Tall, Dark and Tempting

by Erika Wilde

  And maybe, if she was really lucky, she’d have a date to take with her to Leo and Peyton’s upcoming wedding. “Fine. Okay,” she finally relented as she headed for the back door to let in her class. “I’ll go to your barbeque this weekend and meet Ashton.”

  And hoped she didn’t end up regretting her decision.

  3

  “Two down, one to go,” Aiden, Dylan’s oldest sibling, said with a too jovial slap on Dylan’s back. “Your turn is next, little brother.”

  Dylan refrained, just barely, from rolling his eyes at Aiden, who was deliriously, happily married and now believed both of his brothers needed to be experiencing the same marital bliss, as well. Before his wife, Daisy, had come along, Aiden had been just as guarded and skeptical about committing himself to one woman, so it was almost amusing that he was now championing the union of marriage.

  The same could be said for Dylan’s other brother, Leo, who’d once been stood up at the altar and had experienced his share of heartbreak, yet had managed to somehow give love another try with Peyton. Today the two of them were getting hitched in Peyton’s parents’ backyard in a small outdoor ceremony and reception, so of course, love was in the air, and Aiden apparently thought it was important to remind Dylan that he, too, could find the love of his life.

  “I’m one hundred percent happy living life as a bachelor,” he told his older brother, because it was true for the most part. “I’ve got a great job that I love, I come and go as I please, and since you’ve produced a grandchild for mom to dote on, I’m off the hook for that, too.”

  At the mention of Aiden’s kid, Dylan followed his brother’s gaze as he glanced at his wife, Daisy, who was standing a few feet away with their mother, Grace, and her boyfriend, Charles, as the trio entertained the admittedly adorable baby in Daisy’s arms with tickles and exaggerated baby talk conversation. At six months old, little Isabella Stone was all big blue eyes and chubby cheeks, with a gregarious personality that even Dylan found irresistible.

  Aiden pushed back the sides of his suit jacket and slid his hands into his slacks pockets, a ridiculously sappy smile on his face. “Daisy is the best thing to ever happen to me, and that little girl has completely stolen my heart in ways I didn’t even think possible.”

  Yeah, his brother was completely and totally whipped by the two ladies in his life. “I agree, she is kinda cute. Isabella, I mean,” he clarified, deliberately alluding to a private joke between them, the one that reminded Aiden that Dylan had almost asked Daisy out on a date before he’d known that his brother had already knocked her up. Yeah . . . talk about awkward.

  “Ha, ha,” Aiden said in a droll tone. “Very funny.”

  Dylan pulled his cell phone from his pocket to check the time, then glanced around the backyard. In fifteen minutes, they all needed to take their seats for the ceremony, and Serena had yet to arrive with her date . . . Asher or Ashby or Ashley or some other pretentious name like that. It was Serena’s second official outing with the guy she’d been introduced to by her friend, Chelsea, and when he’d texted Serena a few nights ago to ask how things were going with her latest beau, her reply had been really good with a big smiley face. She’d also used other mundane words, like great guy and really nice, which sounded boring as hell. The guy sounded like a certified yawner to him.

  “Looking for someone?” Aiden asked.

  Dylan shifted his gaze back to his brother. “No,” he lied. “Why?”

  Aiden smirked knowingly. “Because you keep looking at the time on your phone, then glancing toward the gate leading to the backyard for the ceremony. If you’re so concerned about Serena making it to the wedding on time, you should have brought her as your date. As a friend, of course,” he amended, though Dylan didn’t miss the mocking inflection in his voice.

  Dylan kept his expression impassive, refusing to play into his brother’s suggestion. Everyone was aware of how Serena felt about him, and they all thought he was dense for not seeing it himself, but that’s where they were wrong. His friendship with her was a hard line he refused to cross, because he was definitely not the whole package she was searching for, and losing her was something he would never risk.

  “The only thing I’m worried about is making sure there’s a cold beer on tap waiting for me after this ceremony is over,” he replied, just as Eric Miller, Leo’s good friend and business partner, joined them.

