Friend Rules

Bryce elbows me. I have no clue how I keep from spilling my bourbon on my tux. I laugh. “You almost had to get me a new drink.”

My older brother nods over his shoulder. “Man, you're going to ask her to dance, aren't you?”

I turn a cocky grin toward him. “Of course. As soon as the bride and groom have their moment.”

My brother smiles, “Good to hear. I saw her watching you earlier.”

“What are you, a spy?” I laugh. “Tell me more.”

“She was watching you while you made the toast like you are the best thing since Netflix.”

“There's definitely something swirling around between us.” Bryce sheds his gray tuxedo jacket, identical to the one I have on, and hangs it over the back of a chair. “You know she's into you.”

The bride's laughter draws our eyes to the small dance floor overlooking the ocean. I'm stoked for my brother and his wife to have their special day. It's been a long time coming. “Damned good to see Bishop so happy.”

Bryce eyes me and quirks a brow. “You're the last man standing as single, how does that make you feel?”

I shrug. “No big deal. I'm in no hurry. Not like I can't pick up women. I can get laid if I want.”

“But you haven't been, have you?” Brothers. Always sticking their nose in your booty-call business. I'm sure Bryce has noticed my truck is home every night, and the fact that no lovelies have been staying over.

Living next door definitely has its disadvantages. His words do touch a nerve, though. The Archer brothers have been dropping like moths to flames, falling hard. Four married. One to go. Me.

I'm happy for them and can't blame a one of them. Each and every one landed the most amazing girl.

My time will come... if it's in the cards for me. And who knows...I might just be looking at her right now. But my cards are up in the air, and I'm working on some ideas of my own.

But a bit of exploration is definitely in order. There's only one way to find out if we click— The music fades, and the MC invites the wedding party to join the couple. “Wish me luck.”

He laughs, “No luck needed tonight.” I catch Abby's eye and smile. She stops mid-sentence. Abruptly ending the conversation she was having with my sister-in-law, Raven. Abby presses her lips together. Raven's brows go up when she sees me. “Excuse me, I'm going to find my other half.”

Abby's dark brown eyes follow me as I walk right up into her space. Maybe it's a bit forward, but we've been close plenty of times before. Usually when she's stitching me up or tending some kind of injury in the Emergency Room.

My eyes drink her in. “Is this dance taken?”

“Why no, it's not.” I offer my arm. She slides her slender, very feminine hand into the crook of my elbow.

As soon as we hit the dance floor Into The Mystic begins playing.

I turn her into my arms. She fits just perfectly, the long line of her back curves delicately under my hand. Her warm fingers fit my palm like they were made to be there. I'm stunned speechless for a second. I've thought about touching Abby like this a thousand times. Okay, maybe a million times. And the real thing is wayyyyyy better than my imagination.

The delicious swirl of fragrance around her fogs my brain.

Finally, I find my words, which is good because if I get to talking maybe I won't plant my lips on her slender, exposed neck. “You look beautiful today.”

She pinks up, her fair skin turning the nicest shade of rose, her pretty brown eyes skate away from mine, like having me look at her so closely is just too much attention. “Thank you.

The lavender dress works. Mia was a dream to be a bridesmaid for.”

“It's nice, but you look great even when you're not wearing a bridesmaid's dress.”

She chuckles, “Oh, in those terrible gray hospital scrubs? Hardly, but the gesture is kind. And you look most handsome by the way.” Her eyes rove over my shoulders. “You fill out this tux very nicely.”

I swallow. Yeah, she's going to have me filling out something else nicely in a minute if she doesn't stop looking at me like that.

Suddenly I realize we're both standing still. My feet are glued to the floor by her proximity. I laugh. She laughs with me. We go back to a gentle, slow sway.

“Beautiful wedding,” she breathes. I just nod. Seems I've forgotten how to talk again. Which is kind of funny for the Archer that supposedly talks the most.

My voice breaks like a teenage boy. I grimace. “It is a great place to have a wedding.”

Bryce and Raven swirl by in a blur of white tux shirt and lavender dress. I frown at their backs. “They're leaving us in the dust.”

Abby eyes them. “Know anything fancy?” ftAs a matter of fact, I do.” Her grin turns mysterious. “Do tell, Tyson Archer.” Shrugging, I say, “I'm a bit of a closet ballroom dancer.”

“Well, I'm not, but I might be able to follow your lead.” I twirl her around and snap her back to me. Her head falls back in laughter, exposing the long line of her neck to me, and I fall more than a little for her.

Everything about Abby stirs me.

She's still giggling. “Okay, I guess you proved your point.

Let's go for it.”

I lead Abby through three more songs. We waltz one and swing dance for two others. She's a fast learner, but I expected no less from the good doctor.

