Devoted - The Complete Series: A BWWM Romance Boxset Read Online Free PDF Page A

of my blood rushing through my veins and my eyes drying at the corners because I’m refusing to blink. I don’t want to miss a second of her sexy face. Now if the minister could stop acting like he’s getting paid by the word, maybe I can go introduce myself and find a way to make those pillowy lips mine.
     

 
    Chapter Five:
    Brianna
     
    The church is packed, and I'm surprised by how much of it is filled with Kendra's family. I expected to see the pews brimming with business acquaintances and the who's who of Manhattan's financial district. However, it's refreshing to see all of Kendra's aunts, uncles, and their children. Not to mention her brothers, their wives, and kids.
     
    Seeing my mother mixed in amongst the crowd of her family makes my stomach churn with acid. We were so close when I was growing up. Then, as soon as I made one mistake, she let my father slam the door in my face. The mournful look that entered her eyes the night that I left to live with her sister has been stuck there ever since. I’m sure that my father is picking me apart, finding new ways that I’ve disappointed him in the last forty minutes. I’ve been disappointing Dad for twenty-eight years though, why would today be any different?
     
    Glancing out over the quickly filling pews, I can’t help but smile. There’s no mistaking who’s here for the groom and who showed up for the bride. Down the right side of the opulent church are some of the stiffest, most overdressed white guys I’ve ever seen. You’d think that there’s a convention for accountants with all of the gray suits. Hell, even half the women are wearing pant-suits and dresses with little white blazers.
     
    Why do white people always look like a GAP ad? Like they’re trying to make a bland rainbow of beiges and grays. I can only imagine how interesting the conversations on that side of the aisle must be. Not that you’d even think there were any happening from everyone’s stiff posture and hushed tones.
     
    Meanwhile, Kendra’s friends and family are wearing so much color they look like when you left your crayons out in the sun, and they all melted into a bright pool of neons and reds. Even over the sea of laughter and carrying-on, the individual voices of a few of the women and men are filling the entire church with their jokes and stories about their kids. If Matthew’s side is a GAP ad, then Kendra’s half of the church is like Times Square where all the ads are flashing and competing for your attention at the same time.
     
    I've gone to church most of my life. I'll admit, in my adult years I strayed more than I should have, but I still go to for services at the holidays. In all my years, I've never seen a church like this one. The beams arching over each other on the ceiling and the stained glass windows must be at least twelve feet tall. The organ player interrupts my thoughts as she starts playing the wedding song. Down at the end of the long, red carpet is Kendra and her oldest brother Reginal.
     
    When I first met Kendra, I had the biggest crush on Reggie. He was so much older and cooler than anyone we knew. Kendra used to swat me when I went to her apartment because I'd follow him around from room to room whenever he was home. It looks like it's a good thing that I didn't get my wish back then. Reginal is what my grandmother would call stout . With a big round belly and little beads of sweat cresting his brow, I think I dodged a bullet.
     
    Kendra has everyone mesmerized in her brilliant white gown. The way her skin is glowing, like polished copper against the snowy fabric of her dress is hypnotic. She’s never looked more beautiful. When she brought me along with her crew of bridesmaids and Matthew’s mother to Kleinfeld's Bridal in Manhattan, it took some convincing to get her to look at the more flattering, figure-clutching dresses.
     
    Originally she wanted to wear something that she would call modest, but you and I would call one step up from a