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Ellie

I can feel the heat of his stare before I even see him.

I slowly make my way down the stairs of my best friend Haleigh’s and her soon-to-be husband’s back porch. My heels click with each deliberate step, bringing me closer to the moment I’ve been dreading.

Just one last step.

It’s all that’s left before I have to come face to face and link arms with her asshole of a brother—Jaydon.

He’s not an asshole to everyone. No, that’s just reserved for me.

It’s been that way since I first met him, back when we were still in middle school. And somehow, over the years, he’s only gotten better at pushing my buttons.

My heart rate speeds up, and heat flushes across my skin as I step down the last step to find Jaydon standing there with the most perfect smirk plastered on his stupid, handsome face.

I offer him a fake-ass smile and reluctantly loop my arm through his.

He chuckles, loving every second of this torture his sister is unknowingly putting me through.

I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t absolutely love my best friend.

She has no idea of our history… although it wasn’t until recently that we even shared a history.

I know she’s my best friend, and we normally tell each other everything, but I’m embarrassed and mad at myself for falling for his cocky ways.

Fuck.

He’s gorgeous, but he’s an asshole.

My entire body heats just by feeling his thick arms through his dress shirt. It’s fitted just right, showing off every muscle.

I nod, letting him know I’m ready to start our long walk down the sidewalk and over to the field that has been turned into a makeshift aisle.

The sun is close to setting, and it’s letting off the most romantic lighting; soft orange hues shine over the wheat fields waiting to be harvested.

I helped Haleigh plan her wedding since I have my own event planning business.

It’s the second wedding I helped her plan; let’s just say her first wasn’t actually real.

Thank God for that .

I planned on staying quiet during the long walk towards all of the seated guests, but I should have figured he would try to talk—the perfect chance for him to be a dick.

“Why is your breathing so erratic? My touch affecting you?” I can see his cocky smirk from the corner of my eye.

I keep a fake smile plastered to my face and try my best to talk through my teeth. “Fuck you.” I grit out as I offer a fake laugh. I know we are so far away from everyone at this point that they won’t hear, but I’m gonna smile the entire way.

He’s not getting to me.

At least he will never know he's affecting me.

His deep chuckle rumbles through me, all the way to my core. “I would, but I don’t think your little boyfriend would like that too much.”

With my fake smile still in place, I take a deep breath and hold down the words I want to say.

The remainder of the walk is in silence, and I’m thankful for that.

When we near the preacher, we break away from one another, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the separation.

He stands on one side of the ceremony, and I’m on the other.

Finally, the most romantic melody plays, and all the guests stand as my beautiful friend makes her way down the aisle accompanied by her father.

The reception is now in full swing, everyone mingling underneath the huge white tent, beautifully decorated with multi-tiered chandeliers and fairy lights strung about.

The dance floor is just starting to get packed with more guests letting loose, courtesy of the open bar.

The bride and groom had their first dance together, and the partying began.

Thankfully, they didn’t make Jaydon and me dance together; I wouldn’t have been able to handle his hands all over me.

My body is a traitor.

I spot Haleigh in her beautiful, glistening gown walking near, and I go in to give her a hug.

“Hey, my gorgeous bestie, thanks for funding the drinks tonight.”

We both giggle.

“Drink enough for the both of us.” she says, holding her little round belly, which is still barely showing.

“I can definitely do that for you.”

Her eyes light up. “Oh, did you try the beef Bourguignon? So good!”

Of course, she’s thinking about the food .

“I tried a little bit, but I’m on a liquid diet tonight.” I throw back my head, drinking the last bit in my cup.

She laughs, “Well, you know baby’s gotta eat, so that’s all I’m doing tonight. Which reminds me…” Her eyes scan the food table. “I need to go try the peach-glazed chicken.”

“Go ahead. I will catch up with you in a bit. I’m heading back to the bar...” I hold up my empty cup, “… time for a refill.”

She pulls me in for another quick hug, then heads in the direction of the food.

Jaydon

I watch Ellie from across the dance floor, out there, shaking her luscious ass. She can dance, too. I’m half-hard just watching her. She’s been tormenting me in that fucking dress all damn afternoon.

Fuck.

