Radiance

by Shayne McClendon

  “I love you, too. Tell Harper from me and then tell him from you.”

  “I will. Goodnight, Brie.”

  Turning off all the lights, she climbed under her blankets. She felt much better.

  * * *

  Disconnecting, Elijah sent the final photo to Harper and he moaned when it delivered.

  “Dear lord, that ass.”

  “Agreed.” He paused. “She said to tell you she loves you and remind you that I love you as well.”

  Silver eyes lifted to his. “Lovely of her.” He saved each of the photos and tucked his phone in his suit jacket. “Where do you see me in this arrangement, Elijah?”

  “I don’t understand the question.”

  “Withdrawn.”

  Elijah considered. “Are you alright?”

  “Of course.” He opened his laptop as the plane lifted off.

  “Harper.” Waiting for his full attention, he murmured, “A little longer.”

  “Yes. Then we’ll see what happens. I find myself more curious than ever before.”

  For a long time, he stared at his oldest friend and tried to figure out the emotional element of a relationship that had never discussed them, focused on them, or even cared about them in some ways.

  Brie was right. He had no clue how to navigate it.

  * * *

  During last fittings for her bridesmaid gown a few days later, Brie’s eyes widened in shock at the final result of Natalia’s design.

  “Um, this is…”

  “You need to be pure sex, Brie,” her friend explained. “It’s black, classy, and going to lay over your golden flesh like a second skin.”

  She didn’t usually show so much and her scars made her self-conscious. “I’m going to have a nip slip in this. I’m going to bend over and my tits are going to fall out.”

  Raising one blonde brow, Natalia’s response was, “We can only hope, darling.”

  “I can’t be a sex kitten at your wedding…”

  “The fuck you can’t. Leave me alone and let me work.” She turned to the seamstress and mumbled, “Woman is getting laid if I have to supply the ropes to tie her ass down.”

  Unable to contain the fit of laughter the words provoked, Brie left the shop and waited across the street at the coffee shop.

  She lost all decorum around her friends. It made her happy.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  June 20, 2015 – The Wedding

  “I don’t think I should have worn white, Gabriella. I mean…really.” Natalia stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror with a small frown between her eyes. “My mother is probably scandalized.”

  Brie snorted. “Yeah, right. She’s fabulous and ridiculously chic. Besides, she told you if you held a black and white wedding and then tripped down the aisle in beige – a color she looked ill to say – it would throw off the entire thing. So! Rock that designer gown that looks like it was painted on your fantastic body and anyone who doesn’t like it can fuck off.”

  Turning, the blonde took Brie’s shoulders. “Are you sure you’re okay? You pushed your recovery.”

  Lifting her hands, she cupped Natalia’s cheeks. “You and Hudson deserve every single beautiful thing life has to offer. I’m as anxious and excited as you are and if I pushed myself a little bit, I consider the outcome more than worth it. I feel amazing. If I get tired, I’ll sit down.”

  Turning the slim woman toward the mirror, she stared around her shoulder. “Look at you, Natalia. You’re dressed in a wedding gown and about to become the wife of the man you’ve loved for more than thirty years.” She blinked back her tears. “My happiness for you fills me up.”

  “Don’t make me cry, darling,” she whispered. Raising a long-fingered hand, she placed it over Brie’s. “I’m so grateful for you, for your friendship.”

  Sniffling, Brie shook her head and gave Natalia’s shoulders a hug. “We’re so emotional. Okay! I have to go check the lay of the land.”

  At the door, she paused and glanced back. “Natalia?” The blonde turned and the sunlight caught her just right. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to see Hudson’s face when he sees you. I’m going to watch him watch you.”

  Two slender hands covered her friend’s lower face and she smiled through happy tears.

  “Don’t get snot on your gown.” She winked. “I’ll be right back.”

  * * *

  After reassuring her best girlfriend and making sure she had everything she needed, Brie almost started bawling at the damn beauty of everything to do with a wedding she’d been waiting for as anxiously as the couple getting married.

