The Inconvenient Bride (3 page)

Buzz. Buzz.

The sound of her Katie's phone ringing again sent a wave of panic to wash over her. A normally quiet and conservative Jeff immediately went into protective mode. He spoke firmly, “Give me the phone. I’ve had enough of all of this.” He grabbed the device out of his wife's hands and immediately shut it off. “We are all going inside the restaurant. My wife is two months from delivering our first child. I will not have her stressed out over this situation.” Then, he turned to Dylan. “It's time to grow up and handle your business. My wife is a school teacher, not a CEO of a company.” With that, Jeff escorted his wife inside the pizza parlor leaving Carrie and Dylan standing alone.

“What the hell is going on Dylan? I don't like being left in the cold.”

“I know. I know. Let's go inside and I promise I'll tell you everything!”

***

Carrie's heart was beating uncontrollably when they all sat down in their favorite private booth. Of the four folks sitting at the table, she was the only one sitting in the dark. She didn't like it. She didn't like it at all.

Dylan broke the awkward silence immediately. “Katie, I'm sorry. Jeff is 100% correct. This is my problem to deal with, not yours. It just doesn't make any sense. We don't live in the late 1800's.” He was visibly agitated. “I did check with several lawyers, and grandfather's will is ironclad, so I really don't have a choice.” He reached over and touched his twin's hand. “I promise I will adhere to the conditions, no matter what.”

Katie smiled. “I know this can’t be easy. It won't be that bad, Dylan. I promise. Remember, anyone can do anything for a year.”

“Yeah right, that's what I keep telling myself,” Dylan sarcastically stated as he attempted to wave the waitress over so he could order something strong to drink.

Carrie was boiling over in anger. For nearly twenty years, Katie and Dylan had shared everything with her, including family matters, but somehow they hadn't included her in this discussion. She felt like a fool sitting at a table clueless. Why were they treating her like a stranger when they both knew they were the only family she had left? When her mother died two years prior to breast cancer they both promised to be there for her forever. At this very moment, it felt like forever was being cut short.

“Is someone going to tell me what's going on here? I don't like feeling like a stranger in front of you all,” Carrie barked, then slammed her hands on the table.

Dylan immediately turned to Carrie. The moment their eyes locked, he knew he had to tell her everything. Shit, he had tried to reach out to her several times in the past few months to discuss the situation, but she kept ignoring his text messages, phone calls and even pop up visits. So, as much as he wanted and needed her advice, he was forced to figure out his problem on his own.

Unsuccessful in getting a drink, Dylan took a swig of Jeff's Vodka, then spoke. "Carrie, in order for me to run McCray Construction as CEO I must get married."

"Okay? I don't understand the dilemma. Of course you will be married one day," Carrie joked sarcastically, then looked to Jeff and Katie for reaction. Neither smiled.

A noticeably bothered Dylan shifted in his seat. "It's not that simple. My grandfather's will is crystal clear. I have to get married before my thirtieth birthday and stay married for one year in order to assume complete control of our family's company. The terms and conditions are non-negotiable. If I don't get married, I forfeit everything to Katie."

"What…this doesn't make sense. Katie doesn't want to be CEO of McCray Construction. Your father knows that."

"Yes, my father knows that, but he doesn't have a say in grandfather's will. My grandfather always felt like a man should settle down and have a family. He was a firm believer that a man with a wife is more balanced than one without." Dylan shook his head in disbelief at the notion, swallowed hard, then continued. "Right or wrong, that was his stance and if I don't get married, my future at McCray Construction is over."

"Dylan, are you serious? Your birthday is next week. Who in the hell are you going to marry?" an aggravated Carrie shouted.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?”

“I don’t know Carrie!”

“This is ridiculous. Katie or Jeff say something." Carrie yelled slamming her fist on the table. An already overly concerned Jeff shot Carrie an unsatisfied look. "Carrie stop it. I can’t feel sorry for him. My wife and her brother are multimillionaires. Trust me, there are worst things in the world than a quick, arranged marriage for the top seat at the board," Jeff spouted out.

