The Wedding Party (Hollywood & Vine #2.5)

by Olivia Evans

  Josie looked to where Anders was staring, and all the blood in her body rushed to her face. “They didn’t.”

  Anders was holding his side, and Josie wasn’t certain he was breathing. “Well, I know where you got your love for wall sex from. Or maybe it was stall sex.”

  “Stop, stop, stop!” Josie begged, trying to get the image of her parents having sex in a bathroom at a nightclub out of her head. “This is too much. I don’t even know how to categorize this level of trauma.”

  “My mom is on a fucking stripper pole, and I can see her G-string. Don’t talk to me about trauma,” Chloe said, her expression mirroring Josie’s. “What the fuck is going on?”

  “Go get her,” Josie said, looking from Anders to Reid like they were crazy. “It’s time for the parents to get out of here. Chloe and I need to get shitty.”

  Josie heard her mom let out a loud whistle and scream in encouragement at Abigail. “Anders is right. My parents are fucking insane.” Grabbing Chloe by the arm, Josie hauled her toward her parents.

  “Dad, you were supposed to take Mom and Abigail back to the resort.”

  “I am. Your mom and I just—”

  Josie held up her hand. “I don’t even want to know. But Abigail is on the pole. That’s enough excitement for one night.”

  Everyone looked toward the stage just in time to see Abigail grab Anders by the head and shove his face between her breasts and shimmy. “This is my hell,” Chloe exhaled. “I’m actually dead, and none of this is real.”

  Josie grimaced. “It could be worse. She could have done that to Reid.”

  “Oh God. Thanks a lot, Josie. Keith, I think it’s time for my mom to go back to the resort.”

  Keith nodded, seeming a little ashamed that he’d left her on her own while he and Sonya disappeared into the bathroom to do God knows what. “Yeah. I think you’re right. You kids have fun.”

  Keith moved through the crowd, and after a bit of back-and-forth, finally convinced Sonya and Abigail it was time to go. Once they’d left, the group returned to the corner table, joining Lori, Inky, Walker, Greer, and Owen. Josie couldn’t help but laugh at how Greer had positioned himself between Owen and Inky.

  “I don’t know about you,” Josie said to Chloe as she passed her the bottle of tequila, “But I’m not stopping until I’m blackout drunk. I need to forget as much of tonight as possible.”

  “Give me that bottle,” Holden said, taking it from Chloe and downing what looked like three shots. “I just saw my parents come out of the bathroom after having sex. Y’all don’t have the market cornered on being traumatized.”

  “We’re going to need a bigger bottle,” Inky joked.

  “And lots of them,” Josie agreed.

  Two bottles of tequila, a case of beers, and a whole lot of laughs later, they were all indeed, going to remember very little of the night.

  Chapter Six

  “Ivy,” Anders whispered, pressing his lips to her shoulder. “Are you awake?” Josie groaned and threw her arm over her face, making Anders chuckle. “How’s the head?”

  Josie let out a muffled curse and grimaced. “Fucking tequila.”

  “I don’t know why you do this to yourself. Tequila is no friend of yours.” He’d stopped drinking well before the others, knowing there was a possibility he’d be carrying Josie back to the villa, which of course, he did.

  “Jose is a jerk.”

  “Here,” Anders murmured, handing her a glass of water and a couple of aspirin. Josie sat up, her face twisted in agony as she took the pills and downed the water.

  “You’re so good to me.”

  Anders chuckled again. “Don’t give me too much credit. I’m going to extort sex from you later for making me go to bed with blue balls last night.”

  “What did I ever do to deserve such a gentleman?”

  “You don’t want a gentleman,” Anders said, his voice rough and sexy. He trailed his finger under the bend of her knee and down the back of her thigh. Josie let out a soft sigh before dropping her chin to her chest and turning to Anders, a devilish smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

  “You know, I’ve heard that having an orgasm can really help with a headache.”

  Anders returned her smile, already liking the direction of their conversation. “Is that so? And where did you hear this?”

