Bailey had been quiet on the drive to Hunter’s mother’s house. She’d slept in the second bedroom after their discussion over gelato and he’d slept badly, hoping that she would crawl into bed with him during the early hours of the morning. She didn’t and he had woken up frustrated and cranky.
He’d used his shower that morning to take matters into his own hands and as he’d stroked his aching shaft, he’d thought about her and what it would be like to have her up against the wall of his shower, the hot water beating down on his back as he pounded into her. He’d come fast and hard, but it hadn’t done much to improve his mood.
She’d barely spoken to him over their late breakfast and now they were headed to a family lunch and she was so very distant from him that he didn’t know what to think. Had he taken it too far last night? Had he been too honest with her?
The last thing he wanted was to push her away, but he knew it was about time she looked at the situation without her rose coloured glasses. The more time he spent with her, the more he believed that she was in love with the idea of Nick, the fairytale, rather than the man. But it wasn’t something he could just come out and tell her, it was something that she needed to realise herself.
He parked the car and walked around to open her door. She took his hand absently as he helped her out of the car and he worried that she wouldn’t make it through the lunch without giving their ruse away. He stopped and turned her, putting his hands on her shoulders and forcing her to look at him.
“Bailey,” he said, “look at me.”
She tipped her head up and met his eyes. Hers were hollow like she’d just found out that Santa Claus wasn’t real.
“Bailey,” he said softly and pulled her into a hug. “Come on sweetheart, snap out of it.”
She took a deep shuddering breath and he felt her spine stiffen. She pulled away from him and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She straightened her shoulders, shoring herself up, and then nodded.
“Let’s do this,” she said turning from him and marching up the stairs.
His mother answered the door and greeted them both with hugs before leading them into the sitting room. The other bridesmaids were there with the bride and the bride’s mother. The scene was achingly sweet and his teeth ached just looking at them. The bride and her attendants were perfect little society princesses with butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-their-mouth smiles and titanium claws under their perfect manicures and his Blue shouldn’t be anywhere near them. She was too good for them.
“The men are in Patrick’s den,” his mother said.
He kissed Bailey on top of her head and squeezed her shoulder before leaving her to the women and finding his way to his stepfather’s office.
He heard the deep timbre of male voices as he approached and plastered on a smile before walking into the room. This was the last place Hunter wanted to be, but it was too late to get out of it. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans to remind himself not to punch Nick, although the desire to do so was strong.
The others greeted him and he acknowledged them with a jut of his chin. Nick looked at him, a knowing smile on his face like he had a dirty secret and he was just waiting for the right moment to spill the beans.
“Drink?” Patrick asked holding up a decanter of amber liquid.
“Sure,” Hunter replied walking over to take the heavy crystal tumbler that his stepfather handed him.
Nick wandered over and slapped him on the shoulder. “Can I have a word to you in private?” he asked and walked away without waiting for an answer.
Hunter followed him over to a corner of the room and took a sip of his drink.
“So you and Bailey are serious?” Nick asked, narrowing his eyes at him over the rim of his glass.
Hunter exhaled through his nose and grit his teeth, counting to ten to calm himself before answering.
“Yes,” he said and stepped closer to Nick, lowing his voice to a deep growl, “and if you ever pull another fucking stunt like the one you pulled last night, I will fucking lay you out.”
“I don’t think you understand the nature of my relationship with Bailey,” Nick said smugly.
“What I understand is that you no longer have a relationship with her. I thought we had this discussion yesterday on the golf course. Bailey is with me now and you will stay the fuck away from her.”
“Hey, don’t go getting your panties in a wad,” Nick said. “I’m just giving you fair warning. Bailey will always be mine. She’s been mine for five fucking years and there is nothing you can do about it.”
“You are so full of shit Nick,” Hunter said, “and Bailey knows it.”
Nick’s face turned red as he fought to control his anger and he stepped close to Hunter.
