The hawthorne brothers a.., p.54
The Hawthorne Brothers: A Complete Billionaire Romance Collection, page 54
“Thank goodness she’s okay.”
“Yup,” I say as I fix my gaze on Claire. “She’s okay.”
She’s more than okay. She’s stunning. She’s wearing a simple sleeveless, sea green dress that goes up to her knees. No beads. No glitter. No lace trimmings. Just two tiny bows on her shoulders and smooth, seamless fabric that hugs her slim waist and her firm breasts. Her hair is combed back, bunched up at the top of her head like a crown she’s wearing. Her lips are scarlet red like the lingerie she wore. Diamonds hang from her ears and a pair of gold bangles gleams around her wrist. Her other hand clutches a pearl-studded purse.
As she walks towards me, I draw in the breath that’s been stolen from me.
Damn it. I want to pull her into my arms, kiss her, and let the whole world know she’s mine. But I can’t. Joel is standing right beside her.
“Claire.” Natalie gives her a hug. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” she replies. “You too.”
“And me?” Joel asks.
“And both of you,” she says.
I notice her gaze inspecting my tailored suit. Our eyes meet for a moment and she smiles.
God, she’s beautiful.
“She said she was in the kitchen, just checking the food,” Joel says.
“I thought you didn’t want to be in the kitchen,” I tell her.
“I don’t want to be stuck in a kitchen when there’s a party going on,” she corrects me. “I don’t mind dropping by the kitchen to check on things.”
“And?” I ask.
“Everything’s going well.”
“Everything’s perfect,” Natalie says. “Thank you to both of you.”
“You’re welcome,” I reply.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Claire says. “The program is just about to start. Is everyone ready with their speeches?”
I nod.
“Everyone?” Joel’s eyebrows furrow. “I have to make a speech?”
“Just to thank everyone for coming,” Natalie says as she wraps her arm around his.
He looks at her. “Shouldn’t you do that?”
“Joel, this is a wedding shower,” Claire points out. “Not a bridal shower. That means both the bride and groom give speeches. But don’t worry. That won’t be until the very end.”
Joel frowns. “And you couldn’t have told me before?”
Natalie pats his shoulder. “Don’t worry, darling. You just have to be your charming self and say thank you. That’s all.”
“And like I said, it’s at the very end, so by then, everyone will have forgotten how you look in your baby pictures,” Claire adds.
Poor Joel. His sister is in one of those evil moods.
“My baby pictures?” Joel’s eyes grow wide. “I thought I told you not to show those.”
Claire grins. “I plan the wedding shower. I show the pictures.”
Joel gives me a pleading look.
“Don’t look at me,” I tell him. “She was the one in charge of almost everything.”
“What’s the problem?” Natalie asks. “You look cute in those pictures.”
Joel sighs. “Says you.”
“Anyway, just get up when you’re called and give a speech,” Claire tells him.
Joel glances at me. “You should have let me finish my drink.”
“It’s just one speech, bro.” I pat his shoulder. “You’ll be fine.”
~
Or maybe not, I think as I watch Joel take the stage with Natalie at the end of the program.
Even from where I’m standing, I can tell that he’s nervous. I can see his hand fidgeting with something inside his pocket. He’s tapping his foot and licking his lips. His breathing seems shallow and I think I see a bead of sweat on his forehead. He wipes it off.
I frown. I know Joel is bad at public speaking. I thought that was only when he was in front of strangers, though, or when he had to impress someone, like our history teacher in high school. I thought he would be fine speaking to his friends and relatives at his wedding shower. I guess I thought wrong.
Maybe I should have given him a glass of scotch.
Natalie gives her speech first. It’s short but heartfelt. Everyone applauds. Now, it’s Joel’s turn.
Maybe Natalie should have let him go first. Then she would have had a chance to undo whatever damage he caused and end the program on a good note. Oh well. She can always speak again if she needs to.
On the other end of the stage, I see Claire holding her breath. She can also tell that Joel is nervous. She’s probably regretting asking him to make a speech.
I try to catch her gaze so I can tell her everything will be fine but she’s staring at Joel so I just cross my fingers.
Come on, bro.
“Hello everyone,” he starts his speech in a shaky voice. “I mean… good evening. It has… been a good evening, hasn’t it?”
I hear murmurs of assent from the crowd.
Okay. So far, so good.
Natalie gives him an encouraging look as well. He clutches her hand.
“I… want to thank everyone for coming. I know some of you can’t come to Jamaica to attend our wedding, but I’m glad you’re here to celebrate with us tonight.”
See. That wasn’t so hard.
“I want to thank some people, too. I want to thank my lovely fiancée.” Joel looks at her. “Without her, there would be no wedding and no reason for this celebration.”
Natalie blushes.
Joel touches the nape of his neck. “And I want to thank my sister, Claire.”
He looks at her and the spotlight shines on her. She waves.
“She’s the one who planned everything and she’ll always be my little sister no matter what, even when she’s a hundred years old.”
Claire makes a face. Some people in the audience chuckle. I swallow.
I sure hope that Joel will be speaking to me again by then.
