Julienne’s POV

Julienne’s POV

I felt a little numb, everyone around me was quite happy with the development, my father had beamed widely as he shook Trent Cross' hand, my mother seemed relieved that I was moving on from Corey, she didn't know I hadn't moved on at all. It was my wedding. After Alex's improvised kiss at the ball I'd been left speechless and annoyingly aroused. Corey had seen us as intended and had almost started a huge scene demanding to know how long I'd been cheating on him. His accusations and cruel words had me rooted to the floor taking all my bravado with it. Days later when I thought about it my anger with myself rose but there was nothing to do now,both families had consented with little fuss.I was getting married, I stood opposite Alex Cross, bouquet in my hand as the minister droned on. I couldn't hear most of it but at least I answered where I was meant to,

" Does anyone object to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace? '' he muttered and I shot Alex and the minister an incredulous glare, that was a horrible question. Alex shrugged at me, minutes passed and just when I thought we were clear, Corey's voice echoed through the church

" I object" I groaned deeply, looking at the door, Corey looked disheveled, his tie mussed and his shirt not properly tucked in, he looked stressed. Alex sidled up to me

" I guess he wants you very badly" he muttered and I grimaced.

" It's more likely the construction bid fell through" at that Alex' s grin widened confirming my suspicions. Corey had lost the bid

" Get out of here young man" my father glared alerting security, Corey ignored him

" Julie, baby. I know you don't want this, tell the minister you're being forced into this marriage" he pleaded, as I watched his struggling against the guards I felt sorry for him and for myself. I had let him into my life.

" Julie come on, I love you" he roared

" I'm really glad I took you up on your offer" Alex said , pulling me closer to him, Corey noticed and went feral struggling and kicking

" Get your fucking hands off her " he screeched as he was finally pulled out of the room.

We all turned back to the minister, who blinked rapidly like a fish in water

" We're good to go" Alex muttered and he nodded. I sighed, my very first wedding was a bust.

The reception was a large lustrous affair, one befitting of wealthy and prominent families like our. My mother ran her palm over my shoulders

" You did good today" she whispered and I shrugged

"It was my wedding day, there was no choice" I replied and she laughed,

" I guess"

" Catherine, we have guests" my father joined, smiling mom patted my cheek. My father stood silently then huffed

" Where is your groom" I froze, swallowing softly before turning away from him

" I'm not his keeper, why should I know that " I asked and he growled

" You'll go find your husband, you'll play nice and be good to him. You've caused us enough trouble with that Montgomery idiot" he gritted and I nodded my assent. Of course that's all he was worried about. I glanced around the room to find Alex but he wasn't anywhere I could see. We'd made a few round so I didn't expect him to be at my side constantly but did he have to disappear and make life difficult for me . I walked to the stairs climbing them to find if he was in one of the rooms, the first two yielded no results and in the last I finally heard noises. I opened the door slightly

" Why did you marry her, Alex. We've been together for two years now why would you give that up" she asked, I sighed– a woman, I should have expected that.

" We were never exclusive Tammy" he said softly

" But I still love you, " she said softly I could see them through the door , Tammy leaned into him I scoffed

He'd been so adamant about no other lovers.

Tammy pressed up against him , her hands running down his chest and kissed him.

I sighed and pushed open the door leaning against the frame, just as Alex's eye caught mine, it unnerved me the way he watched me as he kissed her. It made me remember, the kiss from the ball, how he'd pressed his tongue into my mouth, tasting of whiskey and heat. Warmth pooled in my stomach, unable to bear his gaze I huffed

" You could at least have the decency to do this somewhere else" Tammy pulled away from him, her breath choppy

" Why are you here " she asked and I shrugged

" It's my wedding, thought I'd attend the reception" Behind her Alex laughed then coughed to hide it

" You have no right to him" she gritted and I shrugged

" The law would say different but maybe you're right about that"

" Tammy please can you leave" Alex asked straightening from the wall

" What you can't be serious" she whined

" I'll call you" he muttered never taking his eyes off me . I felt sorry for Tammy, she was probably in love with him– until she checked me with her shoulder as she left the room, all my sympathy evaporated

" You're missed downstairs" I muttered as he strode towards me

" Missed me" he grunted and I scoffed

" No I got tired of having to explain your absence"

" I just assumed you were a man of your word ans even if you weren't you could have taken your lover elsewhere" I gritted

" Ah I see, jealous then" he whispered leaning over me next to the door

" In your dreams" I spat furiously and he chuckled

" But I think you are, I think you saw me kissing her and you got jealous." His mouth close to my skin as he muttered his flighty words , the heat from his breath made me self conscious

"You want me to kiss you, maybe even screw you– up against this wall maybe" he whispered, I pulled away from him blindly my hand raised, I slapped him once, he laughed, furious and glaring I raised my hand to slap him again, he caught my hand midair squeezing.