(Dominik)

The way Calla glides about is like watching a solo ballerina on stage. Each movement is fluid and graceful. Her every step is a mesmerizing display of fluidity and elegance. Just watching her walk next to our wedding coordinator is enough to send me into a trance.

"You're mother suggested the ceremony being held out on the back lawn and the reception here in the dining hall of the hotel," Judith, our coordinator, tells her.

It irks me that Madame Jo is planning everything and not allowing us to plan our own wedding, though if she left it in Calla's hands, nothing would get planned.

"And if it rains?" Calla asks.

Judith's gaze lifts from her tablet. "There's another hall that the ceremony can be held in. The only thing we haven't ironed out is the other two groomsmen that will be attending the wedding."

Both Judith and Calla's gaze shifts to me. I feel the weight of their expectant stares on me, knowing that I am the one who has been tasked with choosing the remaining groomsmen. It's a responsibility that I hadn't anticipated. Calla's known to not have any friends. She's always been a loner. So when I heard that her cousin Harper was going to be a bridesmaid, I knew I would have to make a change in plans. Then I saw Joshua, her ex, attend to the attendants. It was all I could do not to flip out.

"Look at that view!" Joshua's obnoxious voice echoes through the hall as Lily, Kwan, and Harper walk around the large room. The only two that are missing are the rest of my groomsmen.

"I'm planning on asking my cousins to stand with me."

"And your mother said that the wedding color will be a classic blue." The way that Judith says it, it sounds more like a statement than a question.

"Absolutly not," Calla stands firm. "It'll be Champaign."

"But your mother-"

"Who's wedding coordinator are you?" Calla cuts her off. "Ours," she gestures to herself and me. "Or my mother's?"

I feel a little proud of her for standing up not only for herself but also for our wedding. Also, the fact that she cares enough to want something a certain way for our wedding engines a little spark in my chest.

"But basic blue is the 'it' wedding color of the year." Judith looks taken aback by the change, but Calla stares her down until the woman shifts on her feet and taps on her tablet.

I walk up behind Calla and struggle to refrain from wrapping my arm around her. Ever since the night, she helped me get to bed when I was too drunk to get there myself. Her tenderness after ticked me in and even the promise of a kiss if I remembered the next day. Calla's strength and confidence, mixed with her caring nature that I didn't realize she had, has sent me into a mind whirl surfacing feelings that I've been suppressing for her. And now, as she stands up for what she believes in, I can't help but admire her even more.

"I decide what is the 'it' thing of the year," Calla tells Judith. "And Chanpaigne is going to be my wedding color."

Judith sighs and makes a note on her tablet. "I'll tell the designers about the change. Shall we take a walk on the grounds where the ceremony is supposed to be held then head to the dining area to test the cakes and look over menu options?"

Calla nods, gesturing toward the wall of window doors leading outside. "Please lead the way," she tells her before she starts to walk towards the picturesque gardens.

I tug gently on her arm to fall out of hearing distance of Judith and the rest of our party as we stroll through the manicured lawns. "Do you actually care about the wedding colors?"

"Why?" Calla looks up at me, stealing my breath away. "Did you like the idea of seeing in the wedding article that the bride and groom chose 'basic blue' for their color?

I shake my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "No, I couldn't care less about the wedding colors. I guess I'm a little shocked that you do. I have to admit though, it's fun to watch you be so assertive about it."

Call's eyes go wide in shock, "Haven't you heard? I just love weddings and all the little details that go into making them special. It's like a fairy tale come to life, you know? And the colors set the tone for the whole event."

I snort, knowing she's full of shit. She couldn't care less about wedding details. The only thing she wants is a little control. I roll my eyes and shake my head, "Yeah right. You're not interested in the details. You just want to be in charge of it all."

She grins, giving me a side eye, knowing I'm on to her. "Absolutly. And I should be. It's my wedding after all. Besides I do like the color, and if the wedding gets to be outside I think it will pop against the greenery and the colorful flowers that will be blooming around here."

She gestures to the lawn. Though it's well kept, the plant life is starting to brown and go dormant.

