Just Another Wedding

JUST ANOTHER WEDDING

Copyright 2013 Jessica E Subject

Published by Jessica E. Subject

Copyright 2013 Cover Art by Jessica E. Subject

ISBN: 978-0-99193-205-4

Editing Services by Wizards in Publishing

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Just Another Wedding

Alien Next Door book 1.5

By

Jessica E. Subject

Just Another Wedding

Another wedding. Another event where people recognized and interacted with her based on the image she portrayed on television. Though paid to be a flirt, in real life Pepper Dobson preferred to blend into the wall, go unnoticed by those she didn’t know. Because if everyone ignored her, they wouldn’t judge her, make false assumptions.

Kicking off her shoes, she leaned back in her chair. The rest of the cast and crew invited to the wedding had abandoned her ages ago, off with their spouses or one-night stands. And yet, she continued to watch the happy couple dance.

A pang of jealousy rose in her stomach. Of all the guys she’d met since starting on
House Switching
, Luke had been the only one who hadn’t tried to get in her pants. Sure, they’d had plenty of on-camera chemistry, but as soon as the show finished filming for the day, he placed a barrier between them, treating her like a lady rather than someone he wanted to score with. Once she learned he had a girlfriend back home, she understood why he kept his distance. He remained faithful and loyal, something she didn’t see much in any man in the last couple of years. No, she attracted players who easily left her for the next pretty face when she turned them down.

Luke’s new wife radiated with happiness, waltzing across the dance floor in her chiffon wedding dress. What Pepper wouldn’t give for one ounce of her joy.

The lights rose. Very few guests remained; only the wedding party and her. But she resisted the walk up to her empty hotel room.

Slipping her heels back on, she stood, ready to help clean up the banquet hall. It was the least she could do after a fabulous meal and free alcohol. Or simply an excuse to avoid the loneliness.

“Pepper, I’m so glad you came, and I hope you enjoyed yourself.” Rachel wrapped her arms around her with a squeeze, a far different exchange than their first conversation.

“Thank you,” she said. “And congratulations! I wish you both the very best.” Pepper had come to like her, so opposite of the superficial women she often met in the television industry. She really was the typical girl next door, didn’t care much for the latest styles, but always presented herself well.

Luke came over to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for coming. Do you need a ride home at all?”

“No, I’m spending the night here at the hotel.” Unable to predict how much she would end up drinking, she’d booked the room long ago. Though she’d always envisioned spending the night with someone else. Even if with just one of the crew too wasted to go anywhere.

“Well, have a good night, then.” He scooped his bride up in his arms, carrying her out of the hall.

Talk about an awkward moment. They were going up to consummate their marriage, and she had to rely on her own devices for company and pleasure.

“Need a lift back to town?”

A deep voice resonated behind her, one of concern rather than the cocky tone of someone trying to pick her up.

She spun around, expecting an older gentleman. Not so. Taking a step back, she gazed into the rich blue eyes of a handsome man. With a strong jaw, wavy blond hair, and a styling three-piece suit, he made her heart race more than any hunky contractor she’d met in her past. “Um, I....”

The man’s face paled. “Oh, I’m sorry, Miss. I thought you were someone else.”

At least he didn’t call me Ma’am.
Though, she’d never been mistaken for another person. Not since the show started, anyway.

Pepper shrugged. “It’s all right. Who did you think I was?” Best to make sure he wasn’t trying a pick-up line she hadn’t yet heard.

“I thought you were from Hanton. But when you turned around, I realized my mistake.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Bill, Rachel’s former boss.”

She offered her hand in return, surprised by his firm yet gentle grip. He didn’t crush her knuckles together like other guys had tried to that night.

“Pepper. I’m....” If he didn’t already know who she was, she didn’t plan on telling him. No point in giving him false hope. “A friend of Luke.”

“He sure is a popular guy. Considering neither of them have any surviving family, it’s nice that so many of their friends came, especially those from the show he was on for a bit.”

“Yeah, that home improvement show.” Time to test whether he was playing her. “What was it called again?”

He shrugged, his mouth twisting to the side. “I don’t know. I hate to admit it, but I’ve never seen it.”

***

“Really?” She smiled, her eyes sparkling.

No woman had ever looked at him or glanced his way lately without an expression of pity or disdain. And during his recent divorce settlement, his ex-wife wouldn’t even turn his way, as if their five years together meant nothing.

He sucked in a deep breath. “Yes. I just haven’t had the time. Though, I guess I should have watched it with so many people here tonight from the show.”

“Phew.” She stepped forward, adjusting the boutonnière on his lapel. “I’m glad I’m not the only one.”

Blood rushed straight to his cock. He hadn’t come to the wedding to pick up, only to support Rachel and Luke as one of the ushers. But that didn’t stop his libido from craving more. His hand wasn’t cutting it anymore. Besides, the worst possible answer was no. And that would never hurt as much as finding his wife in the pool, fucking the town’s male slut.

He balled his fists, trying to conjure up the courage. “Would you like to get a drink? I think the hotel bar is still open. And we can talk about what other shows we don’t watch.”

God, that sounded so lame.
Though he’d never had the need to pick up women in his earlier years. Every girlfriend in his life had asked him out. And that added up to two.

