"Bess," I called weakly. "Love you, but please, for the love of all that's holy. Get the fuck out."
"Oh." She took in our naked states. "Ohhh…" She spun around, grabbing Pete's arm. "We'll just… umm… we'll be in the dining room."
"Great." I called weakly. Finally, they left, taking the last shreds of my dignity with them.
Josh and I remained tangled for another moment; his cock still buried deep in me.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that." I muttered, avoiding his gaze.
"I have to hand it to them, that was some world class timing." Josh agreed.
We finally looked at each other. His cheeks were flushed, little beads of sweat dotted his brow. A hunk of hair brushed his wrinkled forehead. He didn't look embarrassed, only mildly pissed off.
"They really know how to take the glow away." I whispered, reaching a hand up to brush the frown away.
His smile came quickly, "you not feeling the love anymore, Pecas?"
I shrugged.
He pulled back, shuffling down my body. I lifted up on an elbow, raising an eyebrow in question.
He shot me a filthy grin, interest and desire immediately stirring.
"Gotta leave you smiling," his head dropped and his tongue met the seam of my lips, tracing their outline.
I had to say, the man knew how to use his tongue. I came twice before he was satisfied I wouldn't lose my smile.
We cleaned up, Josh watching with hungry eyes as I pulled clothes on.
"What?" I asked, adjusting my shirt.
"This isn't how I wanted tonight to go."
"No?" I grinned, moving to him and leaning into his chest. "You didn't plan on your brother and his fiancé getting an eyeful of your sexy ass?"
"Sexy, hmm?" His hands slid down to palm my ass, pushing me against him. He swiveled our hips together, dipping me slightly.
"Very sexy." I agreed, relaxing into his movement.
"But alas, we can't," he sighed, drawing me up and setting me an arm's length away. "We need to get serious."
I turned back to the mirror, checking my hair for the final time. "About what?"
"If you're gonna speak to them?"
I caught his gaze in the reflection of the mirror, pulling a face as I registered his meaning, "yeah, I need to. Bess in particular."
"When?"
I blew out a breath. "I need to do it tonight, before the hordes descend for this weekend of debauchery."
"You want me there?"
I shook my head, feeling a happy little bubble fizzle to the surface. It felt good to have someone have my back. "No, I'm good. I got this."
"Yeah, you do." He pulled me back, wrapping arms around me and dropping a kiss to my neck. "But call if you need."
We left the bathroom, heading towards the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen. We paused in the doorway, taking in the chaos. I had no idea what they'd been trying to create but there was flour everywhere.
Josh sighed loudly beside me. "Take her, I'll deal with him and this…" He muttered something under his breath.
I patted his arm, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a grin. "You got this." I turned back to the couple now making out against the kitchen island. "Bess?"
They broke apart, heads turning towards us. "Hey, can we talk?" I gestured at the room behind me. "Alone?"
"Oh!" She pushed Pete away, springing towards me. "Yes! Girl talk. Let's do it." She bounced across, linking arms with me and pulling me out the door. Josh shot me an encouraging grin before we rounded the corner, losing sight of him.
Bess dragged me to the sitting room, completely ignorant to the flour trail she left in her wake. "Tell me everything." She pushed me down, taking the seat beside me on the oversized couch. "When, where, how big, how long, and how many times?" She propped her chin in her hand, anticipation and excitement lighting her features.
I blew out a breath, running a hand through my hair. "Look, I'm more than happy to discuss this but there's something I need you to clear up for me first." I grimaced, knowing there was no easy way to broach this subject. "Why did you go out with Pete?"
She blinked. "What?"
"Back when we were young. You knew I liked him. I literally told you, then you started going out with him." I shrugged. "I never understood. I want to know now, cause Bess, it was a super shitty thing to do."
Her mouth opened and closed like a gasping fish. For a long moment nothing came out.
