Standing in the sweltering heat, Noah Absolom watched as the photographer lined up the women. After the morning hed had a delayed flight, the teething baby in first class, and lost luggage all he wanted to do was get out of this ridiculous monkey suit. Who the hell had decided that full formalwear was appropriate for an outdoor wedding in the middle of summer? Christ dont they know about heat stroke? Even as he groused to himself about it, he realized the bridesmaids had to be just as miserable if not more so than he was.
He just didnt understand the reasoning behind women and weddings. All practicality flew out the window it seemed. When he saw his bridesmaid glance longingly at the pond behind her, he grinned. He could almost hear her inner thoughts. She was probably contemplating jumping in the cool water. He knew he would be. He idly wondered if hed have the self-control to resist when it came his turn.
Instead, to keep his mind off his discomfort, he stared at the woman hed been lucky enough to be paired with. She intrigued him. It wasnt just her looks either he had always been attracted to larger women. Women he wouldnt worry about breaking when he embraced them. She was pure temptation with her dark hair pulled up in a chignon, the barest of tendrils caressing her neck, even if the designer who had made her dress hadnt been able to follow the curves of her lush body. But it was those molasses dark eyes that held his attention. The intelligence he saw in those captivating eyes held an attraction all of its own. He just adored intelligent women.
Especially when the woman in question was one that he wouldnt have to crouch down to talk to or kiss. The lovely bridesmaid came up to his shoulder and other than his mother, she was the first woman to come close to claiming that boasting right. At just shy of seven feet, he knew he was an oddity, but with this woman he looked forward to finding out how well their bodies meshed together. Providing, of course, she was still single. As soon as these pictures were over, he planned on exploring the interesting possibility. Being trapped on a remote oilrig off the Brazilian coast for the past six months had not been good for his love life. Its been so long since Ive touched a woman that I swear I've forgotten how. Perhaps I can remedy that with my luscious date.
When his cock began to throb even harder, he decided to switch his focus. The last thing he needed to do was come in his pants. Then he'd not only be hot but sticky as well. He was tempted to walk back to the club-house but he knew Bradley would string him up if he ruined the photos. It hadn't been easy being a college roommate of one of Cedar Rapids elitists but theyd had a close relationship until they graduated. For a boy from a small hick town in the upper peninsula of Michigan, even being in the popular college town of Iowa City had been shell-shock enough until hed met Bradley. And as they say the rest is history. Our college years were quite memorable indeed.
Then he'd lost track of his friend as hed trotted the globe to various oil platforms and well locations. It had been sheer luck hed been at his parents home four months ago when the call had come asking him to be a groomsman in Bradleys wedding. Needing a break from his constant travel, he'd used the wedding as an excuse to be Stateside for a while. It had taken some doing but hed managed to convince his boss he needed the downtime. A burnt out geologist wasnt a good thing. He was thoroughly going to enjoy his two weeks off.
The drone of a bee along with approaching feet drew him out of his thoughts. When a man with salt and pepper hair holding a can of icy cold beer approached him, he licked his suddenly parched lips. Damn I could go for one of those. Wonder where he got it. A cold beer, some shade and the removal of the damn bow tie that was strangling him sounded like heaven at the moment.
"You must be Noah the missing groomsman.'
Noah nodded. "Sorry I was late. Delayed flight and you are?"
The man nodded. "Richard Smith. He stuck his hand out. Uncle of the bride."
Noah briefly shook the man's hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith."
Richard shook his head. "Richard, please. I am not as hoity-toity as my sister and her husband."
Noah decided then and there that he liked the older man. Richard was more down to Earth than hed expected any of the guests to be. Who are you kidding? You were expecting to be bored out of your mind and were planning to make a quick exit once the reception was over.
"Have you ever seen a prettier picture? We Smiths make some beautiful women." The admiration coming from Richard was understandable. All of the women posing for the pictures were beautiful, including one particular bridesmaid, he mused.
