The Best Man

The Best Man A Free Read By Samantha Storm

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The Best Man A Free Read By Samantha Storm

The Best Man A Free Read By Samantha Storm

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© copyright March 2008, Samantha Storm Cover art by Chaosdesigns, LLC, © copyright March, 2008 This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence

The Best Man A Free Read By Samantha Storm

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Chapter 1

It was my wedding day. I sat in a small room at the side of a church looking at my reflection in the full length mirror. I had been transformed into a fairy princess. It had only taken a makeup artist, hair dresser and three bride’s maids fussing over me for four hours to make the transformation happen. My shoulder length blonde hair, which normally was a tangle of unkempt curls, was now sleeked down and arranged artfully around a crystal and pearl tiara. My green eyes were covered in brown eye-shadow and black mascara, making them looking bigger and even a bit exotic. The floor length white dress boasted no less than two thousands sequins. A modest square-cut neckline showcased my full C cups to their best advantage, pushing and shoving them up until just the right amount of cleavage was showing. From the neckline the dress narrowed down into a full silk skirt trimmed with Italian lace. The whole effect was breathtaking, but there was so much material on the skirt that it was cumbersome, making

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it impossible for me to navigate around in it by myself. I had been to the bathroom once all ready and when I went to the ladies room I had three bridesmaids in tow--holding, moving, pushing the silk train out of the room and down the hallway, and finally into the stall. It was quite the production and one I swore not to repeat. In all honesty I would have been happy in a simpler dress, but my mother wouldn’t hear of it, and since she had been saving since the day I was born for my wedding day, how could I say no when she offered to pay for, as she put it, a proper dress that would turn me into a princess. According to my mother everyone should be a fairy princess on their wedding day. And I wasn’t going to be the one to break her heart or wedding day dream. So there I stood in all my glory in front of the mirror and for the first time all day I suddenly found myself alone. Small beads of sweat were gathering on my forehead. The room was slowly turning into a sauna. I looked over my shoulder, anxious for help. I could barely move this mountain of silk by myself. The bridesmaids had all been rounded up and ushered out by my mother to help with a list of last minute details. If the heat kept rising

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I would soon melt in the dress along with my perfectly applied makeup. When I heard the door creak open, I almost cried with joy. A masculine voice floated through the doorway. “Sorry, wrong room.” I didn’t recognize the voice, but then my fiancée had invited one cousin and an old college buddy to be part of his entourage and both had flown in last minute. In all the bustle and wedding preparation I hadn’t had a chance to meet either. “Wait!” I shouted over my shoulder. “Problem?” The voice asked. With the voice, a form materialized in the mirror behind me. And as his eyes took in my appearance, a slow, wide grin spread across his handsome face. “I’ve always been a sucker for a damsel in distress.” “Do you see any of the bridesmaids out in the hallway?” His image disappeared for a moment and then reappeared. “Sorry, hallways empty. How can I help?” “Never mind.” I muttered trying to formulate another plan of action.

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“Hey, do I know you?” he asked, stepping closer. “Great pick up line. Next are you going to ask me what my sign is?” He grinned again. “I’m serious.” “And I am about an hour from walking down the aisle. Are you the cousin or the frat buddy?” “Cousin.” “Do you think its appropriate hitting on a relative’s wife?” “I swear it was just a question, but now you mention it, you aren’t his wife yet. Fiancée is a whole different playing field.” I could feel drops of perspiration starting to roll down my temple. The last thing I wanted to do was encourage the guy, but I was running out of options. “Look, don’t take this the wrong way, but can you unzip the back of my dress?” A very cocky smile spread across his face. Of course he’d taken it the wrong way. “Sure thing.” He moved behind me and I carefully pulled the veil until it was draped over my right shoulder. “Ready?” he asked. I was so close now I could feel his breath against my neck.

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I ignored the sensation and answered. “Yes.” The dress was tight, restricting and then, suddenly, I could breathe again. I lowered delicate material and carefully balanced myself against the wall as I stepped out and over the now massive pile of white silk. God, it was good to be free of the thing. I took a deep breath turned and caught my reflection in the mirror. Dear god, I had been so intent on getting out of the dress, I had never stopped to consider what it was I was wearing underneath the thing. I could see him in the mirror, his eyes taking in every inch of my outfit--white lace bustier, a white garter belt with a tiny pink rose in front that surrounded a pair of white lacey, almost see thru panties. And on my legs, a pair of white sheer stockings. There was no place to hide. I turned and stood my ground. “A gentleman would turn around.” “Lucky for us there aren’t any around.” “Do you mind?” I was starting to get pissed. He leaned casually against the wall and crossed his arms in front of him. The smile had not left his face since he eyed the underwear. “Not at all. The view is fabulous. My cousin is one lucky man.”

