“Just giving her a few makeup tips,” Daniel explained as he took James’s arm. “Close your mouth. She’s your sister.”
Margot chuckled, and James did as he was told before the three of them left for the church.
* * *
Daniel hated the building, and at night, with all the exterior lighting on the stark white outer walls, it seemed even more imposing. They went inside and into the sanctuary, where Daniel took a seat close to the front across from Grace and Phillip to watch the proceedings, while the others gathered in front for initial instructions. Daniel watched as everyone took their places, shaking his head when he realized Reverend Sociopath had installed himself at the top of a set of risers just in front of the altar. He spoke, and then everyone moved to the back of the church to process in, going through all the motions, until Howard and Holly stood together in front of the minister.
Daniel figured this was a good time to use the restroom and quietly left the sanctuary, finding the bathroom out front. He wasn’t sure how long this would last, so he hurried and returned to find Weston sitting in his pew. Daniel took his place once again while Holly and Howard spoke with the minister, doing his best to ignore Weston, but it was difficult with the way he kept staring at him.
“You still can’t take no for an answer?” he finally whispered and motioned. “Go sit somewhere else, please. Your attention is not appreciated.” He almost got up to sit with James’s parents, but Weston stood and joined the rest of the wedding party when they were called forward.
It took another fifteen minutes to run through the reading and the final vows before they were dismissed. “I have a few things to ask the reverend,” James said as he approached his parents. “Would you please take Margot with you to the restaurant? The two of us will be along shortly.”
Grace grinned from ear to ear, and Daniel had to wonder if she was hearing round two of the “Wedding March” in her head. Daniel hated to disappoint her, but he and James weren’t getting married, and if he did ever walk down the aisle, it would be to something much more meaningful...like “Dancing Queen.”
“We’ll see you at the dinner,” Holly said to them both, hugging James and then Daniel.
He and James purposely avoided the reverend before following Holly and Howard out into the parking lot. “Have they been able to find an officiant?” Daniel asked quietly, standing near the car.
“Howard was still working on it,” James said. “But I’m wondering what I should do. I don’t want to mess up Holly’s wedding and yet I know I have to do what’s right.”
Daniel nodded. “They know the plan. Stick with it. Howard will find an officiant and Holly doesn’t really want to be married by him anyway.” He tilted his head toward the church building. Daniel got in the car and James did the same, then he made the call on Daniel’s phone so he could have his free for incoming calls. Daniel sat next to him with a hand on his leg, just to show his support.
“I know this is out of the ordinary, but I’m James Petika, a police officer visiting from the Chicago area, and I have something I need to report.” James sounded so confident, and it occurred to Daniel in a passing moment that he wished that confidence would extend to him being honest with his family about who he was. It was shame that he didn’t let them see the impressive man that Daniel saw.
Daniel pulled his attention back to James as he explained what he’d found out and what evidence he had been able to collect. James laid out his case right there over the phone and as he spoke he sent various messages and images through text.
The strength he displayed as he relayed information, the organization, and the sheer confidence in his voice were sexy as all hell. James really knew what he was doing. Seeing him in action had been awesome, and hearing him lay out his case was almost thrilling. Which was a bit of a surprise.
“Yes,” James said as he wrapped up what he was saying. “My sister is supposed to be getting married tomorrow and he’s going to do it...yes... Thank you.” He listened some more and then, after thanking the person on the line once again, ended the call.
“Is everything okay?”
James nodded and sighed. “Yes. They said they’ll look into everything I gave them. They were impressed at what I sent.”
“They should be,” Daniel told him. “You and Margot did good work.”
James sighed softly once again. “Anyway, they’ll look into it, but things aren’t going to happen all that fast. So tomorrow should be fine. Holly will get married tomorrow, and everything will be okay. It isn’t the best solution, but at least the show will go on.”
“You were amazing,” Daniel said as he leaned over to him, throwing his arms around James’s neck. “You did what was right and safeguarded the wedding so your sister could have the big day she deserves.” James was a good man, there was no doubt of that. Daniel kissed James hard, moaning as James’s strong hands wrapped around his back.
James held him tighter, kissing harder, pressing him back against the seat. “Hell, I want you,” James growled. “I have for days.” Daniel found himself caught in James’s intense gaze. “Do you have any fucking idea? I’ve gone to bed every night with a permanent hard-on, smelling your aromatic Viagra. I haven’t gotten more than a few hours’ sleep, and my imagination has been running on overdrive with you right next to me and off-limits.”
James didn’t give Daniel a chance to respond before he kissed him again, reaching over to put the seat back. “You need to stop me now, or...” James’s eyes were as dark as night and his breathing shallow. “Say you want this too.”
“James,” Daniel gasped as James slid his hand up under his clothes. Daniel had never been so happy in his life to be wearing multiple layers to keep his manhood hidden instead of tucking, because damn, his heart pounded as excitement raced through him like wildfire. “I want you, but...” He gasped for breath before James tugged at his lips. Daniel held him tighter, sucking on James’s tongue, his control slipping. “We’re in the church parking lot.” He didn’t want to think about it.
James paused a second, lifting his heated gaze. “Damn...” He sat back in his seat, breathing hard. “This is too open, and I don’t intend to share you with anyone.” He swiped his hand down his face. “I must be crazy.”
“What?” Daniel whispered.
James took a deep breath, held it, and released it slowly. “I’m not going to do this here.”