Something New (Brides of Cedar Bend Book 2)

by Lena Hart

  “Inappropriate? The bride is supposed to be the one in white.”

  Savvy’s back drew up in defensive. “I thought so at first, but Quinn was okay with this. Not to mention, we really didn’t have time to keep shopping around.”

  Lori looked taken aback by her sharp words. “Sorry I said anything.”

  Savvy tried to adjust her attitude, but it was getting harder to do with everything that needed to get down. And her cousin was nowhere to be found.

  “Do you know where Quinn is,” Savvy asked, getting to the heart of what mattered. Finding the bride.

  “Isn’t she getting her makeup done?”

  “No, that’s why I’m looking for her. Everyone’s faces are done. Now, we just need Quinn.”

  Lori frowned. “I haven’t seen her since last night, and she was pretty upset last night about the rehearsal dinner.”

  Savvy frowned at that. When she’d spoken to Quinn last night, she hadn’t seemed upset about having to cancel the dinner. Just preoccupied.

  “If you see her, could you let her know she’s up next for makeup?”

  Lori nodded, and Savvy started back to her room. Her cousin’s disappearance was out of character and her worry intensified. Last night, Quinn hadn’t even asked questions when she’d mentioned not coming back to the mansion that night, and that was also unlike her cousin.

  When she neared her guest room, she realized there was one place she hadn’t looked, and she stopped in her tracks.

  The guest house.

  Since many of the guests were staying at a hotel just outside of town, the guest house had been left unoccupied—and available for anyone to hide.

  Savvy gathered her skirts and rushed to the guest house. She entered it and found Quinn sitting quietly inside, still in her robe.

  “Quinn, what are you doing out here? You do know there’s a wedding happening today and it’s yours.”

  Her cousin looked up at her, a haunted look in her dark brown eyes. Savvy rushed over to the sofa and sat down beside her.

  “Quinn, what’s wrong?”

  Her cousin glanced down at her tightly clasped hands. “Savvy, can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “When Matt asked you to marry him, why’d you say yes?”

  Savvy was taken aback by that. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond but then decided to go with the absolute truth.

  “I think, at first, I agreed to marry him because I thought I loved him. But after he broke off the engagement, I realized I only said yes because it seemed like the right thing to do. We’d been together so long, it just seemed like the thing to do next.”

  Quinn looked directly at her then, though her gaze was miles away. For a heart-stopping moment, Savvy thought her cousin was having a case of cold feet. She couldn’t let her failure mess up a sure thing for her cousin.

  “I have a confession to make,” Savvy said. “You remember that Memorial weekend we spent at Eric’s cabin?”

  “Yeah?”

  “After we got back home, I gave Matt an ultimatum.”

  Quinn’s eyes widened. “You didn’t.”

  Savvy nodded regretfully. “I did. Told him if he didn’t prove to me how serious he was about us, that it was over. It was stupid of me, but then again I’m stupid when it comes to men.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Yes, I am.” Only a stupid woman would run away from a man who had given her several mind-blowing orgasms and because he was too good to her. She cringed at her senselessness. “But things between you and Eric are different. You two are meant for each other, and I know you love him.”

  “Do I?”

  Savvy stilled. “Quinn?”

  Her cousin sighed and averted her gaze again. “Yeah, I suppose I do. But I’m not too sure he loves me. At least not as much as I love him.”

  “That’s not true.” Savvy frowned. “Where is all this coming from?”

  “Do you know why I canceled the rehearsal dinner last night?”

  “The storm?”

  She shook her head. “No. because Eric thought finishing up whatever thing he had going for his campaign was more important than showing up on time to our wedding rehearsal. I almost wish he had lied to me and said he was going to be late because of the rain. Instead, he put that damn campaign before us and I can’t take it anymore!”

  Savvy took her cousin’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, trying to calm her rising emotions.

