“You’ll be here all night,” Nathaniel said. “They’re not allowed to stop here anymore. You’ll have to walk to the corner and try from there.”
I started walking in that direction.
“I’m right around the corner, you know.”
“Don’t care.”
“Presley, stop being so stubborn for one second and accept the ride.”
When we rounded the corner, I was stumped to see a large mass of people dressed in costume congregating in the area. I knew I’d be there for at least another hour if I didn’t accept the ride from him.
“Fine. Can you please take me home?”
He smiled. “Gladly.”
“I don’t even know why you drive in the city. It’s completely unaffordable to park a car, if you can even find decent parking establishments.” I walked alongside him toward his car. “A friend of mine got his Maserati keyed pretty bad in one of these lots.”
“I can’t even afford to look at a Maserati, Presley, let alone be stupid enough to park one here.” He glanced down at me.
A part of me felt bad for talking about money to him, but another part of me didn’t care. That was the way the world was, and who cared that we were from different social backgrounds? The guy outsmarted me and would probably be worth much more than me someday soon. I looked forward and kept walking, wondering what he drove. I could picture him in any car, but I tried to think about older models. My very first car had been a used Honda Accord. Dad thought it would be best not to spoil me more than I already had been. I drove it most of the time, but every so often I would borrow one of his cars from the garage and drive that instead. The lesson hadn’t been lost though. I knew I was much more fortunate than my cousins and I generally didn’t take it for granted. I did, however, take my parents for granted. I knew I did, and even knowing it didn’t stop me from continuing to do so. I was so messed up. It was probably another reason Nathaniel didn’t find me attractive. He saw the real me. The ugly me. He saw past my porcelain, albeit freckled skin, and my luscious red hair. He saw past seductive curves and hip-hugging designer clothes. I couldn’t tell you what it was he saw when he got past those things, because I didn’t know who I was beneath those layers and the thought of asking scared me like hell.
“What do you drive?” I asked after a moment. He stopped walking in front of a motorcycle and handed me a helmet. I could only mouth, “Oh. Oh.” I plucked the helmet from his hands and put it over my head. It was a little big for me, but it would do. “What do you think my dad would do if he knew you were taking me home on your bike?”
“I don’t know, princess. Maybe lock me up in the dungeon? Do you really want to find out?” His eyes twinkled in amusement and it was hard to fight a smile.
“No, I don’t.”
“Okay then.” He turned and swung a leg over the bike, then looked at me over his shoulder. “You coming?”
“Don’t you need a helmet?” I was shouting so that he could hear me over the rev of the bike and one I had over my own head.
“You’re wearing it, princess.”
“Can you stop calling me that for one night?” I walked over, held on to his shoulders, and swung my leg over like he had. “Where am I supposed to put my feet?”
“Right behind mine.” He brought his hands to my calves and positioned my feet, and then to my thighs and squeezed them on either side of the bike. “Get as close to me as humanly possible.”
My pulse quickened as I followed his instructions wrapping my arms around him. I shouldn’t have been surprised at how muscular he was beneath his clothes, but I was. I held on for dear life as he rode through the streets. He wasn’t going as fast as I imagined we would, but it was fast enough that I yelped a few times, and each time I did he laughed. I couldn’t hear it, but I could feel the vibrations on his stomach. He slowed when we got to my building and pulled into an empty spot across from it. I pulled my helmet off as I got off the bike and wobbled unsteadily for a moment. Nathaniel reached out and grabbed my arm.
“You okay?”
I blinked up at him, startled at how close his face was to mine. Even more startled at how much I wanted him to kiss me in this moment. I blamed Jamie and her stupid words for making me feel this way around him. His jaw clenched as he sat there, helmet in one hand, my arm in the other. My heart pounded harder and harder as I leaned forward.
“Presley.” His voice was low and gravelly as his hand tightened around my arm, stopping me from completely closing the gap between us. Instead of kissing me, he placed his forehead against mine. “You have to know that this is not something you want.”
“How would you know what I want or don’t want?” I pulled back.
“Because I know you. You may think I don’t, you can stomp around and yell and scream that I don’t know you, but I do, and you don’t want to do this.”
“Because you’re not attracted to me and you’d leave and pretend it never happened?” I whispered.
His eyes flashed and he swallowed. I thought he would say something to refute my statement, but instead, he nodded. “That’s right.”
“Okay.” My chest felt like it was caving in as I stepped back, jerking my arm out of his grasp. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Take care of yourself, princess.”
I turned around and walked into my building without looking back. Why the hell had I thrown myself at him again? Learn from this, Presley. Nathaniel Bradley did not want you, and never would.
Four
Three years later
It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, so why did I have this gaping hole in my chest as if something was missing? I’d given myself a million excuses leading up to this moment—I was afraid of change and marrying Adam meant my life would be flipped upside down. I’d already put my own aspirations on the backburner in order to work on his campaign, and deep down I knew this was only the beginning. This was what it meant to be married to someone in public office though. It was putting your own dreams on hold for the sake of the bigger picture, and in this picture Adam was running for mayor of the city of New York, which was unprecedented given his age.
