Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

"T here's still time to hop in the car and bail," BJ nudged Del with his shoulder, but his little brother just grinned, checking the mirror and straightening his tie.

"Only if that car is heading to the restaurant so I can marry the love of my life."

Love of his life? Damn, when did his carefree goof-off brother get so freaking sappy? He loved how happy Cassie made Del. He was excited for them today. But he did not understand how people could bind their life to someone else without worrying about what could happen in the future. It didn't make sense to promise to love and honor someone for the rest of your lives when life was so fragile. It could be cut short at a moment's notice and then all those plans and promises you had got flushed right down the toilet.

"Wow, someone call Cassie and tell her that her future husband has been replaced with a replicant, because there is no way our little brother is this sappy." He nudged Ace, but his twin merely grunted.

"How the hell do you tie these damn things? And what idiot decided it would be a good idea for us to wear bow ties?" Ace struggled with his tie, the vein in his forehead that pulsed when he got angry, throbbing.

"I did," Del grinned. "Because today is all about me, and I wanted to look suave while you both look like jackasses."

He snorted. "Ha! That's where you are wrong, brother dear. Today is not about you."

His brother turned to face him. "Oh really? Then who is my wedding day about?"

He shared a look with his twin, silently laughing because their little brother still had a lot to learn.

"It's about the bride, of course," a loving voice said.

He and his brothers turned their heads at the soft, familiar voice. Their mother entered the room, a vision in deep blue. Her dark brown hair, flecked with strands of silver, was twisted up in something he remembered she once called a chignon. The barest hint of makeup graced her face, accentuating the love shining from her eyes. A smile curled her lips, but her eyes shone with moisture.

"Oh Delta. My dear sweet baby boy."

"I'm hardly a baby anymore."

But his brother let their mother cup his face, bending him down for a forehead kiss as she used to do when they were children. "You'll always be my baby."

Her eyes filled again, one lone tear finally spilling over to track a wet trail down her slightly wrinkled cheek.

"I wish your father could be here to see this day. He'd be proud of you." She sniffed, turning her head to smile at him and Ace. "Of all you kids. You've been such a blessing. Even in the darkest of times."

The darkest of times.

Those first few years after their father died. His gut still clenched, thinking about it. To this day, he could see the loss and pain in his mother's eyes. She managed better now, not like those first months where she could barely get out of bed. But he knew she wasn't as happy as she'd once been. A light inside her had died right along with his dad. They had loved so fiercely…it humbled and terrified him all at the same time.

That kind of love…he wasn't sure he could handle that. An all-consuming relationship like his parents had. He didn't want to lose a piece of himself if he lost a partner. Let other people walk down the aisle to their happily ever after. He would be content with a good business, working with his annoying, but loveable siblings, and great friendships.

A different emotion clenched his gut now, hotter and lower. His mind wandered to Penny and the turn their friendship would take tonight. His body tightened just thinking about it. Like a damn soda bottle, shaken until he feared his top might blow off. The moment she said yes to him last night, it had been all he could think about. Being a good—strike that— great brother, he had focused on Del. But Penny hovered in the back of his mind.

The dress she wore last night had been killer. She rarely wore dresses. Come to think of it, the only time he'd seen her in one had been at their senior prom. An event she only agreed to go to because he wrangled her into a group date with him, Ace, and a few others. He knew she was attractive—much as she might disagree—but he'd forgotten how long and supple his best friend's legs were. He didn't realize how much he wanted to grab her by that sweet ass and hoist her up so she could wrap those mile-long miracles around his waist, while he spent hours exploring the secrets of that sweet mouth of hers.

Damn! He had to stop thinking like this or he'd embarrass himself in front of the entire wedding party.

Reciting multiplication tables in his head, he got his body back under control. Just in time for his mother to release Del and wrap her arms around him. He embraced his mother, chuckling to himself when she turned to Ace. His twin had never been one for displays of affection. Ace wore his broody stoic personality like a flack vest, protection from all those messy feelings. But for their mother—the woman who'd raised them, sacrificed for them—he allowed physical contact.

Even if he bore the hug with a grimace.

"Now," their mother said, wiping a finger underneath both eyes. "Let's get to the restaurant."

They all piled into two trucks. Ace and their mother in one, Del riding with BJ in his. When they arrived, Kelley had everything set up perfectly.

"Del, you and Dorothy will start the processional in about five minutes." Kelley winked and clucked her tongue. "Oh, and I saw your bride all decked out in her dress, you lucky man, you."

"You got that right."

BJ loved the big, goofy grin on his brother's face. Warmth filled his chest to see his little brother so happy. Marriage might not be for him, but it looked like it would be damn good on Del.

"Okay, guys. Line up." Kelley waved over their heads. "Ladies! Over here and tell Cassie to stay in the bathroom till I get her. Can't have the groom sneaking an early peek. Bad luck and all that."

None of them really believed in luck. Hard work and dedication was the Jackson family motto. But all those thoughts flew right out of his brain as Penny and Charlie came into the small hallway from the bathroom. His sister looked almost unrecognizable in the pale blue dress, soft makeup and…was that pink on her nails? He didn't think he'd ever seen his smart-ass, semi-goth sister ever wear any kind of pink before. Huh. The things people did for weddings.

