The Thorn Of A Rose

Chapter Two

I scramble quickly to my feet, refusing the hand that's been offered to me. I feel rude for not taking it but I feel even more embarrassed for falling right in front of him. I think a part of me is still in shock. He's here, standing in front of me at a wedding, what are the chances?

I tilt my head as I look at him "What are you-"

He smirks "I'm the brother of the bride" My mouth pops open. I'm trying to recall if I spoke much about this wedding last night, trying to rack my brain for any recollection, but I can't think of one. "You know, the one you called spoilt"

I gasp quietly, pursing my lips. I don't remember saying that, however it's definitely the opinion I have on her. "You're right though, she is spoilt." He confirms, flashing a smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know" The urge to pee comes back and I'm stood fidgeting, from nerves and the pressing feeling on my bladder, "I really have to go to the toilet" I say, pointing to the back of the room where the exit is.

He nods, stepping aside "I'll catch you later" He says in his low voice. I go to pass him and he catches my arm, his huge hands getting an easy grip on my bicep "You look extremely sexy in that dress" He adds, causing me to blush. I hurry back down the aisle, rushing to the nearest toilet and cursing myself as I do.

I'm not sure why I feel so flustered around him, but I do. It's like every part of him is making my body vibrate. The look of him, the sound of him, even the smell of him is putting my body on the edge. I look in the mirror of the bathroom, telling myself to get a grip. It's one day and then you'll be back in our sweet apartment...where I will never emerge from again.

I hurry, wary of time and the fact that I've left Cora alone at a wedding full of people she doesn't know. The reception is even busier now, with the ceremony about to start. As I walk down the aisle, my eyes find his and he doesn't even try looking away. His eyes are burning holes in mine, his face serious, his broad shoulders are stiff, causing my body to do the same. I've forgotten what a relaxed posture is at this point.

I find my row, being careful not to trip over this time and diverting my attention from him. Look anywhere but at him. I don't even know his name, I bet he thinks I'm so cheap.

"Was that-" Cora begins to ask as I sit next to her, breathless.

"Yes." I snap "It's the guy I fucked last night and was handcuffed to a bed by"

She begins laughing, louder than I had expected and it causes a few people around us to look in our direction. I shush her, a smirk on my face too. This could only happen to me, it's a series of tragic events.

"Wow, an ex and a one night stand all in the same place" She observes, shaking her head with a grin on her face "I am impressed."

"I'm glad you are, because I'm not." I respond. "He's the bride's brother" I explain "And I called her spoiltlast night."

She lets a gasp, again it's louder than I expected. I can't blame her reactions, if I wasn't so embarrassed or if the shoe was on the other foot then I'd do the same.

"Oh my God, it gets better" She laughs, sinking in her seat slightly. I look through my lashes, daring to look in the direction of the mystery man and he looks at me at the same time. I divert my eyes immediately. I can't show him that I'm interested. I shake my head, I'm not interested, I'm just...I don't even know what I am.

There's a part of me, a tiny part that finds this somewhat exciting, especially when I think back to the small parts of last night that I remember but I can't show him that. It's important that one must never mistake excitement for lust, that's something that I've seen be done many times, and then when we mistake our feelings for lust, we mistake them for love eventually.