  “Did someone say cold beer?” Eric said jovially, a big grin on his face. “Point the way.”

  “After the wedding,” Aiden said, sounding like the stern older brother he was.

  Eric laughed and shook his head. “Jesus, being a husband and a father has made you a total stick-in-the-mud.”

  “No I’m not,” Aiden replied, clearly annoyed by the unflattering characterization.

  “Yeah, you kind of are,” Dylan agreed, trying not to laugh at the offended look on his brother’s face. “I mean, who plans a night of playing pool at a pub for a guy’s bachelor party? Not a stripper in sight. That’s the definition of a stick-in-the-mud if you ask me.”

  Aiden frowned at Dylan. “It’s what Leo wanted.”

  “That’s what he said he wanted,” Eric cut in. “But come on, you could have livened things up with a little . . . entertainment.”

  “And that’s the difference between men who are in committed relationships with great women and boys who still want to play around,” Aiden said. “We don’t feel the need to gawk at strange women stripping off their clothes when we’re perfectly happy and content with what we have at home.”

  Eric slapped Aiden good-naturedly on the back. “Don’t worry about it, old man. Dylan and I are heading to Vegas next weekend and we’ll more than make up for the lack of entertainment at Leo’s bachelor party while we’re there.”

  “Las Vegas?” Aiden asked curiously, glancing at Dylan. “What for?”

  “I have a meeting with the marketing manager at a small boutique hotel and casino off the strip who’s interested in creating an app for their guests to enhance their gambling experience. They want to hammer out the last of the details of our contract so I can get started on the project.” It was another lucrative deal to add to Stone Media’s list of clients. “Since Eric and I are the only single guys left, we’ll go and live it up for those of you who are now wearing a ball and chain.”

  Aiden glanced at the beautiful woman holding their baby, then back to Dylan with a smile. “I wouldn’t trade what I have with Daisy for anything, even if it does mean wearing a so-called ball and chain. You two have no idea what you’re missing out on.”

  Dylan grinned back at his blissfully happy brother, who not so long ago would have balked at the idea of being tied down. “Who are you, and what have you done with my brother Aiden?” he teased.

  “Hey, everyone,” Serena’s familiar voice rang out, slightly breathless and husky, drawing Dylan’s attention to the direction of the feminine sound as she and her date joined their family circle, which she’d always been a part of. “We took a wrong turn and I’m glad we figured it out because I’d be crushed if I missed the ceremony.”

  Dylan barely held back a smirk. Clearly, her date was the directionally challenged one and had made the wrong turn, and a small, stupid part of him took pleasure in that flaw. Especially considering the man who had his hand resting very intimately on the base of Serena’s spine was tall, good-looking, and well put together with no outward imperfections to be found.

  As for Serena, well, she looked stunningly beautiful in a pale pink dress that was classy yet subtly sexy in the way the off-the-shoulder design exposed her smooth, creamy skin and hinted at the soft upper swells of her breasts. She’d worn her hair in an upswept style with a few wavy strands framing her face, and Dylan was struck with the annoying thought that later tonight her date just might be the lucky bastard who got to pull out the pins holding all that soft, glorious hair in place.

  “We have about ten more minutes before we have to be seated,” Dylan’s mother, Gra
ce, said amicably, her gaze lighting up with interest as she gave Serena’s date a curious once-over. “Who is this handsome man you’re with?”

  “This is Ashton Carlyle,” Serena said, then went on to introduce him to each person by name, which the guy acknowledged with a friendly handshake.

  Dylan was the last one to greet him, and had to admit that he had a strong, firm grip that commanded respect. Begrudgingly, Dylan gave the other man his approval as Serena’s date. For now.

  “Let me have that sweet girl,” Serena said, taking Isabella from Daisy and holding her on one hip as she cooed nonsensical things to the baby that made Isabella’s eyes widen in glee.