Pepper’s smile widened.

He held his breath, bracing for her rejection.

“Sure, I’d like that. And maybe you can tell me what it’s like to be the bank manager in the small town of Hanton.”

Hallelujah!
He dug his fingers into his palms, resisting the urge to fist pump the air.
Maybe tonight won’t be a total bust after all.

***

Pepper sipped her martini, gazing into the alluring eyes of Hanton’s bank manager. She knew tonight would lead to a one-night stand, to never see Bill again once he slipped out of her hotel room. But she no longer cared. She couldn’t face spending the night, alone. And for once, a guy hadn’t asked her out based on the character she portrayed.

“So, what kind of hours does a bank manager work?” A lame question, but she wanted to know if he’d be leaving first thing in the morning or if they would have extra time to cuddle. Noticing the lack of a wedding ring, and the hard-on pressing against his zipper, she had no doubt he would join her in her room. But even with a one-night stand, she enjoyed the pillow talk after. If he was into that.

“I used to work nine to five, Monday to Friday. Though lately, I’ve been putting in more hours, plus taking care of Rachel’s clients while her replacement is being trained.”

Something he wasn’t telling her. Another reason for him working later. But that didn’t matter. Tonight would be about their pleasure. Rubbing her hand up his thigh, she squeezed, satisfied when she heard him groan. “Do you get any time off?”

“I...I get Sundays off.”

The hope and desperation in his eyes reflected her own feelings. She refused to let him walk away without having her needs satisfied, and fulfilling his as well.

“We’re closing.” The bartender rubbed his hands in a cloth. “Sorry, but you two are going to have to find someplace else to chat. Breakfast isn’t for another four hours.”

Perfect!
Gripping Bill’s tie, she leaned closer. “Why don’t we continue this up in my room? And I’ll buy you breakfast.”

***

Bill gulped, his Adam’s apple riding the length of his throat. When he first realized he’d mistaken her identity, he never expected to spend the night with Pepper, especially after the way she’d backed away from him. But now that she was offering, he would not refuse.

She moved her hand closer to his aching cock. Gripping her fingers, he slid off the stool. “Sure.”

But as they ventured through the hallway toward the elevator, she became quiet.

Has she changed her mind?
Would she abandon him in the elevator once they reached her floor? Sweat beaded across his forehead. He wasn’t ready to start dating again, couldn’t handle the pressure, the rejection.

Did she have any expectations beyond tonight? Inviting a stranger up to one’s hotel room usually meant uncommitted sex. At least, he assumed. So much time had passed, he didn’t know the rules of dating anymore.

The door dinged open. He reached for her hand, waiting for a sign she still wanted him.

Yet, she ignored his gesture, rushing into the elevator. Without an outright refusal, he followed, confused by the woman, and intrigued at the same time.

“Are you sure you want this?”

He’d barely said the words when she jumped him, wrapping her long legs around his waist. Her lips crashed down on his, sending a rush of lust straight to his cock.
Holy shit! This woman goes from cold to hot in an instant.

Grasping her ass, he spun her around, to press her against the wall. Sure, he’d waited for her to make the first move, but now he wanted the control.

***

A startled gasp. Pepper pulled away from Bill’s hungry lips and looked out the open doors in horror. A mother and her young son—she assumed—stared at her with wide eyes. Her cheeks warmed.
Should’ve pressed the emergency stop.

Without any awkwardness, Bill held her tight, carrying her out of the elevator. He nodded to the woman. “It’s all yours.”

She hid her face in his neck, not wanting to be recognized, and out of sheer embarrassment.
Why on Earth are people up at this ungodly hour?

Breathing in his musky cologne, she let all of her tension melt away. The sweet and insecure man she’d first met in the banquet hall had transformed into a confident hunk. And she wanted him. Now.

Sliding down his body, and back onto her feet, she reached under her strapless bra for her room key.

Bill placed his hand on hers. “Here, let me.” Within seconds, he unzipped the back of her dress and snapped open her bra.

Breasts free, she heaved a sigh.
And I thought I’d be all alone tonight.

Leaning down, he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth.

Electric fire rushed through her veins. She pressed her palms against the wall behind her. Holy hell, the guy knew what he was doing. In between using his teeth and tongue to ignite her pleasure, he slid her dress farther and farther down her legs.

Soon, she would be naked in the hall, but she refused to stop him. Any guy who put her own needs before his was worth whatever awkward and embarrassing situation she might find herself in. Heck, she didn’t even know what had happened to her room card.

Bill ran his fingers along her bare thighs, reaching higher until he pressed his palm to her pulsing mound. The thin cotton of her thong remained the lone barrier between her and ecstasy. He brushed the material aside and drew the tip along her swollen nub. Her breath caught at the sudden overload of sensation.

Bill stood, still fingering her clit, feeding her desire. “You need to tell me your room number, or I’m going to take you right here in the hall.”

Her pussy clenched at the thought.
Talk about exhibitionism.
Though she didn’t need that kind of publicity for herself or the show, her reputation being tainted enough. “Four sixteen. Hurry.”

He scooped her into his arms, rushing down the hall. Never had she understood the term
swept off your feet
until then. A total loss of control. Nothing existed beyond him, her need, and her want to satisfy him.