Ignite Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (21 page)

“Hey boo, look at this.”

Ryan threw me his phone and signaled for me to look at it.
It was an e-
vite
for a VIP party at one of the best
hotels in the city.

“You
wanna
go?” He asked
sheepishly.

I shook my head yes.

“Awesome.” He cheered, “I’ll
rsvp
with plus three.”

“What is it?” Jude peered down at the phone.

“A party.” I bitched, “A VIP party, new people, loads of
hot males for Jenna and me to pick from.”

He snorted and suppressed a smile. He was unnerving when
he acted like that.

“That’s the spirit
Cléclé
. You,
me, and a bunch of filthy rich and hot bachelors.” Jenna chanted victoriously.

Getting out of the room, Jenna and I walked to the boy’s
suite next to us. I loved the minimalistic spirit of the hotel, very decadent,
yet very relaxing. We started getting ready as soon as we got here. I took a
shower, scrubbed the hell out of my renewed body and soul, threw in some
delicious shots here and there, and then got into a sleeveless, short, in sheer
red Michael
Kors
dress. I took satisfaction in the
fact that it would’ve made Landon as red with fury as the fabric I was barely
covered with.

Two men eyed Jenna and I as we walked by their room. Jenna
flashed them a gorgeous smile with her Chanel lips and her Ryan Finch strapless
dress

“Come in. It’s open.” Jude yelled behind the door.

“Ok. I have to go. Call me back tomorrow.” Ryan hung up
the phone as we appeared inside the living room.

I walked to the bar and poured a glass of Vodka tonic,
“Who was that?”

He looked at me, a little confused, “Just a work thingy.”
He said.

“Okay.”

“You are stunning.” He commented looking at me, “Both of
you.”

“
Clea
is going a little out of
character, it’s her new thing apparently.” Jenna joked.

I ignored her snarky comment and gulped my drink down,
“Are you guys ready. I don’t want to miss the party.”

“Did you eat?” Jude asked.

Jenna prompted from behind me, “I did. But
Clea
didn’t want to.” She said snatching the bottle to pour
a drink for
herself
.

Jude admonished me with his eyes but refrained from any
comment.

“Let’s go.” I urged.

“I’m ready.” Jude’s gaze held mine. He wasn’t happy about
any of my actions.

We rode in the back of the limousine drinking champagne
and singing our lungs out to
Britney
Spears’
Hold
it against me
. The boys made a show out
of it and Jenna and I enjoyed it laughing at Ryan’s goofiness. He was a man in
love.

“So what are you really going to do tonight?” Ryan asked
out of nowhere.

“Have fun.” I said tartly.

Jenna poked me, “Better not let me down.”

“I won’t.” I responded.

“You mean you might… umm…” Ryan couldn’t finish his
question.

“Have sex?” I finished.

His bright eyes widened in shock.

“Yes. I might have sex.”

“That’s my girl. We rule the fucking world.” Jenna
squeaked and I joined in with her ecstatic state. She was happy with the new
Clea
.

Jude was silent, he was also trying really hard to hide
his mocking smirk, but it didn’t escape me. I knew him all too well.

“We’re here.” The driver announced as he pulled on the
curve of the hotel.

We all got out of the car and walked inside the world of
the rich and famous inside the most grandiose hotels this city could offer.

*****

“By the power invested me, I declare you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride.”

A round of cheerful applauds echoed along the waves as my
mom and Keith closed the ceremony by walking back the isle.

Following the newlyweds, Jude grasped my arm as we walked
behind them, followed by Corinne and Brandon, and Jenna and Ryan.

We were heading to the reception tent. It was a breathtaking
setting, all white, and a touch of silver.
 
We rushed inside in laughter, my head was spinning with
happiness for my mother, while Jenna kept squeaking and mocking Jude.

“She’s my sister now.”

“Shut up.” Ryan admonished, “Stop rubbing it in our faces.
We know.”

I laughed and murmured in Jude’s ear, “You’ll always be my
person.”

He turned to her with a smug face and a discreet middle
finger.

“You’re my person too.”

Jude, Ryan, and I settled at our table and waited for the
others to join. Jenna headed to the musicians and grabbed the microphone.

“Now, without further ado, let me introduce you to The
Chase Symphony and celebrate the addition to the Seiter team of two. Elisa De
Capri, Helen Seiter, Clea Dane, Brandon, Corinne, Aurelia, Emilia and the forever
exasperating Jude Cervi and his partner.”

Turning to Keith, she wiped a joyful tear and raised her
glass of champagne, “This isn’t my speech so brace yourselves, because I’m a
journalist, we give amazing speeches.”

“Dad, we are a full house now.” Running to him and took
him in her arms.

I couldn’t help my tears, my mind drifting off to what
they had been through with Alicia. I couldn’t be happier.

The music faded in with a symphonic version of ‘Little
Talks’, by ‘Of Monsters and Men’.

Jenna signaled for us to join them. I turned to Jude; his
eyes gleamed. I knew he didn’t expect her to include him in that way. “You two
are as brother and sister as it could get.”

He chuckled and pulled me to him.

“Let’s go.” I rose to my feet and signaled for the others
to join us for a family moment. Jenna was beaming from side to side. She made
herself comfortable, sitting between mom and Keith.

“Come here you infuriating little thing.” Jude opened his
arms for her and she threw herself at him, and squeezed him in a bone-melting
hug.

“I love you.” He said stroking her back.

“Congratulations mom.”

She looked elegant and happy, grinning at me, “Thank you
mon bébé.”

“Welcome to the family.” Keith rose to kiss me on my
forehead and took me in his arms.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s give a round of applause for
the Keith and Helen Seiter.” The lead singer demanded, and the crowd obliged.

