Almost Perfect Read online

  “This is my girlfriend, Charlotte,” Dominic indicates to me, “This is Issac, Paul, and Seth, old friends.”

  “Yeah, it’s been too long.” Issac, the taller of the three laughs. “Last time we saw you, we came to one of your gigs. You still in the band?”

  “Yeah. It’s going well.”

  “That party afterward was awesome.” Seth, I think, turns to me, forgetting that I’m Dominic’s girlfriend. “The girls that were after him, I’ve never seen anything like it. How many did you end up with that night? At least two.” He chuckles at the memory of that night.

  What the fuck.

  Dominic scratches the back of his head avoiding their gaze, uncomfortable with their reminiscing. “Yeah well, that was a while ago, things have changed since then.”

  Remembering I’m standing there, Issac grimaces. But I shrug and give them a smile that says I don’t give a shit and slide my arm around Dominic’s waist and lean into him.

  “We’ve all been there, done that,” I say with a laugh. Their mouths part slightly, but I’ll be damned if I’ll let them see I’m bothered. I knew Dominic had a reputation as a player before I met him, and it never really bothered me. But then, I didn’t let myself dwell on it in too much detail, mainly because I was too busy trying to keep my own colorful past a secret.

  Dominic looks down at me, sharply. Surely, he’s not bothered about what I’m saying.

  “I’ll get us another drink,” he offers and makes to move away.

  But I catch him. “It’s okay. I’ll get them.” And leave before he can stop me; there is no way I want to be left with the three stooges, their small talk sucks.

  Champagne or sparkling wine, I can’t tell the difference, is laid out on tables. I pick up two glasses and slowly weave my way through the guests to where I’ve left Dominic. But my heart sinks, Mia and Todd are now standing with them.

  Fucking great.

  Knocking back half of my glass, I square my shoulders, and cross over to take my place beside Dominic. I have to squeeze between him and Mia, who stands too close to him for my comfort. Lucky for me, I’ve rejoined them at the end of what I’m sure was another fascinating trip down memory lane.

  Dominic smiles down at me and gratefully accepts the glass I offer him. The look Mia gives me is frosty, to say the least, and it hardens when Dominic puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me to his side.

  “Do you remember that time we went to the lake?” Paul chimes.

  “Which time?” Issac asks.

  “You know that time Dominic and Mia were there and then we turned up-” Paul starts.

  “Ha, I remember that,”

  “It wasn’t as bad as that time we all went and the two of them didn’t come out of their room for the whole weekend.” Issac nods in Dominic’s direction.

  “I don’t remember that time,” Dominic says, puzzled.

  “Oh, I do,” Mia joins in with a smile on her face that I would happily wipe off with the back of my hand. “You were there too, Todd.” She beams at Todd, who shifts uneasily.

  Oh, my fucking god. Are these guys total morons?

  Not only am I standing there, but Todd is having to listen to these idiots regale him with stories about his future wife and his brother. Who in the hell invited these yahoos?

  Paul, Issac, and Seth laugh loudly and congratulate each other on yet another amusing anecdote, but I catch the look of discomfort on Todd’s face and flash him a sympathetic smile. This must be tough for him. Dominic is stony faced and not in the least bit amused.

  Before they can start in on another cringe-worthy story, Dominic, smiles at them. “It’s been great to catch up, but there’s family I’ve not seen for a long time.” Dominic puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me away.

  “Thank fuck for that,” I mutter to him as we walk away. “If I hear another ‘and one time at band camp’ story, I will throttle one or all three of them.”

  “Yeah, sorry about them. They’re dicks.”

  “It was Todd I felt sorry for.”

  “I wasn’t too happy with the way Issac was looking at you.” Dominic glowers but I shrug.

  “I’m used to it by now,” I state, matter-of-factly. But it doesn’t improve the angry expression on his face. If anything, his scowl deepens, and the hand at my back curls into a fist.

  Eventually, a man in a gray suit appears and announces that we can take our seats for dinner. As we make our way into the dining room, Dominic leans down and kisses me on my neck. His lips brush over my sensitive skin, causing fireworks of tingles to explode in the pit of my stomach.

