Chasing Aubrey (3 page)

Chapter 4

I didn’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t know who I was looking for and I was crashing what appeared to be a very nice wedding. Is this really what I had become? While I wasn’t looking forward to my prospective nuptials, I still understood that weddings were something sacred. Strangers shouldn’t be in attendance. Whoever Rexthebest was, he obviously didn’t have much respect for other people or for the gravity of a wedding. It made me a little sick to my stomach to be sitting at a table at a wedding I was not invited to.

If my mother knew, she would lose her mind. This whole situation just reeked of a scandal that would hurt my father in the polls. I knew I should just leave.

But then the best man stood up to speak.

My eyes were drawn to him. He looked a little uncomfortable in his suit, even though it fit him to perfection. His sandy blond hair hung over his forehead and looked like he typically had difficulty keeping it tamed. There was something about the tremble in his voice that was endearing. If I’d met him before this I would have just thought he was another arrogant prick with more confidence than substance. His nerves betrayed him though. He obviously cared about these two people.

I resumed my search of the crowd, wondering who was out of place. There were a few people that looked less than interested in the best man’s speech. Some were checking their phones or staring off blankly while trying to appear polite. I knew that look all too well. I’d been to enough of my parents’ get-togethers to know what people looked like when they were bored out of their mind.

His speech continued and I couldn’t help being distracted by his voice. Without the tremors of nerves, his voice was smooth as silk, a slightly accented baritone that I couldn’t quite place. I found myself smiling at his heartfelt words, despite the other things on my mind.

Of course, the day that my engagement was announced would be the first time I found myself wondering what it would be like to be with another man. I had to remind myself that I was a claimed woman now, whether I liked it or not.

But if it was a farcical union, did I really have to be faithful? Goodness knows that most people I knew in a marriage of convenience weren’t. Adultery was somewhat of a hobby among the powerful elite. Something to talk about with friends over brunch. The sanctity of marriage was a fading concept and it made me a little sad.

I’d never been one of those girls that dreamed about my future wedding. I never looked at bridal magazines or planned a fairytale affair. I didn’t have fantasies about my future husband or our adorable 2.5 children. I was nothing if not practical. I knew that love wasn’t in the cards for me, but I always thought that I would be allowed to come to that conclusion on my own, rather than have it thrust at me without my consent.

All I wanted was the option to live my life as I saw fit. Free from arranged marriages, political ties and social obligations. I never wanted to be a kept woman. I never wanted to be the vapid smiling subservient wife. I longed to be independent. I had my trust fund available to me. I think my parents intended for that to be something akin to a dowry, but to hell with that. The Westmores had more than enough money. They didn’t need mine too.

As my thoughts trailed off, I locked eyes with the best man and felt a sudden rush of anticipation flood my body. Anticipation of what? I wasn’t the type of girl to have a fling. Actually, I was as far from that kind of girl as one could possibly be. But still… I couldn’t deny that I felt… something when our eyes connected.

I was here for a reason though! That reason was not to flirt with the ridiculously sexy stranger. I needed to find out who Rex was and tell his stupid face that I wasn’t scared of him. I didn’t know why I was letting myself get so worked up over something that really shouldn’t bother me. I knew I was a world class racer. I didn’t need to prove that to anyone on the internet. My results would speak for themselves. Still, his tweets had gotten under my skin.

The speech ended and I could see glistening tears in the bride’s eyes. She was beautiful; as every woman should be on her wedding day. I wondered what my wedding day would be like. I didn’t want to think about that. It wouldn’t be a joyous affair, it would be a nightmare. A lifetime saddled with Chester Westmore, leading the same life my mother had. It disgusted me.

People were starting to move around and mingle. The band struck up a song and the happy couple ventured onto the dance floor, hand in hand for their first dance. I watched them with an envious gaze. They both seemed so happy, so content to be with one another. Why couldn’t my marriage be like that? I didn’t even need love, I just wanted to
choose.

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” that silky smooth baritone held a husky tone next to my ear.

I jumped, surprised at his nearness. His voice made goose bumps rise up on my arms and shivers race down my spine. He was in my personal space, but I somehow didn’t mind. There was something to be said for the power of his masculine aura. He exuded sexuality and confidence and it only drew me to him more.

“Um… No, we haven’t,” I stammered, embarrassed. I was sure that he knew I wasn’t supposed to be here. Surely, he picked me out of the crowd for a reason.

