Love Is Louder (15 page)

“Brie.” A voice infiltrates my cloudy brain as a hand lightly rubs my cheek. “Hey, baby, wake up. You need to get ready.”

I blink open my burning eyes and take in James’ handsome face. “What?” He’s peering down at me affectionately. I smile, trying to clear the fog from my mind.

“Wedding.” He lifts his brow in amusement. “We have to get ready for Shane’s wedding. Remember? My friend is getting married.”

James. My husband of three weeks. I don’t know if I’m tired from last night or from my own wedding and honeymoon in the Cayman Islands or both. Jet lag and getting back to work are pains in the ass after a two-week hiatus. Sometimes I wonder if taking time off is even worth it.

“Give me a couple of minutes.” I stifle a yawn. My eyelids fall from fatigue, and my instinct is to curl up and fall asleep again to sleep off this horrible hangover as I feel the bed shift when he gets up. A second later, he moves again, and I feel him in front of me.

“Babe, you really drank too much at the rehearsal dinner last night. You were on a rampage.”

“Did I?” My words are sluggish as I sit up in my bed. My headache pounds against my forehead, causing me to fall back and throw the pillow over my eyes to shield them from the summer sun streaming through the window. “Do you remember anything from last night?”

“I hope I didn’t do anything to embarrass you,” I murmur, peeking from behind the pillow.

“No. Do you feel all right?” He pulls back the covers, and I notice I’m completely naked.

“I guess you took advantage of my inebriated state.”

“Kind of.” He smirks as his eyes explore my body while his hands travel up my legs to rest on my hips.

I remember the bride, the bridal party, and the way one of the groomsmen was eyeing me all night at the bar. I lost James for thirty minutes. Perhaps that’s why I drank more than usual. I remember that much because I ended up dancing with the guy from the bar and James pulling me off the floor. Thanks to the alcohol, everything else has been erased from my memory. I’ll find out soon enough what shenanigans transpired from the night before at the reception tonight. I’m sure of it.

Crawling over me and pulling me against his body, he wraps me in his arms.

“I love the feel of your skin, B,” he rasps. My core tightens, and I curve into him. My lips poise on his as his fingers brush against my damp sex and his hardened dick presses against my stomach. “This is what you do to me.”

“I love it when you touch my skin.”

He runs his fingers up and down my body, causing a shiver before pulling back and squeezing me tightly against him as he exposes my fevered skin to his warm lips.

“Ouch,” I grimace.

He sits up, reminding me of a jack-in-a-box with a concerned look on his face. He hesitantly reaches for me like he’s scared I might break. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, why are you acting this way? Like you’re going to hurt me, like I’m some delicate piece of crystal?”

“Shit, Brie, I just squeezed you, and you flinched like you were in pain. That’s why. Are you okay? Is it your ribs, back? Where is it, baby?” His eyes flash with worry.

“Really? What’s wrong with you?” I lie back and close my eyes, sensing his wandering hands on my body as if he’s inspecting me. “Well, now that you mention it, I’m kind of achy and my neck is sore, but maybe I just slept funny.” I open my eyes.

“Are you sure?” His expression is one of absolute sincerity and something else. Furtive like he has a secret he doesn’t want to share.

“James, what’s with you? I had a bit too much to drink. That’s all.”

“Okay. Well, let me get you some aspirin, and maybe a hot shower will fix the aches.”

I smile, and my body starts to yearn for him. God, I want him so badly. “Okay…come with me.” He hovers over me, brushing an errant strand of hair away from my face.

“I’ll come with you anywhere. I’ll make you come anywhere.” His voice is commanding. “I’ll make you forget everything.

I can’t imagine sitting in that room in over one hundred degree temperatures for an hour and expect to come out feeling good, but she sure looked fucking amazing. Damn right, I watched her. I noticed the sweat shimmering on her skin and all the sexy and tempting positions she twisted her body into. My favorite ones have to be those where she had her ass up in the air, the downward dog and the triangle pose. I happened to pay attention to the chart hanging on the wall behind the desk with some interesting poses. Learning something new never hurt anyone.

Yeah, she has a perfect ass, round and firm like an apple. There were more than a couple of times I lost my focus and needed to come back down to earth or I would have lost a finger or an eye, but she’d be worth it.

I chuckle as Brie waves and pulls away, watching as her black car disappears down the street on its way back to that privileged life with a philandering asshole husband. If I were her friend, I’d tell her. How would it look if a complete stranger, who’s attracted to her, tells her that her husband is a fucking manwhore? It’s none of my business. My hands are tied. I hope James smartens up and changes his ways so Brie doesn’t have to find out the hard way that he’s a cheating pig. I’ve seen heartbreak, but nothing like my sister when she ended up pregnant and watched her ex abandon her, not wanting the responsibility of a child. I’ve never done or never will do that to a woman. I’m up front with my intentions, always.

“Who was that? I’ve seen the car before.”

I hesitate and turn to my cousin and smile. “A customer.”

“Yeah...specifics, Cousin. You have two thriving businesses, and well...a ton of female customers,” she chides, knowing my lack of a love life and aversion to relationships since I haven’t been able to find the perfect woman.

