More Than He Can Handle (4 page)

Freddie shook her head. “New Orleans is my home and let's not forget that my business is there. Thankfully the water didn't reach the French Quarter and my hotel is still standing. With Mardi Gras coming up, I've got to see if I can make enough money to get the ball rolling on rebuilding. The government isn't helping and my insurance company is a damned joke. This is going to be a do-it-yourself project.”

Lillian pushed her hair behind her ears. “I couldn't do it. It was too horrible to watch New Orleans drown and the government do nothing to help. Then I couldn't find you . . . Freddie, you're like a sister to me and I'm scared for you. Look at all the crime and what about the levees? Are they fixed? I mean, hello, hurricane season is right around the corner and who's to say that another storm won't come and . . .”

“Lil, it's your wedding day, can we please talk about something else and get me a cup of coffee?” Freddie said as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

“All right. Did you and Cleveland get my flowers arranged right? He didn't do anything sleazy, did he? He has a reputation, you know.” Lillian rolled her eyes for effect. “I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.”

Intrigued, Freddie turned around and faced her friend. “What kind of reputation?”

“A real ladies man. Did you see how those other women in my bridal party looked at him? He walks around like he's some kind of Greek god. Since Louis and I have been together, I don't think I've seen him with the same woman twice. And they're all the same airheads. So you can imagine what he wants them for, and it's not stimulating conversation. Ugh, and to think that he was the one who planned Louis's bachelor party.”

“He didn't plan the party, remember,” Freddie said, feeling as if she needed to defend Cleveland. She shook her head and tried to focus on what Lillian was saying. But her mind when back to the two kisses she and Cleveland had shared the night before.

“Are you listening to me?” Lillian asked when she noticed her friend's silence.

“Yes,” she lied.

“Anyway, I don't even know why Louis and Cleveland are friends, aside from the fact that they are both firefighters in the same battalion. They are so different.”

Freddie chewed the inside of her cheek to keep from saying anything. Cleveland Alexander, the bane of her existence, the star of her erotic dreams last night and the man who made her engine purr and sent her heart into overdrive.

“Whatever,” she said. “I guess women are dumb and fall for those eyes and that hair. Like he's a black Fabio or something.” Lillian eyed her friend suspiciously.

“Nothing happened with you two last night, did it?”

“Hell no, Lil. I had some car trouble and he helped me out, but that is it.”

Lillian nodded slowly. “I guess you're one of those dumb women. Was it the hair or the eyes that got you?” She giggled and shook her head. “I can't believe you! You fell for him too.”

“Please! Cleveland Alexander is not, I repeat, not someone I am remotely interested in,” Freddie protested.

Lillian smiled knowingly. “Is that so? The last time you got so upset about a ‘man you weren't interested in' it was Marcus Thompson.”

“Let's not go there.” Freddie said, placing her hands over her ears. The last thing she wanted to hear was a rehashing of her failed relationship with Marcus, a controlling and arrogant man who used people to get what he wanted and wasn't above throwing out the L-word to get it.

“Whatever,” Lillian said. “I recall you giving up meat for him, even though you really love steaks.”

Freddie ran her hand over her face. “I was young and stupid. That's a mistake I'll never make again.”

“You like those types of guys and Cleveland falls right in line with your type of man,” she sang.

“Lillian, today is about you and your wedding, not about me and Cleveland or Marcus or any other ex.”

Lillian rose from the bed in a flourish. “Whatever you say, sis. I'm going to take a long hot bath. My mom is cooking breakfast, so you can head downstairs and get your coffee.” When Lillian left the room, Freddie lay back down and pulled the covers back over her head. She'd forgo her morning cup of coffee if it meant dealing with Michelle Thomas.

Before she could drift back to sleep, her bedroom door opened again and Michelle stood in the doorway. “Winfred, are you still in bed? You know there is a lot we need to accomplish this morning.”

Freddie groaned. “I'm not the one getting married. Besides, Lillian is taking a bath.”

