Falling for the Best Man

by Joanne Dannon

  Her breathing came in spurts as she listened to his confession, unable to comprehend the bond between brothers and the family love he valued. This is what she wanted. This is what she was marrying for. To have a love that went beyond simple platitudes.

  “I do want you, with a longing that would surprise you,” he confessed in a low voice. “But Felix comes first.”

  They stood facing each other. Their breathing was erratic. Hers because she was overwhelmed by Jonah’s devotion. And Jonah’s for his insistence in doing the right thing by his brother and parents and not jeopardising the harmony in the family.

  “Your devotion to Felix and your parents is honourable and shows me that not all men are as bad as my dad was. I didn’t have strong, positive male influences in my life.”

  He gripped her hands with his. “But you have my dad and my brother, plus a host of uncles and family friends.” She could see the insistence in his eyes.

  “I know,” she replied in a soft voice. “It’s what I always wanted.” And to her surprise and dismay, her eyes filled with tears that leaked out and slid down her cheeks. Brushing them away with her hand, she said, “I’m sorry.”

  He gathered her in his arms, and her arms automatically went around his waist and she held him tight. The strength in his muscles gave her the comfort she needed while she cried over the anguish she felt in her belly.

  Never once in the past few months had she questioned her decision to marry for a family rather than love. It made sense. It had been the way of the world until recently, and in some cultures, quite acceptable.

  But now, being held by Jonah, a myriad of questions pounded her brain and she allowed her muscles to soften and her cheek to rest against his chest.

  She could hear the pounding of his heart, and a wave of peace washed over her. In Jonah’s arms, she didn’t worry about her shyness and inability to exude confidence. She was who she was—quiet, happy in her own company, and a loner who was not alone.

  He kissed the top of her head. “Feeling better?”

  Nodding, not wanting to speak or leave his arms, she snuggled closer.

  “Kaylah.” Her name came out scratchy and hoarse.

  Lifting her head to look at him, she caught the confusion in his eyes. It matched hers. They each told the other how they felt through their gazes of longing.

  It was wrong, and she wanted to step back, but didn’t have the energy. . .or the will.

  Taking a step away, her arms fell to her sides and hung loosely. Her head bowed as shame washed over her. How was she going to marry Felix now? Her skin ached for Jonah’s touch. Her mouth tingled, wanting to feel the press of his mouth, not Felix’s. A painful headache started and made her wince, and her hand came up to massage the base of her neck.

  “Are you okay?” His fingers came under her chin, so she looked up at him.

  If having her heart broken and shattered into tiny pieces didn’t count, then she was okay. She didn’t say anything, not trusting herself.

  “Kaylah, you look broken. You’re about to marry Felix and get your heart’s desires. I can’t give you that, and I have my new life to return to. Not only am I going away because I have to, I’m going because I want to.” He gently ran his knuckles along the side of her face. “I found a new pace of life. I’m needed in Samoa and can make a difference for the people there.”

  With her throat clogged with tears, she nodded.

  “I had a heart attack at twenty-nine. Twenty nine,” he repeated. “I’d pushed my body to such an extent that I collapsed.” He stopped and she could see the anguish in the creases across his forehead. Taking her hands, he massaged her pulse points with his thumbs. “I worked myself to exhaustion and ended up in hospital. I won’t do that again,” he said with conviction. “I have a new life and am fitter and healthier than I’ve ever been. I miss my family but I’ve now found purpose and meaning that I’ve never had before.” He gave her a soft smile. “You belong here in Melbourne, doing the job you love. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Felix and you created that job. Even if I went against my brother, which I wouldn’t, and you came with me to Samoa, you’d lose your job. Someone else would snap it up.”

  He was right. There would definitely be another “hacker” like herself who would jump at the chance to work at PricePoint. She couldn’t do the job from Samoa; she had to be here with access to the warehouse, the manager, and the products.

  “You can’t give up everything you want just because of some attraction between us,” he said.

  It wasn’t some attraction. It was more than that, but she said nothing. He was offering her an out, an opportunity to make a clean break.

  To hurt Felix, his family and leave the best job she would ever have on a whim was folly, sheer lunacy. He was right. And what of her and Jonah? Undoubtedly resentment would grow between them, and especially the pressures from the family from a broken engagement. How could they survive? It was only chemistry, not love. It wouldn’t last; it wouldn’t survive.

  Jonah was displaying insight and consideration, and she needed to follow his lead. “You’re right,” she said with a decisive tone. “I belong here with Felix. I don’t want to go and live on a Pacific Island. I have a life here that will make me happy.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I want you to be happy.”

  “But what about you?” She looked at his chocolate-brown eyes.

  “I have my health and my life. That’s enough for me,” he said.

  Her hand reached up and cupped his cheek, and he leaned his face against her. His mouth opened as though he was going to say something, but then he snapped it shut. The decision was made and it was time to move on.

  “Thank you, Jonah. You deserve better than me,” she whispered. How good was he, to give up what he wanted for the love of his brother. And unable to help herself, she reached up to him on tiptoes and brushed her lips against his.

