Chompin' at the Bit (Horse Play Series Book 2)

by A. D. Ryan

  Dad stepped forward and looked down at her with a wide smile. “It’s time, sweetheart.”

  Lilah drew in a deep breath and nodded quickly as she looped her arm through his. While I could see every bit of her excitement, I suddenly found myself dreading what I was about to endure as we exited the small room and waited to go back into the main hall.

  I slowly turned around to find Kaylie staring up at me with a smug look on her face. She held her hand out, expecting me to take it, but I shook my head and walked past her to exit the room. I could feel her irritation as she followed close behind me. Standing in front of Gavin and Bethany, I placed my hands on Kyle’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze.

  The doors opened, and he sucked in a deep breath before proceeding down the aisle. When he reached the middle of the aisle I felt Kaylie’s fingers weasel their way into the crook of my elbow before we started to follow. My jaw clenched, and I fought the urge to rip my arm away—for Lilah. That was my mantra of the day. Every second she was touching me was another I wished I was being burned alive.

  Until my eyes found hers.

  There, in the front row with my mother, was Madison. She had turned in her seat to watch as everyone came down the aisle, and the smile on her face made me forget all about my current frustration. Offering her a quick wink, I smiled back and, once we reached the end of the aisle, I parted ways with Kaylie and stood next to Kyle. Within a minute, Gavin stood next to me, and the music fluidly morphed into the “Wedding March.” All the guests stood, Madison giving me one more gorgeous smile, and then everyone turned to watch what they were all here to see.

  Kyle faltered slightly upon seeing Lilah, and I smiled; I don’t think he took a breath until she was by his side and holding his hand. I wanted to give them my undivided attention, but I couldn’t help my wandering eye from finding Madison time and time again. It was uplifting to see that she was unable to tear her eyes from me, as well.

  The ceremony was beautiful; Lilah cried when Kyle said his vows, even if he snuck in a few jokes that only the two of them truly understood. All the guests laughed as well, pretending they were in on their private memories.

  With Kyle and Lilah declared husband and wife, we made our way back down the aisle, and I didn’t miss the look on Madison’s face when I felt Kaylie’s fingers dig into my arm again. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance, but the way her lips pursed and twisted up to the right was almost … devious.

  What could she possibly have been thinking?

  The wedding party gathered outside the hall so the guests could congratulate the newlyweds, and as soon as I was free from my obligations to Lilah, I yanked my arm free of Kaylie’s grasp and put some space between us. She didn’t seem overly thrilled by my actions, but I didn’t really give a shit. Moments later, guests started filing out, saying hi to the wedding party before moving on to Lilah and Kyle.

  Curiosity struck me when I caught sight of Madison standing off to the side, her cell phone out in front of her as she snapped a picture and smiled at the screen. What the hell was she up to? Her eyes found mine, and she waved before startling slightly and returning to her phone. Was she texting?

  Her eyes brightened, and she pulled her full bottom lip between her teeth as she slipped her phone back into her tiny purse and joined the masses in talking to the bride and groom. She approached Gavin first, and I couldn’t help the jealousy that overcame me when they hugged. Thankfully their embrace lasted all of two seconds before she moved to his left and shook Bethany’s hand.

  “Hey,” she whispered, taking my hands in hers when she stood in front of me. “Have I told you yet just how amazing you look?”

  Beaming, I leaned my face down and brushed my lips faintly over hers. “No, actually. You have failed to adequately fluff my ego today. Shame on you.”

  She gripped the lapels of my tux jacket and stood even taller on the tips of her toes than her heels made her before planting her lips firmly against mine for a second. “Well, I apologize. Let me assure you that you are the most handsome man here.” A throat cleared to my left, and I rolled my eyes, but Madison took it in stride and looked to Kaylie while smirking.

  Reluctantly, I let go of Madison’s hands as she continued, keeping the line moving, and stood in front of Kaylie. Her eyes moved up and down, assessing Kaylie’s strapless purple dress before she spoke. “You look … nice.” Then her gaze shifted to Lilah and she held out her hands and smiled warmly. “And, Lilah! Oh, wow! You look absolutely radiant,” she beamed as Lilah took her hands in hers.

