Authors: Diana Persaud
I can’t believe she still thinks I’m a virgin.
“There’s nothing wrong with him being a mechanic. He’s a good man.”
“So is Dr. Kumar. Plus he’s a
doctor
. Much better man than…
Tom
.”
“Jiji!”
She pulled her arm away.
“How can you say that? You don’t know him.”
She strained to keep her voice down so Tom wouldn’t overhear their argument.
“I don’t have to. A man of his means can never be good enough for my sister.”
“I want a man who loves me, Jiji.”
“Love? Respect is more important than love,” Jiji insisted.
“You respect Dinesh, but does he respect you?”
“Anjali—”
“Ahem.”
Tom glanced from one sister to the other.
“Everything all right?”
Jiji snatched the keys from his hand.
“My sister was never this disrespectful until she met you, Tom.”
“Don’t blame him. He has nothing to do with-”
Jiji marched toward her car.
“Jiji-wait!” she called, running after her. “Jiji, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything about you and Dinesh. If you’re happy with him, then I’m happy for you.”
Jiji’s stiff shoulders sagged.
“No marriage is easy, Anjali. But some are easier than others.”
Jiji glanced at Tom, standing by the front door watching them.
“The right partner makes all the difference. Choose wisely,” Jiji said.
Once Jiji’s tail lights disappeared around the bend, she returned to her front porch.
“Two beautiful women fighting over me? I must be doing something right.”
His voice was light and teasing, but his eyes were guarded.
“My sister—”
Unable to think of a polite way to convey Jiji’s objections, she fell quiet.
“—is probably right about me.”
He shoved his hands into his back pockets.
She raised her chin.
“My sister doesn’t know you.”
Her phone rang the same time Mikey’s car pulled into Tom’s driveway.
“I’ll see you later,” he said before jogging over to Mikey’s car.
With the wedding less than two weeks away, she barely saw Tom. He had to plan and host the Bachelor party and attend the dreaded rehearsals. Janice wanted everything to be perfect and insisted on several rehearsal dinners.
While Tom was busy with Janice’s wedding of the century, she completed her manuscript one week ahead of schedule. To celebrate, she decided to treat herself to a shopping spree. The day before the wedding, she went shopping at a nearby mall.
“Anjali?”
Tom stood in the aisle. His eyes lit up when he noticed the dress she was holding.
“I was just—”
She shoved the dress back on the clothes rack.
“No, I like it,” Tom insisted.
He reached around her, grabbed a hanger and held it up.
She cringed inwardly. A size ten.
“Try it on, Anjali.”
His voice seemed smokier.
“For me?”
The excitement in his eyes made it difficult to refuse.
She bit her bottom lip.
Her heart beat faster and her stomach felt odd.
Will he think I’m sexy in this dress or will I look like a giant tomato?
She found her confidence in his sexy smile and teasing eyes.
She took the hanger from him and returned it to the clothes rack. She searched through, found the correct size then led him to the changing rooms. He sat on a floral chair and waited for her to try on the red dress.
Anjali closed the dressing room door and hung the dress on the small metal peg. She undressed, folding her clothes neatly before placing them on the small peach platform bench behind her.
She unhooked the clasp and pulled on the dress. She clasped the top behind her neck and turned around to face the mirror.
This looks awful with this bra. It bunches up and looks awkward. Definitely not sexy.
She took off her bra and adjusted the top. The soft fabric clung to her body and draped gracefully around her hips.
Marilyn Monroe in red. Very sexy.
Tom knocked gently on the door.
“Everything all right? You’ve been in there awhile.”
She stared at her chest. Her erect nipples were visible against the clingy fabric.
He can’t see me like this! It’s too embarrassing.
“Let me in, Anjali,” he pleaded.
Knowing he wouldn’t go away until he saw her in the dress, she crossed her arms over her chest and opened the door. She spun slowly, showing off the dress. In the mirror’s reflection, she saw him step into the dressing room and lock the door behind him.
