Vicious Seduction

25

Oran wasn’t lying when he said we were late. We missed the entire ceremony and walked into the reception just as the groom launched the garter at the crowd. Only, the garter missed the group and landed smack against Oran’s chest like a heat-seeking missile. He reflexively caught the scrap of satin, waving it good-naturedly above his head as if he’d planned the whole thing. The room burst into cheers. All eyes were on us, each curious stare pricking at my skin like a swarm of hungry mosquitos. Fortunately, the crowd quickly dispersed back into smaller groups, alleviating the tension until I realized the bride and groom themselves were walking our way along with another couple. This was it. Time for the show. “Congratulations, you two.” Oran hugged the groom and gave the bride a small kiss. The newlyweds made a lovely pair. She had a wholesome beauty to her, and the smitten look in his eyes was enviable. He was head over heels in love and didn’t care who knew. I respected that in a man. “I’m so sorry I was late, but it couldn’t be helped. You see, we have some news of our own to celebrate.” His words rang in my ears, horror enveloping me. He wouldn’t. Not at someone else’s wedding. Surely, he knew better. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce Lina Schultze, my fiancée.” Mother. Fucker. Apparently, he didn’t know better. Or he just didn’t care. Either way, I was mortified. The two couples gaped at us with such shock that my palms tingled with unease. His announcement was unexpected—that was a given—but his family stared at us as if he’d told them he planned to move to Antarctica and spend the remainder of his life studying penguins. “Oran, what a wonderful surprise.” The bride regained her composure first, giving Oran a hug before turning to me. “Lina, I’m Stormy. It’s lovely to meet you.” “Thank you, Stormy. I’m so sorry to hijack your day. I told Oran he needed to wait.” It was a white lie. We hadn’t discussed the matter, but hell if I was going to get on their bad side before I’d even met them. I had no qualms about throwing him under the bus. “This calls for a toast,” announced the man with a striking redhead on his arm. Or she would have been striking if all the color hadn’t drained from her face. Between her reaction and the twitch I’d noticed in the groom’s eye, I felt more conscientious than ever. I was unwelcome here. How dare Oran put me in this situation? Especially with no warning. I was so freaking pissed, I could have strangled the man. Instead, I chose a more passive-aggressive route. I had to comply with our agreement, after all. When the server presented a tray of champagne flutes, I accidentally knocked a glass down the front of Oran’s beautiful suit. It was a shame, really, but the man deserved it. Hell, he’d done the same to me two weeks earlier. “Oh, baby! How clumsy of me.” Each word was more saccharine than the last. “It’s no problem, sweetheart.” He began to dab at his shirt with a napkin, leaning toward me. “You can lick it off me later,” he added in a voice that was not nearly quiet enough for my taste. In your dreams. I smiled at the bride as she placed a hand on my arm. “I’m so glad you two could make it, and congratulations again.” She quickly turned to the redhead, and the two scurried off to the restroom. Oh well. It wasn’t the first time I’d been the subject of rumors, and it wouldn’t be the last. I took a slow, deep breath in preparation for a night full of maddeningly awkward conversations. I was going to have to find a way to pay back Oran. Maybe a kiss… With my fist… To his face. And with that thought, I returned to mingling with my first genuine smile of the night. OceanofPDF.com CHAPTER 17 ORAN Bringing Lina to the wedding came about so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to warn Nana that Lina was coming. Now, the two were about to meet, and I wasn’t entirely sure what my feisty grandmother might say. The possibilities were unnerving. I considered tactically avoiding her side of the room but decided her wrath, if I did, would be even worse, and that was a guarantee. There was at least a slim chance Nana would play it cool. “Nana, I have someone I’d like you to meet.” “Well, lassie. I thought Oran here had exaggerated when he told me how bonny you were, but I can see for myself it were the God’s honest truth. You must be Lina.” So much for playing it cool. “Lina Schultze,” I said, “I’d like you to meet my grandmother, Nana Byrne.” When I looked back at Lina, she studied me with an intensity that made my skin itch. “Nana, it’s lovely to meet you.” She extended her hand with effortless grace. Every awkward situation I’d thrown at her, whether intentional or not, she’d waded through with practiced ease. I was impressed. Though I liked it better when I saw the true Lina—the fury and snark that lived beneath the aristocratic facade. “I’m so glad you could join us,” Nana beamed. “Can you believe such a marvelous celebration was thrown together in only a week?” “You’re kidding!” “Not at all. They were ready and saw no need to wait, but that’s the way of these Byrne men. Not a lick of patience among them.” She held up her hand the second I opened my mouth. “Don’t you argue with me, boyo. You’re a Byrne through and through.” She continued talking to Lina as though I weren’t there. “The whole family came together, the ladies especially, of course. It was a group effort, and I’d say it’s a splendid show of how well we work together.” The old woman was damn proud. I had to smile. “I’m shocked they could get a florist to do an event like this on such short notice.” Nana shrugged nonchalantly. “Sometimes you just have to know how to talk to people.” “Alright, Nana. That’s probably enough out of you.” I didn’t know what information she might have or what she planned to say, but I wasn’t risking it. “We still need to make a few introductions.” She gave me a deadpan stare, then turned to Lina. “See! What did I say? Not a lick of patience.” She reached out two wrinkled hands and clasped Lina’s affectionately. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lina dear. Take care of my Oran. He’s not so tough as he lets on.” Jesus H. Christ. Lina looked like she was ready to split at the seams with laughter. “I’ll do my best. And trust me, the pleasure was all mine.” “Ignore her. She’s completely senile,” I grumbled as I herded Lina far, far away from Nana. “Interesting. She seemed lucid to me.” “That just goes to show how questionable your judgment is.” “Careful, that’s your fiancée you’re talking about.” She shot me a look filled with sass.