Strong (Kindred #1) Read online

  “Yes, I am…”

  “So I’ll get a dance later?” he grins at me.

  I can tell Carter Manning is all sorts of dangerous; a smile that could knock me to the floor and what I’m sure is a body to die for under that suit.

  I’m in trouble, a whole lot of trouble.

  I watch as he takes a sip from the glass he just picked up, he swallows and I watch the muscles in his neck contract, he really is absolutely gorgeous. As I’m lost, staring at him, his tongue sneaks past his lips and captures one drop of champagne lucky enough to be sitting on his full bottom lip.

  “Carmen?” he prompts.

  “Yes?” I croak.

  “I will get a dance later, right?”

  “I think it’s highly likely.” I smile.

  If this wasn’t my brother’s wedding I’d be working out the quickest exit route. Why are weddings so boring? Everyone is just standing around and talking, no one has even had a lot to drink yet, so no one is embarrassing themselves. I catch a flash of red to my left and turn my head.

  There she is again, in that damn red dress.

  On any other woman, it would look wrong, but on Carmen, it looks every kind of right. When I’d asked Megan about her, she told me Carmen’s a dancer, that she’s a brunette with long legs and the most incredible green eyes. What she didn’t mention is how unbelievably gorgeous she is, that she has the body of a Goddess and a smile that I’m pretty sure can be seen from the moon.

  Dressed in a tight, elegant, red floor length dress, her hair down and hanging in waves around her face and down her back she is absolutely gorgeous. I watch as she walks across the room, the slit in her dress revealing one toned, tan leg and the sexiest heels I’ve ever seen. After our all too brief conversation earlier, I’m determined to get to know her tonight.

  “Are you staring at Carmen?”

  I turn around and Lex is grinning at me. My little sister can be incredibly annoying, she’s like a ninja, she suddenly appears out of nowhere and she sees way too much. She’s one of those people who are just way too observant and she’s watching you even when you’re not aware of it.

  “No,” I scowl at her. “Are you staring at Harry?” I tease, knowing it will wind her up.

  “No, Carter, I’m not.”

  “He’s married you know. You won’t get to find out what those piercings feel like, little sister.” I tease her.

  “What? You’re disgusting, he’s married and expecting a baby,” she scolds me. “And what piercings?”

  “You haven’t heard about his studs?” I ask surprised. I thought everyone knew about them, he talks about them all the damn time.

  “No, what are you talking about?”

  “He has his tongue pierced.” I grin.

  “You said piercings. Where is the ot—” she stops and shakes her head. “No way!”

  “Yes way, he’s proud of them too, I’m sure he’d show you if you asked, Megs probably has a photo to show you, shall I ask?”

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re an idiot, Carter?” she huffs, punching me in the arm.

  “Nope, you’re the first.” I grin.

  “I’m going to get a drink, Mom and Dad are chatting with Harry’s parents and it’s getting a little intense.” she shudders.

  “What are they talking about?” I look over and spot my Mom deep in conversation with Harry’s.

  “Babies.” she whispers.

  “Poor Jack. Mom will be unbearable now they’re married. I don’t envy him.”

  “No, brother, but you do envy whoever it is that Carmen is with!” she cackles as she walks off to the bar.

  I’m standing looking at the seating plan when Jack comes into the room with Josie… And they clearly don’t see me.

  “Can we just go and have sex now?” Jack asks, running his hands all over her.

  “I’d love to say yes, but we’re about to sit down for something to eat, so I’m going to have to say no.” she laughs, kissing him.

  “This is torture, do you have any idea how much I need to be inside you? It’s been forever.” he growls at her.

  “Your fault Manning, you banned sex before the wedding, not me.”

  “What are we doing in here anyway?” he asks, stepping closer to her.

  “I just need to check something.”

  “If it’s if my cock is ready for you, there’s no need to check, it is.” he tells her.

