still fresh, and for me they haven’t yet healed over completely for me to feel one hundred percent comfortable with Gem. But we’re getting there.
However, Faron wouldn’t listen to my concerns. He’s given his heart to Gemma and trusts her implicitly. He has found the woman who he loves enough to marry, and therefore says he will honor her with his trust. And his fortunes.
Faron stares me down with a mutinous glare. “Enough with that shit, Rome. We’ve gone over this, and it’s done. Today is about love and celebration.”
“And lots of fucking,” chimes in West, who lifts his head from his phone with a smirk.
We all laugh at the truth in West’s statement. In fact, I’m pretty sure Faron has already indulged in some pre-marital fornication earlier this morning with his bride-to-be, the insatiable fucker. The look of satisfaction is written all across his face.
Faron has certain appetites and proclivities that his once virginal fiancée has become very fond of. Before they were engaged, I even got in on some of the fun, because that’s how we roll in our family. West, on the other hand, is a bit more reserved with his preferences. And that’s okay. More for me.
But lately, Faron and Gem have kept their sex life a bit more private, away from the exposure our club offers lovers who enjoy the thrill of sexual exhibition.
A knock on the door sounds the warning that the ceremony is about to begin. “It’s time,” says the clergy assistant as he peaks in the crack through the door.
Faron heaves in a deep breath and returns to the flask to me. I take a large gulp and offer it to West, who casually shakes his head. Recapping the lid, I slide it back into my inside jacket pocket and smack Faron on the back.
“Well, although you didn’t heed my warnings, I still love you, brother, and I’m behind you one hundred percent. Now let’s go get you hitched.”
West opens the door and walks out in front, followed by Faron and then me. We head down the long, marbled hallway to a small arched doorway leading into the chapel where the priest is already in waiting.
The pews are filled with hundreds of friends and business acquaintances, mostly those we know, as Gem has no family or friends here in Europe or Paris, specifically.
However, she has grown friendly with Serene. In fact, Serene is her only bridesmaid and maid of honor today. My entire body tightens at the knowledge that I’ll be sharing the evening with the elegant beauty tonight, which I hope might lead to a rekindling of sorts later.
Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll find a way to get her alone, push her up against a wall in one of these low-lit alcoves, slip my hand underneath her silky dress and bury my cock deep inside her.
One can always hope.
The music of the processional begins, filling the rafters with the sounds of a pipe organ and drowns out my internal porn reel, as the double doors open for the wedding party to enter the sanctuary.
Closing my eyes against the flood of emotion, I steel myself against what I know will have a profound effect on me, as I watch Serene walk down the aisle toward the pulpit. Breathing in my resolve, I open again, and in a flash I’m assaulted by her elegant beauty. Like a goddess or princess. An ethereal angel.
Her lavender silk gown drapes over her lush curves, exposing her dark, flawless smooth skin. Her hair is done up in a fancy chignon, a sparkling barrette clasped on the right side. Her cheeks glow with a pinky color, her silver eyes outshining even the brilliance of the diamond necklace that falls between her breasts.
And then she lifts her eyes and finds mine, latching on as if we’re tethered together as she walks forward in her graceful strides. My breath falters, as if lightning has struck my heart with a flash of the future and steals every doubt that has been buried within me.
A future where I’m not the best man and she’s not a bridesmaid.
A future in which she doesn’t despise me for ruining her life.
A future where it’s just the two of us together in this moment, where we’re not the ones standing up at someone else’s wedding.
Acknowledgments
To Arti Nihalani – my Bollywood dancing, Zumba queen and Precious Treasures jewelry store owner extraordinaire friend. Your schedule was crazy and packed with travel all over the world, but I appreciate you taking the time to share your insights with me on the jewelry and gemstone wholesale business. It was fascinating to learn about the process, and even though I only used a small portion of the research notes, it fueled my imagination to help craft this story. Thank you!
To Julie Kuykendall and Bryan Burgmaier for connecting me with a local jeweler. Thanks for your continued support of my writing endeavors, my friends!
To Christine Yates, my proofreader with Piece by Piece. Your advice and suggestions are always appreciated. Love you, girl.
Lastly, to my readers. This book was a new venture for me. A little darker, a bit suspenseful and definitely different from my normal writing style. I hope you enjoyed it and I appreciate you giving it a read. Sometimes we have to step out of your normal routine and try something new – which is exactly what I did with the Precious Gems story. It challenged me to think in a different way and to write outside my comfort zone.
I hope your interest is piqued and you’ll want to learn more about Roman and Serene in the upcoming book, Precious Beauty (The Blake Brothers #2).
About the Author
Sierra writes new adult and sizzling hot contemporary romance. She’s written and published 24 novels, including the award-winning college sports series, Courting Love and the twice award-finalist erotic ménage serial, Reckless – The Smoky Mountain Trio.
Her latest new adult/college romance series, Change of Hearts is available NOW only on Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
Sierra lives with her husband and dog in the Seattle area. She is a sucker for cheap accessories, loves anything dark chocolate, and enjoys rocking out at live concerts.
Subscribe to her email list here: www.sierrahillbooks.com
Also by Sierra Hill
Change of Hearts (A Standalone College Campus Series)
Game Changer (Single Dad/Nanny)
Change in Strategy (An Office Romance)
Courting Love (A College Sports Series)
Full Court Press
The Rebound
Pivot
Fast Break
Jump Shot
Reckless – The Smoky Mountain Trio
(Menage serial)
Reckless Youth
Reckless Abandon
Reckless Hearts
Reckless – The Smoky Mountain trio boxset
The Physical Series (An Erotic series)
Physical Touch
More Than Physical
Physical Distraction
Physical Connection
Standalones/Flirt Club
One More Minute With You
Character Flaws
His Fairytale Princess
Whipped: A Second Helpings Story
Resolution: Road Trip (A Resolution Pact Story)
The Waiting Game (A Friends-to-Lovers Story)
Spring Break Navy Seal (A Spring Breakers story)
Her True Blue (A Fireworks Series)
Cowboy’s Kiss
Finding Her Way boxset
Santa’s Special Delivery (A Sleeping with the Scrooge Short Holiday Romance)
The Slope King
Stepbrother X2