Twisted Fire (7 page)

At that moment the door went, and Sarah, Bradley – who was already dressed in his suit looking very dapper - Carrie and Mabel breezed in. Mabel’s animated continuous chatter brightened the room instantly. She was extremely excited about being in her first wedding. The pretty fuchsia dress she would be wearing went gorgeously with her long straight blond hair – which had been curled by her mother – and her bright blue eyes.

As there was much to be done, Carrie decided they’d better begin, starting with Chelsea. First Carrie curled her hair before twisted it up so there were waves billowing down her neck and shoulders, while her long fringe was swept across to one side.

Carrie splashed her eyes in silver before lining them in black causing her emerald eyes to shine greener than ever. She applied a faint pink colour to her lips and cheeks and the total effect was breathtaking.

Charlotte was next and Carrie miraculously managed somehow to sweep her hair up into a twist with a few curls escaping here and there. She coloured her eyes in light bronze before lining her eyes in brown, accentuating them to appear darker and larger. She added a clear shiny gloss to her lips which emphasized the natural rosy colour. When Charlotte gazed in the mirror she was astounded by her reflection. Charlotte normally wore a little make-up however Carrie had worked wonders. She discovered a new-found confidence in herself.

Carrie then moved onto Sarah who’d chosen a dress the colour of emeralds, harmonizing with her strawberry blonde curls and green eyes. Carrie tamed her curls coloured her eyes in greens and her lips in bronze.

She finished up by sweeping her own hair into a French roll and highlighted her hazel eyes with bronze. She added a red bronze colour to her lips, flattering her auburn hair.

When it came time to dress, Charlotte, Carrie, Sarah and Mabel put their dresses on first in order to help Chelsea with hers. Charlotte looked in the mirror at the completed picture and was stunned at her transformation.

Carrie was equally as beautiful in a sapphire blue dress with a halter neck and full skirt and, in her fuchsia dress - a shorter version of her mother’s - Mabel looked absolutely adorable.

After they’d helped Chelsea into her dress and fastened the copious buttons down the back, Sarah completed the ensemble by placing the veil above the twist in her hair. They all sighed in unison. Chelsea made an absolutely exquisite bride.

“
I think my brother is going to stop breathing when he sees you,” Carrie said in awe.

“
Thank you. I just can’t wait to marry him.” She let out an excited squeak.

Everyone continued admiring each other until the photographer arrived and took what seemed like hundreds of photos. After drinking a champagne toast, they all glided into the awaiting limousine and headed to the luxurious Plaza Hotel where the wedding was to take place. The ceremony was being held in a gazebo in the picturesque gardens and the reception in the banquet room.

The limo driver parked at the entrance and they strolled through the lavish reception towards the rear where a red carpet would guide them through the gardens and towards the waiting groom.

* * *

Jared and Mitch were sitting together about three rows back. Curiosity over the bride’s sister had them waiting with anticipation. Jared noted that Lucas looked nervous although there was no need for concern. Chelsea wouldn’t leave him standing at the altar.

He wondered for the umpteenth time what Chelsea’s sister looked like as the music went up in preparation for the arrival of the bride. Jared turned slightly in his seat.

Mabel was the first to walk in, looking pretty as a picture and an instantaneous feeling of pride welled up inside him. The next to appear was a stunning looking Carrie. Jared glanced over at Nathan who held a delighted and proud smile for his wife and daughter. When Charlotte emerged next, his heart stopped. Charlotte is Chelsea’s sister!

She was unquestionably the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and his imagination over the past weeks had done her little justice. He’d thought her stunning the day he met her however seeing her today made him lose his breath and all rational thoughts flew from his mind.

“
Wow, look at the sister. I’m definitely having a crack,” Mitch said quietly next to him.

“
I saw her first,” Jared replied possessively.

“
I thought you hadn’t met her before.”

“
She’s the vet from Dr Shaw’s clinic.” He couldn’t draw his eyes away from her as he addressed Mitch. He could barely speak for his mind became a jumbled mess of confusion and desire.

“
The flirtatious girl you’re not interested in?”

“
Yeah, well, maybe I didn’t give her a chance. She’s incredible”

“
You’re telling me.”

* * *

Charlotte sauntered to the gazebo to stand beside Carrie before gazing out to watch her sister walk in with their parents. When Chelsea materialized there was a collective sigh. Charlotte sent a quick glance toward Lucas and, as suspected, he was awestruck.

She watched Chelsea sashay towards Lucas and heard him whisper how beautiful she looked when she stepped up to meet him. As the proceedings began, Charlotte scanned the crowd to see if there were any potential men. When her eyes locked with his, her heart raced. What was Jared doing here?

His gaze was filled with … something unfamiliar. She couldn’t recall anyone staring at her in quite that way before. Charlotte quickly discovered she wasn’t capable of looking away, and nor did she want to. She grinned at him and he scowled. What kind of reaction was that?

She frowned in confusion.

* * *

Jared stared at her, totally bewildered again by the strong attraction. Yes, she was beautiful. He’d seen beautiful women before but these emotions were totally new. An overwhelming impulse to jump up from his seat and rush over to her overtook him. He needed to kiss her more than he’d ever needed anything in his life before. While hoping there was much more to her than he originally thought, he took all of her in again - her alabaster skin, the way her dress clung to every curve, how her curly hair threatened to escape. He had to have her and vowed to find out more about her. Then she smiled that flirtatious smile and he frowned.