I nod in agreement, admiring her vision for the outdoor wedding. The thought of vibrant flowers and lush greenery surrounding us on her special day brings a smile to my face. As I take in the scene before me, I can almost picture how beautiful it will look once everything is in full bloom.

"It's going to be stunning," I say, as my breath catches, trying to envision what she'll look like. "You're going to look breathtaking." When I realize I say the last part out loud, I stop, trying to save myself. But she just laughs and gives me a warm smile, her eyes sparkle, and I realize this is the first time I've ever seen her smile. A real smile, at least. Her laughter is full of warmth, lush, and alluring. God, I'm in trouble.

I can't deny the fluttering feeling in my chest that her smile and laughter bring. It's like a wave of warmth washing over me, making me feel alive in a way I haven't felt in a long time.

I find myself wanting to make her laugh more, to see that genuine smile light up her face again and again. I take a deep breath, trying to ground myself back to the present moment and look across the lawn. "You know if there are other changes to the wedding, we should make them now. Like this location."

"With having a little over five months to plan this now, I don't think I could make many more changes. The wedding color is one thing. Trying to find a whole new venue is another." She stops and looks at me. "Why do you not like the venue?"

"As long as it makes you happy, then I'm fine with it."

"You're very accommodating today." Calla bites her lower lip playfully as her eyes run over me, sending a shiver of desire running up my back. "And what about you? Are there changes you'd like to make? Like the bride perhaps?"

"Absolutely not."

Calla's brows shoot up.

"You think finding a new venue in five months is going to be difficult, finding a new bride will be impossible."

Calla snorts, bringing back that beautiful, genuine smile, and shoves my arm. "Asshole."

Our moment is broken when Judith calls for Calla, making us both realize we've fallen way behind the group. Calla's attention shifts down the stone pathway before her steps quicken to catch up. But not before giving me a quick look back.

"She is going to be a beautiful bride." Joshua's voice appears before he does, making me jump. I hadn't realized that we had even passed him on the path.

"Where the hell did you come from?" I grumble. I hate the fact he's even here in the first place.

"I ducked behind a tree to get away from Harper's senseless chatter." He points to the thick maple behind us.

"If it was up to me, you wouldn't be here." I probably shouldn't say it out loud, but I'm not thrilled about Calla choosing her ex-boyfriend to stand with her at our wedding.

Joshua's eyes go wide as they shift from me to Calla at the end of the path. He raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my comment. I can see the tension in his jaw as he processes my words.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, knowing this isn't the time or the place to get in my head.

"Do you have a problem with me?" He asks, plopping his hand on his hip.

"I have a problem with my fiance asking her ex to be her bridesman."

"Why?" He gasps, laying a hand on his chest. "Does she still have feelings for me?" He leans in close to whisper, though I'm not sure why. No one is close enough to hear. "Does she still talk about me?"

"No." I frown and shove my hands into my pocket. "Why do you want her to still be interested?"

"No, but who doesn't want their ex pining for them still."

I raise an eyebrow at his response, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration.

"Oh, don't worry about me Donald."

"Dominik," I correct through gritted teeth.

"You know what I mean." He smirks, ignoring my correction. "I'm perfectly happy with Caleb. Calla was distant and cold toward me most of the time. I love her, but she pays more attention to me as her friend than she ever did as my girlfriend. Caleb holds my hand, buys me flowers, and treats me like a king. Calla bought herself a coffee and gave it to me when she realized she forgot to pick me one up." His gaze drifts off in the distance in thought until he shakes it off. "Anyway. She dumped me for some other guy, and even though at the time it hurt, in the end, I'm much better off."

"There was another guy?" God, please let it be me he's talking about. A sinking feeling in my gut tells me it isn't, though.

"Dominik," Calla calls me from the bottom of the stairs, "We need to go in for the tasting."

I follow Calla down the stairs, trying to push aside the disappointment I feel at not being the guy he was talking about. As we enter the tasting room, I can't help but wonder who this other guy is and when or if their relationship ended.

