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Dating? That word was a little label-ly . I refused to be labeled. We are seeing each other.
Ellie squealed and I flinched back. Oh this is fantastic! I knew it, I knew it!
I wish I knew what you knew, I replied in wide-eyed bemusement.
Oh, come off it. I knew from the start Braden was acting differently about you. She sighed with
absolute contentment. Life is good. It ll be even better with a cup of tea.
You need to refill the kettle. She nodded and headed over to it and as I watched her I thought
about Adam. Adam s got a date. Are you taking one?
Her shoulders stiffened a little as she carried the kettle to the sink. I m taking Nicholas.
Ooh that should be fun, I murmured, thinking about the possible drama once Adam found that out.
A crash brought my head up as Ellie cursed, her face scrunched up. I rushed over to see she d
dropped the kettle in the sink and was clutching her right arm. You okay? I asked, confused as to
what happened, but her face was pale.
She nodded, her lips pinched. Just cramp in my hand from marking all those papers.
You dropped the kettle? It wasn t the first time she d been working so damn hard her hand had
cramped up. You need to go easy and take more breaks. You work too hard. Ellie looked so
worried I felt my heart flip. Els, are you okay?
She gave me a wobbly smile. Stressed.
Take a nap. I rubbed her shoulder soothingly. You ll feel better.
***
Hey gorgeous.
I spun around on my heels and I grinned at Braden standing all sexy in a black contemporary tux. He
and Adam had decided to forgo wearing a traditional kilt since November in Scotland was baltic as
they said. Hey handsome.
Did I tell you how much I like this dress? He strolled in casually, his hands reaching for my hips
to pull me close. It s a good dress.
It was amethyst satin, figure hugging and showed a little cleavage and a little leg. It was a dress that
teased and Braden enjoyed being teased. I pressed a familiar kiss just under his jaw, my favorite
place to nibble. We better go before we re late. Is Ellie ready yet?
No. And I can t sit out there alone with Nicholas. Braden grimaced.
I wrinkled my nose. That poor guy is so boring.
Braden groaned and buried his face in my neck. My sister needs her head checked, he mumbled
into my skin and I laughed silently, stroking his hair.
Ellie will be fine.
Braden pulled back, suddenly all bristling and growly. He s not good enough for her.
I shrugged, picking up my clutch and coat. I m not good enough for you, but that hasn t stopped
you.
He grabbed my hand tight, scowling at me. What?
I m ready! Ellie bounced into my room in a designer white fifties-style dress with a pale yellow,
chocolate and teal print. She had on a silk petticoat underneath and wore a white wool coat that cost
more than my entire outfit. I smiled. She looked so pretty. Joss, you look great. Taxi s waiting. She
took my hand and dragged Braden and I out into the hall where the unfortunately monotonous Nicholas
was waiting for us.
I was just glad I didn t have to answer for that insanely stupid slip up back in the bedroom.
***
The entire wedding, ceremony and reception, was held at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, an events
venue that hosted everything from weddings to rock gigs. It was a pretty old building with Greek
columns but it wasn t spectacularly beautiful, neither were it surroundings. However the ceremony
room was beautiful, and the reception was just breathtaking. Everything was white and silver with ice
blue lights. It was a winter wonderland for a winter wedding.
Braden had wandered off to talk to Adam who d spent most of the wedding so far ignoring his very
pretty date and glaring at Nicholas. Why he was glaring at Nicholas when Ellie had left the poor guy
to his own devices to flutter around everyone like the social butterfly she was, I had no idea. But if
looks could kill&
I shook my head. He needed to get a clue already.
Joss.
I glanced up from sipping champagne to find Elodie standing over me. She and Clark were at the
next table, and I glanced past her to see Clark in deep conversation with an older guy I didn t know.
Who was I kidding? I hardly knew anyone here. I smiled up at Elodie who looked gorgeous in
sapphire blue. Hey, how are you?
She gave me a you know how it is smile and slid into the empty seat next to me. By now, of
course she d cottoned onto the fact that Braden and I were seeing each other especially because he
wasn t subtle about it and Declan had caught him kissing me in the kitchen at a Sunday Dinner weeks
ago and the kid had said ugh, yuck and proceeded to enlighten the entire family.
Braden seems really happy. Elodie grinned over at him across the room. I noted a pretty and very
tall blonde had joined him and Adam, and tried not to narrow my eyes like a jealous tiger. I don t
think I ve ever seen him this happy.
I felt an ache of warmth ripple across my chest, but I didn t know what to say.
