The Best Man (12 page)

THE ELLIOTT WEDDING WAS
an elaborate, late night affair for a young, theatrical couple.

Their ceremony was romantic and whimsical, and the reception that followed was one of the best of her career. It was certain to be featured in a national magazine and on a dozen websites. By the time she was free to leave, Beth was riding on far too much adrenaline to consider sleep.

She slipped on her hands-free device and called Colin on her ride home.

He answered, groggily, on the fourth ring. “Beth?”

She glanced at the clock in her car and winced. “Oh, God! You’re sleeping. Of course, you’re sleeping; it’s two-thirty in the morning. I’m so sorry. Go back to sleep, Colin. I’m really sorry.” She hung up, shaking her head at her foolishness.

Her phone rang thirty seconds later and she answered, cringing. “Hello?”

“Beth, is everything all right?”

She sighed at the concern in his voice. “Yes. I’m absolutely fine. Please, go back to sleep. I was -- it was nothing.”

“You were just going to what?”

“I guess I was going to tell you about the wedding. I’m on my way home and I don’t know. I’m all hyped on caffeine and wasn’t thinking. I can’t believe I was so rude. I’ll —”

“I’d like to hear about the wedding.”

She laughed. “That’s sweet, but I honestly don’t want to bother you.”

“You’re not bothering me, love. I was just thinking about you.”

“You’re not fooling anyone. You were just sleeping.”

“Mmhmm.”

Her stomach fluttered at the insinuation in his tone. “Okay then. I’ll just let you get back to sleep.”

“Come see me. You can tell me about the wedding, and I’ll tell you about the dream I was having.”

“That’s silly. Just go to sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Sorry, love. I’m quite desperate to hear about this wedding now. Can’t sleep until I do.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s exactly what you’re hoping for.”

“Come see me.”

“It’s two-thirty in the morning.”

“Come see me.”

“Fine. Where?”

“Omni. Room four-nineteen.”

When she arrived, the staff at the front desk greeted her with a smile. “Ms. Chase?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Pratt is expecting you.”

A bellman showed her to the room, knocking only once before Colin answered. Beth’s mouth went dry instantly. His shirt was unbuttoned, his hair was a mess, and he was wearing his glasses instead of his contacts. No one should look that good rumpled. It just wasn’t fair.

Colin gave her a smile as he tipped the bellman. “I’m glad you decided to come for a visit.”

“Well, I had no idea you were so interested in weddings.”

“I never mentioned that? I must’ve been distracted.” He walked across the room and lifted a bottle of champagne from a silver ice bucket. “I thought we should celebrate your success.” He paused for a moment. “Unless you’re ready to celebrate something else.”

Beth shook her head. “You ordered champagne.”

Colin nodded and untwisted the wire that held the cap on. He jumped when it popped, and laughed as he poured two glasses. “I also had them send up strawberries and a cheese plate. I wasn’t sure you’d have eaten anything more than a granola bar today.”

“You’re right. That was thoughtful of you.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I’m not. I guess I’m just not used to people … umm … I’m not used to someone...”

“You’re usually the one in charge and you’re not used to someone taking care of you.” He handed her a strawberry.

She took it and nodded. “I suppose you’re right. I usually take care of other people — that’s my job.”

Colin pulled out a chair at the small table. “I’d like to take care of you.” He smiled. “Not because I think you are unable to take care of yourself, but because I’d like to take care of you.”

She sat. “Thank you.”

Colin sat down across from her and smiled when she selected a piece of cheese and a cracker. “Tell me about the wedding. It went well, yes?”

“They wanted
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
fantasy world and they got it: dancing fairies, wandering acrobats, jugglers, and mead brewed specifically for them. It was incredible. The bride is a dancer. Her whole troop performed a routine she’d choreographed as a gift to the groom. We released fireflies and all the flower girls, a dozen of them wearing fairy wings, chased them around the field. It was unlike anything I’ve ever done before.” She flushed, realizing that she’d gotten carried away, and ate another piece of cheese.

“And you planned all of that?”

She nodded.

“You’re a storyteller.”

Her brow furrowed.

“What you do, it’s storytelling, isn’t it?”

She smiled and chewed while considering his thought. “I suppose it is. I mean, I try to tell the story of the couple getting married. This couple met on stage. They’re young, artistic, and still a little caught up in the fantasy of love.”

“Did you cry?”

“Hmm?” She took a sip of champagne and closed her eyes in delight. “This is delicious, like fireworks you get to drink.”

“It is good, but that’s not the question I asked. Do you cry at the weddings you plan?”

“Not typically.”

“But today?”

“I was a little misty.”

Colin placed a slice of cheese on a cracker and handed it to her. “I’m glad it went well. I hope you’ll have pictures to show me soon. It sounds charming.”

“You’d really like to see pictures?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Most men don’t seem particularly interested in their own wedding pictures, much less someone else’s.”

“Ah. Once again I’ve failed to live up to your expectations of machismo. I don’t suppose I can blame this on my artistic nature? I’m a storyteller, and I’d enjoy seeing the work of another.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I was just surprised.” Beth lifted her champagne glass, stood up and walked around the small table. She slipped off her shoes and sat down on his knee. “Now, why don’t you tell me about that dream?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a deep sound came up from his throat. “First, tell me why you came to see me tonight.”

“You asked me to.”

“You called me. You had to know I wouldn’t give up after that.” Colin gathered her hair to the side and pressed his lips, warm and soft, against her neck.

Her eyelids fluttered shut. “You’re giving me credit for way more forethought than I have at two in the morning.”

