A Merry Vested Wedding

by Melanie Moreland

  “Brayden and Addi are perfect for each other. You should be thrilled your daughter fell in love with such an upstanding young man. Have your little sulk and be done with it.” He grabbed the second bottle of scotch. “One is enough. My god, for such brilliant businessmen, you’re all such idiots at times. We’d be pouring you all into the limos.”

  He left, and we all stared at his retreating back.

  “That was uncalled-for. We can handle our liquor.” Aiden frowned.

  “Some of us better than others.” Maddox smirked.

  “Shut up all of you,” I grumbled, leaning forward and snagging a cigar. “It’s not your daughter who got married.” I cut off the end and lit it, letting the smoke escape. I rarely indulged, but I decided today I deserved it. “And I am happy. Brayden is an amazing partner for Addi. I just don’t have to like it. Not right this minute. Right this minute, I get my goddamn wallow. My baby girl is all grown up, and I feel old.”

  Maddox blew out a perfect smoke ring. “So do I. Wasn’t it just yesterday they were babies and Reid here still dressed like a homeless bum?”

  Aiden chuckled. “Remember the day he sat in his office with no pants on because he needed to do laundry?”

  Reid laughed. “That was a long time ago. Before Becca.”

  “Thank god for Sandy,” we all said in unison.

  “Remember Friday afternoon meetings?” I mused. “Us and the babies.”

  “I loved those,” Maddox mused.

  “The baby circle of truth,” Reid sighed.

  Richard laughed. “You guys are a sorry lot. We have awesome kids. They have to grow up—it’s part of life.”

  “I’ll remind you of that when Gracie drags some schmuck home to meet you.”

  He chuckled. “I didn’t kill Reed.”

  Van laughed. “He said you tried.”

  Richard sniffed. “If I had really tried, I would have succeeded.”

  We all laughed, knowing he was full of it. Richard got along well with Reed and had been surprisingly relaxed over their relationship.

  “I found it hard when Heather first moved here,” Richard admitted. “I worried constantly. Was she safe? Lonely? Was she eating? Would she tell me if she wanted to come home? Knowing she had Reed and the way he cared for her was, and is, actually very comforting.”

  That made sense in an odd sort of way.

  “Gracie will be different,” I warned. “The firstborn thing.” I eyed Richard through a haze of smoke. “What’s with her boss? He’s pretty intense.”

  Hal snorted. “Pot meet kettle.”

  I flipped him the bird, ignoring the laughter from the rest of them.

  Richard shrugged. “He helped her get here. Apparently with all the problems with weather and broken-down planes, they got as far as Calgary, and it looked like they were stuck. He rented a four-wheel-drive SUV and drove like a madman to get her to the wedding. I had a good conversation with him. He’s a little uptight, but decent. He thinks Gracie is a brilliant intern and will be a great lawyer. I know she says he is hard to work for, but they must get along all right. She said he asked to come today. I think he wanted to see the winery.”

  “Is that all?” Reid asked dryly.

  “What else could there be?” Richard asked. “He’s her boss and mentor. He’s older than her. I think he was just curious.”

  I met Maddox’s gaze, and he lifted an eyebrow. I was sure I had noticed a few glances between the two of them that were not boss/intern-like. I was certain Richard was in denial, but I wasn’t about to argue with him. I could be wrong—my head was a little mixed up today, and it seemed to be getting worse.

  The table was silent for a moment, the music from inside muted. I looked at the bottom of my glass, wondering who drank my scotch. The glass was full only a minute ago.

  Wasn’t it?

  “She’s leaving,” I groaned, peering through the patio glass. “She isn’t coming to say goodbye.”

  Everyone laughed. “Because she’ll be five minutes away and you’ll see her in two days, Bent,” Aiden pointed out. “Two days.”

  “Still.” I stood and headed to the doors. Someone yelled about a cigar, but I kept going until I found Addi.

  I made sure she knew I was happy for her and I would see her in a couple of days. I didn’t want her to think I was too busy checking that all her uncles were okay not to say goodbye. She would be upset, and I couldn’t have my baby girl upset on her wedding day. I welcomed Brayden to the family. It was the least I could do. Emmy pulled me in for a kiss as I went by, and I was pretty certain she propositioned me, but for some reason, none of the conversations were sticking in my head. Words floated by, but they were hard to grasp.

  I returned to the table and picked up my glass.

  “She’s gone,” I said morosely.

  Someone clapped me on the back, and I shut my eyes.

  Suddenly, Emmy was in front of me, shaking my shoulder, her beautiful dark eyes staring into mine. “Come on, Rigid. It’s time to go home.”

  I looked around, noticing the balcony was empty except for Aiden. He winked at me, sipping his scotch. Someone had drunk all of mine.

  Bastard.

  “Is the wedding done?”

  She smiled. She was so beautiful. Even more beautiful than the girl I married. I loved her more now than ever.

  Her smile became wider. “I know.”

  “Am I drunk?” I whispered.

  “Ah, a little. You knocked them back pretty fast.” She tugged on my hands. “You need to go home to bed and sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

  “Weren’t you going to have your wicked way with me?”

