I trying to push the thoughts of our parents to the back of my mind and focus completely on her. “Me neither…it was definitely a nice appetizer for what I hope will lead to my main course later on tonight.” I step back up to her and slide my arm around her waist as we begin walking towards the restaurant once again.
“Slow it down there, Romeo. This kiss will go no further. You’re very drunk and not thinking clearly, while I…” she points to herself, “I’m as sober as they come, and believe me—us getting into bed with each other again spells disaster. I think it’s best to take that kiss for what it was. A thank you from me to you for the lovely gift, and nothing more. As soon as we are seated for dinner, order yourself a coffee.”
“I am pretty drunk. That’s what happens when you spend the afternoon hiding out in a bar, drinking. I guess you’re right about the whole disaster thing...but you gotta admit knowing we shouldn’t be doing it would make it even more fun. If I need to go back to the gift shop and buy a few more necklaces to earn a couple more thank yous, say the word and I’ll go get you whatever your little heart desires, Spitfire.”
She slaps my chest hard, causing me to groan in discomfort as she replies, “Knock it off. You’ll thank me in the morning for not allowing us to make that mistake again.”
I mumble under my breath in response, “I may thank you, but my balls sure as hell won’t.”
“Stop being so goddamn dramatic. We both know you’ll go to bed just fine after you have a powwow with Rosie and her slutty five friends,” she retorts, referring to my hand.
God. That mouth.
“I love it when you insult me, Spitfire. Feels like old times.”
Dinner was uneventful last night, and I’m hoping the same can be said about this damn wedding today. Thankfully, my dad and Vivian opted for a small private wedding, so there’s only around fifty guests—all of our immediate family, Bryant and his douche father, and another attorney from Vivian’s firm, plus some family friends from both my dad and Vivian’s sides.
All of my father’s golfing buddies from the PGA couldn’t make it today, because there's a tournament going on all weekend in Illinois that my dad, of course, opted out of for this wedding. When I heard that, I thought hell officially froze over. Of course, every single one of the golfers he’s close with sent wedding gifts to the house, congratulating them on their nuptials.
I’m adjusting my tie in the large mirror above the dresser in my room when my phone begins going off. Calling it good enough, I tuck my tie into my vest and grab my phone off of my bed. Glancing down at the screen, I see my dad’s name. Sliding my finger across the screen, I open the text.
Dad:
Meet me at my suite
Well, I guess I’m being summoned. Best drag my ass over there before he goes Groomzilla on me and carries me to the damn building himself. I still can’t believe he’s marrying Vivian. She’s an amazing woman, but this is all too fast, and it makes my life a living hell knowing after this evening, Raven will be my fucking stepsister.
I type a quick text back to my dad, telling him I’m on my way, and then slide my phone into my pants, making my way towards the building where the suites are for the bride, groom, and wedding party.
As I walk towards the entrance, I look out into the field called Moonlight Grove, and spot the white archway and the perfectly lined white chairs that are set up for the ceremony, which begins in less than forty-five minutes. I have to say it is a beautiful place to get married, with the mountains in the distance and the vineyards surrounding the area where the ceremony will take place. For over twenty thousand dollars for this wedding, thank God it’ll be endless booze from here on out.
My eyes slowly gravitate towards the strawberry blonde hair dancing in the warm summer breeze up on top of the hill. Her head turns and looks towards me, as if she can feel my eyes on her. A smile dances across her lips as she spots me and lifts her hand to wave to me. I watch her say something to the wedding planner she’s standing with before jogging towards me.
Even dressed down in flip-flops, a pair of cut-off shorts, and a button-up flannel knotted above her bellybutton, she takes my breath away.
“Hey!” she says sweetly as she comes to a stop beside me. Her eyes roam over me in my suit and I notice a slight twinkle in her eye as she takes in my well-tailored three-piece getup. “Wow—you clean up nice, Linc. Are you heading to your dad’s suite?”
“Thanks, where’s your dress?” Her hair and makeup are done, but she’s definitely not dressed for walking down the aisle in less than an hour.
