“I should’ve told you sooner. Maybe one or two compliments about exterior beauty would’ve been okay.”
“You think?” Her mom had taken it to the other extreme, even gently redirecting others who said the girls were pretty, telling them about their accomplishments instead.
Her mom smiled grimly. “As a parent, you try your best and pray you don’t mess up your children too horribly.”
Ally didn’t know what to say. It had messed her up, and the lingering feelings of being chubby as a young teen had never gone away either. “I know I was bigger as a teenager, so that was hard to deal with too as a young girl.”
“But you’ve grown into your shape so perfectly.” Her mom caught her in a tight hug. “You are incredibly beautiful, Ally, inside and out. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Ally hugged her back. “Thank you, Mom.” She let it wash over her. She had grown past the chubby teenage stage, and though she had more curves than Beyoncé, Preston had been attracted to her. Preston! She had a text from him that she really wanted to read.
Her mom released her and hurried to the door, obviously done with the tender moment. “See you downstairs in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” Ally needed some time to process what she’d just been told. Her parents had deliberately not told her she was pretty, not because she wasn’t, but because they thought it was best for her. It made sense and didn’t feel like an excuse. Her mom was a good lady, but if Ally ever had children, she’d compliment them on their hard work, their talents, and their beauty.
It warranted further thought, but right now she needed to see what Preston had to say. Lifting her laptop open, she clicked on the messages. Ally, it’s Preston. I’ve been in the hospital, but I want to see you. Gunner finally got me a phone and your number. Can you call me?
That was it. No indicators of how he felt at all, but he did want to see her. He wanted her to call him. She debated what to do, but she debated too long. There was a rap at her door and Shar pushed her way in, wearing an identical pale pink dress. It was going to be a great day with her family, but a long day of socializing. The last time she’d been at an event with her sisters, two different people had said they couldn’t have told her and Shar apart, except that Ally was “curvier” than Shar. She hated to wish Kim’s day away, but she really wanted to go see Preston.
“Help, sis! My zipper is stuck.” Shar turned around.
Ally stood and worked the zipper up and down, tugging on the fabric that had been caught in it. Finally, it came free and she zipped Shar up.
Shar turned and hugged her. “Thanks! You look so pretty.”
“You too.”
“We’ve got to go. Mom’s on a schedule.” She winked and offered her arm. “After this wedding, I want to just sit and talk. I didn’t get near enough details about the island and the beautiful man you spent plenty of hours alone with. There’s a story there, I know it.”
“I survived. The end.”
Shar laughed. “You know I’ll pry more out of you than that.”
Ally smiled and took Shar’s arm, giving one last longing look at her laptop. She hurried toward the door with her sister, though it was torture leaving Preston and that message un-responded to.
Preston’s gaze darted around the spacious backyard, which looked like it’d been transformed into a flower garden. It was a large wedding party, and he just wanted the wedding over so he could talk to Ally. She hadn’t appeared yet. He assumed she would walk down the aisle before the bride. It would take a lot of self-control to not interrupt the wedding by sweeping her off her feet and carrying her away somewhere private. He couldn’t remember a lot of details of the island, but select memories kept appearing—mostly funny things Ally had said or done, how wonderful it had felt to hold her close, and the overwhelming feeling that he cared deeply for her, but he’d messed it up somehow.
Music played, and Colt Quinn shifted nervously from foot to foot. His brothers were lined up with him, and Preston thought they were an impressive group of men. He really liked Mack Quinn, the huge offensive lineman for the Patriots. Mack was a true gentle giant.
Preston’s eyes darted to the flower girl and the three women trailing down the aisle behind her: Navy Quinn, Shar Heathrow, and his Ally. Dressed in a fitted pale pink dress, Ally was incredibly gorgeous. Every soft curve was on display, and her smooth, tanned skin was just begging for him to touch it.
He started rising in his seat, but Gunner placed a hand on his arm. “Chill, dude, you can talk to her later.”