Jeff was right and Carrie knew it. Up until she was ten, Carrie and her mother had struggled to make ends meet. They lived in multiple shelters, abandoned cars, and even on the streets of Charleston hoping for any opportunity in life. It wasn’t until her mother landed a temporary housekeeping job at the McCray's that their entire lives changed. And, for that reason, she knew every word Jeff had uttered had been truth. But, it didn’t mean that the truth wasn’t hurting. The fact that Dylan had to marry someone, even if only for a year, made Carrie sick to her stomach. Yes, the sobering reality of the situation and how different they all were was quickly sinking in.

Katie and Dylan were different from her and Jeff in so many ways. Although they always considered her family, Carrie was just an average girl living an average life. She lived in a modest apartment and had a working class job. While her best friends were multimillionaires living a life most could only dream of. Of course, throughout the years, Katie would offer to buy her designer outfits and bags, but she always refused. She never wanted Dylan or Katie to think her love and friendship was based on money, because it wasn't. It was based on love. And, she loved them both desperately.

"Jeff you’re right. Why are you always the wise one in the group?" Carrie said with a half-smile etched on her face. Jeff kissed his wife on her cheek while Katie snuggled close to her firefighter husband. "Because I love this woman and will do anything to keep her happy."

Dylan quickly placed his hand on top of Carrie's. He needed her touch, her comfort and her unwavering friendship. Marrying someone in a week's time wasn't something he was looking forward to doing. Carrie squeezed his hand and smiled lovingly back at her friend.

Katie inquisitively observed the exchange between her friend and twin brother. She had grown accustomed to their "friendly" affection throughout the years. The chemistry was always undeniable between the two.
A blind man could see the affect they both had on one another.

Although Carrie had come to grips with her true feelings for Dylan years ago, Katie knew her brother hadn't ever fully admitted his feelings for his best friend. The problem was Dylan was afraid of being in love. Afraid of being hurt. Deep down, he still harbored deep seeded anger towards his mother for cheating on his father nearly twenty five years before. For Dylan, the pain was still raw to the touch. So, when it came relationships with women, Dylan dated with one sole purpose, quenching his sexual thirst. It was well known in Charleston that the heir to the McCray fortune dated women like he drank wine. One glass at a time…always searching for a different type and brand.

Tears rolled out of the corner of Katie's eyes. It wasn't fair that she was in love and expecting her first bundle of joy while her twin brother was forced to marry some random stranger. She wanted him to be happy. She wanted Carrie to be happy. But, how?

Then, it instantly happened…Katie had the perfect solution. An idea that would finally make her entire family whole. A plan that could make everyone happy, even if it was only for a year. "Dylan, you should marry Carrie."

Silence invaded the table.

Katie's words hit them both like a ton of bricks.
How in the hell had Katie betrayed her trust? How long had she planned this?
Before Carrie could muster a word to say, she squeezed Dylan's hand tighter. So tight in fact, that he placed his other hand on top of hers. The moment she realized her emotions were betraying her she jerked her hand away. Dylan immediately felt a sharp pain rip through his core, but didn't say a word. Katie continued, "It's only for a year and at least you’d be marrying someone you trust and know. It’s the perfect solution."

Jeff chimed in, "I love the idea. At least I can sleep at night knowing my wife has approved her new sister-in-law." He chuckled.

"Sister-in-law? Are you all insane? We can't get married. Dylan's my best friend in the world." Carrie squirmed in her seat as she tried to comprehend the last few seconds of her life. Her eyes immediately shot over to Dylan's face. Carrie braced herself for his gut-wrenching laugh, but he remained eerily quiet. She waited for him to protest and scream at the ridiculous notion, but he was as silent as the night breeze. She waited for him to politely change the topic, pretend Katie never said a word, but instead Dylan searched her eyes for her true thoughts and feelings. Thoughts and feelings she wasn't prepared to talk about, especially with him.

"Carrie Heights, say something?” Dylan insisted as he shifted in his seat.

“What do you want me to say?”

“The truth. Look, you know I trust you with my life. I actually think it's a good idea. Plus, we practically lived together before you stopped returning my calls."

