by Sherri Hayes
Pulling me into his arms, Stephan kissed my forehead. “Feeling better?”
It was only then I realized that in that short conversation he’d made me forget about my nerves. “Yes, Sir.”
“Ready to go inside?”
I nodded.
Taking my hand, he led me into the hotel. The lobby was huge, but it wasn’t hard to find the restaurant. We crossed through the seating area and by the front desk to the sign for Chester’s Grill. A woman greeted us and showed us to our seats. Logan, Lily, and Bridget were already there waiting.
This time, I tried to see the things Stephan had said. As soon as Bridget spotted us, she turned on the charm—at least where Stephan was concerned. She ignored me, which was okay. I’d had enough socializing for one weekend.
As the meal wore on, I saw Lily’s frown increase. She was noticing what her friend was doing, as well. I felt bad. I didn’t want this to ruin Lily’s wedding. It wasn’t fair. I wanted to say something, but I didn’t know what.
Finally, Lily spoke up. “Bridget, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure,” Bridget said. Then she looked at Stephan and added, “I’ll be right back.”
My gaze followed Lily and Bridget into the lobby. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could tell Lily wasn’t happy. And Lily was always happy.
Stephan
“I can’t believe she’s acting like this,” Logan said. “Lily even said something to her before you two got here.”
I picked up my orange juice and took a sip as I looked at my best friend. Part of the reason he and Lily got along so well was because she was such a bubbly personality and he was so laid back. It wasn’t often he got upset, really upset, but I could see it in his eyes. He was biting his tongue. “We’ll get through it one way or another. She won’t be the first woman who thought she could get somewhere with me. But I don’t want her taking it out on Brianna. That’s my main concern.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” I sincerely hoped it didn’t. When it came to me personally, I could handle a lot. I’d put up with nasty articles and had even lost some friends after the fallout from the trial. But I wouldn’t tolerate anyone harming Brianna.
Luckily, I wasn’t alone in that. And if Lily’s body language was anything to go by, she was giving Bridget a good ear full.
When the two came back into the restaurant and sat down, Bridget looked somewhat chastened. She shot looks at me every now and then, but she’d stopped with the flirting. It was progress.
By the time we said our goodbyes, I was more than ready to go home, and I knew Brianna was as well. We were right outside the city when my phone rang. I put it on speaker. “Hello?”
“Hi, Stephan, this is Josh Berkley. I was hoping we could talk.”
A part of me wanted to pull over and take the call so Brianna couldn’t hear what he had to say. While Brianna and I had no secrets, my instinct was to shield her from hurt whenever possible. I didn’t want to see the look on her face if he said he couldn’t work with someone who’d purchased another human being, no matter how noble my intentions were.
But I knew I’d see that look no matter what if that was his decision. She knew about the opportunity. If it fell through, she’d know why, even if I never told her the details.
“Of course.”
He was silent for longer than was natural. I waited him out, though. This was his show. His decision. “I thought about what you said last night, and Cynthia and I talked it over this morning.” Another pause. “If you’re still willing to consult with me about Helping Hands, I’d like to work with you.”
I glanced over at Brianna before answering. She wasn’t looking at me, but I could see the small uptick of her lips. “I’ll contact my lawyer and have him get started on a contract and I’ll shoot you an email on Monday with what I’ll need to get started.”
“I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
The call disconnected and Brianna placed her hand on my knee. Covering her hand with mine, I gave it a little squeeze. I didn’t release her until I turned onto our driveway.
It was nice to be home. I carried our bag of dirty clothes into the laundry room and tossed them in one of the baskets before joining Brianna in the living room.
Per Brianna’s request, we spent several hours watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and cuddling on the couch. It was nice to decompress. I valued the quiet time Brianna and I shared more than I ever imagined I would. Before her, I was never a big party person, but I did go out regularly with friends, even if it was to various charity events. Since the trial, my invitations to such events had all but dried up. I was surprisingly okay with that.
After breakfast on Sunday morning, I spent a few hours making a list of information I’d need from Josh. I knew the basics of his organization, but if I was going to propose the most effective strategies, I needed to understand all the details of how Helping Hands worked, what their current avenues of fundraising were, and what their goals were for the future. I also left a message for Oscar to begin drawing up a contract.
We left for my aunt and uncle’s a little after noon. Cal and Jade were joining us for dinner, which I wasn’t looking forward to. Even though Cal and I had formed a sort of truce when it came to Brianna, there was still an underlying animosity there. Brianna sensed it as well, so it wasn’t my imagination.
Diane ushered Brianna into the kitchen to help her with the salad she was making, leaving Richard and I alone. “How’d your meeting in Minneapolis go?” he asked, taking a seat on the couch. Normally, we’d be out on the back patio, but it was in the nineties today and humid.
“It went well. We’re going to start nailing down the contract details next week.”
Richard nodded. “Brianna have any trouble with anything?”
“Nothing major.” I debated whether to share what happened with Bridget, but I figured why not. “We had a slight issue with Lily’s friend. She seems to be interested in gaining my attention.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Does she know you’re taken?”
