his hands and elbows propping him up as he lay atop her on the bed.

"So, whatever I am doing is not just for the sex of it. I want you to know that I appreciate you for accepting me. From now on, I will play the role you have given me to the fullest and ensure that your trust will never be let down!"

Alicia was stunned. Yes, she knew that Brad may have some likeness for her, but love was a relatively strong emotion; it told her that maybe the gamble she had chosen to undertake would pan out well. The other fact was that words were easy to say, and the actions behind it was what would convince her.

However, Alicia had taken the bold step of accepting this marriage, and like Brad, she was not one to do anything halfway. They were married, and therefore, she was ready to fulfil her duties in this, as for the love that Brad was preaching, it remained to be evaluated with time.

Brad had been watching her all this time, and he could see her mind at play. She actually looked different and cute out of her usual long-necked dress, which she was used to seeing her in, and the wheels in her mind were turning.

"I’ve been patient," he said, though the grip on her waist said otherwise. "But you ... " he kissed her again, harder, " ....are not walking out of here until I’ve had all of you."

She gasped as he lifted himself off her effortlessly, her skirts piling up on his arms and around her waist, almost similar to the night before, but this time, he did nothing. She raised her head slightly and blushed yet again.

"You’re staring," she whispered, though her cheeks burned.

"Committing every inch to memory," he murmured, fingers tracing her inner thighs, which trembled in response. He reached up and stared intently at her, tracing the curve of her jaw, the line of her neck, pausing at the rapid flutter of her pulse. "So, I’ll always know exactly how you look every time, and especially when you were mine for the first time."

Any protest melted into a sharp inhale when his lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, trailing heat along her collarbone. The feel of his hands, steady yet desperate, undid her completely.

"Still thinking about the guests?" he teased, his breath hot against her skin. It was an unexpected question that took her a while to comprehend, for she had almost forgotten about that question that seemed ages ago.

She shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Not anymore."

"Good," he said, his smile dark and satisfied before kissing her again, deeper, longer ... until thought itself was impossible and the only thing that mattered was the way he moved against her, the way he made her forget her own name.

Brad never stopped, his own hunger overshadowing everything; he dropped. Little bite marks on her chest, pinching and soothing with his kisses, relishing the way she writhed underneath him, but he had her hands pinned, so that her movements were limited. The frustration it caused Alicia added to the thrill of the game. She could only feel but never contribute. He kissed one hardened nipple through her lacy bra and then reached for her lips again.

Outside, the garden was alive with laughter, music, and champagne. Inside, the world had narrowed to nothing but the sound of their breathing, the heat between them, and the undeniable truth that their day turned night had only just begun.

*********

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