That's one of the things that attracts me to her. And also makes me feel a little... unsteady about what I'm going to do next.

“Shall we get a drink?” She fans herself. “Great idea. You worked me over good.” Not yet. But I intend to—if everything goes as I hope it will. She follows me to the bar, and I motion to her. “Ladies first.”

“Champagne, please.” She looks at me with a small smile.

“Seems appropriate for the occasion.”

“Make it two.” I tell the bartender. He passes over two elegant glasses full of gold sparkly liquid. “How about we stroll to the overlook?”

“Sounds nice.” Abby follows along silently as I listen to the hum of blood in my veins. I might not have ordered a martini, but I'm stirred...not shaken.

The sky is turning dark; night is beginning to fall when we reach the overlook. It's romantic as fuck.

I lean a hip against the metal railing. “We have champagne, I think we should make a toast.”

“Alright.” She holds up her glass. “To?”

“Love.” I say and have no idea where it came from. “To love.” She says matter of factly, and clinks her glass on mine. She tips hers up and I just watch. My insides go all hot and hungry.

Shit. I'm supposed to be drinking too, but all I can do is stare at those deep ruby red lips of hers. I love the way they press and glisten against the glass. How will they feel on me?

Sin. Those lips were made for sin. And so was I, apparently. I'm leaning in without trying. Abby breathes a quick inhale. Her long lashes flutter, but she never drops her gaze from mine.

When my lips meet hers, I taste her champagne and the delicious womanly flavor of her and only her.

I don't ask for permission. I'll ask for forgiveness if I need to. But Abby's hand slides up onto my chest, twists the lapels of my tuxedo coat. It doesn't take a genius to know I won't have to ask for forgiveness.

I set my glass aside and my hands go to her waist, where I feel the warmth of her skin through the thin silky fabric of her dress, but I don't stop there. I wrap my palms around her low back and pull her up and into me.

She's everything I love in a woman. Soft and curvy, and warm as summer sunshine.

I'm a fool. Why did I wait nearly a year to do this? I have no good reason. But I'm sure not wasting this moment for anything. I invade her lovely, perfect mouth with my tongue. Hungry. I'm fucking starved for her instantly. Abby leans into me, pressing herself right against the ridge in my tuxedo pants. And the feel of her against me turns me inside out and upside down.

I want to eat her up and love her down. Abby's small and delicate against me, even though she's strongly built. But I'm a big man. Six foot three and two hundred and thirty pounds. And we fit perfectly.

I spread my legs as I lean back and nestle her between my thighs, getting her just at the right angle to feel all of my big engorged length.

Let there be no mistake how aroused I am by her. She arches against me. Fuck. I planned to kiss her, just take a taste, but now I want it all. Jesus. I knew she would feel good... but this is dangerous. She pulls back as if she senses my control slipping. Her breath is ragged. The low light of the night sky casts her in shadow, but clearly her eyes are shimmery with desire.

“Oh. My. God.” Her hand floats to her neck, and then she lets it fall to rest over her heart. “We might need to have a crash cart on hand if you do that again.”

Yeah. I know the feeling. My pulse is at dangerous levels. I chuckle, “That's an unusual compliment.”

She grins. “And you're an unusual man.” Her body is still wedged firmly between my legs and my hands are now resting possessively on her hip bones. “You have no idea.” Nothing about me below the waist is average. She licks at her lip, “Oh, I can only imagine.” Voices draw my eye. My brother Brandon and his wife are walking down the trail, hand in hand toward us. “Shit, so much for privacy.” I mutter.

Abby's brows shoot up as she steps back. She straightens her dress.

Brandon and Anya are on us a few seconds later. I turn and lean on the railing, letting my weight rest on my elbows so the monster erection I have is out of sight.

Anya stops abruptly. “Oops. We didn't know you were out here.”

“No worries,” says Abby. “I've got to get going soon, anyway. I'm going to the cafe to take care of something for Maddy on my way home.”

I take the cue and say, “Enjoy the overlook.” I offer Abby my arm. This time when she curls her arm in mine, my body jolts back to life.

“Leaving soon or just an excuse to leave them alone?” She pushes at the long strands of hair that fell from her bun when I kissed the hell out of her. “Both, I guess.”

I turn to face her, pulling her against me again. “Abby, what happened back there wasn't an accident. I've wanted to do that for a long time. I'd like to see you again...”

Her hand flutters to her throat again. Her cute mouth drops open for a second. “Uh. Maybe, I mean okay, but I have a lot of shifts at the hospital this next week, then I'm going out of town for a few days.”

“When do you leave?”

“Friday.”

“Alright. I'll be here when you get back.” She blinks. Something in her shifts, her eyes grow distant.

“Ah, okay.”

I'm not sure what to say, but I opt for nothing.