  Seeing Lilah smile at Madison as she gushed over her appearance was a nice change from how she initially greeted her last night. “Your dress …” Madison continued. “Well, it’s just absolutely stunning! It’s from Monique Lhuillier’s new spring line, isn’t it?”

  Monique who? I wasn’t sure how Madison knew about whatever-the-hell she was talking about, but Lilah’s eyes absolutely lit up, and she nodded emphatically. Madison cast me a sideways glance—complete with a slight smirk of triumph, and it was then that I realized she may have had a little outside help from Willow. She was trying to win Lilah over—and it was working.

  “It is! When I was looking at bridal magazines, I saw this one and I just had to have it!”

  “Well, it’s gorgeous. And so are you. You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve seen.” Lilah and Madison talked about fashion for a few more minutes—well, Lilah talked, Madison mostly smiled and nodded, agreeing in all the right places and instantly dazzling Lilah. It was just one more reason for me to think that Madison was absolutely amazing.

  Kyle smiled at her as she approached. “Well, I was relieved to hear you weren’t quite as hung over as I expected,” he teased, pulling her to his chest. The waves of animosity rolling off Kaylie were enough to chill a person to the bone. She was not impressed by how easily Madison had worked her way into my family’s hearts, and it pleased me even more.

  Once all the guests had their chance to talk with the bride and groom, Devon, the photographer, came over and spoke to Lilah and Kyle before ushering us all outside for a few pictures. Madison was more than willing to tag along, so I wrapped my arm around her, tucked her into my side, and we walked.

  “Okay, so why don’t we get the bridal party there in front of the garden?” the photographer suggested as he took a few steps back and eyed the area for his shot. “We’ll get the bride and groom in the middle and the bridesmaids and groomsmen to either of their sides.

  As we all moved into position, I saw Madison appear to Devon’s right and cock her head to the side. “Just … one sec,” she said before rushing forward to stand in front of Lilah. She knelt down and fixed the skirt of her dress before standing up and combing away a few stray hairs. “There. Perfect.” She took a few steps back and tilted her head again, seeing something that she didn’t quite like. “Y’know what? I think the girls are too close to you. Your dress is so full on the bottom that I think they should maybe shift to the left a few inches. The guys should mirror them … for symmetry.”

  “She’s right,” the photographer announced. “What’s your name?”

  Madison moved to stand next to him, smirking slyly at me before turning to face him. “Madi. I took a few photography courses in high school, and I dabble as a hobby.”

  “Excellent. Well, thank you.”

  “Anytime.” That glint in her eye had returned, and I knew she was up to something more. What, though? I had no idea.

  The photographer snapped a few pictures of the group before Madison suggested some other poses where the bridesmaids and groomsmen were spread out, standing away from the bride and groom. When the photographer seemed pleased with those shots, Madison leaned in and whispered something to him. He smiled and nodded before coming over to us. “Okay, we’re going to do a few shots of the bride with her family, the groom with his, and then bring the two families together.”

  “What about the rest of us?” Kaylie asked, seeming a little desperate to be in the pictures.<
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  Madison stepped forward and adjusted my tie for me before addressing Kaylie without looking at her. “Oh, I think you’re finished.” I held back a shocked laugh. “We’re going to focus on Lilah and Kyle now.”

  “We?” Kaylie repeated snidely.

  I glanced down to find Madison looking up into my eyes and winking. “What are you doing?” I whispered, still not one hundred percent certain I knew what she was scheming.

  “Just making Lilah’s day one she’ll want to remember. No regrets,” she replied softly, running her hand along my jaw. “The truth always has a way of coming out, and I don’t think she’d be so forgiving if she knew. In fact, she’d probably regret involving her in what should be the happiest day of her life.” My body froze as I stared in awe at the woman standing before me. “If it were me and I found out something like that, I’d hate to see the constant reminders of a friendship based on lies in our wedding photos.”

