by Lucy Gage
When I pulled back, I didn’t miss the desire in her hooded eyes. Trailing kisses along the curve of her neck, I didn’t stop until my lips hovered over her ear. “Oh, no, sunshine. What we had, what we have, is far from over. That day we spent together was just the tip.”
Her lips parted, and when her little pink tongue darted out to wet them, I nearly lost all my reserve. Before I could retake her mouth, her hands were on my chest, pushing me away. Her heated expression didn’t escape my attention, and while I knew sitting next to her throughout dinner, not touching her, would be torture, I followed her, ready to get this show on the road.
Alyssa was back, and I was never letting her go.
Here he was, in the flesh. Shane Wellington. Pool boy. Wellington Enterprises hotshot. Cousin of my sister’s soon-to-be groom. And oh yeah, taker of my virtue. Well. How about that?
My mind wandered back to the night six months ago when we first met. I’d taken one look at him, enjoyed a flirty hot tub exchange, and before I knew what I was doing, I handed him my virginity on a silver platter. Or, well, in the form of a key card.
It had been the most intense, magical night of my life.
Until the next day when I discovered he wasn’t quite who he said he was. So I ran, never expecting to see him again. I sure as hell hadn’t betted on his cousin marrying my sister.
In hindsight, my running was stupid. We’d been strangers anyway, so who cared if he’d left out a few details? It’s just that after our night together I’d felt vulnerable. I felt half in love. I felt all too much, so I took the first out I could find.
A bad habit of mine and I’d regretted it ever since.
Flash forward to now? It seemed like those feelings had only intensified every time I looked at him throughout dinner. But the truth was, I was shocked to see him. Delighted. And worst of all? Embarrassed. So drawing up my best defense mechanism, I went into direct bitch mode, hoping he couldn’t see how he still affected me.
I was so lost in the memory of that night we’d spent together that I hadn’t realized dinner was over, Branson had paid the bill, and Ari was getting into her coat. I felt something nudge my knee and looked up to see Shane’s, ugh, gorgeous smile. The hungry look in his eyes told me he knew exactly what I’d been thinking. My stupid heart fluttered when he leaned in close, his breath heating my skin. I wanted him. He knew it. And then, when his lips hovered just above my ear, he gave me the sweetest promise.
His whispered words set my soul on fire. “And you, sunshine… I can’t wait to see what happens at the wedding.”
Those words sent shivers all the way down to the tips of my toes. His voice was laced with such sweet promise that I wanted to give in immediately.
The next thing I knew, however, we were all rising to leave. Something burned low in my belly, relief or disappointment, I wasn’t sure. Shane ran his hand through his messy hair, then glanced in my direction. “I’ll walk you out.”
I couldn’t be alone with him. Not tonight. My resolve wasn’t strong enough, I knew it. I also knew I only had to get through this damn wedding, if it ever really happened, and then he’d be out of my life for good. So, I put on my best bitch face and shook my head. Looping my arm through my sister’s, I shot him down.
“No need. I’ll walk out with my sister.” Then, not wanting to seem too rude in front of the other couple, I nodded and smiled stiffly, suddenly remembering he’d mentioned a business trip the next day. “Have a safe trip tomorrow.”
Before he could respond, I led my sister away from the two men, breathing a sigh of relief once we stepped into the lobby and out of earshot.
“What the heck was that, Alyssa? I thought you and Shane were friendly,” my sister asked, confusion etched on her delicate features. “Why were you shooting daggers at him all night? Why was he so broody in the beginning? Am I missing something here?”
I sighed my frustration. Over the summer Ariana and I had been out at one of our favorite Atlanta wine bars when my world suddenly stopped. One second I was sipping a fantastic pinot noir, and the next I was staring into the incredible eyes of the man who’d taken my virtue. I’d squeaked, turning, hoping he hadn’t recognized me—even though I knew he had. Ariana, always one to read me so well, glanced behind me, her eyes widening when she saw him.
“Do you know that man, Lyss?” she asked, her eyes wide. “He’s…well, hell, he’s one of the finest men I’ve ever seen.”