It also meant I wouldn’t be taking either of the jobs my father offered me as the accounts manager of White Oak. My heart still hurt a little when I thought about the last conversation I had with him about it, which had gone from a job offer to a screaming match. Dad was less than thrilled I was putting my career on hold for Adam. He said it was unlike me and frankly, disappointing. The door opened behind me, and I did a little jolt as I turned around to see my best friend Jamie walking in with a huge smile on her face.
“You look stunning,” she said.
“I don’t feel stunning.”
“Is it because your mom’s flight is running late?” She frowned as she walked toward me.
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m surprised she’s even coming at all.”
“You know she wouldn’t miss this.”
That wasn’t exactly true. Neither of us knew she wouldn’t miss it, which further annoyed me. It wasn’t like her only daughter was getting married or anything. God forbid she’d pick a flight that would’ve had her here a few days ago and not the day of. She’d been on a month-long vacation with her boyfriend in Greece, but surely she could have ended the trip a little sooner. I took a long, deep breath and exhaled it slowly. It didn’t matter. It was my wedding day. Today was about Adam and me. I smiled as I thought of him and found it a little easier to breathe. At least my father was here to walk me down the aisle.
My relationship with my parents had gone from bad to worse. Because of the job thing with Dad and because I didn’t approve of my mother’s dating life. I liked to think it was in the mending stage now, especially with my mom. She’d found a respectable man her age, one she hadn’t cheated on my father with, and I had Adam, a successful politician who’d take care of me. Of course, there was a lot more to him than only that, but that was what my mother appreciated about him because
it meant she no longer had to worry about me.
Standing up, I adjusted my dress and let Jamie fix the veil on my head. I looked in the mirror and took another deep breath. I loved Adam. Adam was good for me. He was hard-working, loved me, and had offered me the world. He’d said as much more than enough times in the two years we’d been dating.
“I think I need a moment to regroup.” I slid my gaze to Jamie.
“I’ll make sure the rest of the girls are ready. Morgan is already here. I don’t think any of the guys are running late but I’ll check.” She put both hands on my shoulders, looking me straight in the eyes. “It’s completely normal to freak out right now. If you need more than a few minutes, we’ll stall. I’ll go up there and sing and make half the attendees disappear if I have to.”
I laughed. “I’ll be ready in five minutes. No awful singing required.”
“Okay, but if you need me to take one for the team . . .” She winked at me. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
I kept my smile intact until I heard the door click. Then, I sagged down on the chair in front of the mirror again. I looked perfect. My red hair was made in a perfect knot updo. My makeup was flawless, not a freckle in sight. My brown eyes were perfectly done, with minimal liner and fake lashes in place. I reached for the champagne on the little table beside me and sipped it. Liquid courage wasn’t something I relied on, but the warmth that spread through me was welcome. I didn’t know why we’d decided on a winter wedding in a grand estate. It was a little girl’s fairy tale, I supposed. Not mine, but some little girl out there somewhere. Adam thought I would love it, and I went along with it because I loved him and public perception was important to him. The click of the door opening caught my attention. I steadied my glass, gripping the stem as I anticipated my mother’s arrival. When it opened fully and I saw Nathaniel, I was shocked. Why the hell is he here? Now?
I’d invited him as part of Dad’s guest list. This wedding was partly for my parents and their social obligations and partly for Adam’s. I’d invited two tables of friends and that was it. Nathaniel Bradley was one of the people I’d sent an invite to expecting it to be rejected. Not only was I not expecting him to attend my wedding, but I definitely hadn’t expected him to come to my private room to see me. I stood up, setting the flute down on the table. He walked in, shutting the door behind him. He looked devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo. It was a phrase I never thought I’d hear myself think, but it was the only one that came to mind as he walked toward me, his dark blue eyes taking me in slowly. My heart pounded. I wanted to scream at him for making me feel this way. I wanted to scream at him for being here at all and catching me off guard like this.
“What are you doing here?”
He swallowed. “He’s not right for you.”
It took me a moment to register his words. I blinked. “What?”
“He’s not the one.”
“Seriously?” My mouth fell open for a beat. “You say that about every guy.”
And I knew for a fact it wasn’t because he was pining after me. He wasn’t. I’d thrown myself at him a few times in college before Adam and I became serious, and the guy had practically laughed in my face. So no, Nathaniel Bradley didn’t like me; he just didn’t want to see me happy. He didn’t like the idea of another man in my life and therefore my father’s life. He wanted to be the favorite for all eternity. The thought alone made me angry.
“You have some nerve showing up here like this and expecting me to . . . I just . . .” I was breathing hard suddenly, my blood rumbling in my veins. I realized it was the first thing I’d actually felt all day. “Is this what you came here to tell me?”
“No.” He frowned, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Your mother is five minutes away. Your father wanted me to let you know that he thinks we should wait for her to get here before you start the ceremony.”
My eyes narrowed. “So you just threw the part about my very soon-to-be husband not being good for me there for kicks?”
“I said it because I always tell you how I feel,” he said. “You haven’t exactly made yourself available to me. In the last six months, I’ve invited you to my housewarming party, to lunch, to grab a drink to catch up on things, and you turned me down every time.”
