BEST MAN
Shelley Munro
Table of Contents
Blurb
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Excerpt – No Defense
About Shelley Munro
Other Works
Copyright
Blurb
A society wedding—the celebration brings both joy and regret for groomsman Jesse Peters. Jesse wishes things were different and his dreams of becoming a professional rugby player didn’t come between him and fellow groomsman and rugby teammate Grayson Lynford, the man he craves and has secretly lusted after for months.
One chance encounter and everything changes—hot, steamy lovin’, blistering passion and primal heat. Hunger between Jesse and Grayson blazes searing and intense. A future seems possible until reality intrudes and threatens to destroy Jesse’s relationship with the best man he’s ever found.
Chapter One
“You have the photos and info I asked for?”
Grayson Lynford paused in the shadows cast by the droopy green strands of a rimu tree. Gut instinct told him to duck beneath the trailing foliage and hide. Something about the voice, the furtive tone, shot apprehension up Grayson’s spine. The mumbled reply gave no clue as to the identity. He couldn’t even tell the speaker’s gender, but it had to be a wedding guest, one invited to stay overnight.
He frowned in concentration. Security was damn tight for the nuptials of his friend All Black Nolan Dion to Cassie, society babe and daughter of New Zealand entrepreneur Maxwell Pendergrast. No one entered the Pendergrasts’ secluded country estate near Clevedon in South Auckland where the wedding would take place, not without a formal invitation. The entire bridal party had already arrived for tomorrow’s ceremony along with a few of the guests.
“Yes. What about the money?”
A second voice and once again unrecognizable.
“More photos? Do you have them? I’ll take what I can get.”
Grayson waited in the secluded spot while they concluded business and wondered how to handle the situation. Shots of Nolan and Cassie together were worth good money and in high demand by the tabloids. He cursed under his breath when he realized he couldn’t get closer without discovery. Bloody hell. Both Nolan and Cassie hated the way the press chased them. Sure there were the normal photos that couldn’t be avoided but nothing scandalous had appeared in the papers to date. Nolan and Cassie wanted to keep it that way, and Grayson could hardly blame them. He had his own secrets he wouldn’t like broadcast to all and sundry.
A couple of minutes later a man emerged from behind the bushes not far from where Grayson loitered. When he saw the man’s face, acute disappointment seared his gut.
Jesse Peters.
Nolan’s other groomsman and his unrequited crush. Grayson grimaced at the thought. Not the done thing for a big, bad rugby forward to fall for a teammate so his attraction remained hidden, a fascination he shoved to the back of his mind. Although he didn’t know the man well—Grayson’s transfer to the Auckland rugby club was a recent one—that didn’t stop his unbroken sleep, the slow slide of lust every time he spotted the man.
Jesse and Nolan had attended school together and were best friends while Grayson had met Nolan at Mt. Maunganui where both their families used to spend the summer holidays. Their common love of swimming and surfing had meant they’d both ended up as trainee lifeguards, and they’d reconnected once Grayson signed with the Auckland club.
Nah. Grayson shook his head, doubtful Jesse would betray Nolan this way. The man had integrity, which was part of the attraction. Nah, he couldn’t believe it despite the circumstantial evidence. Hell, what the fuck should he do? He didn’t want to spoil Nolan’s big day by telling him his best friend intended to sell him out. As he sifted through his limited options, a woman came into view.
Serena Pendergrast, Cassie’s younger sister.
Well, hell. Now he had two suspects. His eyes narrowed while he watched her hurry past. Perhaps if he shook the bushes he’d find more candidates for the crime. He continued to watch the petite woman. She followed Jesse with a purposeful stride, running a few steps to catch up. Serena called out and Grayson caught Jesse’s scowl when he turned to speak to her. Frostiness dripped from him and echoed in his taut stance. Not happy. Guilt maybe? Grayson decided his best option was to keep a close eye on both Serena and Jesse for the rest of the day and before the ceremony took place at four tomorrow afternoon.
He and Jesse were sharing a guest bungalow. At least now he’d have something else to ponder instead of his wayward cock and the way it jolted to life every time he went near Jesse.
