Page 53 of Friends With Benefits

“Hailey, you look so beautiful I’m going to cry,” Kerri said, her throat tight. She blinked rapidly and smiled. Hailey’s dress was a similar style to theirs, ivory bias-cut silk with pearls and crystals on the bodice and straps. Instead of a veil, pearls and crystals sparkled in an intricate arrangement in her hair.

Kerri produced a bottle of champagne and poured them all a glass. “I’d like to make a toast to Hailey, for not making us wear hideous poofy bridesmaid dresses!”

“To Hailey!”

The photographer waited for them to do some photos before they left for the church. The spa provided some excellent photo locations, in front of the French doors leading to the yoga studio, in front of the huge arched window at the front, and in the lounge.

Then it was time to leave for the church in the limo. Kerri tossed her overnight bag in with all the things she’d need for the next day. A thrill ran through her at the thought of spending the night with Mitch. Hotel sex.

Miguel and his attendants waited at the front of the beautiful church. As musicians played Pachelbel on violin and piano, Laurel started down the aisle, followed by Kerri then Melanie. When Kerri arrived at the front, Mitch caught her eye and winked, and she smiled back at him. God, he looked gorgeous in that black tux.

They all turned to watch Hailey walk down the aisle on her father’s arm to begin the very traditional ceremony. Afterward, as they left the church, Mitch paired up with Kerri, holding out his arm for her to take as they walked back up the aisle.

“You are the sexiest bridesmaid I’ve ever seen,” he murmured in her ear, and she shivered.

The bridal party drank champagne in the limo on the way to the resort where the reception was being held. In contrast to the traditional ceremony, the reception was much more relaxed. After a gourmet meal, the party really got started with dancing under the stars in the open air gazebo. White lights twinkled in the palm trees and in the masses of white tulle hanging on the walls and around the tables. A soft breeze off the nearby Pacific Ocean flickered the flames of the candles glowing on every table.

“I think we have to dance together now,” Kerri said to Mitch.

Mitch turned to look at her. Oh, yeah. She was one sexy bridesmaid. He took her hand and they joined the rest of the wedding party on the dance floor. They’d danced together many, many times, fast, slow, they’d even learned to swing dance together. But tonight, the feel of Kerri’s small, firm body so close to him gave him strange feelings—a possessive urge to hold her close, to not let anyone else near her, to drag her up to their room and screw her senseless.

He held her closer than he usually did, wanting to feel her body against his. He’d been watching her tits jiggle lusciously under the silk dress all day, tormenting him, and he wanted to feel them against him.

But he wanted more.

When she’d come to his place the other night, of course he’d taken what she’d offered. And he’d given in return. But afterward he’d felt…used. He couldn’t help but be amused at the irony of it. He was being used for sex. Every guy’s wet dream. What could be better?

He wanted more. He needed to tell Kerri—but how?

“What are you thinking?” she asked softly. “You look worried.”

He hesitated, then said, “I’m worried about whether I’ll represent Hailey or Miguel when the divorce happens.”

Kerri stared at him open-mouthed.

“I’ve known Hailey longer,” he continued blandly. “But Miguel is a good buddy now.”

“I can’t believe you just said that,” she said slowly, drawing away from him. “At their wedding!”

He shrugged. “Marriage is crazy.”

Shit, that wasn’t what he’d meant to say at all. He swallowed a groan at his own cowardly stupidity.

“Do you really believe they’ll end up divorced?” she asked.

“Nah.” He turned her expertly with a little pressure of his right hand. “They’ll make it.”

She looked at him as if she didn’t believe him. The song ended and they moved apart. Kerri walked away from him and there was no mistaking the coolness in her demeanor.

Mitch noticed Hailey giving them the eye and she didn’t look happy. What was up with that?

He ran a hand through his hair and went back to his seat at the head table to find his half-finished beer. The more he tried to hide his true feelings, the worse he made things.

While he sat there staring moodily at the dancing crowd, Laurel appeared and slid into the chair beside him.

“Hey,” he said, forcing a smile.

“Hey yourself.” She smiled flirtatiously.

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