The Better Man (2 page)

Will nodded and
tossed down the rest of his drink. Only the third he’d had all night long. He
hadn’t even thought about her living situation. Brian hadn’t said a word about
what he’d had up his sleeve, and Will had to wonder if Brian planned to return
to the apartment he and Lori had shared for years. Apparently, Brian hadn’t
thought much about how his choices would affect his fiancée’s life.

Will kept his
eye on Lori as she finally abandoned he line dance and headed toward the bar.
No, he wasn’t going to let her have any more to drink. Her walk had a definite
stagger and she bit her bottom lip, her brows furrowed in concentration. Even
in her condition, she outshone every other woman in the room. Every other woman
he’d ever met. This morning, her thick, honey-brown hair had been fixed up in a
complicated style that allowed curling tendrils to fall around her face, but
now it cascaded down her back to her waist in a riot of curls. The glowing shade
contrasted beautifully with her fair skin and pale blue eyes.

Seeing her in
this condition, knowing what was behind it, brought his protective instincts
out with a vengeance. It made him want to rearrange Brian’s face.

“You having
fun?” Lori leaned against the bar and glanced up at Will.

She smiled
brightly as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Or like she’d had too much to
drink.

“Looks like you
are,” he replied. Now wasn’t the time to lecture her, but he didn’t want to lie
and tell her he was having the time of his life.

Lori giggled.
“Given the circumstances, I guess I am. I think I’d be having more fun if you
were out on the dance floor.” She tugged at his arm, but he didn’t budge.

“Lori, I think
you should go to bed. It’s way past nine and you’re exhausted.”

Lori pouted and
tilted her head. “I’m not done dancing yet. I’m just stopping long enough for a
bit of refreshment.”

She raised her
hand to summon the bartender, but Will grabbed her wrist and lowered it. “No,
you’ve had enough. You’re going to have a hell of a hangover tomorrow morning
as it is. Don’t make it worse.”

“You’re a party
pooper, Will.” She didn’t protest further, just glared up at him.

Finally, he had
to smile a little. The pout on her lips gave her a sexy yet innocent expression.
She had no idea what that petulant expression did to his well-being. She could
get his heart pounding with the simplest gestures.

“Fine, but I’m
a concerned party pooper. Connie says you have a room here and I’m going to
escort you to it right now.”

“But the band—”

“Is packing
up.”

“Rats.”

“Let’s say goodnight
to your friends and get you up to your room.”

The goodbyes
lasted two minutes before Will steered Lori up to her room at the top floor of
the inn. She fumbled for the key in her purse, found it, and managed to get the
door open after three attempts.

“Welcome to the
honeymoon suite!” She swept her arms out grandly to present the elegantly
appointed room. Everything a bride could want—a sitting area with a fireplace,
soft lighting, a kitchenette for early morning coffee and a huge four-poster
bed. Beyond the French doors lay a wide terrace, perfect for gazing at the
stars.

“At least
everything is here. Brian took care of that this morning. Nice of him, huh? Of
course, only my bag here. Real nice of him.” Her chuckle was icy. She lifted
the suitcase, put it on the trunk at the end of the bed, and flipped the
latches.

“Look at this.”
She pulled out a long, flimsy, lacy thing that could’ve been a nightgown, but Will
didn’t think it would cover much. “For my wedding night.” She bunched it up and
tossed it toward the little trashcan next to the dresser. “He wouldn’t have appreciated
it anyway,” she muttered.

“You have any
aspirin?” Will forced himself to ignore the image of her wearing that delicate
negligee. Heat had already crept through his body, and he felt more than a
little guilty at the sensation. It wasn’t right, lusting after his friend’s…his
friend’s what? Well, whatever title she had now didn’t matter.

He’d lusted
after her for a long time. More than lusted. Loved her from afar. If only he
had met her before Brian.

“I wonder if
they have this little bar thing stocked.” Lori fumbled with the latch on the
wooden mini bar.