“You may think that you have Bailey now,” he said, spittle gathering at the corners of his mouth as he spat the words at Hunter, “but she will get tired of you and when she does, she will come crawling back to me. I’ve had my cock inside her so many different ways that no one else can satisfy her.”
Hunter’s hand flew to Nick’s shirt and he fisted it hard, shoving Nick back against the wall. Nick dropped his glass and the crash of crystal stopped the conversation on the other side of the room. Hunter leaned in close and whispered menacingly into Nick’s ear.
“Your cock is not coming anywhere near Bailey ever again and if it does I’m going to fucking cut it off.”
“We’ll just see what Bailey has to say about that,” Nick sneered.
“Maybe you should be more worried about what your wife will say about it.”
“Hey, now boys, what’s all this?” Patrick said, rushing over to them.
Hunter smiled brightly and straightened Nick’s shirt, patting him companionably. “Just a little brotherly affection,” he said picking up his drink from the side table and sipping it. “So what are the plans for the bachelor party?”
Hunter moved away from Nick, swallowing his anger and putting on a cheerful façade. Bailey had warned him the Nick might throw their history in his face, but he hadn’t realised it would affect him as much as it did. Hearing the crass way Nick had spoken about Bailey had been just about the most awful thing he’d ever heard and it cemented his resolve to never let the fucking prick near her again.
He desperately wished he could go and get her and leave without looking back. Neither of them really needed to be here and Hunter wanted to spare Bailey the humiliation of watching Nick pledge his love to another woman. He wanted to protect her from finding out who the real Nick was, to protect her from ever finding out how he spoke about her to other people.
Did the other groomsmen know who Bailey was and what she’d been to Nick? He wouldn’t put it past his stepbrother to have regaled them with his sex-ploits with her. The thought of her being debased in such a way churned in his stomach and he shot the other three men a dirty look.
God, how was he going to make it through to the weekend?
Bailey accepted the champagne cocktail from Maree as she sat in one of the chintz armchairs. Her skinny jeans and peasant blouse out of place amongst the girly dresses the rest of the bridal party wore. Did she miss the memo?
Spread out before them was an assembly line of sugar coated almonds, heart shaped chocolates and miniature bottles of liqueur surrounded by rolls of gauzy fabric and cards of ribbon. Bailey had thought this was just another get-to-know-you lunch, she didn’t realise she would be pressed into slave labour.
She drained her glass and reached for another one as Ainsley’s mother walked past with a tray. There was far too much juice and not nearly enough alcohol in the glass for her to get through this day, especially if she was going to have to sit through the other bridesmaids fawning over the bride. The bride could go suck it for all Bailey cared.
“Okay ladies,” Ainsley said, bringing them all to order. “We have two hundred and fifty bonbonnières to make, so let’s get busy. Someone needs to cut the gauze into squares and then in each square we need to put one chocolate heart, one bottle of liqueur and five sugared almonds and then someone can tie the bags up with ribbon.”
The other bridesmaids (she really should learn their names) squealed with delight and arranged themselves around the bounty to do the bride’s bidding. Bailey thought it best that she stay away from the scissors or anything that needed precision because she was determined to drink herself into a nice, numb haze. Alcohol and sharp objects didn’t mix.
She downed her glass and picked up another from the tray that had been so thoughtfully placed near her elbow and then she plunked herself on the floor between bridesmaids Two and Three. They were both blonde and tanned and…oh what the hell, they all looked the same to Bailey.
Two and Three put her in charge of adding the chocolate hearts. She would have preferred to get her hands on the liqueur bottles and maybe misappropriate some of them along the way, but Miss Three had them out of her reach. She unwrapped a piece of chocolate and popped it in her mouth while they waited for the square of gauze to come their way. Surely Ainsley would’ve had the foresight to buy extra chocolates…not that Bailey really cared if the bonbonnières were uneven, she just had to make sure that nobody else knew they were.
