Page 96 of Reckless
I’m frozen in place. How could he possibly know that? Think that? Why would a one-night stand with me be more impactful that a one-night stand with one of the bajillions of random women I’m sure he’s slept with over the years?
“I asked him if she knew about this and he laughed and said, ‘Not yet.’”
26
Theo
Theo:That fucking dress should be illegal.
Winter:Is that why you’re glaring at me from across the room? It’s a wedding. Act happy.
Theo:I’m undressing you with my eyes.
Winter:Cheesy.
Theo:Fine. I’m trying to decide if I should rip those thin straps or even bother taking the dress off at all.
Winter:Who told you that you’d be taking my dress off?
Theo:You haven’t yet, but you will.
Winter:Rude.
Theo:Rude is me telling you that if you wanted a pearl necklace, I could have given you one.
Winter:Extra rude.
Theo:I’ll stop being rude when it stops making you turn that pretty pink color.
* * *
Every person in the vintage-style barn has their eyes on Summer as she and Rhett exchange vows at the front of the aisle.
Except me.
I have mine on Winter. And I can’t take them off.
Partly because of her clingy silky dress, held up by such dainty straps. Everything about the delicate garment is so easily lifted or ripped. And then she’s wearing this pretty choker-style pearl necklace, and I can’t help but wonder if she did it to test my controlandmy maturity. I can’t wait to whisper something dirty in her ear about pearl necklaces and watch her squirm.
But most of all, my eyes are stuck on her because every time her gaze meets mine, her skin turns this tulip-pink color, and she acts like she’s found something interesting in the rows of people watching the ceremony. Her lips will press together, her lashes will flutter, and her gaze will find its way back to me.
I shouldn’t eye-fuck her so blatantly at the front of her sister’s wedding, but I have been since we all met up in the back room. I couldn’t be more clichéd, the best man drooling over the maid of honor at a wedding. Especially since I’m only the best man because Rhett didn’t want to pick one of his brothers over the others.
Before I know it, the justice of the peace announces they can kiss and everyone in attendance cheers. When I hear a loud whistle, I turn and see Kip, Winter and Summer’s dad. I should find it endearing he’s here fervently supporting his daughter, but I saw the pain that flashed over Winter’s face when he walked Summer down the aisle to us.
Glancing over at Winter, I find her eyes on me. This time, I toss her a wink. Her cheeks flame and her lips purse as she looks away, trying to hide her smile.
The rest of the day passes in a blur of much of the same. Stolen glances. Posed photographs. A hand on her back, just a little too low. Family speeches. My foot pressed against hers under the head table. The first dance. Me wiping the icing off her lip from the cake.
The tension is so thick between us, I could cut it with a butter knife.
It’s when the dancing starts that my cheeky, happy little bubble bursts and I have my first run-in with a feeling I’m not well acquainted with at all.
Jealousy.
Beau Eaton snags Winter for an upbeat two-step and all I can see is his hand on the small of her back. His fingers wrapped around where mine should be. And I hate it.
As the song changes into a slow dance and he doesn’t let her go, my agitation builds. I shift my weight on the spot. Her eyes search for me, and when she finds me, she smiles. I lean against the bar, bottle of beer in hand, burning lasers into a guy I generally like for daring to dance with the woman I’m in love with while I wait for her to decide if she might like to be in love with me too.