“And last but not least, my best friend and best man, Ryker Hawthorne.” He turns to me. “Thank you for helping Claire plan all this. I know you said she did most of the work because you’re a gentleman and a really good guy, but I know you helped a lot.”
Okay. Now I’m feeling a little guilty.
“And I hope that you get married after I do. Well, not right after, but I hope things work out with the woman in your life.”
That’s what he says now.
Joel turns to the crowd. “I’m sorry ladies, but he’s not available… and I hear the woman he’s with is very good in bed.”
I stiffen. What? I did not tell him that. Why is he talking about me anyway? Isn’t he supposed to be thanking me? Wait. This isn’t payback for earlier, is it?
“Anyway, thanks, bro,” he says.
Yeah, thanks a lot.
“And thanks to everyone for coming. Again. Enjoy the rest of the evening.”
He hands the microphone to the MC. As the crowd applauds his speech, I let out a breath of relief.
Thank goodness he’s done.
My relief vanishes when I see Claire’s face. She’s mad. Obviously mad. And I think I know why.
Shit.
~
“Claire!” I call after her as she walks down the hall.
As soon as she hears my voice, she breaks into a run. Her heels clack across the marble floor.
Shit.
“Claire!” I run after her.
She glances over her shoulder at me and her eyes grow wide. She runs faster, disappearing around the corner. By the time I get past it, she’s nowhere in sight. But I can see the door to one of the other function rooms still sliding slowly back into place.
I go inside. The room is empty, the chairs and tables all against the wall. The chandeliers are off so the room is dim, illuminated only by the wall sconces and the moonlight streaming in through the large window.
“Claire?”
No answer.
“I know you’re in here. And I know you’re mad. I also know you have no reason to be. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not true.”
“Really?” Claire emerges from behind a chair. “What do you think I’m thinking?”
I look around to make sure there’s no one else in the room before answering. “That I’ve been telling your brother about how good you are in bed.”
The twitch of her eyebrows tells me I guessed right.
“I haven’t.” I put up my hand. “I swear I haven’t.”
Claire crosses her arms over her chest. “So why did he say that?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. He was nervous. Maybe he was pissed that I stole half his drink earlier.”
“No. I mean why did he say that about me? What have you told him?”
“Nothing,” I tell her. “He doesn’t know about us. He thinks I’m sleeping with someone else.”
Her eyebrows furrow. “You told him you’re sleeping with someone else?”
“Isn’t that what you told Natalie to throw off suspicion?”
Her eyes grow wide. “How did you…?”
She waves her hand.
“Never mind. So you told Joel you’re sleeping with someone else?”
“Yes,” I answer. “I had to. Remember that time you hid in my closet and your phone rang?”
Claire nods.
“Joel heard that. I had to say that phone was left behind by another woman.”
“I see. And what else have you told him about this woman you’re sleeping with?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
She doesn’t look like she believes me.
I let out a breath. “I swear, Claire, I haven’t given Joel any details about anything we do in bed. Why would I? Think about it.”
Claire doesn’t answer.
“Why would you even think that I would share any details with Joel about how I’m having sex with his sister? That’s just… wrong.”
She shrugs. “Because he’s your best friend.”
“It’s still wrong. I wouldn’t do anything like that. You know that.”
“Fine.” Claire sighs. “I’m sorry. I guess I just imagined the two of you talking about me while drinking. I mean, the two of you have a world of your own sometimes.”
I take her hand and look into her eyes. “Maybe, but he doesn’t make my world spin like you do.”
Claire grins. I tug on her arm to bring her closer to me then wrap my arm around her waist. I place my other hand on her cheek and lean forward to kiss her. She kisses me back. Excitement buzzes in my veins.
I capture her lower lip before pulling away.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all evening.”
Claire places her hand over mine as she meets my gaze. “I know.”
“You know?”
“You’ve been staring at me all evening. It’s a good thing Joel hasn’t noticed.”
Was I really that obvious?
“Sorry,” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “Don’t be. I’ve been staring, too.”
She pulls my face down to hers. Her hand caresses the nape of my neck as our lips collide over and over.
Fuck.
I know we’re not exactly somewhere private. I know Joel might barge in any second. Still, I can’t tear my mouth away from hers. I can’t stop myself from running my hands over her curves through her dress.
I want to rip it off her right now and bury myself inside her on this carpeted floor, in this moonlit room. My cock throbs in agreement. Judging from the way Claire is gripping my ass, I can tell she wants it, too.
But no. We can’t. Not here. Not right now.
I summon every ounce of self-control to take a step back. Claire pulls away as well.
“We can’t,” I tell her out loud.
She nods. “I have to go get things ready for the bachelorette party upstairs. And you have a bachelor party to go to.”
“Exactly.”
And unfortunately.
“See you tomorrow?” I ask her.
Claire smiles. “Okay. Have fun.”
“You too.”
She points a finger at me. “But remember, no strippers.”
“No strippers,” I repeat. “We’re just going to the bar for a few drinks.”
Claire frowns. “Boring. We’re having games. Fun, naughty games.”
