Married a Stripper

by M. S. Parker

  I was glad I had too. As Paul came walking toward us, I grinned at him. He tipped his hat at me before going to take the luggage. Catherine tried to insist she could get it and I laughed.

  “He won’t stop arguing until you let him. He’ll stonewall you and make you feel bad in the process.”

  Paul gave her a polite smile. Catherine blew out a breath and turned her carry-on over while Jackson put the suitcase down. He’d already had the run-in with Paul. As Paul dealt with the luggage, I hooked my arm through my sister’s and dragged her closer to the car.

  “Gabby, I knew the guy you were marrying had money, but darlin’ this is something else.”

  We slid into the car after she took a moment to hug my parents. Jennifer was inside with the boys, playing with the remote for the TV and when she looked at Catherine, she grinned. “Awesome, huh?”

  “Mind-blowing.”

  “I can’t believe you’re going to be…shit, Gabby. You’ll be like a millionaire too.” Catherine glanced at our mother, but she was too busy staring at everything to reprimand my sister for the language.

  I tried not to squirm and let them see my discomfort. The money had never mattered to me. I still couldn’t think of any of it as my money. Sighing, I said, “I won’t be a millionaire, Cat. It’s not my money.”

  She looked like she wanted to argue, but my mother touched her hand. “What matters is that Gabriella has found somebody who makes her happy. Right, Catherine?”

  “Right.” Catherine started pushing buttons on the sound system and we jerked as one button left our eardrums ringing. The noise assaulted us while I fumbled with how to turn it off. Cody knocked my hands aside and dealt with it easily.

  “Hands off,” I said to Catherine. “I want to be able to hear what’s going on.”

  “Spoilsport.” She made a face at me. Then she grinned. “So, I hear tell you’ve got some sort of fancy interview coming up?”

  I shot my sister, Jennifer, a dark look. I’d told her in a moment of excited weakness and, as usual, she’d been unable to keep the secret. I waited for the jealous outburst about how I was getting everything and she’d worked so hard and was left with so little. Instead, she hugged me.

  “That’s so awesome,” Catherine said, pride in her voice. “And just think of the look that will be on some faces when I go back home and talk about how you’re doing here in the big, bad city.”

  We all laughed and I felt myself relaxing more than I had in quite a while. The conversation drifted from there and we got to talking about friends back home, who had gotten married, who was pregnant, who was getting divorced. Amber lit up when she discussed some of the ideas she had and she shyly asked my opinion on a few things. I found myself growing to like Jackson’s fiancé even more than I had before.

  As we continued through the concrete canyons of the city, I let myself get lost in the familiar rhythm of my family. Soon, we’d have to head to the hotel and then worry about the rehearsal, the dinner...but for now, I could relax.

  The rehearsal dinner was being held at the country club, of course. No Bouvier would ever consider something as simple as a restaurant or catering, not even for something as simple as this.

  We’d already done the wedding rehearsal and I’d tripped over every other word. I was only slightly mollified by the fact that Edward had seemed to trip over every third word. Still, the look Claire had given me had made me feel like I’d been the only one to mess up. Mom had hugged me afterward and promised that the nerves were normal. Tomorrow, she’d said, would be different.

  Tomorrow. I didn’t want to think about tomorrow, not when I was still swimming in the shark tank.

  The queen shark, aka my monster-in-law-to-be, approached me for the first time. She’d pretended to be busy at the rehearsal so she hadn’t had time to meet anyone. Her husband, Albert, had been polite, if a little distant.

  Now, I could see that it was time for her to make sure everyone knew their place. Claire’s eyes ran over my mother’s dress. Mom had gone shopping before she came up, she’d told me earlier. She’d laughingly told me that she had spent more money on those two dresses than she normally spent on clothes in a year—or three years.

  She’d also looked guiltily pleased with herself, so I tried not to feel bad about the expense. The dresses were lovely. She’d shown them to me at the hotel and I suspected Dad would love seeing her in them.