“How about
coffee instead? Or water and a couple of aspirin?”

She couldn’t
release the catch so she turned to him with a grimace. “Coffee, I guess. I’ll
have water when I go to bed.”

Will fixed the
coffee while Lori stalked around the room, restless and silent. He tried not to
pay attention to her and concentrated on the slow drip of the coffee as it
drizzled into the pot, but he was all too aware of her every move.

As soon as the
coffee had finished brewing, he turned to her. “Okay, coffee is ready. I guess
I should head out and leave you alone.”

Lori whipped
around, her eyes wide. “No, please, don’t leave me. I don’t think I could stand
being here by myself. Just stay for a little while anyway.”

The desperation
in her voice startled him. She bit her lower lip and her gaze pleaded with him
to stay.

“Are you sure?
It’s late and I’m sure you’re tired.”

Lori shook her
head. “I don’t think I could sleep. Not for a long time. Being alone is the
last thing I want.”

With a nod,
Will poured two cups of coffee into the plain, white ceramic mugs. Leaving the
coffee black, he brought the mugs to the sitting area and set them down on the
table in front of the couch.

“I think it’s a
gas fireplace. I’d like a fire.”

Concerned for
her distracted state, Will gently directed her to the sofa and started the fire
himself. When he turned back to Lori, she’d tucked her legs under her and had
her fingers wrapped around the mug. He sat at the other end of the couch and
stared at the dancing yellow flames.

“What’s wrong
with me, Will?” She sounded tired, but when Will glanced at her face, she was
wide-eyed and seemed nowhere near sleep. Her fingers fidgeted with the mug.

“There’s
nothing wrong with you, honey. There’s something wrong with Brian. You’re
fine.”

“Then why did
he choose someone else over me? After all the years and all the plans we made,
he just decided to toss them away and me with them. For someone he’s only known
a few weeks.”

God, he didn’t
know what to say. How did he comfort a woman who’d just had the rug snatched
from under her life? He could tell her that Brian was an idiot and she should
be grateful she didn’t find out after they’d said their vows…that she should
just forget about him and move on with her life, but that advice wouldn’t be
much help.

“I gave up my
career to help his and now I’m going to have to start all over. Damn him.”

Lori sipped her
coffee then glanced at Will. Just this morning, her eyes had been like
glittering jewels, so full of life and fire, but now they were just sad. She
smiled a little. “You don’t have to say anything, just let me get it out.”

“He doesn’t
deserve you anyway. You deserve to be appreciated and loved for the beautiful
woman you are.”

“You’re just
being nice, Will, but thank you.”

Lori finished
the rest of the coffee, put the mug on the table, and got up. She leaned over
and kissed him on the cheek then disappeared into the bathroom. Will pushed his
fingers through his hair. He didn’t think he was doing her any good whatsoever.
Maybe he should’ve had Connie or one of the other bridesmaids bring Lori up
here. They wouldn’t have had any problems cussing Brian out, trashing him for
the bastard he was, and Lori would’ve joined in. It didn’t seem quite right for
him to be doing the same thing, though, no matter how much he agreed with the
sentiments.

He pulled his
cell phone out of his pocket and opened it. As he started to scroll through the
numbers to find Connie’s, movement caught his eye. He glanced up to find Lori
had returned.

“Oh, my God,”
he choked, though his breath had been knocked right out of his body.

Lori stood in
front of him so the fire behind her created a haloed glow.

Her hair fell
over her bare shoulders in a tumbled mass. Tendrils, rich and thick, licked her
pink-tipped breasts. Her slim waist gently curved into full hips. Will’s
heartbeat crashed inside his chest, and he looked away before he completely
lost himself in the sight of her.

“Put some
clothes on, honey,” he whispered. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and dampness collected
against his skin beneath his shirt.