  Before I could question the “our” she used, suddenly wondering if it meant she wanted more, she continued. “In fact,” she said softly. “I think you should consider telling her. Not today. But soon, before she finds out some other way.” A small smile graced her face. “Just think about it. The longer you keep it from her, the more you risk her being upset with you, too.”

  “Madi!” I heard my mom call out. “Why don’t you join us in this photo?”

  The smile fell from her face and her jaw dropped in shock. “Wha—Janet, no. This is a family picture. I couldn’t possib—”

  Cutting her off before she could finish, my mom rushed over and grabbed us both by the hands, pulling us over to where Lilah, Kyle, and Dad stood. “Madison, you’re with Jensen. You’re a part of this family now,” she expressed as we walked past Kaylie. They knew what Madison and I had was casual—they were very open-minded—so I could only assume they were needling Kaylie.

  A frustrated growl escaped my ex as soon as the words reached her. When I turned to glance at Kaylie, her face was almost purple.

  “Get closer, Madison!” Lilah exclaimed, tugging her closer to her side. I moved in to stand behind Madison and wrapped my arms around her waist before placing a lingering kiss on the top of her head. That was the last straw for Kaylie, as it would appear, because she let out a loud huff and stormed off toward the hotel.

  “Okay, everyone,” the photographer said, putting the camera up to his face. “Smile!”

  Chapter 8. My Future

  “Here you go,” I said, coming up behind Madison as she sat at our table in the hall. I set her third glass of wine down in front of her. Dinner had just ended, and the DJ was gearing up for Kyle and Lilah’s first dance as a married couple.

  “Thanks,” she whispered, shifting toward me as I sat next to her.

  “Are you having a good time?” I asked, really hoping that Kaylie being here wasn’t upsetting her. She seemed to be doing okay, but Madison always had a way of guarding herself and pretending everything was fine.

  She nodded, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. “I really am. I thought things would be awkward, but I think everything is going well.”

  “My family seems quite taken with you,” I said, unable to contain my smile.

  She nodded. “They’re great. I’m glad Lilah seems at ease around me now.”

  “Speaking of …” I said, still curious as to how that happened, and cocked an eyebrow inquisitively. “Monique Lhullier?”

  Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, she blushed furiously. “I took a picture and sent it to Willow.”

  “I knew it.”

  She laughed, bringing her glass to her lips and taking a swill of it. Once she swallowed she continued. “I was willing to try anything, short of selling my soul, to get your sister to like me. And the dress looked like the perfect icebreaker. Willow was beyond jealous that I was seeing a Monique Lhullier dress in person. She’s pretty nuts.”

  “Well, Lilah seemed receptive to your efforts, so I’d say your idea was genius,” I complimented.

  Taking another sip of her wine, she shrugged. “I don’t know why you’re so surprised,” she said, feigning pompousness before erupting into a giggle.

  Laughing with her, I leaned forward and kissed her softly before capturing her gaze and pulling back. “So, are you going to dance with me tonight?”

  “I told you I don’t dance,” she replied seriously.

  Arching an eyebrow, I glanced down at her wine and challenged her admission. “Unless you’re drunk,” I countered, reminding her of her words from a week ago when I caught her dancing with abandon in the living room. I knew she was already starting to feel the effects of the wine; she wasn’t drunk, but the blush that filled her cheeks would indicate she was well on her way.

  “Hmm, good point … However,” she whispered, leaning in extra close, her lips brushing my right ear lobe. “If I were to get that drunk, there’s a good chance I won’t be up for whatever it is you have planned for later.”

  “Well, in that case,” I said, pulling back and taking her glass from her hands before drinking the rest of her wine.

  Her eyes widened, watching in disbelief as I polished it off and set the empty glass on the table. She had just opened her mouth to say something that was sure to be snarky—it was one of the things I loved most about her—but was interrupted by the booming voice of the DJ.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to … Mr. and Mrs. Kyle and Lilah Lewis!” The room exploded in applause and everyone stood as they watched Lilah and Kyle walk back into the room for their first dance. A soft melody floated through the room as Kyle pulled Lilah into his arms, and they were both beaming from ear to ear during their entire first dance.

