Always Delightful: A Romantic Comedy (Always Series Book 1)

by Shayne McClendon

  “Jack…” Her voice trailed off and she averted her gaze as she tried to be serious. “I need you to behave, Jack. It’s hard to control myself when you get up to your mischievous ways. It’s his wedding, dear. Show mercy.”

  With an expression of offended innocence, Jack gasped. “I’d never ruin Kevin’s special day. I already know I’m your favorite.”

  Ms. Welch closed her eyes as if searching for strength. “Son.”

  He wasn’t done. “I don’t blame you for choosing me, Mom. He’s a whiny poopy-pants tattle-baby.”

  The last was delivered in a singsong child’s voice and his mother completely lost her composure. That triggered mine, and soon the three of us dissolved into hysterics.

  Kevin and Ava watched the entire exchange and they were livid. They stomped (I kid you not) away to find my mother.

  “He’s going to pout, Jack. I’m a horrible influence as a parent.” Ms. Welch looked me up and down before pointing in the general direction Kevin disappeared. “You were too good for Kevin. He’d have driven you to drink within a year.”

  Straight-faced, I shot back, “I already drink.”

  “Ah, your only option would have been murder then.” I cracked up and she grinned. “Fortunately, Jack is nothing like Kevin. They’re opposites in every way.”

  Flustered, I stammered, “I…okay. Thank you.” Jack snorted beside me and I avoided looking at him. Decorum, Petra!

  “I’ll be seeing you, dear.” Inclining her head at her oldest son, she added, “Keep him out of trouble.” Then she smiled at us and sauntered off into the crowd.

  “I told you she’d like you.”

  I quirked a brow. “Um, I’ll be seeing you sounds ominous.”

  He grabbed my hand, pulled me out of my seat, and led me to the dance floor. “It’s only ominous to serial killers so you might have to reconsider careers.”

  I grinned. “UFC it is then.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Wait right here, Petra.” He pressed his cheek to mine and went to talk to the DJ.

  I watched him walk back as the first chords of At Last started to play. It was one of those songs that always got me.

  He held out his hand and I put mine in it, sighing when he lifted it to kiss the back. Pressing my palm to the side of his neck, he took me in his arms and held me tight.

  I stared into his eyes while we danced and he didn’t look away as the lyrics drifted around the room.

  “Petra?” I waited. “May I kiss you?”

  “Yes.”

  Gliding his hand up, he stroked my jaw with his thumb as he held my gaze. Lowering his mouth to mine, the instant our lips touched, his hold tightened on me.

  I’d received many kisses in my life. None of them ever electrified me.

  Jack was in no hurry. His tongue licked lightly across my lips and I opened for him. Willingly, gladly, excitedly.

  For almost a minute, he held me in the middle of the dance floor at my sister’s wedding and showed me what I’d been missing all my life.

  He broke the kiss as the song ended, lifted his head, and immediately kissed me again.

  The next time he raised his face, he gave me a brilliant smile. “Even better than I imagined.”

  I could barely breathe.

  Not letting me go, he started dancing again but kept his eyes on mine. “Speechless?”

  “You’ve given me fascinating new material to work with. My brain is trying to catch up.”

  “I’m going to consider that a compliment.” He winked. “Take your time processing. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Just like that, there was no awkwardness.

  “You’re good-looking, successful, and an incredible kisser…”

  He nodded sagely. “You’re trying to figure out why I’m single. I get it. Who wouldn’t want this hot property?”

  I snorted. “Something like that.”

  “This may come as a shock…”

  “And me with no fainting couch nearby.”

  “I’ve dated.” I gave him an expression of disbelief. “I know. No purity ring on these fingers.”

  “I’m scandalized.”

  “I imagine. Women of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities.”

  “You’ve literally tasted the rainbow.”

  He laughed so hard he had to pull me off the dance floor. We huddled in a small alcove. “You realize you shoot my decorum all to hell, don’t you?”

