Connor stares at me for a good long moment. I almost ask him if everything’s alright.
He blinks. “Would you like to attend a wedding with me?”
A sweet joy fills me. “I’d like that.”
He breathes deeply and nods as if he’s satisfied, then captures my eyes. “I couldn’t see myself going with anyone but you.”
A surge of heat and excitement floods my bloodstream and rushes up through me. I know he feels it too. It surrounds us in this little space, drawing us closer.
God, I want him to kiss me. My breathing becomes shallow as he leans in, then hesitates.
“You’ll get to meet everyone, the rest of my brothers, all of their wives and kids, Adrienne and Gwen, and other friends. The other side of the North family will be there too. They’re all such great people. It’s a blast when they’re all together.”
“The family you’ve got here, they’re pretty incredible.”
“Yeah, I got really lucky.”
“They got really lucky too,” I remind him.
His eyes become glassy, his gaze penetrating. Again, Connor tilts towards me, then stops himself.
“Have you found a semblance of family; I know you’ve traveled a lot.”
Why won’t he kiss me? What’s stopping him?
“I have a few good friends scattered across the country, but nothing like what you’ve found here.”
“You know, if you stick around, you’ll find they’re pretty inclusive—the family’s always growing.”
I nod with a bit of wonder, but that’s a tough sell. That kind of thing has to happen organically. And every orphan, no matter what age, longs for a family.
“I’m more than grateful that this week reunited me with someone I’d thought was long lost,” I say. Does he want to kiss me as much as I want to kiss him?
“May I?” He indicates the pendant.
“Please.”
Connor unearths it from behind my blouse. He lets it rest over his palm as he gently pads over its surface with his thumb.
“Why do you always wear it underneath your tops?” His brow creases a bit.
“So it’s always touching my heart.”
His eyes lift to mine, burning with desire. “Elle…”
Gently he tugs the chain, bringing me closer to him.
I’m lost in his eyes, swept into the oceans there. Desire floods through me.
Closer… our breath mingles, the heat of his lips hovering just next to mine…
The floorboards creak outside the kitchen. Painfully, we both back away. Connor shakes his head and curses under his breath.
That’s when Cade walks through the door. “Damn jetlag.” A look of surprise crosses his face when he sees us. “Hey, you two.”
“Evening,” Connor says.
“Hope I didn’t interrupt something important.”
“No, not at all.” My voice shakes nervously.
“We were talking about the wedding.” Connor covers me.
Cade shuffles to the fridge, grabs the orange juice, then a glass. “Debra can’t talk about much else.”
“Liam texted the other day. Adrienne is a nervous wreck. She took the week off to get everything ready.” Connor laughs lightly. “Which made Liam a nervous wreck.”
Cade walks back to the swing door. “They’re a beautiful couple. It’ll be a beautiful wedding. Anyway, Debra’s going to have me running around all day tomorrow, and the substitute house parents are showing up bright and early.”
“Yeah, it’s getting late,” Connor agrees.
“Well, goodnight, kids.”
“Goodnight,” we both say.
Connor looks to me. “Walk you upstairs?”
“Sure.”
We walk up together, quietly. Slowly.
I wonder if he’s second-guessing or regretting the move he was about to make? Or like me, does he wish Cade had never stepped into the room? Will he kiss me at the top of the stairs? Or is the moment gone? I wish I could read him better.
We stop at my door. He brushes the back of his fingers down my exposed arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps, then whispers softly, “I’m so glad to have found you.”
Then so quickly that I don’t even see it coming, he kisses me on the cheek, letting his lips linger. I hold my breath.
“Goodnight, Elle.”
“Goodnight, Connor.”
Connor
“HOLY FUCK, MY palms are sweaty! Hold it together, Connor! This isn’t your first date!” I scold myself in the car.
It’s the first date that’s ever mattered this much, I think.
I attempt to center my breath but give up.
Why couldn’t this be easier? Usually when I’m attracted to a woman, I’m on it—no fear, no nerves. But it’s only ever been about sex for me. This is all new territory.
Elle isn’t just some woman I’m attracted to.
And it’s definitely not about sex either. Well, it is about sex but… it’s so much more. I can’t help but smile as the Twister game comes to mind.
I sit in my car out front of her apartment building, looking at the door, knowing I’m going to have to knock soon.
“You’ve captured my heart, Elle, and you don’t even know it.”
She’s the best damn thing that has ever come into my life, and I don’t want to screw it up.
I dare myself to go. Taking the walkway two steps at a time, I ring the buzzer.
“Hellooooo… Now who could this be ringing our humble little button?” Anya croons. “Oh! That may not have sounded too good.”
Elle shouts, “Anya! Just buzz him up!”
“Ahh, she nervous,” Anya whispers into the speaker.
I try to stifle a laugh, I mean, she doesn’t actually even know it’s me.
“Don’t be laughing, Connor Callahan,” she continues in a hushed tone, “because I’ve been watching you sit in your fancy car for the past twenty minutes, obviously just as nervous as my Elle.”
“Okay! Okay. Please don’t tell her,” I beg.
