Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines)

by Kimi Flores

  Cracking up, Paul walked over to me, slapping my back. "Sorry, dude. When you told me you wanted to make sure nobody else got it if Bri had caught the bouquet, I told the guys to let you dive while they watched. Funniest shit ever." The bastard had to hold onto his stomach, he was laughing so hard.

  Bracing myself on my knees, I said sarcastically, “Yeah, real funny, asshole. Wait until you see what I do next. Your new wife may not be very satisfied with you anymore. I might just end up with a new admirer.”

  He stopped laughing abruptly. “Yeah, ain't gonna happen.”

  “Love your confidence, my friend.” I clapped his back.

  Shaking his head, Paul walked away, snickering.

  The DJ made another announcement, "Now it's time for the lucky lady with the bouquet and the gentleman with the garter to come out to the dance floor."

  Showtime.

  I waved Bri over. Taking a deep breath, she blew out through her mouth. “I’m not sure I should trust that naughty smile of yours.”

  Good, she saw it.

  I repositioned the chair Alison had just vacated, leaving plenty of room for me to show her, and everyone in the room, that she was mine.

  ⁂

  Bri

  I cautiously made my way toward the chair Josh had just moved. Looking around at every watchful eye, I was starting to get a little nervous.

  Josh promised to slowly drag that garter up my leg in front of all these people. He did say slowly, right?

  My head started to spin as I took the seat on the edge of the dance floor. He leaned in and mouthed the words ‘trust me’. I did trust him. Nodding, I watched him take off his jacket and strut toward the other side of the dance floor. Then the lights dimmed as the sultry beat of Justin Timberlake’s Sexy Back enveloped the room.

  Ohmigod…

  Frozen in my spot, I watched a spotlight hit Josh. He smiled wickedly as he started swirling and popping his hips to the beat of the music. Taking his time, he leisurely removed the garter wrapped around his bicep, slowly rolling his body down from his chest to his abdomen, and then thrusting his hips again.

  My quick breaths betrayed me.

  He locked eyes with me, as though we were the only people in the room, and this dance was for me and me alone. I was lost in his movements. He was dancing for me.

  Bent on one knee he slid across the dance floor. The move was so smooth, it looked like he’d been training for this. He forced his pelvis forward, then switched legs, slid, and popped his groin toward me again. Backing up, he silently dared me to look away. I couldn’t if I wanted to. I imagined his moves would rival the best male exotic dancers.

  Josh sprung toward me, skidding to a stop on his knees, then bending back. Casually, he stroked his palms over his chest, dragging his hands down to his stomach and, finally, running his fingers across his lower abdomen, gyrating his hips upward.

  Hot damn! I’m about to combust.

  He sat back on his heels, his eyes never moving from me. Placing my foot on his thigh, he watched my face as he kissed the garter then slipped my foot in. He spread the ruffled fabric with his fingers and, as promised, slowly slid the material up my leg, shamelessly running his hands along the same path.

  The beat of the music was still thumping through my body when he momentarily stopped at my knee. With his fingertips, he drew small circles on the skin just under the garter, before he continued his trail.

  Goosebumps erupted all over my body. Attempting to catch my breath, my chest heaved in and out. My over sensitized body pounded with desire and the knowing smirk Josh gave said he was well aware of his effect on me.

  With a sinful gaze, and not breaking eye contact, he inched the garter up a little bit further, using his thumbs to gently move the hem of my dress up until just the bottom of my tattoo was exposed. He stopped there, then gently removed his hands from my leg.

  I need some air. I felt like I was about to faint.

  He stood up as the lights came back on, bent forward and left one of the tenderest kisses on my lips. Looking into my eyes, he declared for the hundredth time today, “I love you, Bri.”

  Hoots and hollers roared from the crowd. They were probably doing it the whole time, but the blood pumping in my ears was so loud, I’d probably missed it.

  An older woman I didn’t know yelled out, "Hey, honey! If you don't want him, I'll take him."