Grayson waited until Jesse and Serena walked from sight. Two more men strolled past without noticing him and Grayson took note of their faces for future reference. He’d watch for them at dinner and discover their identities. Until he learned the truth, everyone in the vicinity remained on his list of suspects.
Nolan was not only a good friend but knew his secret, having spent time with Grayson and his ex-partner when they’d met up at Mt. Maunganui the previous year. The man hadn’t judged him and had remained a true friend, treating him no differently than before. Grayson intended to return the loyalty and watch his friend’s back.
* * * * *
Jesse Peters scowled at Serena Pendergrast. Pity he couldn’t ignore her greeting. The bloody woman was a menace, always touching and pushing for more than he wanted to give. He’d gone out with her once—a casual date to the movies. A mistake he lived to regret.
“What do you want?” he asked, his voice containing a growl that would have warned off anyone else. Not Serena. The petite blonde sashayed straight up to him and attempted to land a kiss. He grasped her upper arms and pushed her away, holding her at arm’s length when she tried to wriggle closer. “I’m not interested, Serena. Go test your wiles out on someone else.”
“I’m very good in bed. I could make you very happy.” She swiped her tongue over her full bottom lip until it gleamed with shiny moisture.
Hell, she obviously believed in direct marketing. He wished she’d do her advertising elsewhere. “There’s someone else, Serena,” Jesse snapped. “I’ve told you before.”
“Who? I haven’t seen you with another woman.”
Because he preferred men. “I like my privacy.”
Serena’s brown eyes narrowed. “She must be married.”
Jesse shrugged. “I’ve got to go.” He released her and stalked off without another word. The woman was a problem he didn’t need, especially this weekend. Bad enough he had to spend time with his new teammate Grayson Lynford but he had to share a room with him as well. He’d gone for a walk, hoping the fresh air would help him settle.
It hadn’t.
Grayson still figured large in his fantasies, the other man constantly on his mind. A few days ago, he’d woken up from a spectacular dream, his cock engorged and aching for release, Grayson’s name on his lips. The dream had been so real he’d felt the other man’s mouth wrapped around his cock, felt the silkiness of his dark brown hair as he’d gripped the man’s head.
What would happen if he gave himself away this weekend? Grayson was going out with Cindy Malcolm or at least he had been. Grayson had loads of girlfriends. Difficult to keep up with the latest play when it came to women and Grayson. Somehow, he remained friends with all of them. Jesse dragged a hand through his hair and cursed. Hell, he needed a drink. He headed for the house. Maybe he could entice Nolan into a game of pool and a few beers—anything to stop thoughts of Grayson and ideas of what he wanted to do to the sexy male.
He found Nolan skulking at the bottom of the stairs. “What’s up?”
“Me,” Nolan said dryly. “Cassie should b
e here soon. We’re gonna snatch a few hours together before her mother thinks up another wedding chore for us.”
“Sex, huh? Good luck on that. I’m dodging Serena,” Jesse said.
“Cassie told her to stop hounding you.”
“She didn’t listen. Hell, my butt is blue from the pinches she snuck in at the rehearsal dinner last night.”
Nolan sniggered. “I thought a winger could sprint. You should have been able to outrun her. She’s only a wee bit of a thing.”
“Yeah, well, on the rugby field I can tackle or shove the opposition out of the way. I didn’t think that would go down well at the rehearsal dinner.”
“I owe you, mate.” Nolan grinned without an ounce of sympathy.
“Damn straight. I’m going to the billiard room for a beer. Gonna barricade myself in for a few hours of peace. Have fun with Cassie.”
“Intend to. Hell, tomorrow night can’t come quick enough. I might respect her parents’ wishes about separate rooms but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Nolan clapped him over the back and grinned suddenly. “Cass. Ready to go?”
The intimate timbre of his voice brought forth envy in Jesse. It wasn’t because of Cassie. It was the whole relationship deal, having another person to share the highs and commiserate on the downs of life. Someone to fill the cracks of loneliness.