  Deciding I’ve heard enough I cough, alerting them to my presence. They both look in my direction and burst out laughing.

  “You should maybe check no one else is in the room before you start talking like that.” I tell them, walking towards the door.

  “You should maybe let people know you’re in the room rather than listen you nosy bastard!” Jack calls.

  “I was hoping to hear what I can expect as my present for helping you today.”

  “You’re not getting a present, we put you next to Carmen for dinner, that is your present!” Josie calls out laughing.

  “It’s the best one ever! Thanks sister!” I call back before I leave the room.

  I make my way back out to where everyone is still standing around with glasses in their hands, I spot Harry over by the bar chatting with two guys and head over in that direction. As I pass a group of women I notice Megan and Carmen are amongst them, happily chatting and laughing. I can’t wait to sit next to her for a couple of hours and get to know her.

  “I’m telling you, we can order a fucking beer, Jack and Josie won’t care.” Harry tells them.

  “Is that true? Because if I have to drink another glass of that bubbly shit…” I tell him.

  “Carter, we’re the Best Man and the brother of the Groom, we can do whatever the fuck we want.” Harry tells me, slapping me on the back.

  “So, are we having a beer?” I ask him.

  “Yes,” he looks at the two guys standing with him. “Are you going to be pussies or are you ordering one too?” he asks them.

  “You order, I’ll pay.” the dark haired guy says, pulling out his wallet and handing Harry a couple of notes.

  “How much do you think beer costs, Dude?” he laughs.

  “Just order the damn beers.” the guy laughs.

  “I’m Carter, Jack’s brother.” I introduce myself.

  “Doug, I’m married to Harry’s sister.” Mr Money tells me.

  “And the other ugly one is Jonathan, this one’s best friend.” Harry points to the other guy.

  “Great to meet you.” I tell them both.

  “Likewise,” Jonathan says. “Any idea when we’re sitting down to eat? The babies are getting restless.”

  “Babies?”

  “Yes, my son and daughter, they are getting hungry, I think they might start eating the flowers if they don’t eat soon.” he laughs.

  “I think Jack and Josie said we’re about to sit down when I saw them a minute ago.” I tell him.

  “Where are they?” Harry asks, handing me a beer.

  “Touching each other up in the room where we’re eating.” I smirk.

  “Disgusting.” Doug says, smiling.

  “Excuse me, you had Sophie pinned against a wall outside on your wedding day.” Harry shakes his head at him.

  “It’s not my fault you came outside.” he shrugs.

  “It’s not just on your wedding day, it’s all the time, you’re like an octopus with those fucking hands everywhere.”

  “It’s why your sister married me, and she doesn’t complain.”

  “Gross, I’m going to leave you now. Thank you for the beers.” Harry starts to walk away when Doug calls out.

  “I only got you one.”

  “No, you didn’t, I’m not giving you the change back!” he calls over his shoulder laughing.

  Jonathan and I burst out laughing and Doug follows soon after, Harry is a legend, I’ve never met anyone like him. He can say whatever he wants and you totally believe him. He is arrogant and yet everyone loves him, that’s a rare thing.
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  “He’s such a fucker.” Doug laughs.

  “He’s funny though.” I say laughing.

  “And ugly.” Jonathan grins, taking his beer over to the group of girls and children sitting not too far from us.

  “He’s a good guy, I can’t wait for Megan to have the baby so I can wind him up about what a pussy he is about to become, it’s going to be so much fun.” Doug grins at me then goes over to the same group.

  I’m about to take a much needed mouthful of my drink when we’re all asked to make our way into the reception room, I groan and sneakily take that much needed mouthful as I walk to join the line of guests waiting to be welcomed in by the Bride and Groom. I look ahead of me and spot Carmen standing with Megan and Harry about to reach Josie and Jack. I wonder if she knows where she’s sitting yet? Soon everyone’s said congratulations to the happy couple and it’s my turn.