  She laughed, wrapping her arm around my waist. “That was your line, and maybe we’ll save that until the morning.”

  “Oh.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Is Aiden coming with us?”

  He stood, laughing. “Right behind you, Bent. Always am.”

  I had to smile.

  He was. My best friend and business partner was always there. So were Maddox and my whole extended family. And I had my Emmy.

  I was a lucky man.

  Emmy squeezed my waist. “Yes, you are.”

  “Aiden?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I survived my baby girl getting married.”

  “You did good, Bent.”

  The balcony tilted a little. I leaned into Emmy but spoke over my shoulder to Aiden.

  “Gonna pass out now.”

  “I was expecting that.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  And I was gone.

  Thank you so much for reading A MERRY VESTED WEDDING. If you are so inclined, reviews are always welcome by me at your eretailer.

  I have spent many hours with these characters. Encouraged by readers like you, I wanted to see what stories the next generation would tell.

  If you loved our unsuspecting new father-in-law Richard, the VanRyan’s story begins with my series The Contract. You meet an arrogant hero in Richard, which makes his story much sweeter when he falls.

  If happily ever afters are what you crave, I have a collection of short love stories for you to binge on in my Happily Ever After Collection.

  Keep reading to find out what exactly happened before maid-of-honor, Gracie found her way to the wedding venue.

  Enjoy reading! Melanie

  Sneak Peek

  My Saving Grace

  Grace

  I woke up, my head aching and my limbs feeling heavy. I blinked in the darkness of the room, my mouth feeling like the Sahara Desert. The room was unfamiliar, and it took me a moment to recall I was in a hotel room in Las Vegas.

  Why did my head ache so badly?

  I searched through my memories of the day before. Finally resolving the mystery of the trademark and copyright fiasco. Rushing to the airport, only to find out my plane was canceled due to an engine malfunction and the earliest flight I could get out was the next day. It was a long-ass flight with lots of stopovers, but it w
ould at least get me home the night before Addi’s wedding. I would miss the party but be there for the wedding. It was the best I could do. I returned to the hotel disappointed and upset. I hadn’t wanted to come on this trip so close to her nuptials, but my jackass of a boss had insisted.

  Jaxson Richards was a brilliant corporate lawyer. When I found out I would be interning with him, I was excited. His reputation preceded him. His track record spoke for itself.

  The day I met him was forever etched into my memory. I had interviewed at the firm and was offered an intern position. On my first day, they explained I would intern with two lawyers over the course of my year in order to learn more during my time with them. I knew interns were often hired at the end of their stint, but I planned on working with the lawyer at BAM and cutting my teeth there before moving to ABC. Bill held a wealth of knowledge, and I wanted to soak it up before he retired and someone younger took his place.

  I was sent to Jaxson’s office, and I knocked on the door, waiting until he called out for me to enter. He sat behind his massive desk, and the moment our eyes met, my world tilted.

  Tall and broad, stern and fierce, he stared at me, rising from his chair. His eyes were like iced fire, the blue vivid and clear. His hair was so dark it was almost black and brushed to gleaming. His suit fit him perfectly, and as he strode toward me, I caught a glimpse of his powerful thighs, large hands, and wide chest. He held out his hand, a smile tipping up one corner of his full lips and making the cleft in his chin prominent. I had never seen a man as handsome in my life. Considering the caliber of the group of men around me all the time, that was saying something.

  “Grace VanRyan, I presume?”

  I slipped my hand into his and shook it. The shock that tore through me at his touch startled me. For a moment, I was speechless, my throat dry, the words I needed to say unclear. I shook my head and found my voice, wondering why I was suddenly so nervous.

  “Mr. Richards. Yes, I’m Grace.” I cleared my throat, my words sounding strangely breathless. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to our time together.”

  He tilted his head. “As do I.”

  He escorted me to the chair across from him and waited until I sat down. It was only then I realized he was still holding my hand. He released his grip and sat down, resting his elbows on his desk. Then he asked me the strangest question.

  “Tell me about Grace VanRyan.”

  I had expected him to ask about school. What I wanted to get out of the internship. My thoughts on the future. Not to ask about me.

  “Nothing much to tell, really. I’m pretty boring.”

  “I find that hard to believe.” He smiled, lifting one eyebrow. “You may be at the beginning of your story, Ms. VanRyan, but I doubt you’re boring.”

  It slipped out before I could stop myself. “Gracie. My friends call me Gracie.”

  He inclined his head, that crooked smile once again gracing his lips. “Gracie,” he repeated.

  He sat back, not pushing the subject any further. He spoke of the firm, his history, and what he expected of me. We discussed some of the cases he was working on.

  “Why corporate?” he asked.

  “I’ve always been fascinated with it,” I confessed. “My father is in marketing, so he always talked about trademarks and copyrights. I loved it when I went into the office with him, and I always snuck into the legal department and asked a thousand and one questions.”

  “VanRyan—VanRyan,” he repeated. “Richard VanRyan?”

  “Yes.”

  “I know his work.”

  I smiled, unsure what to say.