  To hell with that!

  Josh pulled me out of the chair, into his arms.

  My heart beat profusely as I struggled to catch my breath. “How much longer do we have to stay?”

  “Just a little longer. Why? Are you okay?” He looked concerned.

  I imagined my face was red because I felt like I was on fire. I peered up at him and saw when he noticed the longing in my eyes. “It’s time for round two,” I whispered. “How soon can we leave?”

  Giving his own ravenous stare, he groaned, “Uh, now.” He tugged on my arm, heading toward the door when the wedding photographer approached, stopping us just as we were about to make our getaway. "How about a picture of you two?"

  "No thank you." I ducked around, rushing away, Josh in tow this time.

  He tugged on my arm. "Come on, Bri. Just a quick picture." He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my back to his front. “It’s for Alison. If we’re leaving early, the least we can do is take a picture for her wedding album.”

  "Fine." I gave in, turning so I was shoulder to shoulder with Josh. Holding the bouquet, I offered up my cheesiest smile. A flash went off and I was ready to jump away.

  "Okay, now one with the garter,” the photographer said, raising the camera to her eye. "And put your arms around each other."

  "Hold on," Josh told the photographer, then whispered in my ear, “Pull it down first, I don’t have that much control. If I see that sexy ass tattoo right now, I’m gonna show everyone here what we were doing all morning.” I gasped before he continued, “Plus I don’t want any of these other jackasses in here to see more of your beautiful legs than they already have.”

  He helped me scoot the garter down through the silky material of my dress and wrapped his arm around my lower body, pulling the hem up just enough to see the ruffled band. I melted into him, holding back a moan as my knees nearly gave out on me when his delicious scent hit my nose.

  Is it me or is it really hot in here?

  "That doesn't look natural.” The photographer frowned. “Can you hold the flowers in your other hand and put your arm around his waist??"

  I glanced at her, realizing I hadn’t even posed for the picture. I’d been staring at Josh like a love sick puppy, the bundle of flowers facing the ground.

  After an audible grunt, Josh whispered, “The quicker we get this over, the quicker we get to leave.”

  “Deal,” I whispered back. Putting on my best smile, the bright light from the camera flashed once again, and I was ready to walk away.

  "Hold on, one more." Josh insisted.

  The photographer positioned her camera for another. "One—two—"

  I stood straight, ready, when I was quickly dipped backward, toward the floor, as Josh pressed his lips on mine. Momentarily dazed, I reciprocated, kissing him back, my fingers running through the back of his hair.

  Man, I love his kisses.

  A groan rumbled through his chest, flaming my desire. Placing his forehead on mine, he vocalized my thoughts. “Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  One Step at a Time

  Josh

  This is so surreal.

  Lying in bed with Bri, I was still in awe. For the second time in a day, I’d made love to a woman I was actually in love with. The last time I’d had sex, I was drunk off my ass. Now, not only was I fully conscious of every sound, movement, and emotion, but I was captivated by the way she accepted me.

  With Bri, I didn’t have to worry about my personal business ending up in the public eye. It was private, intimate, and beyond anything I’d ever exp
erienced, all because of her.

  It’s so weird. I totally love and trust her more than I ever have anyone else. Thank god she says she feels the same way.

  Although I was completely spent, I wasn’t ready to fall asleep. Bri’s head lay on my chest as I massaged her scalp. Her fingers skimmed my belly, letting me know that she wasn’t asleep either.

  “Thank you for taking another chance on me, Bri. For letting me show you I’m not the same guy.” I spoke honestly, not willing to hold anything back with her.

  Her hair tickled my chest when she leaned up on her elbows, peering into my eyes. “Josh, I liked that guy, just not the way he dealt with things. I’ve been in love with you all these years because of that guy.”

  Tilting her head, she blinked quickly and pulled the corner of her mouth up. “You were going through a lot back then. I get why it all happened, but those days are over. This is our do over.” Her thumb made tiny circles on my ribs.

