The aroma of baked goods and coffee lifted my mood a tad. Just as we sat down at the four-top and picked up the menus, a perky waitress approached us. “Hi, my name is Raine and I’ll be your server today. Would you like some green tea or coffee?”
“We’ll all have coffee,” I said grumpily.
Raine’s ponytail bobbed. “We have two specials this morning, an egg-white, spinach and kale omelet or…” She paused to scrunch her nose. “The chef’s special, a three egg, cheddar, bacon, and sausage frittata served with home fries and…”
My hand shot in the air. “I’ll have that.”
“Texas toast,” she finished her spiel.
“Even better,” I quipped. “Toss in a blueberry muffin while you’re at it. I’ll have that as my appetizer.” The girls placed their orders, choosing the healthy special, and Raine scurried off into the kitchen like a tiny mouse. “That special will taste like ass. What exactly is kale? Brae’s not here to police our meals and you order egg whites with kale?”
“Some of us need to watch what we eat, Miss Perfect Metabolism.”
“Sex… it works wonders for your core muscles. Fuck yoga. My plan is better, more fun, and I get to scream as much as I want.”
“Oh, Vanessa,” Des said in her loving way.
Coffee arrived, and after adding a healthy dose of cream and two packets of sugar, a few sips later and I felt back to my fun-loving self.
“Okay, so finish telling us what happened after you found out he was married,” Cassie said before sipping her black coffee, which was vile in my opinion.
“I fucked him.”
“You did not!”
“Of course not! Jeez, what do you take me for? I kicked his ass out.” I should have been pissed at the relief written on their faces. “What did you guys do last night?” I asked, bringing my mug to my lips.
“We went to Dispatch and hung out with Kyle and Luca.” The sip of coffee sitting in my mouth came shooting out at Cassie in a violent way. A spray of brown dots now decorated her brand new white zip-up hoodie.
“I’m so sorry, Cass.”
“What the hell, V! What is wrong with you?”
“That damn class makes me a nervous wreck,” I lied. Just hearing they spent time with them caught me off guard. “So, how are the guys?” I went for nonchalance, but failed miserably.
Des smirked with a nod. She was so on to me. “In case you’re wondering, your name did come up.” My eyebrows arched. “Don’t worry, it wasn’t anything bad. We came to the conclusion that you and Kyle are one and the same.”
Still not satisfied, I continued to look at my friends for clarity. Cassie interjected, “We found out you both aren’t into commitments when he told us what he did for a living.”
“Oh, that he makes perfume?” Now they were the ones with their eyebrows arched. “What? He told me at the wedding when he sniffed me.”
“He sniffed you?” Des asked. “Where?”
“My neck, the first time. Where did you think he sniffed me?”
Des rolled her eyes. “I meant where on the farm.”
“Oh, on our way out of the ceremony. Then again later in the barn, while his pelvis was between my legs.” The group of older women looked my way. What the fuck was with everyone today? “When we were walking down the aisle. He knew I was wearing Miss Dior and proceeded to tell me it was all wrong for me.”
“Any… way…” Cassie once again popped in to explain. “We said his girlfriends must love that, and he said he doesn’t do girlfriends.” She waved her hand toward me. “Hence, your name came up.”
Knowing he felt the same way about relationships as I did, in addition to his sexual skills, only spurred my desire to see him again. Why couldn’t we casually hook up when we wanted to? The thought of another train wreck of a date like last night didn’t appeal to me in the least.
During the wedding weekend, things were effortless with Kyle and me. No tense moments, no awkward pauses in conversation, and no cringing sexual encounters. I allowed the memories of each time to play in my mind, drowning out Des and Cass’s conversation. When Cassie said, “So, they’ll be joining us tonight at Brae and Jude’s place,” a new visual popped into my thoughts of Kyle and me sneaking away to have sex somewhere in Jude’s posh building.
And just like that, Cassie’s tidbit and the delivery of my cheddar, bacon, and sausage frittata erased the foul mood Yogi Wan put me in.