I try to focus on the row of small cakes in front of us, all decorated with simple white icing, but my mind keeps drifting back to the conversation with Joshua. Is there still a guy that Calla is still in touch with? Or was he just a memory from the past that Calla can't let go of? I've given her an out, haven't I? I gave her the choice to walk away, and I'd take all the blame for her.

"Today I have prepared several cakes for you to consider," the confectionery chef of the hotel tells us as we all take a seat at the table. "First we have a strawberry bagatelle. Kirsch moistened sponge cake filled with fresh strawberries and light Bavarian Cream. This cake will bring a light spring taste to the wedding."

The chef's assistant places slices of cake in front of us to try. The soft sponge melts in my mouth. It's truly a slice of heaven, but it doesn't feel quite right for us.

"Next we have a Lemon Cream Cake. A light, lemon flavored sponge cake filled with a tangy lemon butter cream," the chef tells us. "This one will bring a touch of summer to the party. Which I know it's a spring wedding, but it will be all the rage this year, and you'll be kicking it off with your wedding."

"Do you have any peach cake?" I ask before trying the lemon. It's the only thing that feels right for us.

The chef looks confused as his gaze runs across the cakes in front of him. "No, I was told to choose the cakes that are going to be popular this year. Besides I don't really have a peach cake recipe."

"Then make one, and if we have your peach cake at our wedding then it will be the perfect segway into the choice cake of the summer season," I point out.

The chef looks at me with a little starry eye as he contemplates my suggestion. Next to me, I can see Calla trying to hide a smirk.

"Alright, I'll do it. I'll make a mock up of the final product for you to try." The chef nods with confidence.

"Excellent." I get up from my chair before helping Calla out of hers. "You do that; send it to us along with the menu options, but I'm afraid we have to get back to our lives."

As we walk out of the restaurant, Calla turns to me with a mischievous grin. "I can't believe you convinced him to make that cake for us," she says, shaking her head in amusement. "You're obsession with peaches is going too far."

"I just have an obsession with one peach." I smirk at her, frozen in a moment with her as our wedding party follows us out. The midday sun glistens around her like a halo of golden glitter.

Her attention snaps to me, shocked as the terrifying sound of something zipping by and a loud crack sounds out.

Calla gasps, grabs her head where her earring was, and pulls her hand back. Her fingers are bloody as I quickly register what the hell is going on.

"Everybody down!" I yell as I throw myself in front of Calla to protect her and pull her down with me, shielding her from any potential danger. The chaos around us intensifies as more shots ring out, the panic palpable in the air. I can feel Calla trembling against me, her breath coming in short gasps as we huddle together on the ground.

"Oh my god," Calla's voice trembles as she looks at her hand covered in blood.

I'm not sure how the hell her ear is bleeding that badly, but I know I need to calm her down. "It's just a small cut on your ear," I tell her as I look around for Kwan. Harper runs back inside, and god knows where Joshua mysteriously disappeared.

"This isn't mine." I follow her gaze and realize blood is quickly seeping from my shoulder. "Kwan!" Calla screams behind her.

In the confusion, I failed to notice Kwan and Lily right behind us. Kwan ducks, shielding Lily with his gun drawn. "Across the street! Third floor!"

I pull out my own gun, popping off a few shots in the direction Kwan called. As he does the same, quickly moving Lily toward the SUV, I turn to Calla.

"You got to get out of here," I urge her as she takes her jacket off and presses it against the bullet wound. "Follow Kwan and stay low."

"Shut up," she bluntly replies. "I'm not leaving you here."

I grab Calla's hand and look her in the eyes, desperation evident in my voice. "Calla, please. You need to go, it obvious that you're the target. I'll be okay, just go with Kwan and Lily. I need to stay here with my men."

"Bullshit, you're hurt, they don't need you, and I'm not leaving." The determined look on her face tells me if I don't get in that SUV with her, she's not going anywhere.

I know I can't argue with Calla when she's being this stubborn. "Fine," I grunt.

