K. Golland: Attainment

Keeping the kiss brutally short, I pull away. “Want to go home?”

She smiles and nods.

Not wanting to stay any longer and listen to JT sing about being someone’s slave, I bend down, throw her over my shoulder—making sure I cover her arse with her dress—and walk us out of the room.

When we get back to the apartment, I take the elevator all the way to the second floor, not uttering a word until we are beside the bed.

Before I place her down, I feel her fingers playing with the waistband of my jeans from behind my back.

“Are you mad?” she asks almost timidly.

“Yep,” I honestly reply, closing my eyes while trying to calm my raging fury together with my raging hard-on which is a result from her teasing touch.

She dips her finger into my jeans, along the crevice of my arse. “Are you angry with me?”

“No, not with you,” I sigh. “...with our ex-best friends.”

Straightening her back, she encourages me to slide her down my front. “Good...” she replies with a promising grin, continuing to slide all the way down to her knees. Then, unlatching my belt buckle, she doesn’t hesitate in taking me in her hands. “...because the only man I want dancing around me is you. The only man I want, period, is you.”

Smirking down at her, I caress her stunning face. “I’m all yours, Hunny.”

My breath catches when I spot her walk out onto the balcony. I can’t see her in detail as I am too far away, but her presence adorned in an ivory gown is unmistakeable. I know they say seeing the bride before the wedding is bad luck, but technically I can’t see her entirely, she is several hundred meters away in the distance.

Hoping that she has her phone with her, I pull out my mobile and send her a text:

29 minutes and 13 seconds - Bryce

I’m desperate and not able to help myself, needing some form of contact. Spending last night without her was agony, so much so, that I was highly fucking tempted to sneak into our apartment and surprise her in the middle of the night. I’m sure she wouldn’t have minded. Maryann, however, would have. My soon to be mother-in law would no doubt have physically removed me from the premises—or at least, tried.

Watching and waiting for Alexis to answer my message, I notice who looks to be Lucy join her on the balcony. She hands her what I assume is her phone, which makes me smile boldly. Damn, I adore my sister. She has been the perfect accomplice in my quest for ultimate attainment.

Lucy heads back inside, so I take the opportunity to send another text:

28 minutes, 19 seconds and counting

until you make me the happiest man alive - Bryce

I wait knowing that she is now reading it, and the fact I am watching her without her knowledge leaves me feeling somewhat cocky and powerful at the same time.

My phone beeps indicating her response:

27 minutes and 21 seconds until I become

Mrs. Alexis Clark - Alexis

As I read her reply, the smile that covers my face is enormous. Mrs. Alexis Clark. It sounds perfect.

I can’t wait. - Bryce

Neither can I - Alexis

Smiling like an impish fool, I figure I’ll play with her a little longer, loving to wind her up and watch her unleash. The fight she puts up when returning my challenges always ignites a fiery passion within me.

Well then hurry up - Bryce

I love you, you know. - Alexis

I do. - Bryce

Aren’t you supposed to say that in

25 minutes and 33 seconds. - Alexis

I laugh out loud. She never fails to amaze me with her wit and responses.

“What are you laughing at, Dick?” Derek says from behind as he steps up beside me.

“None of your business,” I reply as I send another message, this one sure to get her excited.

That’s it! I’m coming up there to get you. - Bryce

“Is that Alexis? Up there on your balcony?”

I look up to my penthouse, still smiling, captivated by her angelic form. “Sure is.”

“You’re unfuckingbelievable. You’re not supposed to see her before the ceremony.”

“I can’t really see her, not closely enough anyway.”

“Sure, keep tellin’ yourself that.”

My phone beeps once more:

Okay, okay. I’m on my way. ♥ - Alexis

“Are you texting her?” Derek asks, incredulously.

A sly grin replaces my smile as I continue to type. “Yep,” I answer with nonchalance.

You better be ♥ - Bryce

“Does she know you are watching her?”

“Of course not.”

“You’re a dog, Bryce,” he says as he turns to face me with his back against the railing, trying to block my view.

I raise an eyebrow at the cocky fucker I call my best friend. “I’m not a dog. I just like to know what she’s doing. Get out of the way.” I move him aside and smile once again. “And anyway, you can’t stand there and tell me you aren’t well and truly under Carly’s thumb.”

“I’m under no one’s thumb.”

“Bullshit! Carly owns you.”

“Carly’s not like that.”

“It doesn’t matter if she’s like that or not. You’re thumbed...whipped...you belong to her. You might as well man the fuck up and admit it.”

“Never, that will never happen.”

“Brayden, come here! Uncle Snakey needs to put your shoes on,” Jake bellows from inside the suite.

I hear Brayden squeal then crack the shits. “No shoes!”

‘Uncle Snakey?’ Derek mouths, amusement on his face.

I smile and nod. “Yep, but don’t ask.”

Derek pushes off the railing and heads back inside. “Come on, man. Let’s get you married.”

Taking one last look up at Alexis who is now hugging her father, I lift my phone and snap a photo—my creepy research still very much operational.

Impatiently waiting at the altar for Alexis, my palms are sweaty and my body tense. I seriously need to rein my shit in, having no doubt I must look like a nervous wreck. It wouldn’t surprise me if I’ve cracked my neck and clenched my fists more times than a pro boxer would before a fight.

Taking a deep breath, I calm my nerves and watch with amusement as Nate follows Brayden around, making sure he doesn’t untie anymore of the ivory ribboned bows decorating the large bunches of roses. Seriously, the amount of destruction my son can get up to in the blink of an eye still confounds me.

“Nervous?” Jessica enquires as she steps up to my side. Nervous? Yeah, if my damp friggin’ hands are anything to go by, I’m very bloody nervous.

“No, not at all,” I lie, leaning forward and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Hmm,” she responds with a knowing smile. “Listen, Dear. I just want to let you know that your parents and Lauchie...even Gareth, are all here in spirit. They are proud of you. We all are.”

I manage a small smile and give her a hug. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She pulls away, gives my arm a quick reassuring squeeze and then finds her seat.

As I contemplate what she just said, Maryann approaches. Her demeanour is both excited and anxious. “She’s just outside,” she explains.

Feeling my pulse pick up a beat, I look toward the door, noticing Alexis’ bridesmaids lining up ready to walk down the aisle. “Bray, Nate, come here,” I call to the boys. Nate grabs Brayden’s hand and they make their way over. “Okay, Mum is just outside those doors. Nate come stand next to me just like we practised.” He does as he’s told. “Now, little man, see your special pillow,” I say to Brayden as I bend down to his eye level. “I want you to hold it tightly and go with Nanny, okay?” I hold out my fist for him to bump.

He rears his hand back and then slams it into mine. “Bang!” he says and then laughs, our fist-bumps now becoming a playful game.