Free A Tropical Rendezvous: A BWWM Interracial Bad Boy Billionaire Multicultural Romance (African American Romance) by Ella Celestine Page B

him.
    “Okay. But, let’s stop for a drink first.”
    She laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m buying!”
    “What are you buying,” Angie asked, startling them both.
    Briana laughed nervously, hand to her chest. “Congratulations, bridal ninja. You look beautiful.”
    “Thanks,” she beamed a smile up at both of them, but it quickly dimmed. “You guys aren’t leaving are you?”
    Busted. “No, we’re just going for a drink before the reception.” He could see that she didn’t fully believe him, but she didn’t challenge him either. “We’ll be there.”
    “Promise?”
    Briana nodded and placed a hand on Angie’s bare shoulder. “We just want to get away from the tension for a bit, but I will personally make sure he’s there to see you dance with your husband for the first time.”
    Angie’s shoulder sagged in relief. “Okay. I’m really sorry about last night, Briana. Carter was out of line.”
    “Don’t worry about it,” she dismissed the apology, but Maddox tightened his grip around her. He’d seen the tear tracks that had dried on her cheeks when he came to bed last night and knew how badly she was hurt. “The photographer is calling for you.”
    Angie left in a flurry of activity, arms flailing and white dress dusting up in all directions as she cried, “See you guys later!”
    ~
    “To a long and happy life!” Everyone lifted their glasses as Carter finished his toast the happy couple.
    Maddox raised his, albeit reluctantly. He should be toasting his brother, dammit. Molly had finished her toast as well, and it was now time for the first dance. He watched Stone gather Angie in his arms and, as the music began, they began to sway.
    They looked so happy and in love, Maddox hoped they’d always stay like that. Too bad I won’t be around to see it. That was the part that stung the most. Time had passed and still he was being treated like a pariah, so he knew he wouldn’t stick around. He wasn’t even sure if he’d come back for a long time. Stone and Carter switched dance partners and soon his parents were out there too.
    “Can we get out of here now?”
    Briana looked concerned, but she nodded and grabbed her impossibly small purse. "Of course.”
    While the crowd was busy watching the happy couples dancing, Maddox and Briana slipped from the ballroom. They were so close to freedom when Maddox heard his brother speak. “You’re leaving?”
    They both froze. After a deep breath, Maddox turned around. “Yep. Congratulations Stone, I’m sure you and Angie will be very happy together.”
    Stone’s look darkened. “When are you coming back to Blossom Cove?”
    “I don’t know.” He wasn’t sure he would come back for a long time. Not that it would matter to anyone in town anyway.
    Arms folded over his chest, Stone looked angry as hell. “You’ll just stay away forever? What the fuck?”
    “What difference does it make, Stone? You don’t give a damn.  Just be happy I’ll be out of your hair.”
    “Happy? My brother —my twin — tells me he’s leaving and never coming back, and I’m supposed to be happy about it?”
    Maddox shrugged. “You did fine without me for six months, so how the hell should I know?” He was done with this conversation. “Don’t go and act all hurt now. I apologized, and it wasn’t good enough for you. I went away like you all wanted and somehow I’m still to blame.”
    He shook his head and scoffed.
    His brother physically deflated at his words. He looked ashamed, defeated. “You’re my brother, Maddox, of course, I want you around. Dammit, it was a fight!”
    “No Stone, it was exile!” That’s what it felt like to him anyways. He’d been sent away where no one could see him as if he was a stain on a nice rug.
    “I never meant it to be that way. I was just upset.” Identical blue eyes shimmered with liquid. His brother was hurting as much as he was.
    “Okay,” he said with a sigh.
    Stone’s surprise showed on his