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

my neck right now. This white wine isn’t taking away my stress like I hoped it would. Instead, my head is starting to ache along with my feet.
     
    Some fresh air and a cigarette will make me feel better. At least Kendra is too preoccupied with Matthew and all the well-wishers to give me a lecture about cancer and wrinkles and the smell of smoke and blah, blah, blah . I know her heart’s in the right place, but the speeches get old. With my clutch and wine in tow, I make my way out to the balcony. A little space from this crowd can only help.
     
    The cool, dark metal wrapping around the generous deck feels soothing against my skin. If I were alone right now, I’d probably rub my forehead along the railing to soak in the calming cool sensation. Just like how Mama used to put a cold, wrung out washcloth across my eyes and let me lie in bed when I got too worked up as a child. I remember how sometimes, I would just pretend to be overwhelmed just so I’d get that special time with her. The way she would sing me Somewhere Over the Rainbow and run her hand over my hair always made me feel better.
     
    “Seriously, Eileen, I’m not dropping everything every time you have a rotten day. What do you want me to do? Please, tell me what you want for once!” The exasperated pleas of a man talking on his cellphone in the back corner of the deck interrupt my thoughts. Sounds like I’m not the only one having a bad night. In a weird way, that makes me feel a little better. “I said I can’t do this tonight. I have to go!” He sounds more upset than I am.
     
    Great, I lost my lighter! Snapping my clutch shut in disgust, I look at the cigarette between my fingers with longing. I guess I really am just going to enjoy the fresh air. Yech.
     
    “Can I get that for you?” The irritated phone guy steps out of the shadows and grabs a lighter from his jacket pocket. When he catches my eye, I’m surprised. I know him . Well, know is too strong. I met him a couple years ago, back when Kendra was trying to get Matthew back.
     
    “Brianna?” The flame from his lighter dances sensually in front of my cigarette like a private striptease. I lean in, taking a long haul as he cups his hand around mine, and my skin comes alive, tingling up my arm.
     
    “You remember my name? I’m impressed.” I try to be cool, but inside my stomach is jelly. Bradley Sheppard remembers my name? How did he get better looking in the last two years? His body is tight, not that I’m staring or anything. I’m trying damned hard to hold back from staring. Instead, I decide to focus on his hazel eyes, glimmering under the dim light streaking out the window, casting a glow that makes me feel like I’m in a dream. I stand up straight, returning his broad smile.
     
    “Of course I do. How could I forget?” I think my kneecaps just melted, he’s smooth, I’ll give him that. And I could use a little smooth after my rough day.
     
    “Beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?” Pulling my eyes away from his, I look out over the black skyline and lean against the railing.
     
    “It was, but I was a little distracted.” I’m guessing whoever was on the other end of that phone call was the cause.
     
    “Oh?”
     
    “Yeah. I know I was supposed to be focusing on Kendra and Matthew, but I couldn’t get over how stunning you looked up there. Kendra’s going to be angry that you stole her spotlight,” he teases.
     
    Despite my best efforts, a smile spreads over my face. “Well, I don’t think that’s true. But thank you.” I look down, unable to return the intensity of his gaze. Who looks at someone like that? I need to catch my breath, and I know it isn’t from smoking. “It’s nice to see you too, Bradley.”
     
    “Ahh, so you remember my name too.”
     
    No, I forgot the name of the CEO of Zervion, a Fortune 500 company. I just flirt with so many billionaires, they all blur together after a while. “Of course I do. Would you like to come inside with me