But that wasn't really what snagged his attention. No. That honor went to Penny. An absolute vision in her soft blue dress. The color brought out the greens and blues in her hazel eyes. Her hair had been curled, half of it pinned up in an intricate twist that made him want to tug out all the pins to see it tumble down. The rest fell down her back like a waterfall of bright red lava.

Damn!

He was poised to go off, just staring at her. His chest tightened. It wasn't warmth that filled it this time but burning lust. How the hell was he supposed to get through this wedding when he had to walk down the aisle next to her? Touch her? Resist taking her into his arms and—

Tonight, he'd get to do all that tonight.

Hell yeah! Putting thoughts of what he wanted to do with Penny to the side, he held out his arm for her. She blushed, freckles standing out on her pale skin like millions of cinnamon sprinkles.

And tonight, he was going to taste every one of them.

"You look beautiful," he bent his head, whispering in her ear as the processional music started.

"Thanks, you clean up pretty well yourself."

"Okay, people, this is it." Kelley motioned for everyone to pay attention.

Those were the last words they spoke as Kelley instructed Del and Dorothy to start. He waited until she signaled him and then headed down the aisle arm in arm with Penny. A strange unwelcome feeling sat in the pit of his gut as he walked down the white runner, the faces of their friends and family smiling happily at him. Discomfort seized his lungs, making it momentarily hard to breathe.

Stupid.

This wasn't his wedding. He wasn't getting married. Just because he happened to be walking down the aisle with his best friend, who he planned to…well, anyway. It meant nothing. Nothing about his future had changed.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. The reception was held in the restaurant, so luckily no one had to drive anywhere. As best man, Ace gave a speech, parting from his normal stoicism and razzing their little brother while telling Cassie she was way too good for him. Charlie's speech was in the same vein.

After his sister sat down, he raised a glass to the happy couple, looked his little brother straight in the eye and said with a grin, "Oh, and Del, if you guys ever get divorced, we're keeping Cassie and you're out."

Everyone laughed, even Del, as he crossed his arms and grumbled, "You guys are my siblings. Where's the family love?"

"Don't worry, sweetie," Cassie rubbed the tip of her nose against his. "We're all family now."

They kissed, and everyone cheered. He loved how happy his brother was, but as thrilled as he was for Del and Cassie, his brain anxiously waited for this night to be over so he could take Penny home. Brain or body, buddy? Both, okay, mostly body.

They ate delicious food prepared by the kitchen staff of their restaurant. All the traditions were upheld; the cake cutting, the bouquet toss—which Penny caught. Garter toss, which hilariously, Ace caught, then threw down in horror.

"Does that mean Ace has to marry Penny now?"

He glared at his sister, enjoying her third piece of cake. "No. It's a silly tradition. A joke."

"Ooooo, Mr. Touchy. Sorry, did I hit a nerve? Not willing to share your BFF with your brother?"

"Grow up, Charlie. And if you eat any more cake, you're going to rot a hole in all your teeth."

She responded by elegantly giving him the middle finger before shoving a huge bite of cake into her mouth.

The music started up and after the bride and groom shared their dance, they invited everyone out onto the dance floor. BJ took Penny's hand, trying to shove off the foul mood he suddenly found himself in.

"Care to dance?"

She smiled. "Sure."

He pulled her onto the dance floor, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her hands played with the hair tied in a queue at the back of his neck.

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh?"

Her smile fell, gaze filling with concern. "You seem…upset by something."

He was upset. The problem was, he didn't know by what. His sister's smart-ass comment reminded him that no matter what she had promised about never wanting to get married, Penny was a great catch. He doubted she'd stay single forever and where would that leave him? In the past, his girlfriends always had a problem with his best friend being a girl. Penny's ex hated him before he even met him. Right back at ya, dickwad. When Penny fell in love and got married someday, where would that leave him?

And the baby?

"BJ?"

He shook his head, pasting on a smile. "Everything is fine. I guess I'm a little preoccupied with tonight." He gave her a wolfish grin. "Kind of eager to get out of here, to be honest."

She bit her lip, pearly white teeth sinking into the soft pink, making him go rock hard as he imagined her doing that as she rode him.

"I'm excited too. I, um, bought some special…panties."

Oh hell, she was trying to kill him. He held in a groan, willing time to go faster. But as usually happens when waiting on something good—and he knew having sex with Penny would be fan-fucking-tastic—time seemed to slow its pace.

After a few more agonizing dances where her sweet, lush body pressed up to his—driving him out of his mind—BJ finally excused himself to help Ace decorate the newlyweds' car. After another hour, the party wound down. The time had come to wish the couple well and send them off on their honeymoon. He joined everyone in a line outside the restaurant, happily pelting his brother in the face with birdseed, along with Ace. Del gave them the finger as he ran with Cassie to their car, now appropriately festive with streamers, tin-cans, and window chalk declaring them "just married."

As he watched them drive away, a warm and trembling hand slid into his. He glanced down to see Penny smiling up at him, nerves and desire blazing in those beautiful eyes.

"Are you ready?"

He'd been ready since yesterday. Squeezing her hand, he brought it up to his lips, gently kissing her knuckles.

"Yeah, let's go."

Tonight, things would change, he knew that, but nothing would ever come between him and Penny's friendship. He wouldn't let it.