Seduction, page 26
“She’s going to have a best friend for life now,” James said and put his hand on my stomach.
I’d tell him that he was wrong, and that I was most definitely going to have a boy. But I’d just lost a bet. And I didn’t feel quite as confident about the sex of our baby anymore. I was terrible at bets. “That’s all that really matters,” I said. “We should go congratulate them.”
“Well, the bet still matters,” he said as he helped me to my feet.
“What are you going to make me do?”
“You’ll see,” he said and winked at me.
I swatted his butt as all of us ran over to Rob and Daphne.
Mason was already hugging Rob. And even though Bee had guessed it, there were tears in her eyes as she hugged Daphne.
“I knew it,” Matt said.
“Me too,” said Mason.
Apparently I was the only one who really believed it wasn’t a shotgun wedding. I was a sucker for love.
I gave Rob a big hug. “Congratulations.”
He kissed my cheek. “JJ and RJ are going to be best friends, I just know it.”
I laughed. “There is no way that James is going to name our son James Junior.”
“You never know,” Rob said. “Why are you crying?” He cupped the side of my face.
“I seem to do that a lot recently. I’m just…so happy.”
Rob pulled me back into his embrace.
“I’m so happy for you,” I said.
He squeezed me tight. “I’m terrified. But so excited. Is that normal?”
“100 percent.” I’m pretty sure I bounce back and forth between those two emotions on a daily basis. “But you’re going to be a great dad. You took care of James when he needed you.”
“Hopefully my son won’t have as strong of a left hook. No. Scratch that. I hope he does.”
I laughed, even though I’d never heard the story of James punching Rob. I’d have to hear that another day though, because James pulled Rob into a hug.
I kept blinking away my tears.
Daphne grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you as soon as we found out. But Rob wanted it to be a surprise. I thought we were going to tell you at that parrot restaurant, but Rob surprised me with a proposal.”
I’d known something weird was up that night. God, why hadn’t I followed my instincts? I should have won this bet. Instead I’d totally lost. But I couldn’t be mad at myself. It wasn’t bad to be a believer in true love. And despite the fact that Rob and Daphne were expecting a child, I truly believed they were meant to be together regardless. They were like two puzzle pieces that just…fit.
“That’s okay,” I said with a smile. “You told us now.”
“That was part of the reason I was acting weird too,” added Daphne. “Too many secrets! I hate keeping secrets from you.”
I gave her a big hug. “They’re going to be best friends, you know. Just like James, Rob, Mason, and Matt were.”
“I hope so. I have the cutest picture of them when they were little. Rob showed it to me.”
I smiled. “They used to be so cute, huh?” I turned to look at James and Rob all grown up. They were standing with Mason and Matt laughing. Everyone looked so happy. I wanted this moment to last forever. “I guess they’re still cute.”
Daphne laughed. “They really are. Maybe we’ll each have two boys and they’ll be just like the four of them.”
“Well, hopefully not exactly like them. We’ll be better moms than Mrs. Hunter.”
“Oh, so much better,” Daphne said.
“I can’t believe you guys didn’t invite her because of us.”
“Are you kidding? We love you and James. And as far as I’m concerned, that woman is not part of our family.”
I gave her another hug, trying hard to blink away my tears. This was what I wanted. For us to be friends. And I’d been too foolish to realize that we already were.
Bee put her arms around us and I laughed.
“Group hug!” she said.
I laughed. “You’re so drunk.”
“Not yet.” She downed a shot that I hadn’t seen in her hand a second ago. “But I’m about to be! Best night ever!”
“Best night ever!” Daphne yelled.
Yeah. They had a good point. “Best night ever!” I yelled.
Chapter 33
Saturday
I smiled as I watched Rob dip Daphne low.
Despite what everyone said, this wasn’t a shotgun wedding. They were perfect together.
“You’re crying again,” James said.
“What?” I reached up and touched beneath my eyes. Sure enough, I felt the tears.