"And then in college? Cancun? You knew he'd made a play for me. Even admitted it was why you hooked up with him again. Now I find out you spread a rumor about me becoming a nun? I mean, who does that?" The words poured out. Years of pain and resentment I'd suppressed all for the sake of loyalty and friendship burst free.
"Are we even friends? Do you even like me? Cause you knew the winery was my venue. It's always been my venue and yet-"
"It's not like that!" Bess interrupted, tears filling her eyes.
"Then explain it to me." I sighed, feeling the anger, confusion and betrayal knot into a lump that sat heavy in my chest.
She brushed at her eyes, her face pale. "Do you remember your brother's birthday party? Archer's twenty-first? When we snuck the bottle of vodka with Pete, Sam and Josh and we all got drunk?"
I frowned, "we were fifteen."
She nodded vehemently. "You passed out."
I remembered that. Well, not the passing out but definitely the hangover the next day.
"What about it?"
"Josh got super drunk and declared his love for you while we were trying to sneak you upstairs."
I blinked. He'd have been sixteen, maybe seventeen.
"The next day you admitted you liked Pete and well, I…" She trailed off, biting her lip.
"What did you do, Bess?"
"I'm sorry!" She burst out, tears falling as words tumbled out of her. "But I knew Josh wouldn't ask you out if you'd dated his brother. So, I dropped a hint to Pete that I liked him and the next thing I knew we were dating and then nothing happened between you and Josh but I knew he really liked you because he watched you all the damn time so I told a little fib about you and hoped like hell he would ask you but he just never did!" She pushed off the couch pacing the length of the room. "And I could see it, even Peter commented on it. Josh really liked you. But he never did anything and then you got together with- er… that other guy. And then Josh helped you after when you needed support and I thought, yep. This is it. He's going to make his move. But he backed off and I thought it was just him giving you space but then nothing happened. But now you're together and I'm so sorry but I'm also so happy and I'm sorry!" She stopped, having run out of breath, tears streaming down her face.
I tried to process this information. "So, you and Peter are… Are you in love with him?"
"God, yes," she nodded frantically. "The man is my soul mate."
"But it started off as you just… protecting me?"
She shrugged blushing, "I didn't know what else to do."
"And Cancun? You guys were broken up."
"I'd been flirting with guys' all week trying to make him jealous. When I heard him ask you out, I knew I had to make a move – declare myself." She had the decency to look ashamed. "I know it hurt you but you never said anything afterwards and I just didn't want to bring it up." More tears spilled down her cheeks. "But, Molly. He's it for me. When we broke up it was because I was too immature. But when I look at him, I see my future. I want him. Only him. He's such a good guy. He's loyal and hilarious and doesn't mind my over-the-top-ness. He puts up with drama and loves me how I want to be loved. He makes me feel like Cinderella." She sniffled, brushing at the tears. "And I wanted that for you. When I look at Josh, I see him and you together and you both look so happy. So, so happy."
She flopped to the floor in front of me, placing a hand on my knee. "I'm the worst friend ever."
"I mean, it's not looking good." I admitted, offering her a small smile. "But I can see that you meant well."
She hi
ccupped, "are we okay?"
"The Jury’s still out on that one. What was up with the winery?"
Her head dropped, her long red locks falling forward to block her face from view. "I'm so sorry." Her voice sounded thick with regret. "That was insecurities."
"What?" I slid from the couch, crouching beside her.
"We're new money. Half the bitches in my wedding party are only in it because their daddies want to do business with mine or Peter, or their mommas want some kind of favor. I can count on one hand my true friends. Those bitches will attend my wedding but talk shit behind my back the whole time." She looked up, regret etched into the grooves of her face. "I thought emulating you would win me standing. But when Thomas declined my request and I asked Pete to call in a favor-" she broke off, a small smile replacing the regret. "Pete reminded me that I was enough just as I am. And that I hate the country. And when you pulled that beautiful wedding dress from the rack, I just knew I couldn't try to be you. I had to be myself. I had to be the woman Pete fell in love with – drama, big dresses and over-the-top messes and all."
