by Peggy Hunter
"I care,” she said vehemently. She looked at Zach, her eyes blazing with anger and pain. “I care,” she repeated softly.
Zach winced and looked at the floor as Bri brushed passed him. When he felt a finger poked in his chest, he looked up to find Leigh staring up at him, her brows knit together, her eyes fiery.
"If you don't go after her and make things right, I'm going to kick your ass!"
Make things right? Bri had just been outed. Just how was he supposed to fix that?
"What do you expect me to do?"
Everyone in the room had an opinion, all speaking at once. Alex grabbed his arm and led him out of the room. “I don't have the answer,” he said as he pushed Zach toward the door. “All I know is I'm getting married in a couple days and I'll be damned if you're going to cast a shadow over the wedding."
"Just how would I do that?"
Alex opened the door and rested his hands on Zach's shoulders. “Leigh likes Bri. If Bri's unhappy, Leigh's unhappy. I don't want my bride unhappy on our wedding day.” Alex pushed Zach out the door. “Don't care how you do it but I expect you to fix the fucking problem!"
* * * *
Bri wiped steam off the bathroom mirror and gazed at her reflection. Even a long, hot shower couldn't wash away the memory of everyone at the ranch house staring at her. And what she couldn't understand was why Zach thought she was gay in the first place.
And what of their friendship? Had Zach based it upon the fact he thought she was gay? Did he see her as safe because he thought he'd never be expected to sleep with her?
Worse than that, all these months, she'd been hoping he'd take an interest in her. She'd been waiting for him to finally realize they could have more than just friendship.
When the mirror steamed up again, Bri grabbed a towel and wiped it away. She took a step back and looked at her naked reflection in the mirror. She was short and her breasts were tiny mounds. Her love for sports kept her body trim and well muscled. But when she looked at herself with a critical eye, she could see why Zach wasn't attracted to her. His women were always tall, willowy and perfect in every way.
Bri's eyes focused on a tiny mole just below her navel. Men like Zach didn't want to see moles or any other imperfections.
She wrapped a towel around her body and padded out to the bedroom. Don had wanted perfection. He wanted her to be so much more than she was. A real estate developer, he often entertained rich clients. She tried to be the woman he wanted her to be. But when she overheard that he was embarrassed she was a simple bartender, she faced him with it. He couldn't deny it and she knew she could no longer play the game.
Bri sighed. Everything changes and everything stays the same. She thought her relationship with Zach was safe. She'd never acted on her impulse to draw him into her bed. Their friendship was a good thing. Or so she thought.
She pulled a brush out of her luggage and sat on the side of the bed. As she brushed her damp hair, she pondered her next move.
What now?
And then she had an epiphany. She had to push her anger aside ... not to mention all the questions that came to mind. What mattered the most was their friendship had been based on his misconception. He thought she was a safe bet. A female friend who wouldn't expect anything from him.
So what if she suddenly did want something from him?
Bri snickered as she put her brush back into her bag. It wasn't like their friendship could be saved. Once he knew for sure she wasn't a lesbian, he would probably end their relationship and never see her again. So why not take what she could get this weekend? She could put Zach through his paces and then, when they got back to Toronto, put him out to pasture.
* * * *
It was almost noon when Zach walked into the cottage. He had to admit, he put off facing Bri for as long as he possibly could. He'd gone for a long walk, trying to come up with some way to apologize to her.
But he knew he had to face her ... sooner rather than later.
When he walked into the cottage, all the shades were drawn. His hand fumbled in the darkness for a light switch.
"Don't turn the light on,” Bri said, her voice dark and dusky.
Zach froze for a moment, unsure. Eventually, his hand fell to his side as he closed the door behind him. “I can't see where I'm going."
"Lock the door and follow my voice,” she said.
Zach's hand flicked the deadbolt on the door before he took a careful step forward. “I don't blame you for being angry,” he said, hands splayed ahead of him in the dark. “In fact, if I were you, I'd kill me."