“See ya later,” he said, and with a wave at Cassie, Jesse headed for the billiard room. Unfortunately, several men had sought refuge and the table was in use. Jesse grabbed a beer and flopped into a leather easy chair at the far end of the masculine room. Might as well brood in company.
One beer led to another. He played a couple of games but most of the time kicked back and brooded, nursing one frosty can after another. Two hours later, he lurched from the billiard room to head for the guest bungalows out the back of the main house. The pungent scent from the sweet peas that crawled over wooden frames caught in the back of his throat. It made him cough and laugh at the same time. Damn. Too many beers. Hell, Cass would kill him if he turned up for the wedding with a hangover. Better go and sleep it off.
Jesse staggered down the cobblestone path. He’d eat in the bungalow instead of joining the others at the casual buffet starting in an hour in the ballroom. The door opened at his touch and he stumbled inside. The wind caught the door, slamming it shut before he’d crossed the small lounge-cum-kitchenette to the separate bedroom. A drunken chuckle escaped. It was like a confirmation he’d drunk too much. Inside the bedroom, Jesse kicked off his sandals, whipped his T-shirt over his head and unfastened his jeans, balancing awkwardly like a one-legged stilt trying to remove them. His briefs came down with his jeans but he left them to collapse naked onto one of the two beds in the room.
His chest moved in a bellow of laughter. Hell, he’d drunk more than he’d realized but didn’t give a fuck. Tomorrow might be a different story—if a hangover emerged. Jesse flopped on his back, the scent of the pillow making him realize he’d dropped onto Grayson’s bed instead of his own. Damn. He was too comfortable to move. Jesse had no idea how he’d cope during the next couple of nights. Each night this week had been full of dreams of Grayson. Hell, he’d even started to daydream about the sexy man—his dark hair and bright brown eyes, broad shoulders and muscular build. His touchable butt. Pure poetry when he ran down the rugby field with the ball clutched in his hands.
Unbidden his hands dropped to stroke his erection. It felt damned good so he repeated the move and a shiver of pleasure shot through him at each leisurely pull from base to tip. Closing his eyes, he increased the friction, squeezed his cock and groaned when visions of Grayson and his hot bod flickered through his mind. His hips strained upward, his fist gliding easily now that pre-cum spilled from his slit. He imagined the lap of Grayson’s tongue and his sexy mouth engulfing the swollen head of his cock. He imagined warm, wet suction. Jesse shivered while heat and pressure rampaged through him.
“Is this a private party or can anyone join?”
Jesse lifted weighted eyes. Fire and chills warred within his body while shock held him still. “Grayson?”
“Yep.”
Jesse closed his eyes again since he found it so difficult to keep them open, and after thinking about it, decided his dream was simply very realistic. The man wasn’t here. Grayson, if he had any brains, would spend time with one of his many girlfriends. There was bound to be one here at the estate already. He palmed his cock, sighing at the buzz, the sparks of hot sensation that danced across his skin.
A hoarsely voiced curse gave him pause. Seconds later, the mattress depressed at his side.
“Grayson?” Jesse stared through blurry eyes, open the merest fraction.
“Yeah, it’s me. I told you before.”
A hand drifted across his belly, the touch searing to his befuddled senses. He gasped and attempted to focus on Grayson’s swarthy face. “What are ya doing?”
“Probably making the worst mistake of my life,” Grayson muttered.
As Jesse watched, he stood and strode from the bedroom. Jesse heard the distinct snick of a lock then Grayson returned. The man stripped while he gawked. Yeah, he’d seen Grayson in the buff before in the changing rooms but after one quick glimpse—enough to sear his retinas for life—he’d kept his eyes front and out of trouble. Some men were a bit touchy when it came to other males ogling them. Grayson looked solid, his muscles sculpted from hours of training. A tattoo, Maori inspired, curled around his right biceps. Jesse’s gaze drifted downward, noting his teammate had kept in shape despite the Christmas break.
Before he could take in every detail, Grayson moved. He sank onto the bed beside Jesse and stretched full out. Their bodies barely touched but the charge of sparks frayed every one of Jesse’s nerve endings. His loud groan filled the air, throbbing between them.
