More Than Pleasure You: A More Than Words Novella Read online

  “Finn looks ready to puke. Think he’s got cold feet?”

  She shakes her head. “Crowds make him nervous. And the death-glare I’m sure his mother is giving him probably isn’t helping.”

  “You’re one-hundred-percent sure you don’t still have feelings for him?”

  “One-thousand percent. Trust me. Dana is his other half, and I just want him to be happy.”

  I’ve spent enough time studying Skye now to know she means that.

  “Good.” I kiss her again, mostly because I can’t resist.

  Then the music changes. Bridesmaids glide up the center of the chapel, dressed in black dresses with a purple lacy overlay. The result looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie. Now that I think about it, everything does, especially the black tapers burning at the altar.

  When the three attendants, all carrying bouquets of purple and white roses with black baby’s breath, stop at the end of the aisle and turn to the small crowd, I murmur in Skye’s ear, “Is this a goth wedding?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Because Dana is a goth girl?” She must be. Finn looks way too country club to have thought of this motif.

  Skye doesn’t have time to answer me before the music changes once more. I recognize the tune the string quartet is playing as Evanescence’s “My Immortal.” Then, at the back of the chapel, the bride appears. She’s wearing traditional white—with black velvet embellishments on the strapless bodice and figure-hugging skirt. A sheer black veil covers her face, sweeping all the way down to her toes in front and brushing the chapel’s black runner behind her.

  Whoa.

  Most of the ceremony passes in a blur. It’s thankfully short, but I feel Skye tense every time Finn’s mother turns to give her an imploring stare. Does the woman think she’s going to stand up and object?

  Finally, the officiant instructs the groom to kiss the bride, and he lifts the veil over her head. A few gasps from the attendees are quickly smothered, but that doesn’t lessen the surprise of the bride’s unexpected cherry red hair, the giant red tattoo of a phoenix that covers her chest, or her pitch-black lipstick.

  It’s their wedding, so whatever makes them happy is what their ceremony should be. Skye doesn’t seem to think it’s out of the ordinary. She’s smiling, likely because Finn looks so damn happy as he lays a big one on his bride’s lips and they’re officially pronounced man and wife. But Finn’s mother is clearly less than thrilled with her out-of-the-norm daughter-in-law. I don’t know Dana, but I feel sorry for her.

  When Finn and his wife run out of the chapel, hands clasped high in the air, the attendants follow. Then the guests start filing out. Skye and I rise.

  The reception is in the adjacent building. As we enter, music blasts. The bride and groom already have drinks in hand. And the party is getting underway.

  Then Finn’s mother approaches.

  “Skye, you look lovely.” The woman kisses her cheek.

  “Thanks, Sherry.” She introduces me, and as I shake the older woman’s hand, Skye chats nervously. “The wedding was touching.”

  The woman sighs. “I did the best I could. Dana really didn’t want my input.” Then she turns her speculative gaze on me. “So tell me about your new boyfriend. You haven’t been together long, right?”

  “Fiancé,” I correct. “We’ve been together long enough to know we’re perfect for each other. I can’t wait to marry this girl.”

  By my side, Skye squeezes my hand in thanks. “It’s been quick…but when you know, you know.”

  Sherry stiffens. “That’s what Finn said, but I think it’s important that couples truly learn each other inside and out. They should know each other the way you and Finn do before they commit themselves.”

  Well, there’s a nice subversive little dig.

  When I see Skye’s deer-in-the-headlights expression, I step in. “And sometimes long-term dating is more an indication that people are simply comfortable in a relationship, rather than madly in love. These last few months have been the happiest of my life. I didn’t expect to meet this woman.” I bring Skye closer and press a kiss to her temple. “But now I can’t imagine my life without her.”

  “Are you moving here, Stephen?”

  We discussed this part of our cover story, too. “No. I have to go back to New York in a few weeks. The real world calls… I’m taking Skye with me, so she can experience the life and pace there. Eventually, she’ll acclimate.”

  If Sherry thinks for a while that Skye will be out of reach, even better.

