Loving Jade: Flynn's story - Riverstone Estate Series - standalone

by Roya Carmen

  I bite down a laugh – Aiden and I were cut from the same cloth. “Well, it’s your wedding day… you don’t have much choice, do you?”

  He blows out a nervous breath. “Thanks, buddy. Thanks for being my best man.”

  I pat him on the shoulder. “Of course… we’ve known each other practically our whole lives.”

  “You’ll be a busy guy,” he says. “You also need to walk her down the aisle,” he reminds me.

  “Looking forward to it.” Yes… Amber and I have always had a special connection – we are so much alike. Ruby is so different and so much younger. She’s always been a sweet gal but she and I have never been quite as close as Amber and I are.

  “I’ll be good to her,” he promises.

  “I know,” I say and grin at him. “Now, don’t take this as a come-on but you’re looking good, buddy. You’ve shaved and everything.”

  He cracks up. “I’m looking a lot better than you. Couldn’t even bother to shave for your sister’s wedding?”

  I scratch my beard – it’s my signature – I feel naked without it. “Never.”

  “I get it,” he quips. “The ladies probably love it.”

  I smile, thinking about Jade. I think she likes it. It’s hard to know with women – beards are kind of a love-hate thing. Some women can’t get enough of them, and some women hate them. I smile as I think of all the kisses we shared, all of them amazing; desperate and full of passion… crazy intense. And last night. Fuck. She’s a different woman when she kisses me. When she sinks into my mouth, I practically dissolve. I love the way her hands dig into my hair and my beard like she can’t get enough of me.

  “Yeah, I think they do.”

  He blows out another breath as he straightens his collar. “Let’s do this.”

  We step out of the banquet hall into the cool November afternoon. My eyes scan the seated crowd. I recognize so many faces; uncles and aunts, cousins, friends. Everyone looks amazing; dressed to the nines. I’ve barely had a chance to chat with anyone, and it will have to wait until the reception.

  Amber and Aiden got lucky. They were ready to have the wedding inside, cramped in our small indoor chapel, but the weather cooperated. It’s a little cool but this is so much better – the scenery can’t be beat; sky, hills and horses as far as the eye can see. And we’re quite secluded here, under the God made alcove of large oaks and maples.

  As the best man, I’m in charge. I quickly chat with Patricia, the wedding coordinator and the priest. Everything seems to be in order. Laurie, a friend of the family, is seated at the keyboard, ready to go. Aiden and Trevor make their way to the front and take their positions.

  Aiden is beaming. His expression makes me a little sentimental – I know how much he loves my sister. I grin at the memory of them as kids. It’s hard to believe they used to hate each other. He used to be such a bully but I think he’s loved her since the first day he laid eyes on her.

  Trevor is adorable in his suit and he’s doing a great job staying still – can’t be easy for an eight year old. He looks up at me with so much tension in his eyes. He wasn’t crazy about holding the little dainty pillow with the rings but I told him it was the most important job of all. “Without the rings, the wedding can’t happen,” I pointed out. Now, the poor kid’s probably developing an ulcer, stressing about it. “Almost time,” I whisper into his ear.

  My mind is full of Jade. I can’t wait to see her. I’ve already seen the yellow dress but I can’t wait to see the rest of her. God, she was beautiful last night. I keep reliving it – I can’t get it out of my mind. I’ve been with my share of women but no one has ever affected me like her. I’ve never been so infatuated.

  I must like trouble. I’ve never had a hard time picking up women. I could have my pick if I put my mind to it – go to bars, sign up on those dating sites, go Tinder-crazy. I’ve never even been on Tinder. I hear my buddies talk about it all the time. Apparently, it’s a sure-fire way to get laid.

  But no… I don’t like things easy. I prefer to fall for a broken married women with a soon-to-be ex who might just be certifiable. I must have some kind of death wish.

  Patricia and I jog back over to the dressing room, full of nervous energy.

  I knock on the ladies dressing room door, eager to see Jade.

  Ruby opens the door. “Took you long enough. Are they ready for us?”

  “Yes,” Patricia says. “Are you all ready?”

