It's Been You

by Rina Gray

  He had a flash of Tiana, dressed in all white, walking down the aisle toward him. Slow down, man. You’re not ready for all that.

  “I agree to your terms, Ms. Holliday.”

  The smile on her lips lit her eyes. “Let’s shake on it then.” Moving closer, she stuck out her hand.

  He pulled it and grabbed her hips, settling her on his lap. “No. Let’s kiss on it.”

  She licked her lips. He licked her lips, too, and then delved deeper. Heat suffused his chest, heart, and lungs. He growled into her mouth. Damn, can she kiss.

  He moved away from her lips, gripped her hips, and lifted her off his lap. His hands remained as she steadied herself.

  “I need you to go over there. Before I take you on this desk, here and now,” his coarse voice whispered.

  “Can’t take the heat, Nathan?” She smiled and turned around with an extra swing in her hips. Her luscious behind taunted him.

  “Turn around, Peaches. I don’t need any more temptation.”

  She turned to face him, her triumphant smile still in place.

  His gaze zeroed in on her pert chest. He squeezed his eyes shut. “Just … go sit down Peaches. Please.”

  Tiana’s rich laughter rushed over him. Damn, he wasn’t safe, even after closing his eyes. “Nathan, you really must get a hold of yourself.”

  • • •

  Tiana lightly rapped her knuckles against her roommate’s bedroom door.

  “Come in,” Mel yelled.

  Tiana opened the door. “You ready to talk about this wedding?”

  Mel had her back on the bed and her feet propped on the headboard. She turned the page in a book. “Yeah.” She reached for a bookmark. “Give me a minute.”

  Walking back into the living room, Tiana opened the door to the glass-covered media center and pulled out the wedding binder she’d created.

  The book contained color swatches, invitation proofs, and a checklist.

  Her roommate walked into the room and plopped down on the couch beside Tiana.

  “Hello, my wonderful friend. Why, isn’t this a lovely day?”

  Tiana shook her head. Her best friend was already an optimistic person. But since her engagement to the love of her life and with the wedding around the corner, Mel was like a Care Bear on crack.

  Who am I kidding? I’m a Care Bear, too, minus the narcotics.

  Nathan had a way of making her smile and forgetting all of her life rules about order and routine.

  “Yes, my friend, life is good.” Tiana slid the notebook onto Mel’s lap. “Now, let’s review the details. The wedding, two weeks from now, starts at six o’clock sharp. You and the most awesome maid of honor on earth, yours truly, will take pictures at four. Butts in seat for makeup and hair at noon. And—”

  “Tiana, Tiana, Tiana. You have already emailed the checklist twice. You went in my phone and set alarm notifications. And let’s be real, we will be with each other the night before the wedding.” Mel took a deep breath and grabbed Tiana’s hands. “Let’s just enjoy the moment.”

  Says the woman who had absolutely no hand in the planning.

  Mel squeezed her hand and snorted. “I know that look. No, I didn’t plan the wedding, but you, my mom, and my aunt all but forced me to step aside. You and I both know it would’ve been a disaster if I were involved in the details.”

  “True. At least we let you choose your own dress. It’s absolutely gorgeous by the way.”

  “Yes, I’m hoping to get Damien to drop a few tears.” She flashed a smile. “The hot kind.”

  Closing the notebook, Tiana laughed. “How is a grown man crying hot?”

  “Not crying. Just a tear or two. Something emotional, raw, real.”

  Tiana shook her head and laughed. “Damien doesn’t seem like a crier. But for you, he might.”

  A wave of sadness washed over her and pulled her under. She and Mel would no longer be roommates. Random conversations and their word-of-the-day games would be few and far between. And knowing Damien, he’d want Melanie preggers as soon as possible.

  “What is it, T?”

  She blinked back tears … the ugly kind. She buried her feelings. “Nothing.”

  “Don’t lie to me, young lady. What’s robbed you of that smile? Something with Nathan?”

  “No, Nathan and I … we’re solid. I just realized you and I aren’t going to be roommates anymore. I’ve been so caught up with work and wedding planning, I forgot to look for another roommate.”