  “All of that is temporary, Quinn. Eric loves you, and after this election, you two will have a lifetime to be the adorable couple I couldn’t stand in college.”

  Quinn flashed her a weak smile that didn’t really reach her eyes. “It’s not just the election, Savvy. It’s also the way he ignores things that are important to me. Things that should also be important to him. The fact that he re-invited Matt to the wedding also makes—”

  “Wait, what?”

  Quinn’s expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry, Savvy. I only found out yesterday when I was going over the seating chart with Lori. Matt is coming to the wedding, and he’s bringing a plus one.”

  Savvy tried to school her expression, to keep it neutral, but she couldn’t stop the alarms that were ringing in her head. She didn’t want to see him again. She certainly didn’t want him around her family.

  But today wasn’t about her, and she reminded herself of that.

  Forcing a smile on her lips, Savvy patted her cousin’s hand. “It doesn’t matter, Quinn. I really don’t care if he’s here and you shouldn’t either. I’ve moved on and I’m glad he has too.”

  She was proud that she managed to tell that lie with a straight face.

  “Is it Damian?” Quinn’s teasing smile lessened the gloom in her eyes. “You two seemed to have gotten close these past few weeks.”

  “You could say that.”

  Savvy returned Quinn’s smile, not wanting to worry her cousin with the mess of things she made with him too. They had certainly gotten closer than she had with anyone in a while.

  Instead of fanning the flames between them, she had doused it before it barely had a chance to flicker. She tried to convince herself that she was glad for it but knew it would be just another lie.

  “Come on.” Savvy took her cousin’s hand and rose to her feet. “Let’s get you married.”

  Eleven

  Damian was in a shitty mood.

  And the person who had put him in that mood was nowhere to be found.

  As he made his way into the Benson mansion, he swept the area for a sign of Savvy. He was torn between tracking her down and demanding to know why she had run off that morning, or giving her the space she obviously wanted.

  As it stood, he would much rather have her tell him to his face that she wanted nothing to do with him than to guess what the hell was going on in that pretty little head of hers.

  “Junior, how long you gonna have me out here? I don’t want to miss the game tonight.”

  “The game’s being recorded, Pop. You won’t miss anything.” Damian guided his father around the back of the mansion. “Let’s find a shade for you to sit under while I figure out what’s going on.”

  They made their way to the grand terrace with its lavish landscaping and beautiful stone sculptures. Several of the guests had already arrived, and a refreshment table had been set up.

  Damian scanned the area for a place to leave Pops while he tended to his duties as best man when his gaze landed on Savvy. She was speaking to an older couple and another woman who held a vague resemblance to Savvy.

  Savvy had her back to him, but he recognized the deep sway of her back and the curve of that ass anywhere. He also vividly recalled how her lush curves had pressed against him, and how soft and wild she’d been for him when he’d slid inside her. The way she had clenched tightly around his hard shaft, warm and wet when she found her release, was imprinted in his mind. And the memory drove lust straight to his cock.

  Damian clea
red his throat and shifted uncomfortably. “Pop, wait here.”

  Against his better judgment, he found himself walking over to her. There was no way they would be able to ignore each other today, so there was no point in trying.

  As he approached, the couple and woman fixed their gaze on him and Damian smiled politely. Savvy followed their gaze and their eyes locked together. For a moment, he lost his train of thought at the sight before him. If she was stunning from the back, she was even more breath taking from the front. His gaze moved over her, taking in every beautiful inch of her. When he returned his gaze to her, he knew she was thinking about last night and this morning.

  “I know that was you, little darling. Don’t you look beautiful?”

  Pops came up from behind him and went to embrace. Damian pressed his lips together. He should have known his father wouldn’t have listened to him.

  “Hello, Pops. You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.” Savvy returned his embrace then turned to the small group staring at him and his father curiously. “Pops, I’d like you to meet my aunt Helen and my uncle, Wallace. This is my sister, Felicia.”