Kyle
For Christ’s sake, it was fucking freezing. I lifted the collar of my jacket to protect me from the punishing wind. Damn. I loved New York, but I hated the way the seasons crashed into each other instead of easing in with mercy. Just a few weeks ago, we were enjoying Indian Summer temperatures that afforded shorts and T-shirts.
I turned the corner, my eyes noticing the tall Italian approaching from the opposite corner. “Good timing,” I said when we met in front of Jude’s building. Lifting my chin toward the paper sack he carried, I asked, “What did you get?”
“A few bottles of wine and Belvedere for Soren.” His eyes focused on the huge plastic bag I held. The iconic bright turquoise typeface, The Pleasure Chest, announced to every respectable hot-blooded New Yorker just what was inside. “You were serious.”
“Of course I was serious,” I quipped with an exaggerated eye-roll. “Picked a few things up for myself as well.” Side by side, we entered the building.
“I’m sure you did, you hornbag. Nothing says romance like a twelve inch dildo.” His voice echoed in the lobby, bouncing off every hard surface without apology. I followed him past the doorman who looked up with narrowed eyes. The man knew who we were, and I wasn’t entirely sure it was the word dildo or the sight of us that caused his disdain. We stepped into a waiting elevator when Luca said, “Why do I feel like this is a bad idea?”
“What’s so bad about getting newlyweds a few new sex toys? When did you become such a prude?”
His head twisted to mine, and he blinked a few times before sighing. “Not that, jackass. The fact we are sabotaging Jude’s return to New York.”
“He’ll get over it. You give him the Belvedere, I’ll give him the butt plug, and all will be forgiven. If not, it was all the girls’ idea.”
Cassie opened the door a few seconds after Luca’s hard knock. “Hey, come on in. They should be here any minute.”
“How did you guys get in?” Luca asked, always the practical one. It took us years to get the hardass doormen who worked this frou-frou building to finally trust us.
“Vanessa,” Cassie said, as if it was obvious.
From the foyer, I could see Desiree lighting candles around the living room and the back of Vanessa’s head. She sat on the couch looking down at her phone. Her thick chestnut hair hung in a straight and inviting ponytail. There was nothing hotter than wrapping a hand around a woman’s ponytail as you fucked her from behind.
As Luca and I dumped our jackets on one of the barstools, Cassie snatched them up and reported it was just us and not the lovebirds. At that announcement, Vanessa’s head twisted, her eyes immediately connecting with mine. A devious smile spread across her gorgeous face, and I responded with a wink.
Just as promised, the apartment was decorated with flowers, candles, and a huge Welcome Home banner that hung from corner to corner across the floor-to-ceiling windows. They had an assortment of appetizers on the granite island and champagne chilling with crystal flutes waiting patiently to be filled.
“This is impressive,” I said, giving props where props were due. Speaking of props, I reached into my plastic sack and pulled out a flogger, sticking it into the floral arrangement that sat on the coffee table.
“What the heck is that for?” Cassie asked, her tiny fists hitched to her narrow hips.
“It’s for hours of fun,” Vanessa answered for me. She leaned forward and ran her fingers across the smooth leather strips nestled between the pink roses. “This is a nice one, Kyle.”
“Thanks. I’m sure Jude won’t mi
nd if we test it out.” Our eyes connected, held, and… something passed between us. Promise? Possibilities? Much more than a BDSM flogger could supply. Shit, I should have bought two.
Cassie quipped, “Oh my God, Kyle,” effectively killing our moment.
“Is that a yes, Cassie?”
“Definitely not.”
When my eyes cut back to Vanessa, the moment had passed. Back was the almost bored expression she perfected so well. Funny, I barely knew this woman, but I knew it was an act. The reason, because the look on her face just a few seconds ago was the same she had when I made her come in the barn… and in the laundry room.
Moving my attention back to Cassie, I took the opportunity to tease her, pulling the flogger from the vase and running the fronds through my fingers with a raised brow. One look at the toy in my hand, and she bolted behind Desiree for protection.
“Aww, come on, Cass. I’ll be gentle the first time.”
She emerged with her hands on her hips in a threatening way. “You’re such an ass, Kyle. Flirting will get you nowhere, especially while holding that thing.”