She looks sweet as sin wearing that silky burnt orange dress.

It fits her like a fucking glove, showing off her sexy curves with a slit going high up her thigh.

She looks so damn fuckable with her tanned legs and that gorgeous honey-blonde hair in curls.

She smells so fucking sweet, reminding me of honey-vanilla frosting.

I’m lost in my head when my best friend Ryan, now brother-in-law, decides to come up behind me.

He throws his arm around my shoulder, looking in the same direction as me. “Hey man, why don’t you just go over there and ask her to dance?”

I scoff a laugh at him, “She fucking hates me, that’s why.”

The fucker laughs at me, “Well, I’m sure it’s because you’re always a dick to her. You gonna finally tell me what the hell is going on between the two of you?”

I shake my head. “Nope, nothing to tell,” but my eyes have never left the blond bombshell out on the dance floor.

“You keep telling yourself that, man… you stand here and keep staring, looking like a dumbass… I’m going to dance with my wife.

” The asshole smirks at me, squeezing my shoulder before dropping his arm away.

Then he struts across the dancefloor until he reaches my sister, putting his hand on her ass while looking back over to me.

Fucker.

It’s payback because I forbade him from dating my sister when we were younger. It's all in good fun, though. They had a rough start to their relationship, but everything is working out for them now. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother-in-law, either.

I’ve been dying to go near Ellie all damn night. Earlier, when she stepped out of the house, I could already feel my restraint against her breaking.

I love toying with her.

She hates me; that I’m sure of.

But she sure didn’t hate my dick that night she was riding it.

My resolve breaks at the thought, and I find myself making my way over to her on the dance floor. I can play it off like I’m going to talk to my sister since they’re dancing near each other. But ultimately, she’ll know I’m coming that way for her.

Only her.

Damn, I love fucking with her, getting her spun up. Ever since we were younger, I’ve been a dick to her—I just can’t help myself. Being an asshole to her was always just my way of flirting; we’ve always had chemistry.

The song playing has the perfect beat for me to start grinding up behind her, so I slide in and make my move.

Ellie

Just like earlier today, I feel him before I see him.

He comes up behind me and grabs my shoulders, the heat of his body sending chills down my spine.

I don’t want to make a scene, so I continue to shake my ass, just the same as I have been.

My ass accidentally grinds against his dick— okay, maybe it wasn’t an accident.

He’s always messing with me, and two can play that game.

I feel him harden almost instantly as he lowers his hands down my arms and pulls me in close against his body.

I feel his warm breath against my neck, “You want this cock, don’t you, Ellie?”

His deep chuckling is always my undoing.

I spin to face him, still dancing to the beat. “Fuck you, Jaydon.”

Even though I say it, my entire body heats at his closeness.

His lips, just inches from mine. He smells so fucking delicious, his cologne mixing with the bourbon he’s drinking.

The heat from his hand pressed into my bare lower back, pulling me in.

It's all too much. I have to close my eyes for a moment to shake off the feelings.

He laughs, dipping his lips close to my ear. “You keep saying that. You don’t have to pretend… if you want it, it’s yours. All you have to do is admit you still want me.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh .

He’s fucking with me, and I know it. “If you think I want you, you’re delusional. I never wanted you, Jaydon. You were just convenient that night.”

“Oh, is that what you are telling yourself? If it makes you feel better, we can go with that.”

“I’m not telling myself anything. It’s the truth.” I'm thankful for the dim lighting to cover the look on my face when I flat-out lie.

“Oh, yeah? Well, we’ll see about that soon, sweetheart. Just wait until the liquor kicks in. You won’t be able to hide your true feelings for me then... You never can.”

I’ve had enough of his ridiculous behavior. I put my hands on his chest, push him away, and spin back around towards Haleigh. But I’m now regretting that because she has a stupid grin on her face.

“What was that about?” She teases—a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

“Nothing.” I lie.

“Didn’t look like nothing, Ells.” She gives me a knowing look as a huge grin spreads across her face.

“It was just your brother being a prick, like usual,” I say, trying to throw her off.

Her smile drops. “Oh, I’m sorry, Ellie.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. I’m used to it by now. Enough about that… Let's dance!”