"Holy crap!" I blurted out when I saw my reflection. The four-inch heels had me pushing the six-foot mark, and my legs went on for miles. I was smoking hot, and now I was grinning like an idiot too. I'd never been more grateful that Willa and I wore the same shoe size.
"Ten bucks says she gets laid tonight," I heard Willa murmur to Dean in the bathroom doorway.
"There is no way in hell I'm taking that bet," he replied. "Just look at her. I think that outfit might be considered cheating. She is so fucking someone tonight."
"I'm not having sex with some stranger I meet at a wedding, guys," I said assuredly. "It's never going to happen." I gave them a long level stare. "I'll take that bet."
"Done," they said in unison.
I watched then begin arguing about how they were going to do my hair and makeup. I smiled at their gullibility. This was going to be the easiest twenty bucks I ever made.
3
GARETH
I slid into the church pew next to my father with a sigh. I was late, thanks to an emergency with a client, but I'd only missed part of the wedding party's entrance, and thankfully not the bride's processional. Besides, I really didn't want to be here. I could think of much better ways to occupy my time on a Saturday evening. Like spending time with a submissive woman and getting my rocks off, or drinking an entire bottle of bourbon alone, but I certainly didn't want to offend my new family. My hang ups with marriage weren't their problem, and I could suck it up for a few hours.
Dad gave me a sympathetic expression, and I responded with a wan smile. He patted my leg then focused on the front of the church. I glanced in that direction myself. David was standing there looking longingly toward the back of the church. He was holding his seven-month-old son, Daniel, and the two of them were dressed in identical tuxedos with midnight blue vests and bow-ties.
The little boy was the spitting image of his father with his head of dark curls and his big blue eyes. David reached up to run a hand through his beard nervously, and Daniel grabbed at his father's facial hair and started babbling out "Da, da, da, da," in delight. It was damn adorable, and I swear to God that I heard all the ovaries in the room explode and ovulate at the same time.
Next to David, were two other men in matching tuxedos. The first one, who I assumed was the best man, was a skinny blond guy who was a little shorter than the groom, and wearing an amused smirk. The next groomsman was tall, muscular, and intimidating, with dark hair and green eyes. He appeared extremely uncomfortable in his tuxedo since he was fiddling with his bow-tie and wearing a slight scowl on his face.
Across from the groom were two women in long lacy midnight blue bridesmaids dresses. The maid of honor was gorgeous with her sleek dark hair cut into a precise chin length bob. She looked like trouble, exactly the kind of trouble I'd be more than happy to join in on. I thought about looking her up later tonight, then grimaced. It probably wouldn't be good for me to try to hook up with my new stepsister's maid of honor. Natalie would have my balls.
To her right was a pretty little brunette with gray eyes and a warm smile. I wasn't going after her either. She was staring over at the guy with the green eyes adoringly. They were definitely together, and I never messed with someone who was taken. Besides, from the way she kept laying her hand on the just barely visible bump on her abdomen, I'd say she was pregnant. Nope, wasn't touching that.
The last couple in the wedding party finally made it to the front of the church. I knew them both well. It was my new stepbrother, Ford, and his fiancée, Jenny. Ford was tall, broadly muscular, and an imposing man. His scruffy full beard and chin-length blond hair pulled back into a low ponytail only added to his bad-boy appearance. Jenny was petite and voluptuous, with long silky dark hair and sapphire blue eyes. She was strong and fierce and beautiful. Ford was one lucky man to have found a woman like her. It was obvious to anyone who looked that Ford was deeply in love with her, and she with him. Of course, I used to feel that way about my ex-wife too. I hoped their relationship was more successful than mine. It was an appalling thing, when a love like that turned to hate. I didn't want that for either of them.
Ford and I were friends back in high school. We'd lost touch after that, but when Ford was falsely accused of rape last year, I'd taken his case immediately. When the charges were eventually dismissed, we'd rekindled our friendship. Then we ended up becoming brothers too, all in the space of a few months, thanks to my dad's whirlwind romance with his mother. He was a good man, and I was more than happy to count him as family now.
