Always the Bridesmaid Read online

  “No, Sir. All of them look lovely. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out who I was paired up with. Since I’ve been out of the country for six months, I’m hoping she’ll take pity on me.” He took the opportunity to pump the other man for some info. “You wouldn’t happen to know her name would you? I didn’t get a chance to ask her before the mad photographer commandeered her.”

  “Considering I’m her father, I should hope so.” He handed an icy can to Noah before continuing, “You look like you could use one these. Her name is Jenna, by the way.”

  A smile split Noah’s face. He wasn’t sure if it was because of anticipation of the icy beverage or the relief at finding out his bridesmaid’s name. “Jenna. A very pretty name.” Popping the tab on the beer, he lifted towards his mouth before remembering his manners. “Thanks for the beer. You don’t know how much I’ve needed this.” Taking several long draws, it didn’t take him long to drain it. While most men might have felt the effects of chugging twenty-four ounces of ice-cold beer, Noah could easily drink five times that amount before he even got the slightest buzz. But damn if it still didn’t taste good.

  “You got another one of those, Richard?”

  Noah turned to see another one of the groomsmen. Donald or Dalton, he thought he’d heard Bradley call him. He was surprised when Richard stiffened beside him.

  “I don’t have anything for you.” The curt biting tone of the older man matched his body language. There was evidently some bad blood or something between the two men.

  “Mr. Smith. Ah hell, I should probably apologize for this mess with Jenna. I’m sorry that we aired our dirty laundry but if she…”

  The fury in Richard’s eyes along with the subtle clenching of his hands had Noah backing up a step. If looks could’ve killed, the other man would’ve been dead.

  “I don’t want to hear it, Dawson. You fucked up and lost her. Get over it.” Mr. Smith taking Noah’s empty can with him. Mr. Smith walked away. He joined a lady, who Noah assumed was his wife. Noah turned to follow him, not wanting to even converse with the other man but Dawson grabbed his arm. Mentally counting to ten, Noah strove for a little patience. The last thing I need to do is get in a fight at a wedding where I don’t know anyone other than the groom. Mom would be appalled.

  “Sorry about that, man. Word of advice, never date the fat chicks.” Dawson had the audacity to wink at him before continuing. “Their fathers can be pure hell on wheels when you dump them. No one wants to hear that their baby girl is fat, even if the girl does have two degrees in history. Too bad Jenna didn’t apply the same kind of devotion to her body as she did her studies.”

  A fury unlike any Noah had ever experienced before filled him. How come this ass is talking about Jenna this way? She isn’t fat. She has a curvy body that just has my mouth watering. Is the man a total idiot? Trying to breathe evenly, Noah realized it was time to change the topic before he did something foolish - like decking the man.

  “Really, I don’t think that this is the time…”

  The man talked over Noah’s protest. “She could’ve been a knock out. With her height and tits, she could’ve been a playboy centerfold. But she likes her ho-ho’s too much and her fat ass and belly are a testament to it. I feel for you, bud. Watch your toes while you twirling her around the dance floor tonight.” A laugh escaped him, “Well twirling might be an exaggeration. You’d need a crane to hoist her off the ground.”

  What little control Noah had over his temper evaporated under the viciousness of Dawson’s words. Reaching out, he clenched a hand around man’s shoulder. Dawson swallowed uneasily. Evidently, the fool had realized that he’d overstepped his bounds.

  “I’m only going to say this once, bud, where I come from – real men don’t talk about any woman the way you just did. Have some respect for yourself if nothing else. Either shut the fuck up or I’ll do it for you.”

  Dawson paled before trying to back away from Noah. When he couldn’t fury replaced the fear. “Take your hands off me! Whatever that bitch told you, it’s nothing but lies so there’s no need to get your panties in a twist.”