Preston settled back down but had no clue how he was going to “chill”. It had been two horribly long days since he’d seen her, touched her, talked to her. He needed Ally, and he needed her now.
Her gaze flickered to him. Their eyes met, and everyone else disappeared. She gave him a tentative smile, then focused back ahead as she walked with her sister until they stood next to the preacher. The wedding march started and everyone craned for a look at the bride. Everyone but Preston. He kept his eyes forward. There was only one woman he wanted to look at. She appeared to be watching her sister glide down the aisle, but then her eyes met his again. Preston’s gaze didn’t waver and he prayed that she’d know he was coming for her, and this time nobody was going to keep them apart.
Chapter Sixteen
Ally could hardly stand still through the wedding. Preston was right there. Every time she so much as glanced Preston’s way, he caught her gaze. He looked impeccable in a navy blue tux, his dark eyes searing into her. What did he want, and why did he stare at her like she was his world? Their time together was a beautiful fantasy. It could never be her reality. He’d made that clear the last night in the tent when he’d turned away and asked her not to touch him.
She focused on her glowing sister and her handsome new husband as they kissed as a married couple, taking their own sweet time breaking apart. Colt swept Kim off her feet and carried her down the aisle, grinning as the wedding party laughed.
Shar hugged Ally and said, “Your turn next?”
“No, thanks. It’s all you, sis.”
“I don’t know. Your story of the island had a lot of holes for me. Holes regarding the handsome man standing behind you right now.” Shar winked. “Hello, Preston Steele.”
Ally whirled and almost toppled off her heels. Preston offered his hand to Shar, but his focus was completely on Ally. “Nice to meet you, Shar Heathrow,” he murmured.
“You as well. Be good to my twin sister. She’s the best.”
“I know that.”
“You’d better.” Shar nudged Ally with her elbow, then walked off to greet some close friends of the family.
Ally stood there gaping at Preston. He looked so good, and healthy. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been on a stretcher. “You’re feeling okay?” she asked, clutching at her neck with her hand as if that could help her breathe easier.
“My head’s okay,” he said. He lowered his voice. “But every part of me has been missing you.”
Ally’s heart slammed against her chest. She wanted to throw herself into his arms. She laughed nervously instead. “I think that’s just the brain injury talking.”
“I don’t think so.” Preston’s brow furrowed. “But I do have a lot of ‘holes’ in my memory.”
She smiled at him quoting Shar. “What do you remember?”
“You being incredible—”
“You may have mentioned that a few hundred times on the plane ride home.”
Preston lowered an eyebrow in confusion, then went on. “That’s probably because the other things I remember are how funny, brave, and smart you are, and lots of kissing.”
Ally flushed with heat. She wouldn’t mind kissing him right now, even if the entire wedding party was watching. Which luckily they weren’t, as all were focused on Kim and Colt. “You don’t remember …” She swallowed and forced it out. “Turning away from me the last night in the tent?” Why had she brought that up? Stupid, unconfident woman.
“I did?” But something in his voice said he knew that he didn’t truly want her. “I made you feel bad?”
For a moment, she didn’t react at all, hating that he was making her admit it. Eventually, she nodded.
“I have so many positive feelings when I think about you, when the memories of us laughing, teasing, or kissing come, but there’s something uncomfortable too.” He stepped closer and wrapped his hand around hers. “Ally, I’m so sorry that I made you uncomfortable. I don’t know why I turned away. I’m an idiot. Please forgive me.”
“But if you don’t know why you turned away …” Did he truly not? Who was she to question a traumatic head injury? But it felt like he should know. “Maybe you don’t want to be with me anyway. Maybe you blocked that out because you felt bad about rejecting me.”
“Ally.” He shook his head and squeezed her hand. “Believe me—there is no world where I would reject you.”
“But you did,” she insisted, feeling petty and out of sorts. Why couldn’t she just let this go and kiss him?