Finally, just as Ford and Jenny took their places, the music changed for the bride's processional. The entire church rose to their feet and turned toward the back of the room.
Natalie was radiant as her father escorted her up the aisle. Her white lacy dress was gorgeous, and hugged her tall slender frame. It had dainty cap sleeves and the lace that covered the white satin underneath fell to the floor into a train that flowed effortlessly behind her. Her light-brown hair was pulled into a low chignon with white flowers tucked into it and a veil cascading down her back.
Her lower lip was trembling as she fought not to cry, her green eyes glistening with unshed tears. A low sob caught my attention, and I looked over at Victoria, who was on the other side of my father. She was watching her daughter and weeping openly as she dabbed daintily at her eyes with a tissue.
I'd discovered quickly that my new stepmother was emotional and dramatic, but she cared deeply for her family, and that included Dad and me now. It had been a long time since I'd had a motherly figure in my life. It was a little overwhelming, and I was still adjusting to her affection and honest regard for me.
Natalie and her father parted at the front of the church, and she stopped next to David. Daniel's eyes lit up as he smiled at his mother. "Mama," he called out and reached for her, his little chubby arms waving in the air. "Ma, ma, ma."
The tears she'd been trying to contain spilled over as she smiled softly at her son. David grinned, and his eyes gleamed with happiness as he handed Daniel over to Natalie. She settled the baby on her hip, and he snuggled against her. The couple shared a long meaningful look full of love and their deep connection. It was a poignant moment that even managed to pull at my jaded bitter heart. The little family glowed with happiness as the officiant began the ceremony, and I braced myself for what came next.
This was the part of weddings I hated, the trite vows and words that were only as good as the person speaking them, and the promises that couldn't be counted on to last. I'd spoken them myself almost thirteen years ago, and meant every one of them at the time. However, the reality of what I let my marriage do to me, and the toll it took on me after five long years, wore at them until they were meaningless. I'd given away so many pieces of myself that I didn't recognize me anymore, and the only way to put myself back together was to get out. The failure of my marriage still haunted me, even if it was for the best. Every wedding I'd been to since had intensified my bitterness for the entire institution. Now I avoided them whenever I could.
By the time the ceremony came to a close, and the couple was sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, I'd had enough. I didn't leave down the center aisle with the other guests to greet the happy couple on the way out. Instead, I pushed my way to the outer aisle and fled the room. I knew it was rude, but I didn't care. I grabbed my coat and found a side door that led outside to the parking lot, and went to sit in my dark-gray Range Rover. I sat there as the guests gathered outside the entrance of the church, and watched the newlyweds exit under a flurry of birdseed and applause, then climb into a limo and drive off.
I sighed deeply as I started my SUV, then drove out of the lot hoping that the reception had a fully stocked bar, because I was going to need it to get through the rest of this evening.
**********
"Make it a double," I told the bartender as I pushed my glass back toward him. I watched him pour another finger of Jim Beam into it with a nod. I almost asked him how many bottles he had back ther
e, but didn't want to seem like a complete lush. Jim and I were going to be good friends tonight. I planned on doing some serious enough drinking that I'd driven home after the ceremony and taken a cab to the convention center. Thank God, I could hold my liquor, and even with a good buzz, I could function well. I thanked the bartender as I shoved a generous tip into the tip jar, then turned to face the massive ballroom.
I had to admit that I liked the color scheme of this wedding. My stepsister, Natalie, had exceptional taste. The round tables scattered around the room were covered in midnight blue satin, and set with white and silver china. The center pieces were tall crystal vases filled with large bouquets of white, ivory, and taupe roses. The lighting was low with candles on each table, and the walls were covered in more midnight blue satin and dotted with tiny white lights. It looked like we were surrounded by stars. The room was festive, yet still elegant and romantic. It was a relief to go to a wedding that wasn't gaudy for once.
