by Abby Gordon
"The same way you rushed into your engagement to Ian after only three weeks?"
Her hands dropped from Lexi's waist and she stopped in the middle of the dance floor. “You think I'm making a mistake? Or are you jealous because Ian asked me to marry him even though you dated him first?"
"I'm not jealous and I never said you were making a mistake, but obviously you think I am by marrying your brother."
Cara's lips turned downward. “Maybe I'm giving you advice that I hope my own brother would give me if he thought I was making a mistake."
"And does he?"
"No, he knows I'm happy with Ian."
"And I'm happy with your brother, so let's drop this, shall we?” For several seconds, the mutinous look remained in Cara's eyes. “Cara?"
"Come on, keep the conga movin'!” someone shouted from behind.
"Fine, just make sure you're doing the right thing, considering your age and all.” Undisguised malice accompanied the words and Lexi's heart sank even further.
"Gee thanks, but I don't think twenty-nine qualifies me for the recycling dump just yet."
Cara flicked back her hair, shameless at her insult. “You know what I mean."
"No, I don't. And I don't think I want to know.” When Cara tried to force Lexi to resume the conga, she pulled away. “I think I'll go and sit down now."
Heart pounding, she returned to the table and swallowed a mouthful of mineral water. It wet her throat, but she wished it was something stronger. As designated driver, however, she had no choice but to stick to water. Unfortunately, it did nothing to stop the anxious emotions rampaging through her.
She placed the glass on the table and paused as she caught sight of her engagement ring.
Enzo.
Warmth calmed her anxiety.
Enzo, the love of her life. Her other half. Her soul mate.
She hadn't believed such intense feelings could exist between two human beings until she met Enzo.
Four weeks ago, after only three months of dating, he'd asked her to marry him, and all her dreams had come true. Eastwell Manor was booked, courtesy of a last-minute cancellation, and her fairytale dress now hung in her closet. In two months’ time, she'd walk down the aisle, join her life with Lorenzo Saldana's, live happily ever after, and make gorgeous babies.
A smile broke over her face. All of a sudden, she couldn't wait to get back home, coax him round to her apartment, and have monkey sex with him.
God bless the day Sally had talked her into joining her salsa class.
She'd spied Enzo the minute she'd walked into the salsa bar on the third week of lessons—a dark, brooding figure in the corner of the main bar. Having already met him and received his frosty reception at the house she'd showed to him and his sister that morning, she'd been reluctant to approach him again, even though his eyes seemed pinned on her. She'd watched surreptitiously as he rebuffed all attempts from the women in the class to seduce him onto the dance floor.
Tall, sleekly-muscled, clad in jeans and a tight black T-shirt, the word smoldering seemed to sum up the raven-haired hunk who'd watched with lazy amusement as she attempted the complicated salsa moves.
In the end, she suspected that he'd taken over her practice out of pity as she'd tortured the dance steps.
But all it'd taken was one touch, one look into his deep, green eyes, and she'd lost her heart. Well that, and him molding her to his body halfway through a particularly sensual move, fisting one strong hand in her hair and whispering hotly in her ear, “I'm gonna fuck the hell out of you tonight."
Of course, she'd slept with him that night, swept away by feelings so strong, Mount Vesuvius at full rage couldn't have stopped her from claiming him as hers.
That he felt the same made heaven a truly wonderful, glorious place to be.
Except for the snake in paradise.
From the start of her relationship with Enzo, Lexi had felt Cara's mild disapproval. She couldn't pinpoint the problem because they'd seem to hit it off after being introduced by Lexi's childhood friend, Sally. Cara hero-worshiped her brother, so her blessing meant so much to Lexi.
But lately, she'd begun to wonder whether Cara had faked her goodwill. With her stark warning just now, Lexi could no longer pretend that she had Cara's blessing. But why did she hate the idea of her marrying Enzo so much? Couldn't she see how happy she made Enzo, and vice versa?
Lexi's solitaire ring glinted in the strobe lights of the club, and her warm glow receded as she recalled how disastrous her previous relationships had been.
Take Ian, for instance. Contrary to Cara's inference that she was jealous, she'd felt nothing but relief when Ian had turned his attentions to someone else. Although they'd dated for a while, Lexi had never felt he was the one. And frankly by the time she broke things off, Ian's intensity had scared her a little.
Cara had struck a nerve, calling her a prude. Or at least that'd been the label hung on her before Enzo had showed her that gentle loving could also be red-hot. Her experience with Ian had left a bad taste in her mouth. But with Enzo, she'd discovered the true meaning of making love.
A tingle shimmered through her and her nipples puckered as she recalled his hands on her just this afternoon. The dramatic cut of her blue silk halter-top had meant no bra tonight and the material chafed with a delicious pleasure-pain sensation, which caused her to bite her lip. Warmth flooded Lexi's face as she acknowledged that no matter how often she made love with him, she always yearned for his touch. And as she'd come to realize, there would be no relief until she received what she craved—him between her legs.