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“Thanks, I’ll be sure to mention it to him and I bet he’ll be beyond thrilled at the part where you were standing around ogling me.” A low whistle came out of a pair of amused lips, “And, really it can’t be said enough. Outstanding. Quite the ensemble it is.” I glared at him. “Did you get a good look? Good. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” The words were barely out of my mouth when a doorknob rattled and was shortly followed by a loud series of raps. “You locked the door?” I demanded. He gave me a slow grin and shrugged his shoulders. How would I explain my current state of undress and his presence in the room? There was no closet, or hidey hole. The room sported one mirror, one love seat and three or four chairs. No place for me to put him. Not even a window to throw his ass out of. I went to the door and opened it the tiniest bit, making sure to shield my body behind the frame of the door. A pair of concerned eyes peered back at me through the crack. It was my soon to be sister-in-law, currently decked out in blue, one of my bridesmaids. “Is everything okay? Why’s the door locked?”

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“I need some time. Alone to collect my thoughts.” She frowned. “You aren’t getting cold feet are you?” A hysterical laugh wanted to break from my lips, but I forced it back and plastered what I hoped was a reassuring smile on my face. “Just a bit of last minute nerves. I really need a few moments alone, if that’s okay. Can you tell everyone, to just give me a couple minutes.” She reached out and patted my hand. “Sure.” “Thanks.” I closed the door and turned only to find he was now stretched out across the love seat. He looked entirely too comfortable. My eyes lingered for the briefest moment on his tanned face and then slowly across his broad shoulders. My heart pounded a little faster and I licked my suddenly dry lips. “You need to get out of here.” He yawned and stretched. “How do you purpose I get by the taffeta watch dog outside?” I glared at him and tried desperately to form some kind of plan of action. “Do you have a cell phone?” “Going to call in the Calvary? Sorry, no phone. Left it in the car.” The expression on his face was far from sorry. He looked extremely pleased with himself.

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The problem was every time he grinned I found myself returning the smile. And the thoughts currently floating across my mind were not thoughts a bride should be having on her wedding day–-at least not about some stranger. I needed to get this too attractive man out of the room and out of my life as quickly as humanely possible. I would never admit it out loud, but from the moment he had stepped through the door and I had caught his reflection in the mirror I had felt the attraction. It was like a physical force--a jolt of electricity arching dangerously across the room between us. I had never been so aware of a man before. Even as he lay against the love seat, I was acutely aware of the way his shirt tightened against his broad chest every time he moved. Worse, whatever this weird thing was between us, it seemed to be intensifying with each passing minute. I was in dangerous territory and I realized the longer he stayed, the harder it was getting to deny the way my pulse was quickening every time our eyes met. “So you’re going ahead with the ‘I dos’?” he asked. “Of course I am.” “Hmm, just thought maybe you might be having some second thoughts.”

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I stomped my foot in frustration. “Stop messing around. We’ve got to figure out a way to get you out of here.” He didn’t seem at all fazed by my glare instead he looked even more amused when he asked, “Who’s going to tell him?” “About you ogling me in my underwear?” I countered. “Once again, world class lingerie, really.

But I was

actually referring to the fact that you are right this moment thinking of calling off the wedding.” I narrowed my eyes and snorted, not very ladylike but really what an ego. “Have you been drinking?” I sniffed the air. He didn’t smell like beer or champagne. He raised his hand to his chest. “I’m stone sober, I swear. I know I never believed in it,” He straightened up and shrugged his shoulders, “But what can I say, our eyes locked and we fell for each other like a ton of bricks. It’s no ones fault really.” “You’re insane.” “Hmm, really, you don’t feel it?” He suddenly stood and moved closer. His hand reached and brushed back wisps of hair that had escaped the pins and now lay against my cheek.

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At the contact of his fingers against my skin my heart started pounding hard in my chest. “Don’t touch me.” I demanded. He didn’t say a word instead he took a step closer. Our bodies were only a few inches apart now. Almost against my will, my eyes traveled slowly down his face, to the open collar where his tie should be. For the briefest moment I wondered what lay below. His body was suddenly far too close and I could feel the heat radiating off him. Like a moth drawn to the flame, my body started to lean forward. I took a deep breath and forced myself to take a step back, shaking my head in frustration, angry at the way my body seemed to be working against me. He didn’t say a word, but those eyes burned into mine. And under their hypnotic glance I felt all self-restrain melting away. How naughty would it be to have just one kiss? Something to remember years later when I was an old woman. I wasn’t married, yet, I reminded myself. Just one kiss. The thought was, but a flicker across my mind. I am not sure even now who initiated the kiss. My lips were suddenly pressed against his. Heat, pure and hot, ran down the length of my body at the contact.