  She’d bought them from the Dillard’s at the mall back home, the only place for anyone in that area to go for something nicer than the typical fare. Although Dillard’s was really out of the price range for my family, I knew the nice department store was like the bottom of the barrel for the Bouviers.

  Recognizing the glint in Claire’s gaze, I protectively stepped in front of my mother and gave Edward a warning look. I had warned him what would happen if Claire said anything to hurt my family over the weekend, and it wouldn’t be pretty.

  Edward caught the hint and stepped to my side. “By the way, Mrs. Baine, I hadn’t the chance yet to tell you how lovely you look,” he said with his usual charming smile. “That color is very flattering on you. I can easily see where Gabriella gets her beauty from.”

  My mother blushed but laughed the compliments away. “I can see why she’s so taken with you, Edward. You’re quite the charmer.”

  Then she cocked her head as though she heard something. “I think Jennifer is calling me. If you’ll excuse me.” She nodded at us and walked away, shoulders back and head held high.

  Something told me that she’d read the tension between Claire and me just fine. My mother, being the class act that she was, had removed herself from the field before the battle could start. A surge of love went through me.

  Claire arched an eyebrow at me. “It’s a pity you didn’t inherit her grace.”

  “It’s a pity your mother never taught you any,” I retorted.

  “Mom, Gabriella.” That was all Edward said, but the tone made it clear what he wanted.

  I made a point of turning my back on Claire as I hooked my hands through Edward’s elbow and rose on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you. You made her day,” I told him. “Dad thinks she’s beautiful, but he doesn’t always think to tell her so.”

  He didn’t look at his mother either. “I’ll be sure to tell you often, Gabriella. Have I told you today?”

  I found myself smiling, but before I could respond, Claire spoke up, her voice cold. “You two should mingle and greet your guests.”

  She turned on her heel and stormed away.

  Edward gave me a look and I let go of his arm. “Go after her. As long as she doesn’t go after my family, I’ll be good.”

  Edward nodded. As he went off to play peacemaker, I turned to play hostess. At least I knew most of the people here. October would be a different story.

  Catherine and I stood near a window, sipping champagne as we waited for the meal to be served. We’d already had shrimp cocktail and tiny little mushroom tarts and other tasty little things that left my belly pleasantly full. Estelle had done well picking the menu for tonight and we hadn’t even eaten dinner yet. At least I wouldn’t be drinking on an empty stomach when we went out for my bachelorette party later.

  “He certainly seems to be watching you a lot,” Catherine said, her voice low.

  Instinctively, I looked over at the table where Flynn was sitting. I knew the moment I did that I’d made a mistake. I should have looked toward Edward and made a comment about how I stared at him too.

  But no.

  I had to look at the man I shouldn’t be staring at.

  “So you’ve noticed.” She paused, and then added, “Is there something going on there?”

  Heat fluttered in my belly. I ignored it. I was tempted to ignore her question, but I knew better than to ignore my sister. I just hoped she wasn’t fishing for personal information because she was interested in him. My stomach twisted. The last thing Catherine needed was another guy who’d leave her.

  At
least, that’s the excuse I gave for the way I felt when I thought about her and Flynn together.

  I managed to keep my voice light. “What do you mean? He’s Edward’s brother and one of the groomsmen, by the way.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  Judging by the shrewd look in her eyes, she knew I was dodging her. I took another sip of my champagne and sighed. “Okay. Then what did you mean?”

  “Well...” Her heavy drawl drew the word out and she gave me a wicked grin. “Other than the fact that he’s looking at you like he wants to eat you for dinner? Oh, never mind. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything. Except, oh wait. He’s your fiancé’s brother. And he’s looking at you like he wants to eat you up.”

  Her words brought an immediate and vivid image of me on my back, Flynn sprawled between my legs as his mouth moved between my thighs. The pang of longing and want that went through me was so visceral, I felt myself growing wet. My nipples tightened and my hands instinctively clenched.

  I needed to close this off. Now. I glared at my sister. “Would you stop? What’s wrong with you? He’s my fiancé’s brother,” I hissed.

