by Ava Claire
“Nonsense,” Mom scoffed. She guided Victoria back to the vanity and yanked me beside them. We were quite the trio. Two platinum blondes and a honey one. Two that looked like mother and daughter, and a third that looked vaguely related. I drew a breath and looked again. Three that looked utterly beautiful, Victoria in her gown, me in my scarlet dress, and my mother in her rosy red two piece suit.
My mother reached out and gripped our hands. She was all teeth, squeezing my fingers until I felt like they would fall off. “Aren't we a pretty picture!”
Victoria and I rolled our eyes in unison.
My mother broke out of the frame, craning her neck toward the door. “Where on earth is that photographer I'm paying a fortune for!” She dashed off to yell at the poor woman, leaving me and my sister in front of the mirror.
I tossed my sister a shrug and struggled to find something to say. Some sage advice to give before she walked down the aisle. “Ready to change your last name?” I nearly smacked my forehead.
Victoria just leaned closer to the mirror, adjusting the birdcage veil that dipped over one of her eyes. “You didn't really invite that man to the wedding, did you?”
We were doing so well. I should have known it was too good to be true. “Do you mean my boyfriend?”
“Penny, really!” she hissed, whirling to face me. She teetered on her heels and her friends rushed to save their queen, but she waved them off. “Can you guys go in the hall? We're rolling in like two minutes.”
They leapt into action without a single huff of dissent, filing out of the room one by one. The stylist remained, but a glare from my sister made her scatter from the room too.
When we were alone, Victoria turned to me. A glacial, beautiful scowl was on her glossy lips. She placed both hands on her hips. If she wasn't so concerned about money and prestige, she would have made one hell of a teacher. “I warned you about him. I know for a fact that you're not an idiot. And after what your ex did-”
“Don't you dare compare him to Marshall,” I growled. Bride or not, I squared off with her. “And you didn't reach out to me once after we broke up, so you really don't get to invoke his name to support your misplaced concern about my poor, pathetic heart.”
Her eyes widened. I'd never stood up to her. I grinned and took it. That had always been our dynamic.
“Most little sisters would appreciate their big sisters looking out for them-”
“And I do appreciate it,” I insisted, trying to breathe and lower my blood pressure. After a few breaths, when the heat of anger had died down to smoke, I picked up my bouquet and held out my arm. We would just have to agree to disagree on the matter of Xander Wade. She didn't know him, and didn't seem to concerned about changing that, but I hoped that with time, she would be. If I could give her husband, the bro-est of bros, a cordial hello and goodbye, she could do the same. Hopefully.
“Today isn't about me or Xander. It's about you and the man that's waiting at the end of the aisle. Don't worry about me, sis. I'll be just fine.”
If I didn't know any better, I'd say that I saw tears in her eyes, but she sniffed and just like that, the rain was gone. She took my arm and we marched out into the hall.
The wedding planner, a fierce woman named Aga who ruled the itinerary with an iron fist whipped to face us and I rushed to my place behind Lara. Victoria started toward Aga. She leaned in and whispered something that made the woman groan with disgust.
“You know I don't like surprises!”
Victoria didn't say another word and the woman just sighed and pointed at me. “You! To the front of the line!”
Lara and I exchanged glances, then turned back to my sister.
“The front of the line?” I asked feebly.
Lara still hadn't picked her jaw up from the floor.
Victoria just stood taller, taking the bouquet from my mother. “That's where the maid of honor belongs.”
Lara looked two seconds away from exploding. I edged out of line and in front of her, half expecting her to grab my braid and start brawling with me like some Jerry Springer re-run, but she just shuffled into place behind me, hatred glowing in her eyes.
“It's showtime ladies!” Aga whispered, clapping her hands. She barked something into her earpiece, then gestured for me to start walking. I moved forward through the enclosed patio, the garden already in view. The flowers smelled sweet, flooding my nostrils with their saccharine scent. The music was soft and gentle as I put one foot in front of the other. There was a sea of people on both sides. Most of them were strangers, all important looking and in their finest. They smiled at me, but it was clear that many of them were ready to skip to the reception part where the booze would flow freely and they could get out of the sun.
And then familiar green eyes rose out of the mass of cocktail dresses and suits. I paused for a second, my heart nearly beating out of my chest.
Xander mouthed a single word: “Wow.”
I rocked back into motion, surprised I didn't trip when I glimpsed him looking pretty wow-worthy himself. He wore a gray suit with a crisp white shirt, his dark hair sleek and his smile following me all the way to the altar. I had to force myself not to look at him or I'd do something crazy like rush to him and kiss him. I could picture Aga and her security team carting us off. After all of us took our place and the groomsmen followed (my sister wanted to switch things up and do something avant garde), my sister made her appearance. Free booze and the world class DJ was the furthest thing from everyone's mind as she moved down the aisle.
When the ceremony began, I tried to focus on their vows, but with every sappy word they shared, I stole a look at Xander. The quiet smile on his lips melted me into a puddle. When they kissed and made it official, I felt his lips pressed against mine.
As the newlyweds hurried back down the aisle and we followed them to begin part two of the wedding photos, I found him in the crowd and he winked at me. His lips were moving and I counted out something that looked like three words, but I was back in the building before I could figure them out.