  “Nice to meet you all. I had a cousin name Felicia, but she passed last year.”

  Damian glanced at his dad. It was actually more like five years ago, but he didn’t correct him. Instead, he took his arm and tried to pull him away.

  “Come on, Pop. How about we find a nice cool shade.”

  He snatched his arm away and scolded him. “What’s the matter with you, Junior. Don’t you see I’m talking? Don’t be rude.”

  “Is this your son?” Felicia asked, eyeing him curiously.

  Pops beamed and slapped him on the back. “Yup, this is my boy. Damian Junior. And he’s been treating this little darling very good, I might add.”

  Felicia dark eyes widened with shock, as she glanced at him then to Savvy. “You and Savvy are an item?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Pops scoffed. “When a lady spends the night in your room, you better believe you’re an item. Don’t think I don’t know what y’all were doing upstairs last night.”

  “Oh, my god,” Savvy groaned

  She covered her cheeks with her hands as her aunt gasped and her uncle scowled at them. Felicia burst out laughing.

  Damian would have laughed at the ridiculous situation too if Savvy hadn’t looked so mortified. He wouldn’t add to her humiliation—even if she deserved it for walking out on him this morning.

  “Pop, let’s leave—”

  “Wait a minute.” Pops moved closer to Savvy and grabbed her hand. He lifted her hand to his face then whipped around to him. “Junior, this is your mother’s ring.”

  Damian stiffened, preparing himself for an outburst. “Yes, it is Pop.”

  “I’m sorry, Pops,” Savvy said. “I didn’t—”

  “What are you sorry about?” Suddenly Pops pulled her into a hug. “I’m excited to have you as a daughter. I thought Junior would never find the right girl to give that ring to.”

  Savvy looked at him, her eyes wide with panic.

  “Pop…” Damian tried to find the right words that would clear the confusion but not embarrass his father.

  “Savvy, what’s going on?” her uncle Wallace demanded.

  “I— I—” Savvy stammered, glancing from him to her family.

  “Can’t you see, Uncle Wallace,” Felicia said cheerfully. “Savvy is going to marry this fine brother.”

  “But I thought she was going to marry that white boy,” her aunt whispered not so quietly. “What was his name…?”

  Felicia smirked and glanced knowingly at him. “Looks like my baby sister finally came to her senses. She just needed to find a fine piece of chocolate.”

  “Felicia,” her aunt Helen scolded. “Stop embarrassing your sister.”

  “Is this true, Savvy?” her uncle asked.

  Savvy looked from him to her family then back to him. Damian cocked a brow, leaving it up to her to set her family straight. When she realized she wasn’t going to get an assist from him, she floundered again.

  “I— I—”

  “No need to be shy, little darling. You’ll be marrying into a fine family. I promise you that.”

  “What do you do, Damian?” Felicia asked him.

  “I’m a mechanic.”

  “Oh.” She arched a brow then glanced at Savvy. “You just keep on surprising us, Savvy.”

  “He actually owns his own shop.”

  “I guess I forgot that important part,” Damian muttered, staring directly at her.

  “But that really doesn’t matter,” she rushed out, avoiding his gaze and looking completely contrite. “Damian is a great guy, but we’re not—”

  “We’re not letting everyone know yet,” Damian interjected. “We don’t want to take away from Quinn and Eric’s big day.”

  A murmur of agreement went around the group, but they each had wide grins on their face. Everyone except his new fiancée.

  “We need champagne,” Pops demanded. “Because this deserves a toast.”

  The moment they were alone, Savvy cornered him. “Why did you do that?”

  Damian leaned calmly against the wall, his arms folded in front of him. “Do what?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t play dumb with me. You know what I’m talking about. You, me, and this so called engagement.”

  “Hey, don’t get pissed at me. You’re the one still wearing the ring.”

  “It won’t come off,” she snapped. “That still doesn’t mean we should let them believe we’re engaged.”