  Amber makes an appearance – she looks breathtaking. I pull her in for a hug.

  “Watch it, Flynn… the veil.”

  “You look amazing, little sis.”

  A sweet little girl bounces out of the washroom. She must be about five years old. I’m not even sure who she is but she’s crazy cute – blond ringlets, big blue eyes, and a sweet frilly dress.

  Then Jade follows her.

  As gorgeous as Amber is today, she’s not the most beautiful woman in this room. Jade is something else in that dress and heels. I’ve seen the dress before but she’s even sexier today. Her hair is up in a loose bun and her pretty neck is on display. She smiles shyly as she inches toward me, a little unsure. I love it when she wears her hair up – I just want to kiss, lick and bite that neck. I barely had a chance to taste her last night – everything just happened so fast. I’d wanted her so badly, I couldn’t quite get a hold of myself, couldn’t let myself take her slowly and revel in every inch of her.

  My mind indulges in the recollection of her bent over the couch for me, so aroused and eager. I shake the images from my mind. This is certainly not the time or place to have wicked thoughts about Jade.

  But fuck, I can’t wait to have her again.

  Ruby turns her back to Jade, flustered. “Could you zip me up.”

  “Why doesn’t this surprise me,” Amber smirks. “Ruby is always the last one ready,” she tells Jade.

  Jade is bashful as she steals a look at me every now and then. I know exactly what she’s thinking about… last night.

  The little flower girl is jittery and raring to go. She holds her small basket full of rose petals with a death grip. “You’ll do great,” Jade tells her and then turns to me. “She’s so adorable.”

  You’re adorable, I think.

  Patricia leads the little girl out. There’s a loud collective sigh and turn of heads as the sweet girl makes her entrance. She throws white petals on the ground. Everyone ooohhs an aaahhs as she moves at a snail’s space, not quite walking a straight line.

  Jade seems nervous as she sets off to walk down the aisle behind Ruby. Anna is next in line. Amber and I are next and I’m pretty damn nervous too.

  Not as much as Amber, though. I squeeze her hand and tell her she looks beautiful. I take the first step, her arm comfortably tucked in mine. I smile tightly at the onlookers; our family and friends. My eyes brim at the thought of our parents. They should be here for this. Our dad should be the one walking her down the aisle. My little brother Ken should be here too, smiling brightly at his twin sister on her wedding day. But it is what it is. We’re lucky enough to have each other, and Trevor, and all our friends.

  Aiden is beaming at the sight of her. I give her away to him with a sly grin. I know he’ll be good to her. And I know she’s crazy about him. There’s not much more to ask for. That’s what I’m looking for; someone I’m crazy about who is also insane about me. I think I might have that with Jade, but it’s so damn complicated with her.

  Jade and I shoot looks at each other and flirty grins. She chews at her bottom lip and I know exactly what that little devil is thinking. Damn, I can’t wait for this ceremony to be over. I don’t want to but I need to pull my gaze away from her or I might just go crazy. My gaze darts across the crowd and the wedding party. Trevor and the sweet flower girl are making faces at each other – tongues sticking out and crazy eyes. I grin at the sight of them and I catch Jade smiling at them too. Then she catches my gaze and for a fraction of a second, I shoot her my best goofy face. She stifles a laugh a
nd then she quickly gives me her best silly face too.

  God, I have it so bad for this woman.

  And I have a real bad feeling about it. I can’t shake it. I know it’s probably my overactive imagination going crazy. I’ve always been a bit of a worrier, always looking out for my little brother and sisters. And all my life, I’d done a good job.

  Until the night I wasn’t there when Ken decided to drink and drive. If I’d been there, I would have stopped him. I was angry at Aiden for a while because he didn’t stop him. But then again, he was probably too drunk to realize what they were doing. I couldn’t hold a grudge for too long, but I know Amber did. As I watch them kiss, newly married, it’s hard to believe how far they’ve come – Amber hated the man something fierce just a year ago.

  As we walk behind the happy couple, I look over at Jade who couldn’t be more gorgeous. She smiles shyly at the ground, and I suddenly want everyone to disappear. I want it to be just the two of us, just like we were last night.