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I would like to think that my will power came back in full force, but that’s a lie. A sudden burst of laughter from the hallway forced me, for a moment to come to my senses and tear my mouth away from his. This was wrong. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts and gain back some self control. “We can’t do this.” I pushed him back. No easy tasks when all the parts of my body were now humming with sexual energy. “It was just an innocent kiss.” The way he was looking at me was far from innocent. ”Look there’s no reason to fight it. The moment I set eyes on you I knew I was a goner.” His words were like a bucket of cold water. What was I doing? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s nothing between us.” I emphasized each word. “Nothing?” he asked. This time I had a hard time meeting his eyes. “You’re an attractive guy.” “Thanks.” “But it’s just a case of last minute jitters. You know how it is.” “So we keep this a secret between us?” He asked, his eyes narrowing.

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“Exactly. What was it really? Just a little kiss.” “There’s only one problem.” “What’s that?” I asked, trying to decide the best way to step back into the pile of material. I needed to get back into my dress and back on track. “When the minister asks is there any reason these two people should not be wed, what if I have an objection?” “What could you possibly object to, you’ve just met me?” “Exactly. And now that I have, I think the bride-to-be might be making a huge mistake.” “You have lost your mind?” “Maybe. But at least I’m willing to admit there’s something going on here.” “Nothing’s going on.” “So you want to walk out the door and just act like the last few minutes didn’t happen.” “Yes.” “You have no second thoughts. No reason to question what you’re about to do.” All amusement had left his voice. My mouth suddenly felt dry. I licked my lips and took a deep breath before answering. “No.”

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“We both know that’s a lie. You’re standing there acting calm, but underneath you want me as much as I want you. Admit it.” I shook my head. He grabbed my arm, his fingers pressing hard against my skin. Those blue gray eyes were now filled with anger. “Like hell you don’t want me.” “No.” The words came out as a whisper. He grabbed me and pulled me close. His fingers were now entwined in my hair, his eyes only inches from my face. “So you don’t want me to kiss you again?” he asked. I opened my mouth, prepared to say no. But instead I found myself pressing my lips against his, again. This time the kiss was deeper, harder, demanding. Our tongues intertwined and another moan sounded deep in my throat. He tasted so good. Another kiss and then another until his lips finally pulled away and burned a fiery trail down my neck. Hot breath caressed my skin as he gently kissed the delicate spot behind my ear and whispered, “Do you want me to stop?” The problem was I didn’t want him to stop. God, I wanted more. His mouth brushed against my naked shoulder and a moan escaped my lips. I closed my eyes and enjoyed

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the sensations racing across my skin. But a small part of my brain was screaming I shouldn’t do this. I opened my eyes and tried to pull myself out from this storm of emotion that was taking me under. But it was too late. Strong fingers slid down my arm and across the curve of my breast. His mouth followed his fingers, moving down until they found the swell of my breast just above the fabric of my bustier. Fingers began to tease the surface of the material until my nipples, almost against their will, responded. I was a goner. The storm was now carrying me away and there was nothing I could do to stop it. It was all too much--too much feeling, too much emotion. It was a huge relief when finally he coaxed one bosom free and then the other. His hands cupped my naked breasts and then, he lowered his head and that clever tongue took full advantage. Pink-tipped nipples hardened as he tasted and teased. He sucked gently and then harder and all coherent thoughts left my head. With a deep sigh I stopped thinking and finally just gave in. God, surrender never felt so sweet. My body arched as though it suddenly had a will of its own. Each breath now raced with his very touch. My legs

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began to tremble. I couldn’t pull away now if I wanted to. And god I didn’t want to. I realized I had entirely too many clothes on. I wanted, no needed, to feel all his naked skin against mine. He lowered our bodies to the floor. My hands frantically worked on the buttons of his shirt. And then my prayers were answered when the tips of my fingers brushed against golden muscles. This time he was the one to tremble as my fingers traced a path down that hard, rippled stomach to his waist. I was hot and wet and I wanted desperately to feel him inside me. His right hand moved fast and rough down the length of my body until his fingers caressed the soft skin at the edge of my panties. The breath caught in my throat as he suddenly pushed them aside and a finger slid inside me. I gasped, he pushed in farther, deeper.

