by catrinaburgess

Cover by Cynthia Wiedefeld aka 4thpowermama

The snowstorm last night had transformed the church and the landscape around it into a winter wonderland with ice crystals sparkling from bare trees and four inches of fluffy white snow covering the ground. It was Christmas morning and a perfect snowy winter morning, on this very special day. My very special day, my wedding day.

I sat in a small room at the side of a church looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I had been transformed into a winter wonderland fairy princess. It had only taken a makeup artist, hairdresser and three bride's maids fussing over me for two hours to make this transformation happen.

My shoulder length blonde hair, which normally was a tangle of unkempt curls, was now sleeked down and arranged artfully around a crystal and pearl tiara. My green eyes were covered in brown eye-shadow and black mascara, making them look bigger and even a bit exotic.

The floor-length white dress boasted no less than two thousand sequins. A modest square-cut neckline showcased my cleavage to its best advantage, and from the neckline, the dress narrowed down into a full silk skirt trimmed in Italian lace.

In all honesty I would have been happy in a simpler dress, but my mother wouldn't hear of it, and since she had been saving since the day I was born for my wedding day, how could I say no when she offered to pay for, as she put it, a proper dress that would turn me into a princess. According to my mother, everyone should be a fairy princess on their wedding day.

So there I stood in all my glory in front of the full-length mirror, passing the time until I was to walk down the aisle, and for the first time all day I suddenly found myself alone. Small beads of sweat were gathering on my forehead. Someone had cranked up the heat, turning the room slowly into a sauna. I looked over my shoulder, anxious for help. The problem was if the heat kept rising, I would soon melt in my dress ruining my perfectly applied makeup. My dress was breathtaking, but there was so much material on the skirt that it was cumbersome, making it almost impossible for me to navigate around by myself. I could barely move this mountain of silk on my own, and every one of my bridesmaids had all been rounded up and ushered out by my mother to help with a list of last-minute details. When I heard the door creak open, I almost cried with joy.

A masculine voice floated through the doorway. "Sorry, wrong room."

I didn't recognize the voice, but then my fiancée had invited one cousin and an old college buddy to be part of his entourage, and both had flown in at the last minute. In all the bustle and wedding preparation I hadn't had a chance to meet either.

"Wait!" I shouted over my shoulder.

"Problem?" The voice asked. With the voice, a male form materialized in the mirror behind me. And as his eyes took in my appearance, a slow, wide grin spread across his handsome face. "I've always been a sucker for a damsel in distress."

"Do you see any of the bridesmaids out in the hallway?" I asked.

His image disappeared for a moment and then reappeared. "Sorry, hallways empty. How can I help?"

"Never mind," I muttered trying to formulate another plan of action.

"Hey, do I know you?" he asked, stepping closer.

The tone of his voice was all too familiar. The type of line I usually heard when drinking with girlfriends at a bar. Was I seriously getting hit on when in less than an hour I would be walking down the aisle? "Great pick up line. Next are you going to ask me what my sign is?"

His blue-gray eyes twinkled at my response. "I'm serious."

"Are you the cousin or the frat buddy?" I demanded.

"Cousin," he answered, his smile widening.

"Do you think its appropriate hitting on a relative's wife?" I asked, not amused.

"I swear it was just a question, but now you mention it, you aren't his wife, yet." He gave my appearance I slow going over as he said, "Fiancée is a whole different playing field."

I could feel drops of perspiration starting to roll down my temple. The last thing I wanted to do was encourage this guy, but I was running out of options. "Look, don't take this the wrong way, but can you unzip the back of my dress?"

A very cocky smile spread across his face. Of course, he'd taken it the wrong way.

"Sure thing," he said as he gave me a wink.

Before I had a chance to reconsider asking him for help, he was behind me and he was so close now I could feel his warm breath against my neck.

"Ready?" he asked.