She shifted in her seat, desperate to ease the swirling heat in her pelvis. The seam of her thong pressed against her clit, the damp material causing delicious friction. A moan escaped, but the sound was thankfully swallowed by the loud music. Eyes shut, she took a deep, restorative breath. Another hour, give or take, and she'd be with Enzo. He'd ease her need and make things right.
As for Cara...
The shout of the returning conga line ended her thoughts. She arranged a presentable smile on her face, pressed her thighs together to stem the throbbing, and looked up as Cara plopped down on her seat. The silver and jade beads of her long necklace swung over the bosom of her tight green tube dress.
"Ready to leave?” Lexi asked the trio of sweaty, smiling women.
Fiona, the pint-sized, blonde American friend of Cara's, reached for the pitcher and poured drinks. “Not yet. I need to cool down a bit first. That guy I was dancing with sure sent my temperature soaring. Woohoo.” She fanned herself with one hand and tipped her glass to her lips with the other.
"Yeah, his hand soared all the way up your top,” Sally grinned, flicking her black hair off her shoulders and reaching for her drink.
"He was just making sure his number was stored in a safe, secure place.” Fiona grinned back, batting false eyelashes.
"That rules out your panties, then, doesn't it?” Cara winked at her.
"It would've, if I wore any,” Fiona shot back.
The table erupted in hoots of shocked laughter, and Lexi couldn't hold back her grin. As much as she would've preferred the spa, she was glad to see the girls enjoying themselves.
When they tottered off for one last dance, Lexi pulled out her cell phone and sent a text message. Half an hour. Your place or mine?
She received a response within seconds. Mine. Hurry. I'm ready and waiting. Love U.
Me too. See you soon. XX
Smiling, she put her phone away.
"Right, shall we go?” she asked as soon as they returned from the dance floor, itching to be away.
"Oohhh!” Cara protested. “Five more minutes, please?” she pleaded, and gulped down another drink.
Lexi succumbed. “Okay, five minutes, but no more.” It was almost three o'clock in the morning, and she'd had enough. All she wanted was Enzo.
"I know what we can do. Truth or dare. One question each. Then we'll leave. Deal?” Cara asked, earning rapturo
us enthusiasm from the other two. But she didn't look at them. She stared straight at Lexi.
A feeling of foreboding crept up her spine.
"Umm, I don't think—"
"Exactly, don't think. Just play. Okay?” Cara dared.
Before she could respond, Fiona piped up, “Okay, I'll go first. Someone ask me."
"Right,” Sally jumped in. “Truth or dare."
"Dare, always,” Fiona replied.
"I dare you to flash your tits at that bald guy sitting at the bar."
"Done!” Giggling, she rose on unsteady feet, sashayed to the man in question, leaned down, and whispered in his ear. He shot up from his seat, eyes wide, and nodded eagerly. Fiona yanked up her top, giving him, and everyone else in the vicinity, an eyeful of her bountiful, braless bosom. Throaty wolf whistles and pleas for an encore followed her back to the table.
"That was exhilarating. I love English guys! Can I do it again?” she begged, licking her full lips.
Cara shook her head. “No, you shameless slut. You're in town for my wedding, not to get your rocks off. You're only limited to one flash,” she grinned. “Now, my turn. I, too, will take a dare, if you please."
Whoops erupted round the table and Lexi cringed at the brazen look in Cara's eyes.
"Okaaay,” Sally looked around. “I dare you to do whatever it takes to get a hundred quid from that guy over there with the blonde."
"Sally!"
"Oh relax, Lexi, it's just a game,” Sally remonstrated.
"Yeah, stop getting your thong in a twist, girlfriend, and watch a professional at work,” Cara chided.
Pulling out her compact mirror from her purse, Cara checked her appearance, and tweaked a few hairs. She pushed back her shoulders to display even more of her D-cups, stood up and with casual ease strode toward the blonde entwined around her target.
She tapped the girl on the shoulder. When she had her attention, she leaned up to the taller woman and whispered in her ear. The girl jerked back, surprise in her eyes as her mouth dropped open. She leaned over and spoke to her boyfriend. A broad smile broke over his face and he whispered back. The blonde's wary stare at her boyfriend gradually turned sensuous and, with a slow sexy smile, she handed her glass to him, turned to Cara and nodded.
Cara stepped closer, ran one hand up the blonde's arm until she cupped her shoulder. She squeezed gently, then continued the trail up to slide around her nape. Gliding her other hand around her waist, she pulled the blonde closer and covered her mouth in a sensual kiss.
For several seconds, the kiss went on and, even though the others couldn't see her, Lexi tried not to cringe at such a public display. As much as she hated the prude label and wanted rid of it, she knew she would never have enough confidence to discard her inhibitions long enough to participate in such as voyeuristic act.
While the other girls giggled uncontrollably at the outrageous floorshow, she fixed a smile on her face and cringed inwardly.
