The Bride Who Bailed Read online

  Contents

  Front Matter

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Back Matter

  The Bride Bailed

  By Misty Carrera

  Kindle edition

  Visit my Blog!

  www.mistycarrera.com

  Copyright 2013

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of erotic fiction. Any resemblance to individuals living or dead is unintentional and entirely coincidental.

  As I stood outside the church, my wedding dress drifting in the breeze, I was vibrating with nervous excitement. The big moment was on us and I was as nervous as a cat. I did a mental inventory of my necessities- luggage, purse, cash and my ID. That was everything.

  It was now or never, and I knew I had to go through with this if I was ever going to be happy. The church was quiet, the guests standing in anticipation of my entrance. As the music swelled then quieted I heard the priest tell the guests that there would be a photo montage of us projected on the wall as I walked down the aisle. The music of my entrance march began again and I counted in my head to ten until I began walking, my dress rustling with each step. The red runner had been laid out before me, and I kept my eyes on it, afraid to meet Jake's eyes. I knew just how long I had before the pictures of Jake with his parade of girlfriends would start showing. I know it seems like a mean thing to do. Mostly because it is. But I had been planning this wedding to Jake pretty much since the junior prom, the whole town knew us, everyone expected us to get married. I had to show them the evidence, show them that he cheated on me, otherwise they'd all think I was crazy. If I had just called the whole thing off, I would have been bombarded with phone calls and emails about cold feet, and how we were meant to be and all that...crap. When really the truth was he was a cheating scumbag. But if I didn't show them that he was, well it would not be a peaceful life. Not that this would be either, I mean both our moms would be embarrassed, and with any luck he would be too, but at least I could make a clean getaway.

  I approached the front of the church and I could see the montage, us separately as kids, as teens, then our shared years came into focus. I was sad. It was too bad really, but I wouldn't be lied to, and I needed to take a stand. This way no one would ever second guess my decision to call off my wedding to Jacob Reilly Thornton III. If I stayed with him, I'd have been set. In our town he was a big fish, money, security, the works. But in the end, as it turned out, I didn't really like fish all that much.

  The church was packed with guests, and I could hear them whispering quietly, and sighing, at our photos. Then it started, the murmurs of disapproval began at the back of the crowd and rolled forward in a wave. I glanced up and saw the photos, I had begun taking them a few months ago, unfortunately there were plenty. Jake leaving various bars with various women, most of the pics showed them kissing, because I didn't want there to be any mistaking what he was doing there. I had pasted the date across every picture in white. Pausing in the middle of the aisle while I glanced around I saw the faces of our friends and family as they realized that I had caught Jake in so many lies. The rumbling in the church had grown louder now. People were whispering and pointing. His mom was fanning herself and his dad was clenching and unclenching his fists. Glancing up, I saw Jake's face, a mixture of fear and fury, he moved as if to come toward me and his best man held him back. I waggled my fingers in a friendly wave at him, and walked the rest of the way to the front of the church.

  "Father," I said to the priest, who was standing speechless at the edge of the altar.

  "Jake," I whispered " I'd like to say I'm sorry for doing it this way, but I'm really not. Bye, and, uh...good luck," then I spun on my heel and walked right back out of the church. I felt bad leaving my mom and sisters to deal with the damage, but I had to get away. The second I walked outside I felt like a giant wet woolen coat had been lifted from my shoulders.

  I ran to my rented limo and climbed inside. The startled driver paused, looking for my new husband no doubt.

  "Drive!" I said, "the airport, quick, before someone comes looking for me."

  "So, it didn't go as well as you had hoped, then?" he asked, taking in my gown and lack of a groom.

  I paused in my digging through the overnighter I had stowed in the limo earlier"Actually, it went exactly as planned," I said. It took some time, but I struggled out of my gown and slid into my jeans and a top. Balling up the gown I left it on the seat. Once we were at the airport I tipped the driver and jumped out of the car. Free. God, I felt free! I had already decided to swear off of men, I mean, who needed them? Well maybe for sex, but not to get involved with. I could live with that though, I just didn't need the complications. I swear, they open their mouths and lies fall out.

  My reservations were still in my maiden name, the one I'd be keeping for the foreseeable future, obviously. I checked in and put my little bag next to me. I had exchanged our honeymoon reservations for tickets to the sugar white beaches of Florida. It still said there would be two of us, just in case he checked at the last minute. I hadn't thought he would, and of course, he didn't. Leaving everything to the little woman. It was lucky he did, but still he was a bastard.

  The terminal wasn't too crowded, good enough for people watching though. I settled in and began to relax and look around. After months of planning the real wedding, in conjunction with my getaway, I was finally able to relax.

  It was too bad I was just now deciding I was done with men, as one of the finest I've ever seen was hanging out in the lounge. He was smoking hot, self confident, polite. He was talking with the staff as if they knew him. I could tell by the way he moved that he'd be great in bed. The way you just know with some men. Not that I usually found out. I had been perma-engaged for years, and also I'm more curvy than stick girl, so I didn't always get the looks, but it was a theory.

