His Change of Heart: Unexpected Pregnancy Romance (10 page)

     She threw her head back and laughed softly to something Jason was saying to her, and she made sure she wrapped her arm around Jason, and laid her head snugly on his chest during a waltz. And when Jason had pulled her closer, his arm circling her lower back, she had smiled and held him closer, with a huge smile on her face.

    At this point, she saw Will took his partner back to the table. He came back to where she was dancing with Jason, tapped Jason on the shoulder and asked to dance with her. Jason stood aside reluctantly and allowed Will to cut in, but not before giving him a nasty look. And at that very second the song ended. Will tried to engage her in a new dance that was starting, but Avery excused herself and made her way off the dance floor, leaving him standing there alone, looking foolish. The incensed look on his face was priceless as she glanced at him.

  She looked at him again, just in time to see his date rushing over to him. But Will didn’t stay to dance with her. He said something to her very quickly and headed off in the direction of the bar, leaving his date staring after him in confusion. The poor woman must have thought she had done something to upset him. Serve them both right, Avery thought with a mischievous smile on her face, as she sipped her sparkling water.

    An hour after Avery made her way outside to the spacious gardens for some fresh air and to escape all the noise and music inside. Apart from being impeccably maintained, and surrounded by various types of trees, shrubs and a variety of blooming flowers, the grounds were brightly lit, shrouded in lights coming from the main buildings and electric lamps that were strategically placed throughout the vast area.

    She found a bench in a far corner, away from the main building and took a seat. She was feeling a bit light headed, and she was tired. She had been up since five-thirty this morning. Kat had insisted that her bridesmaids stayed at the same hotel with her and she had rented out the entire sixth floor, and it had been a very busy morning—going from one appointment to the next—hair, nails, make up, massages in between, last minute fitting, helping Kat with her hair and dress. Thankfully Kat had driven her entourage of beauty specialists there, so no one had to leave the hotel. It had been a long, crazy day, and Avery couldn’t wait for it to be over.

    And Will being there, watching her every move, it seemed, hadn’t helped matters. His presence had only added to her stress level. He had tried every way he could to patronize her, and beguiled her in the worst possible way—the shameless way he had flirted with her for every one to see—the times he had appeared at her side when he saw her talking to one of the guys, especially Jason, the seductive things he had whispered close to her ears, when he thought no one was hearing him.

     She didn’t understand any of it—they weren’t even together, but he was acting as if they still were a couple, not considering that he had showed up with someone—a very attractive woman who was clearly smitten with him, but that didn’t stop him from tormenting her. She hadn’t seen him paying his date that much attention.

     She couldn’t wait for all the festivities to be over. Thankfully, Kat and Josh were leaving for their two week honeymoon to Europe first thing in the morning, so she didn’t have to worry about hearing the third degree from Kat if she slipped away early. She just wanted to get back to her life. And she couldn’t wait for Will to crawl back to his in Chicago, taking his new girlfriend with him. She would be more than happy if she didn’t see either of them again.

   Avery kicked off the high heeled sandals she was wearing and wiggled her painted toes in the air. Her feet were tired. The heels on the Jimmy Chou sandals weren’t what she was accustomed to. Kat had chosen them, because they were fashionable and complimented the dresses she had chosen for them. She doubted she would ever wear the sandals again. Another one for the charity box, she thought and dropped them on the bench next to her.

    The night was unexpectedly humid for mid June. She tilted her head back and pulled her hair off her neck. She closed her eyes and breathed in the sultry midnight air. It was nice to get away from the noise and chatter, but most of all, away from Will. She wished he would just go away already.

   “You must be very proud of yourself.”

     “Whaa..t!”

     Avery opened her eyes and jumped, bringing her hand to her chest.

    “You had not only Jason, but most of the guys in the place drooling over you.”

    She glared up at Will, who was standing over her, looking down at her with an ambiguous look on his face. She didn’t know if he was angry or bemused. She was surprised that he was there, and so close to her. His legs were almost touching hers as he bent over her.

   “Please don’t sneak up on me like that,” she told him in an exasperated voice, pressing her hand to her chest as she let out a loud sigh.

   “I’m surprised to find you here, especially after your little games back there. You seemed to be enjoying every second of it, including the attention you were getting from those idiots who seem to be fighting for your attention.” He was smirking at her.

   “I have no idea what you are talking about,” Avery said to him in a small voice. “And even if any of it is true, what business is it of yours. We aren’t together anymore, remember. Or have you forgotten that. And aren’t you here with someone? Why aren’t you with her, instead of out here, where you are not welcome?”

  “Lori can take care of herself. She will find ways to amuse herself while I’m gone, just like you. She doesn’t need me there with her. And to answer your question—your actions become my business when I have to sit and watch those guys making complete asses of themselves. They would never have you, Avery, not the way I did.”

     “Why are you here, Will? Did you follow me out here?”

    “I saw you leave in a hurry. I was curious to see where you were heading to. I thought you were meeting one of the guys who were throwing themselves at you. Much to my surprise, I find you here alone. Did you come out here to escape their unwanted attention, especially Jason’s? I saw the way he was looking at you. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you the whole time.”

     Avery stared at him dubiously. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing from him. He must be out of his mind for speculating such crazy things about her. He was making her out to be an all out seductress, but nothing was further from the truth. Yes, a few of the guys had been extremely attentive to her. They had come up to her and asked her to dance several times, offered to refill her drink, and had talked to her, but it wasn’t the way Will was inferring.

   He was twisting things to suit his oversized ego. And except for Jason, she knew two of the other guys had girlfriends. She wanted to enlighten Will, shoot down his absurd accusations, but she wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. Let him think what he would about her. She didn’t care. She didn’t want to fight with him. Not now—she was too exhausted.

