Sister Of The Bride: A BBW Billionaire Alpha Male Sweet & Steamy Romance (Once Upon A Wedding Book 1) Read online

  Sister of The Bride

  Kara Kross

  Copyright © 2019 by Kara Kross

  All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book can be reproduced, redistributed, or used for any commercial purposes, in any form or by any electronic or manual means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written specific written permission from the author.

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Casey

  “Would it kill you to smile?” Liz elbowed me in the ribs but was careful to maintain her distance.

  After all, I was her guest at the wedding, not her date. She was there to find her next short-lived love affair. I was there for the champagne and, of course, to flirt.

  About a month ago, Liz unceremoniously announced she’d been dumped by her then-girlfriend Asha. She didn’t seem too upset by it until she received an invite to this wedding. I can still remember how frazzled she looked when she showed up at my office unannounced.

  She tossed the gilded card onto my desk and begged me to go with her, making it clear she wouldn’t leave until I said yes. She had a blanket with her and was intending to sleep on my sofa. Fast forward a few weeks and I’m standing in a tux in one of the most exclusive country clubs in the tri-state area.

  “Casey, my glass is empty. Will you get me another?”

  Liz handed me the dry tumbler, her eyes still fixed on the crowd. So were mine. There were scores of women all in overdone frocks flirting their hearts out hoping to land their next Mr. Right. All of them but one.

  I watched a woman in a version of the bridesmaid dresses chat and laugh her way through the venue. The way she interacted with the guests was enjoyable. She seemed to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

  I wanted to meet her so I started to wander through the oversized venue with Liz’s empty glass in my hand.

  “Oh! Hello,” a shrill voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned to see the perfectly coifed bride, “I don’t think we’ve officially met. I saw you come in with Liz.”

  “Yes, she’s a friend of mine,” I did my best to smile even though I had no interest in small talk.

  “I’m so glad you could make it! Liz has told me so much about you! My you’re handsome,” the bride took it upon herself to adjust my tie, “too bad I’m already taken. We would’ve made quite the couple.”

  She winked at me and flashed that $100,000 veneer smile, “Let me show you around, Mr…?” I was worried she would try to glue herself to my side, so I took a step back—right into Liz.

  “I send you for a drink and you try to pick up the bride,” Liz smirked at me and took back her glass.

  “Kristi, so good to see you.” Liz extended her arms and hugged the bride, giving me a way out.

  I disappeared into the crowd, making my way to the bar on the far side of the reception area. The bartender and I locked eyes as I approached. I had just opened my mouth to order a Scotch when a woman stepped in front of me.

  “Vodka tonic, please.”

  It was her. The woman. The one I’d been watching comfort babies and fetch drinks for drunk old men. The only one not vying for attention in a room full of narcissists. The diamond in the rough.

  “Oh I’m sorry,” she turned around and looked up at me. “I didn’t realize I’d stepped in front of you. Please.”

  As I approached the bar, I could see a drunk party guest stumbling in her direction. Without thinking, I grabbed her hand and pulled her close to me, just as the guest took a nosedive into a couple of ice buckets. The champagne in them hit the floor but only marginally splashed her.

  She squeezed my coat jacket then relaxed. It only took a second for her perfume to fill my head. Combined with her warmth, she was casting a spell on me. Her ample bosom pressed against my chest and I couldn’t help but stare at her lush, moist lips.

  “Thank you,” her voice was just above a whisper.

  “The pleasure’s mine,” I said, looking her in the eyes and brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, “all mine.”

  Chapter 2

  Lorena

  “Is anyone sitting here?”

  The man who’d just saved me from a champagne shower pulled out the chair next to me. I tapped the name card on the plate in front of him.

  “Of course there would be assigned seats.” He laughed, picking up the card and disappeared for a moment.

  He came back with his name card in his hand. “Perfect.”

  “So, Casey,” I giggled as I read the tiny writing, “won’t your date be upset?”

  “Liz? She isn’t my date,” he turned around in his chair and pointed to a table that was difficult to see. “The one in all the sequins is her. That chair next to her was my seat. The woman sitting in it is Liz’s current crush I’m assuming.”

  “Wow, your friend has good taste. Reese is an Olympic athlete. She should probably stay away from Heather though, the one on her left. She can be a bit of a stalker.”

  Casey had picked up my name card when I wasn’t looking. When I turned back around in my seat his eyes met mine playfully.

  “Lorena? Is that how you say it?”

  I nodded as a blush crept through my cheeks.

  “You seem to know a lot about the women here,” he said, “are they your friends?”

  “They’re Kristi’s friends. Kristi is my—“

  “Oh, there you are Lorena!”

  I could feel my shoulders slump as soon as I heard my sister’s voice.

  “Why, you’re with Liz’s date! Isn’t that something?”