  He was, of course, with a horrible shrew. I could hear her whining from across the concourse. Her nasally tone grated on my nerves.

  "You said you'd stay with the kids, they're running all over, go get the kids...why do I even bring you if you're not going to help." She was priceless. He set his jaw and went about collecting the children, shuttling them into formation, and mostly keeping them out of her way. Isn't it funny that the bitchy ones get the good looking guys?

  And then a funny thing happened, funny weird, not funny ha-ha. I started to cry, really bawl. I was never going to have a good guy, I'm curvy, and I wasn't bitchy enough, and they're all liars anyway. The full reality of what I had done set in and all I could do was sob. I was going to be alone and sad and hopeless forever, I thought to myself as my shoulders heaved.

  I felt a tapping on my shoulder and it was him. Silently he offered me a freshly pressed clean white hankie, and when I waved it away he smiled a megawatt-million-dollar smile and simply said, "you need it more than I do right now, it's ok."

  Gratefully I accepted and pulled myself together. I had slipped the noose on marriage to Jake and compared to that, being alone was probably a bargain.

  We boarded the plane and took our seats. The one next to me was empty, waiting of course for my groom. The plane had barely taxied out of the gate when he, the hot one, not, thank God, my groom, approached. He nodded toward the rambunctious toddlers who were climbing all over his seat and his wife's and whispered, "Is this seat taken?"

  "Oh, no, not at all. Please, sit down." Normally I'd be thinking 'shut up and go away'. But for this guy, I could make an exception. After all, I owed him a clean hankie.

  "Thanks for, well you know."

  "Sure, n
o problem. Where are you headed?"

  "Destin, gonna spend some time on the beach." I said gratefully, I didn't want him asking about the tears, since I couldn't even explain them myself.

  "Meeting family, friends?"

  I smiled, "No, nothing like that, I haven't had a vacation in forever, or it seems like it anyway." Half of me wanted him to shut up, and half of me would have listened to him read the phone book. In French. For a week. His eyes were piercing, his hair was just the right length to tangle my hands in it a bit, and his lips were soft and warm looking. I was sure that kissing him would be very rewarding. Well, unless his wife was watching. I realized he was looking at me as if it was my turn to talk.

  "I'm sorry, what?" I asked, I could feel myself blushing. He laughed with a deep sexy sound that made my toes curl involuntarily.

  " I asked if you were staying right on the beach in Destin? The views of the gulf are spectacular."

  "Oh, yes. Right on the water. I can't wait," I smiled at him. "I visited this part of Florida once and loved it. The beaches are white like sugar, and the water is emerald green, and so clear you can see your feet as you wade in. I love to swim in the ocean, and the gulf is like a big warm swimming pool. Um, well. With waves. And fish. I'm Cat by the way, Cat Martin" I said, sticking out my hand.

  "Nice to meet you Cat, I'm Andrew West, please call me Drew . And you, are you traveling for business?"

  "Yeah, kinda, I live in Destin, so I'm heading home."

  Just then the attendant came around and made us sit up straight, I had to stow my purse, she offered a blanket which I took, I am always cold on planes, and a pillow, just in case. Mr. West...uh...Drew was sitting watching me intently. Watch what you wish for, right? I felt him shift in the seat and his arm rested against my hand briefly. His touch sent a shiver up my spine, which was completely unexpected. No more men, no more men, and especially not a married one. God, not three hours our of town and I'm losing my damn mind already. It figures just when you swear off them, one shows up that you'd happily eat with a spoon.

  Sighing I unfolded my blanket and leaned up against the window with my head on my pillow. In that half sleep haze between dreams and reality I thought I felt something, I turn back to the window of the plane, snuggle in and go to sleep, his my thigh still warm from where he brushed agains my skin.

  The bumping of the landing woke me up, and he and his family were gone. Which is a good thing really, I thought as I wiped away some drool and smoothed my tangled bed-head. No one who actually knows my name should see me this way. I rubbed my eyes, and tried not to think of how I was supposed to be a wife today. I mean, I'm glad I did what I did, but walking away from one future that's clear (even if it's awful) and toward another unknown is hard.

  The airport limo pulled up a sweeping drive lined with palms, to a wide open air reception area. As I lifted my bag to walk to the check in counter I heard a familiar voice and turned to see him, the airplane him, chatting with the counter agent. She was laughing and looking up at him adoringly. Of course. Everyone probably adores him. I didn't want him to see me, but I couldn't hide there either, so I straightened my shoulders and checked in.

  My airplane friend nodded my way and said something else to the counter girl, she glanced down at her computer terminal, then moved down the counter to check me in.

  "You've been upgraded," she notified me cheerily.

  "Um, what? I haven't even checked in yet. How do you even know what kind of room I have?"