“You’ve never wanted to hang out with me in the past.” I shot him a look. “Besides, I’ve been busy.”
“I’ve heard.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve heard all about your whereabouts, too. Dad keeps me informed on his favorite pet.”
“Glad to hear it.” He smirked. “And what do you think of my accomplishments, if I may ask?”
I sighed. He wasn’t going to leave, so I might as well answer truthfully. “On one hand, I think it’s amazing that you’ve accomplished so much. On the other, I think the invention is completely disgusting and you’re just contributing to one more thing society will get addicted to.”
“You don’t think it’s innovative and smart?” He raised an eyebrow. “I mean, we’re singlehandedly taking on the tobacco industry.”
“Right, by replacing it with something else people will become addicted to.”
“The company’s already worth five million and it hasn’t even fully launched yet.”
“I’m not impressed with numbers unless you’re finding a cure for the cancer that tobacco is already causing.”
“Right, because the little perfect princess has never smoked.” His rolled his eyes.
“My father smokes enough for the both of us.”
“Well, my invention will make it safer.”
“I doubt it.”
“It’s proven. We didn’t just invent this and send it out into the world. These things need to be FDA approved, you know, tested and tested again.”
““Do you want me to fall at your feet and tell you you’re a genius and then smile at every word that comes out of my mouth?” I clenched my fists on either side of me. “I’m glad something you worked at for so long finally got picked up and is making you money, but I’m not going to agree with every word you say. I’m not one of your investors and I’m not one of your little model girlfriends.”
“My girlfriend is a scientist,” he shot back.
“Well, whoop-dee-doo. Good for her. Good for you for expanding your horizons past bimbos who drool over your rugged exterior and only see you as a plaything. You deserve that much.” My jaw felt so tight that I had to fight to speak each word. “You can go now. Thanks for letting me know about my mom and thanks for coming to the wedding.”
“Thanks for inviting me, even though we both know it wasn’t your idea,” he said, his jaw tightening.
For what felt like an eternity, we simply stared at each other, waiting to see who would win this tug of war between us. From experience, I knew the answer was simple: neither of us would. We’d get worked up and go our separate ways as we always did, and yet I realized I liked it. He always found a way to take me completely out of whatever was happening in my life and make me focus on something else, even if that something else was anger toward him.
“It’s good to have you here,” I said after a moment. “Only a jerk like you could make me see how lucky I am to be marrying such a kind man.”
“Such a little brat.” His eyes flashed as he shook his head slowly.
“I think that’s your cue.” I planted a hand on my hip and raised an eyebrow. “I need to finish up here before my mother arrives. Goodbye, Nathaniel.”
Instead of leaving, he walked forward, closing the distance between us, standing almost flush against me, making me tilt my head to meet his dark and hard gaze, a look I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen before. My pulse kicked. What the hell was he doing? Why was he so close to me? Why did he smell so good? What would his chest feel like if I put my hands on it?
“What are you doing?” My voice was shaky. He brought hand to my cheek, his eyes intent on mine. I was going to die. He was going to kill me before I even got to the altar. “Nathaniel. What are—”
He brought his face down slowly. I knew he was going to kiss me. I knew I could stop it at any moment if I wanted to, but the truth was . . . I didn’t want to. God help me, I wanted this kiss. And when his lips met mine and his tongue slid into my mouth, I felt consumed by him. I forgot where I was and what I was wearing. I forgot that people were waiting for me and I had somewhere to be. I forgot I had a fiancé and that his name wasn’t Nathaniel Bradley, and that he definitely didn’t push my buttons like this. Even now, as he kissed me, Nathaniel was trying to take over my life. With the stroke of his tongue and the gentle pressure from his hand on the back of my neck, he made me feel like I was tumbling and out of breath.
When he broke the kiss, I was panting and left wanting more. He was breathing heavily, and his eyes looked glossy and out of focus as they searched mine.
For what? Did he expect me to tell him I loved it? My father had spent a small fortune on this wedding, and even though kissing this man had me feeling like I’d been kissed wrong all along, there was nothing I could do. Why do that to me today? Of all days? That he’d waited until this moment angered me even more.
My father had spent a small fortune on this wedding and I wasn’t going to up and leave because a kiss from this man had me feeling like I’d been kissed wrong all along. The thought angered me. The fact that he’d waited until this moment angered me even more.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” I pushed his chest.
“I had to do it and I’m not going to apologize.” He ran his fingers through his hair, exhaling. “A few years ago, you begged me to kiss you and I didn’t, and I didn’t want the opportunity to pass me by forever.”
I pushed his chest again. “So you decide to kiss me on my wedding day?”
“If not now, when? After you’re married? I’ve been trying to link up with you and you kept brushing me off.”
“You said that already.” I closed my eyes, willing my heart to steady itself, my lips to stop yearning for his. I looked at him again. “Link up for what? To kiss me? To brag about how put together your life is and laugh at me when I tell you all the ways mine isn’t?”
The Consequence of Falling: New York Times Bestselling Author Page 3