  “Naturally. I have none so I prefer those around me to act in a similar fashion. I stand out less and don’t get all the dirty looks.”

  “Good strategy. Where was I? Ah, dating. Of all the women in my past, none has affected me physically as strongly as you did from the moment I laid eyes on you. No one, male or female, has ever made me laugh so much.”

  I pried for more information. “By affecting you physically…”

  “I’ve been hard since I watched you walk toward the stage.”

  “Seriously?” My eyes drifted down and back to his face. “Good thing you kept your jacket on.”

  “Why do you think I haven’t taken it off?” He grinned. “As far as I know, I’m a decent boyfriend, a good son, and I do what I can to be an honorable man. I’m picky but honest about it. I knew those relationships were just killing time.”

  I blinked. “You don’t think I’m the same?”

  Cupping my face in his palms, he said roughly, “I know you’re not, Petra.” He kissed me again and it was a lot more intense with privacy.

  Failing to hold back the small moan he inspired made him press me against the wall and increase his efforts.

  I slipped my hands under his jacket and ran my palms around to his back.

  Against my lips, he groaned, “Yes.”

  Then his mouth was occupied with mine and I took the opportunity to explore as much of his body as I could reach. He smelled of sunshine and cloves, a hint of cologne I didn’t recognize but exactly suited him.

  It was glorious.

  Lifting away, he dragged air into his lungs. The gray of his eyes was darker and his face was flushed.

  In my years of sexual activity, a man hadn’t looked at me in a way that communicated so clearly how much he wanted me.

  “We’ve had a lot to drink tonight. I want to put something out there but need to be sure how you feel physically.”

  Impressed with the character of a man who’d check on such a thing, I murmured, “Buzzed but not obliterated.”

  “Come home with me, Petra.”

  I thought about the women available at Ava’s wedding. Many of them were single. Most were thinner and some were prettier. I knew two of my sister’s friends who would have slept with Kevin’s brother at the wedding.

  For the last several hours, Jack’s attention landed and stayed on me. It was his unwavering focus that first made my heart race in my chest.

  He pressed a kiss to my forehead, each of my cheeks, the tip of my nose, settling on my lips again. It was a method of gentle persuasion and I’d be lying if I pretended it didn’t work.

  The kiss was slow and deep, full of promise. I buried my fingers in his hair, my body pressed tight to his as I reveled in the feel of his hands gripping my hips with subdued strength.

  I didn’t sleep around. No seedy one-night stands in this girl’s past. Usually, when I committed to sex, it was with someone I’d known a while.

  I’d been with Jack’s brother, which didn’t feel as weird as I guess it should have.

  The fact of the matter was, I’d been celibate too long for the general public’s safety and I was painfully attracted to him.

  After a long time, he lifted his lips and repeated, “Come home with me, Petra. Say you will.”

  Too many reasons for and not enough against, in my opinion. “I will. I absolutely will.”

  “You’re a brilliant woman, Petra.” He turned up the heat of his next kiss as he touched me.

  “Petra darling.” My mother’s voice was metaphorical ice
water and I released a small scream.

  Jack, in contrast, straightened and pulled me into a standing position at his side. He shot his cuffs and inclined his head.

  “Ms. Andreadis. Pardon the public display.”

  Mom stared between us for a long moment before her mouth lifted in a smile. “No need, Jack.” She met my eyes and added, “Your sister and her husband are leaving.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I assume they’re still honeymooning at the exotic Disney World Resort?” He asked the question with curious innocence and my mother couldn’t stop herself from a small snicker. “I’ll take that as a yes. Unfortunate.”

  “Not your first choice? If the roles were reversed?” Mom folded her hands in front of her and seemed interested in his answer.

  “No. A honeymoon begs for excitement, new experiences as a couple, and plenty of options to keep one busy when you manage to leave your hotel. I’d consider Athens, London, or Hong Kong. Montreal or New York if it needed to be close.”