I pulled her close, wrapping her in my arms, distantly aware that I was also crying. For a long moment we cried together, letting out all the emotions and finding our way back to our normal.
We finally pulled back.
"So," Bess reached up, brushing a tear from my cheek. "Are we good?"
"Let me go get another orgasm from Josh, uninterrupted this time, and then I'll let you know."
Her smile wobbled a little but it still looked radiant. "I love you, Molly. You're the best friend I've ever had."
"I know." I pulled her in for another hug, sighing as she clutched me tight. "Next time, let's not keep secrets from each other. Or play games. We're the real deal. You should have just told me."
"I'm sorry."
We separated.
"Come on," I pulled her up, smacking her on the ass. "Your groom awaits."
She stopped, turning back to me, digging in her pocket. "Here." She handed me a key.
"What's this?"
"Pete booked us a private villa. The driver's waiting out the front. Consider this my sorry gift. You are formally dismissed from all wedding-related tasks for the rest of the weekend. I want you to go get yourself some orgasms. All uninterrupted."
I looked down at the key, "well, damn Bess." I laughed. "You're completely forgiven."
"Good." It was her turn to slap me on the butt. "Now go get yourself some!"
I would. After speaking to Pete.
It was time to bare some truths.
Chapter Sixteen
Molly
Peter sat across the table, studying me.
"Don't look at me like that." I muttered, lifting the bottle of beer to my lips. "You're freaking me out."
He shrugged, "I just never pictured you with Josh."
I took a long pull, knowing this conversation was about to get real uncomfortable.
Josh and Bess had gone to pick up some dinner. The mess that Pete and Bess had made wasn't worth salvaging. It would give me just enough time to get this conversation over with.
I dropped the beer, tilting my head. "And who did you picture me with?"
He looked away, fiddling with his watch.
"Liam? Is that who you were thinking of?" Surprisingly, it no longer hurt to say his name. That chapter of my life was closed. I'd been in an abusive relationship. I deserved to try again, to love again, to trust again.
Fuck you, Liam, you piece of shit.
"Not him but someone-"
"Like him?" I chuckled, resting my arms on the table. "You know he wanted a Stepford wife, right? A pretty woman to show off, pop out the prerequisite two point five kids then tuck away somewhere while he had affairs with his secretary." I shook my head. "I should have known it would never have worked even before he revealed himself to be an ass."
"But a man like him is what you need."
"No, Pete. A man like him is what everyone thinks I need." I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "And it hurts that you and everyone like you expects me to need a man. I don't. And I don't want someone who wants to mold me into something I'm not. I want someone who looks at me the way you look at Bess."
He blinked. Once again, I was struck by the differences between the two brothers. One blonde, the other ebony. One light and joy, the other dark and sarcastic. I found myself smiling, remembering Josh's golden skin, his whispered words, his cock as he drove me wild.
"That," Pete's hand came up, pointing accusingly at me. "That smile is why I'm worried."
I touched my lips. "What?"
"You're my oldest friend, Molly. You're like my sister. And it freaks me out that you and Josh are together. He could hurt you. You're already smitten."
"And? He's smitten too." I remembered his confession, warmth settling in my belly.
"Is he, really?"
"Oh yeah."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm worried."
"Why?"
"You haven't exactly had the best taste in men."
I jerked back, feeling like I'd been slapped. "Excuse me?"
He grimaced, "I didn't mean it like-"
"Then tell me what you mean."
He paused, appearing to search for the words. "Josh isn't a settler. He always wants more. I tell you this because I love you. I always assumed you'd settle down. Josh will never give you that."
I thought of the townhouse he'd just purchased. The discussion we'd had on the plane down about his plans to settle in New York, to commute only as required.
"He may have been like that once, but we all change. I know I have." I shrugged. "Maybe you don’t know your brother as well as you thought you did."