  A low growl rumbled in Noah’s chest. Fuck it. “You just don’t learn do you?” Noah’s soft tone should’ve been a warning. His consuming need to vindicate Jenna surprised Noah. He knew he desired her but he shouldn’t be feeling this over whelming need to protect her. He barely knew her. But it didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to resist his need to drag the little punk over to the pond and drown his ass. He could easily claim the other man slipped in. Dawson would think twice about what he said about Jenna in the future. Retaining his hold on Dawson’s shoulder, he leaned over the smaller man. “You’re coming with me.”

  “Where are we going? The pictures…” It was obvious the man was trying to backpedal.

  “…can wait. This can’t.” Noah placed enough pressure on Dawson’s shoulder that a grunt of pain escaped the other man. “Since you can’t seem find your manners, I help you find them.” Even though Noah kept his tone cordial, the other man began to struggle.

  “Let me go, you Neanderthal. This isn’t the 1950s where you need to kill me over the slightest insult.”

  An evil grin crossed Noah’s face. “Wanna bet?”

  Dawson’s eyes darted around frantically. Probably looking for someone to help him, Noah figured. He idly wondered who the man thought was going to help him. The words that spilled out of the man’s mouth next shocked Noah.

  “I’ll sue your ass!”

  Noah’s startled laugh turned into a hiss of disgust when the familiar voice of the photographer came from his right side.

  “Ah, I see the missing groomsman has arrived. You two can catch up later. I need you over here now.”

  Noah reluctantly released the man but his eyes promised retribution. As far as he was concerned, his and Dawson’s conversation was far from over.

  * * * * *

  Jenna wasn’t happy. Even though it was cooler inside the reception hall, she was sitting at the opposite end of the banquet table from Noah. To make matters worse, she was listening to Dawson make a fool of himself as he toasted the newly-married couple instead of flirting with Noah. The rising sound of Dawson’s toast had her mentally groaning. When is he going to finish and sit his drunken ass down?

  “Congratulations, Angelica and Bradley. May you have many horny… I mean…happy years together!” Dawson waggled his eyebrows and crowd laughed weakly as he finally finished his long-winded toast.

  Thank God.

  Picking at the salad in front of her, she tried not to obvious about who was drawing her attention. But it was hard. Sitting several chairs away, she could see Noah shifting in his chair, obviously trying to find a comfortable position. The bored look on his face told her that he was finding the reception as dull as she was. Why couldn’t we be seated together? At least I wouldn’t have to put up with a tipsy Kathleen. I can’t believe my sister-in-law is already loaded.

  A loud crash had her dropping her fork. There were several gasps, and sounds of chair legs scraping across the floor. Her eyes widened as she saw Bradley, on one side and Seth on the other, trying to help Dawson into his chair. Evidently, Dawson missed his chair when he tried to sit down. Relief flared through her that she was no longer dating him. She couldn’t even begin to count the number of times she helped him up off the floor during the two years they dated. He really shouldn’t be drinking. Sighing with disgust, she picked her fork back up and continued eating. Let some other fool deal with his stupidity.

  “Look what you’ve done, Jenna!”

  Jenna’s fork froze on its way to her mouth. “Excuse me?”

  Kathleen wrapped her hand around Jenna’s wrist. “You’ve turned a perfectly good man into a lush. This is your fault. You had to go and…”

  Dropping the fork onto her plate, she turned to look at Kathleen. Keeping her expression neutral, she mentally dared Kathleen to finish her sentence. “I had to what?”

  “You know.” Kathl
een averted her eyes before letting go of Jenna’s arm.

  “No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?” Jenna crossed her arms under her breasts, and for once didn’t care that the action caused them to plump up and nearly spill over the neckline of her gown. In fact, she vaguely hoped that Noah might notice from the other end of the table.

  When Kathleen eyes darted back to hers and Jenna laughed. It felt good to call Kathleen out, to not back down from her. “What’s wrong, Kathleen? You can’t bring yourself to say it? Did you honestly think I didn’t know about the rumors about the break-up? Which is it...the fact that I got fat, or that I couldn’t satisfy him in bed, that has you sitting there impersonating a fish out of water?” Even as her words left her mouth, she wasn’t sure where her audacity had come from. She was sick and tired of being the butt of her female relatives’ taunts.

