Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3) Read online

  She had just finished her browsing when she saw a stash of evening gowns near the back of the shop. Clearly they weren’t popular to be left there out of the customer’s eye. Curious, she started browsing. They were all elegant, pastel colors with some mixtures of gold and silver laces. Then she found one that caught her eye. She picked it up and inspected the tag.

  “Have you found one you like?”

  Alex jump. She twisted around, her heart hammering in her chest. “Jay!”

  “What?” he asked. “That one looks good,” he commented, touching the lilac-pink silk material in her hand. “Why don’t you try it on?”

  Alex widened her eyes. “What? Don’t be silly. I can’t afford it.”

  Jay chuckled. “Just try it on.”

  “No,” she said sharply, stacked the gown back in its place, and turned to go.

  Jay caught her arm and pulled her back. He was so close she could feel his breath on her forehead.

  “Come on,” he said, his hand on her wrist as he led her toward the dressing room.

  “Jay,” she said sharply. She felt her panic rising as she realized he was serious and the dress was in his hand. “Jayden,” she snapped as she drew herself back. It was impossible because his hand was firm on her wrist.

  She reluctantly followed him and then something flashed in her mind. It was like déjà vu. She glanced up at Jay and then she realized it was Jayden who had helped her that Saturday night in the bar when that drunken man tried to take advantage of her. And thus far, he had never mentioned it to her.

  He nudged her into a neat changing room. He hung the gown up for her before he left. “Don’t take too long now,” he said as he shut the door.

  “What a demanding man,” she muttered.

  Alone, leaned back against the wall, her eyes gazed at the dress and a dreamlike smile crossed her lips as she imagined herself in it, dancing in Jayden’s arms.

  “Knock! Knock!” Jay’s voice came from the other side.

  Alex wanted to laugh. Instead of knocking the door, he said the words. He was being silly, of course.

  She moved forward and opened the door. He immediately poked his head in, his eyes wide with expectation.

  “That was fast,” he said. Then when he saw that she was still in her own clothing, his face became serious. “You haven’t gotten it on.”

  Alex shook her head. “It’s not for me.”

  “Don’t be silly,” he muttered and came into the changing room. “Come on, let’s get this on you.”

  “Let’s take it back, why don’t we?” she said with a smile, folding her arms across her chest.

  “No. You have to try it on. You need help?”

  Alex shook her head. She wanted to leave, as the room suddenly seemed small and tight with Jay now in there with her. She found him too close for comfort. And the fact that he was standing right in front of the door didn’t help either. It was as though he were blocking her in, refusing to let her out.

  “Do you need help?” he asked again. “Come on, then. I’ll help you change.” He put his hand to the hem of the sweater and started to pull it up.

  “Jayden!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m helping you change.” Then he started pulling her shirt again.

  “Don’t be silly! I can change myself.”

  He relaxed. “So you’ll try it on?”

  Alex was about to say no when she saw the glint in his eyes. She knew then that he’d make her try the dress on no matter what. She sighed. “Yes, I’ll try the damn dress on,” she muttered and put her hands on his chest and shoved him back.

  Jay let her go, a smirk on his lips. He said as he was leaving, “Don’t forget to come out and let me have a look, my sweet. You know the shop owner does have keys.”

  In response to his request, she shoved him out and slammed the door on his face.

  Alone, she silently seethed while she undressed. About two minutes later, she unlocked the door and poked her head out. She saw him leaning against the wall, waiting too patiently for her liking.

  “So you wanna see or not?” she asked in anticipation.

  He straightened up as he said, “Of course,” with too much enthusiasm.

  Alex readied herself for his criticism as he approached. She waited as he inspected her, her heart thundering loudly in her chest.

  “Well?” she asked finally, after a long silence.

  Jay smiled at her. “You look good.”

  “Yeah, right,” she responded. “I think it shows too much skin.”

  Jay moved closer to her, his nose just above her head. He could smell that lovely floral scent pulling him in. “That’s not such a bad thing, is it?” he said, his mind elsewhere. He was gazing at her smooth skin. His fingers automatically came up and started stroking her arm.