  Closing the door of the bridal suite softly behind her, she walked as quickly as she was able to the other end of the hall and gave a soft tap on the door.

  “Enter.”

  The abrupt response made her grin as she swung the door wide. “Oh sweet lord, Hudson. You look fucking outstanding.”

  Her best friend, a title the man earned every day, was dressed in a tuxedo. His black hair was brushed back from his forehead and it was getting long enough that the natural waves were evident.

  “Gabriella…I am a goddamn wreck. You look lovely.”

  Her eyes widened as she closed the door and stopped in front of him. “Thank you and we can fix whatever it is.”

  It was then that she realized he was having trouble with his tie.

  “I cannot count the number of times I’ve performed this unbelievably simple task. This is bullshit.”

  She pretended not to notice that his hands shook and gave him a bright grin. “It’s clearly the stupid tie. Let me.” Shooing his hands away, she took over until it laid properly. “There. Now you’re as perfectly perfect as your stunning bride to be.”

  His eyes met hers and she loved the way he gave his complete attention when he talked. “How is she? Any sign of cold feet?”

  “You damn well know better.” She smoothed his lapel and straightened his boutonniere. “She’s a little nervous and her emotions are close to the surface but I imagine those are feelings many brides share.”

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  She shrugged. “Nor would I.” His eyes flickered with an instant of sadness and she cupped his cheeks. “If the two of you don’t stop worrying about me, I’ll marry the first man I see.” Tucking a tiny stray hair behind his ear, she added, “I’m so damn proud of you, Hudson. For so many reasons.”

  “That means more than you realize, Brie. Seeing you back on your feet makes the day that much more special. I know you pushed so hard…”

  One finger over his lips, she insisted, “I’m fine. Not ready to walk the streets yet…wait, that makes me sound like hooker.” He gave her a full laugh. “Anyway, I’m great and you aren’t permitted to worry about anyone or anything on the most important day of your life. Promise?”

  “You remain the most fascinating human being to me.”

  “As you are to me. In my case, fascinating is often a synonym for weird but I’m cool with that.” She rubbed her hands together. “Now! What can I do to help before we get this show on the road? Any little tasks you need me to race out and do?”

  Glancing around, she gave a small scream at the sight of Harper and Elijah standing at the far end of the room, watching her.

  Neither had moved or made a sound since she walked in.

  “Elijah and Delkin are here,” Hudson explained. Rather unnecessarily, in her opinion.

  “Jesus. Yes, thank you, Hudson.” She inhaled carefully against the visceral reaction they caused. “Hello. I’m going to…go.”

  Pausing in the act of turning toward the door, Brie knew she couldn’t allow the presence of men she thought about more often than was healthy to stop her from saying what she needed to say.

  Turning back, she gave her best friend a gentle smile. “I can’t express how honored I am to be part of this moment in your life. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Hudson. Thank you for a million things, big and
small.” She hugged him carefully but he wasn’t having it and gathered her tightly to him. “Don’t be nervous. It’s all going to be just right because that’s exactly what you deserve.”

  Releasing him, he cupped her face and bent to kiss her forehead. “It was you. We won’t forget.”

  “Don’t make me cry,” she whispered. Squeezing his hand, she turned for the door.

  “Gabriella.” Glancing over her shoulder, she met his eyes. “Had Natalia not called dibs, you’d have been my best man rather than her maid of honor.” He shrugged. “As it was, I had to go with my oldest…friend.”

  Looking at Harper, his pewter eyes called to her, as did the green ones beside him. She refused to think about how good the friends looked in their tuxedos.

  She had shit to do.

  “You made an excellent choice, Hudson.” She laughed. “However, I’d have loved watching a seamstress struggle to get my ass in a tux. I’ll see you out there.”

  Just outside, she experienced a fit of nervous giggles barely muffled by her hands. Finally able to calm herself, she returned to Natalia’s side.