"Would you?” Bri asked, before chortling. She was clearly amused by his statement. Then her voice went low again. “Murder is too good for you."
Zach took a few more steps before his shins hit the side of the bed.
"Stop there!"
He did. This was crazy. No matter how much she'd been humiliated, he didn't like being treated this way. “Now what?” he said through clenched teeth, unsure of how much longer he'd entertain Bri's demands.
"Drop your pants."
Zach laughed out loud. “I'm sorry,” he said. “I thought you said—"
"I did,” Bri replied. “Do it!"
Zach sighed. Okay. All right. He supposed he had it coming. He'd drop his pants, the lights would suddenly come on and several women would point and laugh. If this is what Bri had to do to get past her anger, so be it.
His fingers undid the belt buckle and slid the zipper down before he pushed his pants and briefs to his ankles. He closed his eyes as the cool air in the room circled his sleeping cock.
He sensed, rather than heard, Bri approach.
Any minute now the lights would go on and he'd have to face humiliation...
His body lurched when he felt a soft finger touch the tip of his cock.
"Bri,” he said softly, “don't toy with me."
"I wouldn't dream of it,” she replied as her fingers curled around his cock and gently massaged.
He struggled to hold his stance as her warm breath fanned him. Okay, if this was a set up, the lights had to go on now ... they'd all have a good laugh at his expense, maybe have a few drinks ... and then he'd take a cold shower.
But the game didn't end. Bri wasn't ready to let him off the hook just yet. In fact, she seemed far from it as her tongue touched the tip of his ripe cock.
Damn!
Bri wrapped her fingers around the base of his cock as she closed her mouth over the tip. Zach winced as her teeth teased the tip before she opened her mouth and took him inside. Her hand massaged his balls and played against the base of his shaft as her tongue laved his cock, sucking, pulling and sucking again.
Zach's curled his fingers into her hair. Her long tresses felt cool between his fingers while his cock heated to the boiling point. When her mouth moved over him, his fingers tightened on her head and he bucked against her lips, forcing her to take every bit of his engorged cock.
Bri made a muffled sound and he felt her hands press against his thighs. When he released her head, she quickly pulled off him and fell back on the bed. By now, his eyes had adjusted to the low light in the cottage. He stood over Bri as she pressed both her hands over her eyes.
"Bri,” he said softly. He stepped out of his jeans and briefs and lay down beside her on the bed. He laid on his side, sinking his elbow into the soft bedding as he rested his head on his hand. “Don't cry. Everything will be all right."
Bri's hands fell away from her face. Her eyes gleamed like emeralds as she stared up at him. “I'm not crying, you idiot.” She rose and pushed him back onto the bed. Her fingers curled around the hem of his shirt. As she yanked the shirt over his head and tossed it aside, her breasts were a mere inch away from his lips. “Your cock just about chocked me,” she said through clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry,” he said. He wasn't sincere and he expected she knew it. He loved how his cock felt against the velvet touch of her tongue. No one would blame him for wanting ... needing ... more.
<
br /> "I don't care,” she said as she crawled on top of him, bracing her knees on either side of his hips. She poised herself over his cock before she bent over and touched her mouth to his. It was a slow kiss, filled with the promise of what was to come.
When Zach's impatience got the better of him, he braced his hands on her hips. He wanted to pull her down against him so his cock could finally sink into her pussy. But Bri quickly pushed his hands away.
"No! I'm calling the shots,” she said vehemently. “I haven't even decided if I want you to fuck me."
Zach bit back a retort. It would be so easy to simply overpower her, push her beneath him and fill her pussy with his hungry cock. But Zach had never forced a woman in his life and he wasn't about to start now, no matter how much his cock ached to fill her.
Zach reluctantly let his arms fall to his sides.
Bri moved carefully over him. “Good,” she said. “I'm glad you understand."
Did he? Zach wasn't so sure. But he wasn't about to mess things up now. Not if it meant he would finally know Bri intimately.