Michelle put her hands on her hips and looked at Freddie, who was gripping the blanket tightly. “You're going to be in the wedding and from where I stand, getting you ready for that dress is going to be a chore. Your hair is a mess and let's not even talk about those nails of yours.”

Freddie glanced down at her hands and rolled her eyes. “Fine,” she said as she sat up and climbed out of bed. “I'm up. What do you need me to do for a wedding that's twelve hours away?”

Michelle sauntered out of the room. “Nothing much, just wanted to get you out of bed.”

Freddie shook her head and held her tongue. Despite the fact that Michelle had pissed her off, she still had to respect the older woman, because that was how she was raised. And in spite of all her airs, Michelle was her best friend's mother.

“Can I at least get a cup of coffee?” Freddie said, as she followed Michelle downstairs to the kitchen.

Morning bled into afternoon and finally it was time. Time for Cleveland to stand up for Louis and get the hell out of town. He arrived at the church at 4:30, dressed in his black tuxedo and silver accessories. His hair was hanging loose and tumbled down his shoulders. As he turned the corner to head into the room where the groomsmen were, he collided with Freddie. Cleveland wrapped his arms around her to break her fall. She looked beautiful. The silver strapless dress clung to her body in all the right places and made her breasts look ready to taste. With her hair pulled back in a chignon, Cleveland got a chance to look deeply into her expressive dark eyes. She drew him in with the way they sparkled, and he wondered if they also sparkled first thing in the morning.

“Where's the fire?” Cleveland asked when his breath returned to his chest.

“Could you get your hands off me?” she snapped. Cleveland could've sworn he felt her tremble against him.

“Next time, watch where you're going,” he replied as he released her.

Freddie shook her head and leaned against the wall. “You know, for a pig, you clean up really well.” She brushed a stray loc behind his ear and then moved her hand as if she had touched fire.

“And for a frowning spinster, you look nice too,” Cleveland quipped. “Don't you have some duties to perform for the bride?”

Freddie rolled her eyes. “I love Lillian to death, but if she yells at me one more time, she isn't going to make it down the aisle, because I'm going to break her damned leg.”

Cleveland laughed, because he believed that Freddie would fight her friend, even though they were all dressed to the nines. “I'd pay to see that. Throw in a little mud or Jell-O and I'd sell tickets and bootleg it on DVD.”

She shook her head. “Just when I thought you were human, the pig comes out again.”

“You painted the picture,” Cleveland said, flashing a wily smile.

“I guess it's a good thing that I ran into you because Lillian wants to know if you have the rings,” she said. “She also wants to know if you and Louis have gone over the checklist.”

Cleveland felt his jacket pocket. “Well I'll be damned, I knew I forgot something. And what is the ‘checklist'?”

Freddie's mouth fell wide open. “Please tell me you're not serious.”

He pulled the rings out of his pocket. “Tell Lillian everything is under control, Louis has his vows memorized and he's going over them with Roland because I don't want to hear that mushiness.”

“Thanks,” she said as she started to walk away.

“Hey,” Cleveland called out. Freddie turned around. “Don't forget to save me that dance at the reception. Remember you promised.”

“Delusional much? I never agreed to that,” she said with a slight smile on her lips and that mischievous sparkle in her eyes. Cleveland knew that by the end of the night, he'd be holding her naked body in his arms and tasting all of her secrets.

 

 

Freddie exhaled loudly as she entered Lillian's dressing room. “Where have you been?” Lillian asked. “I needed you.”

“For what?”

“The rings. Did you find out if Cleveland has the rings? And I want you to give this note to Louis. I really missed him last night and . . .” She held out a piece of paper to Freddie.

“Lillian, please. In a few hours you and Louis will be husband and wife, why do I need to pass him a note?”

Lillian grabbed Freddie's hand and pressed the note inside. “Because I asked you to and as my maid of honor you have to do what I say.”