When the two finally parted, she breathed a sigh of guilty relief. Cara sauntered back to the table, triumphantly holding up the money the boyfriend had coughed up.
She slapped it on the table and turned to Lexi. “Your turn."
"No, I'll go last. Sally, truth or dare,” she asked, and prayed her friend wouldn't go for the latter. She couldn't stand another floorshow like the last one, and she'd had enough of being called a prude for one night.
"Truth."
Relief eased through her.
"Okay. Something I've always wondered,” Cara broke in, her feverish gaze raking Lexi's face before returning to Sally. “Have you and Lexi ever slept together?"
Sally splattered her drink all over the table, surprise plastered on her model-thin face. “Are you kidding? I always have and always will prefer my bed partners with a whole lot of meat between their legs. So does Lexi, I believe.” She winked at Lexi and took another sip of her drink.
"And last but not least, Lexi. Truth or dare?” Fiona asked.
She bit her lip, knowing she was caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. There was no way she'd take a dare after seeing what the other two had entailed; but the avid faces of the other three girls told her whatever truth she'd be asked to reveal would be very personal and very sexual. She'd look like a spoilt sport if she chickened out. “Truth,” she all but whispered.
Cara pounced before anyone else could. “Have you ever fantasized about being fucked in a very public place, maybe with other people watching?” She grinned at the gasps around the table. “I just, you know...wondered, you being such a prude and all."
Lexi froze. Somehow, Cara had tapped into her deepest, wildest fantasy. Had she blurted it out during her birthday party, the one occasion when she'd drank way more than was good for her?
After years of being called a prude, she'd often wondered if she was perhaps too conservative when it came to sex. With Enzo, she'd begun to think she wasn't, but for years she'd imagined breaking out of her shell sexually. And the one recurring fantasy she'd had was of being fucked in a public place, where all the guys who'd mocked her inhibitions could see her and regret their name-calling. But how on earth had Cara known?
"Come on, Lexi, we're waiting. Truth, truth, truth, truth,” they chanted.
She bit her lip. “Okay, okay. Yes, I've...thought about it.
"And?” Cara pressed, as she took another healthy slug of her drink.
Lexi shrugged self-consciously. “And nothing. I've only thought about it."
"W—would you like to?” Cara slurred.
"Stop it, Cara, now you've got her all hot and bothered. Here, Lexi, have a drink, calm your nerves.” Sally shoved a cocktail glass in her hand.
"No, I'm driving, remember?"
"Fuck it, one little drink won't hurt. Besides I'd rather have you driving with calm nerves than all twisted up the way you are now,” she teased.
"Fine.” She grabbed the glass and downed the mouthful. The unexpected heat of the vodka worked its way down her throat. Grimacing at the tartness of the cranberry juice, she set the glass down and looked up to find Cara's gaze on her.
"So—o you gonna anssswer my question?"
Not in this lifetime. “No more questions. I've played the game, fair and square. Now, I think it's time to go.” Hurriedly she stood, gathered the purses and handbags, and busied herself with making sure the tab was settled. All the while, she felt Cara's drunken gaze on her. Without looking her way again, she led the other two girls out into the late night air. She paused, inhaled a welcome breath of fresh air, only to have it whoosh out of her when slim arms closed around her.
"I l—lo—ove you, Lexiiii. You're my best friend, e—ever!” Cara exclaimed.
"Hey, I thought I was your best friend ever?” Fiona whined from behind them.
Cara tried to focus on the voice behind her, failed, and swayed on her feet. “Sure y'aarr, Fi,” she shouted, then turned to Lexi, “But I'm reeeeally glad you're going ta be my sisthher, well, sort-a."
Regardless of the hopelessly slurred and contrary words, Lexi experienced a rush of warmth and relief at hearing them. She clung to the hope that Cara's negative attitude had just been the unfounded fears of an insecure sister, rather than a future sister-in-law who hated her guts.
She mentally crossed her fingers. Everything would be fine. She'd probably imagined Cara's disapproval. After all, why else would she offer herself as bridesmaid if she didn't like the idea of her marrying Enzo?
"Love you too, Cara. Now, are you okay to walk, or do you want to sit over there while I fetch the car?” She indicated the bench nearby. Secretly, she hoped they could make it to the car under their own steam. Enzo waited for her. In half an hour, she would be in his arms again. If she hurried.
"I'm fine, fine, fine,” Cara sing-songed, then broke into, "I'm getting married in the morning, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la..."
Relieved, Lexi chuckled as she hooked an arm around her and steered her away from the curb. “You're not getting married
for another eight days, love, and the car's this way. Girls, are you all right back there?” she threw over her shoulder at the other two, who propped each other up behind her.
"We're fine, mistress. Lead the way,” they chorused.
She smiled. “Okay, Come on, then."
Fishing the keys out of her bag, she quickened her steps and rounded the corner.
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