Devoted - The Complete Series: A BWWM Romance Boxset (5 page)

My father is droning on and on. My feet are tingling from standing in one spot for so long,  I’m pretty sure I've lost consciousness a few times. Finally, he says the words everyone is waiting for, "You may now kiss the bride."

Matthew sweeps Kendra into his arms and kisses Kendra softly as a murmur of approval and some clapping pops up from the crowd. They’re kissing like the final scene in a movie, just when the credits start to roll, and you know that somehow, that couple will be in that much love forever. The trials and bickering that every couple goes through will magically pass them by, because they are frozen in a passionate moment that no one can ever take away from them. I didn’t think people really kissed like that in real life, now I’m starting to think maybe it’s just me who hasn’t. I pull my fingers down from my lips, so I don’t smear my lipstick.

You’d think that since the wedding is over the stressful part would be done. Time to relax and dance. But no, now we have four hours dedicated to getting wedding pictures taken. With three photographers and a videographer, I wonder how much of this day they need to document second-for-second. Maybe I won’t be so cynical when it’s my big day we’re talking about. Let’s get serious, I could have a full crowd of paparazzi following me around and I’d be ok with it.

Besides, this is Kendra’s day, so an afternoon of photos and posing are worth it for her happiness. Not to mention that between the professional hair, make-up, and the stunning gown Kendra chose for us, when am I ever going to look this good again? She just better send me a copy of my best picture so I can crop it down and use it for my online dating profile. Who knows, maybe my picture from this wedding will help me find the man I walk down the aisle with.

But I’m not holding my breath.

I thought that an open bar was going to be my saving grace at this reception. After making awkward conversation with my parents this morning and then being lugged around half of New York City for wedding photos, I’m feeling sour. Luckily, my mother and father didn’t come to the party. Neither of them drinks or stays up late, so they just skipped out after the ceremony. The tension they bring into my life seems to be resting in a curled up knot at the base of my neck right now. This white wine isn’t taking away my stress like I hoped it would. Instead, my head is starting to ache along with my feet.

Some fresh air and a cigarette will make me feel better.
At least Kendra is too preoccupied with Matthew and all the well-wishers to give me a lecture about cancer and wrinkles and the smell of smoke and
blah, blah, blah
. I know her heart’s in the right place, but the speeches get old. With my clutch and wine in tow, I make my way out to the balcony. A little space from this crowd can only help.

The cool, dark metal wrapping around the generous deck feels soothing against my skin. If I were alone right now, I’d probably rub my forehead along the railing to soak in the calming cool sensation. Just like how Mama used to put a cold, wrung out washcloth across my eyes and let me lie in bed when I got too worked up as a child. I remember how sometimes, I would just pretend to be overwhelmed just so I’d get that special time with her. The way she would sing me Somewhere Over the Rainbow and run her hand over my hair always made me feel better.

“Seriously, Eileen, I’m not dropping everything every time you have a rotten day. What do you want me to do? Please, tell me what you want for once!” The exasperated pleas of a man talking on his cellphone in the back corner of the deck interrupt my thoughts. Sounds like I’m not the only one having a bad night. In a weird way, that makes me feel a little better. “I said I can’t do this tonight. I have to go!” He sounds more upset than I am.

Great, I lost my lighter!
Snapping my clutch shut in disgust, I look at the cigarette between my fingers with longing. I guess I really am just going to enjoy the fresh air.
Yech.

“Can I get that for you?” The irritated phone guy steps out of the shadows and grabs a lighter from his jacket pocket. When he catches my eye, I’m surprised.
I know him
. Well, know is too strong. I met him a couple years ago, back when Kendra was trying to get Matthew back.

“Brianna?” The flame from his lighter dances sensually in front of my cigarette like a private striptease. I lean in, taking a long haul as he cups his hand around mine, and my skin comes alive, tingling up my arm.

“You remember my name? I’m impressed.” I try to be cool, but inside my stomach is jelly. Bradley Sheppard remembers my name? How did he get better looking in the last two years? His body is tight, not that I’m staring or anything. I’m trying damned hard to hold back from staring. Instead, I decide to focus on his hazel eyes, glimmering under the dim light streaking out the window, casting a glow that makes me feel like I’m in a dream. I stand up straight, returning his broad smile.

“Of course I do. How could I forget?” I think my kneecaps just melted,
he’s smooth, I’ll give him that.
And I could use a little smooth after my rough day.

“Beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?” Pulling my eyes away from his, I look out over the black skyline and lean against the railing.

“It was, but I was a little distracted.” I’m guessing whoever was on the other end of that phone call was the cause.