He scoffed. "Please, you're still the optimistic thirteen-year-old trying to save the world one penny at a time."
"Ah, but I'm not. That thirteen-year-old had a crush the size of Texas on you." I shook my head. "You and I were never meant to be and I've long since left that foolishness behind."
"You had a crush on…?" He pointed to his chest.
"Yep." I lifted my beer bottle in salute. "And you stomped all over my poor teenage heart."
"Jesus, Molly." He looked shocked. "I never knew."
"Good. I'd have been mortified if you had.'"
"You know I've always been in love with Bess, right?"
"Oh," I chuckled. "I know."
We sat for a long moment, studying each other. I took another sip of my beer.
"This isn't an argument I'm going to win, is it?" His lips quirked into a bitter smile. "You're determined."
Peter, Peter beer drinker, why are you so dumb?
I reached over, giving his hand a squeeze. "Peter, you should have more faith in me and your brother. I've never asked you to rethink choosing Bess. You should respect me enough to do the same." I dropped my hand. "Besides, your brother is hot as-"
"Jesucristo!" Pete's hands came up, blocking his ears. "Not listening. Not listening."
I sniggered.
He dropped his hands. "We good?"
"Yeah. We're good."
"Honey, we're home!" Bess' call carried from the front of the house. "Pizza is here."
Pete rose, following his siren's call. He paused by the kitchen door. "You're still my best friend, Molly."
I shook my head, smiling. "Go get your woman."
He left me alone in the kitchen. I looked out the window, watching the trees dance in the breeze. The rain continued to fall.
"Hey," Josh came around, slipping a box of pizza on the island bench.
"Hey," I gave him a small smile. "Smells good."
"Better get it while it's hot. The happy couple are currently making out in the entry way. It's like she went to war."
"You don't want that?" I asked, pushing up from my seat.
"Depends. You offering that kind of greeting?"
I sauntered over, backing him up against the island. I pressed close, tilting my head up. His came down, our brea
ths mingling, his beautiful eyes darkening.
"I just came for the pizza." I whispered, reaching behind him to steal the pizza box. I slipped away, picking it up and quickly stepping away from him.
"You little tease," Josh reached for me.
I darted away, squealing, pizza box held out to stop it from tipping. He tracked me, stalking around the table, ready to chase me down. With one hand he pulled the pizza free, the other wrapping around my waist, trapping me against him. He dropped the pizza to the table, pinning me on the edge.
"Come here, Pecas. Come greet your man." He kissed me deeply. After a long, beautiful moment of unrushed desire, he pulled back slightly, pressing his forehead to mine. "Hey."
"Hey," I whispered back.
"You want to steal this pizza and eat it in bed?"
I pulled out the hotel key card, dangling it enticingly. "I can do one better."
"God, I love you."
I bit my lip, deciding to take the plunge. "Josh, I love you too."
He pressed a kiss to my mouth, letting me taste his joy.
Epilogue Josh
The wedding day dawned bright and early. Too fucking early if you asked me, but no one did.
"I," Molly pressed a kiss to my mouth. "Have," another kiss. "To," another. "Go." She pulled back, rolling out of bed.
"Five more minutes." I ordered, reaching for her hand.
"No," she laughed, darting away and heading for the hotel bathroom. "I'm already going to be late and Bess is going to be a raging nightmare if she finds out you spent the night."
I flopped on my back, letting out a beleaguered sigh. "Esa mujer esta loca."
Molly poked her head out the door, a toothbrush stuck out of her mouth. She pulled it out, pointing it at me. "She may be crazy but she's your sister-in-law." She ducked back in.
Soon to be yours too.
I thought of the ring in my overnight bag. I hadn't found the right moment. Maybe today. I thought of Bess' possible reaction and shuddered.
Definitely not today.
I heard the shower run. Fighting a smile, I pushed up from the bed.
Maybe I should get up after all.
Just Joshing: A BBW Romantic Comedy (Short and Sweet Series Book 1) Page 12