Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
A knock on the door had him holding up a finger at Livingston before he opened it. A beautiful black woman stood there, her head full of natural curls that hung to her shoulders. She wore a stunning dress that was one-shouldered. The soft slate blue color complemented her skin tone to perfection.
“Hi, I’m Violet. I’m supposed to deliver this to the groom-to-be.”
“Bradford. Nice to meet you.”
She handed over the letter. “Nice to meet you. I’ll see you down there.” Leaning to the right so she could see by him. “She’s going to be there, Livingston.”
“I’ll fucking hunt her down if she’s not.” Livingston’s Louisiana drawl wasn’t hard to understand, despite how thick it was.
Her smile didn’t slip. “Words a sister loves to hear. The other guys are on their way.”
Bradford waved and closed the door after her. Livingston took the envelope and opened it. As he watched his older brother, Livingston’s entire body relaxed. He wouldn’t say the man smiled, but he definitely softened. Whatever was in the letter had done the trick.
* * * *
Within the hour, he was milling around with the other groomsmen as they waited for the bridesmaids to arrive. Daisy’s half-sister and that entire family had come. Livingston hadn’t given a damn, all he cared about was the woman herself. He’d said the husbands of that part of the family could stand up with him, Bradford and Eli.
Billionaire Gareth Ericsson and his wife, Xandra, were there. Gareth and Livingston had known each other for a while. They hadn’t known that his wife was related to Daisy, however. Then there was Xaya, who was the actual half-sister and cousin to Gareth’s wife. Her husband was an ex-Marine. There was Jager and another cousin, Xahara, who were both SWAT officers. And last but not least were legendary race car drivers Cody Gamino and his wife, Xin.
The guys all got along and he was enjoying himself. A tingle went up his spine and he froze, his water partway to his mouth. It had been months since he’d felt that pulse move through his body. Namely because he’d been taken away from the woman who had done it to him.
His Iris.
Turning, he nearly dropped his glass when she walked into view whispering to Violet. Fuck!
“Iris?”
She lifted her head and stared at him, mouth dropping open in shock before she managed to regain a bit of control and at least close it.
He strode over the floor separating them, not giving a damn who watched.
“Bradford.” Her gaze skittered by him only to land on those behind him. A few charged seconds before she glanced back at him, dawning settling in. “Of course, you’re Livingston’s brother.”
“Months,” he ground out, fisting his hands to keep from sinking them into her hair and giving in to his hunger and demanding a kiss. For starters. “I’ve been dreaming about you for months and I find out you’re my brother’s fiancée’s sister?”
“Ohh,” Violet chimed in. “This is the hot guy you fucked. The one in the unicorn onesie?”
“What?” Livingston entered the conversation. “Unicorn onesie? And Iris is the one who saved your life after the plane crash?”
“We have to talk.” He gave in and clasped her wrist.
“No. There’s a wedding about to happen, and I’m not ruining it.”
Livingston pushed him to the side and hugged her quickly before he was taken away to get to his spot. Bradford reached for Iris again but Eli stepped in between them.
“Miss Iris.”
He remembered how she’d looked at this man at the house and his jealousy grew.
“I’m walking her.”
“You’re actually walking me.” Violet popped up at his side. “And it’s okay, my feelings aren’t hurt that you wish to be anywhere but with me.” She patted his arm. “I am dying to know about the unicorn onesie.”
All he could do was stare as Iris walked into the church on another man’s arm, the soft sage green of her dress highlighting every curve he couldn’t stop dreaming about. Her afro was full, and he didn’t even have to close his eyes to remember how it felt on his skin.
“You know,” Violet continued like they were actually holding a conversation, “if it helps, she’s not over you either.”
Did it help? Not really.
“She knew who I was.”
They moved to the door to wait for their cue. “No, she’s just holding herself together for the sake of the wedding. She will run though. You’re going to have to corner her at the reception if you want to get a word with her.”
Together, they began walking up the aisle. He wasn’t going to let that happen.
“I think you’re my favorite sister.”
“Remember that. Just also remember, if you hurt her, all those boys in that front row there are her brothers, and they will have zero compunction about helping me bury your body.”
They separated and stood on their respective sides. His gaze snapped to watch Iris, who was doing her best to look everywhere in the room except at him. The women were draped in soft tones and were beautiful.