Page 16 of Bedding The Best Man (Bedding the Bachelors)

Brianne stayed silent, staring into space while Evie looked at her expectantly. Maybe a one-night stand was all she was really capable of. Since the wedding she had all but convinced herself she was not relationship material. She figured she would have probably screwed it up with Eric no matter what—Gabe or no Gabe.

But the thought of picking up some guy in a bar was not exactly her idea of fun. And, even worse – what if she couldn’t even snag a one-night stand? How bad would that be for her ego? Then she would really need some sort of psychiatric intervention.

“I don’t know, I don’t think I’m ready for that yet,” she hedged, wrinkling her nose. The more she thought about it, though, the less of a bad idea it seemed. Maybe she did need some hot, anonymous sex to prove she’d just needed to get turned on by someone new. That would prove that her attraction to Gabe wasn’t personal, that she was simply not ready for marriage because she still wanted to sow her wild oats.

“Oh, come on, come on, come on!” Evie said, bouncing against the desk, knowing she was getting through to her boss. “I’m not going to stop asking until you come with us. So you may as well give in.”

“Oh, fine! But only because you’re going to drive me batty,” she said with a sigh.

“Great! We’ll pick you up at eight. Dress for casual sex.”

Brianne snorted. “Sounds like it’s going to be a wild night!”

“Start your engine, my friend,” Evie grinned, and clapped her hands.

* * *

The pounding music and the flashing lights were giving Brianne a headache. She really wished she hadn’t allowed herself to be so easily led. She took a gulp of her vodka tonic and hoped the alcohol would help mellow her out, or at least numb the pain.

Evie and her boyfriend Jake were out on the crowded dance floor. Her diminutive assistant was wearing a maroon mini-dress that showed off her delicate curves and made a dramatic statement against the pale beauty of her hair. She was moving sensuously and gracefully. Jake was doing his best to keep up with her, but few could. Brianne smiled as she watched the two of them. They clearly enjoyed each other’s company and were having a good time together. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

She tossed her drink back in one gulp and stood up from the bench seat of the corner table they’d been sharing. Maybe she should hit the dance floor, too. No sense in being a wallflower, after all.

Gabe had implied that she needed to take control of her own life and make things happen.Well, life, here I come, she thought, as she forced her feet forward through the pulsing crowd. She was wearing an outfit she hadn’t worn in ages, a sparkly halter top, black miniskirt and black stiletto gladiator sandals. Her dark hair was in loose curls on top of her head and she’d been liberal with her dark eye makeup and red lipstick. She knew she looked good, but couldn’t help feeling a little bit exposed and unsure. She looked like she was ready for some casual sex, as Evie had suggested.

She just had to pretend she felt that way until maybe she actually did.

When she finally squeezed her way over to where Jake and Evie were dancing, it didn’t take long to throw herself into the beat of the thumping techno track. She started to move to the music, smiling at Evie and surveying the dance floor. There were lots of couples, as well as a few groups of women dancing together, dressed as if they were on the prowl for a man just like she was. As she swayed and twisted, her eyes skimmed the tables that ringed the floor. More groups, more couples, and then—oh my, oh my!

A classy looking, seriously hot guy at ten o’clock! He was alone, as far as she could make out. He had thick, blonde hair that he wore swept back off his face, perfect bone structure, and a brooding look. Totally the kind of guy she could go for. And he was checking her out, too.

She turned to see if Evie was watching, but she and Jake were nowhere on the dance floor. She finally spotted them at their table. Weaving her way back through the crowd, she saw Evie frowning over her phone, the screen lighting up her face in the dark room.

“What’s up?” Brianne yelled over the noise.

“I’m not sure,” Evie hollered back. “I gotta go make a phone call.”

Brianne nodded and watched her friend thread her way through the crowd to find a quieter place to make her call. Left alone with Jake, she tried to make small talk, but the noise of the club was too much to take. Finally, they both lapsed into silence, focusing on the fresh drinks the waitress brought them.

Brianne swallowed hers down in a few gulps, wanting the buzz to take over. The headache was still pounding away at her temples. After a minute, she felt a pleasant tingling in her legs and chest that meant the vodka was doing its job, and she smiled. Hopefully it would find its way upwards soon, too.

She swayed in her seat to the music as she waited for Evie to come back, and Jake scrolled through messages on his phone. Brianne had just ordered another drink when Evie appeared back at the table, frowning.

“What’s going on?” Bri asked, concern clear in her voice as Evie slid onto the leather seat.

“My sister was in a car accident,” she said, her face pale.

“Oh my God!” Brianne touched a slim hand to Evie’s arm.

“Is she okay?” Jake asked.

“Yeah, she’s fine,” Evie said, clearly still not entirely believing it. “Totally unscratched, apparently. But her car isn’t, and she needs us to come pick her up.”

Brianne was relieved that everything was okay. Cars were replaceable; sisters weren’t.

Evie turned to her. “We can drop you off on the way, Brianne. The accident wasn’t too far from your place.”

“Don’t worry about it, I can call a cab. Besides, I may stay for one more drink.” Brianne felt oddly reckless. Evie’s sister’s brush with mortality had stirred something in her, or maybe it was just the vodka. Either way, she was determined to live her life a little more adventurously from now on.

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