Drunk in Love Read online

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  DRUNK IN LOVE

  A Wedding Anthology of Sweet and Steamy Romantic Short Stories

  Kristen Luciani

  A. D. Justice

  A. M. Johnson

  Amy Daws

  Carey Heywood

  Elle Brooks

  Isabelle Richards

  J. D. Hollyfield

  Jeannine Colette

  Kandi Steiner

  Kathryn Andrews

  Katy Regnery

  Liv Morris

  Mariah Dietz

  M. D. Saperstein

  Meghan Quinn

  Melissa Collins

  M J Fields

  Ryan Ringbloom

  Tori Madison

  Contents

  FOREWORD

  SEX, LIES, AND WEDDING BELLS

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  4. CHAPTER FOUR

  ABOUT KRISTEN LUCIANI

  ENTICE

  1. THE CONFESSION

  2. STEP 1: THE WEDDING RINGS

  3. STEP 2: THE MARRIAGE LICENSE

  4. STEP 3: THE DRESS

  5. STEP 4: THE CAKE

  6. STEP 5: THE REHEARSAL

  7. STEP 6: CONSUMMATE THE MARRIAGE

  8. STEP 7: BREAK THE NEWS

  9. THE DISAPPEARING BRIDE

  ABOUT A.D. JUSTICE

  THIRTEEN WEDDINGS AND ONE DRESS LATER

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  4. CHAPTER FOUR

  ABOUT THE A.M. JOHNSON

  A PERFECT MOMENT

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  4. CHAPTER FOUR

  5. CHAPTER FIVE

  ABOUT AMY DAWS

  CHANGE OF HEART

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  ABOUT CAREY HEYWOOD

  RESCUE ME

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  ABOUT ELLE BROOKS

  YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE WEDDING FROM HELL

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

  3. TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

  4. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING

  5. WEDDING DAY

  6. ONE WEEK LATER

  ABOUT ISABELLE RICHARDS

  CHICKS, MAN

  1. KIPLEY AND STACEY’S WEDDING DAY

  2. THE RECEPTION

  3. TRICKED

  ABOUT J.D. HOLLYFIELD

  ECLIPSE OF THE HEART

  1. THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

  2. THE REUNION

  3. THE BENTLEY

  4. THE PROPOSAL

  ABOUT JEANNINE COLETTE

  SAY YOU DON’T

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  ABOUT KANDI STEINER

  CHASING CLOUDS

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. TO BE CONTINUED…

  ABOUT KATHRYN ANDREWS

  BY TOMORROW

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  4. CHAPTER FOUR

  ABOUT KATY REGNERY

  BEGINNER’S LUCK

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  ABOUT LIV MORRIS

  VIVA LAS VEGAS

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  4. CHAPTER FOUR

  5. CHAPTER FIVE

  ABOUT MARIAH DIETZ

  ONE AND DONE

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  4. CHAPTER FOUR

  ABOUT M.D. SAPERSTEIN

  FUNYUNS AND I DOS

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN

  STRIPPED BARE

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  3. CHAPTER THREE

  4. CHAPTER FOUR

  5. CHAPTER FIVE

  ABOUT MELISSA COLLINS

  A KINKY KIND OF LOVE

  1. BOY, DO I HAVE A STORY FOR YOU…

  2. HE DOESN’T PLAY FAIR, SO NEITHER WILL I.

  3. TO FUCK OR NOT TO FUCK

  4. INFURIATINGLY PUR-FECT

  5. I GOT YOUR BITCH

  6. DRESS SHOPPING

  7. TITS

  8. SPA DAY

  9. MY TOOL

  EPILOGUE

  ABOUT MJ FIELDS

  THE TWO-NIGHT ONE-NIGHT THREE-WAY

  1. DRUNK IN LUST

  2. THE PANIC ROOM

  3. PAY THE LADY

  ABOUT RYAN RINGBLOOM

  THE AFTER PARTY

  1. CHAPTER ONE

  2. CHAPTER TWO

  ABOUT TORI MADISON

  AFTERWORD

  DRUNK IN LOVE.