Bri adjusted herself, letting her thighs sink lower over his ripe cock. Her hands roved over his chest, her fingers curling in the smattering of hair. She rocked her hips over his cock as her fingers pinched and kneaded his nipples. She lowered her body slightly, just enough for his cock to slide into the moisture of her pussy but not enough to allow him to penetrate.
Zach grimaced. He wasn't sure how much more he could take.
But then Bri lowered a little more, this time letting his cock touch her slit. Her body quivered over him. She was just as affected as he was. His hunger for her grew but he reined himself in, knowing that owning her, body and soul, was only a matter of time.
"Do you like that?” she asked, her voice barely audible.
His hands went to her hips and held her firmly. He was done with her teasing. When she lowered over him again, he fully intended to fill her. “Yes,” he said through clenched teeth. “You know I do."
Bri leaned forward, bracing her hands on either side of his head. Her tiny breasts dangled just over his face. “What about my breasts?” she asked. “Do you like them?"
"Yes,” he said as he attempted to lick one of her nipples.
She pulled back. “Liar,” she said. “I've seen the women you go out with. You like big boobs. Mine are not the kind you like."
Zach gazed up at the perfect white orbs. Small, yes, but perky with dark, erect nipples that begged for his touch. When he reached up and gently stroked one nipple, Bri closed her eyes and tossed her head back. Her hips faltered, falling closer to his need as she enjoyed his touch. The moment his cock felt her hot slit, his hips bucked upward. Bri cried out when his cock opened her slightly. She tried to move off him but his hands fell to her hips and held her firmly in place.
Zach could sense her fear. His hands slowly slid up her back, gently massaging. “Don't be afraid, Bri. You know I'd never do anything to hurt you."
Her body went still. She pushed up, her thighs on either side of his hips the only contact they had. As she sank down over his cock, she raised her arms over her head. She was tight, almost too tight but Bri pressed down over him anyway. She threw her head back, wincing as his cock stretched her inner folds to accommodate him.
When a low moan escaped her lips, Zach reached up to assure her. But her eyes opened, blazing down at him as she brushed his hands away. She started to move over him, slowly raising her hips until his cock was almost out of her and then settling back down over him. With each move, she moaned again and her body shivered. Zach wasn't sure how much more he could take.
She leaned forward, bracing her hands on either side of his head as her hips undulated over him. His hands went to her hips and this time she didn't protest. His fingers dug into her flesh, slamming her against him with every stroke.
When she screamed her release, his cock gave way and pumped his white-hot juice into her. She collapsed over him as her core squeezed every last bit he had to give.
His arms wrapped around her, holding her against him as their bodies trembled with aftershocks.
When she finally caught her breath, she pressed her lips against his ear. “I hate you."
"No, you don't."
Bri rolled off him. She snuggled against his side. “Yes, I do."
Zach curled an arm around her and held her close. “Shut up."
She did. In fact, she promptly fell asleep.
Zach sighed as he looked at the sleeping woman beside him. Bri had never been more beautiful than she was at that moment. Naked, her tiny breasts pressed against his side, the riot of auburn hair cascading over her face and shoulders. Her cheeks were pink, her lips ruby red ... the picture of a woman who'd been thoroughly loved.
Zach leaned forward to touch his lips to her forehead. He grinned when she sleepily waved her hand, as though he was a pesky fly.
Best to let her be for now. She needed her rest. And so did he. His body felt depleted after loving Bri. As his eyes closed, he promised himself he wouldn't sleep long.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 5
"Wake up."
No. She didn't want to wake up. She was having the most delightful dream.
"Bri, it's almost seven o'clock."
Bri struggled to open her eyes. She gazed up at Zach as he leaned over her. “A.m. or p.m.?"
"P.m.,” he replied. “I'm going to Alex's stag party."
Bri yawned. “Okay,” she said. “Have fun."
When she rolled onto her side, Zach's hands closed over her hips and gently shook her. “But Elaine is having a party for Leigh."
Bri didn't care. Who the fuck is Elaine anyway?
