I Choose You

by Tawdra Kandle

  “Thanks.” Liam stepped back and let his eyes roam up and down me. “You really do look great, babe. You were the prettiest bridesmaid up there.”

  “Thanks.” I kissed his cheek. “But I think you might be a tad biased.”

  “Bridal party!” Giff stood on the step by the church door, clapping his hands again. “Back inside the sanctuary, please. Time for the posing.”

  Jeff was sprawled in a pew, and he offered a hand in greeting to Liam as he sat down next to him. I headed back up to the front of the church, avoiding Mrs. Cole’s eyes.

  Forty-five minutes later, I was pretty sure we’d been photographed in every possible combination of people and stance. The bride with all the bridesmaids, then with each one on her own, then with all the wedding party, then the bride and groom with the wedding party, and then the families . . . pictures inside, pictures outside.

  When the photographer finally dropped the camera and nodded, Giff seemed as relieved as the rest of us. “We can all head over to Haverty House. Anyone need directions or a ride?”

  I managed to stand next to Julia for a moment. “Is it okay if I ride over with Liam?”

  She smiled. “Of course, why wouldn’t it be?”

  When my eyes flickered toward her mom, Jules made a face. “Don’t pay any attention to her. Go on over and get ready to have fun.” She gave me a quick hug. “We’re gonna dance tonight!”

  The rest of the bridesmaids heard her and yahooed in agreement. We were all definitely ready to party.

  ALMOST ALL OF MY previous wedding experience had been with my family, which meant big Italian affairs. The reception that followed Julia and Jesse’s ceremony was a far cry from the raucous parties filled with too much food, Old World-style dancing and lots of free-flowing liquor.

  Because Giff had put it together, everything was just about perfect. But as I sat at the head table, nodding at something the groomsman next to me was saying, I had to admit that I missed the loud uncles calling embarrassing greetings across the room and the grandmothers urging even more food on me.

  “So you’re in advertising?” The groomsman, whose name was Patrick, was one of Liam’s old college friends from SUNY.

  “Yes, I am. I work for a firm in Haddonfield.” At his perplexed expression, I added, “It’s a small town in South Jersey. Farther south than here. Not too far from where I went to college.”

  “Birch, right? Pretty good school.” He picked up his wine, and taking a sip, let his eyes wander down to the cleavage displayed above my gown. “You doing anything after tonight? A bunch of us got a suite at the hotel. We thought we’d take the party over there when it’s finished here.”

  I shifted back a little. “Thanks. I’ll mention it to my boyfriend, but we’ve been apart for a week, so I think we’ll probably want . . .” I let my voice trail off. “Uh, a little quieter time. But I appreciate the invitation.”

  “Boyfriend, huh? Serious?” Patrick leaned closer to me.

  “Yeah. I think so. We’ve been living together for almost two years.”

  He reached over and picked up my left hand. “But no ring on this finger. Which means you’re not completely unavailable.”

  I tugged my fingers away. “Trust me, I’m unavailable. Completely. I—”

  “Hey, babe.” Liam stood across the table. “I’m heading over to the bar. You need anything?” His eyes flickered to Patrick’s hand, still on the table in front of me.

  “Thanks, honey. I could use some more Pinot.” I held up my empty wine glass. “Patrick, this is Liam, my boyfriend. Liam, Patrick is a friend of Jesse’s from college.”

  Liam put on the face I recognized from any of the political dinners or parties we’d attended with his parents before their marriage had crumbled. It was a smile that didn’t go any further than his lips. He extended a hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Patrick frowned. “Liam . . . yeah. Good to meet you, too.” He hooked a thumb in my direction. “Ava’s been entertaining me up here. You’re a lucky guy.”

  Liam’s eyes didn’t drop from Patrick’s face. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t know.” He leaned over, grasped my chin and kissed me, hard. “Be right back with your wine.”

  The smile on my face probably made me look like a complete goofball, but I couldn’t help it. He was so clearly branding me as his . . . and I loved it. It was a total contradiction of my feminist sensibilities, but somehow that didn’t matter. If he’d dragged me off by my hair, I wouldn’t have complained. I liked belonging to Liam.