Want and need,
like a fist, tightened in his gut and sent fiery fingers creeping down into his
groin. He closed his eyes tightly and counted to five as he willed himself to
remain cool and detached from the woman who stood before him, completely nude.
Slowly, he opened his eyes again.

“No, I won’t.”
Lori gazed down her slim nose at him, her mouth curved in a defiant scowl.
“What’s wrong with me, Will?” She stepped closer to him until her knees touched
his.

Will drew in
his breath to get his thoughts in order, but only succeeded in drawing in the
delicate lilac scent of her perfume. Oh, Lord, that didn’t help at all. Thrills
rushed through his entire body.

He focused his
gaze on Lori’s face. Her pale blue eyes were a mixture of fire and sadness.
“There’s nothing wrong with you. I told you that.” Even his voice was affected.
He cleared his throat, trying to remove the huskiness.

“Am I a
desirable woman?”

“You know you
are. Please, Lori, put some clothes on.”

She shook her
head. “No.”

Lori reached
down, gathered Will’s hands in hers and lifted them, placing them lightly
against her breasts.

With a moan,
Will tried to pull away, but she held them firmly so his hands were molded to
the soft flesh, her tight nipples hard against his palms.

“Stay with me
tonight, Will.” Her voice was low and seductive, the voice he’d heard in his
dreams of her.

“Lori, you
don’t know what you’re asking.”

She lowered
herself onto his lap, straddling his legs, her face hovering just above his.
“I’m not drunk anymore, Will, if that’s what you think. I know what I want. I
want you to show me that I’m a desirable woman.”

She touched her
mouth to his and removed her hands from his so she could run her fingers
through his hair. For a dizzying moment, he thought to protest, but the way her
lips moved over his in sensual invitation and the thrust of her lush breasts
into his hands made it impossible for him to do anything but savor her
delicious assault. He started to question Brian’s sanity again, but attempted
to push the other man thoroughly from his mind, refusing to let a third person
into this moment.

Yet, it was all
about that third person.

Lori nipped at
his bottom lip, but he eased her back sliding his hands away from her breasts,
resting them on her slim waist. Will wanted to curse Brian for this, wanted to
thank him for this, but he never wanted to hurt the woman who now offered
herself to him.

He was afraid
it was too late. His whole body wanted to engulf hers, to take her, touch every
inch of her fragrant soft skin and not worry about the next morning.

He just wasn’t
sure which will was stronger.

Lori leaned her
forehead against his. A sheen of sweat glistened on her shoulders and her
ragged breath mingled intimately with his. His gaze lowered and locked on the
soft, ripe swell of her cleavage.

This is no
good.
Sitting on his lap, she was sure to feel his growing arousal. He
couldn’t deny that he wanted her, not now. He wanted to push her away, knew
that he should, even shook his head as her fingers traced over his shoulders
and started to unfasten the buttons on his shirt.

“No, I won’t
stop.” Her breath was as soft as the brush of her lips against his forehead. “I
need you. I want you and I know you want me.” Lori wriggled her hips slightly
to prove her point.

Will’s breath
caught in his throat. She’d finished unbuttoning his shirt and opened it,
leaving his torso as bare as hers.

“You are such a
gorgeous man.” Her voice caressed him, low and husky.

She slid her
hands up his chest to his shoulders, leaving a burning trail behind her palms.
Down his sides, her hands ran until they reached the waistband of his dress
pants. She ran the tips of her fingers under the fabric. “Why hasn’t any woman
snatched you up, Will?”

With each
feathery touch, each velvet kiss, Will wandered closer and closer to the edge
of reason and the beginning of ecstasy. He couldn’t answer her question even if
he’d wanted to because
she
was the reason he hadn’t developed any
long-term relationship with another woman. How could any other woman hold a
candle to Lori?

“I don’t want
you to be sorry in the morning, darling.”

Lori pulled
back, just slightly, her mouth poised over his. She shook her head. “I won’t be
sorry, Will.”

