“Don’t call me that,” I say forcefully, trying to sidestep him. His broad chest halts me, his arms wide and open.
“What ‘pretty girl’?”
I wince.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s mean,” I snap and finally walk past him.
I don’t know if he says anything in reply as I escape onto the balcony, cruel laughter ringing in my ears.
2
JACKSON
The prettiest girlI’ve ever seen doesn’t think she’s pretty.
I’ve known Rosie Taylor on and off for a few years now. She’s always lingering at the edges of group gatherings until Anya or a friendly face approaches. It’s like she turns on when her people are with her, her lightness brightening the whole room. She makes them laugh, her voice rises and her pretty smile takes over her whole face.
Ever since she walked in on me in one of my less than fine moments, snorting a line in Dan’s brand new bathroom ahead of a launch party, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head.
She’d walked into the bathroom as I was hunched over with a rolled up hundred dollar bill in my hands, blinked at me like a deer in headlights, before muttering a quick sorry and slamming the door behind her.
I had tried to find her afterwards to what—apologize? Then I realized I didn’t need to, I’m a grown man. If I want to do a party favor I’m within my rights. Even if I haven’t touched the stuff since that night.
She’s always managed to disappear right when I’m ready to talk to her. But not tonight.
I follow her as she storms out of the wide balcony doors and onto the balustrade balcony overlooking the gardens.
My boy does not do things in half when it comes to his woman. Hiring out a hundred room eighteenth century French Chateau and all its grounds for the weekend. If I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time wandering the halls hoping to bump into the elusive Maid of Honor, that’s my business.
This time, I find her leaning against the balcony looking up into the rapidly darkening sky.
I tug my tie loose as I approach. Resting my back on the thick stone balcony, I face the chateau and the warm lights billowing from the windows. The shadows hide her gorgeous face and all I want to do is tilt her head towards me so I can see her eyes.
“Who told you you’re not pretty?” I ask, ducking so I can catch her blues with mine.
She hides her flinch but it’s hard to miss when you’re looking for it. It’s the only thing that makes sense, even if it doesn’t make any to me. The woman standing next to me with her long dark hair pulled away from her face and a burgundy bridesmaid dress hugging her tantalizing curves, doesn’t see how beautiful she is. She lifts her hand to her face before awkwardly stopping.
“I said it because it’s true, but I won’t call you that if you don’t like it,” I say gently, leaning back with my arm until it’s slightly crossed in front of her. She’s like a magnet. Now that she’s finally given me the attention I’ve been desperate for, I can’t let her go.
She turns her head towards me slightly, her hair falling over her shoulder. In the dark with the wedding band’smusic echoing through the doors, I can’t stop myself from reaching forward and brushing it back, my fingers dancing across her pale skin and gently brushing her clavicle. Goosebumps break out in my wake as she inhales a shaky breath.
“I can think of some other things to call you if you like.” I sidle closer to her. “Stunning.” My hand trails down her bare shoulder.
“Ravishing.” I reach her wrist and trace my fingers on the delicate skin of her inner arm.
“Jackson,” she says with a weak laugh but she doesn’t step away. If anything she takes a tiny step closer, until the hem of her dress brushes against the tips of my dress shoes.
I gently lift her arm to my lips as I press a kiss to her inner wrist, her perfume invading my senses. “Breathtaking,” I murmur against her skin.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to touch her like this. I’ve been desperate to taste her plush lips and bury myself in her curves since the first second I saw her. Explore the tempting body hidden beneath a dress that hugs her so perfectly and the pretty blush that travels along her cheeks.
I keep my eyes on that pretty face, watching as her throat bobs at my movement. She doesn’t brush me off.
“Sexy.” At that, her head whips towards me but I don’t stop my motion, the backs of my knuckles brushing the side of her full breast. All the blood in my body drains to my groin as I tilt my head towards her and I feel hers shift ever so slightly towards mine. “Beautiful.”
I don’t look away from her eyes as I watch them drop to my lips. We’re so close our noses could touch. I inch forward, gently nudging her nose with mine.