I rolled my eyes, even though I agreed. Completely. I downed my wine, then stood, ready to bolt. The last thing I wanted was a confrontation with the man I’d slept with, then promptly left without so much as a goodbye, thanks, or here’s my phone number if you wanna do this again. And, God, I so wanted to do it again.
“Shane Wellington. I, um, I know him through work. I don’t really know him. Just of him. And word on the street is he’s a player, a womanizer, and it’s best to steer clear of him.”
I plastered on a smile I’d hoped wasn’t too fake and hightailed it out of there, Ariana on my heels, still confused.
Pushing all thoughts of the past away, I said my goodbyes to Branson and my sister, then slipped into the cab, grateful I’d survived another night with Shane. That is until suddenly I was no longer in the cab alone. Somehow, without my realizing it, he’d slipped in beside me and told the cabbie to take off, straight to the wine bar where I’d seen him all those months ago.
My eyes widened, and I turned to him. “You saw me, didn’t you?”
He grinned, leaned in, and kissed my forehead.
It was sweet.
It was too much.
I loved it.
“Of course I saw you, sunshine. You can’t step into a room without my seeing you.” He pulled back. “But you sure as hell can leave one before letting a guy make his way to you.”
At that thought, the corners of his lips turned down a bit. “First you leave me at the beach with no way to contact you, and then you run away at the first sight of me. You could give a guy a complex, sunshine.”
“You know why I left.”
What he didn’t know was how much I’d come to regret it.
“I do. And I get it. But what we shared that night… how could you walk away so easily? I don’t get that.”
His earnest eyes were nearly my undoing, so I closed mine and tried to keep the memories away.
When I reopened them, Shane was still staring intently at me. I swallowed hard. “Shane, I can’t do this. Sir, please pull over and let me out.”
The instant disappointment in Shane’s eyes threatened my resolve, but then his demeanor quickly transformed into one of relaxed ease, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “Right. I’ve gotta get up early for my flight anyway. It was nice seeing you again, sunshine. I look forward to our next meeting,” he said, tossing in a charming wink, just to remind me of why I half fell head over heels the first time I’d met him.
When the cabbie pulled over, and I got out, Shane let me go without another word.
And for some reason, I was now the disappointed one.
Three months after the dinner with Shane, I found myself standing in my sister’s room at the Wellington mansion waiting as she put the finishing touches on her makeup. She was a vision in a long-sleeved, pale pink gown. The cute little baby bump that barely stuck out was highlighted by a sash around her waist. Tears welled in my eyes, unable to believe that what was once a fake engagement had turned real, and soon I’d not only have a brother-in-law, but a niece or nephew, too. Branson and Ariana’s relationship was a whirlwind, and if it were anyone else, I’d question it. But all you had to do was take one look at them to see a couple crazy in love and utterly perfect for each other.
So when we left her room and found Branson standing at the bottom of the grand staircase, I wasn’t surprised to see him waiting there. His gaze held softly on her as she descended. I wasn’t sure if he even knew I was there. He only had eyes for her.
“
You are, by far, the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he crooned when she reached him, his hand cupping her cheek as his lips swiped hers.
I rolled my eyes, used to the usual display of affection. But it’s in my nature to tease, so tease I did. “Come on, Wellington. She’s already marrying you. No need to lay it on so thick.”
His eyes danced when they rose to me, slipping his arm around Ari’s waist and sliding one hand down to the small of her back. Or, knowing Branson, it was probably on the curve of her ass. He gave me a pointed look. “I seem to recall a runaway bride situation…” he quipped.
Ariana’s cheeks flushed, but she laughed and swatted at his arm before gazing up into his eyes, looking at the man as if the sun rose and set solely for him. “I may have run away, Branson. I’ll never regret it because I was running away to you.”
Gag.
Double gag when Branson once again shoved his tongue into her readily accepting mouth.
“Don’t look away. It’s a rare sight to see a Wellington so affectionate in the wild,” Shane’s low voice whispered in my ear.