“I’m Tanner,” he offered his hand to me in an introduction.

“E… Aubrey,” I corrected myself. I knew Rex was here somewhere; I wasn’t fond of the idea of my personal life and my family life overlapping. I had to be Aubrey today.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aubrey.” How could such an innocent sentence make me feel giddy? I felt ridiculous. I was being ridiculous.

“That was a very nice speech you gave, Tanner,” I answered, trying to deflect the attention from myself.

His cheeks turned a faint shade of pink and I could tell that he wasn’t accustomed to accepting compliments. His smile was wide and easy though. I could see the creases in his face that formed over years and years of copious smiles.

“Thanks, I was a little bit more nervous about it than I should have been, I guess,” he laughed and I found myself even more attracted to him.

Was this just a case of wanting what I couldn’t have? Now that I knew I was off of the market I wanted the first attractive man to cross my path? I didn’t think that was me, but it was hard to know for sure. Regardless of how hard I tried to analyze my feelings, I couldn’t deny that there was something pulling me to this man. His easy charm and devilishly good looks didn’t hurt, either.

“Really? I couldn’t tell at all,” I teased.

The pink in his cheeks darkened and he tried to look away from me to hide it. I didn’t know why it was so entertaining to see him flustered. I didn’t even know him, but flirting felt natural. His gaze traveled to the newlyweds as they twirled on the dance floor.

Then he turned back to me. All signs of anxiety gone. He was a man on a mission now and I felt like I was caught in his crosshairs.

“Would you like to dance, Aubrey?”

His question caught me off-guard. All thoughts of Rex and our rivalry slipped from my mind as I placed my hand into his. Sensual warmth spread from his hand to mine and made me acutely aware of how much I wanted him, even though I knew nothing about him. That thought alone was unsettling. I hardly believed myself when I gave him a flirtatious smile and answered.

“I’d love to.”

Before I had time to reconsider my hasty decision, he was whisking me away to the dance floor. With his arms around my waist, I forgot all about Rex, Chester, my parents, and everything and anything that wasn’t Tanner.

Chapter 5

I couldn’t believe that I had this beautiful woman in my arms. She was intelligent, witty, charming and for some inexplicable reason, she wanted to dance with me. When I first saw her, all I had in mind was a quick fuck, a curt-yet-polite goodbye and a hope that I would never have to see her again. Once we began really talking about things, I realized there was much more to her than a pretty face.

She was fiery. There was nothing demure or timid about Aubrey. She spoke her mind and didn’t mind having a laugh at my expense. Something about that attitude was entrancing, bewitching and utterly novel to me. Typically the women I went after were pretty, but completely hollow inside. Aubrey was anything but hollow. She laughed at my jokes — genuinely laughed, not the false pandering laughter that I was used to from vapid models.

The connection we had was instantaneous. It was unexpected, especially for a confirmed bachelor like me. I never entertained the ideas of actually dating someone, but Aubrey made me reconsider everything. I couldn’t help my fascination with her. She was such a rarity, such a breath of fresh air that I wanted to take big gulps and never run out of breath again.

I still wanted to take her to my bed. Oh yes, I
was
going to get her in my bed. But there was something else. Something more. I couldn’t place my finger on it, so I decided to ignore it. For the time being, I just wanted to enjoy her company. I felt privileged to be the one she chose to spend time with and I wasn’t about to fuck that up. Knowing me, I would eventually fuck it up, but not at that moment.

“So, where are you from, Aubrey?”

She shrugged; her tiny feet followed mine perfectly. I wasn’t an expert dancer, by any means, but she seemed like she had more than just a passing familiarity with the art.

“Oh, around. My year is normally split between the coasts. I’m much more fond of this half of the country though.”

“What is it that you do?” I thought it may be a little forward of me to ask; I just threw caution to the wind anyway.

She laughed; the musical sound rang in my ears like a symphony. Yeah, I was definitely going to need some more of that.

“If my parents have their way, I won’t be doing anything. I’m afforded one hobby and I make the most of it.”

“Oh, what’s that?” I could tell from the way that she talked about them that she wasn’t overly fond of her parents. I couldn’t blame her there. I never understood the innate attachment that people seemed to have with their genetic donors. Mine certainly weren’t anything special and I never cared to learn more about them or spend any time with them. The feeling was mutual, at least. I was grateful that I didn’t have to rely on my parents for support. I couldn’t imagine being roped into a certain lifestyle against my will.