    “Actually, I’m meeting someone. So, if you don’t mind, I will appreciate if you are not here when he shows up.

   Will threw his head back and laughed loudly.  “And who might that be?”

    She didn’t answer him.

   “You want me to guess who the loser is, don’t you.”

    “Can you get out of the way?”

   Will made no attempt to move. He pretended he didn’t a word she had said to him. He leaned in even closer to her, and there was a very absurd smile on his face, as if he knew she was making the entire thing up about meeting someone.

   “If you will excuse me.”

   Avery tried to stand up. She didn’t trust herself being that close to him. She wanted to get away, go back inside if possible. Because she knew all too well what would happen between them if she let her guard down. She was still vulnerable. She thought she was over Will, but seeing him again only made her realized that she wasn’t.

    Will was standing so close to her that she bumped right into him when she stood, almost falling into his waiting arms. He reached out and held onto her, wrapping his arms securely around her upper body, pulling her unnecessarily close to him, so that she wouldn’t fall back onto the bench.

    “So, who is the lucky guy you are rushing off to meet?” he asked her again, looking directly into her eyes with a twisted smile on his lips.

   “None of your business,” she told him, and tried to struggle out of his arms.

   “Are you sure about that? I saw the way you were looking at me, Avery. You spent the entire ceremony locking eyes with me. Your body language was undoubtedly filled with desire for me—you wanted me, Avery, and there is no denying it.” He passed his fingers across her left cheek and down the side of her neck. “You are not over me, Avery, so, yes, it is my concern. You have been avoiding me all evening, and I wonder why? Are you afraid of my touches on your body and my kisses on your lips?” He began stroking her bare arms. “Are you afraid I will find out what I already know?”

    Avery glanced at him, unable to speak. She blushed, and Will chuckled at her startled expression. “You don’t have to answer. I can prove that you still have feelings for me rushing through that seductive body of yours. And that little performance of yours back there was only a distraction to convince me and probably yourself otherwise.”

     “Sorry to disappoint you, Will, but I have moved on—a long time ago. And so have you.”

     Avery gave him a very brave look.

     “So, you have moved on, huh?” Will asked, his extremely face close to hers.             

  “Yes, I’m seeing someone.”

   “Really, and who would that be? Who is the lucky guy you claim to be seeing, Avery?” he asked her with sarcasm, as if he didn’t believe she was actually seeing someone.

    “I don’t have to tell you,” Avery told him, looking away.

  “Oh, but you must. I’m actually dying of suspense here. Is it someone I know? Please tell me it’s not Jason. He’s not man enough to handle you, Avery. He’ll bore you to tears. He doesn’t have what it takes to keep the relationship relevant—he isn’t me. And we both know how much you like excitement—what it takes to have you screaming in my arms. I know what excites you, Ave, and Jason can not give you that, even if he tries. I’m the only man for you, and you know that. I will always be.”

   How dare he talk to her in that way—he had no right! She lifted her hand to slap him across the cheek, but her hand never made it to his cheek. Will grabbed her hand, and held onto it.

    “I can understand your frustration, but don’t,” he said to her in a firm voice.

    Avery glared at him, and he released the grip on her hand. Then he brushed his fingers slowly against her left cheek and along her quivering lips. “Funny, but I just do not see you and Jason together. He’s too predictable. My good friend Jase is the nice guy who always finishes last with the ladies. And you most definitely aren’t compatible—you have nothing, and I mean nothing, in common with that moron.”

   “Jason is not a moron!” Avery told him stubbornly. “He’s a nice guy. He’s someone I will be proud to date and be with. And contrary to what you may think, Jason is exactly the kind of man I want. He makes me feel safe.”

   “He is, huh. So, are you dating him?” there was an edge to Will’s voice as he looked at her quizzically. “That’s news to me. When did that happen—at the rehearsal dinner? I heard the two of you were quite an item. But be warned, Jason would never have you. I’m giving him fair warning.”

    And before Avery could answer him, Will brought his mouth punishingly down on hers, swiftly probing her trembling lips, prying them apart with his. And he kissed her ravenously, his tongue reaching inside her mouth, sucking, and tasting her. Avery responded by wrapping her arms shamelessly around his neck, surrendering her tense body to his touches, kissing him back with as much hunger and passion.

    He was right about one thing. He was the only man for her—the only man who could stimulate and possess her the way he did. And she wasn’t ashamed to admit it to herself and the rest of the world, if possible.

    And when Will tipped his head back to look at her, Avery found herself completely lost in the dept of his hypnotizing stare. She looked up at him without saying a word. And Will kissed her again, planting light kisses on her eager lips, and at the side of her neck, her bare shoulders, his lips moving enticingly over her exposed skin, and down to the cleavage between her full breasts.

     Avery wrapped her arms snugly around his neck as he swept her off her feet and up into his strong arms. And with her head nestling against his chest, Will moved swiftly with her to a far corner of the garden that wasn’t as brightly lit, and away from prying eyes.

    And he laid her down gently on a chaise longue that was there among the trees. He took her face in his hand and kissed her again with longing. And Avery trembled with desire when she felt his warm tongue deep inside her mouth. She kissed him back, with her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her eyes wide opened, staring lovingly into his.

  “Say you love me, Ave. Babe, please say there is still something there for me,” he pleaded with her, with his lips still touching hers, his hands stroking her hair. “I want to hear you say it. I will be a very happy man if you did. I want to know that you have forgiven me for the way I ended things between us. I was stupid. I acted like a complete ass. I want to know that you don’t hate me for it. I can’t forgive myself. I realized now that walking away from you was the biggest mistake of my life. I want you back, Ave. Please tell me you feel the same way about me.”