Two and Three chatted at her like magpies, but Bailey didn’t seem to be able to make much sense of what they were saying, and she didn’t much care enough to ask them to repeat it. She let the noise wash over her as she added a chocolate to each pile and passed it along the line, occasionally unwrapping one and slipping it into her mouth. Chocolate and champagne cocktails, what could be better?
A nice collection of empty champagne glasses and chocolate wrappers started to gather around Bailey and she had a comfortable buzz going on. She even managed a smile and a giggle at something Two and Three said.
“It looks like you have this all under control,” Maree said. “Kathy why don’t you come with me and we’ll check on lunch.” Ainsley’s mother stood and followed Maree out the door and there was an audible sigh from everyone as they relaxed.
“So, Ainsley,” Bailey said as she set yet another empty glass down, “you and Nick sealed the deal yet?”
Ainsley looked at Bailey, confused. “Sealed the deal?” she asked.
“Yeah, you know, done the nasty, played hide the salami, danced the horizontal tango, given him a good swiving.”
Two and Three giggled, One looked appalled and Ainsley just smirked at her.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” Ainsley said.
Bailey snorted, “Well, that’s a big fat no,” she said, picking up another glass and taking a fortifying drink. “You holding out on him?”
Ainsley’s cheeks flushed and she cleared her throat. “We both agreed it would be more special if we waited until the wedding night.”
Well at least Bailey didn’t have to worry that Nick had been dipping his wick in this priss while doing her too.
“But you have seen it right?” Bailey went on.
“Seen what?”
“His cock,” Bailey said and delighted in the gasps and nervous titters from the entourage.
Ainsley’s mouth thinned and her eyes narrowed. “I don’t think that is any of your business,” she said.
Bailey shrugged and sipped her drink. She could push Ainsley, could lay out the whole sordid truth right here, right now and then walk away leaving Nick to clean up the mess. Hunter wouldn’t mind getting outta dodge, there was no love lost between him and Nick. She could escape back to her home in Melbourne and wait for Nick to come crawling back, his life in ruins. He would beg her to take him back, might even beg her to marry him. That’s why she’d come here, wasn’t it, to break up the happy couple? So why did it feel wrong?
“I hear Hunter’s hung like a god,” Two whispered to Three and they both turned to look at Bailey.
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. He was indeed hung like a god and he wanted her. Why the hell was she even thinking about Nick when she had someone like Hunter willing to take her to bed?
Two and Three saw the look on her face and dissolved into giggles. These two twits weren’t all that bad, after all. One was a bitch though and she scooted closer to Ainsley, making her alliance very clear.
“Why are you so interested in Nick and Ainsley’s sex life?” One asked.
“Isn’t it a bridesmaid’s duty to make sure the bride is well prepared for her wedding? I just want to make sure Ainsley knows what she’s in for on the wedding night. You know, as a public service.”
“I know how sex works,” Ainsley said.
“Maybe,” Bailey said, “but there is a big difference between having a theoretical knowledge of sex and having actual experience.”
“I’m not a virgin,” Ainsley gasped, her hand going to her throat to clutch at her non-existent pearls.
Bailey looked her over and then drained her glass. “I find it interesting that you have slept with an ex but not with your groom-to-be. Don’t you find Nick attractive?” She didn’t answer and Bailey let the moment be drawn out before saying, “Or maybe he doesn’t find you attractive.”
Ainsley jumped to her feet, her face colouring, her fists clenched at her sides and her mouth screwed up in a scowl. She opened her mouth to say something back to Bailey but at that moment the door opened and the object of their discussions walked in. Ainsley’s face morphed into the adoring fiancée before Bailey’s eyes and she just shook her head.
“Lunch is ready,” Nick said looking between his bride and Bailey, an odd look on his face. “Maree asked us to come and escort you ladies into the dining room.”