I turned to face him, raising a brow. “Apparently you haven’t seen those two together very often.”
A low chuckle emitted from his lips. “Alas, you have me there.” He paused with a sigh. “I never would've thought a cold-hearted, son of a bitch, workaholic like Branson would ever be so...gone over a woman. But seeing it, it's a good look on him."
A throat cleared. “Excuse me, young man, I heard that. Hmmph.”
We both turned to see a beautiful older woman, with laugh lines, trying to maintain an irritated look at her nephew. Amelia Wellington, the mother of the so-called son of a bitch, then turned her attention to her son, who was still sucking face with my sister. She rapped him on the head with her tiny Coach purse, causing him to break away from Ari’s mouth long enough to curse and glare at his mother.
"You will have all the time in the world to ravish your wife tomorrow after you've said your vows," Amelia told her oldest son in a no-nonsense tone.
Branson's eyes twinkled. "Because Dad waited until your wedding night," he teased, causing a deep crimson blush to rise on Amelia's cheeks.
"As if I could have ever done that," a booming voice replied. "You know what they say. Like father, like son."
I glanced up to see Knox Jr. sliding his arm around Amelia's waist and leaning in for a kiss. Her blush deepened, if possible, but she accepted his lips.
Then, she clapped her hands together and started barking orders like a sharp drill instructor.
In the melee that followed, I lost sight of Shane as I was shuffled along into a limo with my sister and Branson. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that Shane had hopped into a sleek older looking Mustang behind us. I tried to push all thoughts of him out of my mind, but it was no use. He was here, my heartbeat still quickened just at the sight of him, and we’d be in close proximity over the next twenty-four hours. Twenty-four long, painful hours of which I knew would be spent with longing, desire, regret, and possibly stupid decisions, especially if I drank too much champagne. And the Wellingtons? They only served the best, so how could I not indulge?
Fortunately, the Wellingtons opened their home to the wedding party to stay, so the ride wasn’t long. My eyes widened when we pulled up to the Belle Mead Plantation, not far from the Wellingtons’ home. It’s where both the rehearsal dinner and wedding were being held. I was in awe the moment we pulled into the drive. White lights twinkled everywhere, and red bows on wreaths adorned each window. As it was a Christmas wedding, the grounds were covered with Christmas cheer. It was magical, the perfect place for two to become one.
I glanced over at my sister, who was holding hands with her groom to be, gazing up at him with soft, relaxed eyes. Branson, in turn, had bedroom eyes, his head tilted towards her. All the while his hand rested on her bump as if protecting what was his. Seriously. If his looks were any indication, Ari must've been exhausted from all that ravishing.
Lucky lady.
It was all so romantic, and I sighed, wondering if this would ever happen for me. I pushed the thought aside as we parked and exited the limo, taking in the sights around us. The inside of the plantation was much like the outside; a true Christmas wonderland. Soft sounds of “White Christmas” led us to the banquet room where a talented man was sitting at a grand piano.
Over the next half hour, the priest led us through the wedding rehearsal. As I made my way down the aisle, I was determined to keep my eyes off Shane.
I failed with such misery, Kathy Bates would’ve approved.
When my eyes met his, I nearly tripped right there in the middle of the aisle. His intense gaze was one I’d see before. Only once, that night he took my virginity, the look of pleasure on his face after we both came. His head tilted back, his eyes hooded, nearly closed, with a broad smile showcasing a dimple I hadn’t see in the dark.
Shane Wellington liked what he saw.
And what he saw was me.
These would be the hardest twenty-four hours of my life.
Or perhaps the most incredible, most pleasurable, if I’d stop being so damn stubborn and just give in.
After that semi-disastrous dinner with Alyssa, and the way she blew me off in the cab—and not in the way I would’ve liked—I decided pursuing her wasn’t worth it. For now. Sure, she was smoking hot, with an ass to die for, and a pussy the great lord made for me, but I wasn’t a chaser. At least, that’s what I thought…
Until the wedding rehearsal.