At the contact my

body bucked, once, twice and he began to match his movements with mine. His finger moved in and out, harder, faster, pushing back and forth as I squirmed and gyrated in slow, insistent circles beneath him. First one then two fingers pressed deep inside my pussy.

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I thrashed and moaned. I was no longer in control of my body. I was like a possessed woman, writhing beneath him. But he took no mercy. His lips lowered and taunted my nipples then made a slow path across the exposed skin of my stomach. But he didn’t stop there. His mouth kept moving, down, lower, and then lower yet, until I could feel his hot breath against my inner thigh. And still those strong fingers were inside me--harder, faster, pushing until suddenly the panties came off and his fingers were replaced with the heat of his mouth. The thrust of his tongue against the lips of my pussy forced the air from my lungs. I sucked in harsh and uneven breaths. All thoughts were seared from my head. Pleasure rolled over me his mouth suddenly sucked hard against the center of my mound. I needed to let go.

I was

desperate for release and he was in no hurry to give it too me. My hands began to glide across my skin. Down they went, across my neck until they found their way to my breasts. My fingers grazed across my nipples and I began pulling and tweaking the hard rounded rose tips. But it was not enough. I lifted a finger to my mouth and licked it before lowering it again and rolling the wet skin across a now pebbled hard tip. I rocked against him my hands pleasuring myself--

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frantic fingers plucked and pinched my own nipples trying to bring myself over the edge while his mouth slowly pleasured me. Small and then larger tremors glided across me. I undulated. I whimpered. My body tried to wrench itself free, but strong hands suddenly surrounded my ass and forced my pulsating core back against his mouth. He was relentless--his tongue tasting every part of me, his mouth seeking the very core of me. My body could not take anymore. My hands went into my hair, tangling in my veil as I was forced into a violent arch and the word ‘God’ was torn from my mouth as an earth shuddering orgasm ripped across my body. I lay on the floor breathless. I don’t know how long it took me to come back to my senses, but what I had just done suddenly hit me like a freight train. I had cheated on my soon-to-be husband on the day of my wedding with a man I had just met. What the hell had happened? I had never felt the urge to cheat before. Never felt the need to get naked with a stranger in a dressing room in the middle of a church. I had completely lost my mind and now desperately had to get it back. I looked up at the clock on the wall. The

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ceremony was scheduled to start soon. Any second my wedding entourage would be demanding entry into the room. I got up off the floor, and straightened what little clothes I wore and looked in every direction but his. I still couldn’t believe what I had just done. The problem was there was a part of me that wanted to do it again. I pointed towards the door. “You need to get out of here.” “You’re kidding right?” I refused to look at him and instead went to the mirror and started to fix my veil. It was twisted and hanging at an odd angle. “I’m getting married in a few minutes.” “You can’t go through with the ceremony.” My makeup was smeared, my hair was a mess. I wanted to close my eyes and wish away the last ten minutes. But instead I took a deep breath and said in the calmest voice I could muster, “Yes, I can.” “What about what just happened.” He demanded. This time I closed my eyes and raised my fingers to my temples. My head was pounding. I didn’t want to talk about or think about what just happened.

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When I didn’t answer he continued, “That wasn’t just an innocent kiss you can forget about. You can’t just act like it didn’t happen.” I opened my eyes and said with as much force as I could muster. “I’m marrying your cousin.” “That’s my point. Don’t.” “You have to leave.” “I’m not going anywhere.” He was angry. I could hear it in his voice. I turned and pleaded with him, “God, don’t you understand. This is all a mess. This was all a mistake.” “We can’t help the way we feel.” He started towards me. I took a step back. “Stop saying things like that. There is no ‘We’.” He took another step in my direction. I raised my hands as if in surrender. “Don’t you see I can’t do this! I’m marrying your cousin. Any minute I’m walking down the aisle. That’s the reality. What happened…” my voice broke, but I forced myself to continue, “It was a mistake. A crazy, foolish thing we did and now we have to live with.” “You have feelings for me.”