  I swept her dark strands to the side then cupped the back of her neck, pulling her to my lips. She didn’t hesitate as I devoured her mouth again.

  I’ll never get tired of her.

  The wind howled loudly outside the suite, pulling Bri’s attention away. “I hate that sound,” she pouted, laying her head back down on my chest. “When I was a little girl, I used to sneak into Stefen’s room and hide under his covers when the windows rattled from the gusts that blew between the hedge and our house.” Her thumb continued to caress my side. “I always wanted to go into my parents’ room, but my mom said it was off limits. She never wanted us in, what she called her ‘private space’. So Stefen comforted me whenever I was scared.”

  I ran my fingers through her hair. “Sounds like he’s always been your protector.”

  Turning her head, she kissed my chest, nestling the other side of her face on my warm skin. “Yeah. He and Caleb have always taken care of me.”

  I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t her mom console her when she was scared?

  I bet those guys felt the weight of the world on their shoulders, having to protect her from assholes like me. They’d most definitely beat the shit out of me if they ever found out what I’d done to her the second they turned their backs so many years ago.

  My chest tightened as I laced her fingers in mine, holding her hand for a moment before kissing her knuckles. I felt her smiling against my skin.

  "What do you want to do with your life when you grow up, Mr. Tucker?" The warm breath she exhaled when she snickered skimmed my lower belly, just above the sheet that barely covered me.

  I rested my hand under my head. "Funny you ask, because I've been wondering that same thing myself. I love acting but hate the lifestyle that comes with it. I don't want to be 'Josh Tucker, celebrity heartthrob'. I want to play more serious roles and keep my personal life just that.” I let out a deep breath. “The only offers I ever get are for movies with some sort of paranormal creature, or roles that involve me being shirtless the whole time, with some half-naked girl."

  Come to think of it, I hadn’t been offered anything for the last year or so. At least my dad hadn’t told me. Yeah, that was probably because I’d insisted he stop bugging me about the scripts he received.

  I shook my head internally. “I wouldn’t mind giving producing or directing a shot either. I love the industry, just not the lack of privacy.”

  Her hand slowly trailed across my chest, sending tiny jolts of electricity through my hypersensitive body. "Well, I can’t blame anyone for wanting you shirtless,” she snickered, her long eyelashes blinking against my skin.

  My body was beginning to respond to her every movement.

  Down, boy. Give the poor girl a rest.

  “If you want a serious role, you should put it out there and see what happens. If you've only portrayed that type of character, how would anyone know you’re willing to do anything else?"

  I stared up at the ceiling. "That's only half the problem. Once you play a certain role, it's hard to get anything else. You’re typecast. The last thing my dad said he’d gotten for me was right along those lines.”

  "Your dad?" Confused, she rested her chin on my chest.

  I lowered my head so I could look at her as I ran my thumb across the soft contours of her face. "Yeah, he was my agent. He’s still Brad's. Everything goes to him first. I haven't talked to him about what I really want because those roles are hard to get even under normal circumstances."

  Sliding her foot along my shin, she pointed out. "Maybe you should talk to him anyway. It wouldn't hurt. You should go after what you really want."

  Her touch was driving me insane, but I wanted to finish our talk before acting on it. Clenching my eyes shut, I counted to ten then took a deep breath in order to focus on our conversation. “What about you? What do you want to be when you grow up, Miss Hunter?"

  She gasped and lifted her shoulders, pretending to be offended. “Excuse me, Mr. Tucker, but I attended law school and could pick that up if I wanted to."

  Shocked, I jerked my head back. "You're a lawyer?"

  Pursing her lips, she tilted her head back and forth. "Stefen, Caleb, and I got sucked into the whole thing because it's a family business. Caleb was the only one who had the balls to tell our dads outright that he wanted to write instead. My dad noticed I wasn’t into it and confronted me before I was even close to graduating. All I could say was that I needed time to think while I traveled the world. Then I dropped out." She gathered her mouth up to the side.