  The feel of his soft lips and the masculine scent of him had her hand moving to the back of his neck and she tugged him towards her. His lips pressed against hers and his body melded against her body. His arms came around her, anchoring her close.

  The kisses started off tentative, as though they were each waiting for the other to say stop. And when neither of them did, the kisses became more urgent. His hands trailed up and down her back as his lips moved against hers. She opened her mouth and welcomed his tongue, as he deepened the kiss. The feel of him, the taste of him spurned her on.

  Greedy with lust, she kissed with need and desire. Her fingers made their way to his scalp and she ran them through his hair. He brought his mouth to her jawline and nibbled along till he reached her ear. Using the tip of his tongue, he trailed along the rim of her ear, before he nibbled at the base.

  “Oh, my. . .” Her hands came down and started tugging at his shirt, desperate to feel the strength of his chest.

  His hands came up, cupped her face, and he kissed her hard.

  She almost fainted from the lust pummelling through her. She’d never felt so wanton, so alive, so desperate to feel him.

  “Jonah,” she breathed, between their kisses.

  He gave her another scorching kiss before he stopped and stepped back. “We have to stop.” His breathing was rapid. “I’m going to take you now, if we don’t stop. It’s wrong.”

  She took a step away, already missing the feel of him. Her heart pounded against her chest and her arms ached to feel the strong muscles in his forearms. Her fingers traced her lips, remembering how good their kiss had been. Her breasts grew heavy in her bra and she ached to have him touch her more intimately.

  Looking at her top, she gasped. Her buttons were all undone. How had that happened? With shaky fingers, she tidied herself up as he stuffed his shirt back into place and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “We shouldn’t have done that,” he said, not meeting her gaze.

  Straightening her shoulders she said, “I know I should regret it, but I don’t.”


  His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, and he shot her a look of pure molten desire. “This can never happen again.”

  “I know, you’re right,” she said. His kisses had left her edgy, wanting more and she knew she’d be thinking about them later.

  “We should not spend any more time together, I mean…alone.” He swallowed hard. “I should stay away.” He rubbed his chin.

  “I’ll still see you, I mean. There will be other people around. I’m sure we’re not going to kiss when there are people around,” she said playfully.

  Her attempt to lighten the mood fell flat as he stepped forward. “I can’t hide how I feel about you. Do you think my parents are so blind that they won’t see it, too? They’ll see how I ache for your touch and your kisses.”

  Her fingers fluttered to her throat. “It’s not fair to you. I don’t want to take you away from spending time with your family. You’ve been away for months.”

  He waved his hand in the air like it didn’t matter. But she knew it did.

  “Listen, I’ll pretend I’m not well tonight and tomorrow. I’d already planned to be with Elaine.”

  “You’re living together. Do you have to spend the night apart?” He shook his head, unable to believe she wanted to be “traditional.” “We’re getting ready here on Saturday so you should stay in the apartment. It makes sense.”

  “You’re so sensible,” she said. “But how can I spend my nights with Felix after what we just did?”

  “We kissed, that’s all,” he said with a dismissive tone, as though he didn’t think it was the most incredible kiss ever.

  Her lips were still tingling from the delight she felt after having him show her such attention.

  His hands came up and gripped her shoulders. “You need to tell him.”

  “Tell him?” Her voice was high pitched. “Shouldn’t we pretend it never happened?”

  “No, don’t start your marriage with a lie.” His hands let go, his arms hung by his side. “Tell Felix, and don’t let a kiss ruin your happiness. Be honest with him. I will also speak with him.”

  “What are you going to say?” The question fired from her lips.

  “I will say, um…that I kissed you and it was wrong. We’ve agreed it was a moment of insanity and it will never happen again.”

  It was a moment of insanity and he was right, it should never happen again but her heart stupidly ached at his astuteness and resolve. “I will say the same thing,” she said with resolution. It wouldn’t be an easy conversation to have, but Jonah was right, she needed to tell Felix before they got married.

  Would Felix leave her because of the kiss? Her heart ached at the thought.

  As though reading her thoughts, he gave her a smile filled with compassion. “He’s not going to let you go. I know him.”

  She drew in a deep breath and hoped he was right. “I hope so.”

  “I think I should leave.” His thumb jerked towards the door. “I don’t want Mum and Dad to walk in on us. Do you mind? We didn’t finish the party favours.”

  “It’s fine. I’d prefer to be alone and do them. You should go.”

  “Bye,” he said, turning and walking to the front door.

  “Bye,” she replied, her heart aching with an unfamiliar pain, that made her wonder if she’d made the right or wrong decision. Too late now. The decision had been made.

  Chapter 8

  Later that night, Felix walked into the bedroom and found her reading a book, wearing a gingham set that screamed cute pyjama party.