  A flash of guilt marred Mel’s face as she grabbed Tiana’s hand. “Speaking of the roommate situation, I, well, Damien and I wanted to thank you for all your hard work.” She nibbled the corner of her lip. “So we kind of paid the rent for the next year.”

  “What?” Tiana squeezed her friend’s hand. “That’s … that’s too much.”

  Mel shook her head; her guilty look replaced by determination. “No, it’s not. Think about it, T. If I would’ve hired a wedding coordinator to plan this in a few months’ time, I would’ve paid just as much.”

  “No, you wouldn’t have.”

  “And besides,” her friend continued, talking over Tiana, “I trust you. You know me best. So this is my gift to you.”

  “I don’t like this, Mel. I appreciate the gesture, but do not pay the rent.”

  Standing, Mel crossed her arms. A mutinous mask covered her face. “The check has cleared. Unless you want to tell Mr. Douglas to return it?”

  Their landlord was a bit of a weasel. No way could Tiana get the money back.

  Sighing, she slumped against the couch. “Fine.”

  Her bestie arched a brow and gave Tiana a seasoned soccer mom glare. “A thank you would be better.”

  “Sorry. Thank you. Seriously, I owe you and Damien.”

  “No, you do not. Now, on to important matters. Are you bringing Nathan to the wedding?”

  Tiana shrugged. “I hadn’t planned on it. We have a strict seat count, and when I began planning your wedding, Nathan and I weren’t dating. Besides, it’s in Atlanta, and I don’t want to inconvenience him. Not to mention our interviews are a week before your wedding. Things might be a little tense.”

  Melanie rolled her eyes. “Nonsense and you already told me that you both agreed not to discuss the interview.” She pressed her lips into a determined grimace. “You’re inviting him to my wedding or else. Don’t let me go bridezilla on you. One more seat won’t hurt.”

  “I’ll ask, but don’t be surprised if he says no.”

  “You’re afraid to ask him?”

  “Of course not.”

  But she was. Not because he would say no, but because they would have to travel together and book a hotel room. Would it be one or two rooms? A king or two queens? Her heart revved like a souped-up engine. Nathaniel hadn’t pressured her for sex. But from the bulge that constantly pressed against his pants during their make-out sessions, he seemed ready.

  Mel interrupted Tiana’s mini freak-out. “Can you pass me your phone? I forgot mine in the room and want to check something on the Internet.”

  Tiana dug her phone out of her jeans pocket. “Sure, here you go.”

  Grabbing it, Mel hummed as she clicked and clacked on the screen and then returned the phone. “There. Problem solved.”

  Tiana’s heart dropped to her stomach. “What problem?”

  “The problem of you being too much of a ’fraidy cat to ask your man to come to the wedding. I know you, T. You want to jump his bones. What better day to break the seal than on your best friend’s wedding day?”

  Tiana’s phone dinged.

  Of course I’ll be your man candy, Peaches. Send me the details.

  You’ll be more than my man candy, Nathan. Tiana had decided it was time to give him everything.

  • • •

  Tiana inhaled a deep gulp of breath as she walked down the pink-and-cream-marbled aisle. Clutching the bouquet of lilies, eucalyptus pods, berzelia berries, and cotton, she surveyed the wedding guests. />
  Her eyes collided with Nathan’s, and the heat of his stare robbed her senses. Dark, midnight eyes reflected craving, sensuality, a promise. A promise that if they weren’t in a room with two-hundred-plus guests and a pastor, he would strip her naked.

  And she’d let him.

  He smiled and winked. Those dark eyes glinted with humor.

  She shook her head and tore her gaze from his. Finally reaching the archway of flowers where Damien proudly waited for his bride, she pivoted and took her place opposite him.

  Scanning the crowd again, she saw a familiar and unwelcome face, and her breath caught. Greg. Sitting on the side of the bride. Just how in the hell did he get into my best friend’s wedding?

  The pearl buttons embedded on the satin-wrapped stalk of the bouquet nearly popped under the pressure of her hands. His smooth, cultured voice whispered in her head. “She’s just a dalliance, sweetling. Every powerful man has one.”

  Coal-black eyes swept her frame, and an army of fire ants marched across her spine. The asshole had the audacity to smile and wave.