“For the first dance, let’s welcome the groom and his
bride on the dance floor for a song performed by the daughter of the bride and
her brother.”

Jude and I walked to stand next to the musicians.

Lifting up the guitar, Jude winked at me and I grabbed the
microphone.

“First, we want to congratulate my mom and Keith, I wish
you nothing less than eternal happiness. Jude and I are going to sing two
songs, one that was requested my Keith for my mother, and the other is a gift
from me, to them.”

Clearing my throat, I signaled for Jude to start, as the
band followed in a beautiful melody.

Hold
on to me as you go,

As we
rolled down this unfamiliar road.

And
although this wave is stringing us along

Just
know you’re not alone.

Cause
I’m going to make this place your home

Jude picked out on the second verse, and smiled to the
couple. They weren’t dancing. They held each other and watched the two of us
dressed in pure bliss.

Settle
down, it'll all be clear

Don't
pay no mind to the demons

They
fill you with fear

The
trouble it might drag you down

If
you get lost, you can always be found

The guests started gathering on the dance floor as Jenna
and Ryan pulled mom and Keith to dance. Jude and I were in perfect harmony. He
was celebrating their love too.

I came to realize that Jude wasn’t happy about the wedding
when it was first came up. He had a very special relationship with my father,
and even though he loved Keith, he was the kind of person that believed that
true love comes once, and if we are lucky to find it, we should cherish it for
the rest of our lives.

He knew Ryan was his one and only, and he always swore
that if he ever loses him to a tragedy, he would never allow himself to be with
anyone else after him. We debated the subject, and even though I was happy for
my mother, I thought that Keith might be that true love we all aspire to find.

As we came to the last chorus, my mind went to Landon and
his gaze reflected in front of me. Those gray eyes that made my heart stop
whenever they fell on me. His smile was all the light I needed in my life. It
was hard to realize that I wouldn’t see it again. I fell for him hard, and
deep.

He was an easy man to love.

The past two weeks had been the hardest. I barely managed
three hours of sleep, some nights I couldn’t even close my eyes without his
touch haunting my thoughts. I reached for him in my dreams. I used to hear his
voice in my dream, whispering something in my ear. I didn’t hear it anymore.

I thought Caden was the worst thing that happened to me,
the memory of that night was surpassed by the image of Audrey behind closed
doors in his office.

I had nightmares about them being together and jolted up
every night looking for him at the end of my bed. I inhaled the remainder of
his scent on my pillows.

I hurt the only love of my life and hurt him.

Nevertheless, he wounded me too.

Poking me on the shoulder, Jude snapped me back to
reality. A reality without Landon, “Clea.”

I offered a shrug and forced a smile.

Jude addressed the guests, “This is a prerequisite in
every wedding, but Clea and I added our little something. Please enjoy.”

Jude’s voice was silky and warm. I looked down at Ryan
devouring him with his eyes. Jude was singing for him to. Signaling for me to
pick up the next verse, I saw the instant shift in his mood; his body went
rigid as I started;

And
all my life I've prayed for someone like you

And I
thank God that I that I finally found you

All
my life I prayed for someone like you

And I
hope that you feel the same way too

Yes,
I pray that you do love me too

I said
you're all that I'm thinking of, baby

Said
I promised to never fall in love with a stranger

You're
all I'm thinking of, I praise the Lord above

For
sending me your love, I cherish every hug

I
really love you

His jaw clenched, forcing me to look behind me. When I
finally followed his line of sight behind me, my knees went weak and I lost my
voice, pushing Jude to continue.

Pounding relentlessly, my heart leaped in my mouth as my
eyes fell on Landon. He scanned the space, searching. Evelyn, Simon, and Uncle
Robert appeared behind him.

He wore his blue Armani suit, the one that made his eyes
sparkle. A rush of endorphins ran through me, making me agitated and brooding.

I hadn’t seen him since that day in his office, and Jenna
made him promise he wouldn’t come to the wedding. When he caught my eyes, his
mood instantly changed, I saw him tense. I had the distinct feeling that he’d been
apprehending my reaction.

I just turned away, and continued singing.

You're
all that I ever known

When
you smile, on my face, all I see is a glow

You
turned my life around

You
picked me up when I was down

Jude saw that it was getting hard for me to finish, he
willed me to keep up, discreetly motioning to my mother and Keith. He took my
hand in his and squeezed it tightly.

Landon and Uncle Robert approached my mom and Keith. They
seemed to be congratulating them, but Landon’s gaze never left me, making my
scalp prickle. He was looking at me with pure, angry, and hungry desire.

Keith grabbed Jenna to dance, leaving my mom in the
company of Uncle Robert. Evelyn waved at us. She was glowing, dancing with
Simon.

I was trying to avoid Landon, but he caught me wherever I
turned. Slowly walking towards me, I couldn’t take it anymore.

Pressing Jude to finish the last chorus. I turned to the
lead singer and gave him the microphone.

As soon as Jude was over, I grabbed him and walked us
outside.

I was thankful that he didn’t follow us, “What is he doing
here? I don’t think I can do this Jude.” I admitted, feeling my heart ready to
burst out of my chest.

“Calm down boo.” Jude exclaimed, trying to calm himself in
turn.

I sank on the chair and buried my head in hands.

“Hey there.” Eve walked to us.

She kissed Jude and murmured something to which he
responded with a frantic shake of his head. She pulled him again and spoke in
his ear, “Okay? Go find Simon.”

Jude studied her intently, “Okay, I’ll play.” He finally
said.

“Thank you.”

He disappeared inside the tent and left me with Evelyn.

“Hi Clea.” She said extending her arms.

I moved up and hugged her, “I’m sorry I didn’t call, but I
can explain.”

I stopped her, “There’s no need to explain, he’s family to
you, I understand.”