“You’re so cute.” He pulled me into his side.
“I’m not cute. I’m very sexy.”
He kissed the top of my head.
“Speaking of sexy,” Kristen said and leaned in way too close. “Threesomes are very sexy.”
“Okay.” I put my hand out to prevent her from leaning in any further. “Kristen, we talked about this. No hitting on my husband.” I emphasized the world husband. Although I wasn’t sure she understood the concept.
Kristen shrugged. “It’s just an offer. One you can’t refuse, I hope.” She stood up. “Want to dance, Professor Hunter?”
The music had just changed and guests were flooding onto the dance floor.
James didn’t even look up at her. “I think I owe my wife a dance,” he said and put his hand out for me.
At least he was being well behaved. Well…kind of. Because he was giving me all kinds of sex eyes. Not the threesome kind, just the normal kind.
He led me to the dance floor and pulled me in close. A smoke machine must have been turned on somewhere, because it was like we were dancing on a cloud. This was one thing I could get behind. Nice work, Justin. James twirled me around and the smoke swirled in the air away from my skirt. It truly was like we were dancing in the air.
James pulled me back in close. I was pretty sure this was just what love felt like. Security. I smiled up at him. “No threesome tonight, huh?”
“I’ve had enough of those for one lifetime.”
I couldn’t help it. I kicked him right in the shin.
“Ow.”
I glared at him.
“Please don’t tell me this is when you’re finally going to demand my actual number.”
I shook my head. I knew it was a lot. And I didn’t care. Because he’d chosen me. Besides, I didn’t want the knowledge of his sexual history to get in the way of the stars in my eyes as I looked up at him.
The slow song switched to a fast paced one and Bee gave me a bear hug, almost knocking me to the floor.
“Time to dance!” she screamed.
That was fine. I was happy to dance with her. As long as I stayed close to James all night. I didn’t want to leave him alone. Kristen would see it as a peace offering or something. And I didn’t want peace with her. I wanted her to stay away from my man.
***
I felt drunk even though I wasn’t. I just felt fucking alive. The sweat dripped down the back of my neck, and James’ hands were on my hips, pulling me closer.
I wasn’t sure how long we’d been dancing. But based on how overheated I was and how hard I was smiling? Probably a while. And I’d only had to practically shove Kristen away four times. Which seemed on the low side to me since James was looking fine as hell tonight.
I heard laughter and looked over at Justin on the dance floor. Tim was bent over in front of him and Justin was spanking his ass. I had so many questions. But it looked like they were all having the time of their lives. Including Kristen. Who was now spanking Justin’s ass. Maybe that was the threesome that was about to happen.
“Everyone is so drunk,” I said.
“Not me.” James’ hand swept over my stomach, pulling me closer. He nuzzled his nose into the side of my neck. “And I need you,” he whispered into my ear.
I tilted my head back so that I could see him. “Then take me.”
He bit down lightly on my earlobe.
I tried my best not to moan right on the dance floor. I expected him to pull me out of the tent. Especially since the song had just ended.
Instead, he spun me around so that I was facing him. I exhaled slowly as I stared up at him. Earlier today, I’d been terrified of this wedding. Like the whole world had been caving in on top of me. Like I couldn’t breathe. I exhaled slowly. But I felt so safe in James’ arms. James was the best thing I’d ever have. He was the best part of my life.
“Baby.” He ran his thumb beneath my eye. “You know it hurts me when you cry.”
“I love you,” I said.
“I love you more.”
I pressed my lips together. “Impossible.”
He ran his fingers through my hair. “Trust me, it’s possible. Whatever you’re feeling…I don’t know how it could be as consuming as what I’m feeling for you.”
“Our baby is going to have a best friend.”
James dropped his forehead to mine.
“This isn’t a slow song,” I whispered.
“It feels like one.”
Every song felt like a slow song with him. Like time stopped when our bodies were pressed against each other.
