by Lacey Black
She steps back and meets his gaze. “I won’t let him forget it,” she replies with a wink, making us both laugh. Teagan glances at her watch before she announces, “It’s time!”
While everyone gets into position, I turn and face Theo for the first time. He looks positively yummy in his suit. It’s a light tan color with an ivory button-down dress shirt beneath it. He’s also sans tie, the top button opened in a casual way that makes my blood swoosh through my veins and heat to pool between my legs.
“Wow, you look…stunning,” he whispers, his full lips curling upward as he takes in my dark brown dress and gold peep-toe heels.
Elation fills my heart at his compliment. “Thank you. You look very handsome as well.” I can feel warmth move up my chest, my neck, and settle in my cheeks once more. It’s one of the worst parts of being so fair skinned. I blush so easily.
The doors up front open and everyone slowly starts filing out, the soft piano music filtering into the hallway while we wait. Theo extends his arm, allowing me to place my hand in the crook. A now-familiar zing of electricity soars through my body at the touch, something I’m becoming very accustomed to feeling.
Together, we wait our turn before stepping into the garden. All eyes are on us, and I try not to do something embarrassing, like trip and fall in the middle of the aisle. But nothing like that happens, not even so much as a slight misstep. Something tells me, if it did, I wouldn’t have a problem in the world. Theo has me. I can feel his strong arm beneath my hand, his warm body brushing against me as we walk.
The realization is a heady and confusing one.
Because I really like the way he feels beside me, the way he looks at me, and most importantly, the way he makes me feel on the inside.
When we reach the altar, I notice the smirk Trevor flashes his brother as Theo releases my arm and waits for me to move alongside the rest of my friends. My gaze darts over to him as he turns, taking his place beside his brother.
As the wedding march begins, all eyes focus on the bride and her father. Well, all eyes, except mine and Theo’s. Ours are still locked on each other, as if neither of us can break the trance we’re caught in. When the bride is about halfway through the garden, I finally refocus my attention where it should be.
On the bride.
For the next nineteen minutes, we go through the picture-perfect wedding ceremony Teagan and Trevor dreamed of. I execute my part like the professional bridesmaid I am, taking the bouquet when required and fixing her train after she moves. The crazy part is, the entire time, I feel eyes on me.
Well, a certain pair of dark eyes, to be exact, and when I risk a quick glance his way to confirm, I’m struck by how mesmerized he seems while watching me. Even when I catch his stare, it doesn’t seem to deter him in the slightest. In fact, he might be eating it up a little, because he flashes me that same cocky smirk he sends my way when we’re bickering in the driveway about his excessive noise.
When the groom finally kisses his bride, cheers erupt around us as they’re officially pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Emerson. The newlyweds start the procession, making their way back down the aisle, leaving Theo and me, as well as the rest of the wedding party to follow. We both step forward, his right arm offered promptly.
I ignore that zip of electricity.
What I’m unable to ignore, however, is the wink Cora sends her son as we head back down the aisle. If I had to guess, it has something to do with me. I just don’t know what. But the way she kept looking between Theo and me last night with a knowing, far-off smile on her lips, lets me know her wheels were turning, and maybe even hoping.
Does she picture Theo and me together?
Like as a couple?
And why does that thought make me a little giddy with excitement?
When we reach the garden entrance, I pull away and step aside, desperately looking for a little space to breathe. Every time we touch, I feel trapped by his magnetism and his power.
Not that it’s a bad thing.
It’s just so unexpected. Not too long ago, I couldn’t stand the man. Now, I picture him in my life, in my bed, and really like the image.
Maybe it’s the wedding. Perhaps it’s the fact I’m here, surrounded by love and happiness. It could be most everyone is coupled off, and I’m here single. No one wants to be the single girl at a wedding, right? The pitiful glances and the “it’ll be you next times.”