  Alex felt that magic sensation within her. She tilted her head and gazed at him. She could feel her senses swirling around her, sucking her in like a whirlpool. She wanted to feel his lips on hers.

  Jayden moved his head slowly toward her, his lips an inch away from touching her.

  “Jay? Alex?” a female voice drifted to them.

  Alex blinked. She realized this was wrong. She almost kissed Jay. What was she thinking? Jayden was gay, for God’s sake!

  She took a step back, her knees weak and her breath shaky.

  The door opened. “Oh, there you two are,” Stephanie said with a bright smile. “You should come and see Kelly. Aw, she is so beautiful.”

  Alex pulled away uncomfortably as Stephanie was eyeing them too keenly. Jayden, however, didn’t seem to mind, nor did he sympathize with her that she was embarrassed. He was actually pulling her closer, his hands about her waist and his nose and lips now touching her bare shoulder. She could feel the heat from him on her.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 13

  Alexandra didn’t quite comprehend what was going on except for the fact that Jayden was leading her by the arm out from the changing room, with Stephanie smirking knowingly behind them. There was a sort of excitement on her pretty face that led Alex to wonder what the cause was. She glanced back at the redheaded woman and saw her winking. That was when it hit her right between the eyes.

  Stephanie thought she and Jayden were making out. Oh, no, no, no. She’d have to explain to the woman that nothing of the sort had happened. That it was all a misunderstanding.

  “There you two are,” Kelly announced. “What do you think?” She pointed to her dress.

  Alex came to a sudden stop, and the thought of explaining to Stephanie about her and Jayden was completely wiped out of her mind. My God! The young woman was truly beautiful in that wedding gown.

  It was a dress like Alex had never seen before in real life, the type of dress she had only seen in high fashion magazines. The gown was an ivory white strapless with a full A-line and a natural waist. There was a bow of golden silk on the side, and the skirt itself was asymmetrically draped with a bias tiered origami shape.

  “Wow!” she exclaimed.

  Kelly smiled. “I know, right?” Then she touched the material of the skirt.

  “It’s a one-of-a-kind piece,” Victoria, the sales consultant said, who was standing just behind Kelly.

  The sales assistant standing on the other side of Kelly said, “A lot of brides want this dress, but most can’t afford it.” She touched the fabric on the side of Kelly’s skirt and spread it out to show off the pieces.

  “I’m so happy. I love it! Sam will love it!” Kelly announced.

  “Of course he will,” Beth said, smiling. “Now, come here and give your grandmother a kiss.”

  Kelly laughed as she put her arms around her grandmother. Then she kissed the woman on both cheeks.

  “That’s my girl,” Beth said. “You’re beautiful, just like me when I was your age.”

  A loud cheer went up then. The room echoed with their laughter. Kelly couldn’t help beaming from ear to ear.

  When the cheer died
down, a voice said, “Yes, I do agree it is rather a beautiful dress.”

  Alex glanced to her right. There sitting on the sofa was Britney, dressed in a mini, sexy black dress, her long, slender legs crossed elegantly.

  “If I were to get married…” Britney continued as she stood. Then she sexily tossed her long hair behind her bare shoulders, similar to the action in a hair commercial. She came to stand beside Kelly and said, “I’d wear a gown that’s a bit more extravagant than this one.” She touched the fabric in distaste, which caused the shop assistant to frown darkly. “The skirt a bit fuller than this one. One with a long train like the one Princess Diana wore on her wedding day. There’d be some red mixed with the boring white. Gold doesn’t go with white, don’t you think?”

  There was an uncomfortable silence.

  “But I like gold with white,” Kelly said. “I don’t care for red and white.”

  “I agree,” Stephanie announced. “Gold and white go well with your complexion, Kelly. It makes you look sweet and seductive at the same time.” She turned to Britney. “I’m sure you’ll look smashing when you wear a white and red wedding gown if you are a bride, Britney,” she said sarcastically.

  Britney narrowed her eyes dangerously at Stephanie but didn’t reply. Kelly and Stephanie grinned at each other. Even Victoria hid a satisfied smile.

