Oh, God.

Who turned on the sun and why is there a marching band in my head? I let out a pathetic groan that causes me to wince—too loud. I roll over and bury my face into my pillow, luxuriating in the fact that the bright light of day has been snuffed out. I consider all the ways I can murder Tammy while the drumline competition continues in my head.

How could she let me drink so much? I thought we were friends.

I admit that I needed a couple of drinks. This whole weekend is taking a toll on me, not that I’d ever say that out loud. That’s the benefit of good friends. Tammy just knew that I needed to let loose a little. Not that anyone would blame me. I mean we are in Vegas for my baby sister’s wedding. A wedding in which she is marrying the only man I’ve ever loved.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m actually really happy for my sister and Theo. Theo and I are best friends. My love for him is totally platonic. People used to assume that we were together, especially after we moved in together, but it’s never been that way for us.

Well, except for that one drunken night with an awkward kiss and even more awkward boob grab. We don’t speak of that train wreck of a night—ever—that was the end of Taco and Tequila Tuesdays. Theo is a solid fixture in my life, and I can’t imagine my life without him in it. So, no, I’m not upset about the who… it’s the whole wedding in general that had me drowning in sweet alcoholic bliss last night.

Somehow, I’ve managed to become that girl, you know the one, always a bridesmaid, never a bride. I’ve been in fifteen weddings in the last six years. It’s become an ongoing joke within my circle of friends. I laugh right along with them because I can’t bear the idea of anyone knowing how badly I want my own happily ever after. Tammy is the only person that knows my secret, and that’s only because, after a couple of bottles of cheap wine and enough Chinese food to feed an army, I was feeling chatty.

With her encouragement, I easily ignored the warnings of the bartender who was mixing up the fancy drinks my sister paid a mixologist to create just for her wedding. It was something she saw on one of those reality shows featuring crazy brides and over-the-top weddings. Bartender Brad, sexiest mixer of the best drinks known to man, became my best friend. He warned me that the fruity drink would sneak up on me, but drink number two went down without any of the sweet oblivion I craved. I distinctly remember him shaking his head as he handed over my third drink and I slammed it back like cheap beer at a frat party. I also remember demanding another immediately after… that’s about the time things get fuzzy.

The bed dips beside me causing my head to spin and my stomach to roll. “I hate you,” I groan pathetically. I swear if I could move without dying I would kick Tammy’s ass right out of this bed.

A deep chuckle responds as a big hand—definitely not Tammy’s hand—runs up my thigh, stopping to cup my ass. My very naked ass. “That’s not what you said last night, babe,” says the owner of the hand on my ass. His lips skate over my shoulder and up the line of my neck. The roughness of his beard sensitizes my skin. “In fact, you liked me a whole lot last night,” he says, his voice a deep rumble in my ear. His hot breath raises goosebumps on my skin, and despite my miserably hungover state, my body responds. My nipples harden and desire flares to life.

I wrack my brain, desperately trying to find a memory—any memory—of who I’m in bed with, but no matter how hard I try, it’s a complete blank. My mind scrambles as he runs his calloused hand up my back. I shiver at the sensation. I might not remember who this stranger is, but my body obviously does. He buries his hand in my hair and gently massages my scalp, soothing the blinding ache in my head. If this is any indication of the feelings he invoked in my body last night, he’s right. I do like him—whoever he is—a whole lot.

The sureness of his fingers against my scalp pulls a soft moan from the back of my throat. “That feels so good,” I whimper.

Logically, I should be freaking the hell out right now. I just had my very first one-night stand, with a complete stranger, who is currently working some kind of voodoo on my body. I’m completely enraptured and want nothing more than to stay in this bed, soaking up the crazy good feeling of his hands on my body. Unexplainable and ridiculous as it is.

“See, I told you that you liked me.” His voice takes on a teasing quality.

I like you alright, but who the hell are you? I think to myself as his lips graze my shoulder again sending another thrill down my spine.

“We better get you up and ready,” he says, confusing the hell out of me.

Ready? Ready for what? The wedding! I have to be at the spa for the pre-bachelorette party.

Oh, shit!

I shoot up out of bed and instantly regret moving so fast when the room spins and my stomach lurches.

“Easy there, baby,” he says. His voice like warm honey as he wraps his arms around me, steadying me on my feet. The hard plains of his body mold almost perfectly against mine—his very naked body against my very naked body. I pull away from his grasp and take in my surroundings, avoiding looking up at mystery man like the scaredy cat that I am. I’m still in the hotel, that’s one plus in my favor, but this is most definitely not the room I’m sharing with Tammy. Small miracles, at least she wasn’t a witness to my first trip to Slutsville. Thanks, Brad, I mentally stab the bartender for not stopping me before I got black-out drunk.

I guess there’s no hope of getting out of this room without the awkwardness of the morning after, then, of course, the walk of shame. I steel my spine and turn, facing the mystery man for the first time. As soon as my eyes land on him I gasp in realization.