  The sarcasm in her voice was biting. It made me squirm in my seat.

  “How did the two of you manage to meet?”

  “He—“

  “I’ve had my eye on her for a while now.” Casey’s heavy voice stopped my sister cold.

  “Well,” Kristi’s eyes darted to the name card on the table, “Casey, it’s very kind of you to humor Lorena by keeping her company. But I’m sure you’d much prefer the company at my head table.”

  “It’s Mr. Allred, and no thank you. I’m quite comfortable.”

  I had never seen my sister struggle that hard to stay pleasant. It was more like her face was cracking into pieces than smiling.

  “That’s all that really matters I suppose. Enjoy yourself Mr. Allred and Lorena, please try not to embarrass yourself.”

  I rolled my eyes at Kristi and watched her storm off.

  “You must be her sister.” Casey took a sip from the water cup in front of him.

  “We don’t look much alike, how did you know?”

  “I can’t imagine anyone talking to their friends like that.”

  “You don’t know Kristi very well.”

  “And I don’t have any interest in getting to know her, Lorena.”

  The way he said my name was so sedu
ctive somehow. The low timbre of his voice and that sly smile on his face made me feel like we were doing something naughty even though we were just talking.

  “Thank you by the way.” I had to take a break from his intense gaze. Staring at the table, I idly rearranged my silverware. “You didn’t have to make up what you said to Kristi.”

  “Make up? I didn’t make it up.”

  “The part about you watching me—“

  “That part is true.”

  I accidentally knocked my knife against a glass.

  “Yours is the only dress that’s different.”

  “Oh…my dress,” I rested my hands in my lap, “it was Kristi’s attempt to cover me up since I’m not as thin as the other clones in her friend group.”

  “Lucky for me, it helped me spot you.”

  That time I couldn’t hide my flushed cheeks.

  “Please excuse me, Mr. Allred. I’ll be right back.”

  “It’s Casey, and I’ll be waiting.”

  I almost tripped over the hem of my dress trying to make it to the ladies’ room. I turned the faucet on, intending to splash some water on my face but didn’t want to ruin my makeup.

  “How is he so HOT!? Geeze he smelled so good when—“

  My mind wandered back to our brief embrace. I could feel his heartbeat and just how strong his arms were. Literally sweeping me off my feet would be no trouble for him.

  “Lorena, I thought I saw you come in here.”

  I turned and saw my sister stomping into the bathroom with only some of her entourage in tow.

  “Kristi, shouldn’t you be shaking hands with the mayor or something?”

  “For your information, he was first in the receiving line. Now, what are you doing? You’ve left Casey—“

  “Mr. Allred.”

  “All alone at his seat! He’s going to think my sister doesn’t have any manners!”

  “Heaven forbid someone like me makes you look bad.”

  “Exactly!”

  The water in the sink was still running. I stuck my hand under the faucet then flicked my wrist in Kristi’s direction, splashing her. As I left the bathroom, I could hear her screaming for the bridesmaids to blot not wipe.

  I was eager to get back to Casey. I wanted to learn more about him. The way he said my name made me wish I knew what he sounded like in bed.

  “Welcome back, Lorena.”

  I shivered inside and fought back a blush. Casey stood up and pulled my chair out for me. Our table was deserted. The guests that had been there were either on the dance floor or making their way out.

  “I was wondering what was keeping you.”

  “There is no shortage of women who’d love to have your company, so don’t try to make me think for a minute you were lonely.”

  “What makes you think I’m interested in any of them?”

  “Why should I think you’re interested in me? Just because I’m Kristi’s sister—“

  “As far as I can tell, that’s the only negative thing about you.”

  “You’ve known me for maybe half an hour, name one positive thing about me.”

  “I can name five.” Casey held his hand up to count them off one by one. “You have an endearing laugh. You know how to order a drink. Your hair smells amazing. You’re patient enough to put up with someone like your sister.”

  “That’s only four.”

  He placed his hand over mine. “You’re gorgeous.”

  I slipped my hand from his tightening grip. “Don’t tease me.”

  A scowl crossed Casey’s face. “Tease you? Since I’ve been here, I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off you.”

  “Like a predator picking the weakest herd animal. If you’re looking for a one night stand--”

  My voice trailed off when I saw his jaw tighten. I had pushed too much and sat waiting for an explosive reaction. Instead, he looked me straight in the eye.

  “You’re wrong, Lorena. I’ll prove it to you.”

  Chapter 3

  Casey

  I’d never been challenged quite like that before. Plenty of women had labeled my attentions with their own motives. I’ve been called a liar, a playboy and worse. Occasionally, a woman would get so upset with me I’d be on the receiving end of a slap or two. Even then I’d just let it go, like water off a duck’s back.