“Cars,” she answered without elaboration.

My eyebrows rose in surprise and she laughed again.

“Don’t look so shocked! Girls can play with the boy toys, too.”

I chuckled, nodding.

“Oh, it’s not that. I know they can, I just wasn’t expecting that from you… you seem too…”

“Refined? Stuck-up? Civilized?” She offered.

I frowned.

“No, I was going to say sophisticated, but I guess that works, too.”

She awarded me another one of those cheeky grins.

“Well, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, Tanner. I’m sure there are a lot of things about me that would surprise you.”

I nodded my agreement.

“And I assure you, I’m looking forward to discovering each and every one of them.” My voice was laced with sensual promise and my efforts were rewarded with a faint pink blush that crept onto her face. She was going to be far too much fun, I could already tell.

“So, what is it that you do with cars?”

Her delicate unmarred hands on my shoulders told me that she couldn’t possibly be a mechanic. Maybe she was just a collector. I had to remind myself who’s wedding I was at. All of the people here were probably multi-millionaires, Aubrey included.

“Um… I race,” she mumbled, barely audible over the band’s instruments.

“Seriously? Well fuck me, that’s pretty hot.”

I couldn’t believe I’d just said that out loud. Of course I meant it, but I didn’t mean to actually
say
it. Her laughter reassured me that I hadn’t completely ruined my chances with her.

“Are you any good?”

The defiant sparkle in her honey colored eyes told me everything I needed to know. It was pride, hubris and a fierce competitive streak all rolled into one.

“Well, I don’t like to brag…”

“Liar. Go right ahead and brag I want to hear it.”

My heart swelled with the answering grin from her. What was wrong with me? This was beyond pure seduction. I didn’t know what I was trying to do. I knew I wanted her desperately, but I was far more interested in
her.

“Well then… Yes, I’m pretty good. Out of a hundred races or so, I’ve only lost two. I don’t handle losing well.”

I nodded, twirling her around in my arms to the music.

“Yeah, I could see that. You seem like a woman that doesn’t let anyone keep her from her aspirations.”

Her eyes grew wide, almost concerned. Had I said something wrong?

“That’s very… astute.”

I sensed that I touched a nerve, though I wasn’t sure how.

“Well, I just got a new car that I haven’t even looked at yet; wanna come check it out with me?”

“How have you not looked at it yet?”

I laughed.

“Well, it was my best man gift from the happy couple over there. And yes, they do have far too much money for their own good.”

She stifled a giggle.

“I’d love to take a look at it with you.”

“Oh good.”

We wandered off of the dance floor and through the vineyards to the front of the house. I resisted the urge to reach for her hand or to place a hand on her back. I was not the kind of guy to do those things. I didn’t know what had come over me but I wanted to get her out of my system. I wasn’t comfortable with feeling this strongly for someone I’d just met. It just seemed so natural and undeniable.

The front of the house was cluttered with a number of different vehicles and I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for. I clicked the key remote a few times to get the general direction of the car’s location.

Our jaws dropped in unison when I found the car that was now mine: a sleek black Jag gleaming in the sunshine.

“Wow, you must be one hell of a friend to get a hundred thousand dollar car as a gift,” she said, her eyes glued to the car in admiration.

“Believe me, it’s as much of a shock to me as it is to you. Like I said, they have too much money for their own good. He probably thinks this is totally reasonable.”

“Meanwhile, I got a hard time for sinking money into a Mustang…”

I laughed and couldn’t take my eyes off of Aubrey. The car was gorgeous, but it was nothing in comparison to her radiance.

“You wanna go for a ride?” I asked, hoping that didn’t sound as suggestive to her as it sounded to me.

The slight color in her cheeks told me it did, but she didn’t respond to it.

“Hell yeah, I do. Under one condition, though.”

I smirked; of course she would be making demands after just meeting me.

“Okay, what’s that?”

“You let me drive.”

I thought it over for a moment, but there was really no question. Maybe it was insane of me to trust a stranger with my brand new expensive car. Maybe I really should have put more thought into it. The thought of her behind the wheel of this powerful piece of machinery was so sexy that I couldn’t think past it. I handed her the keys without another word.