"Well..." he started, a little stunned by the question. "Well, for one, I never thought Britta's brothers would allow it. And two, I never noticed you expressing any interest in each other."
Rebekah stayed quiet, unsure of the vibe passing between Hawk and her new husband.
"Oh..." Hawk began, annoyance in his tone. "The brothers don't get a say into our relationship. And since you asked about the level of interest, I may fuck her hard on my office desk every day, but I don't make it public, so how would you know?"
Rebekah erupted in laughter, but her eyes were wide in shock. She quickly went quiet when Roman shot her a dirty look.
And me? I would usually be mortified by such a comment. However, after seeing the pained envious look on Roman's face, I could have high-fived Hawk for his creativity.
"Hard to top that." Roman does his best to remain indifferent. That didn't stop his eyes from wondering the length of my body. He did little to hide the fact, and I saw Rebekah's face flash with annoyance. Hawk responded by pulling me closer against him. So close, in fact, I could feel his cock press between my ass cheeks. My knees weakened with lust, but Hawk held strong.
Rebekah slid her arm under Roman's, but he took her hand to move her away.
"If you all excuse me, I need to check on Grandma Jane. Mom and Dad have had a few too many wines, and I'm sure they've forgotten about her."
Before anyone could respond, Roman exited the dance floor leaving an awkward and stunned Rebekah.
"Job done, babe," Hawk whispered in my ear, and I hid my smile.
"Congratulations, Bec," I said quietly. "I hope you're both happy with each other."
She watched me before responding, assessing whether my comment was double-edged. Only a guilty person would think that.
"Thank you," she finally managed.
"Are you ready, baby?" Hawk's eyes sparkled.
"Absolutely." We turned to leave, but Rebekah gently touched my arm. Hawk took a few steps away to give us some privacy.
"Brit," she started. "Do you think we could meet up sometime? You know, just to talk... like old times?"
I bit my lip, uncomfortable with the idea. "I'm happy you've found happiness, Bec. But I don't think meeting up like old times would be that great of an idea. Sorry."
She nodded, empathetically. "That's fine, I understand. It was worth a shot. I'm happy for you, though." She looked behind me. "I remember during the summers how we used to follow the boys around and pretend to read our magazine, but really be perving over the pages."
Behind me, Hawk laughed. "About as subtle as sledgehammers you two were then?"
Bec and I both giggled at the memory and our apparent failures. "I'll email, and we'll take it from there," I offered as a way of extending an olive branch.
She smiled warmly. "That would be great."
We said our farewells, and as I was collecting my purse from the table, I turned to Hawk. "Can you give me a second, I just need to find the ladies' room."
Hawk pulled me in close, his rumbling voice sending shivers coursing over my skin. "Don't be too long, our night isn't over yet."
I swallowed while stepping back, wishing we could be anywhere but where we were at that very moment. Biting my bottom lip, I smiled at the smirking Hawk and turned on my heel to head into the main building, the night's anticipation killing me.
After five minutes of searching, I finally found the bathroom and the twenty-strong lineup.
"Shit!" I said, taking a step back, wondering if I could hold it until I got home. If only I'd not finished that last champagne, I would have increased my odds.
A tap on the shoulder was followed by a quiet but friendly voice belonging to a waitress who'd been serving our table throughout the night. "There's a second toilet in the winery shed straight out there," she said, pointing in the direction to follow.
"You're a gem," I said, smiling warmly. "And my bladder thanks you."
Making my way out of the house, I walked across the white pebbled drive and into the shed loaded with wine barrels and machinery. The scent was beautiful, sweet red grapes and mahogany wood. Walking down the dimly lit aisle of barrels, I saw the door leading to the toilet. Noises further down, however, stilled me in my tracks. I waited and listened to hear it again. Moments later, I heard what sounded like grunts. Looking behind me, I seemed to be the only one in the shed, but someone was definitely there. The grunts were quickly followed by a moan, and now I was intrigued. Taking tentative steps forward, using the barrels for balance, I walked on my toes to avoid the clicking of heels. The noises became louder the closer I got. Any closer and I would expose myself, so I stopped and peered around the second layer of barrels.
