“First of all, your twats need a break. Second, you showed up without my nephew.”
Karessa sighs because she has to get used to people not looking for her as much as her son.
“Is it weird that I miss him already?” Her phone rings before we can respond. “Hello?” She looks at her watch. “Yes, Oran I know what time it is. No, Xerxes isn’t going to starve without me. No, I fed him before I left the house. I’ve only been gone forty-five minutes and he eats every two hours. Tell Jagger he does not have to give him Ainslee’s milk.”
She sighs and looks heavenward then presses end. “This is what happens when you let the dynamic duo watch the babies. I have to run before I kill both of them.”
We say our goodbyes and I walk out with her. Turning to close Esme’s door, I hear her on the phone telling someone about their nerve showing up last night.
This is interesting.
Menus, decorations, caterers, etc. I feel like I’m assisting with Wyn’s party all over again. Except this time it’s a wedding for a bride and two grooms yet one groom has intention of being in the ceremony. I volunteered to help to get my mind off the bar exam. Now that I’ve taken it, I have to wait a little over two months before getting the results.
As a person who’s always busy, I need a distraction and yet another rushed wedding is just what I need. I go over my list as I pull into the parking lot of Karessa’s new location. Her vehicle is there but Esme’s isn’t.
It’s a pretty day out so I take my time getting out of the car and taking in the ocean view her new office provides. Wyn’s at work but maybe we can take another vacation next month. It’ll be nice for us to get away with no obligations looming over us. Then again, maybe I should wait until after I get my results.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Esme asks from behind and startles me.
I swat at her as she giggles at my surprise. “You almost got hit with one of the moves Wyn taught me,” I warn her as I hold my hand over my heart.
The wind blows her sundress around her thighs as she makes kissy faces. “I’m surprised he had time to show you anything outside of the bedroom.”
I giggle but feel no shame. “I bet you never thought you’d say that to me,” I tease her as I pull the glass door open.
“Girl, ain’t that the truth,” she agrees before Karessa appears with her arms folded.
I would think it’s because we’re late but those green eyes are trying to bore into Esme’s forehead to read her secrets.
“Really, Esme? This is what you keep from me? My doctor?”
Esme frowns and side-steps Karessa. Karessa follows closely, refusing to let the conversation drop.
“I need coffee before you start jumping to conclusions,” Esme grouses.
“I’m not jumping to conclusions! You’re on the cover of Island Times.”
“What?” we yell at the same time.
Mireya León may have a sore spot for the Founder’s kids but she’d never put anything untrue on the Island Times like she does with the gossip columns. Karessa drops it on the table between us and there’s a picture of Esme kissing who I assume is Karessa’s doctor with the subtitle: Wild Child Engaged.
“Is there a reason my little sister is lip locked with Dr. Delgado on the cover of a magazine?” Karessa presses. Esme stares at the cover but I can tell she’s fuming.
“That little…”
“When you said you were getting Mireya back, I didn’t think that meant marrying her son.”
Oh, shit. This is good.
“Son! He never told me the witch was his mother nor did I say I was marrying him!”
Karessa opens the magazine and flips to the spread. “Well, you two have a lot to discuss since he gave an entire interview about your engagement. Right here, he said it was a secret love affair until that fake headline about you being with Bowie and Berke.”
Esme abandons her plan to make coffee. She grabs the magazine and marches back to the front door.
“Where are you going?” I question while texting Wyn the details of what I just discovered.
“I’m going to that clinic and tell that rat I never said we were getting married for real.”
“For real?” we mimic.
She shakes her head and slides her shades back in place. “Never mind. I’m getting this fixed and I’ll be back.” Karessa and I look at each other and burst out laughing. We both can’t believe Esme is now tied to the son of her nemesis.
“What do you think her odds are of getting out of this?” I inquire, as I begin looking at wedding themes in Esme’s favorite color.
