Not His Type

by Shanna Hatfield

  “One of Sam's groomsmen is sick and can't be in the wedding. Sam wanted to know if you'd stand in. I know this is very last minute, but would you be at all interested in helping him out?"

  "Sure, Anna. I'd be honored to stand in," Jake said, wadding his dirty clothes into the hamper, and tidying up his already neat room. "Let me guess, was it Kyle?"

  "How did you know?" Anna asked, looking at Jake like he had psychic powers.

  "Oh, let's just say he appeared to be enjoying himself immensely last night," Jake said as he looked around and couldn’t find anything else to keep his hands busy, still feeling flustered by Anna’s ogling of his upper anatomy.

  "You are a lifesaver," Anna said, throwing her arms around Jake in a warm hug. Quite frankly, she could stay right here in his arms all day where warmth unlike anything she’d ever known poured into her from the places where his bare skin was exposed against her. On any other day she might be tempted to do just that if the thought of it didn’t frighten her witless. But she had a hundred things to do before four this afternoon and getting Jake in a tux was one of them. She took a step back.

  "I hate to ask, but will you come with me to the tux store so we can get one to fit you. There's no way Kyle's will work on you."

  Jake laughed at the picture he would make trying to wear Kyle's tux. The guy was a good eight inches shorter and at least thirty pounds heavier. "Well, wearing his would give everyone something to talk about, wouldn't it? Let me finish getting dressed and then we can go."

  "Would you like me to wait downstairs?" Anna asked, looking toward the door.

  "Nah, you better stay here with me. Mark and Paul are down there in their underwear trying to hide under that ridiculous blanket and Van is cowering in his room. I'll just be a minute," Jake said, pulling on socks and boots, grabbing a belt and threading it through his jeans. He put his wallet, cell phone and keys in his pockets, slipped on his watch and caught his shirt together at the bottom button.

  Anna couldn't take it any longer and stepped in front of him. Jake was working on the second button when he glanced up at her, confused by the look in her eyes. If he didn’t know better, he would say it was a look of wanting. But that couldn’t be, not his Anna.

  Anna knew she shouldn't, was half terrified of what Jake would do, but she buttoned his shirt. As she prepared to slide the button into the next hole, she pressed a kiss to the exact spot where it would cover his skin, working her way up to the top. Jake's shirt had five more buttons, five teasing kisses. When she finished, she gave Jake a soft kiss on the lips and then stood back looking at him, eyes lit with an inner fire.

  Jake didn't know what to think. He was stunned. He felt every single one of Anna's kisses up his abdomen and chest like she'd branded him with an iron. In his stupefied state, he just stood there while she kissed him, thinking he must be having another Anna fantasy dream. There was no way his little mouse would do something seductive like that. But there she stood in front of him, looking a bit chagrined as a pink hue blossomed in her cheeks.

  He couldn’t move, wasn’t sure he could feel his arms or legs, his insides hot and molten. Anna, in all her innocence, had just roused his senses in a way he'd never known and he needed a moment to pull himself together before he did something they would both later regret. The depth of his love for Anna and the myriad of emotions she stirred in him along with the physical pleasure of her kisses created a potent combination that caught Jake completely off-guard.

  "I'm sorry, Jake," she said as the reality of what she had just done suddenly hit her. Watching Jake struggle to keep his self-control, a wave of guilt swept over her and regret colored her tone. "I... I had no right to do that and I'm sorry."

  Jake released a long breath, sent up a quick prayer for divine intervention and slowly regained his composure. That was his Anna. Full of passion one minute, remorse the next. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her neck and then spoke into her good ear, his voice husky, but teasing. "No apology needed, Anna. I enjoyed every single kiss. Maybe you'll try that in reverse sometime when we aren't in such an all-fired hurry."

  Anna pulled back, flustered. "I should say not! As you know, I don't make it a habit of losing my good sense but you looked so blasted sexy with your shirt hanging open I couldn't help myself."