“Hmmm… we’ll see. I’ll keep it to myself for now as collateral. I’m sure it’ll come in handy when I need some dirt on you,” she says sweetly. “Or maybe as an anecdote at a party. But really, just wait until you see her.”
Elle’s voice sings in the background. “Anya? Is it him? Is he coming?”
“Not. Yet,” the comedienne cracks.
I should set her up with Reese, I think. Or not. Reese has always been a player.
The buzzer sounds. Quickly, I pull open the door before Anya changes her mind.
I knock on the apartment door and Anya opens it. In a flash, the Husky they were walking in the park comes bounding toward me. Anya grabs him fast, which I’m grateful for.
“Samson! Sit!” He obeys, and she smiles at me. “We don’t want the nice man’s tux getting all dirty.”
“Your date is here,” she shouts down the hall. “How ya doin’, Connor?”
“Really good.” I smile back, adrenaline shooting down my arms and legs at the thought of seeing Elle.
A moment later my heart stops beating; my breath stills in my lungs.
Elle comes from her room and walks down the hallway toward me. My eyes slide up her body. She’s wearing an elegant sky-blue floor-length gown. The soft fabric is gathered at the shoulders with a thin lace tie that disappears behind her back, leaving her shapely arms and shoulders exposed. A plunging neckline dips to the center of her ribs, showcasing her delicious cleavage. A high slit reveals a slender leg each time she takes a step. Her feet are adorned with strappy silver stilettos.
The valve pumping blood through my heart surges back to work, and my heartbeat thuds so strongly I’m sure I might have a heart attack.
“Spin around. Give him the full effect,” Anya instructs.
Elle gives me a little shrug and turns on her heel. Her shapely back is bare except for the thin lace tie that crisscrosses, weaving through the fabric in a strategic way.
“Y
ou’re absolutely stunning, Elle.” I won’t be able to take my eyes off her, let alone keep my hands off her.
“Thank you.” She blushes. “So are you. You look incredible, Connor.”
“Yeah, like he just stepped out of GQ magazine. He’s definitely hot!” Anya says. “But I already told you that once.”
Elle shoots her a killer sideways glance.
Anya bubbles with excitement. “You two kids have a wonderful time.”
“Thanks, An.” Elle reaches over and plants a kiss on her cheek.
“Now, now. Don’t mess up my makeup job. Save that for later.” She wags her eyebrows.
“Anya!” Elle scolds.
“Connor knows I’m only teasing.”
“I do.”
“Don’t say a word,” Elle warns her.
As we walk to the car, I can’t keep my eyes off Elle.
I realize it’s corny as fuck, but her beauty is unmatched, unparalleled…
Like nothing I’ve ever seen.
In that dress, she looks like a goddess come to earth.
In that dress, she looks practically naked. The creamy smooth skin of her arms and shoulders, her slender neck, bare back and legs, the mounds of her soft, inviting breasts making my mouth water … How? In the FUCK? Am I supposed to keep my hands off her tonight?
By remembering she’s not yours to touch, that’s how.
I hate myself because I’m right. She’s not mine.
But oh, how I wish she was.
“So, tell me about the brides,” Elle says as we pull away from the building.
As if I’m able to stop fantasizing—about gathering the fabric of her gown in my fists, shoving it up over her hips as I run my fingers up the curves of her legs and spreading open her thighs to take me in—long enough to talk like a normal non-Neanderthal.
“They’re both really cool. Adrienne has been at the tat shop since Liam opened it.”
“The House of Ink and Steel, named after the brothers. Right?”
“That’s right.” She can’t possibly know how much her remembering that makes me hot as hell. Jesus, I’m going to go up in flames tonight!
“Is she an artist?”
“She’s the receptionist and bookkeeper, but she’s crazy artistic in other ways. She’s punk-emo, speaks her mind no matter what, tells us all where we can go when we get on her nerves and is a seriously great friend to all of us. Very sisterly.”
She nods.
“She’ll be the bride with long black hair on one side and a close fade on the other. Usually her hair has colorful stripes, but that changes regularly. Gwen leans more punk-hippie: skirts and combat boots, lots of pink. She has curly light brown hair.” I shake my head thinking. “The two of them are really good together. Knowing them, this wedding is going to be amazing. They’ve been waiting a long time to tie the knot.”
“Why?”
“Adrienne’s parents were totally on board with her coming out. Gwen’s not-so-much.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah, they were supportive to an extent. They thought it was just a teenage phase that Gwen would outgrow. They still wanted to see the traditional relationship for her.”
“When did Adrienne and Gwen know they were meant to be?”
“Pretty much forever. They got together in ninth grade, never dated anyone else.”
“They’ve been together since they were kids? How beautiful is that? To find your soul mate while you’re so young,” Elle muses.
Or to find her when you’re sixteen. “Yes. Amazing.”
Maybe it’s the way I said it that makes her catch my eye. “Do you… believe in soul mates?”
“I didn’t used to.” My words linger in the air.
Soon we’re pulling into the stunning, high-end brick and glass Hewing Hotel.
“This is beautiful!” she exclaims. “Must’ve cost a fortune.”