Just breathe, because the next words that come out of your mouth aren't going to be nice.
Freddie took the note, then took off her shoes, and slipped on a pair of satin slippers. “Fine, I'll take him the damned note.”

“Temper, temper,” Michelle said from the doorway.

“You know that Lillian has to be calm so she will be a glowing bride for Louis.”

“Uh-huh,” Freddie said as she pushed past Michelle. The main reason she didn't want to take Louis the note was because she didn't want to see Cleveland again. When he touched her in the hallway earlier, she nearly lost it. Being that close to him short-circuited her system. He had a clean and masculine scent that drove her wild and seeing him dressed in that tux made her wonder how he looked underneath it all. And his hair. It was like an aphrodisiac, that's why she had to touch it.

Slowly, she walked into the groom's dressing room. “Are you all decent?” she asked through a small crack in the door.

“Yes,” Louis and Cleveland said in unison. Freddie walked in and crossed over to Louis. She didn't look in Cleveland's direction, but she could feel his gaze on her as she moved.

“Lillian wanted you to have this,” she said as she handed him the note.

“Aww, that's so sweet,” Roland said. “She's passing notes like y'all in high school.”

Freddie shot him a contemptuous glance. “Anyway, I trust that you all are ready for the ceremony and there are no hangovers?”

Cleveland smiled and strode over to Freddie. “You're not slick,” he said in a whisper only she could hear.

“Excuse me?” she replied in a hushed tone.

“You just wanted to see me again. I'm flattered, but there are other and better ways for you to get my attention.”

She sucked her teeth. “Pig.”

Cleveland reached out and stroked her bare arm, causing Freddie to shiver inadvertently. What was it about this man that made her want to get naked and do all sorts of erotic things that would make her blush? Maybe that's why she was trying so hard not to like him.

“Don't forget what you owe me,” Cleveland said softly; his voice had a sing-song quality as he spoke.

“I didn't promise you anything.”

A weaker woman would've swooned and fallen into his arms. But not Freddie. She had to do something to deflate his swelling ego. So, she punched him in the shoulder. However, her dainty fist did little to hurt Cleveland, because his body was as hard as a rock. Still, he pretended to be hurt. “Hey,” he said. “That's assault. Should I call the cops or take the law into my own hands?”

His friends laughed as they watched the pair. “How about this,” Freddie said. “Grow up.” She turned on her heels and stormed out of the room. Once she was away from Cleveland, Freddie's breathing returned to normal and the sweat on her palms dried a bit. Still, her arm seemed to burn from where Cleveland's hand had been. Why was she allowing him to affect her in this way? After the wedding and reception, she knew that she'd never see him again. Freddie smiled as she thought of having a wedding fling with him. No one would ever know and she'd never have to see him again. There'd be no promises, no commitments, and no strings.

Freddie didn't want to think about the last man that elicited such freaky thoughts from her. She made the mistake of thinking that good sex with Marcus was love. But when she wanted to get serious with him, she found out that Marcus had been spreading his love all around the French Quarter. Still, that wasn't the ultimate betrayal. Heartbroken, she'd made the mistake of turning to her mother, who in typical Loraine fashion, told her to get over it.

“When are you going to learn that men are born to be disappointments?” she'd said coldly.

After that moment, Freddie vowed that she would never allow another man to hurt her. Then she found out about her father. Shaking her head, she headed into Lillian's dressing room. The moment she opened the door, Michelle pulled her inside. “Come on, I need you to help me with this veil. Where have you been and why am I doing your duties?”

Because you're a control freak,
Freddie thought bitterly as she grabbed the end of Lillian's veil as Michelle placed the headdress on Lillian's head.
I can't wait for this day to be over!

Cleveland glared at his friends. “Y'all are some juvenile assholes,” he snapped.

Louis continued laughing as Roland walked over to Cleveland. “Give it up. That tight chick ain't giving you the time of day,” Roland said.