  “After dinner. You and me. Upstairs,” he promises in a breathy voice, and I manage a nod, my nerves settling a fraction.

  To my dismay, I am seated between Dominic and his father, who just grunts his greeting as he takes his seat. Mrs. Hudson is on the other side of Dominic and spends most of the dinner leaning over him to talk to me, and I’m grateful to her for including me in the conversation. Dominic’s dad isn’t exactly a chatterbox. He hasn’t spoken to or even looked at his son once, and I’m beginning to understand why Dominic hasn’t spoken to him in so long.

  Once the remnants of our meal have been cleared away, the best man stands up and taps his glass. I stifle a groan; I thought the speeches were tomorrow. I’m really not up on the latest wedding etiquette, so I suck it up and plaster an interested look on my face.

  “So I know most of the speeches are tomorrow, but as the best man, I just wanted to share with you some little-known things about Todd.” He smiles down at his friend who laughs and shakes his head. “But if there isn’t a wedding tomorrow… don’t blame me.” All of Todd’s friends and family laugh heartily, but Mia’s mouth stretches into a fake smile, clearly not amused. I drift away as he continues to talk. Dominic’s hand pushes the hem of my dress up my leg and I dart him a look, but he’s seemingly too busy listening to Adam speaking. Long fingers tease my skin, driving me insane, and I’m having a harder time than I should concentrating on whatever story he’s telling.

  Adam reaches down, produces some blown-up photographs of Todd, and holds them up as visual aids to his story. Because I don’t know any of the people, he only has half my attention. But I give each photograph a cursory glance as he holds them up until the last one. It is was taken a while ago, because Dominic and Mia have their arms around each other and look very lovey-dovey. Todd and some other people that I’ve met this evening, but I’ll be damned if I can remember their names, are on either side. The look of adoration on their faces cause the knot of jealousy in my stomach to tighten the longer I stare at the photograph. Even though there are other people surrounding them, they only have eyes for each other. I can’t tear my eyes away from it, and I’m vaguely aware of the best man making a toast and everybody raising their glass. I follow suit and stand to mumble a toast to the bride and groom, but I can’t help but wonder if the correct brother is standing up there.

  Once we’ve sat back down Dominic’s father leans over me to address his son, and for the first time since we got here, he speaks directly to him.

  “That could have been you,” he sneers.

  Dominic’s grip on my thigh tightens. “I had a lucky escape,” he grinds out, then calmly picks up his glass of water and takes a sip, without looking in his father’s direction. But I see the muscle in his jaw tighten. I don’t quite know where to look. I can’t believe his dad actually said that. Neither, obviously, can his mom because she flashes me a sympathetic smile.

  “If you’ll excuse me.” I push up from the table, giving Dominic’s shoulder a squeeze as I make my way to the restrooms.

  Thankfully, they are empty as all the other guests are still in the dining room. Surely now that the meal is over, we’re free to leave? Earlier, I had been looking forward to Dominic making good on his promise, but now I’m wondering whether it’s a good idea that I’m here. I knew what I was getting into, coming here with him. I’d encountered his ex-girlfriend last y
ear when she propositioned him one last time, after she’d gotten engaged. Although he had turned her down and came racing after me, maybe she still has a thing for him. Dominic had also told me about the family feud between him and his dad, so it wasn’t like that was a huge surprise. But being faced with his dad’s hostility and the shared history between him and Mia is a rude awakening.

  Once inside the safety of the restrooms, I don’t actually go to the toilet, but take my time washing my hands, using the posh soap and hand cream that is available. I check my hair and my makeup then check myself in the full-length mirror to see whether this dress makes me look fat or my tits too big. After I’ve wasted a satisfactory amount of time, I smooth my dress down and take a steadying deep breath.

  You can do this. What the fuck does his dad know? I quiet the other little voices inside that tell me his dad knows him as well as anyone and maybe he’s onto something.

  The restroom door swings shut behind me, and Dominic stops his pacing, crossing over to me.