“Um...it’s hard to say. I don’t know what got them to this point, but if you look at the odds based on all the weddings that have been announced, I’d say we’re getting another brother-in-law.”
We focus on finalizing things for the Moralis-Hanlon wedding when Esme comes storming inside the office. Her gait is a little unsteady, her hair is ruffled, and her dress is wrinkled. Silently, she walks over to the coffee maker and picks her roast. We wait quietly for her to join us at the table. Once she’s settled, she takes a sip as if we’re not sitting with her waiting for an update.
“Well?” Karessa prompts now that she’s lost her patience.
Her face crumbles with all the drama only Esme can muster. “That big Latin asshole fucked me like he owns me then told me to plan our wedding.”
Karessa is taken aback because he’s her doctor but I have no such issue.
“That good, huh?”
She nods with her face still scrunched like she wants to ugly cry. “We have to tell our dad to change the laws. I’m a playa. I can’t go out like this.”
“I took the liberty of looking at some lavender design options while you were gone…” I begin but she cuts me off.
“Fuck those designs.” She chews her lip as she thinks. “Maybe I can reason with him. Last time I was at a ten maybe if I went in softer at like a four he’ll reconsider.”
“Dr. Delgado isn’t budging, sis. He gave an interview to Island Times. His credibility is on the line and he’s serious about having an honest image,” Karessa explains.
“I said pretend to be my fiancé for an hour, not marry me for real! Ugh.”
“Just think you’ll get that regular sex you wanted. AND the crazy lady can’t print rumors about you unless she’s willing to make her son look bad,” I supply.
Esme still pouts but she’s not as emotional as she was before. “No telling what that crazy lady is gonna do. Shit! I have to save his crazy ass in my phone now.”
“Pretty much,” Karessa agrees. “He is your fiancé now.”
Esme crosses herself like we’re Catholic. “Pray for me in English and Spanish because Latin blood runs deep in this one.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Caerwyn
She did it again. Imala comes strutting downstairs looking sex kitten hot like she’s begging to be fucked. One of the many diamond necklaces I’ve bought her hugs her neck the way I want my hand to do later. Her soft pink dress has spaghetti straps and displays her full breasts just the way I like. I withhold a growl as I watch as each step makes her tits bounce. The rest of her dress is a soft pink tulle number that stops mid-thigh and gives me golden legs and sparkly heels.
Imala’s soft pink lips tip up in a smile as she runs a hand through her soft waves. I would fuck her on the spot if our parents weren’t also waiting for her. Mine popped back in town to visit Berke and her parents thought it’d be fun to arrive together. I love my parents and adore the LeClaires but they are some serious cockblockers right now.
Either way, I pull her close the moment she’s within my reach. Berke appears the moment I nuzzle her neck.
“Ugh. Let’s be on our way. These two are unpredictable. He might jump her.”
Dondi gasps and Mellie giggles. My parents simply nod and move to the door. I trip Berke when he passes and he falls forward onto our dad’s back.
“Don’t make me kick your ass,
Wyn,” he threatens but there’s no bite to his words and his eyes shine with respect and amusement.
“It’s not my fault you're clumsy.” I shrug and slip my fingers through my wife’s when I grab her hand as she laughs.
“I just may trip and spill water in your wife’s hair.” He counters with a shoulder bump to Imala.
“Don’t threaten a black woman’s hair,” she giggles and smacks his shoulder.
“Mess with me and you both suffer,” he teases as he retaliates by pushing Wyn with one hand.
We all stop laughing when we realize both sets of parents are watching us. My dad’s gray eyes are filled with wonder like he’s experiencing something he’s been dying to see his whole life and my mom looks downright misty.
Imala excuses herself and hooks her arms in her parents and escorts them into the car. Our dad, 6’4 and just as big as the rest of us, pulls Berke and me into a group hug. After a few tense seconds, Berke relaxes and hugs him back.
Erlander releases us but cups Berke face with both hands. His eyes are now just as watery as my mom’s. I wrap my arm around my weeping mother and hand her a handkerchief.