Calla reaches out a hand to help me up. Her expression is full of concern as she stays focused on my shoulder, though I'm not sure why she's worried—it doesn't even hurt. I push myself up, showing her that I'm fine. I try to cover her, but she fights me, still wanting to keep her jacket pressed to my shoulder.

"Stop, you idiot, and let me take care of you," she tells me as she walks alongside me, keeping her jacket pressed against the wound. I want to protest, but her determination is evident, and I'm more concerned about getting her in the damn car. As Kwan throws open the driver's side door, keeping half of his body covered while firing off shots above the SUV, I finally relent and allow Calla to guide me into the backseat. She carefully helps me settle in, making sure I'm as comfortable as possible despite the circumstances, while Kwan slides back in, shutting his door behind him.

As she sits beside me, I can see the worry etched on her face. Kwan already has the car started, ready to go. The window next to him pings and spiders from a bullet. Thank God for bulletproof glass. Kwan wastes no time and peels away from the resort.

"Lily." Calla digs in her pocket, pulls out her phone, and hands it to her sister. "In my contacts, you'll find the Doc. Call it, and give him Dominik's address. Tell him I said to meet us there."

With trembling hands, Lily tries to navigate Calla's phone in the passenger seat, nearly dropping it in the process.

"I'll do it," Kwan says, reaching over and taking the phone from her before expertly finding the number to call while driving.

"This damn jacket isn't helping," Calla throws her jacket to the floor. "I can't even see how bad it is. I need to get this suit jacket off.

Calla starts unbuttoning the suit jacket, causing a grin to creep onto my face. "If you wanted to get me naked you just had to ask."

Calla glares at me as she eases the jacket off. As soon as I move my right arm, shooting pain courses through my body. "Fuck!" I cry out. "That fucking hurt!"

Calla rolls her eyes as she pulls the jacket gently off. "Gee, I wonder why. Maybe cause you got shot, you idiot."

"Keep calling me an idiot, Calla," I warn.

"Don't worry, I will," she jokes before ordering me to lean forward. Calla carefully buttons my shirt as I notice Kwan hanging up the phone.

"The doc said he'd meet us at the house," he tells us.

"Good," Calla replies as Kwan looks over at Lily.

She seems distant as she stares out the passenger-side window, but Kwan reaches over and holds her hand. Lily doesn't seem to notice it, other than her hand tightening around his.

I wince as Calla helps me remove my shirt, the movement causing another wave of pain to shoot through me. Calla's expression softens slightly as she sees my discomfort, but she quickly masks it with her usual tough exterior.

"Sorry," she mutters, her hands gentle as she carefully eases the shirt over my injured arm. I can't help but notice the concern in her eyes, hidden beneath her sarcastic remarks and tough demeanor. The blood drains from her face when she orders me to lean forward.

"I'll be alright, Calla," I tell her. "Honestly, it doesn't even hurt that bad. If anything I'm just exhausted."

Calla nods, but I can see the worry still lingering in her expression. She's always been the tough one, the one who never shows vulnerability. I never imagined in a moment like this, when she's faced with someone she cares about getting hurt, her true emotions come to the surface or that I'd be the person she'd be concerned about.

My vision starts to swim as each bump sends a jolt of pain through me. Calla uses my shirt to press against my back. "Hold on, we're almost there." She tells me as her free arm hugs my face to her. "You'll be fine."

If I didn't know better, I'd swear she was assuring herself more than me. As we finally reach our destination, I can feel Calla's grip on me tighten. She helps me out of the SUV into the house, where a man I don't know meets us. I assume it's the doctor she had Kwan call.

"His room's upstairs," Calla tells him, "but maybe we should lay him on the table?"

"I can get up the stairs, Calla," I grumble, but as I try to stand up, my legs give out beneath me, and I collapse back into Calla's arms. She looks at me with concern in her eyes, her grip on me never wavering. The man, who I now assume is the doctor, steps forward to help support me.

"I'll help you get him up there," the doctor tells her. As we walk up the stairs, each step feels like it's weighted with lead. My legs are logs that drag underneath me, and my energy seems to drain with each passing moment.

