Marriage Trap

Valerie "You may kiss the bride." I glanced up and my heart surged as I traced my eyes over the blue eyed man in the formfitting suit. My breath caught in my throat as he leaned forward and then planted his mouth...on my sister's. Cheers went up around the room and I forced my hands to move slowly, applauding the brand new, smiling couple. "Congratulations," I pasted a smile on my face and gave Alice the briefest of all hugs. "Thank you!" She laughed, eyes shining with the happiness that should have been mine. I trailed after the bride, holding up her endless train as she made her way out of the church, arm in arm with Zane Malone. I was like a ghost; frail, pale and invincible, the bridesmaid dress hanging off me. The complete opposite of the red head, voluptuous beauty that was my sister. No wonder Zane had tossed me to the curb at the first sight of her. There was no love lost between Alice and I. She had always strove to be our parents' pet, upstaging me at every turn. No matter how much she had, it wasn't enough till she took from me. "How are you feeling?" My cousin Alfie appeared at my side, wearing a grimace, "You okay?" If they had been expecting me to throw a tantrum or cry, they were going to be very disappointed. "I'm fine. I'm always fine." I had had three months to get over my boyfriend leaving me for my sister, I was totally fine. I just had to get through today and then I could go home and binge watch my comfort shows. That plan went out the window at the reception when my father climbed up to the stage. "As a marriage gift, we've decided to make Zane the COO of Nektar and give them the cottage in Florida." My head whirled and blood roared in my ears drowning out the sound of applause that thundered around the room. A shrill scream sounded in my head but in reality all I could do was stare mouth agape as my ex boyfriend hugged dad like the son he had never had. That position was supposed to be mine! I had began working for the company right out of high school, combining college with work. I had started right from the lowest position and worked my way to the top. The cottage in Florida had belonged to my godmother and it was my inheritance. Mine! From other father's shoulder, Alice caught my eyes and winked. They were probably waiting for me to cause a scene, for me to give the guests a reason to pity me. I picked my jaw up and steeled my shoulders then raised my glass to my sister with an answering smirk. Her eyes narrowed to slits and then she turned away with a huff. I could hear the familiar words in my head, "Heartless", "cold", "unfeeling". I tossed my drink back and then called the waiter over. As he approached, I snatched the bottle off his tray. "Woah," a man slid into the seat beside me, "The whole bottle? Really?" I turned to him, ready to give him a scathing set down, but my words froze in my mouth as I took in the delicious stranger. Dark hair tumbled over a face with exquisite bone structure, high cheekbones, a sharp jawline dusted with stubble and a full pink mouth. The man was in a dark Armani suit and a dark silk shirt inside with the buttons opened at the throat. "I don't see how that's any of your business," I recovered long enough to say, taking a deep swig of the alcohol. "I was planning to have the waiters keep the glasses coming, but I think I'm going to take a cue from you," he waved his fingers at a server, "What are we drinking to?" I snorted, "My ex boyfriend and sister's wedding." He winced, "Ouch." "And watching my position and inheritance being handed over to them on a silver platter." "Double ouch." I took another gulp from the bottle, feeling the hot alcohol burn down my throat, then I held it out to him, "The servers are probably busy. Get a head start." His dark eyes twinkled at me before he grabbed the bottle, the brush of his fingers against mine sending currents racing up my hands. The man's mouth closed over the mouth of the bottle and I gasped as a rush of heat flooded my stomach. His mouth was where mine has been and I couldn't help but think of it as a sort of indirect kiss. "What are you drinking to?" He rolled his broad shoulders in a shrug, "Can't I be drinking in camaraderie?" I c****d my head, "You can. But I have it in good authority that you're not." A deep chuckle slipped out of his mouth, "Let's just say I'm not a fan of weddings." "You're anti love?" "Not all weddings have to do with love." I raised my brow, "A pessimist and a wedding hater at the same time. Interesting. Do you have any redeeming qualities at all?" He drank again before passing the bottle back to me. This time, I'm careful not to let any part of our bodies touch. "Let's see," he said thoughtfully, one hand cupping his jaw, "I can't think of anything except the fact that I'm honest." I raised the bottle in a mock toast, "I wish Zane had had the balls to tell me he was done with me before my sister showed up with a rock the size of a small planet on her fingers." "I'm starting to think the beloved groom is a bit of an asshole." I snorted. A bit was being generous. "And the bride is right behind him in the asshole race." I spluttered, almost choking on my alcohol, "There are a whole lot of other people to add to that list. Like this one CEO who's determined to tear our company to shreds." "You're surrounded by a whole lot of assholes." I glanced over and saw my parents with the happy couple. My stomach turned and i quickly looked away. "Do you want to get out of here?" The man asked.