  Placing a cup of herbal tea next to her, he eyed her sleepwear. “No offense, but I do prefer you in something sexier.” Over the past few months, he’d bought her outfits that could only be described as racy. Sure she loved beautiful lingerie, but the ones Felix had chosen for her were more vixen and sluttish than what she would choose for herself. He’d laughed at her surprise, telling her how sexy she looked to him.

  “I wanted to talk to you,” she said.

  His face fell and he stopped unbuttoning his shirt. “If you ever want to kill my libido, just tell me you want to talk in that voice.”

  They shared a chuckle and he sat next to her on the bed. “Are you feeling better?”

  Placing her e-reader on the bedside table, she turned to him and said, “I don’t know how to say this but…”

  “You kissed Jonah today. Yep, he told me,” he said in a monotone.

  Her heart lifted, knowing Jonah had made it easier for her. “Did you punch him?”

  “Why would I hurt him?” he said with a voice that made her wonder what he really thought.

  “Are you jealous? I don’t want anything to come between us,” she said.

  He kissed her nose. “Babe, what we have is special. I would never find another woman like you.”

  She knew what he meant. No other woman would be as understanding as she was about his needs.

  “What about Megan?”

  “What about her?” he fired back at her.

  “You two were together.”

  “Babe, I’ve been completely honest with you. I’ve been with a lot of women, but I’m marrying you. Since we got together I have not touched or had sex with anyone but you.” He placed his hand on his heart. “I promise that you are the only woman for me.”

  The insecurities of her ordinariness plagued her. “I’m not sexy or hot.”

  “Kaylah, babe, I don’t need another woman when I have you,” he insisted. He tugged her cami to the side and pressed kisses against her shoulder, letting her know he wanted sex. “Jonah said it was a moment of weakness, said it was all his fault.”

  “It was,” she said. A moment of weakness but it was not just his fault but hers, too.

  He pulled her towards him and kissed her neck, biting and sucking it. “We’re good together.”

  This wasn’t good. All she could think about was how much she wanted Jonah’s lips tracing along the length of her neck. To have Jonah’s fingers touch her intimately.

  Suddenly Felix tugged off her top and she shrieked, covering her small breasts with her hands.

  “Seriously Kaylah, it’s a bit late for that, I’ve seen your breasts.” His hands moved to cup her breasts but her body froze, unable to relax as he touched her.

  “What’s the matter with you?” he snapped at her.

  “Nothing Felix, I’m enjoying myself,” she lied. She couldn’t relax and his touch was making her squirm. She hated herself.

  “You think I don’t know? Give me some credit, Kaylah.” He rolled onto his side of the bed and lay beside her.

  His words rang in her ears. Not only could she not relax and allow her fiancé to touch her, but she could think of nothing but his brother. God, what a mess.

  Felix, with all his experience, knew exactly how to pleasure her. But she didn’t want it. She craved Jonah’s wildness, his unpredictability, when he kissed her, that had left her heart racing.

  She had to stop thinking about Jonah and focus on her life ahead with Felix. She had no intention of giving up the life she’d chosen. Her children would never cry out at night, wondering where their mother was or why their father had deserted them.

  No, she and her children would be surrounded by love and family.

  And the sooner that Jonah returned to Samoa, the quicker she could get over him, focus on Felix and not fantasise about being with the best man, instead of the groom.

  It was Friday morning, the day before the wedding, and Jonah’s belly was rolling like tumbleweeds in the desert. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, as he had for hours.

  He’d barely slept and all he could think about was Kaylah in his arms, kissing her, touching her.

  How could he betray his brother by kissing his fiancée? Letting out a long breath of annoyance at himself, he made a plan. Plans were good.

  Getting away from Melbourne was his top priority, but he still had two days to go. Two long days that included a wedding before he could make his escape and b
ecome a recluse again.

  He scratched his chin and realised he needed some help. He couldn’t do this alone anymore. The burden of shame and the pressure of doing the right thing had resulted in sleeping barely a couple of hours.

  Needing some advice, he arose from his bed and went to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. Dressing in shorts and T-shirt, he walked barefoot to the kitchen and wasn’t surprised to find his father sipping coffee and reading the newspaper.

  “Do you ever sleep?” he rubbed his eyes and made his way to the coffee machine.

  A coffee pod later, and with an espresso in hand, he walked to the table and sat next to his father.

  “What’s the matter, son? You look like you have the world’s problems on your shoulders.” He clapped his hand on his arm. “What’s going on? I’ve never seen you like this?”

  Taking a sip of coffee, Jonah stole a look at the doorway.

  “Don’t worry about your mother. She’s exhausted,” he said with reassurance. “She’ll be in bed till much later.”

  “Tell me what’s upset you so much?” he leaned back in his chair, looking at his son with such love and concern that Jonah felt his heart break in two.

  His father had always been there for him. How could he hurt him? He didn’t know if telling the truth or lying would be the best way forward.

  Fiddling with his cup, he stared at the black coffee. Black. It matched his mood and his sleepy brain.

  “Just tell me. There’s nothing that you could say that would upset me.” The older man said in a comforting voice.