by Darci Balogh
In fact, all who were present that day told stories for years to come of how brightly the new Lady MacBrody shone on the day of her wedding, and every day thereafter.
Sofia...
Sofia moved confidently through the crowded ballroom on her stilettos. For the wedding she had chosen a sleeveless black sheath dress with a plunging neckline to make the most of her cleavage. The dress was made of taffeta and hugged every curve in her exceptionally curvy figure. The hemline ended just above her knee and over the top of the dress hung a long, loosely crocheted sheath of black lace. Her dark skin peeked out from behind the lace making her feel feminine and just a little naughty. Nothing like feeling ultra-sleek and sexy at one of your best friend's weddings.
Sofia had straightened her long black hair, painted her nails in the deepest red she could find, applied the same color lipstick, and added her highest black stilettos for the final touch. Granted, her look might feel a little dark for the occasion, but that was her style. Sleek and smart, with an edge. Besides, she wasn't a bridesmaid in this wedding. For that much she could be grateful. She was free to wear what she chose. And Sofia with her emerald green eyes and deep brown complexion felt comfortable in black.
Tawnyetta and Michael's wedding had been gorgeous. Watching her friend marry the love of her life was a particularly pleasant and joyful experience. Add on top of that the fact that the reception was being held in a castle with the finest music, wine, and food served by waiters in tuxedos where most of the male guests were sporting formal kilts and, for sure, it was an impressive event.
Tawnyetta deserved to be happy and Sofia was so glad that her friend had found such an amazing man to marry and was off on the adventure of her lifetime. It made Sofia's soul smile, but it also made her a little sad. Not that she wanted to be married. No way. She had bigger goals than just finding a husband. But it made her a bit sad that Tawnyetta would be living her beautiful new life so far away from all of them back home in Denver.
Sofia grabbed another glass of sparkling champagne from a waiter. Her deep red polished nails made a satisfying clicking sound on the fine crystal. She took a sip and some of her waxy red lipstick left an imprint of her bottom lip on the rim. The crisp champagne popped and fizzled in her mouth.
The room was thinning out. Many of the older wedding guests were taking their leave to drive home or retire to their rooms if they were staying in the castle. The excellent, if rather formal, orchestra had played their last song a few minutes ago and packed up their instruments. A mixture of pop and rock music pumped through the tastefully hidden speakers that were placed throughout the ballroom. Sofia sipped her champagne and watched as a group of decidedly less formally attired men set up a drum set and other makings of a rock band on the stage that the orchestra had vacated.
"You're going to love these guys," Bridget said as she sidled up to Sofia with her own glass of champagne.
"You think?"
Bridget took a sip and nodded, her blonde curls bouncing chaotically. "They're called The Robot Tellers. I picked them." She grinned at Sofia.
Bridget had been Tawnyetta's ever helpful and sometimes overbearing maid of honor and wedding planner. But Tawnyetta herself admitted she welcomed the help and the whole wedding and reception had been so lovely, going off without a hitch. Sofia was sure this late night entertainment band would be everything Bridget promised.
"I'm sure they'll be great...despite that name."
Bridget chuckled and took another sip of champagne. Her eyes roamed around the room taking in all of the smiling faces and twinkling candles and lights.
"I love weddings," Bridget said with a sigh.
Sofia gave her friend a knowing look and felt a stab of pity for Bridget's failed wedding. She leaned over slightly, giving Bridget's shoulder a soft bump with hers. "I know," she said.
"Good evening, ladies and gents," a smooth male voice with a British, not Scottish, accent came over the hidden speakers. Sofia and Bridget both looked towards the stage.
A ginger haired man was at the microphone. He was tall, fair skinned, and wore a black long-tailed tuxedo jacket over a pair of worn jeans and faded Joy Division T-shirt. Sneakers, or "trainers" as they called them here, topped off the look of who Sofia determined must be the lead singer of The Robot Tellers.
"First of all, congratulations to the bride and groom." The lead singer was adjusting his electric guitar as he spoke. His mouth was so close to the round surface of the microphone it appeared that he might try to eat it. He remembered something, bent down and picked up an open bottle of beer that was sitting at his feet. He stood and lifted it into the air toward Tawnyetta and Michael who were closer to the stage. "To Laird MacBrody and the new Lady MacBrody!"