  Beside me, Patrick sighed. “Yeah, okay. I get it. I don’t have a chance.”

  I grinned. “Sorry, Patrick. I’m sure you’re a great guy. But he’s the only one for me. Ring or no ring.”

  After dinner, there were the toasts. Both of Julia’s sisters gave beautiful speeches that brought us all to tears. Her dad’s heartfelt tribute to his oldest daughter had me choking back sobs. Then there came the dances: the bride and groom, the bride and her father, and the groom and his mother. During the wedding party dance, Patrick held me a little too close until he caught sight of Liam glaring at him.

  When the DJ announced that the floor was open to the rest of the guests for dancing, Liam found me right away and pulled me to him.

  “I’ve been waiting all night to be able to hold you.” He fit me to him, crushing my breasts into his chest. “It was all I could do not to jump up and grab you when that jerk had his hands all over you.”

  I laughed softly as I clasped my hands behind his neck. “He was harmless. Just wasn’t willing to accept my word that I was taken.”

  “Hmm.” Liam bent his head, covering my lips with his. He coaxed my lips open, and his tongue wandered into my mouth, as familiar and thrilling as the very first time he’d kissed me. I abandoned myself to the sensation, arching my back and pressing myself into him. His body was hard, all planes and muscles. I ran my hands down his back in appreciation.

  “You feel so good. You know every girl here’s starring daggers at me now. I think they all wondered who the smokin’ hot guy sitting here without a date was.” I let my hands roam to his ass and squeezed. “Just need to make sure they know you’re taken, too.”

  “I don’t have eyes for anyone but you, baby. Never will.” He framed my face with his hands, staring down at me. The music changed to another slow song, and Liam smiled as we heard Frank Sinatra began to sing.

  “We have to dance to Frank.” I brought my hands back up to Liam’s neck. “I’m pretty sure Julia added a few of his songs to her wedding play list just for me.”

  “She looks happy.” He looked over my shoulder to where the bride and groom were chatting with friends at a table just off the dance floor. “They both do, actually. It was a nice ceremony.”

  “I think they’re both ecstatic. The family crap, all the mess of planning the wedding . . . it all sort of disappeared today when she walked down the aisle.”

  “I hope it lasts.” Liam’s voice held no bitterness, only a trace of weariness. “I hope they feel like this forever.” He rubbed my back as we moved in a slow circle to the rhythm of the music. “Have I told you how much I love this dress? From here, I’ve got a terrific view of your boobs.”

  I tried not to smile, but I couldn’t help it. “Liam, honestly. It’s not like you don’t get to see them whenever you want.”

  “That’s not true. If it were whenever I wanted, you’d be naked all the time. But there’s something about this dress, too. Very sexy.” He ran a light touch over the back of my hair, still pinned up. “How long do we have to stay before we can sneak off to the hotel?”

  I sighed and laid my head against his chest. “I wish I could say we could leave now, but there’s still the cake cutting. I need to stay until it won’t matter if I don’t. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. As long as you stick close to me, I’ll just keep checking out your rack and thinking about what I’m going to do when we’re alone.”

  The music ended, and I walke
d with Liam to the bar for another glass of wine. I felt a little light-headed; I’d had several glasses with dinner, and I’d never been able to hold my liquor without getting tipsy. The more I drank, the more I relaxed. And the more I relaxed, the more uninhibited I was, which was why an hour later, when they announced the tossing of the bridal bouquet, I was sitting on Liam’s lap with my hands in his hair as I kissed him.

  “Don’t you want to go try for the flowers?” Liam traced the lobe of my ear with his fingertip.

  “Nah.” I shook my head. “It’s for the single girls. I’m not single, right? I’m taken.” I wriggled just a little, and Liam fixed me with a stern gaze.

  “Be good. If you don’t sit still, I’m not going to be able to stand up without embarrassing us both.”

