Chapter 1
June 11th, 1999
When the rehearsal dinner broke up, Adrienne Hewitt and her fiancé said good night to their guests then took a walk in the courtyard of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Her parents had booked several blocks of rooms for the wedding party, immediate families and the out-of-town guests. Doing this, Maureen Hewitt felt she could make sure everyone would get to the church the next afternoon on time.
"The guys want to go out for a drink," Seneca Manion said, pulling her close.
"So do the girls."
"How about I knock on your door between eleven and twelve?"
"Sounds like a plan," she agreed, "but I want you right now so bad I can't see straight."
"Hold that thought, Blaze," Seneca said, before kissing his wife-to-be.
"I can't wait."
"Nor can I," he said, a hint of an Irish brogue appearing. Seneca had been born in Canada to an English father and an Irish mother. Tall, dark and handsome, he exuded sex though in reality, he was a very down-to-earth guy who didn't understand why women thought him special. I'm me he once told her. Together since childhood, Seneca had eyes for one woman and one only--Adrienne Hewitt.
He gazed into her eyes, his dark ones twinkling with devilment.
"I love you, Blaze," he said. "Remember, you always leave my heart blazing with desire for you."
"I love you, too," she said, smiling. "I wish all this was over and we could be alone together."
"So do I but we must keep the parents happy."
"You know I didn't want all this."
"I know but you'll be the most beautiful bride to ever walk down the aisle and I have the satisfaction of knowing you'll be all mine."
"I'm yours right now."
"And I am your devoted servant."
"Seneca, I..."
"Shh, let's get back. We'll go out for one last drink as singles then I will come to you and fuck you bloody senseless."
"Mmm, let's skip the drinks and go straight to the fucking."
"Great idea," he said, turning them around to go back to the dining room to find their friends and family.
"Hey, Seneca, come on!" Padraic yelled before he quickly joined them from across the courtyard.
"I've changed my mind. Adrienne and I have other plans," Seneca said, squeezing her hand.
"You'll have all the time in the world to be together after tomorrow night."
"I know, little brother, and I appreciate the sentiment."
"Aye, if I had a beauty like her agree to marry me, I'd hold onto her, too."
"You'll tell the others?"
"I'll give them a good tale then we'll hoist a few in your honor."
"Thanks."
Padraic gave Adrienne a kiss then slapped Seneca on the shoulder. "Never a finer family than us Manions. See you later."
His little brother stood almost as tall as Seneca but had the body of a brawny football player, the complete opposite of his older brother. Padraic left them to meet with the others and when Seneca and Adrienne heard the small group laugh, they knew he'd given them a line of blarney so outrageous, it may have bordered on the truth.
"Now it's my turn."
"Adi, where have you been? The girls are waiting."
"I'm sorry, Ari, but I don't feel up to any more drinking. My head's pounding from the champagne at dinner."
"You're full of it!" Arianna Winterling, one of her bridesmaids accused.
"I am not," Adrienne protested in mock disbelief that her friend could accuse her of such a thing.
Ari laughed and winked. She gave them both kisses then disappeared into the bar.
"That was easy. Now, to sneak upstairs."
"Let's go, Blaze."
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