With This Ring (Wedding Dreams #1) Read online

  It’s not the first time I’ve dealt with a jilted groom, or bride for that matter, but it’s never pleasant. From a purely selfish standpoint, I’m just happy we have our no cancellation policy; otherwise, we’d be closing our doors quicker than I feared.

  “How’s that wine treating you?”

  I jump at the sound of his voice. It’s unmistakable and sexy. But then I remember he’s the asshole that laughed at his broken-hearted best friend.

  “It’s champagne, and it’s treating me just fine.”

  Drew steps closer. His tie is undone, which is maddening. There are few things I find sexier than a loosened bow tie. I’ve always found it fascinating how one small scrap of ribbon can have so many possibilities in the bedroom.

  Then I realize I’m sitting in a church garden thinking about bondage.

  I look down at the bottle. How much have I had?

  “May I join you?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you’re a dick.”

  Drew laughs and sits down anyway. “I have a dick, or I am a dick?”

  “Both.”

  “Well, I can’t deny that,” he says, leaning back against the bench. “Is there a particular reason you find me so offensive?”

  I take another long sip of champagne.

  “Because you laughed,” I reply.

  “And laughter is a sin?”

  “It is when your best friend is being dumped at the altar!”

  Drew chuckles. “I told you he was making the biggest mistake of his life. Kellie is a spoiled brat and the biggest bitch that ever walked, and she proved that tonight. What I really want to do is take out an ad in the morning paper that says ‘Congratulations on Dodging that Bullet’ but that would be a dick move, so . . .”

  I roll my eyes and stare up at the sky. Tonight just reminds me, once again, why I will never be a bride.

  “I accepted long ago that I’m never getting married. Why would I? My parents fought all the time, every boyfriend I’ve ever had cheated on me at least once, and most of our couples end up divorced before the ink is dry on the marriage license. I’ve seen what happened tonight probably a dozen times, but that doesn’t make it any easier to watch, and I certainly don’t make jokes about it. Not to mention, I really needed this event to lead to other events, and while tonight’s epic failure wasn’t my company’s fault, having our name attached won’t be good for business. I have no idea what we’re going to do.”

  I’m rambling now, but his body is suddenly brushing against mine, and the heat of his skin is driving me insane.

  “Your business is in trouble?”

  His voice is close, too close, and I feel his warm breath against my ear. For some inexplicable reason, I tilt my head, and I shudder when I feel his nose glide across my neck. His hand finds my knee before sliding beneath the fabric of my skirt.

  “We may have to close,” I whisper, trying not to squirm as he lifts my skirt a little higher. “Nobody wants a wedding planner.”

  “I want a wedding planner.”

  The champagne has made me tipsy, but I’m not drunk. I know what I’m doing, and I know what I just heard. It wasn’t a subtle proposition.

  Neither is this.

  My inhibitions long gone, I spread my legs a little wider in invitation for him to continue up my leg. I feel my nipples getting hard, and I know they are visible through the thin lace of my camisole. Drew leans in closer and starts to kiss my neck softly while running his hands up to my panties. He lightly strokes my clit through the thin cotton, and my breath starts to speed up. A small moan escapes me; he stops and leans back.

  This is a mistake.

  Drew reaches for me, pulling me into a standing position in front of him.

  “God, you’re sexy,” he murmurs, placing his nose at the apex of my thighs. He inhales deeply, and I’m grateful he’s holding my hips because my knees nearly buckle at the sight.

  Leaning away from him, I slip the tie away from his collar before finding the buttons of his vest and shirt. I make quick work of them and push the shirt open. Just as I thought, he has incredible abs that are just begging to be licked. He reaches for the button on his pants and pulls them down as I lift my skirt around my waist.

  “Come here, baby.” Baby?

  He puts his hands on my hips and guides me down onto his lap, facing him. At this point, the only things separating us from indecent exposure are my cami, my lacy panties, and his boxer briefs. I shift against him, and we both moan as I brush against his erection.

  Drew gazes at my body and watches his hands as they roam over my breasts, squeezing and tugging my nipples.

  “Undo your hair.”

  It’s more a command than a request, which makes me very willing to obey. I find my hair-tie and give it a tug. Drew captures my hair in his hands before grabbing the nape of my neck and pulling me close, crushing his mouth to mine.

  Soft, urgent lips taste and tease, making us groan into each other’s mouths. His tongue is searching out mine and we start to tangle them together. I rock against him, and I swear I hear a growl resonate from his chest. My hands have a mind of their own, roaming aimlessly across his broad shoulders and his muscular stomach. I shift a little and I find him, hard and throbbing. I lightly stroke his erection and he pushes himself against my hands.

  “You want it?” he whispers against my mouth.

  Of course I want it; I haven’t had sex in over a year! Instead of expressing that thought, I pull back and ask him the only question I need an answer to.

  “Condom?”

  “In my pants.” He certainly is prepared.

  I get up to get his wallet out of his slacks, which are still around his ankles, and toss it in his direction. While he takes care of the condom, I begin to step out of my pumps.