  "I don't know just yet, but Mr. West has authorized an upgrade for the length of your stay."

  I didn't know what to say, my room was already expensive, I had spent the honeymoon budget on it.

  "That's nice, but not necessary."

  "He said you'd say that, and he insists."

  "Ok, this is going to sound dumb, but um," I leaned forward and whispered "who is he?"

  She laughed and looked at me, then realizing that I really didn't know she leaned in and whispered back "He's Mr. West, he said he met you on the plane. He's the CEO here."

  "Oh! Well, we were never introduced, I can't believe he's doing this. He doesn't even know me."

  "No? Huh. Well, you've been given a suite on the top of tower A, I'm sure you'll be pleased."

  Pleased was an understatement. The room, well rooms, were spectacular. Done in beach glass greens and blues with seashell colored accents, the decor conspired to relax me. I had a bedroom, living room, dining area and kitchen. This would cost a fortune, and I wondered again who he was. This was certainly more than I deserved for sleeping next to him

  Kicking off my shoes I pulled out my cell, turned it on, and dialed my sister.

  "Where the hell are you?"

  "Hi, it's good to hear your voice too."

  "We're worried about you, and your fiancee is driving us all crazy. "

  "Um, I'm pretty sure if I walked out on the wedding he's not my fiancee anymore. I was sending a message."

  "Oh, we got your message, ok. Not too subtle for us! Anyway he's still driving us crazy."

  "What? Why? It's his fault. God, he is so...you know what, never mind, I'm just letting you know I'm fine. And, well, and I'm sorry I left you with a church full of guests to manage."

  "Oh, no, that was kind of the fun part actually. The two families taking sides. Uncle Charlie had to have his say. Asked him what he was compensating for, in front of everyone"

  "Oh, well cool!" I laughed. "I'm glad I could provide entertainment. I gotta run, I just wanted everyone to know I was fine. See you soon, ok?"

  "Yep, I'll tell mom you called. She says you're grounded, by the way. As far as I'm concerned you should have fun, wherever you are."

  Which is what I intended to do.

  *******************************

  Lying on a lounge chair on the beach, I closed my eyes and relaxed. Suddenly there was a shadow across my eyes, and I looked up to see it was him. Again. Mr. what was it...? West?

  "How do you like your room?"

  "Oh, hi! The room is amazing, thank you so much. It's too much, I'm not sure how to thank you, would you like a drink or something?"

  "Join me for dinner?"

  "Oh..."

  "It's the only way you can thank me, you have to."

  Swearing off men was proving to be somewhat harder than I had thought. And a married one no less.

  "I'm sorry, I've sworn off men, and especially married ones." That might have come our harsher than I intended, but it was the truth.

  "Married?...Oh, oh, the kids? They're my niece and nephew, that was my evil stepsister you saw me with," he smiled. "She's not really evil, just sorta...um...whiney."

  "Oh, I thought..." I trailed off.

  "You thought I was married to a nut job, right? Go ahead, you can say it."

  "Well, no. I mean yeah I thought you were married, but no, not that she was a nut job. Just that, well, she was, uh..."

  "Difficult?" he filled in for me.

  "Yeah, I guess." I smiled up at him from my chair in the sand and squinted against the sun. The sun and blue sky created a postcard behind him and I reminded myself that I was not interested in him. Or anyone.

  "So, how about it? Dinner?"

  Oh hell, it was only dinner, right? "Sure."

  "I'll come collect you at your room, see you at 6?"

  "Thanks, 6 is, fine, see you then." And he was gone, this guy moved like a Ninja or something I thought as I watched him move effortlessly across the beach.

  I spent the rest of the day lounging on the sand, reading, swimming, drinking tasty umbrella drinks, and staying in the shade so my pasty white northern skin wouldn't burn to a crisp. The day was relaxing and I had allowed myself to let go and breathe. But now I had a dinner date ahead of me, how did that happen? I couldn't ever say no, that's how. It's how I ended up engaged and almost married, and why I ambushed my intended instead of dealing with him in person, because I knew I couldn't say no to him without feeling like I had no choice.

>   Now that the day was over I had to worry about dinner. I returned to my room, and marveled again at my good luck. This guy really had done me a favor, what a spectacular suite. I slipped through the clothes I brought, and decided I should have asked more questions about where we were going. I grabbed a lightweight skirt, and cotton sweater and strappy sandals, and decided not to worry about it. Then I changed. Twice. Finally there was a knock at the door and I opened it to reveal Drew in all his Ninja handsomeness.

  "Hi," he said, and he bent to kiss my cheek.

  Sparks, I felt sparks. Damn. I hope he didn't feel them too, although I could probably get away with one tiny vacation fling, right? I mean I had just dumped my cheating almost husband, maybe this was just what I needed. I'd only be here a week, how much damage could we do in a week?

  Drew took my hand as we descended in the elevator and led me through the main dining room to a secluded outdoor patio.