Oh, my God.

Oh, God.

What the fuck did you do, Peyton?!

I just had a one-night stand with Kingston Barrett. Sexy as sin, totally off-limits Kingston fucking Barrett. I’ve had a crush on the guy since high school, but I was never even a blip on his radar. To this day, I still find it hard to believe that Theo and Kingston are brothers.

Theo is boy next door cute with a gentle personality. He’s quick to laugh and generally liked by all who know him.

Kingston? Well, he is hard. I’m not just talking about his body, though it’s perfection personified. The fact is proven true as my eyes rove over his toned body of their own free will. His thick arms are covered in tattoos that wrap around his biceps, curving up around his broad shoulders before trailing down his chest.

My eyes move lower, following his perfectly tanned skin. His body tapers down to a trim waist. I can’t seem to draw my gaze away from the hard slabs of muscle covering his abdominals—well, that is until he shifts slightly, and I’m distracted. Saliva pools in my mouth and I swallow thickly. I don’t know why I’m surprised, but he has one of those V things that make even the smartest of women stupid. I’ve seen them in pictures and always understood the appeal but seeing it in person is jaw-dropping. Literally. I blink up at him stupidly, and I’m taken aback when I realize he’s looking at me with as much hunger as I feel. My nipples harden, and my pussy grows slick in response.

I lick my lips and get a small thrill when his eyes darken and zero in on my mouth. I suck my bottom lip between my teeth and let my gaze sweep down his body again. This time I allow my eyes to go lower. He’s completely naked, a fact that I noticed when he was pressed against my body moments ago, but as they say, seeing is believing and holy moly am I seeing.

His cock is thick, I’m not sure my fingers could wrap all the way around his girth, and he’s long, at least ten inches. For a second, I mourn the fact that such a beautiful cock is on such an arrogant prick. A drop of pre-come gathers at the tip of his glorious length, my mouth waters at the sight.

A memory flashes through my mind—me on my knees, Kingston’s hands buried in my hair as he slides his cock between my lips, guiding me exactly the way he wants. Using me for his pleasure as I excitedly lick and suck his thick length. The memory makes my pussy clench, and I consider falling to my knees right now and worshiping his cock. And let me tell you, it is worthy of worship.

Kingston takes a step toward me, and I instinctively take one back. His dark eyes flash with hurt, but as soon as it’s there, it’s gone so I must’ve imagined it. My heart pangs in my chest, an unfamiliar emotion gripping me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t drawn to Kingston. He’s the epitome of a motorcycle riding, leather wearing bad boy. Which is funny because he’s also a high-profile CEO to his own corporation, spending his days playing with millions of dollars like it’s Monopoly money. He wears his hair a little on the long side, and it always looks like someone just ran their fingers through it giving him a just fucked look.

Jealousy spikes and I’m irrationally angry when I think of all the models and beautiful women he’s photographed with at all the charity events he attends. The very idea that they could be the cause of that just fucked look leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It’s an old emotion I’ve fought against for longer than I’d like to admit, it’s also why I’ve done my best to avoid being around him. Until last night at the rehearsal dinner, I hadn’t seen him face to face in nearly five years. I knew that we were going to see each other, and I thought I had prepared myself, but I obviously failed.

When I saw the place settings at dinner last night, I desperately wanted to switch places with someone, anyone, but it was impossible. As maid of honor and best man, we are paired together for all the events this weekend.

Every time he tried to strike up a conversation last night, I was able to evade him. I was both relieved and hurt that he so easily gave up on getting my attention.

I never said my feelings make sense.

In fact, when it comes to Kingston, I’m all over the place. My body betrayed me by reacting to his closeness. The spicy scent of his cologne and his easy confidence made it impossible not to react. I swear there was a moment or two that I was practically drooling all over him. As soon as the meal was over, I escaped to the bar with Tammy and somehow wound up here, naked in the hotel room of the man I’ve lusted over since forever.

“I should leave,” I say, hating how breathless I sound.

“You should stay,” he counters.

I shake my head and start searching the room for my clothes. My dress is balled up on the floor. I cringe knowing it’s going to be a wrinkled mess. There will be no way to conceal my walk of shame status wearing it. I collect the dress from the floor, and after a quick survey of the room, I can’t readily see my bra or panties. Deciding it’s more prudent to make my escape quickly than to find them I pull my dress over my head. I let out a squeak of surprise when I open my eyes to Kingston standing mere inches from me. He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating off his skin.

Before I can put distance between us, he cups my face in his big hands and crashes his lips to mine. I gasp in response to his ferocity, and his tongue plunges into my mouth tangling with mine. I’m caught off guard for a few seconds, but then lust fogs my brain, and I return his fervor. My tongue dances with his until it’s impossible to determine who’s kissing who. He grips the back of my neck, pulling me closer. The long, hard length of his body presses against my much smaller frame setting me aflame. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull myself up on my tip toes to get better access to his mouth.

