by Julie Morgan
She nodded and held her gaze to the floor. “May I get that ride now?”
She was like a dormouse inside a trap that was hell-bent on keeping her in the dark. Nowhere to go, nowhere to run, yet the door was just in front of her.
I took a step toward her and pushed my hands into my pockets. “Yes, you may go. Please send my apologies to the wedding party for keeping you. Were you able to get ahold of them?”
She nodded. “Yes, thanks.”
“Great. Oh, before I forget.” I sidestepped Ainsley and opened the liquor cabinet once more. I pulled out a bottle of Scotch and handed it to her. “My compliments to the happy couple. The limo will be waiting for you downstairs.”
She nodded, accepted the gift, and then turned toward the door.
“Ainsley?”
She paused and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes were light blue like the sky on an early Sunday morning as the sun had just risen over the horizon. Her lips were slightly full with a soft pink tone. I suddenly felt the need to kiss her.
“We’ll pick this up on Monday morning.”
She held my gaze for a moment, and a blush rushed her neck and cheeks. She looked to the floor, and then with a curt nod, she closed the door behind her.
I walked over to my desk and leaned against the edge. I wasn’t sure what to make of Ainsley Speire. Whether it was for a fun frolic or for something more, there was something here to be tested. I wasn’t ready to settle down, but the honesty in Ainsley’s hate note shifted something inside me, and damn it if I didn’t want to explore that…and her.
Now that her cards were on the table, it was time for me to decide if I was up for the challenge or if I wanted to fold and walk away.
And I never walked away from a challenge.
Chapter Five
Ainsley
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit over fucking shit and more shit!
I couldn’t believe what had happened. Chase’s Scotch…the letter…
I am so fired.
Riding in the car on the way to my home was like a high-end walk of shame, just without the sex. Chase had walked in to find his booze in one of my hands and a scorching sexual note in the other. And on his mouth? His sexy lips were pulled into a Cheshire grin. It was a smile I had witnessed him give his latest arm candy. It was a knowing smile—one of a man on the hunt for his latest prey.
I opened my phone and looked over my missed calls, texts, and emails. Who sent emails anymore? Apparently my friends when they couldn’t get ahold of me. Last night was the rehearsal dinner, and I’d missed it. No one should be surprised. This new career I’d opted for had taken up so much of my time. Between studies, my bar exam, and working in Chase’s office, it was a wonder I still had any personal connections at all.
I ground my teeth and pressed the Call button to dial the bride-to-be and then held my breath as her phone rang.
“Where the hell are you?” Ashley answered.
“Hey, yeah, I’m safe. No worries about me.”
“Dude, it’s my fucking wedding day. No time for sarcasm.” She sighed into the phone, and I felt like foul shit. “Listen, are you coming?”
“Yes,” I told her in a lowered voice. “I was forced to work last night.” I wanted to tell her all about drinking Chase’s Scotch and my drunken note, but all in due time. Today was her day, not my day to spoil.
Keep your head on straight, Speire. She has enough on her hands to not have to worry about your horrible decision-making.
“We all figured as much, but hey, a nice note would have been helpful that you wouldn’t make the dinner. Damn it, Mom!” she yelled. “Don’t make me bleed! That was close!”
“Why would your mom make you bleed?” I asked, hoping to get the topic off me.
“She’s trying to pin my dress. Apparently I lost too much weight! Who the hell loses too much weight, Ainsley?”
I laughed softly into the phone. I loved Ashley. We had been friends since high school when her family moved to Dallas. She joined one of the clubs I was a part of, and we had been inseparable ever since.
“How far away are you from the church?” Ashley asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
I hadn’t paid much attention. I looked up to the red light we were at.
“We’re driving down Elm Street and should be to you soon. I need to pick up a few things first, and then I’m there. I promise.”
Ashley wanted to marry in the historic church in downtown Dallas. It was a large off-white cathedral, and many of the windows were stained glass. It was beautiful and completely suited her style.
When I decided to marry, I’d be happy with running off to Vegas and getting married by Elvis. My parents would never forgive me, but it would be my wedding, not theirs.
“Okay, we’re in the back changing room. I have your dress here. I had hoped you’d show up today and not pick your fucking job over my damned wedding day.”
“Ashley, I said I was sorry about last night. I promise I’ll make up to you. And Chase sends his congratulations with a large bottle of Scotch.”
“Good. I have cups here. Let’s break it open to help soothe my nerves.” She groaned into the phone. “Fucking wedding shoes. Get here, Ainsley. Bye.”
She hung up before I had a chance to say anything back. I tucked my phone in my bag and leaned toward the driver. “I’ll give you a large tip if you can get me there in five minutes.”
The driver looked in the rearview mirror, his brown eyes staring back at me. “Miss, there’s no need to tip. It’s my pleasure. Hold tight. We’ll be there soon.”
With a sigh, I sat back in the seat and rested my head. Closing my eyes, I could only imagine what I’d look like walking in. Yesterday’s makeup and clothes, hair not done… I was the worst friend ever. This was the part of my job I hated. I detested being away from everyone, but if I wanted this to work, I needed to put in the hours, the work, the blood, sweat, and tears. Because if I didn’t, then what would be the point of it all?
