Page 44 of One Hot Rumor

I rush into the hallway and almost collide with Chance Dixon. His two brothers and Alex are with him.

"What are you four doing out here?" I ask. "The groomsmen are supposed to wait at the altar, but Reese and Alex are meant to be in the pews with their wives."

Chance claps me on the shoulder. "Relax, Nick, we'll get to our assigned places in a few minutes."

I glance at Alex. "Richard thinks you know how to tie a Victorian cravat."

"That's because I do."

"Well, get your arse in there and help him. I'm useless when it comes to that historical rubbish." I see the Dixons and Alex have their cravats on already. "Ah, I need your help too."

Alex fixes my tie-like whatsit and then heads into the office to help Rick.

I look down the hallway and see Siobhan talking to Rika Dixon. They're standing just outside the entrance to the chapel. Their conversation ends, and Rika walks through the doors.

Siobhan notices me and smiles. Then she sweeps her gaze over me from head to toe, her smile turning sexy as hell. She licks her lips with one long, slow glide of her tongue. When she meets my gaze again, she fans herself with her hand and forms an O shape with her mouth. She even pretends she might faint.

I wink.

She winks back, then walks into the chapel.

I understand why Rick and Maddie wanted to get married in old-fashioned clothing, but I'm sure Siobhan is wondering what on earth it's all about.

Alex emerges from the office. "Time for everyone to find his place."

He and the Dixons hurry into the chapel.

I know Alex meant everyone needs to find his place in the wedding, as in taking their positions at the altar or in the pews. But his words make me wonder. Have I found my place in life? I thought I had, but the scandal I've gotten sucked into makes me feel like I haven't found my place at all.

But with Siobhan, I don't feel that way.

Richard walks out of the office and tugs his long-tailed jacket like it needs straightening. "Let's go."

If he's nervous, he's hiding it very well. Rick has always been good at that. I'm the "see it on his face" kind of man. Sometimes I wish I could disguise my feelings.

But not with Siobhan.

I accompany my brother down the aisle, and we take our assigned positions at the altar. I can't help searching the crowd for Siobhan—and it is a crowd, for sure. Richard has a lot of friends and colleagues. Even the notorious recluse, Sir Dexter Armstrong-Hill, has come to watch my brother marry Madeleine Solberg. He did play a part in the two of them getting together, but I hadn't thought he would want to leave his tropical island. Dexter's daughter, Ilsa, has come with him.

All the guests are here. It's time for the bride's entrance.

The music starts, and the bridesmaids begin their trek to the altar. Rika is the matron of honor, of course, since she's Maddie's sister. The other bridesmaids are Elena and Arden, the wives of Chance and Reese Dixon.

I finally find Siobhan in the crowd. She smiles and gives me the thumbs-up sign, then blows me a kiss. I can't catch that kiss, though. I have a job to do here, even if I have no clue what I'm meant to do other than keep track of the rings.

The music stops, then starts up again with the wedding march.

Maddie ambles toward the altar wearing a lacy Victorian gown, her hair piled on her head in a loose style that suits her.

She's beautiful, but I can't stop my gaze from wandering back to Siobhan. I see her, but she's focused on the couple about to pledge their eternal devotion to each other or whatever bollocks it is. That's the old me talking. Watching Siobhan's face, and seeing the tears that gather in her eyes, I don't feel like marriage is rubbish. I get a strange pang in my chest, but I like it.

And yes, I get choked up when Rick and Maddie recite their vows while gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Tears roll down her cheeks, and even Rick's eyes glisten like he might cry.

Is this all it takes to make a grown man cry? Throw an incredible woman into his path, let him fall in love, and…tears at the altar.

When Richard kisses Maddie, the entire crowd erupts in cheers and clapping. Several people whistle. Instead of throwing rice as the happy couple exits the church, everyone tosses white rose petals at them while they climb into a limousine. Rick and Maddie wanted to ride to the reception venue alone.

Oh yes, I'm sure my brother plans to consummate the marriage in that car.