“I see. Your favorite games.”
“Yup,” she admits. “Maybe we can play one of them next time.”
She’s just full of surprises, isn’t she?
“Maybe.”
She points to the door. “I’ll go out first, just in case Joel might be out there.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“And if he is, I’m going to get mad at him for giving a lousy speech.”
“It wasn’t, though. He embarrassed me, sure, but other than that it was a nice speech.”
“I’m still getting mad at him.”
Claire walks to the door then stops and comes back to me.
“What?” I ask her.
She licks the pad of her thumb and rubs it against the corner of my mouth.
“You have lipstick.”
“Oh.”
Not good. I guess I’m lucky she noticed it.
“There,” she says when she’s done. “You’re all set.”
“Thanks.”
I feel like kissing her again, but if I do I’ll just get her lipstick on me again. Besides, this time, I might not be able to stop.
She gives me a final smile before heading out. I hear her footsteps getting farther and farther away.
I guess that means Joel isn’t there. Good.
Once I can no longer hear her footsteps, I go out. To my surprise, Joel is there.
Shit.
“Hey,” he says when he sees me.
“Hey.”
He glances at the door I just came out of. “What were you doing there?”
“Talking to one of the hotel managers.” I come up with the excuse on the spot. “About business.”
Joel seems to buy it. “Okay.”
Thank goodness he’s not a hard man to convince. Or maybe he just really trusts me, which makes me feel bad that I’m betraying his trust. Still, I’ve made up my mind. The guilt is my friend now.
“You haven’t seen Claire, have you?” he asks. “Nat is looking for her.”
“Actually, I have,” I tell him truthfully. “She went upstairs. She said she had stuff to get ready for the bachelorette party.”
“Oh.”
I pat his shoulder.
“I’m sure she and Natalie will see each other there. As for us…” I glance at my watch. “We have our own party to get to. Are you ready?”
Chapter Seventeen
Claire
“Go!” I shout right after I start the kitchen timer.
At once, Natalie starts acting out the word she picked. She puts her ankles together and lifts one arm over her head.
“Ballerina,” one of the women in the room answers.
Natalie makes a rolling motion with her hand.
“Ballet?” another woman guesses.
Natalie tiptoes around.
“Ballet dancer!” someone shouts.
Natalie claps. I stop the timer.
“Good job,” I tell her as she sits beside me.
“Thanks. So, what is ‘Ballet Dancer’?”
I read the description on the card.
“Ballet Dancer—You face your partner, stand on one foot and wrap your leg around their waist or raise it on their shoulder.”
Mara, Natalie’s friend from college, gulps down her glass of wine. The other women in the room turn their heads at her.
“You’ve done that?”
“Yeah,” she says. “But just the leg around the waist. Not the shoulder. I’m not a gymnast.”
I don’t think I could do that either. I’m pretty sure I can do the leg around the waist, though. In fact, Ryker and I could have done it in that empty ballroom earlier. That would have been exciting.
Too bad we didn’t.
“Are you okay, Claire?” Natalie’s voice breaks into my thoughts.
I nod. “Yes.”
Then I show her the empty box in my hand.
“But I’m sorry to say that’s the last card in our Bottoms Up Charades.”
Or in other words, a game of charades where the participants guess the name of a sex position, after which it turns into a drinking game where those who have tried the position finish their drink bottoms up.
I had to finish three shots of strong Irish coffee because I’ve done Doggy Style, Tabletop and Missionary. Now, I’m a little lightheaded.
“So, are there more games?” one of Natalie’s friends asks.
“Yup.” I put down the empty box. “We still have the Penis Sculpting Game and the Scavenger Hunt, both of which will be more fun now that we’re all a little drunk.”
Someone cheers.
Someone else puts her hand up. “What if I pass out before we finish all the games?”
Natalie shrugs. “Then I guess you’re out. You can sleep until it’s time for us to check out.”
“Okay.”
Natalie turns to me. “Penis Sculpting Game?”
“You try to make a penis out of clay,” I explain.
“Oh.” She laughs. “You really have the most brilliant ideas.”
“I know I do.”
Before the Bottoms Up Charades, we had Pin The Kiss On The Hottie, which is basically like pinning the tail on the donkey except that instead of a donkey you have a picture of the bride-to-be’s celebrity crush, preferably shirtless. In Natalie’s case, it’s Zac Efron. Not the one from High School Musical but the one from Down to Earth. And instead of a tail, you have to use your lips, coated with any of the lipsticks I prepared. Natalie planted a kiss close to Zac Efron’s forehead. Mine was somewhere near his stomach, though I was imagining Ryker when I planted it.
Hmm. Maybe next time I’ll put some lipstick on and cover him in kisses.
Natalie grabs my hand. “Thank you.”
I squeeze hers. “Let’s just have fun, okay?”
I stand up to get the attention of all the women in the room.
“So, who wants to have the best penis?”
~
“Mine was terrible,” Natalie recounts later on after all the games are over and the two of us are alone in one of the bedrooms. “Are you sure you didn’t take a picture of it? Because I don’t want Joel to ever see it.”
