Page 39 of Wolf.e
I turn with my drink in hand, offer him the standard, “hey” and a friendly side hug.
“Not my usual crowd, where are you sitting?” he asks.
“Table six.” I smile.
“Me too, glad I’ll have someone I know to talk to.” Dell smiles. He’s always been handsome in a preppy, clean cut sort of way. Totally my normal type if he wasn’t Lay’s brother. His hair is shiny and swept to the side like he took the time to style it.
“Same here.” I smile, actually meaning it.
Dell was always like an older brother to me when I was younger. And now that we have the connection of work, it seems easy and safe. He grabs a drink, and we begin to make our way to table six together, chatting about work and Layla. He tells me he was hesitant at first about Layla’s new life, but he knows how much Sean loves her and how good he is to her.
“I have to trust Lay. She’s always been a good judge of character. And it’s not like she’ll listen anyway…” Dell shrugs, taking a drink from his stein of beer and, leaning in, he smiles wide. “Also, well, he could definitely kick my ass so I just keepmy mouth shut.” He chuckles which in turn makes me laugh with him.
“At least you’re honest about it.” I pat him on the arm.
We haven’t even been talking for a full minute, before Kai is at my side at our table.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding on the seating arrangement. Layla requested you sit at her table,” he says to me, while offering Dell a big friendly grin that saysI’m a nice guy but I could break you. I have no idea how he does that so well.
I look back at Wolfe—who’s sitting now, two seats down from Layla and Sean at the head table—staring straight at me, sipping an amber colored whiskey.
“No, thank you. It’s fine I can stay here,” I say politely, not breaking eye contact with Wolfe. I was actually comfortable with a familiar family friend and it’s obvious to me what’s going on here. He may be used to getting whatever he wants but I won’t be at his beck and call. Not to mention, staying away from Wolfe is in my best interest because when he’s too close I just don’t think straight.
“Please, go tellLayla.” I emphasize her name because I know damn well it’s not her that wants me to move. “I’m going to stayhere.”
Kai smiles even bigger. “I wouldn’t disappoint the bride on her wedding day, would you?”
I look over and she’s sitting at the table, waving at me excitedly. She’s so beautiful in her princess gown as she called it. It’s a white classic A-cut number, but around the bodice and dancing down the train is the most delicate black lace. I remind myself it’s her wedding day and I won’t start any drama with her infuriating club president.
“Fine,” I say, standing to follow him.
“Sorry, Dell.” I put my hand on his shoulder.
He waves me off. “No worries, Brin! Dance later?” he asks, standing, completely oblivious.
“Of course,” I say, giving him a friendly side hug.
I follow Kai, shooting daggers at the smug face ready to greet me.
Chapter 20
Gabriel
It took about five seconds of me watching Brinley touch Layla’s preppy brother to know that wouldn’t be happening all night long. Dell might seem like the straight-laced man she thinks she belongs with, but that’s because he gets all his fucked-up fetishes out in his spare time. There are mommy issues like I’ve never seen in his internet search history.
Brinley will sit with me because I might go fucking postal if I have to spend one more goddamn second not breathing in her sweet scent. She’s probably not going to come willingly but, whether she likes it or not, Brinley Rose Beaumont is already mine. Something about this woman has me wanting to strip her down, defile her and put the pieces back together in a way that suits only me, as if there was her life before she came apart for me and her life after, and that takes more time than just one night.
When Brinley reaches the table, it’s obvious there’s only one available chair. It’s to my left, in between myself and Layla.I don’t look up; I just pull it out for her. She sighs and I can practically hear her roll her eyes at me.
It’s fine. She can be mad at me while she does what she’s told.
Layla looks at her and smiles. “You’re sitting with us? Cool.”
Brinley smiles back at her, rosy lips parted, her dimples on full display in her dewy cheeks and I’m bewitched. I’ve never seen any living thing look so fucking beautiful. The dress she’s wearing tonight is the same shade of blue as her wide, almond-shaped eyes. It’s the lightest, most enticing blue I’ve ever seen, and it hangs off her spectacular shoulders and then drifts down over her slender arms as if it was made to personally torture me.
When I came into the chapel and saw her standing there, long tanned legs on display, the open back of her dress, thick, raven hair in soft curls held up halfway by the twist of a pin, I nearly bent her over one of the pews. I will openly admit, the depth at which I’m thinking about this woman is enough to make me question my own fucking sanity, if that was something I did. But I don’t. I simply want her and I don’t care why.
Brinley’s eyes meet mine and the smile falls from her lips. She reaches to the center of the table and grabs the bottle of red, pouring herself a hefty glass as the first appetizers are wheeled out for dinner.