  “What’s the problem? The idea makes Pops happy, and I’d rather keep him that way until we get through this day. You’re good at faking it, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

  Savvy gaped at him then anger at his words rushed through her. “You asshole! You think I faked it last night? Is this what this is all about?”

  He returned her glare with a fierce one of his own. It was clear he was just as pissed as she. “No. I know every one of those orgasms I gave you last night was real. Just like I know you loved every one of them.”

  Her cheeks warmed. He was right. She had loved every moment and couldn’t deny that.

  “What I don’t appreciate is being made a fool of,” he bit out. “I told you I don’t play games, Savvy. If you wanted last night to be our only night, you could have just said so.”

  “But I don’t want last night to be our last.” Savvy shook her head, realizing she was making a bigger mess of things. “At least at the time, I didn’t.”

  “Then what changed?” he asked quietly, his dark gaze piercing into her. “Am I not good enough for you?”

  Savvy jerked in surprise by that. Did he really think she was that shallow? She shouldn’t be surprised since the majority of her family, and some of her friends thought so. And the way she was treating him, she shouldn’t be surprised that he thought the same thing.

  “Damian, I don’t think that at all. If anything, you’re a great catch, and I’m afraid…”

  “Afraid of what?”

  “That I could end up falling in love with you.”

  There. She said it.

  To her surprise, it didn’t scare him away. If anything, he pushed away from the wall and came to stand just a few inches from her.

  “Would that be so bad?”

  “Yes,” she muttered. “Because I don’t think I could take it if you broke my heart.”

  “What makes you think I would do that?”

  “You’re too good to be true.”

  He frowned and stared at her searchingly. “Your ex must have been a real bastard if you think there aren’t any good guys left. I’m no different than any other decent guy around. I may not be perfect, but I like you enough to want to try.”

  Savvy dropped her gaze to his chest.

  There he goes again, saying all the right things.

  Or maybe he was right, and she just didn’t recognize a good, honest man when she had one stand
ing right in front of her.

  “Savvy?”

  She turned to the familiar voice, and bottom of her stomach dropped. Matt stood only a few feet away from them, a pretty brunette hanging on his arm. She knew she would have to face him again, but she had hoped it would be later. Much later.

  Then again, the sooner they got this awkward reunion over with, the better.

  “Hello, Matt.”

  “You look…incredible.”

  Matt continued staring, his gaze roaming appreciatively over her. Savvy couldn’t believe his nerve.

  The woman looked from him to her, and the polite smile fell from her face. “Hi. I’m Patrice.”

  Matt snapped out of his daze and smiled down at the woman. “We’re getting married.”

  Savvy’s mouth fell open as she stared at the two of them. Not only did the bastard have the nerve to show up to her cousin’s wedding with a date, but he had also brought his new fiancée.

  Savvy would have continued standing there tongue tied if she hadn’t felt Damian’s strong arms coming around her waist. She didn’t know if he was offering his support or making a statement with the possessive display, but in that moment she was happy to have him near. He wanted her, and that counted for something.

  Hell, it counted for a lot.

  “Congratulations,” she said stiffly. “This is Damian Carson. Eric’s best man.” Before she could stop herself, she added, “And my fiancé.”

  Matt’s head snapped around. His surprise gaze landed on Damian as he sized him up. She didn’t know how he felt about her revealing their semi-secret fake engagement but from the tight squeeze he just gave her, she was pretty sure he wasn’t thrilled about it. But her pettiness got the best of her, and now their secret fake engagement was exposed in front of two others.

  “I’m glad to see you were able to find someone. I hope he makes you happy.”

  “I try,” Damian said smoothly.

  Savvy glanced up at him and smiled. He definitely does.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse us,” Damian said. “We should probably go see to the bride and groom.”

  He ushered her down the hall. When they were an earshot away from Matt and Patrice, he leaned close to her ear.

  “So I’m your fiancé now, huh?” His tone was more amused than annoyed.