  I knew I was flushed now, from arousal, not embarrassment, but Catherine didn’t need to know that. But the quiet, speculative look she gave me made me think she already did. If there was one thing my sister knew, it was what it was like to want someone she shouldn’t.

  As my blush spread up to stain my cheeks, Catherine’s eyes darted over my shoulder and I pulled myself together as Edward came to stand next to me, his expression concerned.

  “Gabriella, are you alright? You’re looking rather flushed.”

  “Oh, it’s just the excitement. And my sister.” I glared at her. “She’s always trying to get me riled.” I heard the south come out in that last word.

  “That’s what siblings do, isn’t it?” He smiled at her warmly and then held out his arm. “It’s time for the meal to be served.”

  Grateful for the change in subject, I accepted his arm. As he led me back to the table, I sought out the clock. How much longer until this was over?

  I had told myself I wouldn’t spend the evening drinking, but suddenly I was desperate to get to my bachelorette party. I needed a drink or three and it needed to be a lot stronger than the pale amber liquid in my glass. Something to blank my mind so I wouldn’t keep thinking about Flynn.

  Damn Catherine.

  “Just what is it that you do for a living?” Claire had a polite smile on her face as she looked from my mother to father.

  My mother was the one to speak. Dad had always been the quieter sort. They’d always balanced each other well that way.

  “Farming.” Mom touched my father’s arm and smiled at him with love and pride. “Fourth generation farmers.”

  My dad nodded as he sipped from the pilsner beer one of the servers had brought him. He wouldn’t touch wine or champagne for anything. Cody, and then Flynn had also ordered beer. I’d gotten the impression Cody hadn’t really cared either way what he had to drink, but didn’t want my father to feel out of place. Flynn, however, had probably done it just to get a rise out of his parents. Claire’s mouth tightened more every time she looked at them. I’d almost ordered one myself, but I really didn’t like the taste of beer enough to drink it just to annoy her. That would’ve been taking it a bit too far.

  “Farming…” Claire smiled. “How quaint.”

  That had my dad’s eyebrows going up, and I knew he was going to break his silence.

  “Quaint.” He chuckled and lowered his drink. He was completely polite, but there was no mistaking the steel in his words. “I guess if you think being able to eat is quaint, Mrs. Bouvier, then sure, farming is quaint. Like that salad you’re eating. It’s very quaint.”

  I swallowed down a laugh and hid my smile behind my glass. If she thought she was going to make my father feel substandard simply because he worked the land, she was in for a disappointment. My mom might’ve been the more out-spoken one, but I hadn’t inherited my pride and stubborn streak from only one of my parents.

  Her gaze drifted to my mother. “And you?”

  “Well, I guess you’d call me a first generation farmer. I’d planned to go to school and be a teacher, but life got in the way.”

  Duncan raised his hand and gave a rueful grin. It was a common family joke. “Call me life.”

  “You are life.” Love shown in my mother’s eyes as she looked at my older brother, then at each of us. “You’re my life—mine and your father’s.”

  “Mama,” I said, my voice thick.

  “Don’t go getting all weepy,” Dad said, his voice gruff. “She’s been crying off and on all week, Gabriella.” He gave me an awkward pat on the arm from his position next to me. I covered his hand with mine and squeezed.

  I almost hugged him, but I thought if I did, I’d definitely start to cry.

  Across from me, Claire opened her mouth, but Cody cut her off. “Your farm, sir. How many acres do you own?”

  I gave him a grateful look.

  “Oh…” With a thoughtful frown, my father put his fork down and rubbed his hand on his cheek. Normally, he’d have some scruff, but he’d gone completely clean-shaven for the wedding. “I guess about four hundred now.” He glanced at my mom and she nodded.

  Albert looked up at that. “Did you say four hundred acres?”

  “About that.” Dad shrugged. “Used to be larger, but bits and pieces were sold off. We have to hire in help to keep up now. Might be looking to sell off some more later down the road.”

  My eyes widened. What was he talking about? “Dad…?”

