Bedding The Best Man (Bedding the Bachelors Book 7) (3 page)

Brianne closed her eyes and was instantly swamped with guilt again, and not just because she’d dreamed of Gabe, or because Eric had felt compelled to call off the wedding, but because Eric was right.

Part of her
was
relieved.

It made her feel selfish. Disloyal.

Confused!

“Hey,” said a deep, husky voice she knew all too well, and her stomach came alive with butterflies.

Gabe.

She’d been so entrenched in her tormented thoughts she hadn’t even heard him walking up to her. Not that she would have heard him approach, anyway, in the sand. But she normally felt him before she saw him. Strange, but true. Then again, considering her dreams about him…maybe not so strange. She swiped her hand over her face, making sure any stray tears were wiped away.

“Hi,” she said, looking up at him in the inky dark. As always, he was tall and rugged and handsome. Half gladiator, half movie-star, with a little bit of Greek god thrown in for good measure. Black hair that was just a little too long, deep green eyes fringed with long lashes, cheekbones so defined that they could cut glass, and a muscular, athletic body that was the stuff of any woman’s wet dream.

It was just unfortunate that at least two of my dreams had to include audio
.

He was Eric’s best friend. He was
her
friend. And the poor guy had no idea he’d played the lead role in her super-hot, X-rated fantasies.

“I don’t want to be rude, but I really would like to be alone,” she said, turning her attention back to the ocean.

“Bri, you couldn’t be rude even if you tried,” he said, a wry smile curling up his luscious lips as he sat down next to her, their bodies not quite touching. She watched as he slid his feet out of his dress shoes and pulled his socks off, digging his toes in the sand.

She wasn’t surprised he’d ignored her stated desire to be left alone. As charming as she knew he could be, Gabe was at heart a pig-headed and ruthless man. Unlike she and Eric, he hadn’t come from money. Gabe had grown up virtually parentless in a rough LA neighborhood and could have easily turned to drugs or crime but for the support he’d received from an older man who’d taught him to box. By the time he’d turned twenty-six, Gabe had left his old life behind, put himself through school, and started his own business. He was now the successful owner of several sports adventure stores, a wealthy man in his own right, and, as Bri’s assistant was fond of saying, sex on a stick.

Between the thudding of her heart and the pounding of the ocean, Brianne felt like the night had suddenly grown deafening. She took a few deep breaths as she looked up at the stars, idly sifting sand through her fingers, unsure if she should ask him to leave again, or if she should simply try to enjoy what might be the final moments she ever got to spend with him. She’d already lost Eric, her best friend in the whole world. Once Eric told Gabe the truth, she’d lose Gabe, too.

They sat that way for a while, and to her surprise, the silence gradually switched from awkward to comfortable. How ironic that of all the people who had attended her non-wedding, Gabe had the power to make her feel better with his presence alone.

Finally, she heard him sigh. He shifted, stretching his legs out in front of him. He tilted his head to look up at the sky, and she studied his strong profile.

“I’ve heard that when a star dies, it can take thousands of years for its light to burn out so we can’t see it on Earth anymore,” he commented, almost to himself.

She held her breath, trying to quash the tears that threatened to erupt again. It was obvious he was referring to the fact she hadn’t seen the demise of her relationship with Eric coming.

Brianne allowed herself to hope. Maybe it was because of Gabe’s presence, so near that she could feel the heat coming from his body. Anything seemed possible when he was around.

Maybe she didn’t have to lose Eric
or
Gabe. When Eric returned, she’d do whatever it took to convince him they belonged together. Gabe would never know she’d fantasized about him. After all, Eric was too much of a gentleman to say anything. Her secret could stay a secret—so long as she was willing to let Eric take the blame for this disastrous night all on his own.

She just didn’t think she could do that.

“Our star burned out a while ago, and I was clinging to that light,” she murmured, into the darkness. She took a deep, shaky breath, and continued. “I didn’t see it. Or I guess I just didn’t want to see it.”

Gabe took a deep breath, shifting slightly closer to her in the sand. She wished he would touch her, give her a little comfort, but hadn’t she already gotten into enough trouble because of him—or, rather, her subconscious feelings for him?

She glanced over and noticed that he was still wearing his boutonniere, a single calla lily. The sight upset her even more.

“I’ll never get it, will I?” she exploded as her frustration and hurt burst out of her. “I keep failing. Twice now, I’ve had my chance at love, and things haven’t worked out. I’m the common denominator in both situations; it has to be me.” A sob escaped her throat, and she put her hand over her mouth in an attempt to stifle her grief.

“Hey,” Gabe said, his brow furrowing at her words. He put his fingers under her chin so she couldn’t look away. “Stop that right now,” he said, quiet but firm. “You’re not a failure. I won’t listen if you’re going to talk that way. Shit, Bri, you’re a beautiful, intelligent woman, and things just haven’t worked out for you yet.”

The way his fingers touched her skin, so firmly, so gently, sent an unwilling shiver down her spine. She smiled sadly, inwardly touched by his vehemence. “Please don’t tell me that everything works out for a reason. Mom already told me that three times today, and so did my brother, a few of my cousins and an aunt. If you try and make me swallow it, too, I won’t be able to stand it.”

She tugged her chin away from his fingers and shifted into a semi-cross-legged position.

Gabe’s eyes lowered, taking in her tanned knee and smooth thigh exposed by her hitched skirt, but almost immediately snapped back to her face. His eyes seemed to sparkle even more than usual in the darkness.

Cheeks flaming, she tugged her skirt down, then felt stupid. Gabe had seen her in her bathing suit often enough. A bit of thigh wouldn’t get him hot and heavy. That look had just been a trick of the night.

A second stretched between them, until he finally spoke.