I needed experience. The experience came with cases. Cases only came because they knew you won.
“All right, miss, we’re here.”
I lifted my head and checked the time on my phone. I was still early enough for me to shower and rush to the church and stand up for my friend. Dry shampoo and makeup will do wonders for anyone.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
What a way to chastise someone for not being the center of attention. It was a horrible statement to mutter to anyone, and of course, today, all the single ladies heard it from all the married ladies.
Why was this a thing?
I sat in a plastic chair with my legs crossed and sipped on my Moscato. The wedding had gone off perfectly. Ashley was beautiful, and her dress was the highlight of the occasion. Her new husband admitted to renting a tuxedo. I’ll never understand the fuss of a wedding dress when the groom’s attire seemed to be nothing but a joke.
Another bridesmaid I had never met sat at the table with me, nursing a glass of beer. The DJ blasted the Wobble song, and every person who knew the song—and also those who didn’t—danced on the floor the best they could.
Our dresses were peach, sleeveless, and fitted down to our knees, where they flared out in tulle. I felt like we were going to our high school prom all over again.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like weddings. I didn’t like that I felt very single…and had Chase on my mind. Across the room, a group of men were talking. Most had already removed their sports jackets and loosened their ties. A younger one with sandy-blond hair made eye contact with me and smiled.
I laughed under my breath and downed the rest of my Moscato. One of the waiters walked by, and I snagged a fresh glass from his tray. As I settled back into my seat, the sandy-blond guy started crossing the floor toward me.
Oh, I am so not in the mood for this.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
“No, thanks.”
“‘No thanks’ you don’t want to dance,
or ‘no thanks’ you’re not sure how? I’m happy to teach you.”
I looked up at him and frowned. “What?”
“Come on, let’s dance.”
I shook my head. “No. Go away.”
“Ahh, come—”
“The lady said no,” the other bridesmaid said.
I glanced over to her and raised my glass. “Mazel tov.”
She grinned and followed with, “Thank you.”
“Now please go ask someone else,” I said. “My feet hurt, I’m hungover, and I confessed to the lawyer I work for that I want to do awful things to him. So unless you have a get-out-of-jail-free card or a way to turn back time, step back and leave me alone.”
His brows rose, and he took a few steps back in retreat. “Right, sorry I asked.” He disappeared into the crowd of dancers.
I turned back to the table, grateful to be alone once more. I probably looked like a princess completely washed up after waiting for her knight in shining armor to arrive…but he never did.
“Fuck that,” I said to myself.
“Fuck what?” the other bridesmaid asked.
I glanced up at her and shook my head. “Just musing over today’s events.”
“Something about doing awful things to your boss?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, that happened.” I leaned onto my left arm and sipped my wine. “I missed rehearsal last night because of him.”
She nodded. “We all heard about that. I’m Missy, Ashley’s cousin.”
“Ainsley,” I said and reached across the table with my hand. She took it and gave it a shake. “Nice to meet you, Missy.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
A silence fell between us for a bit.
“Are you here alone?”
She nodded. “Yep, sure am. Seems you are as well?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I looked over to the dancefloor. Ashley and her new husband, Brad, took to the song they had picked out for their wedding dance. “I’m really happy for her, but I’m in no rush to find Mr. Right.”
“But if Mr. Right Now were to approach?” Missy asked.
I looked at her and laughed. I liked her. “Yeah, Mr. Right Now has been fun in the past.”
“So, what’re your plans come Monday?”
I frowned and lifted a brow. “What do you mean?”
“When you have to go back to work with that lawyer. Are you going to walk in like a baller, or will you walk in and not make eye contact?”
I shrugged. “I haven’t quite figured that out yet. I’m more of a dragon kind of girl. I don’t need a man to rescue me from a tower. I’ll tame the dragon and ride the beast out of the kingdom.”
She laughed and pointed to me. “I love that! That shit needs to be on a shirt!”
“Well, Missy, damn it, make it happen!”
“So,” she asked and leaned over. “Do you plan to line up for the bouquet?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Hell, no. You?”
She shrugged. “If it’s an opportunity to push someone aside who is desperate enough to grab for it? Then yes, yes I’ll play.”
I shook my head. “You play dirty.”
She winked. “Yes, but it’s better than not playing at all.”
“Maybe, but I don’t need the bouquet.”
“No, but you can take a flower from it,” said another voice.
I glanced up to find Ashley standing in front of me. She pulled a peach rose from her bouquet and handed it to me. “I decided to say fuck tradition and do my own thing. So instead of having people push each other out of the way”—Ashley glared at Missy—“I thought it would be fun to give everyone a rose from my arrangement instead and send them off with well-wishes for the future.”
I brought the rose close and inhaled the familiar fragrance. I noticed the center of it was a dark peach, almost pink. The outer edges of the flower were almost white.
“The roses are beautiful,” I told her. “So are you.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Now, if I may be so bold to ask, will you dance with me?”