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I know I was supposed to be focusing on Kendra and Matthew, but I couldn’t get over how stunning you looked up there. Kendra’s going to be angry that you stole her spotlight,” he teases.

Despite my best efforts, a smile spreads over my face. “Well, I don’t think that’s true. But thank you.” I look down, unable to return the intensity of his gaze. Who looks at someone like that? I need to catch my breath, and I know it isn’t from smoking. “It’s nice to see you too, Bradley.”

“Ahh, so you remember my name too.”

No, I forgot the name of the CEO of Zervion, a Fortune 500 company. I just flirt with so many billionaires, they all blur together after a while.
“Of course I do. Would you like to come inside with me and get a drink?” I tap the side of my empty wine glass and watch as his face clouds over.

“Trust me, there’s nothing I’d love to do more, Brianna. But I don’t think I can stay, I have some things to take care of, and it’s getting late.”

“Oh… yeah, that’s totally fine. Honestly, I should probably get moving too. It’s been a long day.” I’m fighting with every muscle in my face to try to keep it from looking as disappointed as I feel.

“No, no. You’re not getting away that easily this time,” he smirks. “I’d like to get your number if you’re free? Maybe we could go out for dinner or drinks another time?” He palms his phone, hovering his thumb over the screen ready for my dictation.

I wasn’t expecting that. “Oh, uh, sure. I’d like that. ” I watch him type my number into his address book.

“Got it! Two-four-eight-three,” he mumbles to the screen, “Well, it won’t take as long for us to meet up again, I promise.” His smile is impossible not to return.

“I hope not.”

Chapter Six:

Bradley

Fuck Eileen.

Fuck her and her bullshit. I finally get the opportunity to meet someone. Someone who means more to me already than she ever could, and she calls me every fifteen minutes with her hysterical drama? Of course, me flying out to see her and Brooklyn tomorrow at the crack of dawn isn’t enough for her. Even the fact that this is the umpteenth weekend in a row that I’ve done this for her isn’t enough. It’s never enough.

Well, Lord knows that I’ve had enough.

Setting my phone to silent, I toss it in my pocket and vow to smash it before I’ll answer anymore of her ranting texts or frantic phone calls. The only crazy I’m dealing with for the rest of the night will be the crazy positions I put Brianna in when I fuck her. I swirl around, already feeling twenty pounds lighter, and zero in on Brianna. Good, she hasn’t left. Now I need to keep it that way. The only way I want to watch her walk out of this place, is on my arm. Not that there isn’t a lot to be said about the view when she walks away, I soak in her full hips and plump ass as I make my way through the obstacle course of chairs. However, I think I’ll enjoy it more when I have her bent over my bed.

My stomach turns to ice, and I stop dead in my tracks.
What about Brooklyn?
Is she going to be ok? There’s no telling what Eileen will do if I just freeze her out for the night. My thoughts jump on a Ferris wheel ride from hell as I spin through the best and worst case scenarios that could come from ignoring Eileen for the next six hours. I know from the distinctive slur in her voice that she’s drunk again, surprise. So that would make, what? Every night this week?

I already got my mother to go over to take care of Brooklyn until the morning, and if Eileen is drinking, the chances are she’s not even in the house with them. Maybe if I stop weathering her toxic hurricane for a few hours, she’ll pick up another one of her last-call lays and become another guy’s problem for the rest of the night. The thing with Eileen is, she doesn’t much care where she gets her fix for drama, as long as she gets it.

Brooklyn is fine. Eileen will live. Now it’s time that you do the same
. Lurching myself forward, I force my rooted feet to listen to me and close the gap between Brianna and I. If nothing else, I deserve to have a nice night with a woman who gets my heart pounding. And if my cock gets to do some pounding too, well then, so be it.

Chapter Seven:

Brianna

The dance floor is littered with swaying bodies, from little girls dancing on their Dad’s toes to elderly couples slowly swaying in each other’s arms. In the center of the floor Kendra is pressed into Matthew’s chest, they look so perfect together. Their love is radiating like beams of sunshine while the guests dance around them on the floor like orbiting planets. I pause to soak the scene in for a moment; it does my heart good to see her so happy.

After so much sadness in her life, it’s as if Matthew has breathed the vibrancy back into her soul. Good things come to those who wait, my father would say. In Kendra’s case, that seems to be true.
So, where’s my prince charming?
Maybe I haven’t waited long enough. Maybe my father is full of shit. Either way, it’s time to go get my coat and head home. I’ve had enough of watching others in love for one night.