  Like magnets, her eyes sought Nathan, who must have noticed her distress. His dark eyes now turned concerned and confused.

  She pasted on a smile as the music began. Chords that sounded like a knock demanded everyone’s attention. The R&B singer’s soulful voice drifted across the venue. Tiana’s breath caught in her throat again. This time, due to a vision in white. Her best friend. The smile on her face became genuine and thoughts of happiness and love replaced those of her brandishing her bouquet over Greg’s head.

  Mel, in a fitted lace-and-crystal-encrusted dress, looked stunning. Tamed curls hung loosely down to her waist.

  The music stopped, and Mel’s father pulled back her veil. Her brown doe eyes were filled with joy, contentment, and love. The beautiful bride smiled as the groom reached for her hand.

  Tiana’s attention darted to Damien, and she smiled. Mel had been right. He was a handsome crier.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “You look so beautiful, Mel.” Tiana smiled at the bride as photographers snapped pictures of Damien and his best man.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself, Ms. Holliday. I saw a certain somebody staring you down.”

  Tiana’s blood pumped. She’d hoped her best friend hadn’t seen Greg. “I’m sorry, Mel. I don’t even know why he came.”

  The bride scrunched her face. “I took your phone and invited him to come, silly,” she said in a “no-duh” voice. “Speaking of which, he’s coming up behind you.”

  Tiana turned. Her blood pumped again, but this time for the sexy man-candy striding her way.

  He bent down, grabbed her waist, and gave her a deep, toe-curling kiss. “Damn, Peaches. I’m glad I didn’t see you in that dress before you left our room.”

  Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “And you look very handsome.” She smoothed the lapels of his black tux and then stepped away.

  Nathan pulled Tiana close again and rested his chin on her head, his chest to her back. “Melanie, you look absolutely stunning. Damien is a very lucky man.”

  The lucky man walked over and shook Nathan’s hand. “Glad you could make it.”

  The mother of the bride rushed over. “The wedding guests are having cocktails in the reception area. Time for us to hustle over, introduce the Mr. and Mrs., and get this party started.”

  Tiana chuckled at Josephine. The high-society queen rarely used slang. Must’ve been the excitement of seeing her only child married to the love of her life.

  After helping introduce the bride and groom and then the wedding party, Tiana scanned the ballroom. She hadn’t spotted her snake of an ex again. Was it my imagination?

  A few glasses of Chardonnay later and after the first course was served, she’d begun to relax. When the DJ invited guests to dance, Nathan stood, grabbed her hand, and twirled her onto the dance floor.

  Laughing, she grabbed his shoulders and squeezed. He pulled her close and held tight. “Gotta let these guys know you’re with me,” he said in his late-night radio voice that was not appropriate for daytime listening.

  Leaning her head against his chest, she swayed along to the music. “Would you like me to wear a sign around my neck?”

  Nathan chuckled. “I’d rather you wear—”

  “May I have this dance?”

  The hairs on Tiana’s neck stood. Slowly, she turned to a familiar voice. A well-practiced and intelligent one that belonged to a man she’d once been eager to please.

  Moving away from Greg, she shifted closer to Nathan’s arms. He grabbed her shoulders and tucked her into his large body. “No. Her dance card is full.”

  She ignored Nathan’s he-man response, wanting answers of her own. “What in the hell are you doing here?” Her body shook with rage.

  Nathan gave her shoulder a double-squeeze and gently nudged her behind him. “Who are you, and why are you upsetting my woman?”

  “I’ve got this, honey.” She stepped to Nathan’s side, crossed her arms, and focused on the intruder. “Answer my question.”

  Greg had the audacity to look affronted. His caramel sun-kissed face scrunched and prominent eyebrows drew together. “I saw the announcement of your friend’s engagement in the paper. As you know, my uncle is a co-owner of the Laraby.”

  Tiana’s temperature spiked. “No, I did not know, nor do I care. Just because he owns the place doesn’t give you the right to crash the wedding.”

  “Tiana, sweetling, we need to speak. I don’t like how you left me.”

  Nathan’s arms tightened around her shoulder again, and his fingers splayed across her collarbone. This time, it wasn’t for comfort. She felt claimed. Possessed.