Unfortunately, I’m a pro at being the single girl. Out of all my friends’ weddings, I had a date for exactly one of them, and the guy broke up with me the moment we got back to Appleton. Literally, the moment he turned his car into my driveway, he started his whole “let’s be friends” speech.
Fun fact: No one wants to be friends after a breakup.
I’m saved from having to do any sort of weird processional handshaking, as the photographer ushers us off for pictures. We spend the next forty-five minutes in the garden, posing this way and then that way—some photos where I’m standing entirely too close to Theo—before we’re finally released to go inside for the reception.
Just as I reach for the door, a large hand grabs the handle, and a warm one is placed on my lower back. “Allow me,” Theo croons, his deep voice like a soft caress, as he pulls open the door.
“Thank you.”
We walk in together and head for the ballroom, where soft music plays and laughter spills through the entrance. Inside, twinkle lights are strung from the ceiling casting a romantic glow on the room. The tables are draped with a beige cloth, with delicate ivory China sitting at each place setting. There are photos of the couple together, along with gorgeous fall-colored flowers in the center of every table. In the middle of the stage, a band is getting ready to kick off the celebration after dinner.
“If everyone will take their seat, Mr. and Mrs. Emerson will be making their entrance in a few moments, and then dinner will be served,” a man announces from the stage, causing the hundred or so guests to start moving toward their assigned seats.
I do the same, knowing the wedding party is seated at round tables along the far wall. Teagan and Trevor are in the center, along with their parents, and then the rest of us flank each side. I spot my name right away, sitting at the head table with the bride and groom, and sure enough, Theo’s assigned seat is directly beside me. I’m assuming that’s because I’m the only female without a date, and he’s the groom’s brother. Why not have him sit with his immediate family?
He pulls out my chair, sending butterflies soaring in my stomach at the gentlemanly gesture.
“I’m going to need a drink before the speeches,” Silvia declares, setting a small clutch on her seat at the table beside us and glancing around the group. “Anyone else?”
“I’ll go with you,” Theo says. He turns and looks at me. “Would you like anything?”
“I should start with water, actually. I haven’t eaten much today, and we had some champagne while we were getting ready.”
“Same,” Shannon says, dropping into a seat at the next table directly across from me and reaching for her water glass. “I’m this close to sneaking upstairs and stealing some of the boys’ snacks.”
“I’ll be right back then,” Theo states, following Silvia up to the bar at the end of the room.
Aaron arrives, claiming his seat beside his wife. “The boys okay?”
“Devouring delivered pizza. Your mom is a saint, because she’s definitely going to have to do triple baths after that mess,” he replies, kissing her on the cheek. “But tonight, we know they’re well taken care of, so we get to relax and enjoy the evening.”
“Maybe I’ll skip the water and get the champagne anyway. You might find yourself getting lucky later,” Shannon coos at her husband.
“I don’t want to hear this,” I announce, making them both laugh.
“You just sit over there at your table and leave us alone,” she demands with a big smile and a wink.
Theo’s pa
rents, Cora and Tad, along with Teagan’s parents, Bud and Delores, arrive at the table. “Isn’t this wonderful?” Delores asks, a beaming grin on her face that resembles her daughter’s.
“It’s a gorgeous reception,” I confirm, between sips of water.
“Penelope! I’m so glad you’re joining us at this table. It’ll give us another opportunity to get to know each other more,” Cora proclaims, taking the seat directly to my right.
“You realize that’s your son’s seat, right?” Tad asks with a chuckle.
Cora looks at the names and does a quick switch with mine and Theo’s. “There. You come sit by me,” she says, moving over to her chair and waiting for me to take Theo’s.
“I’m not sure Teagan would approve,” I stammer, glancing around. Cora and Bud are already in their seats to my left.
“I can sit and talk to him anytime. This is my chance to get to know you,” she insists, anxiously awaiting my move.
