The Best Man Problem

by Mariah Ankenman

  “Hey, everyone.” Lilly’s partner Mo popped up at the end of the aisle and ushered the wedding party over. “Lilly is taking Kenneth and Marie outside to do some winter shots with the photographer. We’re going to let everyone pile out of here and head into the library for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. While the waitstaff is setting up the tables, the photographer will come back for the group shots, so if you have to use the facilities, do it now.”

  The parents headed toward the restroom, along with the ringbearer and the other groomsman, leaving only Lincoln, the bridesmaids—who were off to the side checking one another’s hair and dresses—and Mo.

  “You looked good up there, Lincoln.”

  “Oh, um, thank you.”

  She chuckled. “You’re welcome, but I wasn’t the one who said it.”

  She glanced out the window. He followed her gaze to see Lilly draping a pale lavender cloak over Marie’s shoulder as the snow fell down around the couple. They looked like they were in a snow globe. Beautiful. But not as beautiful as the woman who wore a simple black coat, clipboard in hand as she positioned the couple then hurried out of the shot for the photographer to capture the stunning moment.

  “It was unconsciously whispered in my ear as you walked down the aisle.”

  He turned his attention back to Mo, who tapped the small, black headset she wore.

  “In fact, I believe the exact words were ‘sonofabitch, he looks damn edible in a tux.’” The woman winked.

  Fantastic. He was already having enough trouble waiting for tonight. How the hell was he supposed to get through the entire reception knowing the woman he craved wanted to eat him up?

  “Better start reciting times tables if you don’t want these pictures to be NSFW.”

  He glanced at Mo in question. When the woman’s eyes darted to his crotch, he quickly adjusted himself as discreetly as possible. Yeah, even thinking of Lilly got him ready to go, but since he was pretty sure Marie would kick his ass if he was sporting wood in her wedding pictures, he did as Mo suggested and started some complex math equations in his head. It worked, and soon the happy couple was back inside, noses lightly red from the cold but happy smiles still firmly affixed.

  They quickly ran through the preset list of photos as the catering company set up the great room for the reception. It amazed him how quickly everyone worked. Within fifteen minutes, the guests came back in and everyone sat for dinner. Lilly grabbed the mic and welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Buller for the first time. Everyone cheered, clinking their glasses until the happy couple kissed.

  The reception went off without a hitch. Lilly seamlessly moved each portion of the night into the next with a practiced ease he found impressive and sexy as hell. Rachel gave a touching speech that made everyone tear up. He went for the jokes in his speech but couldn’t let it end without putting some real emotion into an event they all feared might never come. By the time he sat back down, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room, his included.

  After a delicious dinner and some equally delectable cake came the dancing portion of the evening. He had to admit, he was having fun, but every time his gaze fell on Lilly, every time she spoke, his mind raced ahead to later tonight.

  Would she come to his room? Was he supposed to go to hers? She’d told him to stay, but she hadn’t mentioned where to meet. They hadn’t really discussed anything beyond her desire to be with him again. He sure as hell wanted to be with her.

  Finally, all the food had been consumed, all the traditions carried out, and they were tossing birdseed as Marie and Kenneth carefully hurried down the front walk to their waiting limo. A small pang of sadness hit him directly in the chest as he watched his two closest friends go into the night to catch their honeymoon flight, off to start their new life together.

  You sap, you live below them. Not much is going to change.

  Yeah, nothing would really change, but in a way, everything would. He’d been married before. He knew the drill.

  People started to head to their cars and the other stretch limos Lilly had arranged to pick up the guests they’d dropped off earlier. Before long, Lincoln turned and headed inside. The rest of the bridal party was either already gone or packing up to leave. The caterers and staff were cleaning up, putting away all the magic of the evening.

  No.

  There was one bit left. The most magical part of the entire night. She stood before the large windows, backlit by a bright, full moon. Doling out orders left and right. In charge and sexy as hell. Dark brown hair coiled into a low bun, dress fitting her body like a glove, those damn sexy glasses slipping down her nose, begging him to slide them off her face as he kissed her senseless.

  Lilly turned, spying him. She bit her lip, eyes heating even from all the way across the room. He glanced at the clock and held up a finger while mouthing, “My room? One hour?”

  She nodded, a small smile curling her red lips.