  As soon as I get the chance, I’m taking her away and making her mine again.

  Jade

  I think about Flynn’s goofy face. It helps me smile genuinely. I’m standing next to Ruby, Amber, Anna and Keira, the flower girl. The photographer tells me to inch closer to Ruby and I shuffle my heels across the grass.

  “Perfect,” she says and she snaps another shot, one of many. With each click, I smile wider. It’s not hard to – all I can think about is Flynn and he makes me so happy. I can’t stop thinking about our last time together – God, he was amazing. I close my eyes for a split second to indulge in the memory of him; his mouth against my skin, our bodies pressed together, wild with abandon. We didn’t have a care in the world. There was no one on earth but the two of us. He made me feel like I’d never felt before – he made me feel whole. I don’t remember ever being this happy.

  It’s almost perfect. Almost. With Flynn, I have happiness, serenity and passion. But there’s also fear, unease and anxiety. I’m constantly on edge. I know Michael will be back for me. I know he won’t let me go without a fight. And I can’t bear the thought of what he might possibly do. I know he would never hurt me – he loves me too much. Yes, he might slap me around, but he would never dream of ending my life. I know him too well, and I know this without a doubt.

  But would he hurt Flynn? This, I don’t know. Michael is no idiot. He must know something’s going on between Flynn and me. And if he thinks Flynn’s in the way of the two of us getting back together, he might go crazy.

  I shake my head, not wanting to think about it. The next smile is strained as I struggle not to think about all this. Flynn watches me in the distance, a wide grin stretches across his beautiful face.

  “That’s it, ladies,” the photographer calls out. “You did great. The boys are up next.”

  Yes. I like this a lot better. I get to gawk at Flynn with no inhibition. He stands tall next to Aiden – the two of them are exactly the same height. And sweet little Trevor stands in the middle, grinning wildly. I can’t peel my eyes off Flynn; damn, the man is sinfully delicious in a suit. Just the sight of him makes my lady parts sing. I can’t wait for this photo shoot to be done with.

  As soon as the photo shoot is over, he catches up to me. He presses his large hand softly against the small of my back and whispers in my ear, his breath hot. “After I say hello to a few people, I’m taking you to my loft.” And then, he’s off to chat with an older couple, leaving me with a sinful promise I can’t get out of my mind.

  “Hey, sweetie.” Auntie Ruthie surprises me when she pops up next to me. I’d been so lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even notice her walking up to me.

  I give her a long hug. “Hi, auntie Ruthie. It’s so nice to see you.”

  “You too,” she says. “I’m lucky I didn’t break my heel walking over here.”

  I laugh. “Yes, it’s not easy walking in grass in heels,” I point out as I study her low classic silver heels – perhaps two inches high. “But what are you complaining about,” I tease with a playful grin. “Mine are twice as high as yours.”

  “And you’re also half my age,” she says cheekily.

  We smile at each other for the longest time, our gazes lost in each other. We’re saying so much without a single word. “How have you been?” she finally asks.

  I nod, mulling over her question. How have I been? I’m scared. I’m in love. I’m excited. I’m exhausted. I feel empowered. I also feel powerless. I’m anxious. I want to know what lies around the corner. I want time to speed up. I also want to capture this moment – what I have with Flynn. “I’m okay,” I finally manage but auntie Ruthie knows there’s so much more to it.

  “Did you file yet?” She doesn’t say the word ‘divorce’ because she doesn’t need to.

  “Yes.”

  She lets out a long breath and for a quick moment, she looks about twenty years older than her seventy-two years. “Have you seen him? Talked to him?”

  “Yes,” I say softly. “He came here twice… and he sent me a letter with roses—”

  She snickers. “Yeah, that’s Michael all right. He thinks roses will make it all better.”

  “He wants me back,” I tell her and when I say the words, they’re not only filled with fear, but also with longing and heartbreak.

  She shakes her head and fixes her gaze on me for the longest time. “He knows he can’t have you back, right? You told him so, I hope. You’re not going back to him.”

  I can sense her unease and I want to reassure her. “He knows but…”

  “But what?!”

  “I don’t think he’s taking no for an answer.”

