“Oh, she wasn’t my…uh…girlfriend.” Having lost my mom when I was a kid, I always saw Tina as a kind of adopted mother, seeing as I spent most of my time at her house with Mac, so the disappointed look I’m getting from her right now makes me squirm. She doesn’t need to know about this stuff. “So…Mac getting married. Who’d have thought it?” I say, changing the subject.
“I know. My baby, walking down the aisle. I can’t wait.” Excitement sparkles in her eyes. “I need to make the most of it because Lord knows if Bryony will ever give me another to look forward to.”
Now that gets my attention. “Why’s that? She loves weddings.”
“No idea. She’s been telling us for years that she doesn’t ever want to get married. She lived for it as a kid. It was all she talked about, and then something changed almost overnight.” Dread twists in my stomach that this could have something to do with me. “Are you okay? You’ve gone a little pale.”
“I think I just need some fresh air.”
I smile politely at Tina, and she returns it, but her concern is clear in her eyes.
Heading over to the huge doors at the other end of the room, I take two glasses of champagne that are sitting on the bar before quickly pulling a flower from a huge arrangement sitting by the door. I suck in a deep breath, push the solid wood and slip out into the summer evening. I’ve no idea what to expect, I’m just hoping I can prove to her how serious I am.
She’s standing, leaning against the railing looking out over the hotel grounds. Making my way over, I soon see something else has her attention.
Glancing over her shoulder, my blood boils.
“He looks like a douche.”
Her body stills at my words. The air around us seems to evaporate and I struggle to catch my breath.
Slowly, she locks the screen, hiding the dating profile of the guy she was looking at and lowers her cellphone.
“What do you want, Freddie?” Her voice is colder than I anticipated. I know I hurt her, but I hoped time might have allowed her to forget a little. Her tone makes me think it could have just been yesterday.
“Peace offering.”
Hesitantly, she turns. She always was too nosey for her own good. It’s how we ended up in this situation after she came out of her room that night to find out what was going on. I’d wanted her for a long time, but it had been even longer when Mac first warned me off her. That night, though, with alcohol buzzing through my system, I did something I never should have.
I kissed my best friend’s little sister. And from that moment, I was addicted.
Her eyes hold mine for a moment. They’re dark and clouded with the pain I caused, before they drop to the two glasses I have in one hand and then to the other.
“Please do not tell me they’re from the arrangements. Tessa will kill you if she finds out.”
“I’m not scared of Tessa.”
“You should be. You’ve not been here to experience her new level of craziness.”
“I’ve heard all about it,” I mutter, thinking of the things Mac’s told me on the phone over the past few months.
“Here.” Her hand tentatively reaches out for the single rose I plucked from the arrangement as I left the room. She keeps her eyes focused on the flower, but that soon changes when I rub my finger over hers as she takes it from me.
The spark I remember all too well crackles between us. Her chocolate eyes fly to mine. They darken for a second before they harden. She pulls her hand away. She runs her finger over the thorns, and I’m transfixed.
“Please don’t ruin anything else I meticulously planned,” she snaps, going to turn away from me. But I’m faster, and my fingers circle her wrist and stop any further movement.
“I didn’t ruin anything, I just borrowed it.” A couple of silent seconds pass, the atmosphere suffocating. “Bryony?”
“What?” Her shoulder’s square and her muscles tense.
“Look at me, please.”
“Freddie, I don’t have the time or energy for—” Her words are cut off when my palm gently cups her cheek. I’m not sure if she’s aware, but the moment we connect she leans into my touch. It’s the only sign I need that she’s still mine. She can fight all she likes—shout, scream, and deny what she feels—but I know it’s still there.
“Bry, I’m so fucking sorry.”
Her eyes narrow and her lips press into a thin line as she tries to pull away from me. Excitement races through me. She’s not going to make this easy and a fucked-up part of me is looking forward to the chase. It’ll only make the inevitable even more earth shattering when it happens.
“Too little, too late. That boat sailed a long time ago.” I allow her to go when she stands back and pulls one of the glasses from my hand. “I shouldn’t drink this. I’m working.”
“I think you’re done for the night.”
“I’m not done until the wedding is over and the guests have left happy.”
“They all seemed pretty happy in there when I left.”
She must decide I’m right because she places the glass to her lips and tips the golden liquid into her mouth. My eyes zero in on the movement of her slender neck and my mouth waters to find out if she tastes as sweet as she always did.
“I made the biggest mistake of my life that day, Bryony. I spent too much time listening to friends and not enough listening to my own heart.”
“I’m not interested.”
“But you are. Your body tenses every time I talk, your eyes darken with desire every time you look at me. And if I get too close—” I take a step towards her. “—your breathing increases as your heart pounds in your chest. Just like mine.” Reaching down, I take her hand in mine and press it to my chest. “You feel that?” She swallows and tries to break our connection, but I follow her movement. “You can’t run from me, Bryony. I’ll always find you.”