  Josie shrugged and reached for the hem of her shirt, tugging it over her head, leaving her in just her underwear. “I’m sure it was a man.”

  “Most definitely.” Anders nodded, leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers. He moved one hand to her breast, letting the weight of it rest in his palm as he swept his thumb over her hardened nipple. He used his other hand to grip the edge of her underwear and slide them down her legs.

  “I feel better already,” she moaned, arching into his touch.

  “You’re so goddamn beautiful. I don’t think I’m capable of being very gentle with you right now.” He pulled her nipple into his mouth and bit down as Josie raked her hands through his hair.

  Josie pushed on his shoulders, quickly rolling on top of him and causing a hiss to escape through his teeth. “Like you said, I don’t want a gentleman. Not now anyway.”

  Anders gripped her sides and thrust his hips, his jaw clenching at the feel of her slick heat sliding against his naked flesh. Josie kept her eyes locked with his as she reached between them and positioned him where they both wanted him to be. Slowly, so fucking slowly that Anders thought he might lose his mind, she eased down on top of him until they were flush.

  The veins in his neck strained as she began to move over him, her lower body lifting and dropping back down with each rock of her hips. His eyes wanted to roll back in his head, but his desire to watch her, feel her, breathe her was too strong. In a little over twenty-four hours, she would be his wife. His fucking wife. He still had no idea how someone who drove him absolutely insane had flipped his life on its ass.

  He wanted to be closer. In a quick motion, he sat up, wrapping his arms around her back before flipping them, so his skin was all over hers. “I love you,” he moaned as she wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted her hips.

  “I love you too.”

  He reached between them, working her clit just how he knew she liked it. Her legs began to shake, and her body tensed as her head fell back and her mouth fell open in a silent cry of pleasure.

  Anders let out a low groan, his body tensing as fire raced through his veins before exploding, stealing the breath from his lungs. He collapsed on top of Josie, panting and blinking away the spots in his vision. Beneath him, Josie leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his jaw.

  “Well, there goes my I-have-a-headache excuse right out the window,” she said with a breathy laugh. Anders chuckled and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before rolling off her.

  “How about I clean up then go get you some greasy breakfast food.”

  “Okay, did you murder someone, and you need me to cover for you? Because you are really bringing your A game this morning.”

  “No murder.” He smiled. “But tomorrow you’re promising yourself to me for the rest of your life. If now isn’t the time to be on my best behavior, I don’t know when is.”

  “Anders,” Josie chastised. “I call you Asshole as a term of endearment. I know exactly who and what I’m getting. There’s nothing I want more.”

  “Any hope I had that you weren’t just as insane as your parents has now vanished. You must be crazy.”

  “Crazy in love with you,” Josie teased.

  “You just want my dick.”

  Josie shrugged. “There’re perks to every relationship.”

  Anders laughed and patted Josie’s ass before rolling out of bed and going into the bathroom. He took a minute to clean up before turning on the shower and walking back into the bedroom. “Go jump in the shower. You smell like sex and tequila.”

  He ducked and laughed when Josie threw a pillow at his head. “Your aim is shit. Go shower. I�
�ll bring food back. And maybe even coffee if you’re good.”

  Josie stood from the bed, blinking a couple of times to bring the room back into focus before brushing past Anders to the bathroom. “I’m always good,” she called, stepping into the shower. Anders moved to the dresser and pulled out a pair of shorts and a T-shirt when his eyes landed on the box on top.

  “Ivy,” he called out. “What’s in this box?”

  “I have no idea! Just open it. I’m sure it’s something to do with the wedding.”

  Anders grumbled under his breath before ripping the tape off the box and pulling out the object inside. All the breath left his lungs in a whoosh when he lifted out the heart-shaped silver jewelry box. His mother’s jewelry box. He set it on top of the dresser like it was a bomb then pulled out the envelope. With shaking hands, he removed the folded piece of paper.

