Chapter 3

"I still can't believe you're getting married today!" Tina screamed in a excited tone. Rachel had been warned by Nathan that no one should know of the deal they had, not even her best friend, Tina.

"You know I find it weird that I've never met Nathan before and you said you've been dating for three years." Tina said.

Rachel had to tell her something, she was very observant and she might eventually catch up on the arrangement.

"You know how all of my previous relationship ended and you were already so worked up at your new job, I didn't want another of my problems to be on your shoulders. Besides I found Nathan to be the perfect man and I love him so much. This is all like a dream come true." Rachel replied and hoped Tina bought it.

"Oh, I understand but let this be the last secret you hide from me, even though you attract the very worst of men I would never judge you." Tina joked, batting her long eyelashes.

Rachel laughed and stared at her reflection in the big standing mirror. The gorgeous high-grade silk gown was sewn withplatinum thread, giving the gown a delicate metallic allure. It also had an handcrafted embroidery strewn across the gown strapless white wedding gown that fitted her like a second skin. Her hair was parted in the centre and slicked back before being folded into a beautiful bun. The silver bridal crown was bewitching in half light, striking in its simplicity yet magnetic in its finer details. It featured antique silver details set and soft ivory pearls that rest perfectly on her head. Her lips looked red and sultry with the Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick.

"It's almost time for the wedding, have this." Tina held out a simple and whimsical pink bouquet.

"Thank you, Tina." Rachel said as she collected the bouquet. She was very grateful that Tina helped with the shopping because would have never decided. Nathan had called her the previous night, reminding that she shouldn't screw it up. As if she would. One million dollars was a lot of money and she was prepared to act her part.

Rachel heard the door open and she turned around. Nathan's mother, Victoria stood in a red body tight gown that showed off her beautiful curves, a delighted smile was plastered on her face.

Rachel felt tension rising in the pit of her belly as she played with the hem of the gown while Tina got the message and began fiddling with her phone.

"You look so stunning, Rachel. I am so proud to have you as my daughter-in-law. Thank you for loving my son." Victoria said happily.

Guilt filed Rachel as she tried to fix a smile on her face. She was elated a week ago when Nathan asked her to marry him for a million dollars but now she really felt like a gold digger.

Victoria held Rachel's hand and placed a pearl necklace in it, "I want you to have this, It highlights your eyes perfectly. Just keep making my son happy."

"Thank you, Victoria!" Rachel replied.

Rachel watched Victoria's swaying figure as she left the hotel room. She glanced at the necklace in her right hand and wore it. She knew in her heart that neither Victoria nor Antonio deserved this act of deceit. But she had already made the deal with Nathan and with money involved, there's no going back.

"Dear beloved, we are gathered here today to witness this man and woman join together in holy matrimony." The priest yelled gleefully, holding out his wrinkled hands.

Nathan tugged gently on the red ribbon that adorned his neck and adjusted it. He was completely mesmerized when Rachel walked in alone down the aisle like a princess, red petals flanking each side where the guests were seated, she looked so dazzling that he nearly drooled. For a moment, he forgot entirely about the reason he married her and instead he raked his eyes all over her body, from head to toe.

He then came back to earth when the priest asked him to say his vows.

With a guttural voice, he said, "I, Nathan Rossi, take you, Rachel Morgan, to be my lawfully wedded wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Nathan sucked in a breath and stared intently into Rachel's eyes. He then turned to look at his parents, his mother was already welling up in tears and his father kept clapping with joy written all his face. The vow that he said from his mouth was fake and not from his heart but that wasn't his concern.

Rachel then said her vows without a stutter and then the rings were exchanged. The priest then asked the congregation if there was any objection to the wedding but as assumed, no one said a word.

With a loud and booming voice, the priest continued, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

This was the moment that Rachel was nervous about. How was she going to kiss someone she wasn't in love with? She doubted that the same thoughts ran through Nathan's mind because he looked ready to devour her mouth.

Nathan advanced towards Rachel and drifted his hands to her hip to pull her closer. Rachel inhaled sharply, she was against his warm chest covered by a white tuxedo, chiseled to perfection. Must he be so perfect? She thought she could hear his heartbeat accelerate and her breathing quickened as his head moved closer to hers.

His head was angled slightly to the side as his lips came closer and closer to hers. She was surprised to find her own lips parted. Their breaths mingled. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. At first, it was delicate. Then his arms encircled her, the soft caress had become firmer, he savored her lips and the quickening of her breath that matched his own. His lips were as perfect as the kiss. It was a kiss that promised so much more.

Nathan deepened the kiss, his lips demanding more. Her lips tasted like sweet mint, spicy but not overwhelming. It was electrifying and addictive at the same time. At his lip's touch she blossomed like a flower and the incarnation was almost complete. His insistent mouth was parting her shaking lips, sending wild tremors along her nerves, evoking from her sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling.

A loud tapping on his left shoulder disturbed his bliss and he slowly lifted his lips away from hers. He met the impatient look in the priest's eyes and he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He then looked at Rachel who was completely flushed and her lips were already swollen and smudged from the intense kissing. Then hymns were sung and the priest made a long closing prayer.

Flowered petals rained on Nathan and Rachel as they exited the church gradually, taking slow steps as they were constantly held by Antonio and Victoria who kept peppering them with kisses and hugs. Nathan had his arms around Rachel till they left the church premises. Pictures were taken to capture romantic memories even though Nathan kept a straight face. He then grabbed Rachel and fled towards his car which was already dressed in pretty floral garlands.

Nathan heaved a sigh of relief and he leaned against his seat, taking huge breaths.

"So how did my lips taste like?" Rachel asked boldly while adjusting her wedding gown.

Nathan gulped and the tip of the hair on his skin suddenly rose up, he then slowly replied. "You tasted like pure clear water, as though it came straight from a spring. You tasted like passion, pure unrestrained passion."

Whatever Rachel tasted like, it made Nathan want more.

"How does it feel to be married, Mrs. Rossi?" Nathan asked with a wink.

"It... feels okay." Rachel answered with a shrug. She lied. She felt like there were a hundred fireworks in her head.