by Mia Ford
But, I suppose weddings have different rules. They tend to bring something out in women and none of them want to go home alone. They’re all looking for someone to get their sexual frustrations out with and I’m more than happy to be that person to help them along with that. Especially this chick, she’s foxy.
“I think we should all toast to the bride and groom.” I hold my champagne glass high as I cut my speech short. I had more to say but it’s all gone from my brain now. “And wish them a happy and healthy life together.”
Everyone follows me and we all call out congratulations to the bride and groom, but there’s only one person that I have my eyes on. The red head is more than foxy, she’s adorable too. There’s something about her, it’s like a glow around her head. I can’t seem to drag my eyes away from her however hard I try. She has me locked in place, completely helpless as I stare at her, and it’s a sensation that I don’t hate. I don’t mind relinquishing control to her for just a moment. Even more so when she looks back at me.
I take my seat, trying to patiently listen to the rest of the speeches, but it’s really hard when all I want to do is talk to her. I want to know her name, I want to make her giggle, I want to take her back to my apartment at the end of the evening… usually, I prefer to go to a woman’s home so I can make my escape easily without having to have all the awkward conversations around it, but on special occasions such as this one, where my pad isn’t too far away, I’ll make exceptions. Especially if that’s a glint I can see in her eye…
Just be calm, I remind myself. I can’t run out of here right away. I’m the best man!
As irritating as it is, certain things are expected of me today. First and foremost, I need to be there for my best friend. This might well be the only wedding that he has and I can’t fuck it up. Who knows, maybe by some miracle I’ll be the one needing him one day to do the same thing. Perhaps…
Once the speeches were done, all the food was eaten, and the drinks had been flowing freely, I start to slip away. Right now, Landon seems very much consumed by his new bride which is my chance to find her. I lost sight of her a while back when the crowds started to mill about and I want to find her quickly. Much as I don’t see any other man as my competition, I would still prefer to be the one to get in there first.
It takes me a while, I get stuck talking to lots of my old friends along the way, but soon I see her. She’s standing near the bar, which is perfect because I can talk to her without looking like I’m a crazed stalker, but right now she’s having an intense conversation with a woman who looks like an older version of Annabelle. It must be her mother. I want to ask her what she thinks about all of this, but I can’t because it isn’t my place to do so.
It’s a shame that Landon’s parents aren’t here really, I always remember them being awesome people, but something happened about five years ago which tore the family apart. Landon won’t ever talk about it, even to me, so I guess it’s something that I’ll never know. If he wanted to, booze would have loosened his lips at some point and he would’ve confessed all. it must have been something terrible, even the wedding hasn’t brought them together. I guess maybe they don’t know about it, they did move to another state last year, but still… it’s strange.
Right, I think with a sheer happy determination. Let’s get this show on the road.
I take a determined step forwards, keen to finally talk to the one person who’s captivated me all day long, and I somehow manage to catch her eyes. She glances towards me, as if there’s a magnetic force pulling her in, and her lips instantly curl up into a smile. There are dimples at the sides of her lips which make her look even cuter, and the way that her eyes light up as she spots me makes me think that maybe she’s noticed me too.
‘Hi’ I mouth at her, starting the communication silently.
‘Hello’ she replies with a small nod.
There’s something there, a connection that’s weirdly deep for someone that I haven’t actually spoken to before. I don’t know what it is but I presume it’s some chemical, sexual thing. Maybe she’s the sort of woman who looks all sweet and innocent on the outside, but is actually a freak in bed. Only one way to find out…
“Cici!” Annabelle suddenly shrieks at top note. “Cici, where are you, I need you now?”
She parts the crowds like Moses parting the red sea and she grabs the red head’s hand almost angrily so. She yanks her away from me and drags her towards the bathroom, practically screaming incoherently at the same time. Clearly, something has happened to shatter the peace, she isn’t the angelic bride anymore. I guess we should’ve all known that this was going to happen the moment there was booze made available.
“Cici,” I mutter to myself with a smile. I like that name. It only makes me want to learn more about her. Cici, who’s clearly close to the crazy ass bride. Unfortunately, for now, I’ll have to wait.
“Will, what’s Annabelle yelling about?” Landon asked me wearily. “What happened?”
“I dunno.” I offer him a one shouldered shrug. “I couldn’t really tell. She sounds drunk. I think that you might have to take her up to bed soon before she freaks the hell out.”
Landon rolls his eyes. “Oh yeah, I can really imagine that going down well! Can you imagine?”
I suppose he’s right. The girl who loves to be center of attention won’t want to miss even one moment of her wedding day. “She went into the bathroom with some girl named Cici…”
“Oh yeah.” Landon nods knowingly. “That’s her cousin.”
Her cousin? For a moment, I’m stumped. I never would have imagined that. Does that mean there’s a part of Cici that’s like Annabelle? As hot as she is, I don’t think I’m ready to tackle that. But then, she doesn’t seem like her cousin, and there’s no real way of assuming that she’ll be the same.