  Josie,

  It was so wonderful speaking with you. My heart is broken knowing he won’t allow us to be a part of such a special milestone in his life. Maybe once you two are married, you will have more influence in making him see reason. Until then, consider this your “something old.” Don’t worry, Anders will never know.

  Tabitha

  Anders crumpled the paper in his fist and dropped it next to the jewelry box. His pulse thundered in his ears, and his body shook with anger. Reaching for his phone, he dialed Nathan’s number.

  “Anders?”

  “I need to talk to you now. Alone. Meet me in the bar.” He hung up the phone, not bothering with niceties. He slipped on his shoes and moved to the door when he heard Josie’s voice behind him.

  “Everything okay? What was in the box?”

  Anders let out a harsh laugh and shook his head as he opened the door. “I’ve got to deal with something. I’ll be back, baby.” He moved with purpose, no longer thinking about breakfast or coffee or anything other than talking to Nathan. He found a booth in the back and wasted no time ordering a drink. This was the last thing he wanted to deal with the day before he married the love of his life, and his rage was beginning to make his vision blur.

  “Anders, what’s wrong?” Nathan asked, his eyes wide at the sight of the man in front of him.

  “My mother,” he spat. “She knows where we are. She sent Josie a gift. The way the letter sounded, she made it seem like they had talked recently. But Josie hasn’t said anything to me.”

  “Anders, you don’t think Josie is going behind your back to try to help your parents get back into your life, do you?” The look of disbelief and, if Anders wasn’t mistaken, hint of anger on Nathan’s face caused Anders to shake his head with disgust.

  “Of course not. I trust Josie completely. My mother is playing games. She said in one part of the note that Josie didn’t need to tell me about the gift because I’d never know. It was a complete setup. My mother gave Josie the silver jewelry box I bought for her birthday when I was ten years old. It was from this old antique pawnshop, and all I had was the ten dollars I’d earned for taking out the neighbors’ trash. The old lady who worked there was so impressed I was using my own money, she sold it to me even though I’m sure it cost a whole hell of a lot more. I’d know that thing anywhere. My mother wanted me to see it and hoped Josie would lie to me. What I want to know is why.”

  Nathan let out a heavy sigh and laced his fingers. “I fear I might be how your parents know where you are. They came by my office last week. They wanted to make sure I wasn’t letting some woman take all your money, that your assets were protected.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” Anders hissed.

  “I told them to leave or I would have security remove them. They refused to leave, so I stepped out to have my assistant call security. When they were finally escorted out and I was back at my desk, I realized I had the website for the resort open on my computer. I have no doubt they saw. Then when some of your wedding party was photographed at the airport, well, it wouldn’t take much to guess the dates. I’m so sorry.”

  “But why? Why would they want to cause trouble with me and Josie?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? You’re more vulnerable when you’re alone. With Josie, you don’t need them. You have someone who won’t let anyone take advantage of you. She’s in the way.”

  “Do you think Josie talked with my parents and didn’t tell me?” Anders whispered, feeling guilty for even asking.

  Nathan shrugged. “Maybe. They might have ambushed her the same as they did me. I didn’t tell you because you’re about to get married, and the last thing I wanted you thinking about was your asshole parents. If they did it to her, I can see her having the same line of thinking.”

  Anders swallowed and nodded. He hated the thought of Josie keeping something from him, but from the way he reacted to the package, he could understand why. “I want to take out no-contact orders. I don’t want them anywhere near Josie. Ever. She’s too good to have to share the same air with them.”

  “I’ll start the paperwork with the lawyer when we get back. Are you good?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. I know I don’t say it enough, but you’re more of a father to me than my dad has ever been.”

  Nathan’s face tightened, and Anders could see the color under his skin brighten before he let out a short laugh. “Josie has turned you into a complete softy.”

  “Is that your dad way of calling me a pussy?”

  “Absolutely,” Nathan laughed as he stood. Anders did the same, and before he knew what was happening, Nathan stepped forward and wrapped Anders in a tight hug. “I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. The old you would have immediately accused Josie of conspiring behind your back, but you didn’t believe that for a second. I always knew you had it in you. You just needed the right woman to help you find it.”