  The little girl loved Serena and lit up whenever she saw her. And every time Dylan watched his best friend with Isabella, he felt a weird pang in his chest he did his best to ignore because he didn’t want to acknowledge what it all might mean. Having babies was what Serena longed for, it was what she deserved after her own tumultuous family life, but kids were not on Dylan’s radar, which was not an issue for him since he’d have plenty of nieces and nephews to spoil.

  Her date, clearly uninterested in the baby, turned toward the group of guys, his gaze landing on Dylan. “Serena tells me that you’re childhood friends and you grew up next to one another.”

  Dylan refrained, just barely, from correcting the other man about the status of their relationship, that they’d been best friends all their lives, and still were, but knew that would just be petty when he seemed like a decent guy. “Yep. She’s a fantastic girl, so make sure you treat her right, or you’ll have to answer to me,” he said, joking. Sort of.

  Ashton laughed lightly. “Duly noted, though I have to point out that those sexy curves of hers say she’s more of a woman than a girl, so treating her right will be no problem at all,” he replied, kidding right back. Sort of.

  Dylan frowned at the inappropriate innuendo in his words, then told himself to lighten up and to stop trying to find fault with the guy.

  “The music for the ceremony is starting, so we should take our seats,” Grace suggested, and they all headed toward the wooden chairs set up on the lawn in front of a big, white gazebo decorated in white and pink flowers, where the seating for the nuptials was open and casual.

  Dylan found himself seated beside Eric in the row behind his mother and Charles, Daisy and Aiden, with Serena and her date positioned directly in front of his chair. They were seated for only a few minutes before his brother, Leo, took his place up on the gazebo in front of the minister, then faced the guests as he waited for his bride to appear. The couple had opted for a small, intimate ceremony, with just close friends and family in attendance. They’d also decided to forego the fanfare of having bridesmaids and best men, which was why he, Aiden, and Eric were sitting out in the audience, which was fine with him.

  Instead of having wedding-day jitters, Leo beamed like he was the luckiest man on the planet, and as soon as Dylan got a glimpse of Peyton, stunningly beautiful in a simple but elegant white wedding gown as she walked down the aisle with her father escorting her, it became obvious how much Leo adored the woman who’d made him believe in love again after being jilted a few years before.

  The ceremony itself was short and sweet, and throughout the service, Dylan didn’t miss the way Serena dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, or her soft sniffles as the couple exchanged their vows, or how her date took her hand and gave it a gentle, affectionate squeeze as if to let her know he was aware of her emotions and feelings.

  Ugh. Okay, fine, maybe he was a nice guy after all.

  After Leo and Peyton were pronounced husband and wife, and after walking back down the aisle together while everyone clapped and cheered, the couple was whisked away for photos while all the guests migrated to the other end of the yard, where appetizers and an open bar awaited them, before a sit-down dinner was served.

  Dylan ended up at a table with his family, which included Serena and her date, though thankfully Ashton guided the two of them to the seats across from Dylan and beside Aiden, because Dylan wasn’t in the mood to make small talk with the other man. But that didn’t stop him from eavesdropping on their conversation as his brother and Serena’s date exchanged work-related stories, with Aiden as an ad executive and Ashton as a pharmaceutical rep, while Serena conversed with Grace, who was seated next to her.

  During the course of the meal, it didn’t escape Dylan’s notice that Ashton went through two gin and tonics, when he’d already consumed two others during the appetizer round. But the guy held his liquor well because his speech never wavered and he seemed in complete control of his faculties. It was impressive . . . and worrisome because Serena had ridden to the wedding with him and he was also her ride home at the end of the night.

  For the rest of the evening, Dylan sat on the sidelines and continued to surreptitiously watch the other man, who always seemed to have a drink in his hand, except for the times that he was out on the dance floor with Serena, when his hands were on her, instead, as he whispered things that made her laugh and smile and blush in his attempt to charm the panties off of her later.

  Dylan’s stomach burned with . . . acid. Yeah, that’s what it had to be. A case of heartburn that had nothing to do with the certain green-eyed monster lurking inside him.