Waving her hand at me, she says, “I’m putting it on as soon as I get to my mother’s bridal suite. I had to go over some last minute things with the wedding planner. I didn’t want to chance getting it dirty before the ceremony.”
Holding my arm out, I silently ask her to take it. She slides her delicate hand under my arm, gripping my bicep. “I’ll walk you to the suite, seeing as we’re heading the same way. Besides helping to avoid any crazy wedding disasters, what else have you been up to this morning?”
Turning her eyes away from mine, she looks back up the hill. “I had breakfast with Bryant, his mother, and my mom.”
I know she said she’s not into Bryant, but I know Vivian said he’s her plus one for the stupid reception. He, of course, was at dinner last night with both of his parents, but I didn’t notice Raven talking to him too much over dinner. She was sandwiched between the two of us. It was awkward to say the least, with the air feeling thick and tense between us.
I tried to loosen her up and get her to relax by sneaking my hand under the white linen tablecloth, but as soon as my hand slid its way under her dress, she quickly pushed it away and silently scolded me with her eyes to behave, but the small smirk on her lips that mirrored mine let me know she liked it, even if she refused to admit it.
I know I’m playing with fire when it comes to her, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I see danger flashing in neon lights all around her, but my dumb ass keeps saying, What no one knows won’t hurt anyone. Those words always end up blowing up in my face, but still, I found myself listening to the damn imp on my shoulder saying, What would one more fuck hurt?
I let out an annoyed groan as I pull the door open to the building and usher her inside. “I had breakfast with my dad and a few of his friends, followed by an early-morning round of golf. I didn’t notice you guys. If I had, I would’ve made sure to stop by and say hello.”
The sarcasm in my voice at the last part makes Raven let out a giggle. “You’re awful. You and I both know you can’t stand Bryant, so I doubt you’d be stopping by to chat his ear off. I told you I don’t like him that way; we’re just friends.”
“That’s a good thing for you, because from what I’ve heard after one night with the guy, you’d be showing him the door. He looks like a movie star, sure, but looks don’t help in the bedroom department.”
Her feet come to a halt. “Wait. What are you talking about? All I’ve ever heard is how amazing he is from all of my friends.”
Cocking my eyebrow up, I ask, “And have said friends ever banged Bryant?”
“Well, of course not. If they had, I wouldn’t have gone on a date with the guy. Girl code and all, you know?”
Chuckling, I say, “Believe me, they’ll be glad they didn’t. I’ve heard from enough girls that he’s got the looks of an Adonis, but a dick like an Oscar Mayer hot dog.”
“Oh, my God, Linc!” she squeals as she covers her mouth to muffle her laughter, trying not to draw attention to us as we walk through the busy corridor. “Can we please stop talking about penises?” she hisses at me just above a whisper.
“Sure, I’m done talking about Bryant’s little weenie...but that doesn’t mean talking about my rod is off the table. It’s still sore from you leaving me hanging last night. We could sneak into one of these empty rooms or storage closets to rectify the situation.”
The loud smack against my left pectoral echoes throughout the hallway as we walk towards the doors leading to our parents’ suites. “Oh, my God. You have no shame! Talk of all things penis is now off the damn table, Linc. Now I get to walk into my mother’s suite with my face as red a goddamn apple thanks to you.”
“You know, smiling and trying not to laugh as you yell at me really doesn’t make it believable that you don’t want to talk about my penis.”
Another loud giggle escapes her as she looks around nervously. “I’m serious, shut up. I mean it. Goodbye, Linc...and please try to behave yourself today!”
Holding her hand on my arm, I don’t let her go just yet. Instead, I lean in and brush a soft kiss against her red flushed cheek. “See you at the altar, Spitfire.”
Rolling her eyes, she yanks her arm away as I finally release her hand. “Bye,” is all she says before hurrying a few doors down to her mother’s suite and disappearing inside.
I knock on the door to my dad’s suite before entering. Opening the door, I burst in, all smiles, with my hand in the air before slamming the door behind me. “Ready to get hitched, old man?”