  “Good luck. She’ll hate it there.” Sherry smiles tightly, then turns to Skye before I can respond. “So have your parents met Stephen yet? It seems odd they didn’t call to tell me about him. Or tell me that you’re engaged.”

  “I-I talked to Mom yesterday,” Skye falters, then gets it together. “She knew you’d been busy and figured you’d meet Stephen today anyway. I can’t wait to introduce him to my folks.”

  “Oh?” Sherry perks up, like she thinks there’s hope since I haven’t met Mr. and Mrs. Ingram. “When will that be?”

  “Soon,” I tell the woman as I drop another kiss on my “fiancée’s” temple. “I’m looking forward to meeting Jennifer and Sam.”

  “And they’re looking forward to meeting him,” Skye puts in more confidently.

  “I’m sure.” Sherry turns to me, eyes watering. “This girl is very special. But you know that.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I do.”

  Skye plays her part by smiling up at me adoringly. I can’t not stare at her. I can’t stop myself from getting lost in her eyes. I can’t not kiss her.

  When I bend to take her lips, she meets me halfway, clinging softly to me. As I do every time I touch her, I get caught up in her scent, the subtle changes in her body that tell me I affect her, the feel of her against me. I know the moment she stops worrying about Sherry and focuses on us. It’s so fucking heady it takes all of my restraint not to leave the reception to take her home—and kiss her straight into bed.

  Yeah, our act is supposed to be fake…but what I’m feeling is getting realer by the moment.

  For my own sanity, I pull back and smile Sherry’s way. I’m a little startled to see the man I assume is her husband standing beside her. He introduces himself as Russell, grazes his lips across Skye’s cheek, then tells his wife that the caterer has questions.

  I’m relieved when the pair disappears. “That went pretty well.”

  Skye nods. “I think she believes us, at least so far.”

  “She does and we won’t give her any reason to change her mind. We can do this for another three hours.”

  “You’re right.”

  A passing waiter saunters by with a tray of bubbly. I snag two and hand one to Skye. “To an enjoyable and successful night.”

  That earns me a smile. “Absolutely.”

  After the champagne, the buffet opens. We grab plates and sit at a table with some of Finn and Skye’s high school friends. I’m expecting a grilling, but they’re all too busy posting on social media and chatting amongst themselves to do more than ask a few cursory questions.

  After dinner, the deejay starts spinning tunes. The father-daughter dance is touching, and it’s clear to see the plumber from Cleveland is both happy and sad that his little girl is now another man’s wife. Dana looks equally moved by these moments with her father, and she tries furiously to stop her mascara from running.

  The mother-son dance follows. By comparison, it’s silent, almost stiff. Displeasure rolls off Sherry, and every time she looks Skye’s way, I make sure I’m touching her. I don’t want to give Finn’s mother any reason to keep making Skye feel wretchedly guilty for not being in love with her son.

  When it’s over, the parents of the bride and groom are invited to dance to a tune from some rat-pack crooner. Finn takes that opportunity to grab his wife’s hand and lead her in our direction.

  I stand and help Skye to her feet, meeting the newly married couple halfway, near an
empty corner of the room.

  “Hi, guys. Congratulations.” Skye hugs Finn, then Dana. “You look beautiful.”

  The goth girl perks up. “Thanks.”

  “Doesn’t she?” Finn holds her close. “I feel so lucky.”

  Dana elbows him, but her smile says she’s pleased. “You look great, Skye.”

  With the niceties out of the way, the gazes of both bride and groom fall on me.

  I turn on a smile and hold out my hand. “Stephen.”

  The other guy shakes it. “Finn. My wife—gosh, it sounds amazing to say that—Dana.”

  “Thanks for coming.” The goth girl smiles my way, obviously meaning it.

  I send her a congratulatory grin. “It’s my pleasure.”

  Dana turns back to Skye. “Can you spare a minute?”

  Skye blinks up at me, looking as surprised as I feel, then she shrugs. “Sure.”

  “I’d appreciate some advice,” Dana explains as she leads Skye to a quiet spot a few feet away, and the two begin talking.

