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“You leave Callie’s under-things out of your head.”
“And don’t even start on Thalia’s under-things. Concentrate on,” he pauses mid-speech. With a quick look from me to Reece, who tightens his hand on his bottle of beer, Phoenix carries on, “um, well, whoever.” He cringes at his lame cover up. Unfortunately, I’m not sure it sailed passed Reece.
“I’m going to go and find Callie. We have a lot to talk about.” He places his empty bottle on the table and nods at Phoenix before turning and standing in front of me. “You’re one of my best friends. You’re like a brother, which is why I’m going to say this nicely. Please stay away from Mara.” And with that he’s gone into the night.
“That went well,” Phoenix comments.
“Yeah.”
Sighing, I try to relax but I can’t settle knowing how my best friend feels about me being with the girl I want with all my heart and soul.
If I hadn’t been drinking, I’d go for a run, but the slightest bit of alcohol on my stomach usually knocks me sick when I’m running. I need something though, which is when I remember about the bag hanging in the basement. It’s been a while since I’ve ventured downstairs, but right now I need to let off some steam before I explode.
Looking back to Phoenix, he’s watching me with an expression I can’t decipher.
“You’ve never been like this before,” he observes. Placing his bottle on the table, he stands and walks over to me. “If it’s meant to be then it’ll work it’s self out.” He thumps me on the shoulder before jumping off the porch and heads to his car. “See you tomorrow…tux fitting,” he shouts over his shoulder and then he’s gone.
I groan.
The thought of wearing a tux does nothing but causes my toes to curl. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind dressing up some but being confined in a tux all day isn’t something I’d do for anyone other than a brother.
With a last glance across the lake to the houses lit up on the other side, I grab the empties and toss them into the trash. Grabbing the remaining bottle, I shove it in my fridge on the way through to the basement to work through my frustrations.
Chapter Seven
Mara
Biting my lip to keep my mouth shut is really starting to hurt. Not only is the woman who is pinning me into the dress I’m supposed to wear for the rehearsal dinner—when it’s finalized—using me as a pin cushion, but my sister Sarah is whispering to our oldest sister, Amanda about a plan to get Donovan to notice her. Over my dead body! He’s mine. He just needs to get over the age difference. I know he isn’t immune to me. Now we’re home, I’m going to make sure our paths cross more and more.
“Ouch.”
“I’m sorry, Mara, but you need to stay still.”
Ugh! I haven’t even moved, and she’s been pinning me for over thirty minutes now—first my bridesmaid dress and now this one.
Deciding for my own peace of mind to ignore Sarah, I glance into the mirror and find myself speechless. This morning I’d over slept after my evening out, and I’d just piled my hair up on the top of my head, but, looking back at myself now I look sexy.
The dark wine dress is made of silk, which falls over my curves perfectly. The silk is thin, which prevents me from wearing a bra and makes me feel uncomfortable. My breasts are more on the large side, although firm and perky so going without a bra isn’t a problem, but it isn’t something that I do. To make the dress look good though, I’m going to have to this time. At least my lacy thong isn’t showing so I don’t have to go completely naked beneath the cool fabric.
“Okay, Mara. You’ll do. Do you want to go and change while I sort Sarah’s dress out? Just mind the pins.”
Without answering as she’s already moved on to Sarah, I head back into the unisex changing rooms. Each stall is
a large room to allow maneuvering when trying on wedding dresses, which is what Callie and Thalia are doing right now. Thalia already has her dress, but she’s helping Callie who is beside herself with Reece asking her to get married this weekend with Phoenix and Thalia.
I’m really happy for my big brother and I love Callie. She’s so good for him.
Before entering the stall where I’ve left my clothes, I stand in front of the mirror again unable to get how I look out of my head. Really taking notice of myself like this isn’t something that I tend to do. I like dressing up, but prefer jeans and shirts.
“Beautiful,” I hear from behind me.
Looking up, my eyes meet Donovan’s through the mirror. He’s standing not too far behind me in a tux and he takes my breath away.
I turn. “Handsome,” I counter as I feel his eyes caressing me.
Donovan walks closer and stands directly in front of me. Brushing a piece of hair behind my ear, I tingle when his fingers touch my lobe. My nipples have started to throb with his closeness and his touch. All he has to do is look down and he’ll know my body wants him. If he looks into my eyes he’ll know how much my heart wants him. I’m not hiding anything from him again. My want of him is clear as day. He can see it easily if he so chooses.
He reaches out and caresses my lily tattoo on my shoulder with his finger, bringing me out in goose bumps. And yeah, he notices my arousal. His eyes widen before meeting my gaze. His eyes are now filled with lust, and something more…