  This, however, was different. Lorena was different. I could tell by the way she strode around the hall, she was genuinely enjoying herself. Her little mannerisms were enchanting. Nothing could hide just how radiant she was.

  I meant what I said, but the firm look in her eyes made it clear she thought I was all talk. She had done more than pique my interest with this defiant stand, she’d pulled the tiger’s tail. I was going to chase this phenomenal woman until I could devour her completely.

  I stood up from my place at the table and extended my hand.

  “Oh, I can’t go anywhere. I’m the bride’s sis--”

  “I won’t take you any farther than the dance floor, well... maybe the bar.”

  I escorted Lorena to the dance floor just as the band started to play a slow song. A new singer took the stage in a feathered gown and the lights dimmed. As the inviting lyrics spread over the crowd, I wrapped Lorena in my arms.

  “It’s almost like you planned this,” rather than resting her head on my chest, she looked up at me.

  “I wish I could take credit for this, but,” I put my hand on the small of her back, and spun her in a small circle, “I’d rather take advantage of it.”

  The blush that raced across her cheeks made me want to lick my lips. It was so innocent. Lorena placed her head on my chest and continued to move in step with me. Our bodies were so close together I could feel every bit of her softness.

  The band’s jazz set only lasted a few more songs before colored lights spilled out over the dance floor. A DJ was taking the stage.

  I craned my head downward to Lorena’s ear, “this music isn’t really my style. What’s say we get out of here?”

  I led her towards a set of doors leading outside, “don’t worry. There’s a bar out here too.”

  She picked up the pace and seemed happy to be in the relative quiet of the country club’s outside veranda. There were maybe one or two smokers enjoying cigars in the distance, but she and I were mostly alone.

  “Have a seat. Can I get you anything?” I grabbed a nearby chair for her.

  “You’re trying awfully hard.”

  “How else can I convince you I’m serious? I intend to give you my undivided attention.”

  “Until?” Lorena left plenty of room for me to say what was on my mind.

  I couldn’t tell her how much I wanted her. The feel of her body against mine on the dance floor made me want to bury my face between her legs. I was dying to taste her in places that would make her scream. I would kill to hear those screams.

  My phone chimed in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. It was Liz. She was going home with Reese.

  “Let’s go for a walk.” I was happy to be free to spend all the time I wanted with Lorena.

  “Back to the dance floor? No, thanks.”

  I knelt in front of Lorena, placing one of her feet on my knee. My hands pushed up the extra fluff of the organza skirt and I unbuckled her shoe.

  “Let’s go on an adventure, then. You can go barefoot.”

  Lorena and I wandered out to the gazebo on the edge of a man-made lake. There were lights in the trees and around the edge of the little structure. It was still shrouded in a comfortable darkness. Lorena hopped up the tiny steps before I could.

  “Wow! You can see the reflection of the moon in the water! It’s breathtaking it’s so huge!”

  Seeing her that excited was cute.

  “I bet it’s a Perigean full moon! I had no idea it would be tonight!”

  I chuckled and Lorena apologized.

  “It’s kinda nerdy but I wanted to be an astronomer when I was a kid.”

  “I don’t think there
’s anything wrong with that.”

  “Yeah well, my mom did. She said men would run if they knew I was some sort of brainiac.”

  I took a seat on a bench. “I’m not running.”

  The soft light illuminated Lorena’s smile perfectly. She sat next to me but her eyes were fixed on the water.

  “I’m a teacher,” Lorena finally looked at me again, “pretty plain, huh?”

  I draped my arm around her and pulled her close, “not at all.”

  “Whatever you do has to be a million times better.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “You’re a million times richer.”

  “Money isn’t everything.”

  “Says the billionaire.”

  “Textiles.”

  “Textiles? That’s what you do? I stand corrected. That is pretty boring.”

  “My family owns companies that supply the big fashion houses and high-end product lines.”

  “Explains why you were fascinated with my dress.”

  I reached up and brushed Lorena’s cheek with my fingers. “It wasn’t the dress I was fascinated with...it was the woman in the dress.”

  Our lips met and my hands held her shoulders. As I pulled her closer to me, she opened her mouth against mine. My tongue slid over hers and I could faintly taste the tonic water and vodka from her earlier drinks. Having that tiny bit of her made me want more. I was aching to cover her body with mine and tilted her towards one wall of the gazebo. Lorena placed a hand on my chest, breaking the kiss.

  “We should go back...to the party,” she said, her voice breathy and still passionate.

  Being inside, Lorena still consumed my thoughts. I wanted to pull her onto my lap and push that dress up around her hips. I’m sure she could see it in my eyes, just how much I was struggling. If I wanted Lorena to believe me, I couldn’t take her in the gazebo like that. It would feel too cheap and I needed her to know I was sincere.

  “Casey?”