The guests cheered and Michael leaned down to give Tawnyetta a kiss. It was all very sweet, but Sofia wasn't paying attention. She could not take her eyes off the lead singer.
His hair was deep red, cut short and sticking straight up off of his head in messy spikes. Angular cheekbones, a square jaw, and a sprinkle of freckles across his nose and cheeks gave him an interesting look. He was handsome, quite handsome. When he took a swig of his beer, the sleeve of his jacket rode up his arm revealing a colorful twisting pattern of tattoos that started on his wrist and looked like they continued up his whole arm. She was too far away to make out what the tattoos were, but Sofia found herself wondering about them–and him.
"So now that the formalities are out of the way..." He placed the beer bottle back at his feet and took hold of the guitar hanging around his neck. "I'm Ian Law." He strummed the guitar with that announcement, sending the electric sound through the speakers. Ian grinned at the sound, nodding his head a little as if appreciating the acoustics. "This is Danny." He turned and looked at the second guitarist, a small wiry guy with long, wavy blonde hair. "Hugh." He looked at a tall black man holding the bass guitar. Hugh played a short rift on his bass in response. "And on the drums." Ian put his back to the crowd so he was facing the drummer as he shouted, "George!" The drummer hit a few loud beats and Ian turned back to the crowd. He leaned into the microphone again and Sofia was surprised how much the move seemed sensual, his lips so close. "But we call him Charlie," Ian said. The sound of his voice reverberated through the room.
The crowd clapped and cheered and the band played a few seconds of the beginning of a song she didn't know. Sofia's stomach fluttered. It wasn't that she'd never been to a rock concert, but there was no denying that Ian Law put out some serious sex appeal on that stage.
"We are The Robot Tellers," he said, his voice rising to be heard over the growing sound of the song intro. He looked sharply around the room. Sofia couldn't tell what color his eyes were from where she stood, but they glittered with that look musicians have when they are about to sing. The look that says they know they are about to become the most important person in the room.
Ian's gaze fell on Bridget and he gave her a little nod of acknowledgement. Then his eyes locked onto Sofia's and the flutter in her stomach went wild.
Ian leaned into the microphone. Reading his body language, the band lowered the volume of their playing so he could speak. He did not break his eyes away from Sofia as he said, "And we are gonna rock your world."
The crowd around her cheered, but Sofia remained still. Held by his attention as the song began, she felt everyone around her begin to move as one to the rhythm of the music. Ian's eyes remained laser locked onto hers, refusing to look away, refusing to let her escape. Then, to her surprise, he gave her a wink and like a 13-year-old girl she felt a rush of heat flush through her body and fill her cheeks. Ian grinned and ducked his head, confident he had made an impression. Then he closed his eyes, put his mouth against the microphone, and sang.
Want to know how Sofia’s story ends?
Find out in Her British Bard, the next book in the Dream Come True Sweet Romance Series.
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About the Author
Darci Balogh is a writer and indie filmmaker from Denver. She grew up in the beautiful mountains of Colorado and has lived in several areas of the state over her lifetime. She currently resides in Denver where she raised her two glorious, intelligent daughters to functioning adulthood. This is, by far, one of her highest achievements.
Darci has a love-hate relationship with gardening, probably should dust more, adores dogs and is allergic to cats. She has been a writer since she was a child and enjoys crafting stories into novels and screenplays. Big surprise, some of her favorite pastimes are reading and watching movies. Classic British TV is high on her ‘Like’ list, along with quietly depressing detective series and coffee with heavy cream.
For more romance books by Darci Balogh, go to www.knowheremedia.com/books
Also by Darci Balogh
Sweet Holiday Romance Series
1. Enchanting Eve
2. Love is at the Table
3. Mistletoe Madness
4. New Year in Paradise
Sugar Plum Romance Series
1. Charlotte’s Christmas Charade
Cougar Romance Series
1. The Quiet of Spring
2. For Love & For Money
3. Stars in the Sand
COMING SOON…
More Dream Come True Sweet Romance!
Her British Bard (Available for Pre-order Now)
Her Sheltered Cove
Her Secret Heart
Her One and Only
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