Page 2 of The Secrets that Surround Us

“How do you know the bride and groom?”

Fiona gives me a knowing smile as she lifts her bag and replies, “I’m the photographer. How about you?”

Of course. How did I not see her before? The wedding was such a whirlwind. I mean, I noticed her before, but when she ran into me, I didn’t put two and two together.

“The groom is my brother.”

“Aww…I should’ve known. You resemble him.” She gives me a wide smile as lust fills her eyes.

The bartender comes back, interrupting our conversation as he places our drinks down in front of us. I hand her drink to her. “Are you done for the night?”

“Mostly. I want to take a few of them leaving the reception.” Her eyes bounce around the room. “Do you know when that is? I don’t see them.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I search the room. “Uhh…Not sure. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they snuck off.”

Her eyes return to mine with a twinkle in them. “Do they do that a lot?”

My face twists into disgust as I reply, “Yes. It’s disgustingly gross.”

Right then Mateo comes up to me, slapping my shoulder. “Hey little brother. Dexter and Hazel just left, so we’re going to take off.”

“They left already?” Fiona squeaks in a high-pitched voice.

Mateo looks over at her and raises an eyebrow, looking as if he is about to snap at her. Not wanting him to say anything rude and ruin what feels like a good connection, I step between them. “Mateo, this is Fiona. She’s the wedding photographer.” Lifting my drink to my lips, I take a sip.

“Sorry. I was hoping to get a few of them a leaving,” she explains.

“From what I saw of them in the car, the pictures would’ve been basically porn.” He shivers dramatically, as if he is seeing the image once again.

Fiona’s eyebrows lift to her hairline, but I just chuckle. “I told you they are disgusting.”

She looks at me and then grins. “On that note, I guess I’ll just finish my drink and head out, too.”

Grabbing her drink, she chugs down the rest of the wine, which I must admit is impressive. Then she places her glass back down on the bar, smiles. “Nice to meet you.”

Worry strangles me. She can’t leave without me. I’ve never felt like this with anyone before. The need to know everything about her, including every inch of her body, takes over. Ignoring my brother, I place my hand on her waist, stopping her from leaving. I lean down and whisper in her ear. “Would you like to come to my place? You know, for a drink?”

She eyes me suspiciously as her lips thin, then she takes a step away from me. She can’t say no. If anything, I just need her for the night, whether that’s in my bed or just to talk. I know I have her with the next words that come out of her mouth. “Only a drink?”

Not being able to help myself, I feel a grin spread across my face. My hand comes up in the universal signal for scout’s honor. “I promise I won’t touch you unless you beg me to.”

Visibly, she shudders, causing her nipples to pebble. Hmm…she likes that, huh? By the end of the night, I plan on having her on her knees, begging me for my cock.

Leaving me on the edge, she stays silent for what feels like forever, before she finally surrenders to my request. “Okay. Let’s go have a drink.”

“Perfect.”

Chapter two

Fiona

Am I really doing this? Going home with some random guy is something I never do. It goes against every rule I made for myself. I’m not the type of girl who goes home with a guy. No, I’m the girl who plays it safe. I’m the girl who has a three-date minimum, and even then, I play it safe. I don’t take chances. I do what I’ve always been told.

I’ve taken one chance in my life. It was a risk worth taking. Starting my photography business was my way of getting out from underneath their thumb. So far, it doesn’t feel as if it’s working.

I’m still in debt, living at home and taking every job just to make ends meet. The biggest downside is listening to my parents remind me how much my business seems to fail.

I glance over at the handsome man who is leading me to his car in the parking lot. None of those rules seem to matter. Trying to justify it, I remind myself.

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