Playing the Field (Hot-Lanta Series) (34 page)

             
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there. Is that hot?”

             
Shaking the shirt away from his skin she said, “Uh yea just a bit. I will be fine though. Uh sorry about your coffee, I should have been looking where I was going.”

             
Marc took a look at Patty and couldn’t help but sigh from her beauty. He knew she was fresh out of bed, no make-up with lounging clothes on, but he never wanted to cuddle her more. Anyway she presented herself, he found a way to make her desirable in his mind. He was hopeless.

             
“Don’t worry about it” she said. “I can get some more coffee at the spa.”

             
“Alright, well I guess I will see you at the wedding.” He started to walk away when Patty stopped him.

             
“Wait.”

             
He turned to look at her and watched her search in her mind for what she wanted to say.

             
“I, uh, just wanted to apologize for last night. I didn’t get any sleep.”

             
“Neither did I” he confessed.

             
She exhaled, “Sully, I just wanted to tell you, under different circumstances, I could really see myself being happy with you. I could picture having a future with you but I’m not in a good place in my life and don’t think I ever will be. I’m sorry. I wish I could give myself to you.”

             
Hearing her words made him choke up. What was she doing to him? He thought he helped her get over Gino. What was the point of the list of things she needed to accomplish if she was not going to stick to them?

             
“Patty, I can’t hear you say those things. Please just let me go.”

             
She put her hand on his chest and said, “I can’t. I’m trying but it’s hard to let you go after everything you did for me and the friendship and comfort you have given me.”

             
“I know.” He said taking her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “I wish things were different. I truly do but after today, I’m afraid I just can’t see you anymore. Now go and take care of Jane, make her feel special today.”

             
“Do I still get to collect on the dance you promised me?”

             
Marc knew it wasn’t a good idea but he nodded. At least he could indulge one last time before he let her go forever. He let her hand go and headed for the coffee shop, shirt still drenched. He didn’t care right now because the only thing that occupied his mind was the breaking of his own heart.

                                          ***

              Brady held his new wife in his arms dancing to a slow melody on the dance floor. The night was something he would never forget neither was the first time he saw Jane walking down the aisle toward him. He was not much of a crier but he couldn’t help himself. He was the happiest man ever, being able to marry the woman of his dreams, his soul mate and best friend. She had never looked lovelier, wearing her hair in loose waves over her shoulders, a simple white dress with lace and her natural make-up. He was one lucky man.

             
As he twirled her, he caught the undying love she had for him in her eyes. When he pulled her back into his arms he whispered in her ear, “When do we get to go to the honeymoon suite?”

             
Playfully swatting his chest she said, “Brady, we can’t just ditch all our guests. That would be rude.”

             
“I’m sure they would understand, Mrs. Matthews.”

             
“Mm, I’ll never get tired of hearing you call me that.”

             
Brady nuzzled her neck with kisses, breathing in the fresh scent he knew as Jane.

“Com
e on, let’s get out of here. I’m sure everyone will understand. Plus they are all liquored up anyway. As long as the booze keeps pouring they’re going to care less if we’re here or not.”

             
“It’s tempting but they’re our guests…”

             
“Who are drunk and happy. Come on, I want to see what’s under that dress.” Brady said pushing his hard length against her.

             
“My, my, my Mr. Matthews, a little eager tonight aren’t we?”

             
“I haven’t seen my beautiful wife in weeks and I finally have her in my arms, all I want is to have you all to myself, in our own private room.”

             
“Well how can I deny my husband such a request? Alright but you have to make an announcement.”

             
Victory! Brady thought.

He dragged Jane off the dance floor and went over to the DJ. He asked for the microphone and had him cut the music. Everyone stopped on the dance floor and gave Brady their attention.

              “We just wanted to thank everyone for coming tonight and celebrating with us. When I first met Jane, I knew she was going to be my wife one day and now that the day has come, I could not have imagined it any differently or have shared the day with anyone else. So thank you again, we love you all. Now I’m going to take this little wifey of mine away and make a woman out of her.” Jane swatted him and everyone whistled and hollered. “Please stay as long as you want or until they kick you out. Drink up and enjoy the night.”

             
Brady handed the microphone back to the DJ and grabbed Jane’s hand, dragging her to the elevators.

             
“I can’t believe you said that in front of everyone, in front of my parents!” Jane said.

             
“Oh come on, do you honestly think people think we’re going upstairs to play a riveting game of checkers and watching episodes of ‘I Love Lucy’? No, they know exactly what we’re doing so there is no use in hiding it.”

             
“Who’s to say we’re going to have sex?” Jane said in a stubborn tone.

             
Brady wrapped his arms around her, bringing his lips mere centimeters away from hers and said, “Oh we will be having sex and we will be having it all night long.” He sealed his promise with an explosive kiss that made Jane weak in the knees.

             
While he held her up she said, “I can’t argue with that.”