  “Keep ‘em on,” he says gruffly, his voice filled with lust.

  Again, it’s a command. And it’s hot.

  Drew pulls me back toward him, pushes my panties to the side, and slips two fingers inside me, pumping them in and out a few times. He suddenly withdraws them, leaving me breathless and wanting.

  “Wet and ready. You really are perfect, aren’t you?”

  I nearly convulse when he places his fingers in his mouth, and I know I am going to fuck him right here and now. I start to get up again to take my panties off, but Drew stops me and rips them open. It’s the only motivation I need, and I sink down, groaning loudly as he fills me. I kiss him hard, and his hands wrap around my hips, pulling me tight against him as we begin to move.

  “Fuck,” he groans, burying his face against my neck.

  I rock frantically against him, letting my worries drift away with every thrust of his hips. It’s quick and wild, which is exactly how it should be. No complications, no emotion, no romance.

  Just hot sex with a hot guy that I’ll never see again.

  He grabs my ass, and lifts me slightly, urging me to arch my back. He thrusts deeper, and I whimper when his tongue finds my nipple through the camisole. He sucks hard, and when he gently bites down, there’s no more holding back. Screaming his name, I see stars as my orgasm washes over me. Drew crushes his body against mine and holds me as wave upon wave of pleasure quakes through me. He thrusts his hips twice more, and I watch his face as his entire body convulses, leaving him sweaty and breathless.

  Oh. My. God. That was one of the hottest things I have ever witnessed.

  We hold each other tightly until our bodies calm. After a few minutes, I begin to tremble from the chill in the air. I slowly climb off him. He pulls up his pants while I straighten my skirt and put my jacket back on. When I turn back around, he’s standing there with the bottle of champagne. His eyes never leave mine as he takes a swig from the bottle.

  “We just had sex in a garden. In a church garden.” I can’t believe I just did that! It was incredible!

  “Talk about a religious experience.”

  “I’ll say.”

  We b
oth grin, and I’m glad this isn’t awkward.

  “I should head home,” I tell him.

  “You shouldn’t drive. Let me give you a lift.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll call a cab.”

  “Allow me.” He reaches into his jacket and pulls out his cell. He gives the cab company the address of the church and quickly ends the call.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.”

  Drew steps closer, lifting his hand and letting it drift across my cheek. He lowers his head, letting his lips brush gently against mine. It’s sweet, innocent, and such a contrast to what just happened between us.

  “Can I see you again?” he asks.

  “You mean, can you fuck me again?”

  He grins. “I’d feed you first. What about dinner Friday night?”

  “I . . . think I already have a date Friday night.”

  “You think?”

  I wish I could remember what I said to the caterer. I eye the empty bottle of Cristal, hoping it will trigger some memory of the conversation.

  It doesn’t.

  “Here’s my number,” he says, producing a small card from his wallet. “Let me know.”

  “I will.”

  “Want me to wait until the cab arrives?”

  “Nah, I’m a big girl. I’ll see you later.”

  He kisses me one last time before he disappears into the night.

  Now that I’m alone, the enormity of what happened finally hits me.

  I just had sex in a church garden.

  Sitting down on the bench, I look around at the memorial plaques and ceramic vases.

  “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned,” I whisper into the air.

  ***

  Drew

  What the hell just happened? Did I just nail the wedding planner in the church garden?

  I can’t help the smile on my face reflecting on this unplanned turn of events. I get to thinking about my own situation and how I can give my mother her only wish. Lily just might be the perfect person to help me with it. I’ll have to try and look her up next week after I get a plan together.

  Chapter 3

  Drew

  I know I need to see her again.

  I spent Sunday with Nick and the other guys, helping him nurse his broken heart with beer and football. Lily was all I could think about. As I passed through the kitchen, I asked Nick’s mom about her and if she knew the location of her shop.

  Now I’m driving toward the address that I have plugged into the GPS. I don’t know what I’m going to say when I get there, but I know I want her to help me with my dilemma. She’s probably the only person who can help me with it.

  I pull into the small parking lot adjacent to Wedding Dreams, taking a deep breath before getting out of my Cadillac.

  ***

  Lily

  “Morning,” Sierra mumbles as she enters into the shop.

  I appreciate the fact that she doesn’t pretend it’s a good morning, Mondays never are. My entire body aches, reminding me of my somewhat slutty behavior from Saturday night.

  Not that I care.

  It had been way too long, and sex with Drew was the best I’d had in . . . maybe . . . ever. My only real regret from that night is flirting with the caterer. He’s the only thing standing between me and another fabulous evening with the rogue groomsman.

  “I’m sorry I bailed,” Sierra says, shaking me out of my memories of the wedding that wasn’t.

  “It’s okay. It was your first big cancellation.”

  “Does it get any easier?”

  “No, it always sucks when someone is left at the altar. But you’ll get better at putting your emotions aside and dealing with the problems at hand. You can always cry later.”

  Sierra searches my face. “Did you cry later?”

  “Umm . . .”