"What the actual fuck...?" I breathed when I found the fornicating couple. "That rotten fucking bastard!"
I watched, almost dumbfounded, surprised but not surprised as Roman pounded the mystery redheaded woman from behind. He had her bent over a barrel, her silk dress hoisted high on her waist, his small skinny fingers clutching her hips with each thrust. Just like his usual style, he moved with lack of rhythm and ejaculated far too quickly.
It seemed a leopard never changed its spots. Roman was a serial cheater, even having the audacity to cheat with a bridesmaid at his wedding. He stepped away from his mistress, allowing her to straighten her dress and smooth her hair.
I felt sick.
Sick because it brought back a wave of confronting memories, and sick because he was doing the same thing to Rebekah, who was under the assumption she'd just married the man of her dreams. They hadn't even had the chance to consummate their marriage before he stuck his dick in another hole. The sick fuck.
And besides all that... why was he even cheating? He was remarkably confident for a man who wasn't well-endowed or long-lasting.
I had to get out of there.
With a pounding heart, I considered pegging a bottle of Merlot at the asshole. But my conscience got the better of me. Carefully retreating, I heard their hushed voices as they prepared their staggered exit back to the unassuming guests. With moments to spare before they rounded the corner and accused me of voyeurism, I sprinted as best I could in three-inch heels, no longer caring if I made any noise.
I had to get back to Hawk, and as far away from these people as possible.
"Want some cake to take-"
"Let's go!" I ordered, taking Hawk's hand sans the cake.
"Whoa," he laughed, bemused by the urgency. He spun me around to face him, and in my peripheral I saw Roman walking down the small slope toward the table. My eyes followed him as he met Rebekah and pecked her on the cheek like he didn't just have Ms. Redhead bent over a barrel.
"Um..." I started, distracted. "I'm just really keen to go." I looked at his handsome face, and suddenly things were put more into perspective. Roman may still be the same twat as before, but I didn't want that to ruin any possibilities of a great night with Hawk.
"Whatever the lady says," he agreed, resting a hand on my ass cheek as he led me out. With his other hand, he called the driver and as the music faded the further away we got, the anticipation of the night ahead quickly dissolved any shock from earlier.
Back in the limo, I felt my shoulders relax. Back in Hawk's space, everything felt more balanced.
"I thought you went to the bathroom?" he asked, staring at my bouncing knee. At the mention of the bathroom, my bladder panged painfully.
"That was the intention."
Hawk raised a curious brow. "But..."
"I kind of walked into something I shouldn't have."
He curved his ankle over his knee. "Okay... I'm hooked. Spill."
Exhaling heavily, I spilled the beans. "On my way to the toilet, I saw Roman fucking another woman in the wine shed."
"Bullshit!"
"Not bullshitting."
Hawk laughed. Not with humor, but disbelief. "On his wedding night? I'm sorry, babe, but him cheating on you was the best thing that could ever have happened. At least you discovered the truth before you got hitched."
I nodded my head. I guess I was lucky in that respect. Had I have found out after the deed was done, I would have cut off his balls. "I couldn't agree more."
"Did you see who the woman was?"
"Yes."
This time he raised both brows. "Well, who?"
"Ms. Redhead." I watched carefully for his reaction, still unsure of his personal connection with her. A past girlfriend maybe? But why was he so cold toward her?
"Ms. Redhead?" he asked.
"Yes," I said with some frustration. "The same one who's now popping up everywhere. The same from Jarod's party who kissed you. The same redhead who somehow found herself in the bridal party of people I've known for years, yet I've never heard of her. The same redhead who looked butt-hurt when you rejected her earlier tonight."
"Well, I didn't want to dance with her," he said, shaking his head like it was an obvious answer. "Besides..." he continued, "... there's only one girl I want to be up close and personal with, and she just so happens to be sitting in front of me now." Hawk leaned forward and hooked his hands behind my knees, pulling me slightly toward him. I caved at his touch forgetting everything about Roman and his redheaded mistress. And in that moment, he too was the only man I wanted to get up close and personal with.