My head spins as I’m swept away. My hangover completely forgotten, stamped out completely by our passionate embrace. Need ignites, and my blood burns hot in my veins. I have no clue how long we are lost in the kiss, but I do know that I don’t want it to end. My phone rings breaking the moment like a bucket of ice water poured over my head. I rip my lips away from his, and stumble away from him. His arms are still outstretched, and I can see he’s considering pulling me back against him.

I back away and wonder what universe I’m in that Kingston is looking at me with longing. No that’s not possible, it’s just lust in his eyes, nothing more. Maybe in some parallel universe he’d look at me like that, but not here. He had never given me the time of day when we were younger, even when I spent hours at his house hanging out with Theo.

There was always this awkward tension between us. I’ll admit, on my end the awkwardness stemmed from my ridiculous attraction to him. I always assumed he was just an asshole and didn’t like me. He picked on me and made me feel insignificant. He never once engaged me in an actual conversation. Last night must have been temporary insanity brought on by copious amounts of alcohol. That’s the only explanation that makes a lick of sense.

I grab my clutch and make a mad dash for the door, tripping over his abandoned clothes in the suite’s living room. I make a distressed noise as I fumble with the security lock. I can see Kingston moving toward me out of the corner of my eye.

Shit, shit, shit. I chant in my head, willing the stupid lock to cooperate. When it finally clicks open I spill out of the room into the hallway. Before the door shuts, I hear Kingston shout that I can’t run from him forever. We’ll see about that, I think to myself as I impatiently wait for the elevator.

My eyes keep scanning the hallway, but it’s blessedly empty, and I cross my fingers that I can make it to my room without any witnesses. When I get into the elevator, I realize I’m on the top floor of the hotel where the penthouse suites are located. Ten floors. I have to make it ten floors without the elevator stopping for anyone.

Please, please, please. I silently beg for mercy, but three floors down the elevator slows to a stop, and the doors slide open, two of my cousins step inside. Of course, it couldn’t have been some random person. No, it had to be the two nosiest bitches in the family.

Cece looks me up and down, her lips curled down in disgust. Jen gives me a once over and smirks, a pleased look spreading across her face. She looks like she just hit the gossip jackpot. In her small mind, the attention she’ll get from spreading the news of my walk of shame will be just that.

“Looks like someone had a rough night,” Cece sneers.

Jen laughs, the nasally sound like nails on a chalkboard.

“Nice pedicure,” Cece cackles.

I glance down at my unpolished toes, realizing for the first time that I don’t have my shoes. Fucking fantastic. No underwear and no shoes. When drunk me decides to make a mistake, she does it in epic fashion.

Jen laughs at her dig, adding one of her own. “Looks about as good as those eyebrows.”

“Thanks,” I reply sweetly. “I used the same lady that waxes your lip.”

Her hand flies to her mouth, and she gasps. Thankfully, the doors choose that moment to open on my floor, and I make my escape. I let myself into my room and lean heavily against the door. I thump my head against the hardwood, instantly regretting the move because now that the feel-good endorphins from Kingston’s kisses are gone my hangover is back in full force. The craziness of my morning runs through my head, and I decide that I will never, ever speak of what happened last night or this morning.

Ever.

I won’t think about Kingston’s big hands running along my skin, his lips on my mine. The heat of his tongue as it slicked against mine. I won’t remember the long, thick length of his cock pressed against me. I especially won’t remember the way he looked at me with longing.

Nope. Not going to think about Kingston Barrett at all.

My phone dings and I pull it out of my clutch grimacing when I notice a dozen missed calls and twice as many texts. I don’t even get the chance to look at the messages before my phone starts ringing in my hand, my sister’s smiling face flashing on the screen. I take a deep breath before answering.

“Hel—” I start, but I’m interrupted.

“Oh my God, finally! Where the heck are you?” Jillian shrieks in my ear. I pull the phone away, wincing. I don’t have a chance to respond before she’s back to yelling at me. “You were supposed to be here an hour ago!”

I take a deep breath reminding myself that she’s just high-strung because her wedding is tomorrow, and she wants everything to be perfect. Apparently, everything includes my toenails which no one will see inside the torturous shoes she’s got all the bridesmaids wearing. Though I’m all for the massages she scheduled for us. Lord knows after this morning I need it.

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll be down in thirty minutes.

I down a couple of pain relievers, then take the fastest shower known to man. I’m starting to feel like myself again, though my reflection proves that I’m a hot mess. Hopefully, a good night’s sleep will fix the damage. Otherwise, the fancy makeup artist my sister hired will be earning her paycheck.

After a quick swipe of mascara and a bit—okay, a lot—of concealer, I’m looking human. I pull my hair up into a messy bun, wincing when something snags in my hair. I pull my hand free and look down, expecting a broken nail to be the culprit, my mouth falls open, and I practically choke on my own tongue when I see it…

A ring.

A massive diamond ring.

“What the fuck did you do last night?” I ask my reflection.