  “You’re upsetting my woman. You need to leave.”

  Her ex huffed a breath as his shifty eyes scanned Nathan. He gave them both a tight, hand-screwed smile and composed himself. “Tiana is my fiancée, and I have the right to speak to her.”

  “Fiancée!” Tiana’s voice squeaked. “Are you out of your damn mind?”

  Nathan stepped closer with his hand outstretched for a shake.

  Greg looked down, hesitated, and then shook her boyfriend’s hand.

  Is everyone going crazy?

  Nathan grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I apologize. Didn’t realize who you were. I want to shake the hand of the man who didn’t recognize the prize he had. Because you were a cheating ass who couldn’t appreciate a beautiful, loyal, and intelligent woman, I got my chance. So thanks, but she’s good here. I’m not dumb enough to squander my good fortune.”

  Greg’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. “I … I … ”

  “Leave. My mother is Renita Lawson, editor in chief of Chic Bride Magazine. I would hate to have your uncle’s venue blacklisted for their lack of security … allowing strangers to crash weddings.”

  Turning beet red, her ex spun on his heels and stormed off the dance floor.

  Pulling Tiana into his arms again, Nathan resumed their dance as if the confrontation was a normal occurrence. “You’re so lucky to have me.”

  Nathan spun her around and surprised her with a dip. His eyes twinkled with merriment as he pulled her up.

  “And here I thought you appreciated a beautiful, loyal, and intelligent woman.”

  Cupping her jaw, he kissed her hard and deep and wet.

  Tiana moaned into his mouth and gripped his tux.

  Nathan bent down and whispered, “I guess we’re both lucky.”

  • • •

  Nathan tossed the plump shrimp cocktail in his mouth as he scanned the room, searching for his runaway bridesmaid. After a few songs on the dance floor, she’d excused herself to powder her nose.

  She was probably stressing herself out over their confrontation with her spineless, asshole ex.

  What in the hell had she seen in him? He was the type that had more products, shoes, and clothes than his woman. Someone who stared in the mirror and kissed his ref
lection. And he was damn cowardly—the guy that, when walking with his woman, would walk on the inside instead of the outside of the sidewalk near the road. The type to save himself first instead of cherishing and protecting his lady. Not that he’d actually be able protect anyone. The man was softer than a Dr. Scholl’s gel cushion.

  Nathan glanced down at his rose-gold watch and furrowed his brows. Tiana had been gone for nearly twenty minutes. She’s probably outside.

  Tired of guessing, he stood from his seat and searched for his date.

  Opening the double doors, a blast of cold air blew into his face. A group of older men in tuxes and expensive cufflinks that reeked of wealth stood near the edge of the terrace. He recognized one as Melanie’s father since he’d walked her down the aisle. Another group of men, much younger with ill-fitted and untailored suits, hung near the steps. He’d spoken to a few of them earlier during the cocktail hour; most were reporters from Melanie’s old job in Atlanta.

  Where in the hell is she? “Excuse me, gentlemen,” he said as he pushed past them and stepped into the garden maze.

  After a few minutes of walking, he nearly gave up and doubled back to the venue. That is, until he heard Tiana’s angry voice.

  “Why are you following me, and why haven’t you left? I came out here to clear my head, not muddle it with your lies.”

  Nathan quieted his steps and moved closer to the conversation. He turned the corner and spotted Tiana and the limp noodle in the middle of the garden. Although Christmas lights strung across the garden spotlighted the arguing duo, the tall shrubbery had also given them privacy from other guests.

  “I didn’t get a chance to properly speak to you. Your barbarian wouldn’t let me.”

  “Don’t you talk about my … about Nathan that way.”

  “It’s true, sweetling, you deserve someone better.”

  “Oh yeah, and let me guess, that someone better is you?”

  “Of course.” Greg smoothed the lapels of his tux.

  “Riiiiight. Thanks for the feedback, but you know what? I’ll take my chances with the barbarian.”

  Greg shook his head and snorted. “I’m disappointed in you, Tiana. I thought you were above your baser needs. I know you grew up in a poor neighborhood, but—”