"No, Sir. All of them look lovely. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out who I was paired up with. Since Ive been out of the country for six months, Im hoping she'll take pity on me." He took the opportunity to pump the other man for some info. "You wouldn't happen to know her name would you? I didnt get a chance to ask her before the mad photographer commandeered her."
"Considering I'm her father, I should hope so." He handed an icy can to Noah before continuing, "You look like you could use one these. Her name is Jenna, by the way."
A smile split Noahs face. He wasnt sure if it was because of anticipation of the icy beverage or the relief at finding out his bridesmaids name. "Jenna. A very pretty name." Popping the tab on the beer, he lifted towards his mouth before remembering his manners. "Thanks for the beer. You dont know how much Ive needed this." Taking several long draws, it didnt take him long to drain it. While most men might have felt the effects of chugging twenty-four ounces of ice-cold beer, Noah could easily drink five times that amount before he even got the slightest buzz. But damn if it still didnt taste good.
"You got another one of those, Richard?"
Noah turned to see another one of the groomsmen. Donald or Dalton, he thought hed heard Bradley call him. He was surprised when Richard stiffened beside him.
"I dont have anything for you." The curt biting tone of the older man matched his body language. There was evidently some bad blood or something between the two men.
"Mr. Smith. Ah hell, I should probably apologize for this mess with Jenna. Im sorry that we aired our dirty laundry but if she..."
The fury in Richards eyes along with the subtle clenching of his hands had Noah backing up a step. If looks couldve killed, the other man wouldve been dead.
"I don't want to hear it, Dawson. You fucked up and lost her. Get over it." Mr. Smith taking Noahs empty can with him. Mr. Smith walked away. He joined a lady, who Noah assumed was his wife. Noah turned to follow him, not wanting to even converse with the other man but Dawson grabbed his arm. Mentally counting to ten, Noah strove for a little patience. The last thing I need to do is get in a fight at a wedding where I dont know anyone other than the groom. Mom would be appalled.
"Sorry about that, man. Word of advice, never date the fat chicks." Dawson had the audacity to wink at him before continuing. "Their fathers can be pure hell on wheels when you dump them. No one wants to hear that their baby girl is fat, even if the girl does have two degrees in history. Too bad Jenna didnt apply the same kind of devotion to her body as she did her studies."
A fury unlike any Noah had ever experienced before filled him. How come this ass is talking about Jenna this way? She isnt fat. She has a curvy body that just has my mouth watering. Is the man a total idiot? Trying to breathe evenly, Noah realized it was time to change the topic before he did something foolish - like decking the man.
"Really, I dont think that this is the time..."
The man talked over Noahs protest. "She couldve been a knock out. With her height and tits, she couldve been a playboy centerfold. But she likes her ho-hos too much and her fat ass and belly are a testament to it. I feel for you, bud. Watch your toes while you twirling her around the dance floor tonight." A laugh escaped him, "Well twirling might be an exaggeration. Youd need a crane to hoist her off the ground."
What little control Noah had over his temper evaporated under the viciousness of Dawsons words. Reaching out, he clenched a hand around mans shoulder. Dawson swallowed uneasily. Evidently, the fool had realized that hed overstepped his bounds.
"Im only going to say this once, bud, where I come from real men dont talk about any woman the way you just did. Have some respect for yourself if nothing else. Either shut the fuck up or Ill do it for you."
Dawson paled before trying to back away from Noah. When he couldnt fury replaced the fear. "Take your hands off me! Whatever that bitch told you, its nothing but lies so theres no need to get your panties in a twist."
A low growl rumbled in Noahs chest. "Fuck it. You just dont learn do you?" Noahs soft tone shouldve been a warning. His consuming need to vindicate Jenna surprised Noah. He knew he desired her but he shouldnt be feeling this over whelming need to protect her. He barely knew her. But it didnt matter. He wasnt going to resist his need to drag the little punk over to the pond and drown his ass. He could easily claim the other man slipped in. Dawson would think twice about what he said about Jenna in the future. Retaining his hold on Dawsons shoulder, he leaned over the smaller man.
"Youre coming with me."
©Dakota Trace All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.