Ainsley smiled sweetly at him and took his elbow without sparing Bailey another glance. Bailey climbed to her feet unsteadily, swaying slightly as her head spun. Little balls of foil fell to the ground as she stood, the result of her chocolate binge. A strong hand grasped her elbow and helped her find her balance and a familiar scent enveloped her. She breathed it in and smiled up at the piercing green eyes that looked down at her.
“Irish,” she slurred, “we were just talking about you.”
“You were?” he asked, cocking that infernal eyebrow, his eyes crinkling in mirth.
Bailey leant towards him to whisper in his ear. “There’s a rumour that you’re very well endowed.”
He made a choking noise in his throat and she just smiled up at him serenely.
“Let’s go eat,” he said huskily in her ear, “and then I’m taking you home.”
“To show me?” she asked giving him, what she thought was a seductive smile.
His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. She shivered and brushed her peasant shirt out, releasing another whole clutch of chocolate wrappers. She watched as the brightly coloured foil rained down around her feet. Hunter followed her eyes and took in the wrappers and empty wine glasses.
“Food,” he said, steering her towards the doorway. “Now.”
She really did like it when he growled at her like that and took charge. She smiled and let him lead her into the dining room.
Bailey was drunk. She leaned heavily on him as he guided her into the dining room and sat her down in her assigned seat. He grabbed a bread roll from the basket in the centre of the table and tore it in half, buttering the soft fluffy insides liberally with butter.
“Eat,” he growled into her ear, liking the way she shivered with the sound of his voice.
She broke off a piece and put it in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. He glanced around the table to see Ainsley and her maid of honour shooting daggers at Bailey. The other two bridesmaids were looking at her too, but more like they were waiting for the entertainment to begin. What the hell had happened in that room before he got there?
Hunter took his seat beside Bailey, scooting his chair close so that he could keep her upright, she was leaning alarmingly to one side and he didn’t want to have to scoop her up off the floor. He reached for the jug of ice water and filled a glass for her, shoving it into her hands.
“Drink,” he said.
She gulped the water and then set it on the edge of the table, and he managed to rescue it before it toppled off and drenched them both.
“So bossy,” she said. “Eat, drink. I’m not Alice.”
“What?” he asked looking at her, puzzled.
“You know, Alice when she follows the rabbit down the tunnel and finds herself in the house with the notes that say ‘eat this’ and ‘drink this.’”
He rolled his eyes at her. “Are you sure you’re not Alice?” he asked. “Because you’re certainly acting strange.”
“I think it’s the champagne,” she stage whispered and bridesmaids Two and Three sniggered behind their hands. “Champagne makes me loopy.”
“And chatty, apparently,” he said. He should be annoyed at her, but hell, she was cute when she was drunk.
“Too chatty,” Ainsley sniffed.
O-kay. Bailey had obviously said something that the bride hadn’t liked. Bailey popped another piece of bread in her mouth and chewed happily.
“Are you sure you should be eating all that bread?” the maid of honour asked (God, what were those bridesmaids names?). “Remember how Ainsley wanted us all on that cleansing diet so we fit into our dresses?”
Bailey shrugged one shoulder, “My man wants me to eat, so I eat. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?” she said turning to him and smiling sweetly.
“I think it would be best for all of us if Bailey ate something, if only to soak up all the alcohol she consumed.”
“Don’t forget the chocolate,” Bailey added. “I conshumed, cons…, consumed a lot of that too.”
He had to bite back his grin at Bailey’s slurring. She was so fucking adorable and he couldn’t wait to hear what else came out of her mouth.
“Chocolate?” Ainsley asked. “You weren’t eating the chocolate hearts, were you?”
Bailey widened her eyes and covered her mouth. “Oops,” she said and then looked at Ainsley with a repentant look. “Was I not supposed to?”
Ainsley crossed her arms in a huff and stared daggers at Nick who swallowed visibly.
“Now, now,” Nick said, trying to placate his bride. “I’m sure there’ll still be plenty to go around.”