  I giggled. “If we sat back in the shadows, I bet I could unzip your pants and straddle your lap—”

  “Ava.” Liam’s spoke my name on a groan. “Don’t talk like that. Just a little longer and we can escape. But God, woman, just wait’ll I get you in that bed tonight. I’m going to make you pay for every little wiggle and every tease.”

  “Is that a promise?”

  “It is. Just make sure you don’t pass out on me, okay?” He ran his hands up my thighs over the satin of my dress.

  “Don’t you mean, pass out under you?” I snuggled closer. “Although I guess that wouldn’t be as much of a problem. You could just keep going.”

  “Not as much fun without partner participation. Besides, I like when you’re on top of me.”

  I tilted my head to kiss my favorite of his sensitive spots, just beneath his chin. “Do you like it when my mouth is on you?”

  Liam’s arms tightened around me. “Baby, you know I do. There’s nothing you do to me that I don’t like.”

  “Ava, there you are.” Giff picked up the chair next to us, turned it around and straddled the back. “Didn’t you hear? Jules is about to toss the flowers. Shouldn’t you be front and center, ready to receive?”

  “Nope. The giggle twins have been plotting their strategy all week, and Julia has about twenty other cousins who aren’t married vying for that bouquet. I’m not putting myself out there to get knocked around and elbowed for some stupid superstition when I’ve already got enough man right here, thanks.” I took Liam’s face between my two hands and kissed him soundly.

  “Okay, okay.” Giff held up his hands. “I was given the mandate to round up all the single ladies. I didn’t want to miss anyone.”

  “You can now say you tried to round me up, and I would not be rounded.” I leaned over, tilting precariously, and patted Giff on his cheek. “Are we about done? How much more wedding is left? Because my feet hurt, I’m exhausted, I’m just a leeetle drunk—” I held up my forefinger and thumb about an inch apart. “And between you and me, I’m going crazy, wanting this guy right here.”

  Giff grinned. “I forgot how much fun drunk Ava is. Yes, darling, things’ll be wrapping up soon. As soon as she does the toss, Julia’s going to get changed, and then we’ll gather to wave them off. Thirty more minutes, tops. Think you can hold out?”

  I groaned, and Liam laughed. “Yeah, she’ll make it. I might have to carry her out, but we’ll be here.” He smoothed his hand over my hair. “By the way, dude, this whole night was amazing. You blew it out of the water. I’m impressed.”

  I was more than a little tipsy, but not so far gone that I didn’t notice the pleasure on Giff’s face as he blinked back what I suspected were surprised tears. These two men, each so dear to me, had been friends for almost ten years. They’d seen each other through parental issues, girlfriends, boyfriends, love and loss. They were closer than many brothers, and I loved them both.

  Giff cuffed Liam on the shoulder as he stood up. “Appreciate it, beetle. Coming from you . . . well, you know what it means. I need to keep things moving so you can get princess peaches out of here and . . . do whatever it is you crazy kids plan to do.” He took off across the dance floor where the squealing single ladies were gathered while the DJ played Beyonce.

  Across the table, Jeff smiled. “That was very cool of you, dude. You know how much he respects your opinion.”

  “I only speak the truth.” Liam leaned his forehead against my hair. “Look, she’s about to do the toss.” He shifted me so that I could see, too.

  Julia stood on the small riser at the end of the dance floor. She held up the flowers, and her eyes scanned the crowd of eager women. Turning her back, she did the traditional feign, once, twice and then let it fly over their heads.

  I watched the pink roses sail in a high perfect arc—Jules used to pitch on the softball team in high school—and land within the arms of an astonished aunt in the very back of the group. A cheer went up, and Julia clapped her hands as the DJ announced that the final set of songs, the last dances of the night, while the bride and groom prepared for their big departure.

  “Do you want to dance one more time?” Liam skimmed his lips along the column of my neck.

  “I don’t think I can stand up. Can we just pretend we’re dancing from here?”

  “Sure.” He kissed the top of my head and hummed along with Michael Bublé as my eyes drifted closed.

