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

way to the dressing rooms. “Coming?”
    He followed, hands roaming all over her body while she undressed. “You really are here in your opinion, not your other talents.”
    With a pout, Maddox sat back but kept one hand stroking up and down the side of her breast. “No fun.”
    She smiled at him, but frowned at one dress and then the other. “None of these are right.” This was why she hated shopping. It took forever.
    “I’ll be back,” he said and rushed through the door.
    Briana shrugged and turned to the final dress. She would give him some leeway since she knew this was a stressful time for him. He didn’t want to be here, she could tell, but he also desperately wanted to be back into the family fold. Her heart went out to him, and she just hoped they could fix his broken ties this week.
    The peach sheath fit beautifully and could easily be dressed up or down. Finally happy with one garment, she stepped out of the stall and went in search of Maddox.
    A smile broke into her lips when she saw his handsome face walking towards her. But it was short lived when he didn’t smile back. It was only then when she noticed the different colored shirt he was wearing. Her heart sank as she whispered, “Stone.”
    The name was barely out of her lips when strong palms grasped her by the waist. “Hey Bri, I found a few I think you’ll . . . like.”
    ~
    Shit! The absolute last thing Maddox wanted was to run into anyone from his family before he was ready, and here he was holding silky dresses and staring into the familiar face of his twin. “Stone.”
    “Maddox. When did you get to town?”             
    He didn’t seem completely unhappy so that was something. “Last night.” They stood facing each other, hands at their sides, mirror images of one another.
    Blonde brows furrowed. “Why didn’t you come home?”
    He didn’t know how to answer the question without starting another argument, and that just pissed him off. Maddox Davidson didn’t feel unsure, ever. He didn’t care about what people thought of him, except that now he apparently did.
    “ That was all on me,” Briana interrupted. “I didn’t want to go because no one knew he was coming, never mind bringing a guest.” She looked between both of them with that same look people wore when they stared at identical twins. Her eyes, however, softened when they focused on Maddox. “Thanks for these,” she held the dresses close. “You guys go chat while I finish up, and I’ll meet you in the food court.”
    Maddox nodded, grateful she was making this easier for him. He pulled a wad of cash from his wallet and handed it to her.
    “I don’t want your damn money, Maddox!” She spun and slammed the stall door behind her. His brother chuckled beside him.
    “She’s different.”
    They began to walk. “She is that. Nice, though. Crazy too, but in a good way.” Silence had settled between them before Maddox spoke again. “So . . . congratulations.”
    “Yeah, thanks.” Stone stopped and turned to his brother. “I’m sorry, Mad. I should have called and told you about proposing to Angie. I should have asked you to be my best man.”
    Yeah but you didn’t. He shrugged, gaze scanning the crowded galleria rather than look into those familiar blue eyes that were filled with emotions he wasn’t willing to name. “Your wedding, your decision.” He didn’t want to be anywhere he wasn’t wanted, certainly not out of obligation. “It’s okay.”
    “You’ll be there?”
    Maddox gave a short nod. “That’s why I’m here.”
    Stone seemed nervous, unsure. He wanted to say something, that much was obvious, but he couldn’t seem to get it out. “Why don’t you bring your friend over to the house for dinner tonight?”
    That was a half-hearted invitation if he ever heard one. “Thanks but I’m sure you guys have better things to do this close to your wedding.”
    “I’m sorry, Maddox. I shouldn’t have left it so long, but I did,