  Kathleen’s face reddened. “You got fat!”

  The room grew quiet. Her cousin’s outburst had garnered everyone’s attention. Jenna tossed her napkin on her plate.

  “Really?” Jenna pushed away from the table. When she went to stand, Kathleen grabbed at her again.

  “It’s true, Jenna Smith! You weren’t this heavy when you started dating him. I’d drink too if I had to crawl into bed with you.”

  She glanced at her sister-in law’s empty wine flute. “Evidently you don’t need that particular excuse to tie one on, do you?” Spying her own still full flute, she poured it into Kathleen’s. “So have another, on me. Maybe if you drink enough, you won’t remember what a fool you made of yourself today.”

  Kathleen gasped in outrage, her eyes narrowed before her mouth snapped shut. Jenna turned and left without another word to anyone. She wasn’t running away but she desperately needed a moment to herself before she returned to the reception. Perhaps she’d sit in her SUV for a bit before returning, she mused.

  After retrieving her purse from the unattended cloakroom, she was looking inside the bag for her car keys when a masculine hand touched her bare arm above her glove. The same awareness she’d felt earlier returned.

  A voice, deep as night, breathed over her. “Where are you running off to Ms. Jenna Smith?”

  Pleasure that he’d bothered to find out of her name rushed through her. “Noah.” The word floated out on a breathless sigh.

  His eyes darkened in response before he released her to lean against the doorframe effectively blocking not only her exit, but hiding her from the view of any passing guests.

  “I’m not. I was just getting ready to step out for a breath of fresh air. I promise I will return. I can’t leave until we at least get to dance the Salsa.” She gave him a quirky smile.

  “I’m not worried about the dance. Are you okay?”

  The concern in his eyes was frightening. Her smile wavered. Why would he be worried about her?

  “I’m fine, Noah. Despite that very public display in there, I’m not fragile. I’m a big girl.”

  Her heart skipped a beat when his eyes turned a sapphire blue. Concern was gone and desire had taken its place.

  “I noticed.”

  Heat burned in her cheeks and she thanked God that room was somewhat dark. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice her blushing. When he continued to contemplate her for several minutes, she finally snapped. “What? Do I have something on my face?”

  He shook his head. “Tell me something. Are the rumors true?”

  Coldness replaced the heat before anger consumed her. She’d thought he was different.

  “While it’s none of your business, Dr Absolom, they’re not.”

  She’d expected him to back off at her curt tone, but instead the corners of his eyes crinkled and mischief filled them.

  “Good. Then how would you like to get even with all of them, including your ex?”

  Chapter Two

  “Excuse me?” Jenna clutched the purse tight. She couldn’t believe she’d heard him right. Glancing over his shoulder, Noah stepped inside the room with her forcing her to back up. She swallowed roughly when he closed and locked the door.

  “You heard me, Jenna.” Her heart raced as he crowded her towards the back of the cloakroom. She jerked in surprise when her back touched the low counter used for purses behind her. He finally stopped when their bodies nearly touched. Mere inches separated them.

  She inhaled sharply as the heat from his body warmed hers. His sheer masculinity made her all the more aware of her own femininity. Her hands dampened under her long gloves. In order to keep eye contact with him, she tipped her head back. His breath teased her and she could smell the lingering scent of wine. Lips parting, she desperately wanted to taste him. The flaring of his nostrils told her, he probably wouldn’t object. Lifting onto her toes, she closed the distance. Only to have his hands settle on her shoulders. She stopped.

  A low hiss escaped him. “Before I take what we both want, I need an answer. So will you let me help?”

  The blood was pounding in her head as she raised her hands to rest against his massive chest. A low rumble vibrated under her palms. Why was he offering to help me? Her breath came faster as she tried to convince herself there wasn’t any way this man was as near as attracted to her as she was him. She hadn’t been enough for her cheating ex, whose sex appeal was a cheap plastic imitation when compared to Noah’s rugged sensuality.

  “Why?” She forced the word past her lips.