“I’m not going to feed you a line of bull. Hell, I don’t know if everything will work out the way it’s meant to, whatever the hell that might mean, but I do know that you’re going to be okay.”

“How is that different?” she demanded, her voice barely audible over the surf.

He looked at her steadily. “Because you
will
be okay, Bri, no matter what happens next. But you can’t leave it up to fate. You have to make it happen. Put yourself first. Figure out what you really want. What will make you happy.” He shifted away from her, like he felt uncomfortable suddenly. As though he knew, somewhere deep inside, the role he’d played in her non-wedding. As if he knew how confused he made her.

She felt cold at the absence of his closeness, but a warm glow began to flow over her skin when he took her hand in his, his fingers brushing her thigh as he did.

“Remember when we met?” he asked, looking out over the water.

His rugged profile was backlit against the lights coming from the reception behind them. He seemed to be deliberately keeping his eyes away from her, even as his thumb ran back and forth over her knuckles. It was difficult to concentrate on his question when all she could think about was the feel of his thumb on her skin.

“Of course,” Bri said with a smile. “We walked on the beach.”

“And you wondered how many people the ocean was touching at the same time. And what their problems were. You said your problems probably paled in comparison.”

She laughed softly. “Wow. Did you take dictation when I wasn’t looking?”

“No. I just never forgot it.”

She almost missed Gabe’s words, the noise from the reception and the waves on the sand nearly drowning them out. He spoke softly, like he didn’t want her to hear.

“So what are you trying to say? That I should dip my toes in the water and remember how small my problems are in comparison to the rest of the world?”

“Maybe.” He grinned at her.

“You’re just full of wisdom tonight,” she smirked.

“I’m only trying to help, is all. I hated seeing you sitting out here alone.”

Brianne sighed. He was the last person she should be snipping at. “I’m sorry for being sarcastic.”

He shrugged it off. “Can you stand just one more bit of fortune cookie wisdom tonight?”

“I’ll try to stomach it.” Really, she wanted to be with him. It didn’t matter what he said, as long as he was there.

“I’ve known you, what, six years?” he continued. “A long time. And you’ve always put others first. I mean, my God. You’re a charity event coordinator.”

She listened to him talk, the deep timbre of his voice soothing and exciting at the same time. She’d always loved listening to him speak, always had to stop herself from hanging on his every word when she and Eric were with him. She had to focus hard on what he was saying, rather than simply enjoying the sound.

Brianne blushed, aware that Gabe’s assessment was in line with how most people saw her—as some ridiculous do-gooder who was always getting involved in other people’s business. The truth was, she was the daughter of a billionaire; she had her own trust fund and the ability to buy herself whatever she wanted. She splurged on silly things just like everyone else.

“I’m no saint,” she protested. “You just see me the way you want to see me.”

“Bri, I see you,” he said, looking intently into her eyes. “It’s time to step up and be the star in your own life, and then maybe you’ll get that happily ever after you want. But even if you don’t, at least you’re being you for your own sake. Go after what you want and let the rest of us fend for ourselves for a bit.” He squeezed her hand.

“Thanks, Gabe,” she said softly.

“You’re welcome,” he said, and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

She stiffened, not with unease, but with intense awareness. His mouth made her skin tingle, just as his thumb had when it stroked her hand. Heat radiated from him, and his cologne was intoxicating. She closed her eyes, sinking into the sensation.

When he pulled back, their lips were close, so close she could feel his breath on her face.

Her lips parted, and her tears were all but forgotten. It would be so easy to just lean into him, to let their lips touch, to see if the spark she’d always thought would be there would indeed flare to life.

But I can’t
, she thought, her heart hammering beneath her shimmering dress.

Even if he was attracted to her, and there was no reason to think he was, Eric stood between them and always would. Gabe was only a good friend, and he saw her as more of a sister than anything else. Someone he could protect, look out for. Nothing more.

For a second, his face an inch from hers, he stared at her, then his expression went blank and he pulled away.

“Eric is fucking insane for doing what he did,” he spat quietly, grinding his teeth.

“Gabe,” she began, feeling compelled to defend Eric but not sure how to do that without revealing her own darkest secrets, secrets she wasn’t ready to share with anyone, least of all him.

“No, wait. Let me finish. Eric is my best friend. He’s been like a brother to me for a long time,” he said, forcing a tight smile. “But you’re my friend, too,” he said, a hint of sadness reaching his eyes. He reached up and brushed an errant lock of dark hair off her forehead, and tucked it behind her ear. “Don’t forget that,” he whispered.

She frowned, not knowing what to say. She decided to remain silent and swallowed hard, then sighed. She just wanted to be small and invisible. She hugged her knees back to her chest, wishing the sand would swallow her whole.

Gabe sat in silence with her a while longer before he cleared his throat. “Right. So that’s that,” he said as he stood up slowly, unfolding his long legs from under him. He brushed the sand off his pants, then leaned over and picked up his shoes, holding them dangling by two fingers. “C’mon,” he said, and put his other hand out.

She shook her head, again studying the relentless waves rolling on the beach. “I think I’ll stay here a while longer.”

“Nope,” he insisted. “I’m not going to let you sit here and beat yourself up, thinking you’re a failure, thinking that you’ll never get your happily ever after. You will, Bri. And you’re going to step up and start the journey to being the star of your life.”

She couldn’t help but smile up at him. “All right,” she sighed, “I guess they say the journey of a thousand miles begins –”

“With one mojito,” he finished, taking her hand in his, squeezing it in his strong fingers. Despite everything, she still felt a thrill when he touched her, helping her to her feet.

“Let’s go find you a drink.” He grinned and turned back toward the reception area, giving her a slight tug.

She brushed the sand off her dress with her free hand and walked back up the beach with him, grateful for his friendship and humor, but unable to deny her body wanted more.