Two tall, leggy, gorgeous blondes sandwiched Preston between them and squealed. “Preston! You’re alive!”
Preston’s concentration on Ally broke momentarily. She made a break for it, not wanting to see him fawning over the women who were so similar to what he usually dated.
“Ally!” she heard him yell from behind her, but she kept on going. Hang the wedding dinner. She needed to escape. Kim would understand.
She made it to the back door when two hands grasped her waist and pulled her to a stop. She recognized the feel of those hands, and so she didn’t turn around. “Let me go,” she forced out.
Preston spun her around. “No. You have to give me a chance.”
“Why?” She blinked up at him. He was too perfect, far too perfect for her. The talk with her mom earlier had cleared up some hurts for her and reassured her that she could be attractive, just like Preston had told her at their island, but she didn’t know that she wanted to be with a man this beautiful, who women would always be chasing for his looks, his fame, and his talent. She didn’t want the jealous feelings she’d just experienced to be a constant. It was at least another excuse to stay away from him.
“Because I’ve fallen for you, Ally Heathrow.” She gasped, but he continued. “I don’t remember what happened in that tent, why I’d turn away from the most beautiful and intriguing woman in the world to me, but I know what I want … I want all of you. Please give me a chance, Ally.”
Ally studied him, not sure that she could just fall so easily. She was a strong, independent woman, and when Preston remembered why he’d turned away that night, he probably wouldn’t want her anymore anyway. “I … please give me some time.”
Preston’s grip on her waist slackened. “How much time?”
“I don’t know. We went through something traumatic that bonded us together. You’ve had a bad head injury. I’m a mess emotionally. Please just give me a week, at least. If you still have strong feelings for me, then we’ll talk.” She knew her desire for him wouldn’t change, but his for her could easily fade, especially as the two blondes were creeping up to them again.
“My feelings for you are just going to grow stronger,” he insisted.
“We’ll see.” People were assembling for the wedding dinner on the tables across the lawn. “I’d better go sit with my family,” she murmured.
“I’ll let you go.” Preston stared down at her, broodier than she’d ever seen him. “But I want you to remember something.”
“What’s that?”
He bent swiftly and kissed her. The pressure of his lips made her warm, tingly, and happier than she’d been since the last time he’d kissed her. His lips lingered over hers and he whispered roughly, “Remember that. I’ll see you in a week.”
Ally could hardly support her own weight as she stuttered away on her heels toward the family table up front. Remember that? She wouldn’t forget that kiss or any of the others Preston had given her. She mostly wouldn’t forget how much she loved to be with him or how special he made her feel. A week. A week was good. If Preston truly felt as strongly about her in a week, she’d propose on the spot.
Chapter Seventeen
Preston made it through the wedding dinner and the party, catching Ally’s eye every chance he could and praying that she cared for him like he did for her. Yet he didn’t approach her again, giving her the space she asked for. These feelings were new and tender, but they were overpowering. He wasn’t going to let her go. How could he survive an entire week without her? He knew how bad the past two days had been. A week felt like a lifetime.
He chatted with Mack and Sariah Quinn for a while, and Mack told him they were doing the social media promotion for Ally in the morning. That stung. True, he’d rejected her idea back in Bucky’s garden, but that had been before he’d known how perfect she was. Now he’d do any social media stunt she asked of him.
His family were still visiting him in Georgia from Boston, and they were waiting for him and Gunner to get back to Preston’s home in Marietta that evening. The family ate a catered dinner at his mansion and talked late. Preston could see that Lottie was tipping sideways, she was so tired. He stood and scooped her off the couch. “Let’s get you into bed, princess.”
“You can’t carry me; I’m too big,” Lottie insisted.
Preston laughed. “Little girl like you? Don’t insult my manliness.” He remembered saying that to Ally. More memories of them teasing arose, but also of her admitting that she’d never felt attractive and thought she was big. He hoped Lottie never felt like that.