She looked back at me, her eyes kind but serious. I think you re a lovely girl, Joss. I do. But I also
think you re incredibly difficult to get to know. I don t know why, but you have such a guard up,
sweetheart. It s high and nearly impenetrable.
I felt the color drain from my face.
I think of Braden as a son. A son I love very much. What Analise did to him broke my heart. He
shouldn t have to go through that again. Or worse. She looked back at him and then back to me.
With you, I think it ll be worse.
Elodie& words failed me.
If you don t feel about him the way he feels about you, end it now, Joss. For his sake. And then
she stood, patted my shoulder in her mothering way, and headed back over to the husband that she
adored.
Babe, you okay?
I glanced up, my heart still banging in my chest, to find Braden standing over me, his eyebrows
creased with concern. I nodded, still speechless.
He didn t look convinced. Come on. He took my hand and drew me to my feet. Come dance
with me.
La Rocca Non-Believer was playing. It was a favorite of mine. You dance?
Tonight I do. I let him lead me onto the dance floor and I buried into him as he held me close.
Your heart is racing. Did Elodie say something to you?
Just the truth. She was right. I should walk away. I breathed him in, not able to picture a moment
without him in my life.
And so I was selfish. I snuggled closer. I couldn t walk away. But if I hurt him? Oh God, the
thought of hurting him ripped me apart. Ripped me so totally, that I knew, I cared more for him than I
did for myself.
I was in deep.
I felt my breath hitch. Reading the change in me, Braden squeezed me closer and murmured,
Breath, babe, in my ear. I wasn t having a panic attack, just a freak out, but I didn t say anything,
enjoying the calm as he stroked my back soothingly.
What did she say? His tone was hard. He was mad at Elodie.
I shook my head reassuring him. She just mentioned how important family is. It wasn t her fault.
Babe, he whispered, stroking my cheek.
You want to get me drunk? I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Braden snorted, sliding his hands sensually down my back to curve on my hips. I don t need to get
you drunk to have my way with you.
Oh, you are so lucky I like the whole caveman thing, Braden Carmichael.
~20~
I don t know why, but I didn t tell the good doctor about any of that. I coveted that piece of me, held
it close, as I tried to figure out what exactly I was going to do with it. I still had no plan, but I didn t [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl wyciskamy.pev.pl
Dating? That word was a little label-ly . I refused to be labeled. We are seeing each other.
Ellie squealed and I flinched back. Oh this is fantastic! I knew it, I knew it!
I wish I knew what you knew, I replied in wide-eyed bemusement.
Oh, come off it. I knew from the start Braden was acting differently about you. She sighed with
absolute contentment. Life is good. It ll be even better with a cup of tea.
You need to refill the kettle. She nodded and headed over to it and as I watched her I thought
about Adam. Adam s got a date. Are you taking one?
Her shoulders stiffened a little as she carried the kettle to the sink. I m taking Nicholas.
Ooh that should be fun, I murmured, thinking about the possible drama once Adam found that out.
A crash brought my head up as Ellie cursed, her face scrunched up. I rushed over to see she d
dropped the kettle in the sink and was clutching her right arm. You okay? I asked, confused as to
what happened, but her face was pale.
She nodded, her lips pinched. Just cramp in my hand from marking all those papers.
You dropped the kettle? It wasn t the first time she d been working so damn hard her hand had
cramped up. You need to go easy and take more breaks. You work too hard. Ellie looked so
worried I felt my heart flip. Els, are you okay?
She gave me a wobbly smile. Stressed.
Take a nap. I rubbed her shoulder soothingly. You ll feel better.
***
Hey gorgeous.
I spun around on my heels and I grinned at Braden standing all sexy in a black contemporary tux. He
and Adam had decided to forgo wearing a traditional kilt since November in Scotland was baltic as
they said. Hey handsome.
Did I tell you how much I like this dress? He strolled in casually, his hands reaching for my hips
to pull me close. It s a good dress.
It was amethyst satin, figure hugging and showed a little cleavage and a little leg. It was a dress that
teased and Braden enjoyed being teased. I pressed a familiar kiss just under his jaw, my favorite
place to nibble. We better go before we re late. Is Ellie ready yet?
No. And I can t sit out there alone with Nicholas. Braden grimaced.
I wrinkled my nose. That poor guy is so boring.
Braden groaned and buried his face in my neck. My sister needs her head checked, he mumbled
into my skin and I laughed silently, stroking his hair.
Ellie will be fine.
Braden pulled back, suddenly all bristling and growly. He s not good enough for her.