"Are you really asking me to marry you, Dylan?"

"Yes!"

"Yes?"

Three sets of anxious and deep, penetrating eyes pierced deeply into Carrie's skin waiting for a response. A response that would change her life forever. Of course she wanted to marry the love of her life and sex him senseless, but the problem was he didn't love her. At least not in the way she desired him. No, this wasn't the sexy fairytale ending Carrie had daydreamed about for most of her adult life.

She took one long exasperating breath in and quickly exhaled the stale air out; then slumped down in the over-sized pizza parlor booth wishing she could disappear.
What in the hell was she thinking? Could she really agree to a paper marriage? A marriage that would provide Dylan with everything he needed in life but still leave her physically alone and craving him sexually. And how would she feel for the next year knowing another woman was going to hold him, caress him, and please him until he orgasmed? The mere thought made her sick to her stomach.

Then, it hit her.

Carrie knew at that instant how to solve her own sexual dilemma. She knew exactly how she was going to tell her best friend that she stayed up until the wee hours of the night imagining him on his knees, licking and sucking, tugging and pulling at her clit until she bucked with delight. Oh yes, she had the perfect solution to her situation. And, at that very moment, Carrie didn't care if it was only a year. At least now she would finally have Dylan McCray sexually to herself.

"Yes, I'll marry you, Dylan."

"What? Are you serious?” He tossed his arms around her frame and gave her a tight squeeze.

Carrie quickly slipped out of his embrace then spoke, “Yes, I’m serious.” She took a deep breath then continued, “I'll marry you, Dylan McCray but you should know that I have my own strict terms and conditions."

CHAPTER THREE

Ah, damn.

Dylan hated secrets but he especially hated secrets involving his best friend. How could Carrie possibly make him agree to a secret set of terms and conditions that she refused to speak about until the night of their wedding?
What the hell?

Of course Dylan trusted her emphatically, without question,
but something was wrong
. In the nearly twenty years he'd known Carrie, she never asked him for one single solitary thing. So what did she need from him now? And why did have to wait until the wedding to find out?

Throughout dinner, Dylan tried to find out more information about the “secret terms”, but to no avail. After Carrie had agreed to their one year marriage, Katie had gone into full bridal mode not allowing him a moment alone with his future bride. His twin sister had immediately dialed her favorite event planner, Edwardo Chavez, the wedding planner for the elite and famous and told him she needed a five star wedding in just two days. Of course, Edwardo went into full panic mode, claiming he didn't have enough time to secure the right venue, find the right dress or plan the perfect menu for the McCray event; until Katie said the words he needed to hear, "Money doesn't matter." Directly after that, Edwardo said this would be the easiest and most elaborate event he had ever planned.

A few times during the planning at the table, Carrie looked troubled. When Dylan inquired, she said, "Traditionally, the bride's family always pays for the wedding but I don't have anything to contribute." A worried Dylan immediately said, "Money doesn't matter to me Carrie. Only your happiness." And it truly didn't matter. Dylan would have paid any amount of money in order to secure Carrie's happiness.
Anything.

After the major wedding details had been finalized, they finished their meals, then decided to call it a night. The following day was going to be extremely busy and chaotic and everyone needed their rest for the big day. The entire ride back to her apartment, Carrie appeared to be at peace with her decision. Although, every time Dylan tried to discuss the upcoming nuptials Carrie conveniently changed the subject. This concerned Dylan. It concerned him deeply. Shit, had he forced her into doing something she didn't want to do simply because they were friends? He needed to know.

When his BMW finally pulled up in front of her apartment, he cut the engine of his car off and grabbed her small hands. The moment he touched her flesh her body went into sexual overdrive.
Damn, she needed him.
She needed him badly and on Saturday she would finally be able to feed that aching monster, below. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes and leaned her head back on her seat.

"Honey, you know you don't have to do this. I would rather give up the company than to see you unhappy."

Carrie opened her eyes and turned her head towards him. She quickly removed her ponytail holder and let her silky black tresses fall on her shoulders. Dylan blinked twice at her unexpected, rare beauty. Something strange was happening.