I grinned and stood. “Well hell, I can’t turn down the bride.”
“Exactly. Let’s go!”
We made it to the dancefloor just as the DJ was starting one of our high school dance songs. The Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” started, and I couldn’t help laughing. Ashley took my hand and pulled me to the center of the floor.
I laughed and held my hands in the air while I danced with my friend who had long since forgiven me for not showing up to her rehearsal last night.
Across the room stood a man in the shadows. He wore a tuxedo, and his hair was styled back. I couldn’t quite see who he was for the darkness that fell over his features, but even from here, he had the build of a familiar man. When a camera flashed, my breath stilled in my chest.
“Chase?” I whispered and looked toward the darkened corner of the room. The man moved toward the light, and I realized then it wasn’t him. I closed my eyes and flinched when my arm was grabbed. I looked to see Ashley holding on to me.
“When I get back from our honeymoon, we’ll talk about what happened. Is that okay?”
I smiled and pulled her into my arms. “Oh, woman. You’re always doing everything for me. No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. You go on and have your honeymoon and start making babies. I’ll see you when you get back.” I let her go and stepped back.
I nodded and turned when her new husband took her by the hand. I headed back toward the table I was sitting at with Missy, the other bridesmaid, and decided it would be a good time to make a break for it. I needed air, I was tired, and I wanted to sleep through the rest of this weekend.
When Monday arrived, I had no idea what I would be walking into.
Chapter Six
Chase
I wasn’t sure how many times I had read Ainsley’s love/hate note over the weekend, but the folds of the paper began to tear. Darkened spots that marked the page where Scotch had splashed when she’d written the letter became something of a road map. My fingers traced over the parchment, and the indentions of her scribe reminded me these were her words that were indeed on the paper.
Not many called me out on bullshit, but Ainsley had. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but it had opened my eyes to something I hadn’t realized before. Ainsley was a beautiful woman. She was a few years younger than me, but she held herself in high regard and never let her emotions show.
Well, at least until Saturday morning, when I walked in on her hungover and passed out on my desk. She’d had fear in her eyes when she woke to me holding the letter she’d written. I was positive she’d never had any intention of me finding it, yet here we were.
Ainsley wasn’t the type I normally would go after. Maybe what I chased was only for sport. Get them in my bed, fuck them, and then show them to the door. Sex was no more than two people enjoying the benefits of an orgasm and the occasional blow job. I never even kissed anyone. That was too intimate by my standards. The last woman I kissed was my ex, but that was before I walked in on her fucking my former best friend.
I liked tall, slender women with long hair and full breasts, full asses. I preferred blondes over brunettes and redheads. And I had no time in my life for a relationship or children. My life was about me, and it had been that way for a long time. I had been called shallow more than once. It had never bothered me in the past. If the words came from Ainsley, however, I was pretty sure it would make me cringe.
Now I found myself wanting to see Ainsley walk through the office door, briefcase in hand. I wanted to see her in her office attire of a knee-length skirt, blouse, and heels. Her hair was auburn and her eyes this sea of green I felt I could get lost in. Her body was fit but not the slender build I normally went after. Ainsley had curves in all the right places. She had this hourglass figure that up until Saturday morning, I never noticed. Now I wanted to hold her naked in my arms and devour every curve.
Why? Why now?
Because sh
e’d told me off.
Because she wanted me, needed me, and longed for me to notice her. And I was the asshole who never did.
Her tits were stacked, her ass was round and perfect, and her legs were just long enough to wrap around my waist. I also wanted them wrapped around my neck while I tasted and licked her, ass to clit.
My dick throbbed, and I needed some relief. I wanted to lay Ainsley in my bed and fuck her. Maybe doing so would get her out of my head. She would be a conquest of sorts. Maybe it was the age-old “wanting something you can’t have” mentality. Whatever it was, I wanted it. I wanted her.
But now…she resented me for never noticing her. That could be hard to come back from but not impossible. I loved a good challenge, and Ainsley was next.
I looked up at the clock in my office—five minutes to eight. Ainsley normally would have been here by now. Would she come back after what had happened Saturday morning? Would she brave her nerves and face me? Hell, would I face her?
The door to my firm opened, and I glanced down the hall to see Ainsley walking through it. For a moment, she was a goddess of sex appeal, and hell if I didn’t want to confess my sins.
“Good morning,” she said to the receptionist with a smile.
Ainsley wore a white button-down blouse with a thin black ribbon tied into a bow under the folded lace collar. She had on a calf-length pencil skirt that was fitted to her body and heels that lifted her by a few inches.
My mouth watered, and I wanted to devour the woman there on the spot.
Her long locks of curled hair were pulled to one side and tumbled over her shoulder. Her lips were painted with a light-red gloss, and every part of me wanted to see them around the head of my cock.
“Fuck,” I groaned and rubbed a hand over the erection inside my pants. How did this woman suddenly have such control over me, when I never saw it prior to now?
You want what you can’t have.
Ainsley crossed the reception area, her heels striking the tile with each step. Her steps seemed to grow slower, and she stared at the floor and hugged her arms around her chest.