  “I imagine you’re quite the experienced traveler.”

  He grinned. “I have a few stamps in my passport.”

  She held his gaze before turning to me. “You needn’t tell her goodbye or help with gifts. Demetrius already arranged transport to their hotel.”

  I clasped my hands at my chest. “You mean I’m free?”

  “Yes, brat. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Call me tomorrow afternoon to let me know if you’re free for lunch.”

  Code to let her know I wasn’t dead in a ditch.

  “Of course.”

  “I’ll take good care of your daughter, Ms. Andreadis. I know what it’s like to be a parent’s favorite.” He winked and she burst out laughing. “My poor mother would be beside herself if something were to happen to me.”

  Sighing, he wrapped his arm around my waist and shook me slightly. He said seriously, “It’s a heavy cross to bear but it falls to us, Petra.”

  “You’re as bad as she is.” To me, she added, “Don’t forget your bag in the bridal suite. I can’t imagine you’ll want to wear that dress a moment longer than you must.”

  “Amen,” I answered.

  “Goodnight, darling.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Thank you for today.”

  “All for you, Mom. Remember that.”

  “As if you’ll allow me to forget.” She smiled and walked away.

  Jack looked at me and flashed a killer smile. I felt like one of those idiot women in romantic comedies.

  “Let’s grab your stuff and get the fuck out of here.”

  He was hot, witty, intelligent, and into me. I’d be a fool to let the opportunity to be with him pass me by.

  My mother didn’t raise a fool.

  “Great plan.”

  Jack followed me to the bridal suite and insisted on carrying my bag in one hand while he took mine in his other.

  Dropping a quick kiss on my lips, he released a small groan. “There’s a damn good bottle of champagne in my fridge.”

  “We can’t drink it if we’re here.”

  “You’re so right.”

  Chapter Nine

  Suddenly I was being half pulled, half carried through the main doors. Jack stopped abruptly at the valet and handed him two twenties and his ticket.

  “I’m really anxious to go home.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Nice.

  “Are you okay to drive, Jack?”

  “My last two drinks were pure soda. I’d never risk your safety.”

  My mouth dropped open. “You stopped drinking to make sure you could drive me home?”

  “Of course.”

  Seriously impressive.

  Two minutes later, the valet pulled up in a new Land Rover and ran around to open my door.

  Jack tipped him another ten and put my bag in back before guiding me to the passenger seat.

  From behind us, one of the drunk guests from the wedding watched us with interest. “In a rush to get laid, ol’ boy?”

  Jack’s head whipped around. “What did you say?”

  “That’s Kevin’s old lady. Before the new one, I mean. He had some stories about her skills, if you know what I…”

  I was humiliated then stunned at how quickly Jack moved.

  He had the man by his shirt and shook him. “One more word and I’ll risk jail time.”

  “Easy now, fella. All in good fun.”

  “You don’t talk about any woman like that and especially not this one.” He released him.

  The drunk seemed genuinely confused. “I didn’t mean nothing. Said she was real smart, loaded, and had the best ti…”

  “Stop!” I shouted. “I get it. You’re sorry. Goodbye now.”

  Jack shook his head. “You being one of Kevin’s friends doesn’t surprise me. Petra was the only thing that jackass ever did right in his life.” Straightening his jacket, he turned to me and added while looking into my eyes, “His loss.”

  Stepping close, he bent and put me in the vehicle. I started to protest being lifted, a little surprised he hadn’t struggled to be honest, and he put his fingertips over my lips.

  Then he replaced his fingers with his mouth. The sensation of strong fingers drifting down my arm gave me chills.

  I knew this man was going to leave a rather large hole in my heart when the new day arrived and didn’t even care.

  I was going to take what I could get with both hands.

  There was no rushing Jack’s kiss. I lost track of time and he appeared to disregard its existence completely.