  While Serena was distracted watching along with everyone else as Peyton and Leo cut their cake, her date made another quick trip to the open bar and downed his drink before joining her again, keeping her oblivious to just how much alcohol he was consuming. Then they were back out on the dance floor enjoying the lively, energetic music along with the other couples, including Daisy and Aiden, while his mother and Charles watched Isabella, and even Eric, who’d persuaded a guest from the bride’s side of the family to join in on the fun.

  Three or four songs later, Ashton and Serena took a break. As they held hands, the other man spun her around until she was laughing breathlessly, face flushed pink, then they reached the table where Dylan had been sitting and observing from afar.

  “I could use a drink,” Ashton said, not a hint of a slur in his speech, or any other indication that he’d imbibed too much. “Either of you want something from the bar?”

  “No, thanks,” Dylan said, biting his tongue to keep from saying, Don’t you think you’ve had enough to drink? “I’m good.”

  “I’d love a water,” Serena replied, smiling at her date as she sat down at the table with Dylan.

  Once Ashton was out of earshot, Serena glanced at him, her expression infused with happiness. “He’s a great guy, don’t you think?”

  God, it killed him that she wanted his approval, but her eyes were so hopeful as they waited for his reply, and Dylan exhaled a deep breath and chose his words carefully, because Serena’s safety was his priority. “He seems like a perfectly nice guy, except for the fact that he’s had more to drink than anyone else here tonight.”

  That sparkle in her eyes dimmed a bit as she frowned at him. “He’s not drunk, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”

  Again, Dylan took a moment to evaluate his thoughts before speaking. “Drunk is a relative term. Is he sloppy drunk and slurring his words and can’t keep his balance? No, he’s not. But he’s had seven drinks tonight and is currently ordering his eighth, which to me indicates a problem.”

  Her gaze shifted to the bar, to the man who was already gulping down the liquor the bartender had just delivered in a glass. “Oh. I had no idea,” she said quietly. “I mean, I wasn’t really paying attention and he’s not showing any signs of being inebriated.”

  At least now she was aware of the situation, even if he’d pretty much burst her bubble and put a damper on her evening. “He holds his liquor well enough that most people wouldn’t know he’s probably extremely intoxicated. And the fact that he can drink that much and act fine means he’s an experienced drinker.”

  Ashton started their way, holding a glass of water in his hand, his own drink already gone, and Dylan knew he needed to say one more thi
ng, and quickly, before the other man arrived. “I just want you to be aware of the situation so you can be careful and make a smart decision about leaving with him tonight. In fact, I think you should be the one to drive the two of you home. Or if you’re not comfortable with that, then you know you can count on me to give you a ride.”

  She nodded, doing her best to conceal her disappointment just as her date appeared at their table and handed her the glass of water she’d requested. She took a sip, her gaze studying Ashton above the rim, and it was obvious to Dylan that she was now looking at the other man in a whole new light. And he honestly felt bad . . . yet there was no way in hell that he’d allow Serena to get into a vehicle with this guy when his blood alcohol level was undoubtedly way over legal limits.

  Soon after that, the bride and groom took off for their wedding night together, and the guests gradually started to disperse. Dylan was standing with Eric, trying to convince him to be a beta tester for the the Boyfriend Experience app before it officially launched—with Eric balking at the idea of being some woman’s ideal date—while the rest of the family gathered up their things so they could leave, as well.

  Ashton and Serena joined them, her expression troubled now that she was aware of his drinking habits, though her date didn’t seem to notice her more subdued demeanor as he slid his hand into hers.

  “It was great meeting all of you,” Ashton said, his tone steady and polite, despite the glassy look of his eyes. “I think we’re going to head out for the night.”

  “You two have a good evening,” Grace said, smiling at them and oblivious to Serena’s uneasy demeanor.

  After a round of goodbyes, Dylan waited for Serena to say something to her date, but instead she started to walk away with him. The last thing Dylan wanted to do was interfere, but the thought of something happening to her as a result of Ashton’s reckless behavior had him stepping forward, intending to stop them, just as Serena did the same.