  My eyes widened in surprise but thankfully, I didn’t accidentally point out that she quit before giving it a real chance. "I didn't realize you were a family of lawyers, but so much makes sense now." I started to laugh, covering my face with both hands when she swung a pillow at me.

  "You better watch your step, Mister. You’re walking on thin ice already," she teased, then settled back onto me.

  "I'm serious,” I told her. “You and Stefen have that whole ‘gotta win at everything’ lawyer vibe and Caleb writes incredible crime drama. It just makes sense."

  She swatted my arm. "Look who's talking about needing to win. You’re just as bad.”

  I snickered. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  “None of us are practicing. Caleb writes and does the whole daddy and husband thing, Stefen is on his lifetime honeymoon with Leah, and I'm still trying to figure out what I want. I hope it’ll click one day. It completely pissed my dad and uncle off because we were all supposed to take over their firm one day. I don't have to work, but I’d love to find something that drives me. I want to be passionate about something."

  “So what are you passionate about now?”

  “Well, I love helping Leah with the weddings, but the flower part isn’t my deal. She does the actual arranging. I just help with the women getting married and the placement of the flowers. I really enjoy working with the bride—Well, most of them anyway.” She giggled.

  I made a face. “I imagine you deal with some bridezillas.”

  She smiled. “Yeah, there are some crazy ones, but Leah has this amazing gift of redirecting their attention without insulting them. I still don’t get how she does it. I don’t know that I want to spend the rest of my life planning weddings. I think it would get boring after a while.”

  “What about organizing different events?” he suggested.

  “That’s possible, I guess. I also love shopping and pairing up clothes but I don’t really want to be someone else’s personal shopper.” She shrugged with indifference.

  "I know exactly how you feel.” I sighed. “I love dirt biking and my horses, but those are hobbies. I’m not complaining, I just feel like I'm missing something. I need to work. And to give back somehow.” An affectionate smile lit up my face. “That’s not the only thing I felt was missing. It wasn’t until we started hanging out that I realized how much I need you in my life.” I bent my neck forward, kissing the top of her head

  She leaned up on one elbow, wrapping her leg around mine. “Me too. I spe
nt so many years running from everything that I never stopped and thought I could have what we do.” She hesitated a moment before continuing, “I don’t wanna scare you off by talking about the future so early, but this is me taking another chance.”

  With a look of vulnerability, fueled by nervous energy, she kept going, “Josh, I want what Stefen and Caleb have. I want the forever promise, and you’ve taught me that I deserve it.”

  I pulled her up next to me, bringing her face closer to mine. “You are so damn amazing when you’re fighting for what you want, babe.” My voice was husky as I leaned in for a kiss. “I need that too. More than anything, I’ve been trying not to scare you off.”

  She continued to move on top of me, reminding me that our naked bodies were plastered together. I groaned. “If you keep moving around like that, we’re not going to sleep anytime soon.”

  Rolling her eyes, she chuckled. “Yeah, because you didn’t get enough already?”

  I sat up, flipping her over onto her back. Hovering above, I kissed her collarbone, making my way up to her neck, just below her ear. “Bri, I’ll never get enough of you. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Biting her lower lip, she breathed out, “I wouldn’t mind giving that Jacuzzi tub a try.”

  I grinned. Hell, yeah! This is the girl of my dreams. Why she’s giving me another chance is beyond me.

  ⁂

  Bri

  Stretching the tired muscles in my back, I enjoyed the warm sensation of the man pillow I was wrapped up in. Although we woke up a few mornings prior in a similar position, my emotional state was totally different now. I wasn’t surprised this time and didn’t want to leave Josh’s side anytime soon.

  Snuggling my cheek on his chest, I listened to his heart beating.

  I could fall asleep and wake up to this sound every day.

  The unwelcome sound of a phone ringing caused Josh to stir. I watched the muscles on his abdomen contract when he reached for his cell. I turned to see him blinking a few times as he stared at the display.