I looked into the mirror forcing myself to meet his eyes. I would not be embarrassed in this moment. I watched him as I carefully rearranging my veil until it was now hanging over my shoulder. The dress was tight, restricting and then, suddenly, I could breathe again. I gently lowered the delicate material to the floor and carefully balanced myself against the wall as I stepped out and over the massive pile of white silk.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as, finally free of the dress, my body temperature instantly cooled down. I turned and caught my reflection in the mirror. Dear god, I'd been so intent on getting out of the dress I'd never stopped to consider what I was wearing underneath the thing.

I could see him in the mirror, his eyes were taking in every inch of my lingerie. I was wearing a white lace bustier, and a white garter belt with a tiny pink rose in front that surrounded a pair of white lacey panties, and covering my legs there was a pair of sheer white stockings.

There was no place to hide, so I turned and stood my ground. "

"Lucky for us there aren't any around," he said looking decidedly too pleased with himself.

"Do you mind?" I was starting to get pissed.

He leaned casually against the wall and crossed his arms. The shit grin smile had not left his face since he eyed the underwear. "Not at all. The view is fabulous. My cousin is one lucky man."

"Thanks, I'll be sure to mention that to him, and I bet he'll be beyond thrilled at the part where you were standing around ogling me."

A low whistle came out of a pair of amused lips, "And, really it can't be said enough... that lingerie is really outstanding. Quite the ensemble."

I glared at him. "Did you get a good look? Great, now don't let the door hit you on the way out." The words were barely out of my mouth when a doorknob rattled and was shortly followed by a loud series of raps.

"You locked the door?" I demanded.

His only response, a slow shrug of his shoulders.

How would I explain my current state of undress and his presence in the room? There was no closet or hidey hole since the room sported one mirror, one loveseat, and three or four chairs. There was no place for me to put him, not even a window to throw his ass out of.

I went to the door and opened it the tiniest bit, making sure to shield my body behind the frame of the door.

A pair of concerned eyes peered back at me through the crack. It was one of my bridesmaids. My soon to be sister-in-law, currently decked out all in blue. "Is everything okay? Why's the door locked?"

"I need some time." The lie slide from my mouth. "Time alone to collect my thoughts."

She frowned. "You aren't getting cold feet, are you?"

A hysterical laugh wanted to break from my lips, but I forced it back and plastered what I hoped was a reassuring smile on my face. "Just a bit of last-minute nerves. I really need a few moments alone, if that's okay. Can you tell everyone, to just give me a couple minutes?"

She reached out and patted my fingers. "Sure."

"Thanks." I closed the door and turned only to find he was now stretched out across the love seat, and he looked entirely too comfortable.

"You need to get out of here," I said as my eyes lingered for the briefest moment on his tanned face and then slowly across his broad shoulders. My heart started pounding a little faster, and I licked my suddenly dry lips.

He motioned toward the door. "How do you propose I get past the taffeta watchdog outside?"

My mind was racing trying to form some kind of plan. "Do you have a cell phone?"

"Going to call in the Calvary? Sorry, no phone. Left it in the car." The expression on his face was far from sorry, he looked extremely pleased with himself.

The problem was every time he grinned, I found myself returning the smile. And the thoughts currently floating across my mind were not thoughts a bride should be having on her wedding day. I needed to get this tall, dark and dangerously attractive man out of the room and out of my life as quickly as humanly possible.

I would never admit it out loud, but from the moment he had stepped through the door, and I had caught his reflection in the mirror, I'd felt the attraction. It was like a physical force between us. Like a jolt of electricity arching dangerously across the air between us.

I'd never been so aware of a man before. Even as he lay against the love seat, my eyes kept glancing down and taking in his eyes, his face, the way his shirt tightened against his broad chest every time he moved. Worse, whatever this weird thing was between us, it seemed to be intensifying with each passing minute. I was in dangerous territory, and I realized the longer he stayed, the harder it was getting to deny the way my pulse was quickening every time our eyes met.

"So, you're going ahead with the 'I dos'?" he asked.

"Of course, I am," I cried out.

He looked suddenly thoughtful. "Hmm, just thought maybe you might be having second thoughts."

I stomped my foot in frustration. "Stop messing around. We've got to figure out a way to get you out of here."