  Copyright © 2017 by Kristen Luciani, A.D. Justice, A.M. Johnson, Amy Daws, Carey Heywood, Elle Brooks, Isabelle Richards, J.D. Hollyfield, Jeannine Colette Kandi Steiner, Kathryn Andrews, Katy Regnery, Liv Morris, Mariah Dietz, M.D. Saperstein, Meghan Quinn, Melissa Collins, MJ Fields, Ryan Ringbloom, Tori Madison

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Except for the original material written by the author(s), all songs, song titles, and lyrics mentioned in this novel are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

  All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, scanned, distributed, or used in any manner whatsoever, via the Internet, electronic, or print, without the express written permission of the authors, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  For more information, or information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the individual author or collectively at:

  [email protected]

  Edited by: Contact individual authors

  Cover Design by: Jena Brignola

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, March 2017

  ISBN-13: 978-0-9907575-8-0

  ISBN-10: 0-9907575-8-7

  ISBN: 978-0-9907575-8-0

  FOREWORD

  When the idea for this project first b
lossomed in the Spring of 2016, I was ecstatic to take part in it. What could be better than working to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with some of the most amazing women that I know?! Author Kristen Luciani has been an incredible partner on this project, and I am so proud to have had this opportunity.

  The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. And even with daily operating costs of $2 million per day, patient families never receive a single bill. This is consistent with founder Danny Thomas's vision - that no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family's ability to pay.

  All of the authors participating in Drunk In Love have been working tirelessly on these stories for a unified cause. Coming together in this way can be complicated and exhausting, but they have made it happen. It has been fun, heartwarming, and inspiring to work with these women. They put their heart and soul into each paragraph, chapter, and book that they have written, so to have them volunteer their time for us makes my heart swell.

  What you are about to embark on is a journey of love, laughter, angst, and maybe even some tears. 100% of all digital proceeds from the sale of the Drunk In Love Anthology will be directly donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. There is something here for everyone, so spread the word and let’s make magic happen!

  For more information on supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital please visit https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/why-support-st-jude.html

  With love,

  ~Jesey, Schmexy Girl Book Blog

  SEX, LIES, AND WEDDING BELLS

  Kristen Luciani

  1

  CHAPTER ONE

  I crack open my eyes. Sunlight slithers into the room through the sheer curtains, blinding me. Everything is blurry and foggy, and it feels like someone has taken a tire iron to my head. My iPhone alarm blares from the nightstand, but the noise is blunted by the throbbing between my temples.

  I shift under the bed sheet, running my hands over the Egyptian cotton. Twelve hundred thread count. Pure luxury. It was a shame I’d been too inebriated last night to enjoy my surroundings, and now all I want to do is shove my head in a toilet bowl… for multiple reasons.

  “Morning, beautiful.”

  A low, gravelly voice approaching my ear sends chills shimmying down my spine. Even in my current state, I welcome the idea of having Jeff’s taut body sprawled on top of me again, feeling his magical fingers exploring every orifice, experiencing his hot, hungry tongue tasting me from head to toe—

  “That alarm of yours has been going off for about ten minutes.”

  I let out a groan and flip over. “I can’t move.”

  “I think I can come up with a few ways to solve that problem.” He smooths back my hair.

  A smile lifts my lips. His deep blue eyes twinkle, making me forget everything for a blissful, fleeting minute. And then it all comes rushing back, like an all-consuming wave, ready to pummel me into the shore. My throat tightens, and the nausea is back with a vengeance. “No time.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” The twinkle fades, the perfect white smile now forlorn.

  “Your tux is in the closet.” I rise, clutching the sheet to my bare chest. “The shoes are in the bag by the door.”

  “Ariana…”

  “I have to get ready now. Hair and makeup are on the way. You know what’ll happen if I don’t get back to the suite.” Bile rises in my throat as I throw my legs over the side of the bed.

  “Don’t go. This isn’t over, Ari.”

  I slip into my tight, black cocktail dress from the night before and grab my Louboutins. “Yes, it is. See you at the altar.” My lips brush against his forehead for a brief second. I squeeze my eyes shut, but it doesn’t keep the tears from forming. I grab my clutch and bolt from the room without a backward glance. Because I know if I look back, I won’t be able to drag myself away. It’s what I need to do, what I did a very long time ago, and what I should have done last night. But fate…she’s a bitch with a sick sense of humor.

  2

  CHAPTER TWO

  Waves crash against the cliff, sunlight glinting atop the crystal blue waters, the perfect backdrop to a fairy tale wedding. I breathe in the sweet smell of the sea, hoping it will calm my frayed nerves. No such luck. The soft music commences, the signal to begin my walk.