  * * *

  An hour later, Brie stood on one side of the altar while Hudson and Harper stood on the other. Elijah sat in the first row. She could feel his gaze.

  As Natalia appeared thirty feet away, the guests gasped and murmured about her incredible beauty but Brie kept her eyes firmly on Hudson. The love, the near worship he held for his woman was evident on every inch of his face.

  It made her heart feel full to overflowing.

  Watching every step Natalia took down the aisle toward him, Hudson never blinked.

  Gabriella saw the shimmer of tears in his eyes and understood the journey the couple had taken to get to this place, this moment, in the history of their relationship.

  It was knowledge she treasured and she was overjoyed to be a witness to it. Searing the moment into her mind, she knew she would sketch it later.

  Handing over her bouquet with trembling hands, Natalia turned to her fiancé. Within mere moments, after more than thirty years of friendship, they were married at long last.

  Those assembled stood to clap and cheer.

  The newly wedded couple turned and bent as one to kiss her cheeks. Natalia’s voice trembled with emotion, “Did you see?”

  Nodding happily, Brie was unable to stop a tear from slipping down her cheek. She replied softly, “It was the single most beautiful moment I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime and I won’t ever forget it.”

  They hugged her tightly between them. “I love you both so much. Congratulations. Now go greet your guests as husband and wife…because it’s about damn time.”

  Laughing, they turned and spoke to Harper before walking up the aisle. Natalia’s hand was through Hudson’s arm and he held her there securely.

  With her hands clasped over her heart and a smile that felt far too big for her face, Brie watched them take the first steps into their true future together.

  “Gabriella.”

  Inhaling sharply, she met Harper’s eyes. He held out his arm and she put her hand through it robotically. His warmth radiated through the expensive fabric.

  He placed his other hand over hers and gently stroked her skin with his thumb. She glanced up at him and he smiled. It was the first time she’d seen an expression on his face that neared actual happiness when he looked at her.

  It stole her breath.

  “Naturally, we’ll be required to dance.” He winked. “I’ll be careful with you, Brie.”

  Hudson’s oldest male friend led her toward the waiting limo that would carry them across town to the luxurious reception. Elijah fell into step at her other side. They pretended not to hear Riya call her name across the room.

  Brie wondered if it was possible for a human heart to literally beat out of a person’s chest. She knew the next few days would test the theory.

  As they gently assisted her into the supple interior, Harper murmured, “Your time is now up, Gabriella.”

  The limo door closed quietly and she found herself wrapped in a cocoon with two men who inspired her every sexual fantasy for ten months…and fulfilled many of them without even realizing it.

  They were instantly on her, stroking their hands over and under the thin silk she wore.

  Concealed from the outside world less than ten minutes after her friends said their vows, Brie determined that Natalia had been absolutely right about the dress.

  “I want you naked. I’ll settle for exposed.” Harper’s hands slid beneath the straps of the bodice that had a hell of a lot more support than it looked. He slid them off her shoulders, baring her upper body.

  Her nipples drew even tighter and neither man hesitated to lower their mouths to them. Arching into them with a low moan, she settled her hands on the back of their heads.

  Releasing the tip with a soft pop, Elijah’s mouth claimed hers with ferocity. His body pressed along her side and his erection throbbed through the layers of their clothes.

  Their hands stroked her everywhere and she chaotically wondered what they could accomplish before they reached the reception venue.

  “Time. How much time?” She didn’t recognize her voice.

  “Too goddamn little, however much it is,” Harper said sharply. She laughed unevenly and he rested his head above her breast. The heat of the breath sawing in and out of his mouth felt wonderful. “Fuck, Gabriella.”

  “A wonderful idea but not even a quickie is possible.”

  His answering laugh made her grin. “I feel like an adolescent. Complete lack of control.”

  “I’d like to officially say hello and ask how you’ve been.”

  Sitting up, she took them in. She hadn’t seen them since the yacht party. She needed a minute to get her breathing under control.