  I can’t tell what they’re discussing, but Dana looks both earnest and scared. Skye holds the bride’s hands in reassurance. She’s got a big heart. What would it be like if I could have even a little corner of it?

  “So where did Skye find you?” Finn narrows his eyes as he drops his voice. “Oh, fuck. Tell me you’re not an escort.”

  Is he for real?

  “No.”

  “An actor?”

  “No. Why does it matter where she ‘found’ me? She did this for you, and things are going well.”

  “Yeah. Totally. And my mom is buying it, which is great. I just wanted to make sure you know you’re only in Skye’s life temporarily. The way you’re touching her makes me wonder if you forgot.”

  Why the hell would he give a shit? “Come again?”

  “Seriously, brah, you’re a smooth guy, probably a player. We both know you’re not staying. I’m sure you’ve guessed Skye is a little naive…and I see the way she looks at you.”

  “Looks at me?”

  “Like she’s got a sweet tooth, and you’re the meltiest bar of chocolate she’s ever laid eyes on. That’s great for this event. And I agree that she needs to meet someone she’s actually attracted to—eventually. But she’s the kind of girl who doesn’t get physical unless she’s really, truly attached. I don’t want you hurting her just because she was nice enough to do me a solid.”

  There are so many things wrong with what he just said. “You think I’m doing her this favor because I’m hoping she’ll give me a piece of ass?”

  Finn hesitates as if he realizes he insulted me. “Look, I don’t mean anything by it. I just—”

  “No, you look. I work in international acquisitions and investments. I’m not a gigolo or a hack. And don’t ever intimate that I’m the kind of asshole who would expect to use her because I let her use me.”

  He holds up two hands. “Okay. I got it. Sorry. I just needed to know what’s up.”

  I don’t owe Finn an explanation. What Skye and I have is between us. “It’s under control.”

  His nod tells me he doesn’t like my answer, but he backs off. “Okay. Have you thought about how you’ll stage your breakup?”

  Skye asked me a couple of days ago, and I put off answering. In truth, I’ve avoided thinking about it. And the more time that passes…the less I want to.

  “Dude, didn’t you just get married? Don’t you have your own life to focus on?”

  Finn grinds his teeth. “Skye is my friend.”

  “Who is smart enough to make her own decisions,” I counter. “So far I don’t see you being any less nosy than your mom.”

  That makes Finn reel back. “For real?”

  “Is Skye up in your business about your relationship with Dana?”

  “We don’t need help.”

  “We don’t, either.”

  He drops his voice. “We both know this is all a show, and you’re going to leave her sooner rather than later.”

  “Do we? Did it ever occur to you that maybe I’m doing this because I’m having feelings for Skye?”

  Finn looks stunned. “Whoa. I didn’t see that coming.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  At that, he smiles and claps me on the shoulder. “It happens, man. I didn’t expect to fall for Dana after we hooked up…but here we are.”

  I give him a vague smile as I glance over his head to watch the two women. Dana dabs at her eyes again, then hugs Skye, who embraces her in return. Then they head our way and put a merciful end to our tête-à-tête.

  After the four of us exchange some stilted chitchat, the deejay invites everyone to dance. The newly married couple takes that as their cue to return to the head table.

  I lead Skye to our seats. “You okay? What did Dana want?”

  “Advice on getting Sherry to like her. I feel bad… Her new mother-in-law hates everything she loves—tattoos, loud music, her bright hair. Frankly, I think those are all things Finn loves about Dana, too. But Sherry wants someone ‘normal’ who will fit in at the country club, so…”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “To be herself. Sherry is either going to come around or not, but it’s more important for her to stay true to herself than to try to be someone she isn’t. She’ll only be miserable.”

  Yes. Like Skye, Dana seems to have a strong sense of self. I applaud that.

  Especially since I’m struggling to understand who I am without my job. I always thought I’d be the next CEO of Colossus; I’ve been groomed for the position my whole life. I’ve wanted it as long as I can remember. I’ve given up so much socially and personally to prove to my dad that I’m worthy of the role. In return, he only proved to me that the worship I’ve had for him since I was a kid was misplaced.