He didn't seem at all fazed by the sudden show of temper. "Who's going to tell him?" He quietly asked.

"About you ogling me in my underwear?" I countered.

"Once again, world-class lingerie, really, but I was actually referring to the fact that you are, right this moment, thinking of calling off the wedding."

I narrowed my eyes and gave a not very ladylike snort. Really what an ego. "Have you been drinking?" I sniffed the air. He didn't smell like beer or champagne.

He raised his hand to his chest. "I'm stone sober, I swear. I know I never believed in it, the love at first sight stuff," he straightened up his expression was suddenly serious, "But what can I say, our eyes locked and we fell for each other like a ton of bricks. It's no one's fault really."

"You're insane," I whispered.

"Hmm, really, you are telling me you don't feel it?" He suddenly stood and moved, and before I could react, before I could say another word, he was in front of me. He stood now inches from me, and his hand slowly reached out and brushed back wisps of hair that had escaped the pins and now lay against my cheek.

Where his fingers brushed across my bare skin, I could feel little jots of electricity.

He didn't say a word, but those blue-gray eyes burned into mine, and under their hypnotic glance I felt all self-restraint melting away.

How naughty would it be to have just one kiss? Something to remember years later when I was an old woman. I wasn't married, yet, I reminded myself. Just one kiss. The thought was, but a flicker across my mind.

I'm not sure even now who initiated the kiss. My lips were suddenly pressed against his. Heat, pure and hot, ran down the length of my body at the contact.

I would like to think that my willpower came back in full force, but that's a lie, a sudden loud burst of laughter from the hallway forced me to come to my senses, and I tore my mouth away from his.

This was wrong. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts and gain back some self-control. What the hell was I doing? "We can't do this." I pushed him back. No easy tasks when all the parts of my body were now humming with sexual energy and calling out to me to pull him closer.

"It was just an innocent kiss." The way he was looking at me was far from innocent. "Look, there's no reason to fight it. The moment I set eyes on you I knew I was a goner."

His words were like a bucket of cold water. "I don't know what you're talking about. There's nothing between us." I emphasized each word.

"Nothing?" he whispered.

This time I had a hard time meeting his eyes. "You're an attractive guy."

"Thanks," he said blandly.

It was my turn to shrug my shoulders. "But it's just a case of last-minute jitters. You know how it is."

His eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything.

My words rushed out, "No one has to know what happened. What was it really? Just a little kiss."

"So we keep this a secret between us?" He asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Exactly!"

"There's only one problem," he said.

"What's that?" I asked, trying to decide the best way to step back into the pile of material. I needed to get back into my dress and back on track with my life. I needed to remind myself I was a soon to be bride about to walk down the aisle.

He said softly, "When the minister asks, is there any reason these two people should not be wed, what if I have an objection?"

I froze at his words. "What could you possibly object to, you've just met me?"

"Exactly," he said. And for a moment I thought he was going to move towards me, but he stood his ground. "And now that I have, I think the bride-to-be might be making a huge mistake."

"Have you lost your mind?" I demanded.

"Maybe," he answered slowly. "But at least I'm willing to admit there's something going on here."

I raised my voice. "Nothing's going on!"

He watched me quietly for a moment before saying, "You plan to walk out the door and just act like the last few minutes didn't happen."

I couldn't meet his eyes when I answered, "Yes."

"You have no second thoughts, no reason to question what you're about to do?"

My mouth suddenly felt dry. I licked my lips and took a deep breath before answering. "I have no second thoughts."

"We both know that's a lie. You're standing here acting calm, but underneath you want me as much as I want you." He was angry now. "Admit it," he demanded.

I looked at him and took a step back and shook my head.

He moved forward and grabbed my arm, his fingers pressing hard against my skin. Those blue-gray eyes still filled with anger. "Like hell, you don't want me." But they were also filled with something else. And it was that something else that was sending chills across my skin and down my body. God, how was it possible to react to someone like this who I had just met? Why couldn't I get myself under control?

"I don't want you," I whispered.

He grabbed me and pulled me close. His fingers were now entwined in my hair, his eyes, only inches from my face.