  “Thanks,” Anders said, his throat tight. “We’re not perfect, but we’re a team. I won’t let my parents or anyone else come between us. Speaking of, I better get Josie’s breakfast and coffee before she comes looking for me.”

  “Never did I think I’d see the day that a woman would have Anders Ellis whipped,” Nathan chuckled.

  Anders gave him a sly smile. “You know I’ll get sex for this. And brownie points for when I act like an asshole. I’m not completely redeemed.”

  “Of course not. Go do what you need. I need to get back to Elizabeth.”

  “How’s her sunburn?”

  “Better. She’s not asking that I just drown her in the bathtub anymore, so that’s progress. How was last night?”

  Anders let out a heavy breath and shook his head. “I’ll tell you over a beer at the bonfire tonight. It’s a doozy.”

  “I have no doubt. I’ll see you later.”

  Chapter Seven

  “What the fuck?” Josie whispered, her eyes wide as she looked from the note to the jewelry box. She thought about the way Anders had stormed out of the villa, and her stomach dropped. He couldn’t possibly believe she would do anything to help his piece-of-shit parents, could he?

  Josie sank onto the bed, her eyes scanning the room and landing on the white garment bag hanging from the closet door. The sight made her eyes sting and her throat tighten. The way he stormed out of the room, it reminded her of a time she would rather forget. A time when Anders trusted nothing and no one.

  She stood from the bed, the jewelry box clutched in one hand and the note in the other. She paced around the room, her mind running one hundred miles an hour. A tear slipped down her cheek, and when she wiped it away, a trail of heat started at her feet and worked its way up her body. How dare he storm out on her the day before their wedding? How dare he think she would do something like this after everything they’d been through?

  She had no idea how much time had passed before she’d filled her powder keg of anger. When the door opened, Josie spun around, her tear-stained cheeks flaming red. “Anders Ellis,” she yelled, stomping to where he stood in the doorway, his eyes wide. “I swear to God, if you believe any of this bullshit…” She threw the crumpled piec
e of paper in his direction, where it hit his chest and fell harmlessly to the ground. “Well, I don’t know what I’m going to do. But it’s going to be bad, and you’re going to regret it.”

  Anders set the small paper bag and Styrofoam cup on the table next to him then held up his arms in front of him. “Hang on, Ivy.”

  “Don’t you Ivy me!” Josie felt a swell of emotions burst in her chest, and she wanted to hit something. She loved this beautiful, broken man so much, and if he crushed her heart with the next words out of his mouth, she wasn’t sure she’d ever forgive him.

  Anders let out a small laugh, which only seemed to make Josie angrier, before stepping forward and cupping her jaw. Without giving her a chance to pull away, he pressed his mouth hard and rough against hers. Josie froze for a second before pulling away, her anger fading to confusion.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Anders gave her a crooked smile, the one that melted and ignited her insides. “I’m kissing my fiancée. Is there a problem?”

  Josie licked her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Have you been drinking? It’s not even noon! What the hell is going on? One minute, you’re all sweet and loving, then the next you’re storming out of here like your ass is on fire, and I find this bullshit.” Josie waved the jewelry box in the air and pointed at the note on the floor, her reaction bordering on manic. “And I thought…I thought…” Her voice broke and her shoulders dropped. She couldn’t say it out loud; it hurt too much.

  “Come here,” Anders whispered, pulling her to the bed. “I’m sorry I stormed out like I did. When I saw the note and the jewelry box, I lost it. And not at you,” he added when she opened her mouth. “I bought that jewelry box for my mother when I was ten. She knew damn good and well I would recognize it immediately. She was trying to cause trouble.”

  Josie opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to process what Anders said. A thought hit her then. “What if it hadn’t been something you recognized? Would you have come to the same conclusion?”

  Anders dropped his eyes, letting the silence settle between them. After a moment, he spoke. “Has my mother been in contact with you?”