“How about we give these two a moment, eh?” She nods and hugs me all the way to the limo.
Imala
I arrived to the wedding happier than I imagined that the Hale men were getting along. Now, I’m caught up in shenanigans and can’t keep the grin off my face.
“They would kick us out when shit was getting good,” Esme complains.
“We saw the ceremony. We do not need to see the consummation,” Oran replies as if he’s giving sage advice. He looks to his left and his gray eyes shine with mischief. “Trophy, we have unfinished business with that room.”
Karessa passes me the baby and pulls Oran towards the dressing room. Jagger chuckles and wraps his arms around Ainslee.
“Kinky bastards. Ainslee, how about we get married again so we can do some freaky shit at the altar? Never mind. They’ll think we’re copying.” His whiskey eyes are serious as he searches his brain. “If we did, we’d let people watch. How’s that?”
I miss Ainslee’s response because I glance back at the door when I hear Bambi cry out.
“We’re really missing the good shit now,” Esme whines. “I saw Bowie heading in that direction. Shit is about to get dirty.”
“Dirty? You rang?” Dr. Delgado coos as he appears, his all black ensemble makes him look even more sultry.
“Who invited you?” Esme asks. Her irritation is evident in her voice.
He grabs her chin and runs his thumb over her bottom lip. “Me, myself, and I, chispa.”
Hot damn. That’s Karessa’s lady doctor?
“Are you accepting new patients?” I blurt out before my brain stops me.
His green eyes find me, and when he smiles down at me, I realize Esme is in trouble because I swoon a little.
“Why, sweetheart? You need me?” The way he poses the question with his accented English has Wyn pulling me in the opposite direction.
“She’s good, Don Juan.”
Delgado laughs and shakes his head. “Hale men. I promise you I’m a damn good doctor, Mr. Hale.”
He produces a business card that’s somehow as sexy as he is. It smells good as well.
“What’s wrong? Don’t see enough LeClaire pussy already?” Berke jokes.
Delgado laughs as he strokes his beard. “Why not the trifecta?” He kids with a pat on Wyn's shoulder. Wyn growls. Berke and the good doctor just chuckle. “Loosen up, I’m not after your wife. Plus, if you plan to have children you’ll want me in that room. Don’t let the pretty face fool you.” Delgado emphasizes his statement by tickling the baby in my arms. Then, he grabs Esme’s arm and moves towards the garden. “A word,” he tells her as she drags her feet behind him.
Now, I realize Jagger and Ainslee have also disappeared. The couples are dropping like flies. Wyn kisses me softly but he is called away by his dad. I find a good spot in the corner to catch up on one of my books while my nephew naps in my arms when I notice Berke sitting down next to Mikonos. I giggle at the thought of the two rudest men in the room making it through a conversation.
“Who invited you?” Mikonos grumbles.
“Your brother. Is your memory getting bad, old man?”
Mikonos stuffs his phone in his pocket and folds his arms. “Why in the hell are you sitting next to me?”
“It’s a free country,” Berke responds. “Besides, no one else likes you.”
“Free huh? Aren’t you grounded by your little sister?”
Berke sips his beer with a snort. “Don’t you hate your wife?”
“Did you kiss your daddy’s ass so you can be founder kid trash again,” Mikonos counters, as he picks up his own beer.
“Aren't you one of us too? Adopted Bishop.”
“Fuck you,” Mikonos adds the middle finger for affect.
Berke quirks his brow. “Something tells me you’d like it.”
“Ah…” Mikonos nods then cracks his neck. “I see what this is. Your little boyfriend runs off and gets married and now you want to get revenge with the groom’s brother.”
I try not to laugh because I must see where they’re going with this-for lack of a better word-conversation. It’s fascinating seeing two assholes in their natural habitat.
“Are you saying you want to go make out on the terrace?”
Mikonos puts his beer down and glares at Berke’s profile. “Bitch, I’ll pull your spine out through your fucking throat.”