  “You know, it’s too late to go back now, right?” I smile at Josie before giving her a hug. “Welcome to the family, beautiful.”

  “Hands off my wife, you little asshole.” Jack slaps me on the back and laughs.

  “How did you, Mr Ugly, snag the most beautiful girl in the world?” I ask my brother as we do the man hug thing.

  “He has serious skills with his tongue,” Josie whispers. “And he’s hung like a horse!”

  “Gross. Way too much information.” I shudder.

  “Go and sit down so we can get this started.” Jack pushes me in the direction of my table and I laugh.

  As I get closer to my table, I notice Carmen is already sitting down and the one lonely seat, right next to her, is mine. I make a mental note to thank Jack and Josie later as I place my glass on the table and pull out my chair. She looks up and smiles at me and I feel something close to dizziness, being on the receiving end of her smile is something to behold.

  “Fancy seeing you here.” she grins at me as I sit down.

  “I know, small world.” I grin back.

  “Isn’t is always awkward going to a wedding as a single person, surrounded by happy couples and then it gets to the dinner and it’s blatantly obvious you’re on your own. Want to pretend we’re together so we don’t look like sad muppets?” she asks, her mouth twitching in amusement.

  “I think I can manage that,” I smile, letting my gaze linger a little too long on the curve of her cleavage that is in direct line of my vision. “It will mean I’ll insist on dancing with you later though.”

  “I already promised you a dance.”

  “I might need more than one and one of them might be a slow one.”

  “Deal.”

  She holds out her hand and we shake, a feeling like an electric current travels up my arm and through my entire body at the feel of her skin on mine. We all stand as Jack and Josie make their entrance and take their seats at the top table and everyone else slowly sits down too. I go to pour Carmen a glass of wine, she leans into me and whispers in my ear.

  “No thank you, I’m not drinking.”

  “You’re not drinking?” I ask a little surprised.

  “No, I’ll just have some water.”

  Talk soon turns to work and where we live, Carmen tells me she’s living in a smaller house than they originally rented when they went to Australia.

  “It was way too big and not to mention expensive after Megan and Josie left, so I found a cute little one bedroom apartment to rent. It’s right on the beach and there are lots of places to eat and drink all within walking distance, I only need a little space so it seemed silly to rent anything bigger. What about you? Do you live at home?”

  “No, I have a place not far from Mom and Dad. I guess working with Dad paid off, I was able to buy somewhere that needed work doing and do it myself, really make my mark on it you know?”

  “So can you do all kinds of decorating? Or is it building that’s your speciality?”

  “I’m more into the decorating, you know, plastering and stuff, but I help on the big sites and can do a little bit of most things. I’ve been overseeing building work back home for a while.”

  “Impressive.” she grins.

  “And you’re a dancer?”

  “Yeah, I’ve just finished a run on stage, I’m not working at the moment,” a look passes over her face but it’s gone too quick for me to be able to work out what it is. “So, you’re staying for a month Josie tells me.”

  “That’s the plan, but I’d like to stay longer and explore a little more, it seems England has more to offer than I first thought.”

  If she understands the meaning behind my words, she doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even react. The food arrives then and we make small talk between mouthfuls. We chat to everyone else on the table even though they hold little interest to me, all I want to know about is Carmen, I want to know what she likes, what she doesn’t, I want to know what music she’s into and what her favourite film is, and most importantly I want to know if she’s seeing anyone.

  Two hours.

  I’ve been sitting next to him for two hours and for those two hours, I’ve had this butterfly feeling in my stomach, not just one butterfly, but a whole load of butterflies. When Carter leans over to get the bottle of wine he’s been slowly drinking and I reach for the water, our hands touch and another bolt of electricity runs up my arm to the tips of my fingers and my hand shakes.

  Visibly shakes.

  He’s a complete gentleman and doesn’t comment on it but I know he notices, how could he not? He fills his glass, then fills mine with water, flashing me a smile.

