Page 7 of Something Borrowed
“What?”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Shrugging, I take a sip of my beer. “Why not? You’re about to nail down the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with. It’s only natural.”
“Huh.” It’s my turn to narrow my eyes at him in question. “Are you sure everything’s okay? You’re never usually this pro marriage and kids.”
“Just growing up, I guess.” The truth is, being here at his wedding, with Bryony in touching distance, I can’t stop thinking about the future. I want this. I want to promise my life to her and think about our future together as a couple. I just hope I’m not too late. If our short time on the veranda is anything to go by, I’m thinking I might have a shot. But only time will tell.
* * *
“I should probably head up.If tomorrow’s as chaotic as I’m expecting, I’m going to need some sleep,” Mac says, finishing up his second pint.
“I’ll finish this and I’ll follow.”
I’ve no desire to head up to my room alone with the knowledge of who else is in this hotel.
Slamming my empty glass down, I march towards reception, an idea forming in my head.
“Hi.” I smile sweetly at the woman behind the desk. Her eyes light up and not-so-discreetly drop to check me out.Perfect. “I’m the best man for the Ford/Winters wedding tomorrow and I’ve got an issue that needs sorting ASAP. Any chance I could get the room number for Bryony, the wedding planner…Janet,” I purr, leaning forwards on my elbow.
Incredibly, it works because she also leans towards me slightly, her tongue sneaking out to lick her bottom lip. “I…I really shouldn’t give out resident’s room numbers.”
“We’ve been friends since we were kids. It won’t be an issue, I can assure you.”
“Umm…okay, but you didn’t hear it from me.” Her eyes flick around the reception, making sure no one’s listening. “Ms. Ford is in room 605.”
“Thank you, Janet. This is our little secret.” I wink and her cheeks flame red. I’m still chuckling to myself as the elevator doors close behind me.
Bryony
Resting back in the chair, I blow out a breath as I scan through my inbox looking for anything that needs my attention right now. I’m desperate to find something that might distract me from my memories of what happened outside earlier.
My lips are still tingling from his. Lifting my fingers, I press them to my lips as I relive it once again. I haven’t been kissed like that in a very, very long time.
I’m just about to open an email from Olivia, my colleague, when a short, sharp knock sounds out around the room.
Assuming it’s probably Tessa freaking out about some tiny insignificant detail about tomorrow, I plod over barefoot and lower the handle without looking in the peephole. It’s something I regret the second I reveal the person standing the other side.
“What do you want?” I snap, frustrated with myself for not checking so I could ignore him.I’m pretty sure that’s what I would have done if I knew, I tell myself, even though I know it’s a lie.
“Well, I was hoping for a slightly more friendly welcome.” My eyes drop from his and focus on his full lips, remembering once again how well they fit with mine. His words don’t register; I’m too lost in my own fantasies. Dropping lower, I take in his white shirt, undone just enough to show a little chest hair, and his sleeves rolled up to the elbows to reveal strong forearms. My mouth waters and my thighs clench.
“If you let me in, I can do whatever it is you’re imagining right now.”
My eyes fly back up to his and I fight to make sense of his words.
“Let me in, beautiful. Let me give you what you need.”
In a moment of sheer madness, I pull the door wider and step aside. The second he’s in the room, it’s like all the air’s been sucked out. My chest heaves as I watch him glance around before turning his emerald eyes on me.
Sucking in a breath, I swallow down my sudden nerves. “Freddie…I…”
I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence because my back hits the wall, his fingers are in my hair, and his lips land on mine.
A deep moan rumbles up my throat and my fingers find his shirt. I tug and he willingly steps forward and presses his body against mine. I feel tiny against his tall muscular frame, and I love it.
Our kiss lacks any kind of finesse, our tongues dueling, our teeth clashing, and our lips being bitten seductively. It’s like he’s trying to pour ten years of missing out into this one single kiss.