  Jake chuckled. He didn’t know the word sexy was in Anna’s expansive vocabulary. Grabbing her hand, they made plenty of noise clumping down the stairs, where Jake left her by the door while he ran back into the bathroom to finish getting ready. By this time, Van was sitting at the counter in sweats and a T-shirt nursing his smoothie, while Mark and Paul sat on opposite chairs in the living room, fully dressed.

  "So, Anna," said one of the men, getting up from his seat in the living room and coming to shake her hand. Anna thought it was Mark. "We've heard all about you, but it is nice to finally meet you."

  Seeing Jake’s much talked about girlfriend, Mark suddenly understood why Jake couldn’t stop raving about her. She was beautiful with a wholesome, honest appeal. That was quite a mix, especially considering the type of girl Jake usually dated.

  "It's nice to meet you as well," Anna said, with a friendly smile. "Jake speaks so highly of you all."

  Her comment made all three guys laugh. "Really? Our Jake?" Paul asked. "Are you sure you're taking about the blowhard in the bathroom. That Jake?"

  "What about this Jake?" Jake asked as he came into the room and grabbed his Stetson from a peg on the wall.

  "Oh, nothing," Paul said. "Anna was just telling us what a good liar you are."

  "Whatever," Jake said, settling his hat on his head and grabbing Anna's hand. "See you later."

  <><><>

  The tux fitting went well. It seemed Jake was familiar with the owner of the bridal shop, having been in several weddings the last few years. Anna laughed when they pulled up his file and asked if he wanted the usual.

  Jake helped Anna through her list of to-dos and then went home with her to help where he could. They decided he would drive her car back to town then meet her at the church. She would drive him home after the reception.

  As they gathered at the Methodist Church for the wedding, the sun continued to shine, which bode well for the reception planned later at the home of Lisa’s parents.

  Sam, as bridegrooms go, was mostly calm and collected. Surrounded by his friends, he was kept entertained with jokes, stories, and good-natured ribbing up until it was time for the ceremony to begin.

  Lisa made a beautiful bride and brought tears to more than one eye when her father walked her down the aisle, beaming at her soon-to-be-husband.

  Anna stood, heart filled with love for her brother and new sister-in-law, watching the tender ceremony. She offered a silent prayer of thanks for the miracle of Sam’s walking and renewed health and added a hasty plea that her dress would stay in place.

  The dress shop had altered it as best they could, but Anna still worried that she was going to explode out of her gown at any moment. The strapless undergarment she purchased that was guaranteed to minimize at least a size wasn’t minimizing enough and the glue the dress shop recommended she use around the top of the dress was making her itch. This was a fine mess to be in on her one and only sibling’s wedding day. If she wasn’t in such misery, it might make her laugh which was exactly the reason she was avoiding eye contact with Jake. He stood directly across from her with the other groomsmen, looking more handsome than should be allowed in a black tux and polished black boots, his sable hair gleaming.

  The ceremony soon ended and the receiving line flowed out the door of the church into the parking lot. Anna shook so many hands she thought her fingers would go numb, but at least she was standing next to Jake the whole time. Just when she thought she couldn’t make it any longer, the end of the line came into sight. After the wedding party spent time in a variety of poses for the photographer, everyone gathered around to watch a horse and buggy whisk the bridal couple away to the reception.

  Jake hadn’
t been able to take his eyes off Anna since he arrived. He thought she was the prettiest girl there, standing so straight and tall in that green dress that was positively made just for her figure. Come to think of it, she’d been holding herself nearly rigid, rather stiff. He’d have to find out what that was all about later.

  “Are you ready to party?” he asked with a teasing smile, holding open the passenger door as she slid into her car, ready to follow the line of cars to the reception.

  “You bet, fancy boy,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you dance before. Are you going to dazzle me with your moves?”

  “Probably astound you,” Jake replied as he pulled into the long line of slowly moving vehicles.

  The street was packed by the time they arrived at the reception. Jake decided to leave the car in a parking lot just a few blocks away, so he dropped Anna off in front of the house, parked the car and then trotted back. She waited for him on the front step, looking so young and happy he couldn’t help but stop and kiss her.

  “What was that for?” she asked with a smile lighting her whole face.

