Free Her Island Fantasy, an erotic novella (Bridesmaids in Paradise) by Emma Jay Page B

to their future together. I hope that no matter what comes in the decades ahead, you’re always able to carry that joy that you find in each other with you. To Eric and Haven.”
    After the toast, he dropped back to the folding chair, but not before he saw Bailey smile at him.
    Then it was her turn, and damn, he should have realized she’d be giving one too, and he should have let her go first, but he’d been too nervous.
    “I’m going to stick with my original speech,” Bailey said, drawing a laugh. “But what Ian said is true. There’s a bubble of happiness around these two, and it’s expanding to include all of us, and that’s what I want to say to my best friend.” She turned to look directly at Haven. “The minister said today is the day you and Eric start your family, but that’s not true. No, she’s not pregnant,” she added quickly when Haven’s mother gasped. “We are your family, we the people who you include in your life, who have watched you grow and hurt and fall in love and yes, feel that joy. Even before you married, you made us part of your family, and I couldn’t be more proud than to be part of it, more honored to be included. So today your family shares this spectacular day, these wonderful memories, and we will be around for many more.”
    She saluted them with her glass, then sat, wiping her eyes. Ian wished he could touch her, soothe her, but then dinner was served and more champagne was poured. The tent was full of laughter and chatter and all he wanted was to go someplace quiet with Bailey.
    Finally the dancing started, Eric and Haven first, graceful only because they had taken a few lessons. Ian had the feeling that Haven wouldn’t have minded Eric stomping all over her toes. Her entire attention was on his brother, the moment so intimate, Ian had to look away.
    Then the wedding party was called out, and Bailey held her hand out to him. Since he and Jared were the only groomsmen, and Jared had his wife as a partner, Elizabeth danced with Max and Joslyn danced with her friend Andrew. Finally, Ian would have a moment with Bailey. He drew her against him on the floor, but she eased back, putting a respectable space between them.
    “Great speech,” she said, smiling up at him. “I know just what you meant.”
    “I thought you might think it was corny.”
    “I thought it was romantic. And much nicer than your snarky speech.”
    He’d forgotten she’d read it the other night. “Shorter, too.”
    “Always a bonus when people are waiting to drink.”
    He stroked a stray strand of hair from her neck. “Did I tell you how gorgeous you look?”
    “You may have mentioned it.”
    “Can we get away, just for a few minutes?”
    She looked scandalized. “Not for awhile. There are a few traditions—the cake, the bouquet. Today is Haven and Eric’s day. We can wait.”
    Only it was their last day on the island, the last day of…whatever this was between them. While he was happy for his brother and Haven, he didn’t want to waste what was left of his time with Bailey watching her from afar.
    Soon enough, she was gone from his arms, almost like she couldn’t wait to put distance between them, almost as if this was already over for her.
    She helped serve the cake, and then it was time for the bouquet toss. He was pretty sure the other ladies arranged it so Elizabeth would catch the bouquet. At first she looked flustered, then Max joined her on the floor.
    “This works right into my plans,” he said, and took her face in his hands and kissed her. She wound her arms around his neck, draping the bouquet over his shoulder, and kissed him back, to the cheers of the crowd.
    Ian slipped up behind Bailey and took her hand. With a small tug, he inclined his head toward the edge of the tent. She hesitated, then followed.
    He took her to the edge of the water, just beyond the reach of the waves, turned her to him and kissed her, savoring her softness, her taste, everything about her. She