Bryony
My heart pounds in my chest, to the point I start to feel a little lightheaded. I want to believe it’s the champagne I just downed in one gulp and not the man standing before me, staring into my eyes like he knows every single one of my secrets.
That was once true. The months we had together were the best of my life. Yes, we were sneaking around, desperately trying not to get caught, but it was so exciting. We were young and foolish, but it wasn’t until he left that I truly realized that what we had was real. It wasn’t just a silly teenage fling with someone I couldn’t have. Freddie owned my heart completely, and when he left, he may as well have taken it with him because it’s been useless ever since.
“I’m not doing this,” I say, pulling my hand away as if touching him physically hurts. “You made your choice over ten years ago and I was forced to deal with it.”
“Have you?”
“Have I what?”
“Dealt with it.”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, I spin away from him. Being under his intense stare has my traitorous body reacting in ways it shouldn’t. I need to get away from him. The sooner, the better.
“Don’t do that,” Freddie snaps, spinning me so my lower back is pressed against the railing.
“Do what?” I seethe. His breath mingles with mine where he’s so close.
“Close yourself off from me. I see you, Bryony. I see exactly what you want. What you need.”
His lips brush against mine with the final few words and my stomach somersaults as need so strong hits me, I’m afraid my knees might buckle.
“Freddie.” It’s meant to be a warning but comes out like a breathy moan.
He takes it as the cue he needs, his fingers threading into my hair and his lips pressing against mine. Lightly at first, but then his tongue traces the seam of my lips and they open for him. His tongue sweeps across mine as his all too familiar taste explodes in my mouth.
My eyes flutter shut. The rose in my hand falls to the ground as I lift my arms and twist my fingers in his shirt, dragging him closer to me. His solid body presses my soft curves into the me
tal at my back, his erection obvious against my stomach.
He explores every inch of my mouth, familiarizing himself with me before biting on my lip and sending a bolt of lust straight to my core.
“I missed you so fucking much,” Freddie moans, kissing across my jawline.
Those few words are enough to bring reality crashing down on me. I slam my fists against his chest and push with everything I have. “No.”
“No?” His chest is heaving and his eyes are almost black when he pulls back and looks at me.
“I can’t do this, Freddie. I can’t. Especially not here. Not this weekend. It’s Mac’s wedding. If he were to—”
“Freddie, you out here, man?” The sound of my brother’s voice fills the air around us and just proves the point I was trying to make.
“Oh, hey.” His eyes flick between the two of us. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. “Is everything okay?” he asks skeptically.
“Of course. We’re just catching up, reminiscing about old times. Right, Bry?”
Clearing my throat, I pray to God I don’t look as guilty as I feel. “Right.”
“Okay, well, everyone’s headed to their rooms for an early night and I wondered if you wanted a pint?” Mac asks, looking at Freddie.
“I should go. I’ve got stuff to…” I trail off, not really having a solid excuse. I just need to get away from Freddie and Mac’s assessing eyes as my brother glances between the two of us.
Freddie
I can’t drag my eyes from her as she walks away from us. But not before she bends down to collect the rose she dropped when I kissed her. Biting down on my bottom lip, I remember the electricity that sparked in my body when my lips touched hers.
It is exactly the same as I remember. Our incredible connection is still there after all these years. Mac’s stare is burning into the side of my head, but I can’t find it in myself to care as her ass sways seductively before she disappears inside the building.
“Everything okay?” he asks curiously.
“Uh…yeah,” I stutter after clearing my throat.
“Is there anything you need to tell me?”
“What? No. Shall we go and get that pint you mentioned?”
He stares at me with narrowed eyes for a few more seconds before nodding and heading back the way he came. Blowing out a breath, I try to get my head together before falling into step behind him. Now would probably be the perfect time to tell him how I feel about his sister. But knowing it’s his big day tomorrow, the words don’t pass my lips.
“To you and your soon-to-be-bride,” I say, lifting my glass to his.
“Shit. I can’t believe I’m getting fucking married tomorrow, dude.”
“Tell me about it. You make me feel inadequate.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? You’re doing good, right? I thought you said dumping Jenna was the right thing to do?”
“That was definitely the right thing to do. No, it’s not her. It’s…it’s nothing. Ignore me. We should be getting you ready for a lifetime of happiness.”
Mac doesn’t look too pleased about me swerving his question, but he really doesn’t need to hear my issues right now. “God, I hope Tessa returns to normal after tomorrow.”
“I’m sure you can fuck some sense into her on your honeymoon.”
“I should fucking hope so. I haven’t dropped that much cash on two weeks on a Caribbean island for nothing.”
“If you’re really unlucky, she’ll move straight on to planning kids.” His face pales and I can’t help but chuckle.
“One thing at a time, yeah?”
“I’m just saying,” I say with a shrug. “She’s probably already got it planned.”
“Fucking hell.”
“You want kids, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. One day. I’d rather not start tomorrow night, though.”
“I don’t know, it might be the perfect night.”