“I tried to warn him, but he didn't listen. A woman that evil is not going to give you what you want.”

“Please, she's fighting it,” Cleveland said. “I know she wants me.”

Roland smacked his lips. “And how do you know that?”

“I just know.” Cleveland furrowed his brows. “Besides, have you ever known me to not get the woman that I want?”

Louis stood up and crossed over to his friend. “If Freddie is what you want, then there is a first time for everything. She's not going to give you anything.”

“Well, I'm not going to have to take it,” Cleveland said.

“She might not know it, but Freddie is going to give me what I want, willingly.”

Roland reached for his wallet. “How much do you bet you're going to see those panties?”

Cleveland waved his hand. “You need to grow up and then maybe you'd find a woman who you don't have to pay to sleep with you. Whatever happens between me and Freddie will be just that, between me and Freddie.”

“In other words, you're too chicken to put your money where your . . .”

“Boys,” Louis said, “this is my wedding day and that's my future wife's best friend you two are trying to wager on. Cleveland, give it up, dude. Freddie ain't going to give you anything, not a dance and definitely not the panties.”

Cleveland stood silently, he knew there was a spark between him and Freddie and by the time the night was over, he knew where Freddie would be—in his bed.

Before anyone could say anything else, the minister walked into the room. “Gentlemen, it's time to begin the ceremony. If I can get you all to take your places at the altar,” he said in a calm voice.

Roland walked over to Louis and said in a loud whisper, “This is your last chance to bail out.”

Cleveland slapped Roland on the back of the head. “You can be so stupid. This man is getting married, because if anything happens to stop this wedding, Lillian is going to kill us.”

The men followed the minister to the altar. Cleveland smiled because this wedding fiasco was nearly over. Why did people need all of this to get married anyway? If he ever met the right woman and decided to get married, it would be nothing like this. No big crowd at a church, no huge bridal party, and no big production like Lillian had planned. All he would need would be the Justice of the Peace and the woman who would be lucky enough to be his wife. And that would be one lucky broad, because Cleveland had yet to meet a woman who inspired thoughts of matrimony.

The soft notes of a flute filled the air as the bridal party marched in. As Freddie slowly glided down the aisle, Cleveland's breath caught in his chest. In the faint glow of the candlelight, she looked like an angel. He studied her frame as she walked. The erotic thoughts that he was having were sure to put him on the pathway to hell. His mouth went dry as she came closer to him. Maybe it was his imagination, but when she passed him, he smelled the faint scent of roses. Sure, it could've been her bouquet, but Cleveland could have sworn that the sweet smell radiated from Freddie's essence.

As the bride came down the aisle, Cleveland didn't turn away from Freddie. She didn't have the look of the other bridesmaids. There was no look of longing in her eyes, nor did she look as if she was interested in what was sure to be a long ceremony. Maybe she was different. The type of woman that Cleveland could see himself . . .
Wait, wait, what am I thinking? After tonight, I'm never going to see this woman again, and besides, who knows what she has going on at home? She may be a different woman in New Orleans than she is in Georgia.

He forced himself to look away from Freddie, then leaned into Louis, who looked as if he was about to pass out at any moment. “Breathe man,” he whispered. “This is what you wanted.”

Louis nodded. “I love this woman with everything in me. Still, I hope this is the right thing.”

Cleveland smiled; he still didn't give this union a year. The ceremony began and a small part of him wondered how Freddie would look in a wedding dress.

 

 

Freddie turned her head away from Cleveland and tried to focus on the ceremony. But she could feel his eyes roaming her body and it made her feel hot and bothered.
I'm in a church for God's sake,
she thought as the image of a naked Cleveland danced in her head.

“The rings, please,” the minister said and looked pointedly at Freddie.

She smiled and pulled the wedding band from underneath her bouquet and handed it to Lillian. Though her friend was smiling, Freddie could tell that she was a little perturbed that her maid of honor was a little distracted. Lillian held the ring up, then kissed it.