“First off, I’ve been called worse. Second, don’t knock it until you try it,” I quipped while wiggling my eyebrows. Vanessa’s groan and eye-roll caused me to laugh.
Cassie didn’t have time to respond. The door swung open, and two groping adults with frantic hands and connected mouths, clamored through completely oblivious to their audience.
Chapter 6
Vanessa
Jude had one hand up Brae’s jacket and the other on her ass. He lifted and pushed her against their door, never breaking their connection. I was impressed with the choreography, not to mention how unaware they were of the five sets of eyes witnessing every tongue flick and pelvic thrust. With Jude’s back toward us, we could only assume the sound of a zipper lowering meant they were going for it, yet no one moved or said a word.
Taking matters into my own hands, because my friend would be mortified if her husband dropped his jeans as we all watched, my slow steady clapping snapped their attention toward us.
“Surprise!” We all yelled. It took a second for them to focus, see us, and realize what almost happened before our very eyes. Kyle blew a party favor horn, and I snorted when the colorful paper roll shot out from the end of a plastic penis with a squeal sounding like someone stepped on a cat’s tail.
“Oh my God!” Brae dropped her legs in haste.
A rosy tinge colored her tanned cheeks just as her husband barked, “What the fuck are you all doing here?”
“Um… welcome home,” Cassie said tentatively, raising her arms like a cheerleader.
“Nice moves, Soren. That takes control,” Kyle complimented with a huge grin. Jude adjusted himself and mumbled something that no one understood.
“Ah, shit.” Luca grimaced. “He’s breaking into his native tongue.”
“Wow, this is such a nice surprise.” Brae smoothed her hair and grabbed Jude’s arm. “Isn’t this wonderful, honey?”
Jude’s glare didn’t match his voice when he said, “Yes, it’s fantastic.”
“You can resume after we leave.” Kyle leaned forward and patted his friend’s shoulder. “I brought presents. You’ll thank me later, Soren.”
“A gun?”
“No, but there is a bullet involved,” Kyle responded without missing a beat. The way he shrugged, Brae gawked, and Jude raised a brow in interest elicited another laugh from me. Kyle looked my way and did the same. He was a very handsome man, but when he smiled or laughed with abandon he was even hotter.
His sky-blue eyes looked like they were backlit. And I didn’t really notice that until he directed them toward me. I also never paid attention to scruff on a man before, but on Kyle’s jaw it acted as an accessory to his boyish good looks. It announced, he may have an adorable smile, stunning eyes, and a devilish charm, but he was all man.
Normally, my type was more tall, dark, mysterious—like Luca. Kyle’s sandy brown hair, light eyes, and open-book personality were new for me. The attributes I did find attractive were his insatiable appetite for sex, his tall lean frame, and the way his mouth could make me wet when it wasn’t even near me. He had pretty lips—kissable, bitable, and sexy all in a perfectly proportioned way.
I also never studied a man as much as I did Kyle. That alone sent smoke signals to my brain. But that damn mouth of his. Beyond the talent it possessed, it was the humorous comments that flew out from it. There weren’t many men who could make me laugh at a drop of a dime. His sarcasm, sexual innuendos, and crass remarks had me biting my lip on more than one occasion.
Once the shock of us being there wore off, we all settled in the living room with drinks in hand and fell into our comfortable banter. I was on the couch facing Jude, Brae, Luca, and Cassie. Beside me to the right was Kyle, to the left Desiree.
For some reason, a surge of anxiety coursed through me. Hearing all about the romantic honeymoon, while sitting beside a man who did all sorts of dirty things to me, started to make me uncomfortable.
“Oh, before I forget,” Cassie blurted out. “There’s a big Halloween party at Dispatch. Prizes and everything. We’re all going. Kyle and I sort of made a bet.”
“What kind of bet?” Jude asked, narrowing his eyes at Kyle.
“Don’t worry, this one only involves you putting on a costume. You don’t have to shack up with a gorgeous chick for six weeks.”
“There will be no more shacking up in his future,” Brae announced, pointing a finger directly at Kyle.
“For the Swede… no more shacking up for the Swede,” Kyle quipped, pointing a finger right back at Brae.
“Really, Cass?”