  Where does that leave me?

  I manage to dig out of my maudlin thoughts and smile. “Good advice.”

  “What did Finn say?”

  Besides demonstrating that, if he wants to, he could be a pain in my ass? “Nothing important.”

  I see the question on Skye’s face, but before she can ask it, Sherry turns from her place on the dance floor to dissect my interaction with Skye.

  My girl looks nervous again, so I stand and pull her to her feet. “Let’s dance.”

  “I’m not very good at it.”

  “Lucky for you I am. Lots of practice, thanks to cotillion and all Mom’s soirées while I was growing up.” I wink.

  “Thank you for trying to make tonight enjoyable. I’ve been dreading it.”

  “I don’t blame you.” I tap her nose. “But I’m determined to make sure you have a good time.” And people are more likely to believe we’re a couple if we seem not to have a care in the world.

  We bop our way through a Black-Eyed Peas’ party song and get a little cheeky when Walk the Moon echoes what I’m thinking with “Shut Up and Dance.” Then the deejay slows things down a little with Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely?”

  “You really can dance.” Skye sounds surprised. “You actually make me look halfway decent.”

  “You’re doing great. Are you having a good time now?”

  “Yeah.” She flashes me the first genuine smile I’ve seen all day. “Thanks.”

  “You keep thanking me. You don’t have to.”

  “Without you, I would have come to this thing alone, and Sherry would have been all over me.”

  The woman would have browbeat her, and Skye is too polite to tell her to shove it up her ass and let her son live his own life.

  The song changes again, and Bruno Mars croons, “I think I wanna marry you…”

  I can’t resist stroking her cheek. “I’m happy we’re here together.”

  But what will happen when this wedding is over? When I have to return Mr. Chang’s call? When I decide my future and leave the island, probably for good? If I want to test the possibility there’s something lasting between us, I have to make a move. Otherwise, Skye will a
lways think I’m acting.

  “I’m happy we’re here together, too.” Her words are soft and heartfelt.

  So I swallow—and go for broke. “Have you figured out yet that I’m genuinely interested in you?”

  Her startled gaze jerks up to meet my stare. “It’s not a show?”

  “Honey, I’m a good liar…but not that good. I was interested the minute I saw you in my living room fluffing pillows and talking on the phone.”

  “Really?”

  I don’t know why she’s shocked. “Really. You’re beautiful and sweet and funny. You care about the feelings of the people around you. It would have been perfectly normal for you to want my help so you wouldn’t have to deal with Sherry anymore. Instead, you were more concerned about Finn and his parents accepting Dana into their family. Where I come from, people are always looking to extract something from others—power, money, access, knowledge—you name it. You’re going way out of your way just to help a friend.”

  “So…you didn’t agree to be my fiancé for the night for the massages?”

  “No. They’re damn nice, and I’ll take them, but…”

  “And you didn’t do it to avoid dealing with your own problems?”

  “It started that way, but every moment I’ve spent with you since has been about you. Only you. What I’m feeling is real. I want you way more than I want to fool the people around us. I want you tonight, tomorrow…” I hold her closer, stare into her wide brown eyes. “I want to see about the future.”

  And there’s Bruno Mars again, singing about getting married.

  “Please tell me you want that, too,” I whisper.

  Her fingers tighten on my shoulders as she seems to fall deep into my gaze. “I do.”

  Thank fuck. “Good. Are we done here? Can I take you home now?”

  “Please,” she whispers.

  I swoop down for a kiss, ply her lips with passion, before I force myself to pull back. “Can I take you to bed? Make love to you?”

  She bites her lip.

  “Honey?”

  She swallows. Her answer turns even breathier. “Yes.”

  * * * *

  The drive that had seemed so short when we headed to the chapel now takes a million damn years. With Skye’s hand tucked in mine, I navigate the slick roads through another evening rain shower. The car is too silent. I have no idea what she’s thinking. Is she reconsidering? Wishing she hadn’t impulsively agreed to spend the night with me?