  He cocked his head. “Why not? Unless you’re still in love with him, I would think you’d jump at the chance.”

  “Hell no!”

  His eyes widened. “Is that a hell no to my offer or that you don’t love him?”

  She gritted her teeth. “I don’t love him.”

  He gently squeezed her shoulders. “Then what’s the issue? He’s an ass and deserves every bit of revenge you visit on his head. No man worth his salt would treat a whore the way he treated you.”

  Her hands curled into fists against his chest. Pushing back, she glared at him. “Who told you?”

  “I cornered your Dad after Dawson shot off at the mouth.” His hands slid over the bare skin of her upper arms. “Relax. He didn’t give me any particulars. Although he did mention if he found himself alone in a dark alley with Dawson, that only one of them would come out. My guess is that it wouldn’t be your ex.”

  She giggled. “That sounds like my dad.”

  His thumbs caressed her inner arm sending sparks of awareness over her. Her laughter died. Against the tight confines of her strapless bra, her nipples beaded. She hunched her shoulders forward hoping to hide the effect he was having on her body. This is outrageous! I should have more control over my body.

  “None of that, Jenna. You have a beautiful body.”

  Her face heated, so she tried to hide behind sarcasm. “Yeah, right. Pull the other leg, it’s shorter.”

  A startled squeak escaped her when his huge hands wrapped around her waist. He lifted her with ease onto the counter behind her. She batted at his hands when they reached for the hem of her dress. “What the hell are you doing?”

  His blue eyes sparkled with determination and humor. “Checking to see which leg is shorter. I can’t very well pull the correct one if I don’t know.”

  She stared at him in absolute shock when he slid the dress up as far as it would allow. When his roughened geologist’s hands traced over her exposed flesh, she caught her breath. It was hard to believe she was in the cloakroom at the Elmcrest Country Club letting a man she barely knew touch her so intimately during her cousin’s wedding reception.

  “Hmm, I can’t tell.” He leaned over her before brushing his cheek across hers. His mouth landed near her ear and his tongue delved deep inside it. A barely there whimper passed her lips. Gooseflesh raced over her body and her pussy clenched when he pressed his hard thighs against the splayed vee of her legs. Even the brief press of his body against hers had her wishing things were different, that she was different. Oh God, what I wouldn’t give to have him fuck me right here. He’d make me forget
Dawson ever existed.

  “I will. I’ll help you forget him. All you have to do is say the word.” His voice was rough with desire. He extracted his tongue from her ear to run it down the side of her neck.

  Horror flooded through her. Did I actually say that out loud? Her thoughts scattered when he jerked hard on her dress. She moaned when the stubborn material rose over her hips to pool at her waist, exposing her to not only the pressure of his solid body but also the cool blast of air-conditioned air. In response, she wrapped her legs around his lean hips. Dear Lord, the man is hung! She could barely believe it when she felt the solid outline of a cock. A rather large well-endowed cock if she wasn’t missing her guess.

  She tried to rationalize the situation, but the flood of desire he’d sent boiling in her veins only made her cling to his broad shoulders. It was impossible to keep from rocking against him.

  He trailed open-mouth kisses over the swells of her breasts. His head lifted and his desire-drugged eyes met hers.

  “How does this come open, Jenna?” The raspy demand had her thighs tightening around his lean hips.

  “Zipper. In the back.” She could hardly believe she’d told him how to open her dress. Her breath grew more ragged as one hand explored her back until he found the hidden tab. If she’d expected him to rip it down, she was sadly mistaken. He toyed with the tab while watching her eyes. She licked her lips, wondering if he were waiting for permission. “Do it.”

  He growled before gripping the tab between his thumb and forefinger. “If I do this now, I won’t stop, Jenna. I want you like hell on fire. If I feel your hard little nipples against my tongue, I won’t be able to resist. I’ll have you right where you sit.” His blue eyes searched hers. “So you have to be sure.”

  “Oh God! That’s the sexiest thing a man has ever said to me.”

  He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. “Because you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever touched. Now choose quickly before I lose my mind.”