I slide onto the chair to my right and quickly switch the water goblets so Theo isn’t drinking out of the one I’ve already used. I pray the bride doesn’t notice the change and give me the stink-eye when she arrives. The last thing I want to do is upset my friend, who put a lot of time and energy into the planning of this wedding.
“I see I lost my seat,” Theo says when he approaches.
Glancing up, I realize he’s smiling and doesn’t seem put off by the change. “I wanted to sit by Penelope,” Cora declares, as if that’s the end of the conversation.
Theo sets a glass of red wine down in front of me before setting a small glass with amber liquid inside beside his plate. “Silvia says you’re a fan of red wine. I thought you might like it after you eat.”
I blink repeatedly, watching as he sits beside me and offers hellos to Teagan’s parents. When he notices I haven’t moved, he glances my way, his eyebrows raised in question. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice slightly hoarse with emotion. No one has ever made sure I have something I like to drink the way Theo has. Even after I said I should drink water, he’s still making sure I have another option, and it’s one I truly enjoy, because he asked a friend for her recommendation.
“It’s no big deal. If you don’t want it, that’s all right. I just thought I’d save one of us a trip later.”
I realize he has turned in his chair, his leg positioned right next to mine. I can feel the warmth of his body seeping through his pants and my dress, heating me from the outside in. Suddenly, the room feels ten degrees hotter than it did moments ago.
“It is my great honor to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Emerson,” the man proclaims into the microphone.
The room erupts into cheers and applause, and we all stand up when Teagan and Trevor make their entrance. They dance their way toward our table, but it’s hard to keep my focus where it should be. Instead, I can feel Theo’s body directly behind me, his arm brushing against mine as he claps.
I sway on my feet.
Okay, I sway in his direction and press my body against his. I blame the woodsy spice of his cologne, which might be my new favorite scent ever. It’s a touch of musk mixed with something earthy, like a rich, natural aroma of the wood he works with every day, and so very Theo.
Just as the bride and groom reach the head of our table, I feel his hand. It grazes against my palm, his finger sliding across my wrist and dancing over my hypersensitive skin. His touch is like gasoline to an already burning fire. It engulfs me, the flames spreading through my veins. If I thought I had slightly swayed before, I’m ready to throw my legs around his waist and climb him like a tree now.
Even though everyone starts to sit down, and dinner is about to be served, there’s no way I’ll make it through the next hour without bursting into flames. I’m too worked up, especially now that he’s engaging his dad in a conversation and resting his arm across the back of my chair, leaning ever so slightly my way to hear.
He’s too close, yet not close enough.
My hands yearn to touch his skin, my lips tingle to taste his lips. My body is alive with desire. It’s reckless and unstoppable, and when he glances my way, his eyes dark with unspoken need and his fingers now branding my bare skin, that’s when I know.
We’re inevitable.
We’ve been dancing around this for…days? Months? Years?
Foreplay. Isn’t that what Shannon called our bickering?
Suddenly, that’s what it feels like. Two very long years of foreplay is coming to a head, right here and now.
Theo keeps his hand low, his movements very small, as to not draw attention. To anyone’s eye, it just appears his arm is resting on my chair while he converses, but I know better, and so does he.
I reach for my water and chug the cold liquid, desperate to find anything to calm this burn. Of course, it doesn’t help, not in the way I want it to. Mostly because this fire is so much deeper than any glass of water can put out. It’s in my soul.
Theo finally moves his hand, much to my dismay, and reaches for his glass. He stands up, clinking the glass with a knife, and drawing everyone’s attention. I miss his touch immediately, but it’s probably for the best. Now isn’t the time to focus on the man beside me. Not when the night is still young, and we have so much more celebrating to do.
Besides, didn’t the agenda say something about a wedding party dance?
That means three minutes of being held by Theo. Three minutes of his constant touch, his body pressed against mine.
If there’s one thing I’ve realized in the few seconds since he stood up, it’s that one touch will never be enough.