By the time we get to the top and down the hall, I feel like I'm dead on my feet. My head droops as Calla and the Doc lay me face down on my bed. Calla stays by my side, her presence a comforting anchor in the midst of uncertainty. My vision starts to spot it until it fades completely black.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Bright light fills my vision as I try to blink the fuzz away. Low voices whisper around me, but I can't quite make out what they're saying. I realize I'm staring up at my bedroom ceiling with Calla sitting on the bed next to me, holding my hand in her lap.

"I'll come back later to check on him," the doctor tells her.

I try to sit up, but a sharp pain shoots through my chest, causing me to wince. Calla squeezes my hand gently, her eyes filled with concern. The doctor gives me a reassuring smile before leaving the room.

As I lay back against the pillows, memories of what happened start flooding back. The shooting. Calla was shot at, and I blocked one of the bullets.

"You gave us a bit of a fright there," the doctor tells me. "You lost a lot of blood, and that bullet was lodged into your shoulder pretty good."

I groan, my voice feeling like sandpaper.

"You're probably going to pass out again soon," he warns me. "I gave you a heavy dose of pain medication. I'll let you rest now, but I'll be back to check on you in a bit."

"Thank you, Dr. Lovette."

I nod in agreement with Calla before the man quietly leaves.

I carefully sit up, despite Calla's protest, "You need to lay down and rest."

"I'll rest in a bit," I tell her. "Are you okay? You had gotten hit." I reach up with my good arm and turn her chin to look at her ear. Blood is still crusted there. "Did the doctor look at you?"

"Of course not. There were more pressing matters to attend to." Calla covers her ear with one hand before moving my hand off her chin and nestling my hand back into hers.

I chuckle and lean back against my headboard. "If I knew that this is what it took to get you into my bed, I would have gotten shot ages ago."

"You're not funny, and besides, who says I'm staying here?"

I raise an eyebrow at her playful defiance, a smirk playing on my lips. "Oh, so you're just going to leave me here all wounded and alone?" I tease, feigning hurt.

Calla rolls her eyes but doesn't let go of my hand. "I never said that," she replies with a hint of a smile. "But don't think this means I'm going to be your nursemaid."

I chuckle, squeezing her hand gently. "I wouldn't dream of it. Just having you here is enough for me. Though, I would take a kiss to help take the pain away. You owe me one from the other night."

Calla's eyes go wide. "You remember our conversation from the other night."

I nod, knowing that if I could recall it, she'd give me a kiss.

"All of it?" she questions.

"I think so, why? Trying to wessle your way out of your primise?" I tease.

Calla shakes her head. "Of course not."

I chuckle, knowing that Calla was always true to her word. "Good, because I fully intend on cashing in on that promise," I say with a mischievous grin.

Calla laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I guess I'll have to make sure it's worth your while then." She leans in close, making sure not to put any weight on me. Just as she gets close enough that our lips come close to touching, I expect her to teasingly pull away, but they meet. My heart races as our lips finally touch, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. Calla's soft lips are warm and inviting, and I can't help but deepen the kiss, losing myself in the moment. I wrap my good arm around her and pull her close, pressing her body against mine as our lips tango. Our kiss is passionate and intense, igniting a fire within me that I never knew existed. Calla's hands find their way to my face, gently caressing my cheek as we continue to explore each other's lips with fervor. Time seems to stand still as we lose ourselves in the moment, completely consumed by the undeniable chemistry between us.

I can feel her heartbeat racing against mine, matching the rhythm of my own pounding heart. Every touch, every movement sends shivers down my spine, making me crave more of her intoxicating presence. In this moment, there is only Calla and I. We finally pull away, breathless and flushed with desire, I look into her eyes and see a reflection of my own longing. The intensity of our connection lingers in the air around us, leaving me yearning for more of her touch.

"You need to rest," she says breathlessly.

"I don't want to." My hand slides to the back of her neck, pulling her closer again. "I just want you. All night long."

Calla chuckles before giving me a light peck on the lips. "Only in your dreams tonight, mister."