Chapter 14
The group chat went quiet for a second, then everyone started sending messages one after another: “Leonard, you’re honestly the best!”
Patrick couldn’t stop grinning, his good mood so obvious that Melinda leaned in, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
“Leonard, what’s got you so happy?” she asked, peeking at his phone.
Patrick casually switched screens from the chat to a bridal shop website, then pulled Melinda into his arms and kissed her–hard and deep..
“I’m looking at the dresses you’ll be trying on soon. Just thinking about you in a wedding gown is driving me crazy. I can barely wait to have you…”
His gaze was intense, his fingers tracing gentle circles on her wrist–every touch sending little electric shocks through her.
Melinda’s cheeks flushed pink. She melted into him, hiding her face in the crook of his neck.
“The wedding’s in two days,” she whispered. “You can wait that long, can’t you?”
Patrick had gone all out to give her the wedding of her dreams–no expense spared, no detail overlooked. Even with the planners working around the clock, the earliest they could pull it off was two days from now.
Melinda hadn’t thought much about it before, but now with Patrick teasing her, she found herself just as eager as he was.
She wanted to marry him–right now, if she could.
The car eased to a stop outside the bridal shop, where the manager and staff were already waiting, all smiles.
As soon as they stepped out, everyone gathered around, ushering them inside with excited
chatter.
For the rest of the day, Melinda did nothing but try on wedding dresses.
With every new gown, Patrick would shower her with compliments–and kisses–refusing to let her go until he’d kissed her thoroughly.
By the end of the day, she’d tried on over twenty dresses. Her lips were swollen from all the kissing, and her collarbone was covered in love marks.
Melinda was so embarrassed she couldn’t even lift her head as they left; Patrick just scooped her up and carried her to the car.
Finally, the day they’d been waiting for arrived: their wedding.
The ceremony was beautiful–full of laughter, music, and the warmth of family and friends
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Chapter 14
raising their glasses to celebrate Patrick and Melinda’s happiness.
By the end of the night, they were both tipsy from all the toasts, barely making it back to their suite with the help of their friends.
While Patrick showered, Melinda slipped off her heels and wandered onto the balcony, hoping the night breeze would clear her head so she wouldn’t miss a single second of their wedding night.
She stood at the edge, looking out over the city lights, the wind playing with her hair.
Patrick came out of the bathroom and spotted her right away. She was standing there in a backless red dress, the fabric hugging every curve–she looked absolutely irresistible.
He crossed the room quietly, stopping behind her and gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Melinda turned, a little startled, her eyes soft and lingering with a tipsy, playful glow.
He chuckled, his palm finding her waist and caressing her in slow, gentle circles. His voice dropped to a low, tempting murmur. “What are you looking at out here?”
She let out a soft hum, leaning into him. “Nothing,” she said, a little smile tugging at her lips. “I’m just waiting for you.”
Patrick’s eyes darkened, his grip on her waist tightening. “You’re that eager? I’ll give you what you want.”
He lifted her into his arms and carried her straight to the bedroom, laying her down on the bed before climbing in after her.
It was Melinda’s first time. She was nervous, clutching at her dress, but Patrick was patient and gentle, whispering to her until she finally relaxed and let herself be his.
In the soft glow of the room, their bodies tangled together, his low groans mixing with her breathless sighs. They didn’t stop until late into the night.
Unlike Maisy, who was shy and reserved, Melinda was bold in bed–a completely different side from the quiet, gentle woman she was in public. Patrick loved her even more for it. For days, they barely left their apartment.
The sofa, the kitchen, the shower, even the balcony–everywhere held memories of their time together.
A week later, it was finally a phone call that pulled Patrick away from Melinda’s arms.
He kissed her–her skin still marked from his affection–then started to get dressed.
Melinda, already hooked on his touch, pouted and wrapped her arms around him from behind, her voice soft and sweet as she pleaded,
“Do you really have to go? Can’t you stay a little longer?”
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