I shrugged, picking up my clutch and coat. I m not good enough for you, but that hasn t stopped
you.
He grabbed my hand tight, scowling at me. What?
I m ready! Ellie bounced into my room in a designer white fifties-style dress with a pale yellow,
chocolate and teal print. She had on a silk petticoat underneath and wore a white wool coat that cost
more than my entire outfit. I smiled. She looked so pretty. Joss, you look great. Taxi s waiting. She
took my hand and dragged Braden and I out into the hall where the unfortunately monotonous Nicholas
was waiting for us.
I was just glad I didn t have to answer for that insanely stupid slip up back in the bedroom.
***
The entire wedding, ceremony and reception, was held at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, an events
venue that hosted everything from weddings to rock gigs. It was a pretty old building with Greek
columns but it wasn t spectacularly beautiful, neither were it surroundings. However the ceremony
room was beautiful, and the reception was just breathtaking. Everything was white and silver with ice
blue lights. It was a winter wonderland for a winter wedding.
Braden had wandered off to talk to Adam who d spent most of the wedding so far ignoring his very
pretty date and glaring at Nicholas. Why he was glaring at Nicholas when Ellie had left the poor guy
to his own devices to flutter around everyone like the social butterfly she was, I had no idea. But if
looks could kill&
I shook my head. He needed to get a clue already.
Joss.
I glanced up from sipping champagne to find Elodie standing over me. She and Clark were at the
next table, and I glanced past her to see Clark in deep conversation with an older guy I didn t know.
Who was I kidding? I hardly knew anyone here. I smiled up at Elodie who looked gorgeous in
sapphire blue. Hey, how are you?
She gave me a you know how it is smile and slid into the empty seat next to me. By now, of
course she d cottoned onto the fact that Braden and I were seeing each other especially because he
wasn t subtle about it and Declan had caught him kissing me in the kitchen at a Sunday Dinner weeks
ago and the kid had said ugh, yuck and proceeded to enlighten the entire family.
Braden seems really happy. Elodie grinned over at him across the room. I noted a pretty and very
tall blonde had joined him and Adam, and tried not to narrow my eyes like a jealous tiger. I don t
think I ve ever seen him this happy.
I felt an ache of warmth ripple across my chest, but I didn t know what to say.
She looked back at me, her eyes kind but serious. I think you re a lovely girl, Joss. I do. But I also
think you re incredibly difficult to get to know. I don t know why, but you have such a guard up,
sweetheart. It s high and nearly impenetrable.
I felt the color drain from my face.
I think of Braden as a son. A son I love very much. What Analise did to him broke my heart. He
shouldn t have to go through that again. Or worse. She looked back at him and then back to me.
With you, I think it ll be worse.
Elodie& words failed me.
If you don t feel about him the way he feels about you, end it now, Joss. For his sake. And then
she stood, patted my shoulder in her mothering way, and headed back over to the husband that she
adored.
Babe, you okay?
I glanced up, my heart still banging in my chest, to find Braden standing over me, his eyebrows
creased with concern. I nodded, still speechless.
He didn t look convinced. Come on. He took my hand and drew me to my feet. Come dance
with me.
La Rocca Non-Believer was playing. It was a favorite of mine. You dance?
Tonight I do. I let him lead me onto the dance floor and I buried into him as he held me close.
Your heart is racing. Did Elodie say something to you?
Just the truth. She was right. I should walk away. I breathed him in, not able to picture a moment
without him in my life.
And so I was selfish. I snuggled closer. I couldn t walk away. But if I hurt him? Oh God, the
thought of hurting him ripped me apart. Ripped me so totally, that I knew, I cared more for him than I
did for myself.
I was in deep.
I felt my breath hitch. Reading the change in me, Braden squeezed me closer and murmured,
Breath, babe, in my ear. I wasn t having a panic attack, just a freak out, but I didn t say anything,
enjoying the calm as he stroked my back soothingly.
What did she say? His tone was hard. He was mad at Elodie.
I shook my head reassuring him. She just mentioned how important family is. It wasn t her fault.
Babe, he whispered, stroking my cheek.
You want to get me drunk? I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Braden snorted, sliding his hands sensually down my back to curve on my hips. I don t need to get
you drunk to have my way with you.
Oh, you are so lucky I like the whole caveman thing, Braden Carmichael.
~20~
I don t know why, but I didn t tell the good doctor about any of that. I coveted that piece of me, held
it close, as I tried to figure out what exactly I was going to do with it. I still had no plan, but I didn t [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]