Chapter 8 — Whiskey chasers and bouquet catchers

Ramon:

I stood at the bar, watching the swirling mass of relatives and friends, swirl around my brother and his brand new wife, spewing congrats and other good wishes. Overhead, soft music blared, adding a relaxed vibe to the vastly overcrowded room. I mean who invites 200 plus people for a wedding reception?

But that wasn't what concerned me right now. My only concern was seated at table three, dressed in a sky blue, skintight, extremely sexy bridesmaid dress, discreetly talking on her cellphone.

God, she looked so Goddamn sexy in that dress. I couldn't keep my eyes off her during the ceremony. All her curves accentuated, her luscious long legs on view.

I was lucky not to get hard with my rancid thoughts up on that altar.

I downed my whiskey and ordered another. I think I need more alcohol if I'm to survive this night.

The past two days, living just inches away from her, were a blessing and a curse.

Blessing in the fact that I could spend more time with her. During these two days, we've had several encounters which never failed to make me fumble like an idiot. But acting like a fool paid off when I heard her wonderful, tinkling laugh. I also got the opportunity to observe her, learning her likes and dislikes.

For one, she seems to like coffee rather than tea, she likes to wear her beautiful blond hair down, she like spicy food, and she likes old classical movies.

She doesn't like the rain which is ironic since she lives in one of the rainiest countries in the world, she doesn't like loud music and she absolutely hates the cold.

All miniscule things but they all meant a lot more to me.

She also loves her job as a divorce attorney, which is weird but I don't care.

The only thing to say is I was already knee deep in the alluring enigma that is Sydney West.

"One whiskey chaser please" I heard a familiar voice say beside me and I turned.

She stood, her blue eyes focused on the bartender as he fixed up her drink.

Say something you idiot, my inner voice chided me.

"Funny, I never took you for a whiskey girl"

Her gaze snapped to me and she grinned, her perfect teeth flashing "Well I'm more of a tequila girl but whiskey is a classier option"

I chuckled.

"So what are you doing all alone, brooding at the bar? It's your brother's wedding after all," she chimed, sipping her drink.

"It's his wedding, not mine, and I like brooding."

She giggled, it sounded like the sweetest music to my ears.

"Well you do it so well and so convincingly"

"Is that a compliment?" I chuckled out.

She shrugged and flashed me a gut wrenching smile.

I watched as she downed her drink and proceeded to suck on an ice cube, making me a rock in my pants. Even her small movements aroused me so much.

"So Ramon, are you single?"

That shocked me, more than I'd care to admit but I recovered just enough to reply "Depends on who is asking"

She smirked "The other bridesmaids were just wondering, actually we made a bet. I bet 10 quid that you're not single"

"Tough luck sweetheart. I'm very single"

"Bollocks" she cursed, snapping her fingers "Well that 10 quid down the pipe"

I let a minute of silence pass before I asked the question plaguing my mind ever since I set my eyes on her.

"What about you? Are you single?"

She sipped her refreshed drink before answering "Depends on who's asking"

I chuckled "A little honesty would be nice sweetness"

"Fine" she drawled playfully "I'm single, but don't tell anyone"

I made a locking motion against my lips and she beamed.

Suddenly another bridesmaid appeared at her elbow and whispered something into her ear before casting a longing look at me and retreating.

"Well, I have to go. Seems like it's time to catch the bouquet and I'm hoping to catch that poor fucker so..." She drawled before reaching out and stroking my shoulder slowly "Stay here and keep my drink cold"

And with an alluring sway of her hips, she disappeared into the crowd.

Before long, she reappeared but this time clutching a bouquet of red and white roses to her chest, a huge smile on her face.

"That was quite a rush, I legitimately had to fight of the rest of the bridesmaids to get this" she puffed out before collapsing into the bar stool beside me.

"Why? It's just a bunch of flowers," I asked.

She grinned, calling the bartender and ordering two tequila shots before answering "There's a superstition that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next one to get married, like the bride is passing along her good luck."

My heart leaped in my chest "So you caught it because you want to be the next to get hitched?"

She snorted, pushing the second shot to me "No, I caught them because they would look pretty on my nightstand"

I gave a short laugh "But what you said is actually true. I want every girl's dream, to fall in love, get married, have a dozen kids and live happily ever after, like in the story books you know." She slammed her shot like it was nothing and signaled for another one.

I downed mine before speaking "A storybook life huh? How is that working out for you?"

"Quite the opposite, really. Instead of getting married, I work as a divorce attorney—which is great by the way. Great pay but depressing work." She paused to down another shot. "Seeing all those bitter couples want nothing but to be apart really makes the marriage thought sour."

I stayed silent, watching her down another shot before sighing and flashing a sweet smile at me.

"I've been going on and on about me, tell me about yourself"

"What do you want to know love?" The endearment rolled off my tongue and I could see she didn't mind me calling her that.

It was only befitting.

"Anything, bare your soul to me" She said dramatically and I chuckled.

"Well you already know I'm based in Italy and I work for my family's company"

"Ah Italy, I heard its always sunny there" she chimed and I nodded.

"Sounds like a dream" she sighed.

"It's really beautiful there."

Almost as beautiful as you.

"So mystery man, what else do you want to tell me about yourself? Dark secrets? Crazy fetishes?"

I chuckled "You're funny, you know that"

She grinned and flipped her hair over her shoulder "Everyone tells me that but you didn't answer my question"

"I don't have any of those things sweetness, I am but a simple man"

"Really? A simple man? Well according to Astrid, You aren't just simple. A massive string of one-night stands spread across the world, beautiful women you've all conquered"

I winced, I tried so hard not to think about that. You see I was sort of a playboy, but I've given up on that, as soon as I met her. But I couldn't tell her that.

"Astrid never skims on details" I said simply "So you have fucked all these women?"

No point in denying it now.

"Sadly"

"Wow!" She breathed, before breaking into a soft laugh. I was stunned.

Isn't she supposed to be angry and start berating me? I mean that's what all women do when they hear about my numerous one-night stands.

But she was laughing?

"I'd take it by that shocked look on your face you were expecting me to blow up and start yelling at you right?" She asked, her tone amused

"Precisely" I answered, still shocked She chuckled "No, I won't do that. Everyone has their own skeletons in their closets, some a bit more than others. But I wouldn't judge, I have no right to"

I don't have any words.

She beamed at me and stood, before offering her hand "Come dance with me, Mr. Playboy."

I didn't even hesitate taking her hand and allowing her to lead me to the slightly overcrowded dance floor.