Why did she have to do that?

* * *

The ceremony was charming, Chelsea and Lucas had written their own vows and Charlotte found she was unable to restrain her tears of tenderness and joy. When she looked at Carrie and noticed she too shed tears of unrestrained happiness, Charlotte grabbed her hand and together they beamed at the happy couple.

* * *

Jared watched as uninhibited tears of delight flowed over her rose coloured cheeks. The jolt of electricity which ran through his body surprised him. It took all his self-control to remain seated. He was going to have to get this girl alone and soon.

* * *

Before setting off for photographs around the colourful gardens, the guests congratulated the couple as they made their way down the aisle.

As Charlotte walked past Jared, she mouthed to him. “What are you doing here?”

“
Nathan’s my brother,” he mouthed back.

“
Oh,” was all she could manage before being whisked off for photographs.

While the bridal party were busy there were pre-dinner drinks in the hotel banquet room. Jared stood impatiently at the bar waiting for a glimpse of Charlotte again. Eventually they were instructed to be seated as the party were about to enter and take their seats. Jared located his seat alongside Mitch and happily acquired a clear view of the bridal table.

All through dinner and speeches Jared watched Charlotte and found he was incapable of dragging his eyes away from her. He began to grow anxious for an opportunity to talk to her and, when it came time for the bridal waltz, he was envious of his brother for being able to dance with her. He desperately craved to cut in and have his hand on her bare back. This girl was making him feel dizzy and he hardly knew her.

Mabel wandered over to him looking pretty and hopeful. “Uncle Jared, will you dance with me?”

“
I would be honoured, sweetheart.” He swept her off her feet and carried her to the dance floor.

While they were dancing he manoeuvred his way toward Nathan and Charlotte. He watched his brother charming her while she smiled and laughed.

* * *

Nathan spotted Jared over Charlotte’s shoulder and knew instantly that, as assumed, this was the girl his brother had been captivated by at the clinic. The look in his little brother’s eyes was pure desire. He smiled to himself. Jared appeared hooked and how could you not be, she was a beautiful delightful woman.

* * *

“
Uncle Jared, Charlotte is pretty.”

“
Yes, honey, she is.”

“
I hope I’m as pretty as her when I grow up.”

“
You already are pretty, honey.” He kissed her on the cheek.

“
I like the colour of her hair and she is so tall and elegant.”

“
She is. Where did you get 'elegant' from?” He brought his eyes back to Mabel, though dragging them from Charlotte’s bare back proved difficult.

“
I heard Mummy say it once.”

“
Oh, yes, she is very elegant.”

“
You like her.” Is it that obvious?

“
I don’t really know her, princess.”

“
You need a girlfriend. Uncle Lucas was sad until he met Chelsea and then his sadness went away. You’re sad and I want yours to go away too.”

“
I would like that too.” He smiled at his insightful niece.

When they’d finished their dance, Jared sat down again to watch and wait for a chance to talk to her. The opportunity finally arose when she headed out to the hall towards the ladies room. He waited apprehensively for her at the entrance to the banquet room, hoping she would take a walk with him. If he didn’t get a moment alone with her soon, he was going to explode.

* * *

As Charlotte walked towards the banquet room, she noticed Jared standing in the doorway. He appeared to be waiting for someone and she hoped it was her. He looked gorgeous in his black suit and blue striped tie matching his eyes.

“
Hello, Charlotte.”

“
Hi, Jared. Fancy seeing you here.”

“
Yes, it’s a little extraordinary that we met before today not knowing we are connected by family.”

“
Um, yes, it is.” She was tongue tied again.

“
Would you like to take a walk with me for a few moments?”

“
Sure,” she was able to answer, barely. Was he actually interested?

They strolled out into the garden toward the gazebo where the ceremony had taken place only hours earlier. Their conversation was casual as they walked and was mostly about the wedding and their surroundings. The instant they entered the gazebo, Jared grasped Charlotte by the shoulders and brought his mouth to hers.

At first she was shocked by the action and its intensity until her legs turned to jelly. Her dizzy head and muddled mind managed to urge her to respond and her arms flew involuntarily around his neck. The surge of electricity running through her body made her skin tingle. As she buried her in hands in his thick hair, he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing hers.

* * *

Jared hands moved from her shoulders to her hair mirroring her movements. His hands worked at the pins until her hair came loose. He then buried his hands in the luscious curls, as he’d yearned to do from the moment he met her.

Her full lips were intoxicating as was her tongue pressed against his. It wasn’t enough, he wanted more. He ran his hands down her bare smooth back and pulled her closer.

* * *

Charlotte felt his hard body against hers and she struggled to tame the desire taking command of her body. The impact he was having on her was stupefying.

Then almost as abruptly as he started, he stopped.

* * *

Jared gazed at her face and was taken aback by her expression. Mesmerised was the word which sprung to mind. She looked absolutely delectable. Her milky skin was flushed pink and there was the unmistakable look of desire in her eyes.