Chapter Eighteen
Theo
When everyone quiets down, I’m handed a microphone from the guy on the stage. I clear my throat, wishing all eyes were anywhere but on me at this moment. Mostly, I wish I could sit back down and keep touching Penelope. I heard every hitch of her breath, felt every shudder she’d release right before goosebumps peppered her delicate skin.
At first it was accidental. I rested my arm across the back of her chair to lean a little closer to hear my dad, but when I felt her sway—again—toward me, I decided to test the waters. I slid my finger across the bare skin right between her shoulder blades. The result was another tremble in pleasure, one that reflected in the depths of her green eyes.
If there was ever any doubt before, it’s evident now.
She wants me as much as I want her.
“Good evening,” I say, once everyone has quieted down. “I’m Theo, brother of the groom. It’s my solemn duty as best man to share every embarrassing story about Trevor since he was old enough to walk. I mean, it’s only right that Teagan knows who she married, right?” The room laughs, especially those friends he’s had for the last two decades.
“I could tell you all about the time he got trapped in the trunk of his car because someone bet him he wouldn’t fit. Or about the time our dad found him sneaking back inside the house after he’d been hanging out with a few friends, and somehow convinced dear pops that the booze he smelled was because Trevor went to the party to take it all away from his friends and someone spilled it on him.” The crowd laughs once more, most of them shaking their head in disbelief.
“But I realized as I watched my brother marry the woman beside him that as fun as sharing those humiliating stories would be for this younger brother, that’s not really what I want to say.” I clear my throat and meet my brother’s gaze.
“What I really wanted to tell you all is how great of a big brother Trevor is. He’s one of the most selfless, caring men I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing, and those attributes are part of what makes him one of the best attorneys this city has ever known. And, even though I thought I’d never admit this publicly, I’ve looked up to him since the day I was born.”
Trevor’s eyes seem to glass over a bit, and my throat thickens with emotions, but there’s no stopping now. “And now my brother has found a woman who complements him in every way. In the last
few years, I’ve discovered Teagan to be just as caring, as selfless, and just as amazing in the courtroom as her now-husband. Together, they make the perfect pair, and as I watch them together, I only hope I someday find exactly what they have. A teammate. A life partner. A best friend.”
I raise my glass, watching as everyone else in the room does the same. “To Trevor and Teagan. May they always share the joy in the ups and help find comfort in each other during the downs. To a lifetime of laughter and love. Cheers.”
Teagan and Trevor share a toast and a kiss, as I take a hearty drink of my whiskey. The moment I set my glass down on the table, my brother is up and heading my way. He pulls me into a big hug, his strong hand patting me hard on the back. “I love you,” he whispers, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Love you too. Now, get back up to your bride,” I insist, taking a step back and blinking away the wetness gathered in my eyes. But when I turn around, I’m engulfed in strong arms again. Teagan hugs me tightly, whispering her own thank-you.
I glance down at her and smile. “Take care of my brother.”
She just grins and wipes away her tears. “It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it,” she states, making me laugh. Teagan glances over to the side for a moment, right to where I know Penelope is sitting. “You’ll find it too, Theo. I know it. It might even be closer than you think.” With a wink and a coy grin, she walks away with my brother, returning to the head of our table.
I return to my seat as the microphone is taken to Silvia. “Well, I don’t really know how I’m supposed to follow that,” she says with a laugh before continuing with her speech.
But I’m not paying attention to her words. I’m drawn to the woman beside me. The one with tears in her eyes as she gazes my way. I feel her hand beneath the table, reaching out and grabbing a hold of mine. She gives it a gentle squeeze in comfort and appreciation and doesn’t let go of it as she turns her attention to the woman speaking to the room.
When the toast is finished, everyone takes another drink, and yet, we still don’t release our hold on each other. It’s difficult to drink with my left hand, but there’s no way I’m letting her go. Not when I know how amazing it feels to have her hand in my own.