  She closes her eyes, her hand pressed against her face. She rubs the tips of her fingers over her eyelid – the gesture reminds me of my mother. She would do this when she was exasperated with me and my sister.

  Her hand slowly traces the curve of her cheek, stretching the loose skin down, and finally she drops her arm and reaches for me. With a cold hand on my cheek, she says, “I’m worried about you, sweetie. Is anyone looking out for you?”

  Yes.

  I spot Flynn in the distance as he runs in our direction. My heart swells at the mere sight of him. “Yes,” I tell her. “I have a friend looking out for me.”

  He’s a bit breathless when he reaches us. “Hey, aunt Ruthie,” he wraps her into a huge bear hug; a real hug, not the fake kind; for appearances only, barely touching, half a second, kind.

  I never realized how close they were. All these years, this sweet red-haired boy was part of her life, and I never had a chance to meet him.

  “How have you been?” he asks, all smiles.

  “I’ve been great, Flynny. How about you?”

  Flynny. The sound of that makes me smile.

  “I’ve been great… busy with the horses as always.”

  She grins. “You’ve met my niece Jade, right?”

  He shoots me a playful grin, full of innuendo. “Yes, I’ve had the pleasure.”

  I stifle a smile. Auntie Ruthie cocks a brow and grins widely – she knows. Well, perhaps she doesn’t know, but she definitely suspects.

  “In fact, would you mind if I stole her away?” he asks politely, a hint of a smile tracing his lips.

  She grins. “For sure. You crazy kids go have fun.”

  “Thanks, aunt Ruthie.” He takes my hand and practically bounces away, pulling me with him. I can barely keep up with his long strides. “Hold up,” I call out, breathless. “I can’t keep up with you. I’m half your size,” I point out, “and I’m wearing four inch heels.”

  He stops and laughs. “I’m sorry.” He grabs my face and pulls me up to him, practically lifting me off the ground. He presses his mouth to mine and steals a hot kiss. And I melt.

  I just melt.

  But then, he pulls away cruelly. “I’m sorry. I just can’t wait to have you in my bed.”

  As soon as he closes the loft door behind us, he presses me against it. I cling to him, desperate. He di
ps his long body into mine and presses his large hands against my cheeks. He pulls my mouth to his and my tongue searches for his, wanting more. His mouth has never tasted so sweet, and the feel of his beard on my lips has never felt so perfect.

  I want more.

  I wrap one leg up around his hips and grab at his dress shirt, practically climbing him like a tree. He senses my eagerness, and digs a hand into my ass and pulls me up against the door. I lift my other leg up around him and I’m off the floor.

  I’m off the floor. I’m in heaven. I’m out of my mind.

  He pulls his mouth from mine, breathless. “I want you in my bed. I want to take it slow this time.”

  I smirk, my mouth wet and hot. “We don’t have much time,” I point out, always the good responsible girl. “People will wonder where we are.”

  “Let them wonder.” He bites my bottom lip gently and sinks his tongue into my mouth again. I melt into him as he slides his hand from my cheek, down along my neck, down to my shoulder and pulls at the thin spaghetti strap of my dress. I want to be completely naked for him. I want it slow too. I want to revel in every inch of him. I want to lick a slow line from his sweet mouth all the way down to his beautiful cock. I tear my lips from his. “Take me to your bed.”

  His gaze darkens as he takes me in. We stare at each other without a word. In his eyes, I see it all; the longing, the doubt, the fear. In those few seconds, I realize that he feels the exact same way I do. He knows we shouldn’t be doing this. He knows it will only lead to trouble. He knows all hell will break loose. But he doesn’t give a shit. He wants me. And nothing will stop him. Nothing will stop us. We’re in love.

  I wrap my arms around him tighter as he carries me to his cloud of a bed – a mattress on the floor, no headboard, unmade, covered in crisp white sheets and duvet, pillows thrown about – it’s perfect.

  As he gently lowers me and lays me down on his bed, my gaze clings to his. He’s so beautiful in the light of the day. The sunlight streams through the window and catches the red highlights in his hair, and I can even see the green specks in his large hazel eyes.