With a groan,
he surrendered to her seduction. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled
her tight against his chest, and sought her mouth again, this time demanding
her participation. Her tongue found his and they danced and curled together.
Boldly, his hand sought her firm breast again and he caressed her pebbled
nipple with the tips of his fingers, circling it, feeling the rough texture of
the aroused flesh. He wanted to taste it, but her mouth was too delicious to
give up just yet.

Swiftly,
without breaking the absorbing kiss, Will stood with Lori in his arms. Her legs
wrapped around his waist as he carried her to the bed. As soon as he set her on
the mattress, her fingers went to the button on his pants, making fast work of
it and the zipper and shoving the garment down. He kicked the pants aside as
naked as she was.

Lori lay across
the bottom of the bed, her hair spread around her. Will didn’t know if he
wanted to sink his hands into it or stroke up her firm abdomen to her full
breasts. Through hooded eyes, Lori gazed up at him, her lips parted and
swollen. Leaning over, he propped himself up on his arms and dipped his mouth
to one peaked nipple, tracing it with his tongue before closing his lips over
it.

“Oh, Will,”
Lori gasped breathlessly, her torso rising off the bed toward his hungry mouth.

Her quiet plea
drove him on. He moved farther up onto the bed, his body over hers, and shifted
his attention to the other nipple, taking it between his teeth and lightly
biting until Lori cried out. Her hands clasped his back and dug at him with her
fingernails. He ignored the sting she inflicted and it disappeared in a haze of
heat and desire as he abandoned her breasts. His lips danced up to her
shoulders and neck, tasting her smooth skin.

Lori wrapped
her legs back around Will’s waist, easing him closer until the tip of his
erection pressed tightly against the slick heat of her center. He paused, just
for a moment, and their gazes locked. Her eyes were so dark, so lost in
passion.

“Wait!” Lori’s
voice came out in an urgent gasp.

Will pulled
back. She’d come to her senses. He knew it. His heart pounded painfully against
his chest. How in God’s name was he supposed to stop? But he would, for her
sake.

“Protection.”
Lori drew in a breath, lifted her hand, and stroked Will’s cheek. “In my
suitcase, side pocket. Can you?”

Will nodded.
Relief washed through him, mixed with a good dose of reality. Of course, they
needed protection. Brian was a lying, cheating bastard and they couldn’t be too
careful. He pulled away from her and went to the open suitcase, searching the
side pockets until he came in contact with the little foil packets. Returning
to the bed, he made quick work of putting the condom on, staring down at the
woman waiting for him.

Light from the
fireplace flickered against her skin and glittered in her passion-darkened
eyes. Will leaned back down and reclaimed her mouth, his tongue tangling with
hers as her hands stroked up over his shoulders and she opened herself to him.
There was no holding back. Her ragged sighs drove him to the edge and he thrust
his hips forward, driving into her moist depths.

He held himself
there for a long moment, but Lori rose to meet him and moved against him, hot,
wet, abandoned. With each rhythmic push and pull, she pressed her lips against
his torso and neck, running her hands from his shoulders down to the base of
his spine and pulling him tighter against her, making his urgent strokes harder
and faster. He couldn’t tell if it was his breath that came harsh and uneven or
hers, they mixed together, hot and erratic.

Too
fast
.
She deserved to have this last. He pulled away from her, gathered her into his
arms and placed her farther up on the bed, climbing to her side. Starting at
her neck, he feathered kisses down her shoulders and across each breast while
he stroked her thighs, seeking out her delicate, sweet warmth. Putting his own
urgent needs aside, he tended to hers with hands and mouth, to prove to her
that she was an incredibly desirable woman.

“Now, Will,”
Lori’s gentle plea pulled at him. “Please, I want you inside me now.”