“I see. It was simply exhaustion.”

“Exactly.”

Colin hugged her closer. “Best stay here then,” he whispered close to her ear, “not safe to drive when you’re tired.”

“Mmm … good point.”

His fingertips slid down her thigh. “Give me a chance. You’ll see I have lots of good points.”

Beth tried to hold back her giggle, but her shoulders still shook from silent laughter. She was past tired, running on adrenaline and lust. A case of the sillies was inevitable.

“What?” He squeezed her side.

“I know of one very good point that you currently have.”

His eyebrows came together for a moment. He chuckled. “Brat.”

“Me? No way.” She slid her hands under his shirt and pushed it down his arms.

Colin shook his hand free and trailed a fingertip down her cheek before pulling her close. “Beth?”

“I had a good night and I wanted to tell you about it. That’s why I came.”

“Thank you.”

She smiled. “Ooh! I almost forgot. Tonight, while I was managing one of the biggest events of my career, I caught my assistant kissing our newest planner.” She laughed. “I should’ve chewed them out for their lack of professionalism.”

“But?”

“They’re kind of cute together.”

“I think we are.”

“Maybe.” She pressed her palm against his chest and stroked him with her fingertips. “You’re cute. Hot cute.” She ducked her head to whisper by his ear. “I’ve wanted you all day.”

His jaw clenched and his eyes darkened.  “Good. That’s … good.”

“See, I hear you saying that but with the whole just-sitting-there-thing a girl has to wonder.” Steadying herself with a hand on his shoulder, Beth moved until she had one knee on either side of his hips. She licked her lips. “Why no action, mister?”

“I take you to bed — you need to promise not to sneak out before I wake up in the morning.” Colin settled his large hands on her thighs, just beneath the hem of her dress, and squeezed.

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“Then it’s an easy promise.”

Beth pressed her forehead to his. “I promise to wake you up before I sneak out in the morning.”

“Brilliant.”

She traced his lips and touched the dimple in his cheek. “So …”

“So …” He slid his hands up her thighs and around to cup her ass. “Let’s get you naked so I can tell you about that dream.”

“Help with the zipper.” She yanked her dress over her head and laid it across the chair beside them before Colin stood and lifted her into his arms. “Oh!” She giggled. “This is …”

He set her on the bed and shucked his pants.

Beth groaned. “Did you really just toss Brooks Brothers on the floor?”

He laughed as he climbed in beside her. “I told you I’m a slob.  I suppose that is just one of the habits you intend to break me of.”

She shook her head. “And how would I do that?”

“I don’t know, but there seems to be a long tradition of woman shaping men into what pleases them. I don’t imagine I’m any less malleable than the next man.”

“Shouldn’t you just find a girl who wouldn’t want to change you?” Beth tried to keep a playful tone as the conversation took a more serious turn. She reached up to brush her fingers through his rumpled hair.

“Ah, and does she spend her days with the Loch Ness Monster?”

“What?”

“I’m not sure such a woman exists. Besides, I meant no ill will toward the concept. My mother made my father a better man. I imagine you’ll convince me to wear nicer shirts or eat more vegetables or, God forbid, clean my dirty socks from the floor. I’ll fight it, but you’ve already changed me. Or perhaps love changed me. I told you, Beth, you’ve given me new purpose.”

She frowned. “And you don’t intend to change me?”

“It’s not about intent. It’ll simply happen.”

“What if I don’t want to change? What if I like myself and my life as it is? What if I don’t want to play housewife a million miles from my friends and family?”

“I never said we had to live in England. You’ve worked hard to build a career here, and I see how much joy it brings you. I wouldn’t ask you to give that up.”

“You’re saying you’d move here?” He nodded. She was incredulous. “But you’re terrified of earthquakes and the traffic makes you sick and — and you’re so pale it looks like you might get sunburn just checking the mailbox.”

He laughed. “Los Angeles has the one thing I most want.”

She placed her hands on both sides of his face. “I don’t know what to say. You are … overwhelming.”

Colin rubbed his nose against hers, then settled by her side. He toyed with the lacey edge of her bra, tapping the small bow in the center. “This is pretty, like a present waiting to be unwrapped.” He chuckled softly. “I was always careful not to tear the paper -- Hunter would mock me, but that would only make me more determined.” He glanced at her eyes. “I used to save it.” His hand slid under the strap and undid the bra’s hooked closure.

She reached up and clasped his wrist as he pulled the strap from her shoulder. “I did that, too.”

He smiled. “My favorite paper was orange and had small dinosaurs all scattered about.”

“I was always partial to polka dots.”

Colin continued peeling away her bra. “And do you have any of these with polka dots?” He held up her bra for a moment before tossing it on to a bedside table.

“One or two.” She laughed with a yawn.

He looked up at her, concerned. “Should I let you sleep?”

“Not yet.” She pushed at his chest until he fell back, and then she slid on top. “I told you. I’ve wanted you all day.”

He ran his hands down her back, under her lace panties, and squeezed. “In that case, it would be wretched of me to make you wait any longer, wouldn’t it? Only a bully would leave their lover in a state of painful yearning for days.”

Beth moaned as she rubbed her lips against the muscles of his neck. “Okay, I’m a horrible woman.” She reached down, stroked his erection through the increasingly tight confines of his boxers, and left a trail of kisses from the center of his chest to the sexy indent near his hip. “But you want me anyway?”

He flipped them both, so she rested on her back and pulled her lace panties down her legs before settling between her thighs.  Colin met her gaze with lust-darkened eyes. “You know I do. Always.”