“Tom, what are you doing?” she whispered, turning around. “You can’t be in here with me.”
Tom grinned mischievously. His eyes lingered on her chest and her nipples seemed to protrude even more. His gaze wandered along her waist and hips. She could imagine him wondering what she was wearing under her dress.
Her cheeks burned.
“I can warm you up, Anjali,” he offered.
Warm me up? My body is already on fire.
In the small room, his scent surrounded her and soon she was enveloped in his arms.
“My sexy Anjali,” he said, leaning down to kiss her.
His mouth was hot and demanding.
She couldn’t resist.
Didn’t resist, not when he nibbled on her ear. Or kissed his way down her neck.
Not even when he fiddled with the clasp at her neck and peeled down her top, exposing her breasts.
“I never knew shopping with a woman could be so…rewarding,” he whispered.
She glanced up to find him gazing at her, an odd look on his face.
“Tom?”
“Will you let me buy this dress for you, Anjali?”
Before she could answer, a sharp rap interrupted them.
“Men are not allowed in these dressing rooms. Leave right now before I call Mall Security,” the Saleswoman demanded before marching off.
Her stomach plummeted as panic set in.
“Uh, oh. Busted,” he said.
The sheepish look on his face eased her worry. He gave her a quick kiss then left before Mall Security arrived.
Anjali closed the dressing room door and held the top against her skin.
Dare I wear this in public?
She recalled the way Tom seemed mesmerized
before
he undressed her.
She found the price tag.
Yikes
.
She smiled dreamily at her reflection.
I wonder what he’ll do the next time he sees me in this dress?
Chapter Seven
“I should warn you, Tom. Janice is a little upset that you decided to bring a date,” Andy said, adjusting his tie. “Is this thing on right? It’s choking me.”
Tom and Andy stood at the altar, waiting for Janice.
“It looks fine. Why does she care all of a sudden?”
He didn’t bother disguising the irritation in his voice.
“It messes up her seating arrangement. You know…at the reception.”
Andy loosened his tie and tried again.
“I swear she spent months working on just the seating.”
He raised a brow.
“Should I send her home?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s plenty of room,” Andy assured him. He smirked then added, “Besides, I want to see what your woman does when it’s time to catch the bouquet.”
Fuck
.
“I didn’t think about that.”
He glanced at the pew. Anjali gave him an odd look. Realizing he was frowning, he forced a smile and waved. She returned his smile and wave.
“
She’s
your date?” Andy asked. “She’s stunning.”
He didn’t like the way Andy responded to Anjali. It made him think violent thoughts about his best friend.
“And you’re getting married,” he replied stiffly.
Andy chuckled and slapped him on the back.
“You sound jealous, Tom.”
Is that what I am? Jealous?
He shook his head.
“I’m not interested in marriage, remember?”
“If you want to keep her, you might have to consider it,” Andy advised.
Andy handed him a small ring box. He shoved it in his pocket, unsure how to respond.
The pianist began playing a soft, romantic tune and he took his spot beside Andy.
As the first bridesmaid made her way down the aisle, he glanced at Anjali. Another man was sitting next to her, his arm strategically placed along the top of the pew behind her. His expensive tailored suit suggested money.
His hands curled into fists and he clenched his jaw. His heart pumped rapidly in his chest.
It was a mistake to bring her here.
Another bridesmaid walked down the aisle. He felt an odd pressure in his head.
How am I going to get her to leave?
He clasped his hands in front of him and took deep breaths to calm himself.
The Maid of Honor walked down the aisle.
What if she leaves with him?
His shoulders tensed. His fists clenched tight enough to turn his knuckles white.
The pianist played “Here Comes the Bride,” and everyone stood. His eyes immediately found Anjali. She winked and the tension seemed to melt out of his body. He gazed at Anjali as she turned to focus on Janice walking down the aisle.