I smiled. Four years ago, my uncle’s answer would have been a lot different. “Yes. She met me when I brought Brianna to the bridal shop so they could all try on dresses.”
“I see,” he said, sitting back, resting one ankle on the opposite knee. “So, she doesn’t care that you’re spoken for or she doesn’t see Brianna as an obstacle to your affections.”
“Brianna said she asked her a lot of questions about our relationship. I think she was fishing to see how committed we are.”
“And she’s a friend of Lily’s?” He didn’t look impressed.
I nodded. “They went to college together.”
“A lot can happen in seven years. People change.”
It was true. All the people I kept in contact with from my college days had changed considerably. I knew I had.
Before we could continue the conversation, the doorbell rang, and Richard went to answer it while I headed into the kitchen.
Brianna was placing a bowl of salad on the table, her pretty dress riding up in the back, giving me a glimpse of her thighs. It was hard not to imagine the way they felt wrapped around my waist.
She looked up to find me staring. A slight blush colored her cheeks as she walked toward me. I circled my arms around her and gave her a brief kiss.
“Get a room,” Jade said as they walked into the dining area. If it had been Cal who’d said it, I would have been irritated. With Jade, I knew she was teasing.
I didn’t relinquish my hold on Brianna. “How have you been, Jade?”
Instead of answering my question, she looked at Cal. I saw a silent communication zing between then, and then he shrugged. She turned back to us and held out her hand. “Cal and I got married.”
Of all the things I’d been expecting to come out of her mouth, that wasn’t it. Cal and Jade had been together for longer than Brianna and me, but I hadn’t heard anything about a wedding.
“
When?” Brianna asked.
Again, Jade and Cal shared a look. This time, it was Cal who answered. “We flew to Vegas last weekend and eloped.” The expression on Brianna’s face must have told him to explain himself. She was one of his closest friends and even I could tell she was hurt by the news. Not because he’d married Jade, she loved Jade, but because he hadn’t told her. “It was a spur of the moment thing. We’d been talking about it, but with her family . . . we decided to just get on an airplane and go to Vegas.”
Jade’s family were an interesting sort. I’d met her parents once. They seemed like nice enough people, but very opinionated. They’d even inserted their feelings on my relationship with Brianna. I couldn’t say I blamed Jade and Cal for wanting to avoid the drama that would come with a big family wedding.
Cal’s answer didn’t seem to pacify Brianna. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We wanted to tell you in person,” Jade said. “Can you forgive us?”
Brianna looked at the ground and shifted her weight. I knew she was hurt, but I also knew she’d ultimately forgive them. Brianna didn’t hold grudges.
“Do you have pictures?” Brianna asked.
Jade smiled and hugged Brianna, extracting her from my arms. “Yes, we have lots of pictures. Come, I’ll show you.”
“Pictures will have to wait. Dinner’s ready,” Diane said, interrupting.
Even though Diane said pictures would have to wait, we only made it about five minutes before Jade pulled out her phone and began showing Brianna the photographs. The women ooo’d and ahh’d over them while the rest of us ate. I finally had to cut in and remind Brianna to eat her food.
Jade sent me a knowing look and tucked the phone away. “It was a simple ceremony, and everyone was really nice. A lot less stressful than what a traditional wedding would have been with my family.”
“Have you told them yet?” I could only imagine how that conversation would have gone.
“They’re coming to visit in two weeks. We’re telling them then,” Cal said.
I hid a smile behind my fork. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled you two finally got married. You’ve been together over five years, haven’t you?” Diane asked.
It was a casual question, but my gaze immediately went to Brianna. She wasn’t looking at me. Her focus was on Diane. There were times I could read her like an open book, but now wasn’t one of them.
Jade picked up another roll and reached for the butter. “We have, but my parents haven’t been the biggest cheerleaders of our relationship from the get-go. It’s not that they dislike Cal—”
“They just don’t like the idea that I’m defiling their daughter on a regular basis.”
“Cal!” Jade chastised him.
“What?” he said. “You know it’s true. The first time we went down there, your parents were looking at me as though I’d contaminated you or something.”
Richard decided to join in on the conversation. “Won’t the fact that you finally married her rectify that?”
Cal snorted. “Doubtful.”
Jade rolled her eyes at him. “What Cal means, is that every time we’ve gone down to visit, my parents have not so discreetly tried to set me up with who they feel is a suitable man.” She stabbed at a piece of meat on her plate. “It’s embarrassing.”
Diane placed a hand over Jade’s. “I’m sorry, dear.”
“Thanks, Diane. I appreciate it.”
Brianna had watched the exchange but didn’t comment. She seemed to be taking everything in.
From the talk of weddings and families, the conversation turned to summer plans. Apparently, going to Vegas wasn’t enough for Jade and Cal. They were planning to spend a week in the Caribbean over Christmas.
“You’ll miss Lily and Logan’s wedding,” Brianna said, speaking up for the first time since she and Jade were reviewing the pictures.