  Just then the door swings open, and my mouth falls open as Drew walks inside my shop. He scans the room until he finds me. A wide, cocky grin stretches across his face.

  Sierra spins toward me. “Hey! That’s—”

  I hide my own smile. “I know who it is.”

  Drew walks slowly around the shop, pretending to be interested in our displays of champagne flutes and ring pillows.

  I know better.

  “Sierra, would you do me a favor? I have some samples I need to ship out. Would you mind taking these packages to the post office?”

  The expression on her face assures me she knows something’s going on, but she doesn’t ask. Instead, she nods stiffly and grabs the boxes. I look through the window and wait until her car disappears from the parking lot before greeting my customer.

  “Good morning, sir. May I help you find something?”

  Drew walks my way, that smug, arrogant grin of his widening as he approaches. He’s in a suit today. It’s dark navy with a skinny tie to match.

  I love skinny ties.

  “I think I already found what I’m looking for.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, indeed.”

  His eyes smolder, and I’m simultaneously disappointed, and relieved, that a counter separates us.

  “Seriously, what are you doing here?”

  “Would you believe me if I told you I was in the neighborhood?”

  “Nope.”

  He grins and looks around the shop. “You know, I’m surprised.”

  “About?”

  “What you told me about never wanting to get married. You’re surrounded by this shit all day long, and you’re not at all tempted?”

  I glance at the rack that holds my secret wedding gown.

  “No, never tempted.”

  “Hmm.”

  Drew walks around, gently sliding his fingers along the veils.

  Lucky lace.

  “I’m thirty-six years old,” he says. “My mother is constantly on my ass, asking when I’m going to settle down, have kids . . . all the bullshit that I want nothing to do with.”

  I’m startled by this information that has seemingly come out of nowhere, but I say nothing.

  “I’m a successful attorney. I’ve invested well. I have more money than I’ll ever need, and yet, that’s not good enough for her.” He laughs, but it’s bitter and dark. “It seems I’ll never outgrow the desire to please my mother.”

  “My mom’s the same way. Not to mention my married friends. The fact that I’m thirty-two and single is unthinkable to them. They assume, because I’m a wedding planner, that my life must be so romantic and glamorous. When really, all I do is work and sleep.”

  “So you understand,” he says.

  I smile. “Yes, but I’m afraid that’s where our similarities end. Unlike you, I don’t have a bottomless pit of wealth.”

  Our conversation is interrupted by two women walking through the shop door. I excuse myself to greet them. I try to focus on my customers, but it’s impossible with Drew standing close by. The young woman asks to look at bridesmaid dresses. I lead them toward the racks, and when I pass him, I feel his hand softly graze mine. Looking up, I find his deep brown eyes gazing at me with a look so hungry it makes me shudder.

  I want them to leave. I want him to touch me. And kiss me. And maybe drag me back into the dressing room and fuck me against the wall.

  I shake my head. No wonder your business is going broke.

  “Miss, did you hear me? Do you have this in mint green?”

  Focus, Lily.

  I force a smile. “No, but I can order it for you. It should arrive within a week.”

  Once the ladies finally leave, I head back toward the counter, only Drew is nowhere to be found. Glancing out the window, I spot his car still parked in the lot.

  There’s only one place he can be.

  I look toward the dressing room and smile.

  ***

  “Excuse me, sir. Do you need a hand in there?”

  The door swings open, and I’m grabbed by a deliciously naked Drew. I’m immediately pinned to the wall, which is frightening
in an I Can’t Believe My Fantasy is Coming True kind of way.

  “I thought they’d never leave,” he says with a groan as he kisses along my neck. “Who the fuck cares that much about mint green dresses?”

  And then our lips meet, ravenous and frantic. Hands down, this man is the best kisser I’ve ever known. His tongue dances with mine, and it sends my imagination into a frenzy, wondering just how skilled that tongue would be in other places.

  “I’ve thought about you since I left you in that garden.” His voice is rough and deep, making everything inside of me tremble in anticipation. “Why the hell aren’t you naked?”

  I laugh as his hands eagerly reach for my blouse.

  “Don’t rip my buttons.”

  “Fuck the buttons.

  My slacks are next, and they, along with my panties, fall in a pool at my feet.

  “You know,” I tell him, “someday we should try this in a bed.”

  He smirks at me and rolls on a condom. Now that we’re in daylight, I can fully appreciate the sight of him. My mouth waters, and I’m ready to hit my knees when he says, “I want to talk to you about that. But first things first.”

  Talk to me about what?

  I’ve barely stepped out of my shoes before I’m being lifted against the wall. I grab onto his shoulders and wrap my legs around his waist.

  “Hold on, baby.”

  He enters me forcefully, driving us against the wall and making me whimper.

  “Harder. God, please . . .”

  It’s a plea driven by lust and desperation. Drew buries his face against my neck and thrusts his hips erratically. I cling to him, letting my hands slide along his broad shoulders as he anchors me to his body. It’s crazy, but in this moment, I’ve never felt more protected. More wanted.

  “You feel so good,” he murmurs against my lips.