He tuned out the Pastor as he droned on about the sanctity of marriage. He returned the wedding ring to Andy and tried valiantly not to roll his eyes when Janice vowed to be faithful. At last, the newlyweds kissed and everyone clapped.
As close friends and family surrounded the couple to congratulate them, he made his way toward Anjali.
“Guests are going to the Reception Hall across from the church. I have to stay until she’s tired of taking photographs.”
“Do you want me to wait for you?” Anjali asked.
“Yes.”
The wedding photographer led them outside and posed the party in front of a flowering crepe myrtle. The tiny pink blossoms swayed gently. He plastered a fake smile on his face until his cheeks ached, hoping each photo taken would be the last.
Finally, Janice decided she had enough photographs to commemorate her special day. She dismissed the photographer so he could set up in the Reception Hall.
He kept his face neutral as Janice marched up to him.
“Tommy, you need to escort Cherry into the Reception Hall,” Janice said, her voice grating on his nerves.
Anjali shrugged.
“It’s all right, I’ll see you later,” Anjali replied.
His eyes were glued to Anjali as she walked away.
“She could stand to lose a few pounds,” Janice remarked snidely.
“I prefer a woman
with
curves,” he replied.
Janice’s eyes narrowed at his remark and her lips pressed into a thin line.
Before she could respond with a scathing insult, Andy suggested they join their guests.
He offered his arm to Cherry, the Maid of Honor, and they followed the other bridesmaids and groomsmen into the Reception Hall.
Someone had dimmed the main lights in the Reception Hall and lit the candles on each table.
He escorted her to the large table at the front of the room designated for the Wedding Party and left her there. He crossed the dance floor and waded through a sea of round tables as he made his way to the back of the room.
He pulled out the chair beside Anjali and sat.
“Aren’t you supposed to sit with the rest of the Wedding Party?” Anjali asked.
He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently.
“It would be rude of me to let you sit alone, especially since you don’t know anyone here.”
I don’t want that bastard to think you’re available or he’ll use every trick he knows to get you into his bed.
“I’m sorry she put you here by yourself.”
He spotted three empty places where Janice could have seated her.
“I’m not surprised,” she said. “Are you?”
He shook his head.
The Wedding Planner announced the Newlyweds and they entered the room to loud applause. Once the guests settled down, the band started playing and the couple danced their first dance.
He stayed with her through dinner, reluctantly leaving her side when he had to give his toast.
The band played another song and several guests headed to the dance floor.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
“I would love to.”
She slipped her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor. Her soft palm nestled perfectly in his hand. His hand settled on her back and he led her on a slow waltz. His hand drifted lower, caressing her back. The slow waltz was replaced by faster song and he twirled her around. Her skirt swirled up. His hand clamped down, landing on her bottom, keeping her skirt from exposing her. He danced her into a corner, keeping a firm grip on her bottom.
Her face was flushed.
“I think it’s safe to let go of my skirt now,” she said in a breathless voice.
He gave her bottom a gentle squeeze before his hand returned to the small of her back.
“I’ll get us a drink. Be right back.”
While waiting in line to get some punch, Cherry approached him.
“Hi, Tommy,” she said, pushing her chest out, hoping her exposed flesh would get his attention.
“Cherry,” he replied with a polite nod.
She glanced over his shoulder then stepped closer. On her tiptoes, she whispered in his ear, “How about a quickie while your date is busy with her friend?”
Date busy with her friend? What friend?
He frowned and pushed her away.
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered.
Tailored Suit was standing next to Anjali. She laughed at his joke.
“Sir? Would you like a drink?”
“Two,” he replied without taking his eyes off Anjali and Tailored Suit.
He took the drinks and hurried back to Anjali, trying not to spill her drink. As he approached, she turned and smiled.
“Here’s your drink, Anjali.”
She took the delicate crystal cup and took a sip. He slipped his hand possessively around her waist, silently challenging Tailored Suit.
Tailored Suit nodded slightly then focused on Anjali.