“Do you want to get out of here?” I said and looked up at him.
“You’re not scared we’re gonna miss something? They haven’t even cut the cake.”
“I’ve seen a cake cut before. It’s hardly momentous.”
James smiled. “In that case.” He stepped away from me and put out his hand. “Are you ready for the time of your life?”
I had no idea what he meant by that. But I’d always take his hand when he offered it.
Before he could pull me out of the tent though, Justin stepped in front of us. “Where do you think you two are going?” he asked.
“A walk,” James said.
“It’s almost time to cut the cake.” He looked down at his watch. “You have 20 minutes, tops. And if I have to come find you, I’m going to be very upset. I might just have to punish the two of you.”
I laughed. I loved the idea of James punishing me. But I didn’t think I’d love Justin’s punishment. He’d probably force me to help plan another rushed wedding. Or get me covered in glitter again. Or make me do unspeakable things with Tim and Kristen. I shuddered at the thought.
“We’ll be back in 20 minutes then,” James promised.
“Okay. You don’t want to miss this. It’s going to be epic. They’re going to cut the cake with a sword. Damn it! Why’d I just ruin the surprise? I’m a mess tonight.” He fanned his face. “Sometimes I get a little loopy when I’ve had too much to drink. Oh well! Time to get back to grinding on the dance floor, bitches!” He blew us each a kiss and ran back onto the dance floor.
Yup, he was definitely drunk.
I laughed as James pulled me out of the tent. “Now that we know the cake is being cut with a sword, we probably don’t need to hurry back. Besides, there’s no way he’s going to come find us. He’s having the time of his life.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
We walked hand in hand over to the little waterfall. For a second we just stood there and stared. The very first time we’d been here there were still lightning bugs. But they’d disappeared early this year as the chilly fall air swept in.
James pulled my back to his chest. And his hand slid down my thigh, hiking up the skirt of my dress.
I shivered, but not from the cold. James lightly traced my thigh with his fingertips. His other hand slipped down the front of my dress and grabbed my breast.
Before I could protest, he moved my thong to the side and slid his finger inside of me.
God. I let my head fall back on his shoulder.
His thumb brushed against my clit.
And it was like the shock of electricity woke me up. “James,” I hissed. “Anyone can walk out here and…”
He thrust another finger inside of me.
Jesus. I grabbed his forearm to stop him, but instead I found myself guiding his movements.
“Baby, you’ve always loved the thrill of almost getting caught.”
I pushed my ass back, rubbing it against his growing erection. His slow exhale made me shiver. I needed him inside of me. Because he was right. I loved the idea of getting caught. He’d always known it. He’d just had to show me that it was true.
“I can feel how much you love it,” he groaned.
I did. So fucking much.
“You’re soaking wet.”
I moaned.
“I’d dare you to take this off like last time,” he whispered against my neck. “But I love bunching up your skirt and fucking you hard.”
Just putting that image in my head made me moan again. But before I could respond, he grabbed my waist and lifted me over his shoulder.
My laughter drowned out the music from the reception.
He pushed my skirt up and lightly nipped my exposed ass cheek.
It was déjà vu. From our first night here. Even more so as I felt the soft leaves of the willow tree against my skin as he dipped us beneath the branches.
It was quieter underneath the tree. Like we were tucked away and hidden from the world. And when James set me down on my feet it was almost like I was transported back in time.
I wanted to call him Professor Hunter. And I wanted him to fuck me against this tree. Desperately.
“Hmm…” I twirled around beneath the branches. “Should I lie down? Or will the fertilizer give me a terrible rash?” I’d never asked him how he knew about such things. And I never would. Because his past didn’t matter. This moment did. We did.
“Put your hands on the tree trunk,” he said, ignoring me.
But he was right there with me. Back in time. Before we were really an us. When we’d both just started falling. God, who was I kidding? I’d fallen for him the moment I fell into his arms in that coffee shop.