  Across the room, I spotted Kaylie on the edge of the dance floor. She raised her champagne flute in a silent salute to me, and I rolled my eyes, bringing my attention back to Madison. She watched, completely enraptured, as Kyle spun Lilah around on the dance floor and sighed as she leaned her head on my shoulder.

  Cameras flashed all around the room as the song came to a close and Kyle cradled Lilah’s face and kissed her tenderly.

  “Okay, ladies and gents,” the DJ announced as the song slowly morphed into one I recognized. “The bride and groom would like you all to join them on the dance floor before we kick this party off right!”

  I kissed Madison atop her head as it remained on my shoulder. “Dance with me?”

  She giggled softly. “I told you, I can’t dance … especially in these shoes. And you drank all my wine.”

  A slow song started playing, and Madison looked a little wistful as she listened to the lyrics. Shifting slightly in my seat, she was forced to raise her head. “Dance with me?” I repeated, dropping to my knees before her. Her eyes fluttered, and she gasped when my hands found the back of her right calf and trailed down to her ankle. I lifted her foot off the floor and slipped her sexy heel off before moving over to the other and doing the same thing.

  “Jensen, what are you—”

  Cutting her off before she could finish her question, I repeated, “Dance with me.” That time it wasn’t a question. I put her shoes under our table, took her hands in mine and stood up. Even though she still hadn’t given me an answer, I pulled her to her feet and walked backward to the dance floor, forcing her to come with me.

  “I can’t—”

  Before she told me again that she couldn’t dance, I wrapped my right arm around her waist and took her right hand in my left. Then I lifted her slightly until she stood on the toes of my black shoes, and slowly, I began to move my feet back and forth, dancing softly to the rhythm of the music.

  “Well, what do you know,” I said playfully, pulling our joined hands between us and placing them over my heart. “You can dance.”

  “Who knew,” she quipped back, tightening her grip on my shoulder as I flattened her hand between mine and my chest. “Thank you for asking me to come with you. I’m having a great time. Even if we have yet to …”

&nbs
p; Her words trailed off as the music played on around us, and we continued to sway simply within a couple feet of the wooden dance floor. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.” I told her, smiling and pulling her body impossibly closer to mine.

  As the music began to fade, I lowered my face to hers at the same time she raised herself up onto the tips of her toes, and our lips united in a tender kiss. There was something about this kiss that seemed different than all the others. I couldn’t quite place it, but a shiver worked its way down my spine when Madison’s left hand found its way to the nape of my neck, teasing and twirling the short hair there.

  “Okay!” the DJ’s voice said loudly through the sound system, pulling Madison and me from our own little world. Loud dance beats filled the room, and hoots and hollers could be heard over the bass that vibrated through the walls and floorboards beneath us. “It’s time to kick this party up a notch!”

  “How about another drink?” I asked loud enough for Madison to hear me. She nodded, stepping down off my feet and taking my hand in hers as I led her back to our table. “Okay, you stay here and I’ll be right back. Wine?”

  “That would be great,” she replied, her eyes following me as I backed away and made my way for the bar.

  The line was longer than I expected and was moving pretty slowly since there was only one bartender. As I waited, my eyes scanned the room to find Kyle and Lilah in the middle of the dance floor with Gavin and Bethany, dancing up a storm. Suddenly, they all looked in the same direction before Lilah pulled Kyle toward her and pointed across the room—at Madison. Kyle grinned from ear to ear and ran across the dance floor to where I left Madison and grabbed her hands.

  Smiling, she shook her head furiously, and her pink cheeks deepened in hue as she tried to refuse him. She even pointed to me standing here as if trying to tell Kyle I would be back soon. If I knew Kyle, though, he would have none of it. Eventually, he got her out there.

  She was still barefoot as Lilah took one of her hands and started dancing with her. They both started laughing and hopping around to the beat of the music. There was only one other time I ever saw Madison dance like that—and she didn’t know I was watching at first.