Read Online Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss by Maya Banks - Free Book Online

“You’re on in ten minutes.”
    “Ten minutes?” Tabitha shrieked. “No way. Can you stal them, Mrs. C.?”
    “I’m not going to be late to my own wedding,” Ashley said firmly. “Just hurry faster, Tab. My hair will be fine.
    Just put the veil over the knot.”
    “Just put the veil over the knot,” Tabitha grumbled.
    “As if it’s that easy.”
    Sylvia rolled her eyes, pushed between Tabitha and Ashley and quickly affixed the veil to the elegant chignon. “There, Ashley. You look beautiful.”
    “Lip gloss and we’re done,” Carly announced. “Make a kissy face.”
    Ashley smacked her lips and a moment later, Carly pulled away to allow Ashley to see herself in the mirror.
    “Oh, you guys,” she whispered.
    Her best friends beamed back at her in the mirror.

    “You look beautiful,” Pippa said, her eyes bright with tears. “The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
    “Absolutely you do,” Tabitha said.
    The four women crowded in to hug her.
    “Girls, time for you to go. Your escorts are waiting.
    We don’t want to make the bride late,” Ashley’s mother called.
    Her friends scrambled toward the door, bouquets in hand.
    “Your father is coming to get you now,” her mother said as she walked over. She paused when she got to Ashley and then smiled, tears glittering in her eyes.
    “My baby, all grown up. You look so beautiful. I’m so proud of you.”
    “Don’t make me cry, Mom. You know I have no will power.”
    Her mom laughed and reached for her hands. She squeezed them and then helped her to her feet.
    “Let me fix your gown. Your father will be pacing outside the door. You know how he hates to be late for anything.”
    She fussed with Ashley’s dress and then there was a knock on the dressing room door.
    “That will be him now. Are you ready, darling?” Sudden nerves gripped Ashley and her palms went sweaty. But she nodded. Oh, God, this was really it.
    She was about to walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Devon Carter.
    She threw her arms around her mom and hugged her tight. “Love you, Mom.”
    Her mother squeezed her back. “Love you, too, baby. Now let’s go before your father wears a hole in the floor.”
    She went ahead of Ashley to open the door and sure enough, her father was outside checking his watch. He looked up when he heard them and his expression softened. A glimmer of emotion welled in his eyes and he held out his hand to take hers.
    “I can’t believe you’re getting married,” he said in a tight voice. “It seems like only yesterday you were learning to walk and talk. You look beautiful, Ash.
    Devon is a lucky man.”

    She leaned up to kiss his wrinkled cheek. “Thank you, Daddy. You look pretty spiffy yourself.” The wedding coordinator hurried up to them and motioned with rapid flying hands. She shooed them toward the entrance to the aisle and then spent a few seconds arranging the train of her dress.
    Ashley’s mom was escorted down the aisle and seated, which only left Ashley to be walked down the aisle with her father.
    The music began, the doors swung open and every eye in the church turned to watch as Ashley took her first step.
    Her bouquet shook in her hands and she prayed her knees would hold up. The dress suddenly seemed to weigh a ton and despite the cold outside, the church felt like a sauna.
    But then she caught sight of Tabitha, Carly, Sylvia and Pippa all standing at the front of the church, their smiles wide and encouraging. Pippa winked and held a thumbs-up then pointed toward Devon and made a motion like she was fanning herself.
    And finally her gaze locked on to Devon and she forgot about everyone else. Forgot about her nervousness, her sudden doubt. Nothing but the fact that he awaited her at the front of the church and that from now on, she’d belong to him.
    It gave her a warm, mushy feeling from head to toe.
    And then her dad was handing her over to Devon.
    Devon smiled reassuringly down at her as they took the step toward the