Page 21 of Baby for My Best Friend's Brother

Because holy hell.

He’s wearing a dark tuxedo that hugs his broad chest and shoulders like it was custom-made for sin. His hair is neater than usual, though a few unruly strands still fall across his forehead.

And his beard—God help me—is freshly trimmed. But it’s still scruffy enough to make my thighs clench with the memory of what that scruff felt like on my skin when he made me cum with his tongue.

“Wow,” he says, eyes fixed on Winter. “You look…”

“Like someone who might pass out?” Winter offers.

Cliff chuckles and crosses the room to her, completely ignoring the rest of us. “You look stunning, Baby Sis.”

Winter swallows hard and blinks fast.

He bends, whispering something just for her ears. Whatever it is, her eyes well up.

I look away, giving them a moment, but not before catching the way Cliff wraps her in a careful, protective hug—the kind that saysI’ve got you. Always.

A man like this—gruff, quietly loyal, unexpectedly gentle—it’s no wonder my brain keeps fantasizing about the big grand dream instead of the one I’ve mapped out for myself.

When Cliff pulls back, his gaze drifts to me.

“Sophie,” he says, his voice is low and rumbles in my chest.

“Hey.” I smile, trying to play it cool even though my knees are suddenly shaky. “You clean up well.”

He steps away from his sister and closes the distance between us, his eyes drinking me in like he’s trying to memorize every detail.

“You look…” He lets out a breath. “Fucking hell. You’re stunning.”

Heat rises to my cheeks. “Thank you. So you look well too.”

He leans in, voice dropping to that low gravelly register that gets me every time. “I’m gonna be hard all day thinking about you in this dress.”

My breath catches. “Cliff…”

“Will you save the first and last dance for me?” His thumb brushes mine, slow and teasing.

“Of course.” I can barely get the words out. “

His smile is wicked and warm all at once. “Good. Because I plan to remind you just how good we are together. Even with your clothes on.”

I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me. “You’re bad.”

He leans in and kisses my cheek, his lips lingering. “You like it.”

I do.

God help me, I really, really do.

I step out onto the grass with the other bridesmaids, the soft crunch of gravel under my heels quickly replaced by the lush whisper of grass.

The mountains rise behind the ceremony arch like silent witnesses. A light breeze stirs the ribbons tied to the chairs, and the whole thing feels magical.

Winter stands just out of sight, waiting for her cue. Slate is already at the altar, shifting from one foot to the other as the music starts. He looks handsome and terrified. Like a man who knows he’s about to have everything he’s ever wanted—and still can’t quite believe it’s real.

Cliff appears, offering his sister his arm.

There’s something about the way he looks at her—so steady and full of pride—that makes my throat tighten. Winter loops her arm through his, blinking back tears as they take the first step together.

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