  “Just because I love you,” he said, tucking her hand in his arm and following the rest of the guests to the huge backyard where the reception was being held. Music drifted out to the street and the hum of conversation floated along on the autumn air. Outdoor heaters were set around strategically to keep the guests warm with strings of white lights, candles and solar lamps lighting up the space. Tables were loaded with food and beverages and another huge table held all the gifts.

  “Well, Anna, this appears to have the makings for a fine celebration,” Jake teased. “Are you hungry?”

  “Famished,” she said, as they walked toward the food, but before they got in line they were snagged away for more photos. Finally, they were able to head for the food line that was already stretched around the corner of the house.

  After eating dinner, resting her feet and pulling a sweater around her shoulders that matched her dress, Anna gave in to Jake’s urgings to dance. She never really had much experience dancing, but guessed she could handle a slow song.

  Jake was thrilled to be this close to Anna. Despite their awkward start to the day, he knew he would behave himself this evening. He planned to do nothing more than simply enjoying spending the next few hours dancing and holding Anna. He marveled, once again, just how perfectly she fit in his arms.

  When a fast song began, Anna turned and started away from the dance floor. Jake tugged her back into his arms, “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked with a wicked grin.

  “I don’t do fast,” Anna said, starting to panic. Jake was outgoing and probably knew how to do fifteen different kinds of dances at one time. Anna had one speed, it was slow and she was done.

  “Sure you do,” Jake said, taking her hands in his, refusing to let her escape.

  “Jake, I don’t know how,” she said, looking around at the other couples dancing. “Please, let me sit this one out.”

  “I can’t do that,” Jake said, looking Anna in the face. “I like to dance. I want to dance. But only with you, so you’re going to learn. Besides, since when did you turn into a coward?”

  Anna stiffened and accepted Jake’s challenge. “I’m not a coward, just embarrassed. You know I don’t like people watching me.”

  “Nobody’s watching, Anna, and if they are it’s only because they see a beautiful girl having a good time,” Jake said, giving her one of his smiles that generally made her knees weak and thoughts scrambled.

  “Fine,” she said, standing in front of him without a speck of enthusiasm. “Let’s get it over with.”

  Jake laughed. “You make it sound like I’m leading you to the gallows, not showing you how to dance.” Placing his hands on her shoulders, he massaged them a few times and felt her relax just a bit, and the top of her dress drop just a smidgen. “Just relax, we’ll have fun.”

  Anna did have fun once she got over her initial state of awkwardness. Jake taught her to two-step, swing and a few other dances. She was a fast learner and Jake was impressed with her natural rhythm. And in between, they enjoyed the slow dances.

  It was while they were on a slow dance that Jake happened to notice Anna had finally discarded her sweater. Looking down, he realized her dress had slipped to a point of near disaster and if it went any further Anna would be mortified. Casually leading her off the dance floor, he walked her around the side of the house and over behind the shelter of a weeping willow. It was mostly dark out and no one was in the side yard.

  “Jake, what are you doing?” Anna asked, adjusting her eyes to the dark.

  Using his body as a shield, he turned her toward the tree and bent over near her good ear. “You, my lovely Anna, are perilously close to sharing more of yourself with the wedding guests than I think you had planned.”

  “What?” Anna asked in confusion turning her head to look at Jake, who was in turn looking over her shoulder at her chest. Anna looked down and gasped. Giving the top of her dress a viscous yank, she didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.

  She gave it one more tug before turning around. “Does it look okay now?”

  Jake grinned. “Well, I think I preferred where it was before, but I am pretty sure you’ll be much happier with where it is now.”

  Deciding she wasn’t going to cry, Anna started to laugh. “This stupid dress is going to be my ruination. You wouldn’t believe what it’s put me through.” She explained why she was standing so straight and stiff all during the ceremony and through the receiving line. Anna told him about the last minute alteration that didn’t go well, trying to “minimize assets,” and the glue.

  Jake was laughing so hard, he could barely stand up, bracing one hand against the tree and gasping for breath.