  “Don’t listen to him, Charlie.” I walk into his outstretched arms and let him hold me against his firm chest. The tension starts to drain away when his arms tighten around me.

  “Let’s go.” He slides an arm around my shoulder and leads me in the direction of the elevator.

  It is silent and tense as the elevator ascends, but Dominic doesn’t let go, his calloused thumb stroking rhythmically over my shoulder. Without saying a word, he leads me down the hall and into the room and starts to empty his pockets, dumping the contents on the dresser. I watch him from the bed at the way his jaw ticks; he’s working up to something so I give him time.

  “I’m sorry about my dad. He had no right to say that.”

  I heave a sigh and give a shake of my head. “It was inevitable; you were together for a long time.”

  “He was just getting a dig in.” He pulls his shirt over his head, revealing a tanned, muscular chest and one arm covered in a maze of tattoos. I am able to pick out my favorites since I’ve spent hours poring over them and tracing them with my fingertips. I blame the distraction of his half-naked body for the words that tumble out my mouth.

  “Did you love her?” My gaze is fixed firmly on the tattoo of the swallow at the front of his shoulder, as his whole body stiffens. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he drops the shirt on the bed and looks down at me.

  “Shit, Charlie… I suppose I did at one point, but that was a long time ago. I haven’t felt that way about her in years. It’s you, I love.”

  “I know.” Because I do know that he loves me, but it’s hard when the proof of his previous love life is staring you in the face.

  “I just wondered if maybe…”

  “Maybe what?”

  “…you still felt something for her.”

  He shakes his head, green eyes widening. “No. I ended it, and now I don’t feel anything. It’s you I want.” His hands reach for mine, which are fidgeting uselessly in my lap, and he pulls me to stand so his arms can circle around me.

  “I know.” I shrug because, again, I know that he does want me, but… “Does she still want you?”

  “What? No. What makes you say that?”

  “The looks she was giving me, and she seemed to enjoy reminding me that you had a shared history. If I hear one more story that begins ‘Dominic and me’ or ‘Mia and Dominic,’ I’ll strangle someone,” I grumble. Dominic chuckles and I glare up at him.

  “I’m sorry, babe. We just have tomorrow to get through.”

  “I know.” I sigh heavily and rest my forehead against his bare chest. The smell of him wraps around me, his fingers find the zipper of my dress, and I let him undress me and take me to bed.

  Chapter Eight

  “Charlie, wake up, we’re going to be late.” Dominic nudges me and I groan, pulling the covers up over my head. “No baby, we don’t have time, come on.” Dominic gets up and jumps in the shower while I reluctantly drag myself out of bed and start to dress. By the time Dominic comes out of the shower, I’m ready and just putting the finishing touches on my makeup. I’ve made more of an effort than usual. It is a wedding, after all, and it is my boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend’s wedding.

  Dominic leans in the doorway looking at me and I catch his eye in the mirror.

  “Get that look of your face. We don’t have enough time for that.” I hate having to say it because he looks absolutely gorgeous standing there with his towel wrapped low around his waist. Every single glorious muscle is begging to be touched. Why didn’t we get up earlier? His eyes sparkle with mischief as he comes to stand behind me sprinkling little kisses on my neck. I close my eyes giving in to the tingles that spread along my skin.

  “You look beautiful,” he murmurs against my neck before pulling away to put his suit on. Once he’s dressed, I take a step back to admire him in his suit. Holy fuck, I had no idea he would look this good. The suit jacket fits him to perfection, fitted in all the right places. Without a word, I walk around to the back and lift up the jacket. As I suspect, his ass looks as good in those pants as they do in his jeans. This is going to be torture. Moving back around to the front, I run my hands down the lapels of his jacket and my knuckles brush against the muscle of his chest underneath. Heat and electricity course through me and I take a step back.

  “Babe, you’re staring.”

  As always, Hudson, as always.

  “Do you blame me?” I murmur and manage to tear my eyes away to catch the amused smile playing over his gorgeous face. Cupping his chin in my hands, I reach up on tiptoes to kiss him. My tongue runs along the seam of his mouth, his lips part, and allow it to swirl around his tongue. With a groan, he gathers me into his arms and holds me tight to his body.