“Her cousin… right. Well, she stormed off to the bathroom with her yelling. She doesn’t sound impressed. What have you done?”
“Why do you always assume that it’s me?” I give Landon a look. “Okay, okay, I don’t know to be honest. I must have said something that pissed her off. Sometimes, I can’t say anything right.”
“And you’ve married into that.” I pat him on the back sympathetically. “Good luck for the rest of your life.”
“No, no, she’s great really, and she puts up with a lot from me,” he tells me, a little mysteriously. “I just wish I knew what was going to set her off that’s all.”
“Booze,” I mutter, not really meaning to say that aloud. “But I’m sure if you just go and talk to her you’ll be able to fix things. I mean, you love each other, right? You can get through anything. That’s why you got married isn’t it? To face stuff together. Don’t fall apart within the first hour!”
He nods slowly and stares towards the bathroom door. While he goes to make whatever he did wrong, right again, I have a vague sympathy for him, but as long as it’s him not me, I don’t really care. I won’t be the one getting myself into that situation any time soon, no way!
Chapter Three – Cici
My heart races in my chest as Annabelle drags me towards the bathroom, ranting wildly about some comment that her husband made about her, which she’s taking entirely the wrong way and presuming that he called her fat. I’m not interested in this drama, I don’t even want to know, I just want to think about the gorgeous best man who made that hilariously inappropriate speech, and who turned my insides to jelly with just a look.
I haven’t ever had that immediate jolt of lust before, it almost knocked me to the ground. Even with Luke, who I’ve always presumed was the hottest guy that I’ve ever been out with, it wasn’t like this. The best man has awoken something deep inside of me. A dragon that lay dormant for far too long. Desire floods me. I want him.
“...I mean, can you even believe that? It’s crazy, isn’t it?” Annabelle drags her hand through her hair, almost as if she’s completely forgotten how long it took to style in that way and she swigs more of her drink. I r
each forward to take the glass from her but she snatches it away. “This is the best that I’ve ever fucking looked!”
“Oh, I agree.” I suddenly realize that maybe I can use this inconvenience to my advantage. Maybe if I can get Annabelle around to it, I can find out more about the good looking friend of Landon. “You look wonderful. You shouldn’t ever let him say things like that to you. I think it’s much better to say how you feel right away.”
She gives me a bit of a nasty look. “And you know this because of all your successful relationships?” The jibe hurts a bit but I do what I can to keep my expression stoic. I don’t want her to know that she’s gotten to me. While she’s feeling bad about herself, she’ll be fishing for blood and I cannot give her mine. “I do tell him how I feel but sometimes it’s like talking to a brick wall. I don’t think he really hears me. I don’t think he gets it.”
I shift uncomfortably on the balls of my feet while I try to figure out how to bring the conversation around. “Have you tried talking to his friends about it?” I can feel myself blushing because I’m being so obvious. It’s just lucky that Annabelle has been drinking so her perception is off. “Maybe they’ll know how to get through to him.”
“Urgh, have you seen his friends? You mean Will Yoker? The DEA agent who thinks he’s God’s gift to women? He doesn’t know how to have an actual conversation with a woman at all. He’s an asshole.”
“DEA?” My nose screws up in confusion. “I thought he was a cop…?”
“Drugs Enforcement Agent. God Cici, get with the real world. Don’t you know anything?”
“So, you don’t like him then?” I gulp, trying not to let my emotions shine through. “He’s no good?”
He seems like a nice enough guy to me, not that I’ve spoken to him much. Maybe that’s just my lust goggles shining through though. Maybe I’m seeing him as I want to because I have too hots for him. It’s possible.
“Urgh, well he’s tall, dark, and handsome, but I honestly don’t think he’s that good looking.” Clearly, me and Annabelle have very different tastes. I like Landon, but the buttoned up preppy look doesn’t do it for me. “But he’s scruffy, isn’t he? He has his hair a bit too long, he hasn’t fully shaved and we all know how I hate stubble, and he doesn’t do anything to hide that scar on his cheek. We get it, you’re a bad body, fucking hell.”
I hadn’t even seen the scar on his cheek, I guess I haven’t been close enough, but that intrigues me. I want to know more about him and where it came from. He can’t really be a bad boy can he, if he works for the good guys? He’s a cop not some criminal. There must be some other reason why Annabelle isn’t keen on him.
And then it comes out. “Plus, I don’t think he’s been that supportive of me and Landon. He makes out that he is in his speech, but I know for a fact that he had some choice words to say in the beginning.”
Ah, of course. There’s no way Annabelle would like someone who didn’t immediately fall for her ’charm’.
“Oh, I see, fair enough.” I nod slowly. “So, maybe he isn’t the best person to ask about Landon then.”
“I think I know Landon far better than he does anyway. I see much more of him than he shows to his friends, so I’m a better authority on what’s going on in his head. I’m the most important person in his life.”
Okay, so now we’ve gone all the way from her being mad at her husband to her defending that she’s the only person to truly get him. Any minute now, she’ll be desperate to be at his side again and I’ll be in the clear. I think as soon as we get out of this bathroom I’m going to hunt Will down and find out more about this scar. Annabelle’s words probably should have put me off him, but her dramatics don’t bother me. I’m more than capable of making my own judgements and I really want to get that delicious fizzing feeling back in the pit of my stomach.
“Sweetie.” All of a sudden, a knocking on the door combined with Landon’s voice grabs both of our attention. “Can I come in and speak to you please? I really didn’t mean to upset you, you know that.”
I look at Annabelle who makes a sweeping gesture with her hands, indicating for me to go. She’s done with me now; my presence is no longer required. Well, that’s just fine by me, I don’t want to be here either.
“Good luck,” I whisper to her as I make my escape. “I’ll see you later on.”
Auntie Mary glares at me as I come out, begging me to give her an answer, so I shoot her a reassuring smile. There’s no point in us worrying anymore, the wedding is done. The couple are married, now all we have to do is accept it. It doesn’t matter to me anyway, I have a mission of my own. I have a Will to find…
I head towards the bar where I saw him last and I prop my back against it. I’m acting like I’m waiting for the bar tender to get to me, but really, I’m searching for him. I want to find those deep brown eyes again.
“Well, hello there.” A chocolaty smooth voice bursts into my ear drums. “We can’t have you standing here alone without a drink now, can we? Especially not when she’s just been through an ordeal with the bride.”
I smirk to myself, somehow knowing from the electricity burning brightly inside of me that it’s him. I turn my head and see him standing there, creating that powerful jolt once more. “I suppose not,” I reply. Somehow, my voice is sultry, I seem to come across as much more of a sexual goddess than I am. He brings it out of me.
Will leans across the bar and he flicks a note towards the bar tender. His commanding nature immediately brings the guy over to him and he orders our drinks. As he does, I feel like I can examine his face a little more closely without the intimidating sensation of him staring right back out of me. There I see the scar running down his cheek. It’s faded, so it must have happened a long time ago, but it’s still alluring. I don’t know what Annabelle’s problem is, I have no idea why she thinks it’s such an issue. It gives his face character.
“So, you’re the cousin of the bride?” Will asks me as he hands me my drink. “And your name is Cici?”
The fact that he’s been asking about me sends a powerful shiver racing up and down my spine. He doesn’t care that he’s been caught out. In fact, he offered the information to me, so I decide to do the same.
“That’s certainly true, best man, DEA agent, Will. The delightful Annabelle is my cousin.”
“You don’t seem anything like her.” He cocks his head and stares at me. His eyes scream sex, I can just imagine how freaking amazing he must be in bed. He certainly doesn’t come across as the cocky, arrogant man who thinks he’s God’s gift to women like Annabelle made out. “You seem a lot…”
“Less crazy?” I offer with a smile. “Less likely to fly off the handle at nothing. Yep, that’s me.”
He brushes his hand against my skin which immediately lights me on fire. It’s like my whole body has been covered in excitable little fairy lights of desire, and only Will can see them. We have our own little secret.
“So, what do you think about this wedding?” he asks me quietly, leaning in so no one can hear. “I mean, it’s nuts isn’t it? No disrespect to anyone, but it’s way too quick. Am I wrong?”
I shake my head vehemently. “No, no, it’s nuts alright. But that’s Annabelle. Completely bonkers. I honestly don’t think we’ve seen the last of the drama tonight. At first, I thought she seemed too happy to kick off, but now I’m concerned that one was just the start of it, and that it’s only going to get much worse.”
There’s one good thing about the drama, and about standing here with Will too. It means I won’t be hounded with questions about any future romance. It must be completely obvious that there’s something going on between me and Will. I’m sure the whole room must be able to smell the pheromones.
“Oh, well, we better sit back and watch the fireworks explode then,” Will replies with a playful smirk. “That will surely liven up this day. It needs something, doesn’t it? It’s getting a bit… dull.”
I’m sure he’s joking. If he feels anything li
ke I do right now then this is the least boring night of our lives. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I’m more than willing to go with the flow. Whatever the hell he wants to do, I’m up for it. There’s a gnawing need in my stomach, a deep desire in my chest, all I want to do is cling to him. I’m never usually forward, it’s always taken me a long time to get anywhere with guys, I don’t even usually flirt, certainly nothing more. But there’s an intense need to get the relief that only he can give me.
“Well, if it doesn’t we might need to find some way to liven it up ourselves,” I reply, just as playfully. “I’m sure that between us we can work out a way to make this… fun.”
His hand reaches out once more and I feel it squeeze my waist. Instantly, there’s a pulsing in my panties, a wet heat there which causes me to clamp my thighs together. If I’m not careful, I’ll leap on him in an instant and we’ll be screwing by this bar in front of the world, for everyone to see. Something about Will is making me lose control, it’s turning me into another person, an animal without the power to dictate what I do. When I look into his eyes, I can feel myself giving him everything without hesitation. Even if this man is what he’s portrayed to be and he’s a player, right now, I’m more than happy to be another notch on his bed post, just so I can be with him.