"Elaine is my father's fiancée."
Bri's eyes opened wide. She hadn't realized she asked the question out loud. And now that she was fully awake, there was something else she needed to deal with. She jumped out of bed and glared at Zach, who was fully clothed and ready to leave. “I'm still angry at you for telling Max that I'm gay."
"I know and you have every right to be angry. If I'd known Max would tell my father, I never would have confided in him."
"That's not the point,” she said. “You need to know—"
When someone knocked on the door ... or rather, pounded on the door ... Bri grabbed the sheet off the bed and held it in front of her.
"That'll be Max,” Zach said. “Run into the bathroom."
Bri did, the sheet dragging behind her. She grimaced when the bathroom door would not close tightly and then discovered part of the sheet was caught in it. The door suddenly opened just a crack as Zach's hand pushed the sheet inside before it slammed closed.
Bri gathered the sheet around her and sat on the toilet. Her heart ached. Even if Zach had finally figured out she wasn't gay, he had no intention of sharing it with his family. She knew she should be angry.
And shit, she was.
But right now, at this very moment, as she sat in the bathroom listening to the muffled voices on the other side of the door, she felt heartsick. She realized in the year she'd been friends with Zach, she had never once met anyone in his family. Was there a reason for it? Did Zach feel she didn't measure up to the Diamond standard?
After a few minutes of silence, Bri opened the door slightly and peeked out. Zach had left with his brother. She let the sheet fall off her as she walked out of the bathroom. She caught a corner as it fell away from her. Gathering the sheet into a ball, she threw it onto the bed. Anger replaced the inadequacy she'd felt earlier.
She was Brianna O'Ryan! She'd never let any man treat her as a castoff. If Zach thought he could fuck her and then discard her without consequences, he had another think coming.
Bri sat on the side of the bed. She had to come up with a way to show Zach just how little she cared about him. Her heart lurched. Just how could she do that when she loved him with every fiber of her being?
Bri pushed that thought aside. She had to move beyond her feelings a
nd show Zach that he could not treat her like he treated all the other women in his life.
But how?
When the phone rang, she sighed heavily. She needed to think, damn it! The last thing she needed right now was to talk to any of Zach's family. Since no one she knew had the cottage number, she realized damn well it had to be one of Zach's family.
Bri broke down and picked it up on the sixth or seventh obnoxious ring. “Yes, what?” she said impatiently.
"You sound like a woman scorned,” Elaine said.
Bri stamped down her anger and tried very hard to make her voice sound light. “No,” she said cheerfully. “Not at all. I was just in the middle of something."
"I hope it's not so important that you can't attend Leigh's bachelorette party tonight."
"To be honest, I'm not sure I'm up for it."
"Oh, but you have to,” Elaine said. “When I discovered Edward hired a stripper for Alex's party, I hired a male stripper for Leigh's. What's good for the goose is good for the gander."
Bri chuckled. “Does Edward have any idea what he's getting into when he marries you?"
"Of course not,” Elaine replied. “But you didn't answer my question. Are you coming to Leigh's party?"
Bri thought for a moment and then, a wonderfully wicked idea occurred to her.
"No,” Bri said before she had time to really consider it. “I think I'll take a pass on the party."
When she got off the phone, Bri flew into action. First she checked her purse and counted the money in her wallet. And then she rummaged through her luggage. She chuckled to herself. If Zach wouldn't listen to her, she'd make him take notice of her once and for all.
She paused briefly, wondering if her plan was too far over the top. What if Zach still wouldn't take her seriously?
Bri dismissed her concerns. She might make a fool of herself but there wouldn't be anyone she'd ever run into again after this weekend.
* * * *
Bri shivered as she waited in the shadows by the ranch house for what seemed like hours. Inside, Alex's stag party was in full swing. The house was rocking with loud music and raunchy laughter. The one time she got up the nerve to peek into a window, she'd seen Alex, his face drawn, as the men around him laughed heartily, everyone drinking beer.