  “Oh my, where did you find that gown, Alex?” Gracie asked. Everyone turned to Alex, whose cheeks were almost the same color as the gown she wore.

  “Oh, um, I kind of found it at the back,” Alex said.

  “That’s a MacKey evening gown,” Victoria said. “It’s a new designer gown. Quite tasteful. And it fits you perfectly.”

  “It is very nice on you,” Gracie commented.

  “I agree,” Kelly said. “Perfect for the wedding.”

  “Yes, it is rather, isn’t it?” Jayden commented.

  Alex glimpsed him eyeing her and thought there was way too much interest there. She cast her eyes downward for receiving so much attention.

  Britney did a catwalk over to Jayden and linked her hands on his arm. She said, “Jayden, darling, Daddy wants you to join us for lunch today. I know it is rather short notice, but Daddy insists you must come. Mr. McCartney will be there as well, of course. I think he wants to talk business with you.”

  Jayden was speechless. A business lunch with Mr. Marcelo? Who would have thought? Something big was definitely on the menu.

  “Jayden, I think you should buy that dress for Alex,” Kelly cut in to interrupt the rude Britney.

  On cue, Jay turned to Alex and said, “Well? Do you like it?”

  Alex didn’t know how to reply to that. Wasn’t he supposed to be responding to Britney’s query? She cleared her throat because Britney was now glaring at her and perhaps wanted to murder her for stealing Jayden’s attention. “Yes, but—”

  Jay chuckled. “That settles it, then.”

  Britney switched her glare into a lovely smile then, at Jayden of course. “So you’ll come to lunch?”

  Jay turned to Victoria. “Could you please deliver that dress along with my sister’s wedding gown to the address noted?”

  Victoria smiled brightly. “Of course.”

  “But I don’t want it,” Alex put in quickly.

  “Why not?” Kelly asked.

  “It’s expensive.”

  Frowning darkly, Britney said sharply, “Yes, it rather is. It’s too expensive and too beautiful for someone as plain as you. I mean, you’re vertically challenged. Look at you. The skirt is sweeping all over the floor. Your skin tone is rather dull. Your makeup is just too boring. And your hair, dear Lord. May I use this phrase?” She looked straight into Alex’s eyes. “Your hair is positively medieval.”

  Alex felt like she had just been slapped on the face. She had never been so humiliated in all her life.

  “I think I better go and change,” she murmured. Refusing to make eye contact with anyone, she quickly made her way back to the dressing room. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her as she left.

  Once she was in the comfort and safety of the changing room, she sighed and gently touched the dress. That Britney is an absolute bitch. She turned her attention to the gown, admiring it. “It’s not meant to be. You’re beautiful, even on such a plain girl like me.” She shook her head and unzipped the back.

  Once the dress was off, she stood there in front of the mirror, touching the material and staring into space.

  The door opened. “Alex?”

  Alex gasped, too shocked to do anything else when she saw Jayden standing there. She thought she had locked the door. Then when she realized she was half-naked, she quickly covered herself.

  “Jayden, I’m naked here.”

  “I’m sorry, Alex. I was just, um, wondering if you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine. What are you doing here?”

  Jayden cleared his throat. “Just want to make sure you’re okay.” He came closer despite the fact that she showed him clearly she wanted him to leave so she could get dressed.

  “What Britney said back there was cruel.” He touched her bare shoulders, sending a deliciously warm sensation through her body. She simply wanted to melt in his arms. She wanted him to hold her tight. She, however, managed to kill that longing and said, “Yes, it is hurtful. But I’m fine. I don’t care what she thinks of me anyway. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

  Jay stroked her hair gently. “That’s my girl.”

  “And I’m entitled to mine,” she said. “Britney is a bitch, and I don’t like her.” She gazed up at him and smiled. “And I’m going to save you from her, Jayden. You can bet on it.”

  He chuckled. He liked that. He liked that very much. “I’m putting my destiny in your hands, Alex. Don’t let me down.” Suddenly, he moved his head down toward hers.