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“How can I, I don’t know you.” His voice was suddenly hard and so was his expression. “You want to completely deny this thing between us.” “I’m about to marry your cousin.” “Is that the way you want it?” It didn’t matter what I wanted. I had made a promise to a man who was currently waiting for me to walk down the aisle and take vows with him. I had all ready broken one promise—the stay faithful one. I had betrayed him. Betrayed him with his own cousin. The words echoed around in my head. I would have to tell him. Try to make him understand. But I couldn’t tell him today. I would put it all behind me for the moment, concentrate on getting married and figure out later how to deal with the whole mess. “There’s a church full of people out there. There is no other way it can be.” The tears swimming in my eyes now threatened to spill down my face. There was a sudden and incessant tap at the door. I crossed the room opened the door. Another bridesmaid, but this time it was my best friend, Alice. I pulled her into the room, slamming the door behind her. “What the ….” Whatever she was going to say was stilled in her throat when she took in the two of us.

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I realized it looked bad. My hair was tousled, my lingerie in disarray, the room smelled like sex. It didn’t just look bad, it was bad. I had cheated on my fiancée the day of my wedding. “This is….” God, I couldn’t introduce him I didn’t know his name. He gave a half bow. “Brandt. The best man.” I turned to my friend and all I could say was, “Help me.” There was no incrimination. No blame. Only quick and direct orders. She turned to Brandt. “You, leave. Now.” He watched me, waiting for me to say something. But I couldn’t. At the moment I was beyond words. She said it more forcefully this time. “Get out!” “Is that what you want?” He asked, taking a step towards me. “That’s

what

she

wants.”

Alice

grabbed

my

arm

and

pulled me behind her. I lowered my eyes, unable to meet his. At the sound of the door closing it felt as though my heart stopped beating for the briefest moment.

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I lifted my eyes. He was truly gone and at the realization the air seemed thicker and I was suddenly finding it hard to breath. Alice’s voice broke through my mental haze, “Lift your leg. That a girl. Now move your arm.” She let out a deep breath. “There. Dress is back on. Give me a minute. I think I can fix the hair.” “Alice, I…” She raised her hand and stopped me. “You don’t have to say anything. Momentary insanity. It could happen to anyone.” The next twenty minutes was a blur of activity. Bridesmaids rushed in and I was eventually hustled out of the room and down the hall. Music began to play. Any moment I would make my way down the aisle. I took a deep breath and prepared to march forward. “It’s time.” Someone announced. One step and then another, down the hallway and around the corner I went. That’s when I saw him, at the front of the church, watching me. Those blue gray eyes were not angry, or upset. He seemed extremely calm. He looked like a man waiting patiently.

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I realized with shock that I stood squarely at a crossroad. I could pretend none of it had happened. I could force myself to forget about this stranger who had invaded my body and mind. Or I could do something entirely selfish and reckless and give into my feelings, ignoring all logic and responsibility. I was confused and on an emotional roller coaster that threatened to buck me off at any moment. If I had a coin on me, I swear I would have taken it out and tossed it, leaving the decision entirely up to the universe. I shook my head and took a deep breath. I was being a fool of course I had to go through with the wedding. There were a few hundred people currently in the church. All eyes were now on me, expecting me any moment to take another step forward and then another until I made my way down the aisle and to the side of my soon-to-be husband. A man I loved. Or did I a small voice asked in the corner of my mind. At the moment I wasn’t sure. I was confused. My emotions were all jumbled up. I might have done it, walked down the aisle and straight into my wedding vows, if the best man hadn’t picked that moment to smile at me.

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That cocky grin, the way it stretched across his face, those piercing blue gray eyes--all called to me in a way that no one else ever had. I stopped and when I did my sister-in-law who was just a few steps in front of me turned and whispered loudly, “What’s wrong?” I tossed her my bouquet and gave her a half smile. “Tell your brother I’m so very sorry.” I turned and started back the way I came. Brandt met at the doors of the church. “You sure you want to do this?” “I can’t get married.” “Glad you finally came to your senses.” “How am I going to explain this to everyone?” I covered my face with my hands. He gently pulled my hands away and lifted my chin. “They’ll understand.” “How can they, when I don’t.” He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on the mouth. “Life’s full of snags. That’s what makes it so interesting.’ “You seem awfully calm.”

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He laughed. “I told you the minute I laid eyes on you I was a goner. Nothing I could do about it.” “And if your family disowns you?” I asked. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “It might take them awhile, but eventually they’ll get over it.” He reached out his hand and asked, “Ready to see where this snag takes us?” I was as ready as I would ever be. I took a deep breath and put my hand into his. “Ready.” We pushed open the glass doors and headed out. I ran from the church, his hand grasping mine tightly as if he was afraid I would let go. But I wouldn’t, not this time, this time I planned to hold on for all I was worth.

The End

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