Rhett scrubbed his hands viciously over his face as he lifted his head and looked at Sarah’s sister. It wasn’t pity burning in her eyes. It was… something softer. More like compassion. She smiled softly and damn, his stomach tightened.
It wasn’t the only thing that tightened, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to think about that. It wasn’t just inappropriate to pop a hard-on for his ex-fiancée’s sister right after he’d puked twice in front of her. It was horrible on a whole different level. Freaking parallel universe level.
“That’s it.” Her smile didn’t falter. If anything, it grew. “Just keep breathing. You’ll get through this. Honestly…” she lowered her voice. “I’d be thankful. I know it’s shitty timing and all, but hell- I wouldn’t have been happy to marry her. Steph and Sarah- they were always so mean to me. I was the youngest and they picked on me all the time. You should have seen the things they did. They knew I wasn’t like them. They were naturally blonde, and I had this crazy raven black hair. They liked girly stuff and I liked football and toy cars. They were into boys and I was into- uh- I don’t know. Music. Concerts. My parents didn’t even get it. My point is, Sarah isn’t any kind of prize. I don’t even know you. I’ve never met you once or your family. I don’t know the first thing about you but I can tell by your reaction that you’re a nice guy. Too nice for her. Sarah always wanted an easy ride, not anything real that she had to work at. I’m not saying that deep down she doesn’t have a heart she somehow misplaced but- uh- yeah. That’s what I’m saying.” Bella blinked hard. “Seriously, you dodged a bullet, if you want to use cheesy metaphors.”
Rhett blinked. Who was this girl with the wild, easy confidence? The crazy tattoos? The girl wearing all black to a wedding? The girl who came after him and picked up the pieces of the hot mess he’d turned into? The girl who didn’t bat an eye when he nearly vomited on her sensible black flats with the little kitten eyes and ears.
Yes. She really was wearing a set of cat shoes with that black dress that nipped in at the waist and flared out. He realized, as his eyes traveled lower, that her legs had tattoos too.
His mind whirled and he imagined her naked, all that beautiful ink on display. None of the women he dated had even one tattoo. He didn’t even have a single tattoo.
Because he was an asshole extraordinaire, his eyes flicked upwards towards Bella’s breasts. The dress hid smaller, pert breasts neatly, but he wondered, as his eyes rose up awkwardly, to her ears, where a set of large black plugs filled up her lobes, if her nipples might be pierced.
What the fucking hell is wrong with me? I’ll probably go straight to hell for puking on the sacred floor, and for ogling my ex’s sister, imagining her naked, with pierced fucking nipples. Nipples that are probably gorgeous and perky.
Fuck. Me.
No. Seriously. That is just so damn wrong.
Fucking hell, here I come.
Bella’s eyes darkened as they searched his face. Like she knew what he was thinking. She probably did. It wasn’t just a trick of light because the light in the room was pretty poor at best. It was actually filtering in through a peephole sized window that looked more of a mistake than an actual window, in the far-right corner.
“I’m supposed to be getting married right now,” Rhett groaned.
Bella nodded. “I know.” A wicked smile turned up her gorgeous lips, and god help him, he wanted to lean forward and taste her. Her face was so close that her breath tickled his cheek.
Aware that his breath probably smelled terrible after his little regurgitation fest, Rhett leaned back a little further. Bella’s eyes swept over his face again. She didn’t seem disgusted. Didn’t tell him that he was gross or pathetic or that he stank.
She would probably never say that he had a small dick.
Which made him think about her naked again. He shut his eyes and let out a groan that was both feral and completely helpless.
Hot mess didn’t even begin to describe his sorry ass at the moment.
“Hey…” Bella’s warm hand was at his shoulder again. His eyes flew open to find her face in front of his, those dark eyes studying him intently. “Do you want to get out of here? Like, just jet it? Text your family and tell them you changed your mind. I’m sure my sister didn’t fucking endear herself, so they’ll probably breathe a sigh of relief, just like my parents did when I chose to move and not come home. Like. Ever. Except for things like this. I’m surprised I even got an invite, honestly. I guess it would have looked bad if someone found out. Mom and dad like to put on a fucking show. So do my sisters.”