“They’re getting married?” Jade asked, excitement clear on her face. Lily, Jade, and Brianna had all gotten closer over the last few years. They’d even gone on a few shopping trips together.
Brianna nodded.
“They told us last week,” I said. “While you were in Vegas getting married.” I thought the timing to be a little ironic. What were the odds?
Jade turned to Brianna, abandoning her food. “Has she found a dress yet?”
Brianna smiled. “It’s beautiful. She tried it on for Bridget and me at the bridal shop on Friday.”
My uncle met my gaze and raised an eyebrow at the mention of Bridget’s name. I nodded and went back to my food. There wasn’t anything I could do about Bridget. Not at this point, anyway. All I could do was hope that whatever Lily had said to her had finally gotten through.
Chapter 13
Brianna
It was dusk by the time we arrived back at the house. Cal and Jade had stayed for a while after dinner and told me all about their trip to Vegas. It sounded almost magical.
Stephan came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. His lips tickled the skin at the base of my neck. “You’ve been quiet since we left Richard and Diane’s.”
“I was thinking about Cal and Jade’s wedding.”
He turned me to face him. “What about it?”
I rested my palms on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under my fingers. “I understand why they eloped, but I’m still sad.”
“Because they didn’t tell you?”
I nodded.
He glanced out the windows for a few moments before answering. “I think I’d feel the same way if Logan and Lily had taken off to Vegas without telling me. Logan is my best friend and I couldn’t imagine him getting married and me not being there.”
“I feel guilty, though.”
Stephan raised both eyebrows, wanting me to explain.
“Because it’s their wedding. It should be for them, not me. I shouldn’t feel sad or hurt. I should be happy for them as long as they’re happy.”
“You can’t help how you feel, sweetheart.” He pulled me closer, cradling my head against this chest. “It’s a beautiful night. Let’s sit out on the deck for a while.”
Stephan brought matches out with us so he could light the citronella candles. It was August and the mosquitoes were out in full force.
Once the candles were lit, he sat down on one of the lounge chairs and guided me onto his lap. The last of the sun’s rays disappeared from the sky as we sat listening to the sounds around us. It was so peaceful. So unlike the city.
“Are you ready for your session with Dr. Katlin tomorrow?” Stephan asked.
“I made a list like she asked. I’m not sure how it’s going to help, though.”
“Preparation is always a good thing.” He paused and shifted me in his arms, so my back was to his chest and I was staring out at our backyard. “I’ve made a list of wedding movies we can watch that might help us think of situations that may arise.”
As the crickets began to sound in the distance, my thoughts returned to Bridget. “Sir? What about Bridget?”
His lips pressed against the top of my head. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know what to say to her when she asks me about us.” I took a deep, cleansing breath, enjoying being in his arms. “It reminds me a little of how Cal used to be. About our relationship.”
He began playing with my fingers sending tiny electrical currents up my arms. “Cal didn’t approve of our relationship because he didn’t think I was good enough for you.”
“Bridget doesn’t think I’m good enough for you,” I whispered.
Stephan hesitated before resuming his movements again. “I’m not sure it’s that she doesn’t think you’re good enough for me. I think it’s more that she views you as competition and is trying to find out what she’s up against.”
I thought about what he said and about the questions Bridget had asked, along with her actions over breakfast. “I don’t like her.”<
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His chest vibrated beneath me. “Neither do I, love. Neither do I.”
We lay there listening to the crickets for a while before blowing out the candles and heading inside. Stephan made sure all the doors were locked while I undressed and brushed my teeth. He was removing his shirt when I walked back into the room. It was still hard to believe he was mine. With everything I’d been through, with all my issues, he wanted me. He loved me.
Stephan saw me staring and motioned for me to come to him. I padded across the floor to stand in front of him.
My heart raced when he pressed a finger along the top of my breast down to the tip before giving it a little flick. They already felt heavier, anticipating what was to come. He had that look in his eyes and I knew we’d be playing tonight.
Leaving me standing there, he went over to the dresser where he kept the toys. I couldn’t see what he’d selected, but it didn’t matter. I trusted him and knew that whatever it was, he would give me pleasure.
“Climb up on the bed and get on your hands and knees.”
I did as I was told.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him approach the bed. I was already wet, and he hadn’t done anything yet.
He ran his hand down the length of my spine and I could feel it in my toes. His hand cupped my backside before sliding between my legs. “That’s my girl. You’re so wet for me already.”
After a little more exploration with his fingers, I felt the mattress dip with his weight. Then, something pressed against my clit and wrapped around my waist. Seconds later, I felt the vibrations. They were subtle, but it didn’t matter.
“How does that feel?” he asked.
“Good, Sir.”
As the vibrations continued, I grew wetter. I knew I’d need more stimulation to come. But I also knew he wasn’t nearly ready for that yet.
Something soft pressed against my back, moving up and down the length. He was doing it so lightly that I could barely feel it, just like the vibrator. Right as I was getting used to the feeling of softness, I felt the pricks of something sharper. It didn’t hurt, but the contract was startling. I sucked in a breath.