“No, Nick, there won’t be,” the maid of honour said. “We only bought two hundred and fifty and we had to order them in specially.”
“We’ve still got a couple of days, I’m sure we can get more.”
“No,” Ainsley said, “it took two months to get them flown in from Belgium.”
“That’s why they were so good,” Bailey said. “Belgian chocolate is the best.”
Hunter coughed to cover his laugh. God, Bailey was a menace and he loved it.
“It’s all right pumpkin,” Ainsley’s father said. “I’m sure we can get something to replace them in time.” He shot an accusing look at Hunter. “Maybe your new brother-in-law could take it upon himself to fix it.”
Hunter grinned. “It would be my pleasure,” he said gleefully. He didn’t care what it cost him, he was happy to pay it to see Nick squirm and Ainsley stew.
Bailey leaned her head on Hunter’s shoulder. “Isn’t he the absolute best?” she said dreamily. Her head popped up and she levelled a look at the two bridesmaids. “The rumours are true by the way.”
Their eyes widened and then they dissolved into laughter. Hunter felt his cheeks flush as they gave him appraising glances.
“What rumours?” Nick asked, looking between the four of them.
“The one about Hunter’s—”
“He doesn’t want to know, Bailey,” Hunter said cutting her off. He didn’t mind her substantiating the rumours of his manhood, but he didn’t want it done in front of his mother.
Thankfully the food was served and the conversation was interrupted before Bailey could say anything more. Nick glared at him across the table as Bailey draped herself across him. He moved his arm so he could put it around Bailey’s shoulders and she smiled up at him.
“You have the most amazing eyes, Irish,” she murmured to him. He leant down and brushed his lips across hers.
“Thanks Blue,” he murmured back, “I like yours too.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s cheating. You’re meant to compliment me on something else.”
“Okay then,” he said, dropping his head and whispering in her ear so that no one else could hear. “I love your hair and I can’t wait until I can wrap my hands in it and tug on it while I bury myself in you.”
She moaned and her eyes closed. “Fuck,” she whispered. “I want to do that.”
He grinned and the nudged her, “Eat,” he said.
Her eyes opened and she looked down at the salad in front of her. His plate held a nice thick steak, a baked potato, green beans and mushroom gravy. She took a look at his plate and pouted.
“How come Irish gets steak and I have to eat rabbit food?” she whined.
“Irish?” Nick asked. “Why do you call him Irish?”
“Because of his beautiful green eyes,” Bailey said, stabbing at her lettuce dolefully. “It was the first thing I noticed about him.”
“How did you two meet?” Patrick asked curiously. “I don’t think I’ve heard the story.”
“I was in a bar,” Bailey said, laying her fork down, “drowning my sorrows after a bad breakup. Irish came in and sat beside me.”
“I’d had a bad day at the office,” Hunter took up the story, “so Blue and I cheered each other up with tequila shots.”
“There’s a story to tell your grandkids,” Ainsley said with a roll of her eyes.
“You have a nickname for her too,” Nick said through gritted teeth.
Hunter shrugged as he put a piece of steak in his mouth and chewed.
“He calls me Blue,” Bailey added helpfully, “because of my red hair.”
The two bridesmaids cooed, the maid of honour thinned her lips, the bride rolled her eyes and Nick scowled.
“That’s original,” Nick griped.
“I like it,” Bailey said, stealing a bean off his plate. “It’s better than Bae.”
Whoa. The look Nick levelled at her could’ve cut glass. She scored a direct hit with that comment and he couldn’t be happier.
Hunter cut a piece of steak and offered it to her as a reward. She leant forward and slipped her mouth over his fork while he held it and he had to bite back a groan. This was definitely not the place to be having those kinds of thoughts. She pulled the meat off with her teeth and grinned up at him. She chewed for a bit and then her face began to drain of colour. Her hand clasped over her mouth and she shoved her chair back.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” she said before racing from the room.