  A part of me wondered what the venue staff thought but I didn’t care because my god his mouth was magic.

  Finally, he pulled back enough to murmur against my lips, “Not a word, wench.”

  One more firm kiss and he stepped back, slammed the door, and walked around to the driver’s side.

  Seated, buckled, and in gear, he gave me a big grin.

  “I’m not some Neanderthal douche in general but I’m going to shut any of that Kevin’s woman bullshit down so there are no questions. You’re fucking wonderful. Buckle up.”

  Then we were off.

  I don’t remember much of the drive itself. Jack kept me off balance every time he changed gears by resting his large hand on my knee.

  The fine silk of my stocking was no barrier to the heat that poured off him or to the rapidly rising worry I had about taking it (and everything else) off.

  “Tell me about your friends, your work. Distract me from the desire to pull over for more of your mouth, Petra.”

  Men didn’t talk to me like this. They just didn’t. The fact that he seemed to want me so much made me nervous.

  I covered it, as I do, with bravado and sarcasm.

  “My friends are nuts. We curvy girls gravitate to other oddballs like ourselves.”

  He glanced at me and back at the road. “Why do you say it like that?”

  The question confused me. “Say what?”

  “Curvy. Like you’re apologizing for it.”

  Turning a bit in my seat, I frowned. “Jack, you’re not new to this planet. Being dicks to non-skinny people is literally the last acceptable prejudice. People like me are expected to apologize or, you know, get with the program.”

  Keeping his eyes primarily on the road (which I appreciated), he cut his eyes to me for a moment.

  “People like you…”

  To my shock, he turned into a Publix grocery store parking lot. It was closed but there were still cars parked around it.

  Putting the SUV in park, he turned to me and put his hand on the back of my seat.

  I didn’t know where this was going.

  “You think you’re fat.”

  For him to boldly say such a thing threw me off my usual witty comeback routine. “Medically, I’m…”

  “No. I don’t give a fuck what some ambiguous chart says while lumping everyone together and discarding individual traits. I care what you think and you think you’re fat.”

 
I clutched my fingers together. “Jack.” I swallowed carefully and hated how I felt. “Why are we talking about this?”

  “How you think about yourself matters, beauty.” His palm slid along the side of my neck.

  “I…” had no clue what to say.

  “Before the sun comes up, you’re going to understand how wrong your thinking on this particular subject has been. I want you to see yourself the way I see you.” His fingers massaged my skin. “The way I see you, Petra.”

  Then he pulled me to him for another kiss that pushed my ache for him higher.

  Resting his forehead against mine, he murmured, “I need to stop touching you for twenty minutes.” He pulled back and placed my palm on his thigh, his hand over it. “You have oddball friends. Tell me about them.”

  I cleared my throat, strangely emotional. “Alright.”

  He nodded and pulled into traffic. I loved the way the muscle of his thigh felt as he changed gears. I found myself massaging it with a focus I rarely had for a man’s body.

  “Petra.” We were stopped at a light and my eyes flicked up to his. “Talk to me before I pull into the next available parking lot and we end up arrested for public indecency.”

  “You want me that much?” My eyes widened as I realized I’d asked the question aloud.

  “More. Talk to me.”

  Scanning my brain, I remembered the topic with considerable effort. “W-when my friends and I go out together, we’re a strange mix. From the outside, it wouldn’t seem as though we have anything in common.”

  He chuckled. “I can’t imagine.”

  “My best friend is a gay man. There are two uber-happy pot smokers who make us sign every pro-legalization petition. A few rabid feminists who make all of us do a ton of walking and yoga for various causes. A body art fanatic who keeps trying to talk me into just one tattoo or piercing.”

  “You don’t have any?” I shook my head. “I thought about getting one to honor my father. He died when I was sixteen.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “He was a good man, a great father.” He squeezed my hand. “It sounds like your friends would get along with mine. We’re a motley crew.”

  “Is it hard to see them as much as you travel?”