  The meal comes to an end, the speeches are over and everyone starts to stand and walk around, needing to stretch their legs after being seated for so long. I take the opportunity to head to the ladies before the evening starts. Tonight I plan to dance and enjoy myself and try and forget what next week might hold, I don’t know what to expect and I’m driving myself mad thinking about it. I owe it to myself to have one night where I can just be me before everything changes. As I walk to the toilets, I feel a hand on my arm and turn around, coming face to face with Carter.

  “They’re cutting the cake and the first dance is happening in ten minutes. Don’t be disappearing,” he grins at me. “I’m cashing in one of those dances.”

  “You got it, but I need the loo.”

  I tell him, slipping out of his grasp and making my way to the ladies. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away; my heart is racing and the butterflies in my stomach are going crazy. When I get to the safety of the ladies, I close the door and lean back on it.

  Carmen Reid, now is not the time to fall for a guy you’ve just met.

  I shake my head to clear it then go to the loo. When I step out of the cubicle, Josie is standing there grinning at me.

  “Hey Bride.” I grin back, stepping around her to wash my hands.

  “Carter.”

  “Jack’s brother, what about him?” I ask, avoiding her eyes.

  “Look at me.”

  “Can I wash my hands first?” I laugh, it sounds off even to my ears.

  “You don’t need your eyes to wash your hands, what’s going on Carmen?”

  “Nothing,” I tell her, meeting her eyes in the mirror. “Nothing is going on. Why?”

  “I was watching you over dinner, he didn’t take his eyes off you and you were just as interested. Are you interested?”

  “Josie, we were chatting.” I sigh, moving past her.

  “You were practically ignoring everyone else on the table, do you like him?”

  “What does it matter if I do?”

  “It doesn’t,” she smiles. “I’m just interested is all.”

  “He’s cute, the Manning’s have really good genes.”

  “Yes they do.”

  She narrows her eyes at me as I dry my hands.

  “You’ll have gorgeous babies.”

  “Ha, Carm, we aren’t having babies.”

  “Not yet anyway.” I wink as I walk out of the ladies and collide with Jack.

  “We�
��re needed to cut the cake.” he tells Josie who is a few steps behind me.

  “Come on then.” she holds out her hand and they head back into the room.

  Close call.

  For a second, I thought she could see past the mask, see that I may be smiling on the outside but inside I’m scared, inside I’m in turmoil and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I take a deep breath and walk back into the packed room where everyone is crowding round Jack and Josie who are standing by a giant Alice in Wonderland cake, complete with Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat. Perched right on top is a miniature Josie in her wedding dress and Jack in jeans and a Chicago Bears jersey. All along the bottom are little jam tarts with hearts on and cupcakes decorated with pocket watches and made to look like packs of cards with aces and clubs on. There are also some decorated with Chicago Bears helmets which Jack seems particularly pleased with, it’s so perfectly them that I can’t help but smile.

  The DJ counts down from three and the happy couple cut their cake, Josie takes it one step further and reaches for one of the Bears cupcakes topped with a obscene amount of buttercream and leans towards her husband as if she is leaning in to kiss him, he falls for it and she brings her hand up, shoving the cake right into his face. Everyone laughs and Jack just smirks at her. I know what’s coming, I’m sure she does too, he pulls her to him and kisses her, covering her in blue icing. The following display is damn right pornographic and it’s not until Harry goes over and pulls them apart that they seem to remember they have guests.

  “We just need to go… clean up. We’ll be right back!” Josie cackles, pulling a grinning Jack behind her and in the direction of the toilets.

  “How much do you bet, they’re going to consummate their marriage?” Harry asks, coming to stand next to me.

  “It really wouldn’t surprise me.”

  “I’ll go interrupt them in two minutes if they’re not back.” he grins.

  “Where’s Megs?”

  “She’s having a sit down, she’s exhausted, but she won’t miss the dancing. So she’s having a rest.”

  “She’s amazing, you know that, right?”