One glimpse of her walking down the aisle was all it took to change my mind. Instead of an elegant dress, like her sister wore, a form-fitting, black strapless jumpsuit covered her skin from her ankles to just the tips of her breast, showcasing delicate cleavage just waiting to be caressed. Her hair, swept up in a sleek twist, laid her neck bare. It beckoned for my lips to cover every inch of exposed skin. When my eyes fell on the beauty mark in the curve of said neck, I nearly groaned. Not only was my dick on high alert, my heartbeat quickened. Something, I realized, that always happened when she drew near.
Somehow, I resisted the urge to run my hand across my face, trying to get it together. Instead, I watched as she approached, with the ridiculous notion that I wanted Alyssa to be walking down the aisle, not to her sister’s side, but to mine.
The thought took me back. My notorious claim of never-ending bachelorhood threatened just from one girl, one night. It should’ve scared the hell out of me. I should’ve gone running from that church, far from the infectious, impending matrimonial bliss.
But I wasn’t scared. I didn’t want to run away. I wanted to explore these feelings, reignite the passion we’d created so explosively that night on spring break. God, I could still taste her on my tongue. Feel her in my hands. Smell the sweet scent of her desire.
From the moment I laid eyes on Alyssa Covington, I’d wanted her. From the first thrust into her virgin pussy, I’d known that meeting her would change my life. A fierce, intoxicating pull to her gripped me. As I’d held her close throughout the rest of the night, only one word resounded in my head: mine.
One night was not enough.
It would never be enough.
And I only had twenty-four hours to convince her of just that.
The rehearsal went off without a hitch unless you count tears from Amelia, snickers from Knox and Cohen, and Branson throwing Ariana over his shoulder and marching down the aisle. Where to? I had no idea, and I wasn’t following.
“Mmm. Those Wellington men. They’re a bunch of beasts,” a feminine voice commented next to me.
I glanced over to see Charlie Wellington, Branson’s younger brother, Knox’s, wife. The two were practically newlyweds who put Branson and Ari to shame in the PDA department.
Not that I blamed her. If Knox were described with one word, it’d be rugged. A lifer in the Army with a muscular, well-built body that told the story, he had a strong jawl
ine and an equally prominent nose. His cheekbones could slice butter and his eyes? Hot mama, the intensity would burn a hole in your skin if he looked at you the way he watched his wife.
Raising a brow, I turned to Charlie. “Where do I find one of those?” I asked, without thinking.
Charlie’s eyes lit up with mischief as she gave a little chin lift towards Shane. “From what I hear, that one’s available. And if he’s anything like Knox, let’s just say, you won’t be disappointed with what you find underneath that suit,” she teased, wagging her eyebrows.
I swallowed hard, knowing all too well what was under that suit. And all too desirous for another peek.
Before I could respond, a snort sounded from behind us. We both turned to see Grandma Kate, the matriarch of the Wellington clan, raising a brow at him. “Shane’s no good. He’s just the nephew. Now, Cohen, my other grandson, is right over there. Let me introduce you.”
A twinkle in her eyes let me know she was only kidding. Trying to get a rise out of Andi, Cohen’s significant other.
The fiery redhead did not disappoint. “Grandma Kate, would you kindly please stop trying to pimp my boyfriend out. I have no desire to get into a fistfight with the bride’s maid-of-honor on the eve of her wedding, but I will if you take her even one step towards Cohen. God, it’s like you’re getting senile in your old age. You’re like a child. Better seen, not heard.”
Charlie’s eyes widened at about the same time mine did. An uncomfortable silence rose until Grandma Kate’s laughter pierced through.
“Ah, Andi, my girl, you’re so easy to rile. It’s why you’re so much fun to have around. You keep this old girl young.”
“Fistfight?” I asked Charlie after Grandma Kate looped her arm through Andi’s and walked away.
Charlie grinned. “Don’t worry. Andi’s all bark and no bite. Grandma Kate knows it, so she messes with her.” She paused, then frowned slightly. “Except if she’d tried to pimp Knox out, I’d probably have had the same reaction.”