  Gripping her tightly, both men lifted their heads to look at her.

  The skin around Elijah’s mouth and eyes was tight. “I thought I was going to swallow my fucking tongue when I saw you in this dress, Brie.”

  “Natalia’s selection.”

  “She’s a fucking genius.” Harper raked his hand through his hair. “Okay. We have to get you together, Gabriella. No way are we escorting you from this limo looking freshly fucked.”

  “If only…” Her tone was wistful.

  “Stop talking. Stop looking at me like that or we’ll disappoint the newlyweds. I need to be inside you more than I require social acceptance.”

  “I’ll behave.” She shrugged the straps of her bodice into place and sat up to straighten the skirt.

  “It’s a crime against humanity to cover those tits,” Elijah said with a sad shake of his head. He reached out to pet them through silk. “Don’t worry, you’ll be free again soon enough.”

  Laughing, she reached past him for a bar towel and club soda. “You have my lipstick everywhere.”

  “Not yet…but I will.”

  Whimpering, she wet the towel and wiped the traces of red from his lips. “Tell him to stop talking.” Elijah took the towel and ran it over her jaw and neck where he’d trailed it.

  Harper grinned. “I can’t. He can kill me in twelve different ways.”

  She looked at him and quirked her brow. “While I can only think of one.”

  “Ouch.”

  Elijah used his thumb and forefinger to turn her face to him. “I’ll teach you the others.” Then he kissed the tip of her nose and smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear.

  “The two of you are not to form an alliance.”

  Brie smiled as she looked into green eyes she dreamed about every time she closed her eyes. “Too late. You’re toast and you’re going to love every fucking minute.”

  Harper stroked his palm over her breast and nodded. “You possess an unfair advantage. They’re just so pretty.”

  The limo pulled to the curb and she took a deep breath. Elijah left the limo first when the driver opened the door, followed by Harper who reached back for her hand.

  On solid
ground, she whispered, “I’m so wet. I feel as if I could come from a cool breeze.” Both of them tensed to get back in the car but she called out, “Riya!”

  “Your ass is mine, Brie.”

  “Elijah, I look forward to finding out exactly what you plan to do with it.” As her friend approached with her men, she removed her hand from Harper’s arm and kissed her cheeks.

  Staring at the two men at Brie’s sides, Riya’s eyes went wide. “Well…okay then. I made Rodney break the speed limit to catch up. Wasn’t sure you’d actually make it to the reception with the way they hustled you out of there.” Clearing her throat, she murmured, “You missed a bit of lipstick.”

  Glancing down, a smudge of red glared along the inside swell of her breast. Max handed her a handkerchief with a smile. Riya clustered closer so she could remove it then took the linen and perfected her lipstick line.

  Tawny appeared in their midst. “I assume they’re going to officially pop your two dude ménage cherry tonight now that you’re all flexible and shit.”

  Brie rolled her eyes. “Oh for god’s sake, Red.”

  “It’s been dude one, chick two so far and let me tell you what, the dude one, dude two dynamic is pretty fucking awesome. Side note, you deserve it. The tests they put you through were no joke so I’m glad that shit’s over.” Elijah frowned but Tawny had more to add. “I thought those bitches were going to break your bones again during a couple of those torture sessions.”

  “They had to be sure,” Brie murmured. Finger under her chin, Elijah had questions in his eyes. “I’m fine. It’s done.”

  “I didn’t know, Brie. I thought it was just a checkup.”

  “Good thing you weren’t there. That would have made it way worse. How much pain she was in would have fucked you up. She doesn’t suck any of my body parts and I was ready to slit their throats.”

  Weakly, Brie said, “Thank god for Riya. Natalia threatened to call her lawyer.”

  “That’s because Blondie and I were escorted out about halfway through. I love that classy bitch.” Tawny cleared her throat. “Now, some advice I forgot to mention before because you weren’t getting the D on the regular. Keep track of your panties, that’s all I’m saying. Those fucking things end up everywhere.”