Her enthusiastic expression swung my way. “Oh, come on, V. It’ll be fun! If any of us win, the drink tab at Dispatch is on the opposite sex for a month.”
“Oh, that does sound like fun! We’re in.” Brae’s face lit up as Jude’s scowled.
“Babe, really?”
“Remember the night in St. John we ended up locked out of our cottage?”
She leaned in, whispered something in his ear, and he said, “Fine,” with no hesitancy whatsoever. “But… only if Benedetto is in charge. I don’t trust Cleary.”
“Wow, that hurts.” Jude showed no sympathy toward Kyle. “I must say, though, I’m impressed you got him to agree at all, Brae. That must have been some night from the look on Soren’s face. Details.” Kyle fished for more, but Brae didn’t bite.
“Nope, our secret. But I will tell you we had such an amazing time,” she said with a demure smile before recounting G-rated highlights of their two-week stay. The entire time, Jude’s eyes were on his wife. It was as if he needed every word she spoke, every smile, every blink, every breath to function. From where I sat, she was his battery and without her he’d be lifeless.
The way Kyle’s arm lay behind me on the back of the couch seemed innocent enough until his fingers started twirling a piece of my hair. Out of the blue, I was transported back to my dorm room when my boyfriend Robert played with my hair in the exact same way.
It’d been years—actually nine years ago tomorrow to be exact, since I lost him. My chance at settling down and spending all of eternity with one person vanished in a flash, and I had zero control over it happening. I believed in love and soul mates, but I also believed it came once in a lifetime. Witnessing Jude and Brae’s love for each other, combined with the anniversary of the day I lost him, caused bile to rise in the back of my throat. I was so very happy for my friend, but at the same time so very envious.
Kyle listened intently as Luca filled Jude in on the torturing lunch meeting he had to endure while he was off frolicking in the Caribbean. I wasn’t even sure Kyle was aware he was touching me.
I was very aware… also very aware of how my throat constricted from the memories that suddenly haunted me. The fact that my body reacted to his touch caused guilt, but the way my insides clenched from my loss caused me to want to run. All the emotions suffocated
me, and it was all too much to handle.
When his hand skimmed over my shoulder and settled on the back of my neck, I stiffened. But when he began drawing circles on my over-sensitive flesh, the intimacy of the act caused me to fly off the couch and loudly announce, “Who wants to do shots?”
My friends looked at me like I was deranged, and fuck if I didn’t agree with them.
“Oh, hell yeah.” Kyle jumped up and followed. The man looked like he didn’t have a care in the world or a romantic notion in his mind. My brain misread his actions, and I had no idea why.
Kyle moved toward the liquor cabinet with Jude and Luca behind him. Desiree’s eyebrows bunched together. “What’s wrong with you, Vanessa?”
Wasn’t that the question of the night? If I only had an answer. “Nothing is wrong. I was just thirsty. Can’t a girl be thirsty?” Each of my friends stared at me with narrowed eyes. Fine, they didn’t believe me, but that was the best excuse I had to offer.
Brae, who was still in honeymoon oblivion, threw her arms around the three of us for a quick hug. “I missed you girls. Brunch tomorrow?”
“Well, since you missed brunch and yoga today, that sounds great,” Cassie said with a rueful smile. Des and Cassie’s eyes darted to me with shit eating grins on their faces, but they didn’t tell her that we needed to find yet another yoga studio.
“Girls!” Kyle called as he stood at the island with Luca and Jude. The shots were all poured and lined up ready to be consumed.
“What is this?” Cassie asked, sniffing it before scrunching her nose in disgust.
“It’s the only shot Soren will do,” Kyle responded, lifting the bottle of Belvedere with a flourish. “To the happy couple!” He lifted his tiny glass and slammed it back. One by one we all followed his lead, and the moment our glasses were emptied he refilled them without asking.
The expensive vodka rekindled Jude’s fire, and unapologetically he announced, “Lock up on your way out,” as he grabbed Brae’s hand and dragged her toward their bedroom. Her giggling protests did nothing to deter him, and a few seconds later we were left standing around the island staring at each other.
The Mr. Wrong Series Page 34