  “You seriously are wearing glue? Like Elmer’s glue?” he asked when he could talk again.

  “Not Elmer’s. It’s a type of fabric glue, but same concept, and it is making me itch like crazy,” Anna said, trying to scrape together her dignity.

  Jake took a step forward and Anna took a step back right into the trunk of the tree. Jake braced a hand on either side of her and bent his head next to her good ear. “If you need me to scratch anywhere, just let me know,” he offered in a deep, rumbling voice.

  Anna felt tingles race through her while her stomach began to flutter. Looking up at Jake, she didn’t even try to resist her need for him. Pulling his head toward hers, she gave him a deep kiss. He kissed her back and soon the passion they’d been keeping tightly bridled broke free and went wild.

  Jake ran his hands up and down her arms, across her back while he kissed her until she was dizzy and breathless. His own breath has coming hard and fast, creating a glow of warmth on her neck where he rested his lips.

  “Jake,” Anna whispered. Just hearing her say his name, made him lose himself in kissing her again, his hands found their way to the small of her back where he pressed her closer to him until it felt as though their two bodies were so entwined they were nearly one. Jake began raining hot kisses down her neck and across her neckline, grateful for her ill-fitting dress. He couldn’t believe how soft and smooth her skin felt, how sweet it tasted beneath his lips.

  With her hands buried in his hair, Anna sighed as she gave Jake’s head a gentle pull. “Jake, we’ve got to stop. Right now.”

  Jake took a step back, creating a breath of space between them, touching his forehead to hers as her chest heaved in an effort to calm down.

  “I’m sorry, Anna. I didn’t mean to get so caught up in the moment. You are so beautiful I just lost my head.”

  “Well, you don’t look so bad yourself,” Anna said, trying to lighten the mood. “Some might even call you handsome.”

  “Some?” Jake asked, finding his sense of humor. “Only some?”

  “A few,” Anna teased, tilting her head to study him. “And one or two might even say drop-dead gorgeous.” She made an attempt at straightening her hair, wiping her face with the h
andkerchief Jake handed her, and then looking down at her dress. If anything, the situation had gotten worse instead of better.

  Jake followed her gaze. “May I?” he asked. Anna was not entirely sure what he was asking or if she should grant permission. But at this point she didn’t know what it could hurt, so she nodded her head.

  Jake turned her around and placed his hands exactly where Anna had on the dress when she yanked it up earlier. He gave a firm tug, managing to get the dress a bit higher than Anna’s efforts, pulled the ribbon straps down snugly in the back then spun her around and surveyed his handiwork.

  “I think that will hold you for a while,” he said with a grin, knowing that Anna was blushing.

  Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, they started back to the party. “You seriously have on glue?”

  “This topic has already been discussed to the full extent I’ll allow,” Anna stated in her authoritative, no-nonsense stern librarian voice.

  “Just wanted to make sure you aren’t willing to show me,” Jake smiled at her and wiggled his eyebrows. “I’d be happy to put some more on for you.”

  Anna responded by popping him on the arm.

  The rest of the evening flew by, Anna’s dress stayed in place with the help of her sweater, and the newlyweds finally prepared to say goodbye. They were driving into Portland tonight to stay in the honeymoon suite of one the boutique hotels downtown, then they would leave in the morning for a week in Hawaii. Lisa stood in the back of Sam’s pickup, which was now bedecked with streamers, ribbon and the customary string of cans, and got ready to toss her bouquet. She knew who she wanted to catch it and hoped her aim would cooperate.

  Tossing it high over her shoulder, Lisa was thrilled to see it fly straight into Anna’s arms. Ken turned to Sue and smiled. “Well, you know what this means, Susie-Q.” Those standing around them started laughing.

  Sam swept Lisa out of the truck bed and back onto her feet as they received a final round of hugs from well wishers. Anna gave Lisa a hug and told her again how happy she was to finally have a sister. Lisa told her she hoped she would soon put catching the bouquet to good use. Anna was blushing when she hugged Sam and wished him a lifetime of happiness. “I’m so proud of you, Tuff. Enjoy the time with your new bride.”