"You don't want me to kiss you again?"

I opened my mouth, prepared to say no. But instead, I found myself pressing my lips against his, again.

This time the kiss was deeper, harder, demanding. Our tongues intertwined, and another moan sounded deep in my throat. He tasted so damn good.

Another kiss and then another until his lips finally pulled away and burned a fiery trail down my neck. Hot breath caressed my skin as he gently kissed the delicate spot behind my ear and whispered, "Do you want me to stop?"

The problem was I didn't want him to stop. God, I wanted more. I wanted so much more.

His mouth brushed against my naked shoulder, and a moan escaped my lips. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensations racing across me, but a small part of my brain was screaming, I shouldn't do this. I opened my eyes and tried to pull myself out from this storm of emotion that was taking me under. I'd completely lost my mind and now desperately had to get it back. I looked up at the clock on the wall. The ceremony was scheduled to start soon. Any minute my wedding entourage would be demanding entry into the room.

With every inch of willpower I possessed, I forced myself to take a step back and then another. I took a deep breath and pointed towards the door. "You need to get out of here."

"You can't go through with the ceremony," he said.

My lipstick was smeared, my hair was a mess. I wanted to close my eyes and wish away the last ten minutes. But instead, I took a deep breath and said in the calmest voice I could muster, "Yes, I can." I closed my eyes and raised my fingers to my temples. My head was pounding. I didn't want to talk about or think about what just happened. I opened my eyes and said with as much force as I could muster. "I'm marrying your cousin."

"That's my point. Don't."

"You have to leave," I begged.

His eyes narrowed. "I'm not going anywhere."

I pleaded with him again, "God, don't you understand. This is all a mess. This was all a mistake."

"We can't help the way we feel." He started towards me.

I took another step back. "Stop saying things like that. There is no 'We.'"

He took another step in my direction.

I raised my hands as if in surrender. "Don't you see I can't do this! I'm marrying your cousin. Any minute I'm walking down the aisle. That's the reality. What happened..." my voice broke, but I forced myself to continue, "It was a mistake. A crazy, foolish thing we did and now we have to live with."

"You have feelings for me."

"How can I, I don't know you."

His voice was suddenly hard, and so was his expression. "You want to completely deny this thing between us."

"I'm about to marry your cousin," I whispered.

"Are you sure this is the way you want it?" he demanded.

It didn't matter what I wanted. I had made a promise to a man who was currently waiting for me to walk down the aisle and take vows with him. I had already broken one promise, the one to stay faithful. "There's a church full of people out there. There is no other way it can be." The tears swimming in my eyes now threatened to spill down my face.

There was a sudden and incessant tap at the door.

I crossed the room opened the door. Another bridesmaid, but this time it was my best friend, Alice. I pulled her into the room, slamming the door behind her.

"What the ...." Whatever she was going to say was stilled in her throat when she took in the two of us.

I realized it looked bad. My hair was tousled, my lingerie in disarray. It didn't just look bad, it was bad. I had cheated on my fiancée the day of my wedding.

"This is...." God, I couldn't introduce him I didn't know his name.

He gave a half bow. "Brandt. The best man."

I turned to my friend, and all I could say was, "Help me."

There was no accusation. No blame. Only quick and direct orders. She turned to Brandt. "You, leave. Now."

He watched me, waiting for me to say something.

But I didn't.

Alice said it more forcefully this time. "Get out!"

"Is that what you want?" He asked, taking a step towards me.

"That's what she wants," Alice answered grabbing my arm and pulling me behind her.

My face went into my hands, and a sob escaped my lips. At the sound of the door closing, it felt as though my heart stopped beating for the briefest moment.

I lifted my eyes. He was truly gone, and at the realization, the air seemed thicker and I was suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

Alice's voice broke through my mental haze, "Lift your leg. That a girl. Now move your arm." She let out a deep breath. "There. The dress is back on. Give me a minute. I think I can fix the hair."

"Alice, I..."

She raised her hand and stopped me. "You don't have to say anything. Momentary insanity. It could happen to anyone."