Berke turns his head to look at Mikonos. “Is this the part where I’m supposed to piss myself and beg for amnesty?”
Mikonos’ lip twitches but I’m not sure his amusement is with Berke’s response or the ways he’s considered hurting him. “No. You wouldn’t have time for that. You’d never see me coming.”
“Does your wife feel the same way? You know, you never see her cuming?”
“Talking about that asshole does nothing for me. Fuck her. I don’t like her,” Mikonos admits.
My mouth is agape. Not about the information for Guin. We all know he can’t stand her but because this is the most I’ve ever seen Mikonos - the king of one-liners- talk. The best I get out of him is a grunt. He’ll talk around me to Ainslee or Markos in Greek, but he rarely talks to anyone.
Is this how jackasses bond?
“Anyway, there’s a MMA match tomorrow at seven.”
Mikonos snorts. “Why are you telling me? So you can mooch off of me? Broke ass.”
That reminds me. It’s time to unlock his accounts.
“I already have the tickets. And I’m not broke.” Berke shakes his head. “And you wonder why you cry in your pillow at night because you have no friends.”
Mikonos holds up a finger. “I'm sorry. I couldn’t hear you over the line of people waiting to talk to you. Go away, mate before people start to think I like you.”
Berke stands. “I need a refill. You’re boring anyway. Seven o’clock. Don’t be late, asshole.”
This is the most fascinating wedding ever.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Imala
Wyn wore me out in all the ways I loved but now that he sleeps peacefully, I find myself hungry at three in the morning. Slipping on my robe and house shoes. I head to the kitchen to find a light snack. One of the low lights in the kitchen is on and the glow of the refrigerator light tells me someone beat me to the snacks.
The door closes to reveal Berke wearing nothing but pajama pants. He has a pack of pre-made cookie dough in his hand.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I want some cookies,” he tells me the obvious.
“Cookies at three in the morning? You really are a rebel.”
Reaching over, I preheat the oven. He smirks at my comment but I know he has more on his mind. He looks down then back at me.
“Come here, Imala.”
Everything Berke says sounds seductive, but I know that’s not his goal. Still, I t
ake cautious steps towards him. His hug is surprising but I don’t fight it. I begin to believe I’m capable of curling up on his chest and going to sleep when his deep voice makes his body vibrate.
“Thank you.”
Two words I never thought I’d hear him say to me.
“For what?” I ask as I peek up at him.
He releases me and picks up the cookie dough. I place the baking sheet on the counter as he breaks the cookies apart and lines them up in two inch increments.
“I’d have to say everything. I wanted to hate you for dragging me back here by my balls. You’d taken away my possessions but gave me the family I thought I never had. I appreciate that.” He slides the sheet over and I put it in the oven to give me a chance to pull my emotions back together. “And thank you for restoring my accounts. It means you trust me not to run off and isolate myself again.”
“No problem. Once I get around your gruff exterior I actually like you,” I admit. “Plus, you taught me how to speak asshole.”
He tilts his head. “And Oran didn’t?”
“No.” I laugh. “He’s always super nice to me.”
“Huh?” Berke looks away like he’s considering something. “I need to go punch that asshole in the throat.”
I giggle and wave off his statement. “I’m just happy you all are functioning like a family. All of you Hales are great in your own way, you just have to own it, big brother.”
“Okay, I almost threw up in my mouth a little. That was a touch too mushy for me. Baby steps, Bug.”
The timer interrupts my epic eye roll. I pull out the hot cookies and Berke inhales like the scent of them is orgasmic. He twists a few off, drops them in a plate, then goes back into the fridge.
“Almond milk,” he offers.
“Get the cashew milk. It’s creamier.”
He pours two glasses and devours a cookie. “I like mine hot,” he explains then runs his tongue along his lips to collect chocolate.
I instantly feel sorry for any woman he decides to like.
Hale to Pay (Arrangement Series Book 6) Page 15