                                          ***

              Patty watched Jane and Brady leave, holding hand and hand, feeling jealous that they were able to share in each other’s lives, something she would never be able to do. Patty was so involved in the wedding, pictures and helping things move along, she didn’t even have a chance to say hi to her old roommate April who started to become close friends with Jane and the group. She searched the room looking for her long brown haired friend, when she stopped cold in her tracks.

             
Dancing on the floor with April, with a sinister smirk on his face was Gino.

What the hell was he doing here?

Patty’s limbs went numb and she instantly started to sweat. He made eye contact with her and at that moment decided to end the dance he was sharing with April and walked over to Patty.

             
A voice in her head told her to run, get the hell out of here, don’t let him approach you but the commands were not registering to her legs. Instead she stood completely still until both April and Gino reached her. Gino leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Patty took a quick glance at April who was looking rather green. Why the hell would April bring Gino to Jane’s wedding?

             
“Hello, there sweetheart. It’s so nice to see you. You look fantastic.”

             
Patty’s throat felt completely dry and couldn’t get a word out. Taking a sip of her water she finally was able to say, “What are you doing here, Gino?”

             
“Well, I really wanted to see you so your friend April brought me as her date.”

             
Patty glanced over at April who had tears in her eyes. What the hell was going on?

             
“Let’s dance.” Gino said and before she could protest he grabbed her hand and brought her out on the dance floor. His breath smelled of pure alcohol and his grip was tighter than your average dancing hold. Something was not right.

             
“Relax sweetheart, noting is going to happen as long as you listen to what I have to say.”

             
A bead of sweat worked down Patty’s back. Oh no, this was not good. She needed to get someone’s attention. She started scanning the room but was stopped by the overpowering hand of Gino’s that forced her to put her head on his shoulder.

             
“Don’t even think about looking for help right now. You little lady have caused me a tremendous amount of grief and I’ve lost a lot of money because of you. I had a private investigator follow you around and funny thing, he told me you’ve been hanging out with Marc Sullivan, the Braves’ catcher. Why would you be hanging out with him, playing in his pool and spending late nights with him, when I’m in your life?”

             
“You’re not in my life, Gino.”

             
Gino dug something sharp into her back making her gasp. “I didn’t tell you, you could speak bitch so keep your trap shut until you are told otherwise.” He released the grip a little and continued, “Now unless you want your precious little Marc to get hurt, you are going to do exactly as I tell you. I have men watching over him and they’re ready to pull the trigger on him if you don’t follow my instructions. Nod if you understand what I’m saying.”

             
Patty nodded in fear. What was happening?

             
“Look at me Patty dear, I want you to pretend like you are falling in love with me all over again.” When she didn’t look up, he tightened his hold again making it difficult to breath. “I said look at me.” He gritted out in a voice so deep and sinister, it made Patty’s skin crawl.

             
She looked up at him trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.

             
“That’s better. Now kiss me and kiss me like you mean it. I want Marc to think we’re back together. He needs to know that I’m the man in your life, not him.”

             
She couldn’t, she couldn’t kiss him. If Marc saw her kiss him, she would for sure never, ever see him again and she could not deal with knowing that. At this moment it hit her, that life was too short to be living in a bubble, trying to protect your heart. If she wasn’t so stubborn, she could be wrapped up in Marc’s arms instead of threatened by Gino’s. She needed to figure out a way to get out of Gino’s arms and get to Marc.

When she didn’t kiss him he leaned down to her ear and said, “Listen up cunt, you are going to kiss me now or I will make sure your little boyfriend doesn’t make it out of this hotel alive.”

Shit!

                            ***

Austin was one happy guy. Ever since he got back to Atlanta, Molly had given him her un-divided attention. When he was away, he was nervous she was going to break things off with him because she was not answering any of his phone calls or text messages. He was never a clingy kind of guy but with Molly he could not help himself. He loved her. It took some time to realize it but he loved her. He wanted to ask her to move in with him but he was unsure of asking her since she was MIA that past week. When he got back to Atlanta though, every spare moment she had, she spent with him and it was even better than he remembered. He was hopelessly in love with her.

As he slow danced with Molly
, he could not help but smile. He had the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen in his arms, with her head against his shoulders, sharing a moment with him that he would remember forever. Jane was not a selfish bride at all because the dress she chose for her bridesmaids was ridiculously sexy.

Austin leaned down into Molly’s ear and whispered, “Have I told you how hot you look tonight?”

“Only a couple hundred times.” She said with a smile.

“This night has been amazing, I can’t wait to see where it leads. Do you want to go back to my place? Or I have a room on reserve as well
, if you are too tired to make the drive.”

He felt Molly stiffen in his arms and pull away from him a little. “I uh, need a drink. Can we go get a drink?”

“Sure.” Feeling nervous, he took her arm and led her to the bar. “Is everything ok?”

“Yes, of course. I’
m just thirsty.”

Austin ordered them two beers and brought Molly over to a sitting area. She must be tired especially after their late night escapades. He thought his erection was going to pop out of his pants last night after she sent that picture of her naked. He had not se
en his girl in a while, thanks to being on the road and the sight of her drove him crazy.