I couldn’t remember being so happy. So content with how my future was shaping up. With Vanessa I’d always felt on edge and uneasy, if I was being honest with myself. It had been a constant roller coaster of emotions. But with Teagan, there was this connection I couldn’t put into words.
But I didn’t want to spook her. You didn’t take someone to a wedding as your fake girlfriend and then turn around and tell her you were falling in love with her the same weekend. I hoped we could both return to Dubai and let things happen for real.
After a grueling wedding ceremony with the island sun beating down, we were finally indoors for the reception. The sooner this was over, the faster I could have Teagan naked beneath me. The sex was incredible. The connection, the playfulness, the heat. When it came to chemistry, it was off the charts. I craved her in a way I’d never before experienced.
“Penny for your thoughts,” I whispered in Teagan’s ear while we were on the dance floor. I was happy to be taking a break from wedding duties and holding her in my arms.
“Mm, my thoughts are not suitable for saying out loud.”
Her words made me instantly hard, and because I wanted her to notice, I pulled her closer.
“Ooh, this dance just got interesting. Sadly, you may have to rein it in as I see the photographer trying to round up the wedding party.”
I groaned, having already been through countless photos. “Great. More pictures of a couple who’ll be lucky to make it to five years.”
She leaned back, meeting my eyes with clear amusement. “Who’s the cynical one now?”
“Perhaps I am. But then again, I’ve never heard two people on their wedding day sound so miserable together.”
I could very well have ended up in the same boat. Although I doubted I’d ever reach a place where I was thanking my brother for helping me dodge a bullet, I was at least grateful to be where I was now: dancing with a beautiful woman with whom I could genuinely see a future. Teagan was someone who accepted me for who I was instead of requiring my bank account or family name. Someone who made me laugh, challenged me in all the right ways, and approached life without apology.
I could see the bridesmaids waving me over, including Vanessa, who seemed all too pleased to interrupt my dance.
“Sorry, gorgeous, duty calls.” I dropped my hand to her ass and gave it a subtle skim.
Her grin was contagious. “Aw, you remembered. I knew you had it in you.”
“Like you once said, it would be a shame not to appreciate such an impressive backside.”
“It would indeed.”
My lips dropped to hers for another kiss. “I hope I won’t be long.”
“I’ll be bellied up to the bar if you want to find me afterward.”
After a million more pictures, I was finally able to break away. Unfortunately, I didn’t get far before my mom and Vanessa’s parents intercepted me. I suppose I should have been thankful they hadn’t converged on me earlier. “Hello, Mother and Mr. and Mrs. Lane. Nice to see you.”
Mr. Lane shook my hand while Mrs. Lane gave me kisses on both cheeks. “Please call us Betsey and Steve,” she said. “Or I was hoping for Mom and Dad.”
Wasn’t happening. “Beautiful wedding.”
Betsey pursed her lips. “Under the unfortunate circumstances, I suppose it was.” Leave it to her to take a swipe at her sister’s daughter for the unplanned pregnancy. “So Vanessa tells me you two have talked. I have high hopes for a reconciliation.”
Who knew what she’d told them, but I found I didn’t care. “It was nice to see you both. If you’ll excuse me.”
I had thought to escape to the bar and find Teagan, but my mother was hot on my heels. “I cannot believe you’d embarrass me like that. I raised you better than that, Reid Matthew Maxwell.”
I turned to face her. “Actually, Mona raised us while you were traveling the world with your boyfriends.”
She didn’t bother to defend herself. “You’re throwing away your chances here on this—what? This little flavor of the month.”
“Don’t.” My temper flared at her audacity.
“You don’t understand what you’re giving up. The Lanes have so much influence and—”
“You mistakenly presume I care about any of that superficial load of crap, illustrating how little you know me.” My mother had always been hung up on old money and keeping up pretenses. I was so relieved to be away from all of it.
“You’re like your father. Selfish.”
“No, he’s not,” came Chance’s voice from behind me. “If anyone is selfish, I’d say I get the unfortunate distinction.”
My mother’s glance bounced from me to him. She then huffed. “All the men in my life are selfish.”
“The men in your life prefer to call it self-preservation,” Chance quipped, earning a twitch of my lips since he wasn’t wrong. I’d grown up privileged, but the only one who’d ever looked out for me was the guy doing so right now.
“Your new fling is absolutely not invited into my home for the holidays—if it even lasts that long.”
“It will last, and there’s a simple fix. I won’t come home.” The thought of skipping the holiday family events sent a rush of relief through me.
She gave one more glance between me and Chance and sighed heavily before turning on her heel, leaving me with my brother.
“You’re serious about Teagan, I take it?”
My eyes narrowed. “It’s none of your business. Leave her alone, Chance. I mean it.” The sting might have dimmed regarding his betrayal with Vanessa, but that didn’t mean I was ready to trust him.
He held up his hands as though he was surrendering the cause.
At the same time, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Aiden.
“Aiden is with Chloe in LA. They reconciled.”
Chance appeared surprised I was sharing the news with him. What could I say? Some habits were hard to break.
“I appreciate you telling me.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I know Teagan will be anxious to hear the same news.”
“Why’s that?”
“Chloe is her best friend.”
His brows contracted at the tidbit of information I’d shared. But it was a harmless detail. If he thought to get to Teagan by ferreting information from Chloe, he’d be out of luck.