“It is and… it did. Adrienne has done well. Besides the reality show, Liam’s shop is featured in a lot of movies and magazines; Adrienne is such a fixture in the place that she’s a celebrity personality herself. And Gwen comes from big money. Her dad is a contractor and architect. He has contracts with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and O’Hare and Indianapolis International. Wait till you see the hotel inside.”
I drive to where the valets wait. Quickly they bring out a luggage rack. I pop the trunk so the attendant can get our overnight bags. Then I hop out and rush to Elle’s door to open it for her. I hold my hand out to her. She takes it, a pretty blush painting her cheekbones. “Thank you.”
With high-handed motives, I suggest, “I could keep hold of your hand. The pavement and floors could be a bit uneven.”
She considers her stilettos. “That’s a good idea.”
Now I get to hold her hand. And if I’m being honest with myself, I’m also preventing any other man from thinking they can move in on her.
In the lobby, she marvels at the architecture and design of the exposed timber and brick, the wide hardwood floorboards, the steel and industrial parts and high vaulted ceilings.
“Let me take your coat.” I unwrap her and drape it over my arm.
The attendant with the luggage is following us. I tell Elle, “We should drop your luggage off at your room first, then mine, then go see what’s going on.”
She agrees and we step into the elevator with the valet.
When I told Adrienne I had a date, she was more than happy to put her in a shared room with a few other single girls. All the attendants and their plus ones had overnight accommodations—whether they were rooming separately or together.
We go to our rooms—which are just down the hall from each other—and get the lay of the land at the same time, then head back downstairs to the main ballroom.
I can’t hold my smile back as we stand in front of the mirrored metal doors of the elevator as it closes and I catch our reflection.
Elle and I are still holding hands.
Downstairs the festivities are getting underway and the place is buzzing with excitement. Moving through the throngs of guests, I find Cade and Debra, who of course are hanging with Colt and Suzanne, Cade’s brother and his wife.
Cade quickly maneuvers Elle into the group and gushes about his new favorite intern and yoga instructor.
“Colt, Suzi, this is our new bright, shining protégé, Elle Hayes.”
“We’ve heard so many great things about you,” Suzanne exclaims as they all shake hands.
Colt says, “Cade and Deb have told us all about the incredible work you’re doing with the kids.”
Elle blushes. “Thank you very much. I’m so excited to have been given the chance.”
We discuss some of the highlights of our week at North House, then Cade and Debra talk details about their vacation, and all too soon, Talon’s pulling me away for wedding duty.
I lead Elle off to the side. “I’ll meet back up with you after the ceremony.” Reluctantly, I let her hand go.
“I’ll be waiting.” She straightens the black bow tie of my tux. “There. You look perfect, Mr. Callahan.”
She hasn’t called me that since the day we went sledding. She says it now with a whole new connotation. And when she smiles, I know my universe will never be the same.
The ballroom looks great. Glass lights and lanterns hang from the ceiling, intermingled with flowing sheer white drapes canopied above. The aisles flow with the same sheer white fabric held with silver accents and white flowers.
There are twelve attendants in all, including me, Talon, Liam, Josh, Chase and Reese. The rest are friends, or at least people we know, except one couple Adrienne and Gwen flew in from out of town. They set their attendants up so that some of us are walking the aisle as same sex pairs, and others as opposite. We wait anxiously in the back sitting-rooms as the guests are seated.
Soon the music starts. Our cue.
We pair up, walk down the aisle and take our places at the podium. Everyone is enchante
d as Josh and Sophie’s eight-year-old daughter, Charlie, comes down the aisle with Gwen’s five-year-old niece, Lila, each carrying a basket with flower petals and a ring secured by a white ribbon on the basket handle.
When the brides emerge, everyone stands to their feet.
The couple meets at the back of the aisle, each bride in the loving arms of her parents. The crowd is enthralled as each set of parents gives their daughters away and Adrienne and Gwen join hands.
As their parents blend into the crowd and go to their seats, the brides pause for a moment. It’s not part of the ceremony; they’re supposed to be walking down the aisle. Whatever is happening wasn’t planned. The two women have stopped in the center of the aisle and are staring deeply at each other. Their eyes fill with amazement and wonder. As if they’re seeing each other for the first time. Tears glide down Adrienne’s face, and Gwen reaches up and catches one with her thumb. She mouths the words, “I love you so much.”
Adrienne laughs and cries simultaneously, and the guests send up a collective “aww.” We can’t help it; their love is so strong, so real.
Soon, they turn, and together take that forever walk down the aisle. They come before their spiritual advisor, who begins the next part of the ceremony.
They’re both so beautiful. Each wears a white vintage lace gown of a different design; their colorful tattoos show their souls on their skin. And all their love for each other shines in their eyes as their gazes stay locked together. It’s as if everyone else in the enormous ballroom has simply disappeared and it’s only the two of them.
I let my eyes wander to Elle at that moment and find that she’s looking at me too.
By the time I reach the reception hall and find Elle, she’s in the full embrace of my family, as if she belongs there. As if she was always one of them.
Risk: An Enemies to Lovers, Second Chance Romance Standalone (Brothers of Ink and Steel) Page 18