The only thing I knew as surely as I was breathing was that I was ridiculously in love with Xander Wade.
Chapter Eight: Xander
I'm a fucking lucky man.
I looked across the courtyard at Penny, glowing brighter than anyone else in the room. It had very little to do with the dress, though she looked like the best kind of sin in the hot little red number. The makeup hid the freckles that I was fond of and the caramel eyes I could look into for hours. And I never knew ankles could be so sexy but the fact that the hem hit a few inches above hers was way more delicious than the heels on her feet.
The glow was in her smile, the one she gave the guests she nervously mingled with and the sensual one she gifted me when she caught me staring. How could I not stare? I was in love...and something told me this was the start of something good.
I tuned back into the conversation at hand. I’d already forgotten every name that had been given to me, but they knew exactly who I was. As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, they were on me like flies on shit.
One of the more aggressive ones flashed his bleached white teeth. They gleamed as brightly as his balding head. “So, Xander-is it okay if I call you Xander?”
“No,” I answered crisply.
His smile wavered, but he recovered, smile firmly back in place. “Mr. Wade, if I could just pick your brain about this boutique I'm considering purchasing-”
“It's a wedding,” I said with as much politeness that I could muster. “It's not really the venue for business advice.”
A second practically humped my leg when I turned to exit. “Do you like golf? I'd love to buy you lunch at my club sometime soon.”
He reached into his lapel for a business card, but I kept my hands firmly at my side, glancing at the lot of them and forgetting them instantly. “If you all would excuse me.”
I sighed inwardly as I put them in the rear view and focused on Penny. She was talking to a gray hai
red woman whose voice was as animated as her bright yellow dress.
“...and that's when I asked your mother if you were ever planning on settling down. You're not getting any younger, dear!”
“Sounds like that's my cue,” I said smoothly.
Penny met my eye and I watched relief flicker across her pretty face. “Aunt Margery, I'd like for you to meet my date, Xander Wade.”
Margery turned her wide eyed astonishment on me, tucking her cane beneath her arm and nearly impaling an emaciated looking brunette. She held out her hand for me to kiss it like we were in some period movie. “Margery Robertson and my, my, my-Bree didn't tell me that you were such a looker!”
I pressed my lips against her knuckles, turning the charm on. “Well, it seems modesty runs in the family. I'm a little more than a date. I'm Penny's boyfriend.” I stood upright and winked. “I'm pretty crazy about your niece.”
Penny's cheeks matched her dress, but she moved closer to me, looping her arm in mine. Her touch sent a wildfire of lust and desire racing across my body. “Funny, cuz I'm pretty crazy about my Xander.”
“Aren't you two just as cute as a picture!” Margery gushed. When the DJ spun some lively pop hit that made the guests whoop with delight, she used her cane to point at the dance floor. “Why are you two standing over here talking to an old lady?” She grinned at Penny. “If you don't ask him to dance, I will!”
I guided Penny towards the floor, tossing a final smile at her aunt. “The next dance has your name on it, Margery.”
“She's going to hold you to that you know,” Penny giggled, her arm sliding down the length of mine until our hands clasped.
I paused just before we hit the mass of people gyrating, bringing our joined hands to my mouth. I brushed a kiss on her skin, then dipped my head and captured her lips. It was sweet and tender, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.
Her eyes were still closed when I leaned back to look at her.
“So, Margery is clearly Team Xander,” I said cockily. “One down-”
“Too many cousins and aunts and uncles,” Penny shuddered. “My mother invited the entire family tree.” Her face went serious, her lips stretching into a thin line and her nostrils flaring. “And you still haven't met my mom. My dad will be easy. And Victoria...” She trailed off.
I nodded, letting her know I understood I had my work cut out for me. “I'll have plenty of time to woo your sister.” I pulled her onto the floor, her body crashing into me. “For now,” I whispered, my lips skimming her ear. “Let's dance.”
I didn't know the song. All the women around me, including Penny, seemed to know the words by heart. The only thing I knew was if she kept rolling her body the way she rolled it when we were in private, I was going to be nursing a very indiscreet and uncomfortable erection. The DJ spun a trance mix and I took the opportunity to nudge her towards the bar. A gaggle of black dress wearing blondes let out hoots of laughter when one practically face planted on the floor. Men who looked like they spent their days in high rises like mine were practically twerking. I made a mental note that when we got married, there would be no open bar.
When we got married. Me and Penny. I thought the L word was huge. The M word was colossal. And yet, I could see that future, and it wasn't scary at all. She'd make a beautiful bride.
Penny brought over two vodka tonics with lime, clinking our glasses together before she scanned my face and twisted her lips into a curious smirk. “What were you thinking just now?”
Considering I was barely her real boyfriend, I figured wedding bells would probably freak her out. I told her part of the truth. “I was just thinking how beautiful you are—and how lucky I am.”
She stirred her drink, her cheeks rosy. “You don't have to charm me. I'm already Team Xander.” She crooked her finger and I leaned in, my body fist pumping with the rest of the bros at more of the close contact. Her cheek was against my cheek and we rocked back and forth slowly, like the Electric Daisy Carnival wasn't going down behind us.
