Confessions Of A Bad Bridesmaid. Jennifer Rae

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      SEVEN

      ‘Olivia, stop...’

      Surprise filled her eyes. She frowned and watched his lips as he spoke.

      ‘We shouldn’t be doing this...’

      ‘Five minutes,’ she said suddenly, and loosened herself from his grip. ‘That’s my limit.’

      Her voice was angry and rough. He’d hurt her. He wanted to tell her he couldn’t kiss her when she was drunk. Especially when he wasn’t. He had to be the responsible one.

      Olivia moved quickly and headed for a lounger.

      She plonked herself in it, then angrily stood up again and removed the jacket from her shoulders, tossing it to his feet.

      ‘Five minutes—that’s all it ever takes.’

      ‘Olivia...’ He picked his jacket up and moved closer to drape it over her. She ripped it off again. He was reminded of a petulant child.

      ‘Go away, Edward. You’ve made your point.’

      ‘My point?’

      ‘Yes.’ Her eyes turned angrily towards him and flickered with distaste. ‘I’m the girl who’s gagging for it. The one you pash and dash with. I know that already—I don’t need you to point it out.’

      ‘I wasn’t trying to make any point.’

      He wasn’t sure what he’d been trying to do. He’d been caught up. In the stars, in her scent. Maybe he was more damn romantic than he’d thought. That idea sobered him up.

      ‘You want to know why people can’t stand to be with you for more than five minutes? You’re as inconsistent as an upstart peer trying to land a position in the Lords. A woman of so many faces I can’t keep up with them all.’

      ‘Then go away,’ she said quietly, mechanically. ‘Leave me alone.’

      She sat up and shifted on the chair and her head moved to one side. His chest clenched for a second. She wasn’t crying, was she? He didn’t do tears.

      Her breathing slowed and he moved closer. She snorted and shifted again, curling her legs up. She was asleep. Drunk and passed out.

      Brilliant. Now what was he supposed to do? She’d freeze to death out here.

      The noises from inside got closer and he heard a tap on the door. Someone was sure to come out and find her there. She’d never live it down. So he did the only thing he could do. He scooped her limp body into his arms and walked with her across the lawn to the other side of the house, where he could take her in unnoticed and with her dignity still intact.

      * * *

      Olivia was awake, but everything was so heavy. Her arms, her limbs. She tried to move but a groggy heaviness prevented any movement. Her shoulder was hitting against something hard. A rhythmic thump-thump that was giving her a headache. She tried to open her eyes and pull herself up but she kept being pulled back down into sleepiness. It wasn’t until she felt the softness of a mattress beneath her that she was able to open her eyes.

      Standing above her, the veins in his neck throbbing, was Edward. Handsome, sexy, cranky Edward, with his hands on his hips. He looked beautiful and angry. Which made her laugh.

      ‘You think this is funny?’

      His voice was so lovely. Deep and gravelly. She could feel it in her core. Right where she hadn’t been touched in so long. Soooo long.

      ‘I think you’re funny.’ She kicked her very high shoes off and her feet let out a sigh of relief.

      He leaned down to reach behind her and she felt her body being tossed about until she was in between the sheets.

      ‘I’m glad you find me amusing.’

      He was now so close to her she could smell him. She breathed in heavily. He smelled so good. Like soap and man. Soap and man—that was funny. She giggled again. Then she wriggled. Something didn’t feel right. The bed was soft, but something was cutting into her. She reached round and realised what it was. The zipper of this ridiculous, fabulous dress. She tugged and pulled, trying to get it off.

      ‘Here, let me.’

      Edward’s big strong hands reached behind her and unzipped the dress. She breathed him in again. So lovely.

      Awkwardly she lifted the tight dress up and over her head. Then she reached for her bra clasp and flung the constricting garment off. Edward said nothing, but reached down to the bottom of the bed and pulled up a plump, warm duvet. Olivia snuggled down, feeling warm and comfortable. Finally. Bubbles of champagne still danced around in her head.

      ‘Stay with me for a while.’

      Edward hesitated before she felt the side of the bed sink. She wanted to reach out and touch him, but even as the champagne fogged her senses she knew she shouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t like that.