“Ha-ha.” I smile and inhale the scent of the lilies I plan to take to my niece waiting for me at my mom’s house before I head off to the Bull and Bar for another late night. Micah is opening up shop since I took the last run to the yoga studio. I’m thankful I did, since I had another run-in with the gorgeous Brie.

“Please, I see how women look...Wait, let me take that back...
stare
at you.” She nudges me with her hip. “When are you gonna settle down?”

I peer across the street. “Stop. You’re starting to sound like my mom.”

“Well, it’s not just you. Micah has a problem with finding the right woman, too.”

“Yeah, I can’t speak for Micah. I’m just too busy.”

“It’s not a bad thing to fall in love, ya know.”

“I’m happy where I am,” I reply, not liking the switch of topics. “Would you believe she’s James Fleming’s wife?”

“Who is?”

“The pretty brunette in the black car that had traffic all backed up.”

“You lie?” She lifts her brow as she starts to take some flowers inside the shop, as it’s a quarter to six, fifteen minutes to closing time.

“Yeah.” I follow her inside as she places the flowers in some fresh water, returning them to the walk-in refrigerator for the night.

“How do you know?” Cindy asks, as she walks out, sliding the door closed behind her.

“Met her. I had a service call to her house,” I answer, looking down at my watch so she doesn’t catch anything funny. I’ve never been good at hiding my emotions. “Broken washer.”

Broken marriage.

“What do you think of her?”

“She’s nice.
”

More than nice. Too nice for James.

“I didn’t really talk to her much. I was in and out.” We all knew James in high school, but I don’t divulge to Cindy what I saw the night at the bar. I’m not one to spread rumors about anyone. I’ll let Cindy see it with her own two eyes. Eventually, she will. James has never been too careful to cover his tracks or knows when he has a good thing. Marriage is a commitment, and I think he forgot his marriage vows. “I thought he would be living in a big city like New York City or Boston as a hot shot lawyer.”

“Well, you know what they say about small towns.”

Small towns.

“What is that?” I ask.

“They’re the best place to raise a family. Maybe James and his beautiful wife plan to start a family.”

I pause for a heartbeat before I answer, “I can’t see James and babies. He’s too much of a selfish asshole.”

“Maybe he’s changed. High school is high school, teenagers, and raging hormones.”

“It’s no different now. Only difference is it’s more experience, but at least I know what I want.” I laugh.

“Are you trying to tell me something?” She lifts her eyes to meet mine.

“No...no.” I shake my head. “Just saying.”

Running my fingers over fresh daisies, roses, and tulips, I soak in the shop and the thick scent of flowers. A picture of Meadow and the family hangs on the wall behind the register. Meadow looked so young and so vibrant, and that was all taken away. I feel my heart rate increase as a million memories resurface. It was the day I told Meadow this little place filled with colorful flowers was all hers, a gift from me.

Cindy and Meadow were best friends growing up. People always mistook them as sisters, even though Cindy had brown hair and brown eyes. Cindy was more of the athlete with the slim, toned body, whereas my sister was curvier and an inch shorter than Cindy. Cindy would do anything for Meadow. She took her death pretty hard, too, but she’s been a rock for me. Handing Cindy the flower shop was a no-brainer

“Hey, are you okay?” Cindy flicks her eyes in the direction of the photo and squeezes my hand. “Missing her?”

“Every day,” I reply, clearing my throat as I pull my eyes from the photo.”Listen, I have to take these to Lily. I haven’t seen my niece in a couple of days.” I clutch the lilies to my chest. “I’m going to get an earful if I don’t get the hell out of here.”

“Well, you better get to her.”

“Yep, are you going to need a ride?”

“No, I’m fine. I’ve got a hot date after work.”

“Nice. Do I know him?”

“I don’t think so. Don’t worry, though. You can meet him tonight. We’ll be stopping by the Bull and Bear.”

“Good. I need to see this guy.”

“I’m a decent judge of character. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Still, I just want to be sure you don’t end up with an asshole.”

Cindy frowns playfully, crossing her arms over her chest. “Stop it, would ya?”

“We’re all we have here, you know.”

“I know. I love you, Mason.” She walks over and gives me a peck on the cheek.

“Love you, too.”

“Well, I better get going.”

“Give that little munchkin a hug for me and tell your mom I said hello.” She smiles and returns to closing up the store, heading behind the counter to cash out the register.

“I will,” I reply as I spin on my heels to leave.

“Hey!”

“Yeah?” I glance over my shoulder to meet her devious eyes.

This can’t be good.

“I’m gonna find her for you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The love of your life.”

“Oh, fuck, Cindy.” I raise a brow in amusement. “What did I tell you about outside interference? I’ve got this.”

“You get sex...a lot of it, I’m sure, but love...Everyone needs someone in their life.”

“Sure, sure, whatever you say, Cindy. See you later.”

I turn, holding the lilies in my hand and digging for my keys. “I will. You wait and see.” I hear Cindy mumble from behind me.

Chuckling, I walk outside, tilting my head back to look up into the rays of descending sun. One of these days, I’ll fall in love. The whole idea scares me. I can’t answer why. I’m not scared of anything, not a damn thing, but hearing or thinking about the four-letter word makes my hands clammy and a rock form in my throat. I haven’t been in that place in a while, and maybe that’s what worries me.