  He went over the hours, where I would work, and answered all my questions. He smiled at me, the gesture turning his stern face into one of warmth, filled with personality.

  “Your enthusiasm is to be commended. I look forward to having you under me.”

  My eyes widened, and he hastened to correct himself. “Work under me. With me. I have a feeling we’ll make quite the team.”

  I had to push aside the thought of being under him. How his powerful body would feel against mine. The pleasure those large hands could bring. I felt my cheeks flush, and I had to lower my gaze before he noticed. There was silence, and then he cleared his throat and asked me a few more questions.

  I shook my head to clear it, knowing I couldn’t have such thoughts about the man who would be my boss, and responded in the proper manner, my mind fixed firmly on business.

  Finally, he stood, buttoning his jacket, indicating our time was done.

  After confirming my hours for tomorrow, I left, already excited about working with him. Learning.

  I had no idea the greatest lesson I would learn would be heartache.

  I tried to tamp down the painful memories.

  How the excitement led to pain. How I discovered his charm hid a selfish man intent on only his own pleasure. Realizing to my horror I had fallen in love with someone incapable of returning that love and who had lied to me with his sweet words and gestures. The future I envisioned was nothing but a lie.

  The face he showed the world was nothing but a lie.

  I had no choice but to work with him every day, hiding my pain. Wondering how love could become hate. I refused to let him see my inner turmoil. To beat me. I was determined to finish this internship, walk away, and never see Jaxson Richards again. I hadn’t wanted to come on this trip, but the partners, and Jaxson, had given me no choice.

  I groaned as I shifted, the pain in my head changing from a dull ache to a constant pounding. As I moved, I stiffened as I realized the weight on my hip wasn’t that of the blanket, but of a hand.

  My stomach rolled when reality hit me. Someone was in bed with me. I had slept with a stranger. I got drunk in Vegas and slept with a stranger. How clichéd.

  Ignoring the ache in my head, I shot out of bed, yanking the blanket with me. I fumbled around, finding the light and switching it on. I squinted as the pain shot through my temple, and I gasped when I recognized the man lying in the bed beside me. Not looking upset at all, Jaxson pulled himself up into a sitting position and had the nerve to smile at me.

  “Not a stranger,” he said, letting me know I had spoken my thought out loud. “How are you feeling, darling?”

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “Until a few moments ago, I was sleeping. You must need some Tylenol. Let me get it for you.”

  “Don’t bother. I meant how the hell did you get into my bed?”

  He smirked, lifting one leg up to his chest and reclining back with his hands beneath his head. He looked too handsome and far too comfortable for this situation.

  “Since this is my room, you’re the one in my bed.”

  I looked around, seeing he was right.

  “What the hell happened?”

  “I would think that was obvious.” He indicated the torn condom wrappers. “We had sex.”

  I gaped at him. “Why did I have sex with you? I don’t like you!”

  He leaned forward, his blue eyes bright in the dim light. His smile was wicked, and I wanted to wipe it off his face with my fist. “You really liked me last night. At least three times.”

  We’d had sex three times?

  “At least,” he confirmed. “I’m not counting the orgasm in the elevator, and I think I missed one other fuck. Against the wall, I think.”

  I was stunned. I stared at him, horrified. I had slept with my boss. Again.

  “I can’t believe I did that,” I mumbled, gripping the blanket.

  “That’s not the only thing you did, darling.”

  “What could be worse?”

  He tilted his head, studying me closely. He indicated my hand gripping the blanket.

  “You married me.”

  A thin, too-tight band encircled my ring finger. He held up his hand, showing me a matching ring.

  “How about that for cliché, Mrs. Richards?” He smirked.

  The room spun, and my stomach heaved. />
  The last thing I remembered was his shout before the floor rushed toward me.

  Unconsciousness had never been so welcome.

  Preorder Book 1 of the new ABC Corp Series - My Saving Grace

  Also by Melanie Moreland

  The Contract Series

  The Contract (The Contract #1)

  The Baby Clause (The Contract #2)

  The Amendment (The Contract #3)

  Vested Interest Series

  BAM - The Beginning (Prequel)

  Bentley (Vested Interest #1)

  Aiden (Vested Interest #2)

  Maddox (Vested Interest #3)

  Reid (Vested Interest #4)

  Van (Vested Interest #5)

  Halton (Vested Interest #6)

  Sandy (Vested Interest #7)

  Vested Interest/ABC Crossover

  A Merry Vested Wedding

  ABC Corp Series

  My Saving Grace

  Insta-Spark Collection

  It Started with a Kiss

  Christmas Sugar

  An Instant Connection

  An Unexpected Gift

  Mission Cove

  The Summer of Us Book 1

  Standalones

  Into the Storm

  Beneath the Scars

  Over the Fence

  My Image of You (Random House/Loveswept)

  Happily Ever After Collection

  Revved to the Maxx

  Heart Strings

  The Boss

  Acknowledgments

  As always, I have some people to thank. The ones behind the words that encourage and support. The people who make my books possible for so many reasons.

  Lisa—many thanks for being as awesome as you are.

  Beth, Trina, Melissa, Peggy, and Deb—thank you for your feedback and support.