The beauty of the hall was breathtaking. The hall was adorned with an elegant red and white decor, creating a romantic and refined aura. The walls were decked in flowing white fabric, accentuated with rich velvet silk.
The crowd of wedding guests was overwhelming and there were a lot of reporters and paparazzi. To an onlooker, this was a high-society wedding of two people madly in love. Only the families knew the real truth.
“Oh my God, I can't believe I'm saying this but you're more beautiful than yesterday.” Ava gushed out, breaking Bailey's moment of admiration for the decorations.
“You look the same. For the last time Ava, you know it's really weird for a maid of honor to be in a jumpsuit, instead of a gown? I placed an…”
“Nope! Not happening. I need to be in pants to be able to kick Carlos Aston’s sexy ass.” Ava snapped. Her purple and orange hair was tied in a very untidy bun and shoved into a hat and she wore a plain white jumpsuit and white boots. She looked more like a woman on a mission than a maid of honor.
“What if h…”
“He will show up because if he doesn't, he won't be able to fuck another woman.” Ava threatened, cracking her knuckles. Before Bailey could reply, someone knocked on the door.
“It's time.” Her father called out. Bailey heaved a sigh of relief as she heard those words. The last time she had been in that dressing room, her father never said those words.
“Are you sure about this, bitch? You know payback is sweet. We could just…”
“No, Ava! Please don't jinx this.” Bailey snapped at her as she walked to the doors of the church where her father was impatiently waiting for her. The moment she held onto his arm, he rushed inside.
Bailey's breath hitched as she saw who stood at the podium. It was really Carlos freaking Aston, in the flesh and blood!
He was as mouth-watering as ever. He was six foot three inches tall and was dark and muscular. His inky black hair was slicked back, accentuating his carved, granite jaws and cheekbones. His ocean-blue eyes stood out, blending perfectly with his tanned skin. He was the perfect definition of walking sex and it was obvious Bailey wasn't the only one who thought that. Almost all the women in the room were ogling him.
By the time she recovered from the spell his wicked looks had cast on her, they had arrived at the podium. Being so close to him, she felt the cold fury radiating off him and the anger blazing in his eyes. For the first time, Bailey felt genuinely scared. But she hid her emotions perfectly and put on a happy smile, as she took his outstretched hand.
***
If anyone had told Bailey that her wedding wouldn't last longer than two hours, she would have socked the dude. But here she was, two hours later en route to the Aston Estate. The closest proximity she had had with Carlos was their wedding kiss and wedding dance, then she had been stuffed into a car with a grumpy driver, while her husband took another vehicle.
Bailey touched her lips as she was still reeling from the kiss. That was the most featherlight kiss ever and she still wasn't sure he actually kissed her. His hot breath had fanned her face and she had gotten drunk off his addictive aftershave and manly scent. The moment his lips brushed hers in the tiniest bit, she felt the familiar tingles that had made her jump into his bed so easily.
“Is there a problem, Mrs Aston? We’ve arrived.” A voice interrupted her musings and jolted her back to reality. They had arrived.
“Welcome home! I can't believe I am finally a mother-in-law!” Melanie Aston, Carlos’ stepmother, sang as she also alighted from her car. She ran to Bailey and hugged her tight.
“You’re welcome, dear. Feel free to gossip with me anytime.” She said, winking.
“I finally get to talk to you. I mean Carlos' 's been hiding you and that has really made me wonder how special you are. Gosh! I love red hair, by the way, it makes it hard. In case you haven't realized, I’m Miguel.” Miguel rattled out in one breath, as he practically stripped her with his eyes.
“Do not look at me like that. You don't have that right and I won't apologize for my next actions.” Bailey snapped at him. She wasn't comfortable with anyone related to Aston, but eye-raping her was on a whole other level.
“Feisty! I like that. Here I was thinking you will be the demure, little wife. Hey, how about we…”
“That's enough Miguel. Come on, let's go inside.” Melanie said, shooting Miguel a steel glare. Bailey was grateful for that because the young man talked too much for his own good.
They walked into the sitting room and sat down as they were each poured a glass of Madeira.
“Where's Carlos?” Bailey asked the real question that had been bugging her. It was abnormal that a newly wedded couple would go home in separate cars.
“He’s at his house. I would have followed him to worsen his mood. But you were too beautiful to pass.” Miguel said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Do you always flirt with married women?” Bailey asked, wishing he would just stop.
“Oh no, sweetheart. That would be your husband. Literally sleeps with everything in a skirt. Oops! I shouldn't have said that right?” He said in mock pretense.
“Miguel, can you please shut up? I really don't know why my son keeps you around.” Melanie grumbled.
“You probably shouldn't say that in front of Carlos. I mean he loves me and can't do without me, but you know he doesn't see you as a mother or his mother.” Miguel said. Bailey didn't miss the pained look that passed through Melanie's eyes.
“I need some time alone. Please could you direct me to my room?” Bailey asked, feeling suffocated. Knowing Carlos’ reputation, he was probably between a woman’s thighs at the moment.
“Of course! John, could you take Bailey to their room?” Melanie called out. Within seconds, the middle-aged man appeared and signaled Bailey to follow him. He left hurriedly before Miguel could start teasing him, with Bailey hot on his heels.
Mr Barnes didn't utter a word as he took Bailey to the room and Bailey was grateful for that. She wondered how she would maintain their relationship if her husband couldn't even stay around. With that thought in mind, she changed into a short, tight gown Mr Barnes had brought up and fell asleep.
The sound of a slamming door and curses roused Bailey. She was surprised that it was already night and Carlos wasn't back yet. At that point, she heard his deep voice curse loudly and heard his heavy footsteps pounding up the stairs. Before she could get ready to receive him, the door swung open and there stood Carlos, in all his glory. Bailey didn't miss his messy hair and the sweatshirt he had thrown over his suit pants, in a hurry. It seemed her husband had been pretty busy.
“Hi,” Bailey said, giving him a dashing smile. But his eyes were more interested in her breasts which threatened to spill out of the dress.
“Hey!” Bailey called out, finally getting his attention.
“Get your shit together. It seems we will be staying in the same house. Alone.” He spat out and walked up to her, his eyes clouded with lust and anger.