“I am big,” Lottie insisted.
“You’re all grown-up.” Preston was realizing that in her mind, big meant old enough to be an adult.
She giggled and waved to the rest of the family. “Night!”
Everyone returned her farewell.
Preston carried her up the grand staircase to the bedroom he’d had all fixed up for her in pinks and whites. “You know how beautiful you are, right, sis?” he asked as he carried her into the room.
“Ah,” she grunted. “Of course I do.” As he settled her into bed, she clapped his face between her hands. “Tell me a story about you and love, bro.”
Preston sat on the edge of her bed, and she released his face. “I don’t have love, sweet girl. That’s Slade and Mae.”
Lottie looked at him much too perceptively. “You have love. I can see it. It’s a sad kind of love, like The Notebook.”
Preston didn’t like that. In The Notebook, the couple was separated for years, and Nicholas Sparks’s movies were just too sappy for him, not enough action or humor. Lottie loved every one of them. “It’s not like The Notebook.”
“Ha! You just admit you love someone.”
“I don’t love her … but I like her a lot.” Yet maybe he did love her. If only she’d let him stay close by her side, listening to her funny quips and getting to know her better.
“Who? Tell me story.”
“Her name’s Ally. She was with me on the island.”
“I want to go there.”
Preston chuckled. “I’ll take you to an island, but not that one—the one we were on had snakes.”
Lottie’s eyes got big and she gasped. “I hate snakes!”
“Me too.” He smiled. “And so does Ally. She let me hold her close when she was scared of the snakes.” That memory, at least was vivid. Strong enough that he could feel her soft form in his arms.
“And you kiss her?” Lottie forgot about the snakes quickly.
“Yes,” Preston admitted. “Multiple times.”
“A long time?” She giggled.
“A long time,” Preston said.
“Ooh-ee. You a bad boy, bro. Mama and Daddy say be careful not too much kissing.”
“You’d better not be kissing boys,” he said quickly.
“Not me. You! Too much kissing!”
Preston was overwhelmed by a rush of memories. Too much
kissing. Kissing in the small tent. He’d kissed Ally passionately and hadn’t wanted to stop. He’d gotten out of control, almost lost his head. He’d pushed Ally away and turned his back on her to try to keep from compromising her. That was what she’d been talking about. She’d said at the wedding that he’d pushed her away and he hadn’t remembered it. She must not have understood he’d only reacted that way because she was irresistible to him and he respected her too much to be overly physical with her.
“Lottie.” He hugged her tight. “I did kiss her too much, and I messed it all up.”
Lottie pulled back and glared at him. “You better fix it.”
Preston stood, intent on driving the twenty minutes to Ally’s parents’ home and finding her. “I will.”
Lottie smiled. “Good night, best bro.”
“Good night, sweet princess.” Preston rushed from the room and into the great room area, where everyone was gathered. “I’ve got to run an errand,” he said quickly.
“At eleven o’clock at night?” his mom asked.
Preston hurried to her side and bent down to kiss her cheek. “Yes. Don’t wait up for me.”
He ignored their speculative glances as he rushed through his kitchen area and into his garage. He jumped into his Lexus RC F, driving over the speed limit from his home in Marietta to her parents’ house in Buckhead. This late at night there was thankfully no traffic, but the number on his dash kept ticking later and later. Would she be awake? He’d called her repeatedly last night and this morning and even texted her, but he’d gotten no response.
He finally arrived at the house after eleven-thirty. The house was dark. He didn’t even know if Ally was here or at her own house. He knew so little about her, really. Did she even have a house, or did she live in an apartment? What was it like? He banged his head back against the headrest, not daring to go wake up her parents and have them dislike him before they even got to know him.
He pulled out his phone and sent her another text. Ally, please call me. I know why I turned away that night, and I promise it has nothing to do with me not wanting you. Please. I just want to be with you.
Steele Family Romance Collection Page 22