  “We need to go,” he mumbles against my lips, and with reluctance, we pull apart. My cheeks feel hot and everything clenches. He’s no longer wearing an amused expression; it’s more like frustration.

  The hotel is buzzing with people when we make our way down to the wedding. As we exit the elevator, we see his parents on the other side of the foyer and make our way over to them.

  “Charlotte, Dominic, you both look lovely.” His mom greets us warmly, giving each of us a hug. Taking a step back, she holds me at arm’s length, smiling as her eyes run over my dress. Now I’m glad that I made Iris search for a perfect dress. “I love your dress, and that handbag, it’s beautiful. Luis Vuitton is it?” I give her a surprised laugh and make a mental note to tell Iris.

  “Yeah. I actually borrowed it from my roommate,” I confide in her.

  Mr. Hudson surprises me though, by giving me a quick kiss on the cheek, which is a total contrast to his sullen behavior last night.

  “We need to go take our seats.” His mom says, bursting with excitement, and rightly so; her eldest son is getting married. Taking her husbands arm, they lead the way into the room set up for the ceremony. Dominic flashes me one of his panty dropping smiles as his arm links in mine and we follow his parents.

  A beautiful arrangement of white lilies stands at the front of the aisle. Rows of chairs line either side as Mrs Hudson walks further down the aisle to our seats. At the realization that we are sitting in the front row, I stifle a groan and the urge to turn around and hide out in the back. Of course, we have to sit at the front, Dominic is his brother. Todd and Adam stand at the front, looking nervous as hell and Dominic leaves me to speak with them. His mom takes the opportunity and moves into his seat, taking my hand in hers.

  “I’m glad you’re both here and we got to meet you. Dominic is different, happy. Mia wasn’t right for him, you know. I see that now and I think his dad is starting to see that, too.” She says in hushed tones. I am taken aback at how open and candid she is, but it makes me feel accepted. Even Dominic’s dad seems friendlier, and it makes me wonder if Mrs. Hudson had a word with him last night. Maybe she is fed up with them not talking.

  “Are her and Todd better suited?” I wonder out loud.

  “Oh, yes. It helps that Todd is that little bi
t older. Her and Dominic were too young. It wouldn’t have worked. But I can see my son loves you very much and I’m happy for you both.” She squeezes my hand, and I take it to mean I have her blessing. I look down at where her hand rests on mine and then up to meet her warm friendly eyes.

  “I love him too, Mrs. Hudson.”

  “I know,” she says with a twinkle in her green eyes and gives a little sigh.

  Who would have thought Mrs. Hudson was such a romantic.

  The ceremony is nice, as ceremonies go, but weddings aren’t really my thing. Todd is very handsome in his suit, not an opinion I share with Dominic. Although, he doesn’t look as good as Dominic does. Although, I am biased. Mia’s dress is pretty, it skims her thin frame, high at the front, but low at the back and a small train. Todd looks ecstatic on the walk up the aisle, and I’m sure Mia is too, if she would lose the sour look on her face.

  Everyone moves outside for photos, and thankfully, it is mainly the wedding part that is being photographed. Although we manage to get one with Dominic and me. While Todd and Mia are posing for yet more photographs, I seize the opportunity and tug Dominic further away from them into the grounds of the hotel.

  “Where are we going?” He asks, casting a glance around.

  “For a walk, come on.” After minimal grumbling, he lets me lead him away from the wedding party.

  “Where are you taking me?” he asks, arching an eyebrow as I lead him down a path and further away from the hotel.

  “Nowhere.” I laugh. “I just wanted to get you on your own.” He stops and pulls me into his arms, bending down to kiss me on the lips before his lips trace along my jaw to my neck.

  “Hmm, why’s that?” His deep voice sends a tremor through me, and if I wasn’t thinking inappropriate thoughts before, I am now.

  “Not for the reasons you’re thinking.” I run my hand over his chest. “but… seeing as we’re out here…”