  A shiver runs through me, despite the warmth blanketing the air. My heart thrums, my eyes sweeping the crowd of guests lining the floral-adorned aisle. I blink quickly, praying the tears gathered at the corners of my eyes don’t fall and completely destroy my eye makeup. My heart aches, but I’ll be damned if the rest of me doesn’t look perfect. I take one step, then two, my throat tightening. I force my gaze forward, but my eyes betray me and latch onto Jeff’s dejected ones. He knows why this is happening, but he still won’t accept it. Each step closer makes me die a bit more, but I need to be strong…for everyone’s sake.

  The lump in my throat morphs from a golf ball into a baseball. I’m a mere five steps away, and my knees wobble like I’m a little girl walking in her mom’s heels for the first time. I take my place, opposite Jeff. So many emotions pool in his eyes, but the most prevalent one is denial. Dammit, he’s so stubborn, but I’ve already done enough damage.

  I draw in a deep breath and force my head toward the end of the aisle. My sister Eva is a vision in white silk twill. She doesn’t walk, she glides. Her smile is brighter than the early afternoon sunshine as she makes her way toward us. I try to focus on her, but again, my heart betrays my mind. Jeff is in my periphery, setting my insides ablaze under his hungry stare. Why isn’t he looking at the bride, for chrissakes? Everyone else is! He needs to stop looking at me now! I manage a quivering smile as I fluff my sister Eva’s dress. She returns it with a glowing one of her own. She is the one person who knows me better than anyone. Eva can see through me like I’m a freshly-washed window. And if she could see what was really behind my forced façade, I’d really be fucked.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Damon, you may kiss the bride.”

  Damon pulls Eva in for a tight embrace before planting his lips on hers for the most un-chaste kiss I’ve ever seen at a wedding. Forget anything you’ve ever heard about church tongue because it just doesn’t apply here. At all. Good thing they opted for a secular ceremony in Palm Springs because God would not have approved. I clap along with the rest of the guests, trying to ignore the tingling between my thighs. No, not from watching them kiss. That would be kind of sick. It’s from the memory of Jeff’s lips on mine…and everywhere else on my body last night. An icy sensation snakes around my heart and squeezes. I knew going to his room to drop off the tux would be a mistake. I should have had one of the other girls do it. But that wouldn’t have been my MO. Nope, I love self-inflicted torture. It’s the reason why things happened with Jeff in the first place. And the reason why they need to end before his smoldering gaze has a chance to melt off another pair of my lace panties.

  3

  CHAPTER THREE

  Eva and Damon move around the dance floor as if they’re floating on air to “their” song, “The Way You Look Tonight,” by Frank Sinatra. Classic, elegant, timeless. They are so perfect, so in sync, so in love. Theirs is the kind of gooey-chewy love I’ve vowed to avoid in pursuit of my own life goals. Of course, that was after I’d witnessed my parents’ marriage crash and burn before my eyes. It was then I’d decided to never let myself depend on anyone else or believe their bullshit promises. Because it is all bullshit. So I focus on my career – the one source of security that will never bludgeon my heart. No time to waste on love, of all things. That grand plan is definitely biting me in the ass. Hard. Pun intended…

  While cameras flash and shutters snap incessantly, Jeff approaches. Raw, carnal thoughts of being pressed against him are looping through my lust-infused mind. The photographer is on point to capture the money shot, so I forc
e a smile, blinking fast to eradicate those pesky tears blurring my vision. With a smooth motion, he pulls me into his muscular arms, his deep-set eyes never straying from my face. The wicked grin to which I’ve grown accustomed is wiped away, replaced with a fierce look of determination. I know it well. I’ve seen it all too often. But it won’t stop me…can’t stop me.

  “You look gorgeous.” His voice is hushed, since we’re now joined by the rest of the bridal party.

  My brain rewinds to the first time he uttered those words. A highly inappropriate setting, under eyebrow raising circumstances. I should have pulled away then, before all these emotions started clouding my judgment.

  “Thanks,” I whisper as he spins me around the shiny marble floor. It’s not what I really want to say. I want to tell him I love him, that he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but our ship has sailed, leaving me dangling over the side, head-first, positioned to drown in the rough seas of heartache and devastation.

  His grip around my waist tightens. “I need you, Ari. I’m not letting you walk again.”

  “Please, don’t. Not here. I can’t—“

  “Tell me you don’t miss me…miss us.”

  “What I miss is inconsequential.” What he doesn’t know is I can’t have what I so desperately need.

  “No, it isn’t. Fuck the consequences. I know what I want.”