  It only felt like moments before Liam dragged me to my feet, and Julia and Jesse were both hugging me, thanking us for being part of their day.

  Julia kissed my cheek and took my hand. “I’ll text you tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you dare. You’ll be on your honeymoon, and I do not want to hear from you. Not a word. Call me when you two get home, okay?”

  “I will. All right.” Tears filled her eyes and leaked down her cheeks. “Ava, I love you. Thank you—for everything—for being there for me—”

  “Stop crying, you crazy woman.” I pulled her tight against me one more time. “I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. I mean, except Hawaii. Have a wonderful honeymoon. I’ll talk to you in ten days. And not before.”

  And then Jesse was dragging her away. Mr. and Mrs. Cole and her sisters closed in around both of them, the Flemings joined them, and everyone waved good-bye, kissing and hugging, crying and laughing.

  When the doors finally closed behind the happy couple, Liam heaved a sigh. “Okay, babe, that’s our cue. Time to get out of here. Think you can walk?”

  “I might be able to, but would you think I’m a total wimp if I said I’d rather have you carry me?”

  He grinned and caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “Nope. I’d say you’re pretty damned smart. Think about how much faster we can get back to the hotel if you’re already in my arms.”

  “OUCH! I THINK I stepped on a stone.” I grabbed for Liam’s arm and hopped on one foot. The hotel parking lot was dark, but I’d insisted I could walk this time. Being carried out of the reception was one thing, but Liam sweeping me through the hotel lobby was quite another.

  “Not surprising. You’re barefoot.” Liam lifted his hand, from which my silver heels dangled.

  “The shoes hurt my feet.” I brushed off my heel and took another tentative step.

  “So you’d rather walk through the lobby without your shoes than have me carry you.”

  I nodded. “Yes. Some people might not see my feet, but everyone would notice me in your arms. And they’d think I’m drunk. This way, they just think my shoes were too tight.”

  I heard his soft laugh behind me as I reached the steps to the door. “Babe, you are drunk. Hold on.” He stepped around to open the door for me and took my hand, leading me through the lobby. “Elevators are over here.”

  The doors slid open, and we stepped in. I leaned up against Liam as he braced himself in the corner.

  “Hi.” I hooked my arms around his neck.

  Liam smirked as he looked down at me. “Hi, yourself.”

  “Did I ever tell you that elevators turn me on?”

  His eyebrows rose. “No, I think I’d remember that. Damn. Remind me why we don’t live in a high rise.”

  I giggled a
nd rubbed against him. “Want to know another secret?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  I stretched to whisper in his ear. “Check in your pocket. Your left pants pocket.”

  Forehead wrinkled, he slid his hand down, his eyes widening just a little as he pulled out the thin scrap of black lace that was my underwear.

  “What’s this?” He twirled them on his finger.

  “Last time I went to the ladies room, I . . . may have left something off.”

  His eyes darkened. “So . . . if I did this . . .” He slipped his hand between us, tugged at my dress and slid his fingers between my legs. “Nothing in my way.”

  I dropped my head. “Nothing at all. Oh, God, Liam . . .”

  He parted me with one finger and ran it down my seam. “You’re so wet. Do you know what that does to me? Knowing how much you want me?”

  I nodded. “I can feel you. Hard against me.”

  “Do you know what I want to do to you? Right here in this elevator?” His whisper tickled against my ear.

  I couldn’t speak.

  “I want to make you come. Now.” He stretched out one arm to the control panel and pulled the stop button. The car jerked to a halt and at the same time, he plunged two fingers into me, stroking and curling to hit the spot on my inner walls that made me gasp. His thumb circled my clit, coming close without touching it. His fingers didn’t stop moving, and I rode his hand, clutching at his shoulders as my breath came in short, strangled cries.

  “Liam—God, please.” I tried to move so that his thumb would finally touch me where I needed it most. But he moved with me, keeping away.

  “Please what, baby? What do you want?” He picked up the intensity of his fingers inside me. “Tell me.”