“Yeah,” Grayson murmured. “My feelings exactly.”
Before Jesse had a chance to reply, Grayson rolled and loomed over him. His face held not a trace of his normal good humor. Instead dark brows furrowed together in a frown, his face strong and rigid with tension. Jesse scowled, confused about what was happening. Hell, perhaps he’d killed off a few brain cells with the alcohol he’d consumed. Then Grayson ducked his head and kissed him, shoving aside Jesse’s confusion and replacing it with raw lust.
Lips. Fuck, the man’s lips were soft, and Grayson kissed him with practiced confidence. The man knew how to kiss. He sucked at Jesse’s lips, tasted them. Nipped.
With a soft moan of surrender, Jesse opened his mouth to let Grayson do as he willed. Their tongues danced together in mutual exploration. Hell, if this were a dream, he didn’t want to wake. Grayson’s chest grazed his. Then the man moved again and their cocks brushed together with exquisite friction. Jesse gripped Grayson’s broad shoulders and held firm. He didn’t care about dreams, mistakes or anything in between because the slide of Grayson’s muscular body against his own frayed what little self-protection he had left.
Magic. Pure magic.
Grayson pulled out of the kiss and Jesse thought his brown eyes held a trace of concern, the same worry lingering at the back of his own mind. But it disappeared in an instant, either that or it was a trick of the light. Grayson moved down the bed, bent his head and took Jesse’s engorged ejection deep into his mouth.
“Aww.” A garbled groan escaped. Jesse’s heart drummed his ribs, racing out of control while his stomach did a sympathetic flip. He gripped the quilt cover with his hands in an attempt at controlling the pleas cramming his throat. Much better than he’d imagined. So much better. Grayson licked across the flared head of his cock and cleaned off the drops of pre-cum.
“Grayson,” Jesse whispered. The alcohol-induced haze had cleared the moment the other man had taken Jesse’s cock into his mouth. Giving in to temptation, he cupped Grayson’s head, savoring the slide of the man’s silky strands of hair. Grayson sucked and laved, drawing cries of pleasure, driving him higher and higher. Talent, Jesse thought hazily. The man had it in b
ucketloads. On the rugby field and it seemed in the bedroom.
Grayson’s head bobbed and Jesse couldn’t help the automatic lift of his hips. He rocked his pelvis forward. One moment he felt pleasure and the next, the electric surge of orgasm raced from his balls and up his dick. Jesse tensed and bit his bottom lip to stem the moan of pleasure. He shot into Grayson’s mouth with an explosive force that had never felt so good. Gradually he drifted back. The first thing he saw on opening his eyes was Grayson’s dark brown gaze studying him closely, his face expressionless. Jesse swallowed when Grayson gave his deflated cock another lick and let it slip from his mouth. They stared at each other, and for once Jesse couldn’t think what to say. He swallowed for a second time and cleared his throat for good measure.
“Ah, guess that wasn’t a dream, huh?”
Grayson reminded him of a coiled spring. “No.”
“I…ah…” Shit, Jesse didn’t know what to say or how to get past the prickly atmosphere. It wasn’t disgust he felt toward the man, not when contentment filled him. He’d wanted Grayson for so long. No, the emotion covered the gamut from shock to exhilaration. Surprise.
“You’re not gonna hit me?” Grayson asked.
“Hit you?” The upward rise of his teammate’s dark brows jerked Jesse back from flabbergasted territory. “Why the fuck would I punch you?”
“Most men don’t enjoy having their dick sucked by another man,” Grayson said carefully.
Jesse shifted his weight and noticed the way the big man flinched. “I’m not gonna fight with you. I’m surprised is all. I didn’t know…ah…I had no idea…” He trailed off, words failing him. Hell, this was awkward. And it didn’t bloody help with his cock busily exerting an opinion about a repeat performance.
“That I’m gay?”
“Gay?”
“Fuck, stop with the bloody parrot stuff,” Grayson snapped. “Yeah, I’m gay. It’s not something I shout about. Playing rugby is my life and I don’t want to make my teammates uncomfortable. I prefer to focus on the game.”
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