I'd already made it through dinner, seated next to my Dad with a clear view of the bridal party at their long table along one wall. It seemed that almost all of them were paired off and happy, and pregnant or already parents. Since I was a bitter asshole, I wondered how many of the couples would actually last. Seriously, no one should ever invite me to their wedding.
I didn't talk much while we ate, just joining in the conversation when I had to. Dad frowned worriedly at me a few times, but said nothing. He knew how moody I could be, and how uncomfortable weddings made me. The table I was seated at was with not only Dad and Victoria, but also Victoria's ex-husband, John Spencer, and his fiancée, Carolyn. I couldn't fathom sitting at a table and being civil with my ex-wife. She still despised me after all this time, and would have been throwing passive-aggressive insults at me all night until I finally snapped at her. Then she would use my reaction as ammunition to call me an asshole the rest of the night. There was definitely no love lost between us anymore. I didn't know how Victoria and John managed it.
After dinner, I'd gone out for some air, purposefully missing the toast. When I came back in a few minutes ago, I'd headed straight for the bar for some bourbon. Now that I was armed with a drink, I had hope I could manage the rest of this evening. I was still standing there, wondering how many drinks it would take before I felt like I could bullshit my way through congratulating the newlyweds, when Ford approached the bar.
"Hey," he greeted me with a wide grin. "I see you're well armed for the night." He nodded toward my drink. I'd never given Ford any details about my divorce. I didn't talk about it with anyone anymore, but he knew I wasn't comfortable with weddings.
"Bourbon is my armor of choice," I said with a smirk as I raised my glass in a salute.
"Mine is scotch," he said wryly. "Well, it was until the last time I got hammered on it and got punched in the face." He ordered two beers from the bartender before turning back to me. He glanced around the room. "Jenny and I aren't planning anything this over the top, if that makes you feel any better."
"What?" I replied. "Your mother hasn't tried to talk you into something even more ostentatious than this?"
His face hardened a little. "She can try, but she's not getting it." He shrugged. "Besides, thanks to my sister's huge extravaganza today, she's been more amenable to the smaller wedding we want." He glanced around. "Jen and I don't care about all this shit. We just want to start our life together." His mouth pulled up into a lop-sided grin. "The sooner I can make an honest woman out of her, and knock her up, the better."
I fidgeted uncomfortably. I couldn't imagine feeling that way about anyone again. The cost was too high when it failed.
He looked at Jenny across the room where she was animatedly chatting with Natalie at the bridal table, and his face softened with adoration. She glanced over and met his warm smile with one of her own. "Well, I'd better get back. Jenny gets testy when I take too long with her beer," he said jokingly. "Have fun." He wandered back over to his girl.
"Yeah, right," I mumbled under my breath as I tried to work up the will to return to my table.
That's when I saw her making her way toward the bar through the tables. She was breathtaking with long gleaming red hair that cascaded around her shoulders, and glowing ivory skin. She wore a serious expression that did nothing to take away from her allure. Her eyes were big and gorgeous, her lips full and almost pouty as she frowned. Fuck, I couldn't help imagining them around the base my cock as she deep-throated me.
Her beautiful round face seemed innocent, sweet even, but the burgundy dress she wore said something else entirely. It skimmed down her body, highlighting her exquisite breasts and curvy hips, ending mid-thigh above a wicked pair of knee-high black suede boots with stiletto heels. I wanted to bend her over the closest table and fuck her from behind while she wore them. I bet her fair skin would color divinely if she was aroused, or spanked.
She walked up to the bar next to me, and I sipped my drink and surreptitiously watched her from the corner of my eye. I could see that her nipples were hard and erect under her dress. She wasn't wearing a bra, and they were the perfect handful, not too big, not too small. I wondered if she'd ever tried nipple clamps. This close I could see that her cheeks and nose were adorned with a dusting of sexy freckles, and it about did me in. I'd always had a thing for redheads, and this one hit every hot button I had. Damn, I was getting hard already, and I was exceedingly grateful for the low lighting.
