Page 12 of Insta Bride

“What made you sign up?”

“Isn’t your standard answer, looking for love?”

“That’s my reason, but I’m happy to share.”

“No thank you.”

“Ouch, a million other broken hearts were right.”

She waited for me to continue. Seconds ticked by and all I got was a raised eyebrow and another wry smile.

More seconds.

I could outwait her. She’d ask, right about what. I’d then explain I’d never been rejected before, and she was my first. We’d laugh, I’d flirt, and we’d end up—

But it needed her to ask.

Not turn away.

Not leave the Matching Ceremony corded off area to go inside the main building.

She left.

Mid conversation, and she’d left.

She’d fucking left me.

“Have we got everyone here?” JP came back to the staging area, only to have Bree touch his shoulder and whisper. “Fuck. Doesn’t she know we’re on a tight schedule?”

Even the crew sniggered at that one. JP had kept us waiting almost an hour this morning because they’d run out of soy milk and he couldn’t start his day without a coffee.

“Waiting for me?” Flower made one hell of an entrance. Her shoulder length hair freshly brushed out of its tie. Even I could see the subtle difference in makeup.

Whatever she’d done to her lips, they were fuller, rosier, and absolutely fucking kissable.

I couldn’t help it.

Almost every single one of my actions until this point had been measured and calculated.

Not this.

If I’d been paired with one of the likely prospects, I was about to send my competition into the pits of hell.

Knowing the consequences and being able to stop my feet from walking, were two different things.

By the time I was five metres away, I felt—not just heard—the silence. The only sound louder than my heartbeat was each of Flower’s heavy breaths. Three metres, then two, until I could count the light flecks in her eyes.

Standing before her, I waited for a sign.

Anything.

Please don’t leave me standing here.

There.

Her lips gently parted, offering me a silent yes.

Barely cupping her cheeks, I felt her inhale, watched her pink tongue caress, and moisten her bottom lip. Hell. She wanted this as much as I couldn’t stop it.