I followed his instructions and put my hands against the tree trunk. “Time to teach me a lesson, Professor Hunter?”
He groaned.
“Because I’ve been a very naughty girl.” I hiked up my skirt and arched my back.
I heard the zip of his pants and I clenched. I needed him inside of me. He was right. I was fucking soaked. And I needed him. I always needed him.
He grabbed my hips and thrust himself inside of me.
I gasped, my palms digging into the bark. God, I loved that. The pain and the…
He thrust again.
Pleasure. Yes! Just like that.
He fucked me harder. Faster. A couple weeks ago, he’d been gentle with me. Worried about his baby growing inside of me.
But it was like he’d lost control the past few days. He fucked me like it was just the two of us. Like we were in love and nothing else mattered.
His fingers dug into my hips. Painfully so. And I loved every fucking second of it. I’d always liked it rough. And he knew it.
I pushed against the trunk of the tree, matching his thrusts. I was so fucking close to coming. And I didn’t even care if I screamed loudly enough for the whole reception to hear. It felt too good. Too consuming. Too much.
But he pulled out of me far too soon.
I turned around to see him, my skirt still bunched up in my hands. I watched his chest rise and fall as he caught his breath, his cock standing at attention through the zipper of his tuxedo pants.
Last time we’d done this, he’d fucked me against the tree so hard that my back was sore for days from the little cuts from the bark. I’d been fully expecting that again.
Instead, I watched him pull off his jacket and toss it on the ground.
“Lie down,” he said.
There was a difference between being a dirty little secret and the love of someone’s life. And as much as I loved getting fucked against a tree… I sat down on top of his jacket in the grass and slowly spread my legs.
For a second he just stood there and watched me.
I ran my hand up the inside of my thigh as I stared up at him. His Adam’s apple rose and fell. And before I reached my wetness, he took a step toward me.
He got down on his knees and leaned over me, thrusting himself inside of me again.
Yes! I gripped the muscles in his back. Yes, I liked being his dirty little secret. But I loved being cherished by him too.
He grabbed my ass, pulling me even closer. The shift of angle made me cry out.
“Baby, you’re just trying to get caught.”
I moaned again.
“You really are a dirty girl. And I fucking love it.”
I pulled his lips down to mine. I didn’t care if we got caught. I just wanted him inside me. Faster. Harder. God, yes!
He bit down on my lip as he thrust faster.
“James…”
“Come with me, baby.” He pulled my hair so I’d meet his gaze. And that was it. The little bit of pain mixed with the excruciating pleasure.
“Fuck,” he groaned as I tightened around his cock.
He kissed me as I came. His kisses growing more ragged as he released himself inside of me.
I blinked up at him. “That was…not the same as last time.” It had started off very similar. But it ended up being a lot more gentle. Loving. Perfect. I ran my fingers through his hair.
“I didn’t want to hurt you.” He ran the tip of his nose down the length of mine before pulling out of me.
“And you wanted to back then?”
For a second he looked confused.
I felt so empty without him inside of me. “You wanted to hurt me back then?” I asked again.
“No. Not at all. But I think a part of me still wanted to fuck you out of my system.” He smiled down at me. “And somewhere along the way I fucked you into my system instead of out of it.”
I laughed and looped my arms behind his neck, pulling him back to me. “What an eloquent way to put it.”
“I’m only kidding. I was infatuated with you. It was like I couldn’t breathe without you.”
I stared into his eyes. “I felt exactly the same way. You completely captivated me. I dreamed about you every night we weren’t together.”
He ran his fingers through my hair. “I dreamed about you too. Sinful dreams.”
I smiled up at him. “Me too.” I’d had so much fun tonight. And I knew the party was still going on, because I could hear the music blaring. But…I just wanted to go home with my husband. As fun as it was to be part of the bridal party…I needed some time just the two of us. “I know it’s still early. But do you want to head home?”
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