  He glanced at me and shook his head. “It’s nothing, baby. Jackson’s not a farmer, that’s all. None of you are.”

  An ache settled in my chest as he covered my hand and squeezed. I rested my head against his shoulder. I’d never even considered what would happen if my siblings didn’t want to take over the farm. It was home and always had been.

  Suddenly, I became aware that Claire was frowning at me. I straightened and looked over at Cody with a smile. “You should be careful asking Dad about farming, Cody. He might invite you down and put you to work.”

  Cody laughed. “Nobody wants my black thumbs around anything that’s expected to be edible.”

  “All it takes is care,” Dad said easily, shrugging. “You got patience and a good eye, you can be taught the rest.”

  “I hardly—”

  “Mother,” Edward said warningly.

  “I bet you’d look really cute riding a tractor, Cody,” Jennifer said, grinning at him. My younger sister might’ve looked more like me and Mom, but she definitely had Catherine’s flirtatious tendencies. Even with Cody. “And just think of all the good-looking farm-boys you could corrupt.”

  “Oh man.” Cody’s eyes started to gleam.

  Claire sniffed imperiously and snapped her fingers at the waiter, gesturing for more wine.

  This time, I didn’t bother hiding my laugh.

  “Ohhhhh…boy. If Mama was here, she’d be washing our eyes with soap,” Suzanne said, shouting to be heard over the pulsing music.

  I wondered how long it had been since she and Allison had been out on their own. They were clearly enjoying themselves tonight. The guys were with Edward at his bachelor party and since Jennifer was only seventeen, she and our parents were watching all the kids so their mothers could enjoy themselves.

  I nodded, staring at the man as he made the most of that bump and grind music, grinding against Kendra as she moved against him with the sexy sensuality that came so easily to her. He’d already come around once and gone to his knees in front of me, but I’d kept my monster margarita between us and he’d moved on.

  “Mama would be too busy laughing at him to fuss at us. Look at all the baby oil on him,” Catherine said. Her dark eyes gleamed in a way that told me I’d better keep an eye on her or I’d end up having to get her out of the stripper’s bed tomorrow.

  His muscles gleamed with i
t, but I found myself thinking of another man’s muscles. A body that was just as hard although long and lean. Defined muscles, but not somebody who pumped and flexed in front of a mirror. Not naturally muscular like Cody either, but still strong...

  “I don’t mind that baby oil.” Suzanne giggled and waved some dollars at him.

  I could have smacked her.

  Sure enough, the stripper came back our way and after he’d teased every last bill from Suzanne, he focused his attention back on me. “How’s the bride to be?” he asked with a wide smile. “You want one last dance?” He thrust his pelvis at me suggestively as he held out a hand, but I shook my head.

  I was already overheated and tired, and for some reason, this bachelorette party wasn’t as much fun as I’d imagined. Tipping my drink at the gleaming man in front of me, I shouted, “I’ll enjoy the show from down here.”

  Bad idea.

  I ended up having two of them on either side of the chair, one grinding against the back while the other straddled my legs and gave me a good idea of his body hygiene practices. He waxed.

  The thought popped through my head and I had to bite the inside my cheek to keep from giggling.

  “Here!”

  Kendra appeared at my side and shoved a couple of bills down the G-string. He nodded at her and both he and his partner disappeared. I wilted in the seat and stared up at the ceiling, almost lost in the bright lights that flashed through the place. Strippers had always been fun before…when they were pestering the bride, but tonight…tonight I was the bride.

  “I need some air,” I shouted to nobody in particular and stood up, fighting my way through the chairs while still managing to hold on to my margarita. Miraculously, very little spilled and I was able to disappear out the back door onto a patio that was choked with smoke.

  This was not better.

  Waving a hand in front of my face, I stumbled a little farther off into the dark and took a long, deep drink from the margarita. The cool, tart liquid offered some relief from the late summer heat, but my head was already spinning. I’d eaten at the rehearsal dinner, but I’d drank a decent amount there too.