  Alex blinked and cast her head down quickly. His eyes, they were too passionate for her liking. She knew if she were to gaze into them any longer, she’d be drawn in and would likely kiss him. Yes, she wanted to kiss a gay man, and that was totally not right. “Stupid contacts,” she muttered, hiding her true feelings.

  Jayden chuckled. “Maybe they are past their use by date. Are they sore?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Let me have a look.” He demanded.

  “You can’t. They’re in my eyes.”

  “Let me look anyway,” he said. He nudged her face up and proceeded to study her eyes. As he was doing so, he was pushing her back against the wall, their bodies in intimate contact.

  “I can’t see anything,” he announced.

  “You’re not supposed to see anything. They’re in my eyes,” she muttered, feeling breathless all of a sudden.

  “Quit your frowning and open your eyes.”

  “Jayden!” Alex snapped, pushing at his chest so he’d step back and go.

  Jayden could feel her bare breasts mashed against his shirt. He glanced down and then slowly looked back up to her face again. He gazed at her luscious lips. Against his better judgment, he moved his head toward her. His hand automatically cupped her face, his fingers digging into the thickness of her hair. He could feel the hot, electrifying heat from within her. Yes, he was going to kiss her. He knew she was ready for him, waiting for him.

  “Oh my! Excuse me!”

  Jayden twirled his head around to look behind him and saw Victoria standing there.

  “I beg your pardon, Mr. McCartney, but I was here to get the gown to pack—”

  Jayden wanted to close the damn door on the sales consultant’s face, shutting him and Alex in so he could kiss her in private. But he was a gentleman, and gentlemen don’t kick doors shut on a woman’s face.

  He relaxed and even managed a handsome grin as he said, “Yes, of course.” He turned back to look at Alex. She was staring at her bare feet in mortification.

  He sighed and walked out. He went to sit do
wn on the sofa near the window, waiting while the women finalized every minor detail of the dresses with Victoria, who was jotting notes furiously, determined not to miss anything crucial. His cell rang. He saw it was his father calling.

  “Hey.”

  “Jayden, I know it’s short notice, but come to lunch. I’m meeting Michael at The Marcelo Hotel restaurant at twelve.”

  “Business, huh?” Jay asked, eyeing Kelly, who looked as though she were about to approach him.

  “Yes. Michael is interested in selling you one of his islands. Thought you’d be interested. Sounds like a great deal.”

  “All right,” he said, seeing Kelly purposefully striding toward him. “I’ll see you soon.” He terminated the call.

  Kelly stopped in front of him and put her palm out as though she had expected a gift from him. Jay raised his brows and said, “You don’t expect me to pay for your wedding dress too, do you?”

  “Of course not,” Kelly snapped. “Come off with it, Jay. Your credit card. We need to pay for Alex’s gown, among other things.”

  Jay reached for his black, checkered Louis Vuitton wallet in his back pocket as he said, “What other things?” He handed over his black American Express credit card to his sister.

  Kelly pinched it from his hand. “Many other things for Alex. You do realize she needs a complete makeover and a whole new wardrobe, right?”

  With Jayden’s blank look, Kelly frowned. “Oh, come on, Jay. Didn’t you hear what that—” She wanted to use the word bitch but caught herself just in time. She said, “Britney said to Alex?”

  “Yes, I’ve heard.”

  “Well, that’s why Stephanie and I are taking her out shopping.”

  Jay chuckled. “Go easy with my money, won’t you?”

  Kelly grinned. “For your lovely girlfriend, Jayden, only the best will do. Like you. You’re the best.” She kissed his left cheek lightly and rushed away.

  Jay relaxed back against the sofa, smiling.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 14

  By the time Alexandra came out of the changing room, she found Jayden had gone. When Kelly told her he was going to lunch with Britney and Beth after all and that they had no idea when he’d be back, her heart shattered. She realized he wasn’t going to take her to Central Park. She had been looking forward to it. She wanted to spend time with him doing silly, regular things a girl did with her boyfriend. Not that he was her real boyfriend, of course.