He couldn’t
deny her, didn’t want to deny her whispered, desperate request. Poised above
her, he bent and kissed her lips again then filled her in one swift motion,
delving deeper into her with each rhythmic push. Together they rocked, their
hearts pounding as one until he couldn’t hold his release any longer. He
focused on Lori’s face and the way she writhed against his thighs, until her
body shuddered around him, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps he
recognized as his name. He let himself go in a fiery wave of ecstasy.

Pulling her
into his arms, he held her close as their climax waned, kissing her eyelids,
stroking her back until her breathing returned to normal.

Will lay her
back into the pillows then climbed out of the bed and went to the fireplace to
extinguish the flames. Returning, he gathered Lori into the crook of his arm
and pulled the covers up around them. She nestled her cheek against him.

“Thank you,
Will.” Lori’s eyes were already closed and a smile played on her lips. Gently,
he smoothed away a curl of hair that fell across her cheek.

Thank me?
No, thank you for making my dream come true
. At least, for one night.

* * *

Between the
dull ache that fit like a cap over her head and the bright sunlight filling the
room, Lori wanted to roll over and die. Or at least pull the blanket over her
head and go to sleep for a week. She rolled anyway, expecting an empty bed, but
the bulk of another body sent sleep fleeing. She should’ve been alone. Her
first coherent thought was Brian, but the frame of the body next to her was
much broader, bigger.

“Oh, Lord.”
Lori buried her face in her pillow. Memories of the previous night trickled
into her brain, blurry around the edges, but solid and inescapable. With each
passing second, the night became clearer, more vivid.

Each touch of
his hand on her skin, each kiss and, most of all, the way he sent her body into
a wild spiral of ecstasy.

Of course, the
man sprawled out next to her wasn’t Brian. Brian was off with some bimbo named
Roxi or Roxanne. No, she’d spent her wedding night with her ex-groom’s best
man.

Lori eased away
from him, trying to process what had possessed her to seduce him. Her broken
heart? Or was it more the words in Brian’s letter? She didn’t need to have the note
in front of her to remember his words.

Lori,

I know
you’re going to think me a bastard for doing this, but I don’t have a choice. I
can’t marry you, plain and simple. I thought maybe I could—after all, I owed it
to you. We’ve had a lot of years together and I do love you, but last night I
realized those feeling aren’t enough anymore. I’m not in love with you. It’s
like everything I felt for you isn’t even there anymore. You don’t need to be
married to a guy who can’t even be in love with you.

Somewhere
along the way, I lost the passion. And that’s no way to start off married life.
I’m sure you must feel it too, that it hasn’t been good between us, you know,
the sex. Neither one of us has been that into it for a long time. I don’t think
we can ever get it back. Truth is, I don’t think I want to get it back with
you. It’s not you, it’s not me, it’s us.

I’m going to
be honest here because you’ll find out anyway. I’ve met someone else and I’ve
been seeing her for the last couple weeks. Being with Roxanne reminded me of
the excitement that’s missing from my life, and right now, I can’t give it up.
I can’t give up this freedom for marriage. I know I’m an ass for saying it, but
I have to tell the truth, no matter how much it hurts.

I know it
doesn’t seem like it’ll be possible, but I hope that someday you’ll forgive me.

Brian

That had been
it. She bored him. He had been right about one thing, though, it
wasn’t
her.
Their failure might not even have been him, it was
them.
Because sex
with Will had been incredible. Out of this world. So Brian could keep his
little Roxanne. She hoped things would get dull for them as well.

She stared at
Will the even rise and fall of his breathing. God, he was one of her best friends,
and she may have just ruined their relationship because of her vanity. It was
an extremely unpleasant thought. As unpleasant as wondering just what he’d
think of her when he woke. Lori slipped out from underneath the covers, careful
not to wake him, and snuck into the bathroom. She avoided looking into the
mirror, but splashed some cold water on her face and put on her discarded
clothes as quickly as possible. Back in the suite, she went to the desk and
took out a sheet of the inn’s stationery and a pen.