Mac stares at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“What?”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Shrugging, I take a sip of my beer. “Why not? You’re about to nail down the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with. It’s only natural.”
“Huh.” It’s my turn to narrow my eyes at him in question. “Are you sure everything’s okay? You’re never usually this pro marriage and kids.”
“Just growing up, I guess.” The truth is, being here at his wedding, with Bryony in touching distance, I can’t stop thinking about the future. I want this. I want to promise my life to her and think about our future together as a couple. I just hope I’m not too late. If our short time on the veranda is anything to go by, I’m thinking I might have a shot. But only time will tell.
* * *
“I should probably head up. If tomorrow’s as chaotic as I’m expecting, I’m going to need some sleep,” Mac says, finishing up his second pint.
“I’ll finish this and I’ll follow.”
I’ve no desire to head up to my room alone with the knowledge of who else is in this hotel.
Slamming my empty glass down, I march towards reception, an idea forming in my head.
“Hi.” I smile sweetly at the woman behind the desk. Her eyes light up and not-so-discreetly drop to check me out. Perfect. “I’m the best man for the Ford/Winters wedding tomorrow and I’ve got an issue that needs sorting ASAP. Any chance I could get the room number for Bryony, the wedding planner…Janet,” I purr, leaning forwards on my elbow.
Incredibly, it works because she also leans towards me slightly, her tongue sneaking out to lick her bottom lip. “I…I really shouldn’t give out resident’s room numbers.”
“We’ve been friends since we were kids. It won’t be an issue, I can assure you.”
“Umm…okay, but you didn’t hear it from me.” Her eyes flick around the reception, making sure no one’s listening. “Ms. Ford is in room 605.”
“Thank you, Janet. This is our little secret.” I wink and her cheeks flame red. I’m still chuckling to myself as the elevator doors close behind me.
Bryony
Resting back in the chair, I blow out a breath as I scan through my inbox looking for anything that needs my attention right now. I’m desperate to find something that might distract me from my memories of what happened outside earlier.
My lips are still tingling from his. Lifting my fingers, I press them to my lips as I relive it once again. I haven’t been kissed like that in a very, very long time.
I’m just about to open an email from Olivia, my colleague, when a short, sharp knock sounds out around the room.
Assuming it’s probably Tessa freaking out about some tiny insignificant detail about tomorrow, I plod over barefoot and lower the handle without looking in the peephole. It’s something I regret the second I reveal the person standing the other side.
“What do you want?” I snap, frustrated with myself for not checking so I could ignore him. I’m pretty sure that’s what I would have done if I knew, I tell myself, even though I know it’s a lie.
“Well, I was hoping for a slightly more friendly welcome.” My eyes drop from his and focus on his full lips, remembering once again how well they fit with mine. His words don’t register; I’m too lost in my own fantasies. Dropping lower, I take in his white shirt, undone just enough to show a little chest hair, and his sleeves rolled up to the elbows to reveal strong forearms. My mouth waters and my thighs clench.
“If you let me in, I can do whatever it is you’re imagining right now.”
My eyes fly back up to his and I fight to make sense of his words.
“Let me in, beautiful. Let me give you what you need.”
In a moment of sheer madness, I pull the door wider and step aside. The second he’s in the room, it’s like all the air’s been sucked out. My chest heaves as I watch him glance around before turning his emerald eyes on me.
Sucking in a breath, I swallow down my sudden nerves. “Freddie…I…”
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I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence because my back hits the wall, his fingers are in my hair, and his lips land on mine.
A deep moan rumbles up my throat and my fingers find his shirt. I tug and he willingly steps forward and presses his body against mine. I feel tiny against his tall muscular frame, and I love it.
Our kiss lacks any kind of finesse, our tongues dueling, our teeth clashing, and our lips being bitten seductively. It’s like he’s trying to pour ten years of missing out into this one single kiss.
Running his hands down my body, he rubs his thumbs over my nipples and I suck in a sharp breath as lust shoots straight between my legs. His hands skim up my thighs, pushing my dress up around my waist before he lifts one leg and wraps it around his waist. The angle means his hardness presses into me at just the right angle, and a plea for more falls from my lips.
“Anything you want, baby. Anything.”
His lips drop to my neck as he stands back a little to allow his hand to slip between us. Pushing my panties aside, he groans when he finds me wet and ready for him.
“Jesus, Bry.” His breath against the sensitive skin of my neck sends shivers down my spine. They’re soon forgotten when he finds my clit and starts circling.
“Fuck, Freddie,” I moan when he presses two fingers inside me.
Every part of my body is focused on what he’s doing to me, on the pleasure that’s about to crash through my body so I only vaguely hear the knocking on my door.
“Bryony? Are you in there?”
“Fuck.” I pry my eyes open to find Freddie staring back at me. His eyes are dark and hungry, and the sight has more heat heading for my center.
“Bryony? I need you.”
“Yeah. I’m here.”
Fuck.
Freddie’s eyes widen in surprise. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Something Borrowed (Wedding Season Series) Page 2