She was so close now that I could smell her perfume. She smelled like the ocean, cool and clean. It was intoxicating, and distracting in a very good way. She ordered the same bourbon that I was currently drinking, and I nearly came on the spot. I had to talk to her now. Not doing it wasn't even an option. Suddenly, this night was looking much better.
"Nothing will cure what ails you like an open bar, huh?" I said as I turned to face her, then sipped on my bourbon again. I gave her my most devastating grin.
She glanced over at me suspiciously, her hazel eyes heated with interest, yet calculating as she sized me up. She found me attractive, that much was clear when her eyes dilated, but she wasn't easily swayed by mere physical attraction. I liked it. So many women fawned or fell all over me that her reaction was refreshing. And oh how I loved a challenge.
"And what exactly ails you?" she asked wryly with an arched brow as she eyed me up and down. Her voice was low and sexy, but in a real and genuine way that set me on fire, even if it held an edge of annoyance. She wasn't trying to impress me at all, but it damn well made me want to impress her.
"Take your pick," I replied with a roguish grin. "Politics, civil unrest, global warming, the economy."
Her eyes flashed down to look at my tailored black suit. "Well, from the looks of your Brioni suit, I hardly think the economy is what's ailing you." Wow, there was no denying the edge of contempt in her voice at all. Was it wrong that it turned me on even more?
"What?" I asked indignantly with a smirk as I looked down at myself. "This old thing? I got this years before the economy went to shit." I was so full of it. I had a bit of a designer suit fetish, and I'd just bought this one last week. She was right. The economy didn't bother me much since I was born into money.
Amusement lit up her eyes even as she pressed her lips together disapprovingly. I wanted to sink my teeth into her lower lip and worry at it for a while. Damn, everything she did seemed to turn my mind to sex.
"Well, pardon me if I find that hard to believe," she said scathingly. "I hardly doubt a man like you would keep anything he considered old, no matter how much it cost. Not when you can have something or someone new anytime you like." Her underlying meaning was clear, and I was actually offended. She didn't even know me.
My nostrils flared with a flash of anger. I took another sip of my bourbon and carefully set the glass on the bar with a distinct thump. I straightened and eyed her balefully with an arched brow, my body inflating menacingly. I'd expected to intimidate her, not to see the flash of desire that brightened her eyes or the way her bod
y relaxed in unmistakable submissiveness. Damn. My anger melted under the hot arousal that hit me hard and fast, making my cock ache and my balls tighten uncomfortably. Color flushed across her cheeks in a rosy sheen, and it nearly did me in.
I leaned my lips close to her ear. "Tell me," I demanded huskily. "What exactly ails you?" I asked, lowering my voice seductively. I had her right where I wanted her. Her chest heaved as she sucked in a breath to speak, and I anticipated my sure victory.
"Right now," she said breathily. "I'll tell you exactly what ails me," she added smugly. "You."
She picked up her glass of bourbon, and threw a glare up at me before she turned and walked away, not even glancing back once as she sauntered off. I was left gaping after her, staring at the open back of her dress that plunged into a deep V just above her luscious swaying ass. I itched to run my hands and tongue all over the swath of flawless ivory skin. I growled in frustration under my breath and shook my head. No, I wasn't what ailed her at all. I was what she needed, she just didn't want to admit it yet.
I finished my drink as I watched her exit the ballroom, erroneously thinking she'd won. I set my empty glass down with a determined and predatory grin, and followed in her wake across the ballroom. Luckily, I was a lawyer, and I could be very convincing. I was also a tenacious man who never quit or backed down from a challenge. She had no idea that this hunt had only just begun, and I was determined to win.
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Dark Dominion: Dangerous Desire Book 1 Page 3