“And just so you know, when we get out of here, I'm going to rip off that sexy suit and ride you until you explode inside me,” she purred. She pulled back, her face serene and innocent like she hadn't just whispered something hot enough to make me tent the front of my pants.
“No fair,” I groaned, sipping my drink. I lowered my glass, a naughty thought rippling through my mind. “Why wait? On my way in I saw the perfect little spot for you to ride me until you scream...and beg me to explode inside you.”
Her caramel eyes were molten. The hungry look she'd first shown me the night we met was back with a vengeance. She was so much more to me now. Before, she was just a spark of what could be. Now, I knew how special she was. How kind and gentle. And how naughty and insatiable. There were so many sides of Penny Robertson, and I couldn't wait to discover every single one.
Hand in hand, we weaved through the attendees, and took a detour around one of the men who was fishing for free business advice. My body hummed with excitement about doing something taboo and forbidden, and I swore I could feel thrill shooting from Penny as she squeezed my hand tight.
“Where are you two headed?”
The voice was accusatory and I half expected to come face to face with the blonde from The Red Door, still nursing her bruised ego. Penny loosened her grip on my hand like she was caught sneaking in the cookie jar, then tightened her hold as we wheeled back toward the voice. The woman was blonde, but she was in a wedding gown. Her features were sharper than Penny's, but I saw the resemblance.
The bride held out her hand. “I know you two weren't ducking out of here before I got the chance to meet the infamous Xander Wade.”
She barely shook my hand before she dropped it back to her side, not even bothering to discreetly wipe it off on her dress.
“Victoria,” Penny started with an edge to her voice. “Now is not the time-”
“Don't be silly!” She just blasted right through Penny's attempts to diffuse the situation. “It's my duty to sign off on your boyfriends, is it not?”
From Penny's rigid stance I had a feeling that this was a new rule. I knew that she was used to bending to her sister's will and biting her tongue, but I had no qualms about speaking my mind.
“I'm more than happy to jump through whatever hoops you throw at me, Victoria. Penny's worth it.”
She brought her manicured hand to her lips like she'd just witnessed a miracle. “Rich, handsome, and romantic. I can already tell this one's a keeper.”
“Victoria!” Penny pleaded, biting her lip. I was used to seeing her bite her lip and feeling a swell of desire in me. This time, I felt her anxiety. Her longing for us to get along.
As badly as I wanted to take the bride down a peg or two, I knew that would just put Penny in the middle. I chiseled a smile onto my face. “This whole occasion, from the ceremony to the reception, is beautiful.” It was the truth. The garden was breathtaking with flowers that turned the air into something exotic and alluring. Everything from the string quartet, to the vases, to the waitstaff and ushers that anticipated your needs before your lips parted, created a smooth ceremony from start to finish. And even though we were ducking out a little early, we weren't fleeing a train wreck—though if her sister glared at me any harder, she'd put me six feet under. “You'll have to give me your planner's name. For future reference.”
Penny went slack beside me and when I looked over at her, she looked stunned. Her eyes were wide as she pieced together what I’d said, then a smile brightened her face.
“So now you're planning your wedding to my sister?” Victoria soured the moment.
I knew that my nonchalance and kindness were just annoying her since she was itching for a fight, but I couldn't help myself. “I could see it happening. I thought you'd be happy considering yours will clearly light up the society pages. Quartets, VIP guest list-”
“Speaking of guests!” Her lips curved at the sides but it wasn't a smile. It was all teeth, like a lion that was a
bout to devour its prey. “There's one person on the guest list that I think you've met. Hold on one sec!”
She whipped her train behind her like a bullfighter, and Penny and I exchanged looks.
“Xander,” Penny began with a wince. “I am so sorry.”
I turned to her, sweeping a curl from her eyes. “You don't have anything to apologize for. Your sister has already made up her mind about me. Short of discovering the cure for cancer, I'd bet on her not asking me to be godfather to her perfect children.”
She laughed at that, the sun returning to her face. God, I loved her.
“Did you mean what you said?” she asked softly.
“Hm?”
“That you want the planner for future reference. That you and me-”
“Xander?”
The voice came at me like a sucker punch to the jaw. I let go of Penny, whirling toward it like I was leaning into the blow.
It didn't lessen the surprise that echoed over me like an earthquake.
Victoria was standing there with a smug look on her face. She hadn't said my name. She said my name like a curse.
Jenna said my name like she’d said it a million times before. Like a sigh.
The messy bun was gone, replaced by a pixie cut that made her girlish grin that much more intense as she rushed toward me. Her blue dress swam like an ocean as she threw her arms around my neck.
I didn't return the hug, too stunned. Not feeling. Not breathing.
“Penny, I want you to meet Jenna Wells,” her sister said smoothly. “Xander’s girlfriend.”
~
Thank you for taking the time to read Because You Need Me (Falling For You, Book Two). Please consider leaving a review. xoxo, Ava
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her e-reader, Ava likes road tripping, karaoke, vintage fashion, and fantasizing about her favorite book boyfriends.