The next ten minutes was a blur of activity. Bridesmaids rushed in, and I was eventually hustled out of the room and down the hall.

Music began to play. Any moment I would make my way down the aisle. I took a deep breath and prepared to march forward.

"It's time," someone announced.

One step and then another, down the hallway and around the corner I went. That's when I saw him, Brandt, standing at the front of the church, watching me. Those blue-gray eyes were not angry or upset. He seemed extremely calm. He looked like a man waiting patiently.

I looked from Brandt to my fiancée. I realized with shock that I stood squarely at a crossroad. I could pretend none of it had happened, I could force myself to forget about this stranger who had invaded my body and mind, or I could do something entirely selfish and reckless and give into my feelings, ignoring all logic and responsibility.

I was confused, and on an emotional roller coaster that threatened to buck me off at any moment. If I had a coin on me, I swear I would have taken it out and tossed it, leaving the decision entirely up to the universe.

I shook my head and took a deep breath. I was a fool, of course, I had to go through with the wedding. There were a few hundred people currently in the church. All eyes were now on me, expecting me any moment to take another step forward and then another until I made my way down the aisle and to the side of my soon-to-be husband. A man I loved. Or did I? a small voice asked in the corner of my mind. At the moment I wasn't sure. I was confused. My emotions were all jumbled up.

I might have done it, walked down the aisle and straight into my wedding vows, if the best man hadn't picked that moment to smile at me.

That cocky grin, the way it stretched across his face, those piercing blue-gray eyes, all of it called to me in a way that no one else ever had.

I stopped in the middle of the aisle and when I did my sister-in-law who was just a few steps in front of me turned and whispered loudly, "What's wrong?"

I tossed her my bouquet and gave her a half smile. "Tell your brother I'm so very sorry."

I turned and started back the way I came.

Brandt met at the doors of the church. "You sure you want to do this?"

I smiled at him. "I can't get married."

A wide smile spread across his face. "Glad you finally came to your senses."

"How am I going to explain this to everyone?" I covered my face with my hands.

He gently pulled my hands away and lifted my chin. "They'll understand."

"How can they, when I don't," I whispered.

He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss. "Life's full of surprises, that's what makes it so interesting.'

"You seem awfully calm."

He laughed. "I told you the minute I laid eyes on you I was a goner. Nothing I could do about it."

"And if your family disowns you?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "It might take them a while, but eventually they'll get over it."

He reached out his hand and asked, "Ready to see where this takes us?"

I was as ready as I would ever be. I took a deep breath and put my hand into his. "Ready."

We pushed open the glass doors and headed out. I ran from the church, his hand grasping mine so tightly, as if he was afraid, I would let go, but I wouldn't, not this time. This time I planned to hold on for all I was worth.

***

Howdy, Dudettes & Dudes. I'm Catrina Burgess AKA Chaoscat. I write YA Paranormal, YA Contemporary Romance, and New Adult Contemporary romance.

My 4 book YA Paranormal Series is available now from Full Fathom Five Digital. Book 1 and 2 are free to download on amazon, googleplay, and ITunes. I write because it helps keeps the darkness away and reminds me that there is magic in the world. I live with one husband, three dogs and a cat named Shitty Kitty in a small mining town in Arizona. At night this place is definitely spooky. I swear I've heard the wind giggle, and sometimes there's a very odd breeze. Luckily, I love all things that go bump in the night. I adore old movies. I'm a huge Joss Whedon fan. Brown Coat Forever!

I've been known to eat pizza and cold Chinese food for breakfast, and I'm the queen of the board game Stratego. I've never been beaten. NEVER!

My Motto-- Chaos - It's not just a lifestyle, it's a state of mind

I have Chronic Fatigue which makes life challenging sometimes: http://catrinaburgess.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/i-get-asked-a-lot-about-my-chronic-fatigue/

Website: http://www.catrinaburgess.com/

You can follow me on Twitter: @catrinaburgess1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catrinaburgess/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/catrina.burgess.5

Official Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcatrinaburgess