Any Man I Want

by Michele Grant

  Reverend Moss cleared his throat. “Why don’t I just take it from the top, shall I?”

  I patted him on the arm. “Do your thing, sir.”

  He nodded. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God—and in the face of this company—to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, a commendable institution to be honored among all men; and therefore—is not by any—to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly—but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined.”

  I relaxed as the ceremony got underway, Beau and Belle staring into each other’s eyes; friends and family smiling and nodding; Katrina giving me the tonight-is-the-night look. This was how the day was supposed to be.

  12

  I’m sneezing on your four-tier white chocolate wedding cake

  Katrina—Saturday, May 28—1:49 pm

  I kicked my shoes off and reached forward to help Belle remove the glittery tiara from her head. I smiled at her. “You really do look like a Disney princess.” Her strapless white gown was layers of crystal-encrusted whisper-thin silk that wrapped around her torso and tapered down to her waist before billowing out to a full ball gown.

  She beamed back at me. “I know. Can you believe it, honey? All this time I was so positive I was going to go sleek and modern, but when Yazlyn brought me this designer’s dress, I had to have it. Was it too much?”

  “Not at all. Is it bad that I’m wondering who the designer is and if we should launch a line of wedding dresses at BellaRich?”

  “Ha! I thought the same thing, sugar,” Belle drawled in her Georgia-peach voice.

  “Good, we’ll talk about it when you get back from your honeymoon. Now, what are you changing into for the reception?” I looked around the bedroom.

  “Remember that white suit you designed for resort wear?”

  I tilted my head in confusion. “That was a man’s suit.”

  “It was. Beau had the idea to nip in the waist, put sheer material on the sleeves, turn the pants palazzo, and make it out of jersey and silk.” She pulled it out of the closet and showed it to me.

  I flipped open the jacket to look at the altered, more feminine design. “That brother of mine, who knew, huh?” The material it was made with was white, but shot through with iridescent threads, making it look like it was glowing. “That’s pretty genius.”

  “Beauregard has his moments.” She gave a secret smile and turned so I could unzip the dress and assist her out of it.

  “He was smart enough to seal the deal with you.” I handed her a robe to slip on.

  “He sure ’nuff did, didn’t he?” Her smile turned tremulous.

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I have to admit there was a part of me that wondered if he would cut and run at the last minute.”

  I slid my arm around her waist for a quick hug. “Oh, Belle.”

  She shrugged. “He loves me. I know this. He shows me in so many ways. I love him back, but he was deeply committed to playboyism for a lot of years. I had to wonder if he could let it all go.”

  “Playboyism?” I repeated with a smirk.

  “Sounds nicer than rampant man-whoring.”

  “True. But that was then, this is now. All it took was one good woman, the right woman, and he got his head on straight,” I declared with a nod.

  “Hmm. Funny you should say that,” she murmured as we headed over to the small room behind the bath where the mini–beauty salon was set up. I waved the makeup artist and stylist in so they could refresh Belle’s face and hair before the reception.

  “What’s funny about that?” I raised my brows.

  “You know, sweetie, you and Beau are so much alike in so many ways.”

  I shot her a warning look. “Wedding day or not, if you’re about to call me a ho, I’m sneezing on your four-tier white chocolate wedding cake.”

  “Classy.” She rolled her eyes. “You know I’m not about to call you any such thing. I will say that for some reason, you both tend to think that happiness—true happiness—is meant for someone else, not yourselves. And if all it took was one woman—me—to get Beau to where he is today, can’t you open yourself up to the possibility that all it will take is one good man—Carter—to get you there, too?”

  I settled in the chair opposite hers and crossed my arms. Five minutes as a wife and suddenly she had all the answers? “This is because you’re married now, right? Because you are Mrs. Beau Montgomery—whoa, the sound of that just freaked me out a little bit. Moving on—you think everyone is else is ready to be Mr. and Mrs. Somebody?”

  “No, Miss Snarky. When I first saw you and Carter together at that bar, the one where Renee showed up and . . . you know what, let’s not go there on my wedding day. You know when I’m talking about. You’d had too much champagne . . .”

  “Apparently a recurring theme in my life, but yes—I know what night you are talking about.”

  “I thought then that there was something between you.” She looked over at me, daring me to deny it. I didn’t.

  “There is. It’s called sexual tension and we’re going to take care of that this evening.” I resisted the urge to do a fist pump into the air. It was going to be tonight, it was going to be epic, and I could not wait. Okay, I was probably too excited, overly anticipating the event. I’d been with guys before and in my experience, they always talked a big game and delivered very little. I had a feeling, a gut feeling that this time would be different. More than a feeling, a foregone conclusion. This was Carter. He was not the kind to overpromise and under-deliver; it just wasn’t him. The fact that he wasn’t bragging about his sexual prowess made me want to find what he was working with even more.

  “Katrina, you think Big Sexy was waiting on you to grow up to scratch an itch? Like he can’t have any woman he wants, whenever he wants?”

  “You think he was waiting on me to grow up?” I liked the idea more than I thought I would.

  “I definitely think he’s been waiting on you.”

  “He has never said a word about long-term. We’ve only been officially dating for a week. We haven’t even slept together yet. Everybody needs to just calm down.”

  “You’ve known each other for years. More than foreplay, it’s like you’ve been in pre-relationship status for years.”

  “This is different. It’s me and Carter. We don’t know exactly what we’ve got yet. It might take some time to unravel it all.”

  “I knew the weekend after I met your brother that it was going to be serious.”

  “I think you’ve got some revisionist history going on there, but I’m going let you have that on your wedding day.” To my recollection, she held him off for about three months and then they spent another three months bouncing naked whenever the whim struck them. Then they decided they might want to get serious between all the naked time. But, hey, I was on the outside looking in, so what did I know?

  “Girl, please wake up and smell the happily-ever-after. If you could just be open to it... that’s all I’m saying,” Belle implored me.

  I waved her concerns away with my hand. “I have too much going on to think long-term right now. I have to find out who is making my life hell, we’re behind on the summer line, and I want to talk about designing shoes.”

  “Shoes and wedding dresses. We will. But let me say this last thing.”

  “It’s your day, sister. Say whatever you want.”

  Her eyes turned dreamy and she reached over to squeeze my hand. “Sister.”

  I squeezed back. “I know, right? Can you believe you married my brother?”

  “Can you believe he married me?” I thought it was cute that she thought he was such a catch. I loved my brother, but he was high maintenance.

  “He would’ve been a fool not to. My brother is many things, but a fool is not one of them.”

  “You got that right. But back to you.”

  Clearly she wasn’t going to
let this go. “Oh, jeez. Okay. Speak your truth, married lady.”

  “Carter is the real deal, okay? I want you to give this an honest try. If you don’t think you can do it, just walk away now and save everybody some unnecessary drama.”

  “That’s what he said.”

  “He’s right.”

  “Okay. I hear you. And I’ll take it under advisement. Now, let’s get you in that gorgeous suit and back by your husband’s side before he comes looking for you.”

  She glanced down at the band of diamonds that joined the chocolate diamond solitaire on her hand. She gave me a smug grin. “Husband. I am Mrs. Beau Montgomery.”

  “Um, um, um. May God have mercy on your soul.”

  13

  We could use a little boom-chicka right now

  Carter—Saturday, May 28—4:03 pm

  Katrina crossed her leg, curled into the cradle of my arm, and spoke softly in my ear. “My feet are killing me, I want out of this tight skirt and I am so over the reception of it all. How much longer until we can get out of here, you think?”

  I smiled at her ruefully. “Let’s see... I’m the best man. You’re the maid of honor and the bride and the groom are still here. We can’t go until they go.”

  “We’ve danced, we’ve eaten, and we’ve given speeches and toasts. We’ve done the cake and photos. You and I have chatted up everybody here. I answered every nosy cousin’s questions about why my bare behinds are all over the Internets.”

  “Yes, and the questions as to why you tried to dive for the floor when the bouquet came your way?” I teased her. Belle had tossed the bouquet straight to her and there was no gracious way not to catch it. When Beau tossed the garter my way, Percy stepped in front of me and caught it. It was a hilarious moment, made more so when he turned and tucked the garter into my jacket pocket, saying I’d have far better use for it than he would.

  Katrina shrugged. “Anyway, Beau and Belle are married up right nice, I say we make a break for it.”

  “I can’t decide if you are eager to get to bed for me or for sleep.” I looked down into her eyes.

  “First one and then the other.” She grinned and shook her head when the waiter tried to top off her champagne.

  “You’ve been nursing that half glass of bubbly for hours,” I noted.

  “I want to be clearheaded for tonight and it’s important that I hydrate.” She winked and took another sip of water.

  I squeezed her shoulder. “Planning on sweating this evening?”

  She gazed up at me through her lashes. “I expect you’ll put me through my paces.”

  “Girl, you keep talking that talk and see what it gets you.”

  “Please show me. As soon as possible, please and thank you,” she whispered.

  I had really wanted to give us time to get to know each other on a different level before we got into all the sex, because I didn’t want it to be all about the sex. I already knew it was going to be a lot of very, very spectacular sex. But I wasn’t going to make it one more night without having her. Walking away this morning had nearly crippled me. Watching her go soft and wet while watching me in the shower was the absolute last straw. The chemistry that had always been there between us had been bubbling up all week and it was about to boil over. “You know why I wanted to wait, right?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, it’s gotta be different.”

  “Right.” She got it. We were making progress.

  “But it is. I’ve never felt quite like this before. It’s not just physical. I get that. But Carter, I can’t wait any more. I want this. With you. And you have to know by now; it’s not going to be any other way between us. We lit a match and it’s about to burn out of control. I sound like an idiot saying these things, but I have to tell you how it feels. It’s hot and urgent.”

  It was great to know that she felt the same way. “I know, baby. Believe me. I almost said something about being on fire for you until I realized how boom-chicka-wah-wah that sounded.”

  “Woo . . .” she exhaled slowly, “We could use a little boom-chicka right now.”

  “We could use a lot.” I looked around and located Beau and Belle in their own little world. “Let me nudge your brother and his bride on up outta here.”

  “Hurry.” She breathed with those flames we discussed flaring up in her eyes. Her skin was flushed and she looked so damned doable in that moment that I had to dig deep for control and force myself to walk away.

  “Hey Montgomerys!” I approached the newlyweds and put an arm around each of them. “I think you two have earned an exit. You’ve got an early flight to Bali in the morning and I don’t even want to know what you’re trying to get into tonight. Since these folks are going to stay until every last drop of booze and grilled shrimp is devoured, how about you tip on out? Officially.”

  Beau nodded. “My man, we were just wondering how much longer we were required to entertain folks.”

  I clapped him on the back. “Your credit card will do the rest of the entertaining. Go enjoy being man and wife.”

  Belle kissed me on the cheek. “You ain’t slick, Parks, but since I’m cheering for you, we’ll let it slide.”

  I elbowed Beau out of the way and gave her a bug hug. “Thanks, I’m going to do right by her. Listen, this one gives you any trouble, the upgrade is always available.”

  “Hey!” Beau snatched her out of my arms.

  “Everybody, Mr. and Mrs. Avery Beauregard Montgomery are departing to begin their honeymoon. Let’s clap them out the door, shall we?” I announced. I ducked out of the way as the crowd converged on Belle and Beau. With a smile, I turned and met the knowing glint of Pops Montgomery’s regard.

  “We expect to see you and Katrina over to the house when you get back to Dallas next week,” he called out.

  “Yes, sir,” I agreed.

  “And I expect your grandfather taught you to treat a lady like a lady.” He stepped closer to me.

  “Yes, sir.”

  He stood directly in front of me. “All right. Don’t make me get the shotgun, boy. I’m too old for jail.”

  “Yes, sir.” I squelched a smile.

  He opened up his arms and gave me a big hug. “Gotta good feelin’ ’bout you two. Just remember, she’s a thoroughbred. Beautiful but high-strung, used to getting her own way and quick to run. You need a firm hand, an open heart, and a soft voice, ya hear?”

  “Sir, did you just liken your only daughter to a horse?”

  “Look here boy, I ain’t ’bout all dat political correctness. I know you take my meaning.”

  “I do indeed, sir.”

  “Go head on then and take care of my girl. Get up outta here. I got this.”

  I nodded and backed away before anybody changed their minds. “Thanks, sir. I will, sir. Good night, sir.” I motioned to Katrina, who almost tripped in her haste to meet me by the door. I pushed the door open and shut it behind us quickly. We stepped into the bright Nevada sun and back across the bridge to the private hotel entrance.

  “What was that?” she asked as we walked inside, briskly heading toward the elevator bay.

  “I think I just got the all-clear from your father.”

  “What?”

  I decided to keep the horse analogy to myself. “He told me he had a good feeling about us and told me to take care of you.”

  She stopped dead in her tracks. “For the last damned time, I can take care of myself.”

  I drew her toward me slowly and leaned down until my lips were a hairsbreadth away from hers. “Yes, but do you really want to . . . take care of yourself? Tonight?”

  “Well, when you put it like that. . . .” She licked her lips and I could not pass up the invitation. I meant to drop a light kiss on her lips, but the moment our mouths touched, it was a whole different ball game. Her mouth fell open needily and my tongue plundered inside. We battled to taste each other, nipping and lapping in the rawest, least sophisticated ways possible. We were too hungry for finesse; it was all about feeding
the sensations.

  “Get a room, Big Sexy!” a voice called out and we broke apart, remembering where we were.

  “Woo-hoo, get some, Kit-Kat!” another voice called.

  I couldn’t believe I’d been so careless. The last thing we needed were any more revealing photos of Katrina out there. “I’m sorry, I forgot. You went straight to my head.”

  She looked around. “We’re still by the villas. This area of the hotel is by invitation only.” She glanced over my shoulder. “That was Greg and Roni giving us shit, by the way.”

  I turned to see the couple grinning at us. I shot them the finger. “We have a room; we’re headed to it now, thank you very much.”

  “Not a moment too soon!” Roni called out and they waved at us as they disappeared down the opposite hallway.

  Thankfully, there was no one on the VIP elevator and we made it to our room without incident. I put out the do not disturb sign, closed the door behind us, and slammed the second lock shut. It was finally time and I wanted no interruptions.

  Katrina kicked off her shoes, unzipped her dress, and let it fall to the ground. She stood there in a strapless gold bra with the tiniest panties I had ever seen. “For the record, Carter Evan?”

  “Yeah?” I tossed my jacket to the side and pulled off my tie and cuff links.

  “No, I don’t want to take care of myself tonight. I’m all yours for the taking.”

  “You ready for me, Kit-Kat? I mean, really ready?” I watched her intently.

  She stepped to me and started taking the studs out of my dress shirt. When it was completely unfastened, she pulled it off of me and started working to undo my pants. “Why don’t you try me and find out?”

  “I’ll take that as a yes. Let me ask you something,” I muttered as I toed off my shoes.

  “Anything,” she responded, kneeling in front of me to pull off my socks.

  The sight of her on her knees in front of me derailed my thoughts for a moment.

  “Carter?” she breathed, looking up at me as my pants hit the ground.

  “Huh?”