  One more hour. Just one more hour until heaven. Until Lilly.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lilly stared at the timepiece on her clipboard. Forty-five minutes had passed since Lincoln silently mouthed those four words that had no business being erotic but had revved her engine quicker than anything ever had before.

  My room. One hour.

  They’d agreed to see where this thing was headed after the wedding, and now the time had come. But even though the bride and groom were en route to their tropical honeymoon, the guests headed off to their respective homes, and the caterer had packed up the last of their supplies, she still had work to do. The rental had to be as pristine as when they’d first arrived, and while they had a great company coming in tomorrow for a deep cleaning, she liked to do a final walkthrough. Just to make sure nothing had been left behind or seriously damaged.

  Normally, it was her favorite part of the night. The high of surveying the end of a job well done. All the planning and stress behind her. The happy clients off to their new lives as spouses. But not this time, not tonight. Tonight she was edgy, anxious…okay, she was horny. But could anyone blame her? She had the sweet and sexy Lincoln Reid waiting just a floor below to take care of her every carnal desire.

  And boy, would he. She knew from experience just how attentive he could be. Memories assailed her mind, along with some new ideas she hoped he’d be game for. She had no idea what would happen after tonight. He mentioned something about a date. Did that mean he saw them as a longer-term thing? And if so, what did that mean for her and her list?

  Honestly, the more she got to know Lincoln, the sillier her list seemed. Her mother might jump into relationships headfirst with her eyes clouded by emotions, but Lilly could see clearly.

  80 percent clear.

  Maybe seventy-five.

  Twenty when he was naked.

  The point was, she wasn’t all emotion in this situation. Her brain had some say. Hopefully enough to protect her heart if everything went sideways.

  “Hey, Lil.” Mo slid up beside her. “I can handle the last walkthrough if you want to get out of here.”

  She glanced over at her roommate’s knowing grin. No matter how eager she was to get down and dirty with Lincoln again, she had a job to do, and she wouldn’t eschew that for him. Or any man.

  “You don’t need to do that. I’m almost done, anyway.”

  Mo lost her pleasant smile, exasperation coloring her face. “Oh my God, just go do him already!”

  Her head snapped up, glasses slipping down her nose. She pushed them back up with a single finger, staring at her friend. “Excuse me?”

  “Lincoln.” Mo’s lips curved again. “I know he’s downstairs waiting for you to rock his world.”

  “That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, Moira. How on earth could you possibly know a thing like that?”

  Mo tossed her purple-streaked hair back and laughed. “Oh please, everyone within five miles of yo
u two can feel the fire.”

  “That doesn’t mean—”

  “One.” The woman held up a hand, counting off on her fingers. “You slept with him before, and I know it was good because you blush every time his name is mentioned.”

  She did not!

  “Two, he totally has a thing for you.”

  Though she hated to give her roommate any fodder, she couldn’t help but ask, “He does?”

  Mo laughed. “Yup. The man’s got serious puppy dog eyes where you’re concerned.”

  And that was a good thing? She wouldn’t know, having never had a dog herself.

  “Three,” Mo continued. “His car is still out front, so I know he hasn’t left yet.”

  “Maybe he’s still packing up,” she countered.

  Mo shook her head. “And four, I saw him say ‘my room one hour’ fifty minutes ago.”

  Damn Mo and her twenty-twenty vision.

  “Look.” Mo tucked an arm around Lilly’s waist, gently pulling the clipboard from her hands. “The place is rented out until tomorrow. The cleaning company isn’t coming until noon. I’m heading out soon, and I assume you have a ride home with Lincoln after you ride his—”

  Lilly smashed her hand over her friend’s mouth, embarrassment heating her cheeks. “Mo!”

  Mo waggled her eyebrows, and Lilly couldn’t stop the small chuckle from escaping her lips.

  “Yes, Lincoln can drive me home. I’ll stay to make sure everything is set for the cleaning crew. You can head home tonight.”

  Mo nodded. “Then by my count, you have ten minutes to freshen up or do whatever you need to do before heading to his room and letting that man worship you like the goddess you are.”

  She grinned. “Maybe I should take fifteen minutes. Make him sweat a little.”

  Mo shrugged. “Goddesses are rarely on time.”

  “Thanks, Mo.” She gave her friend a quick squeeze.

  “Anytime, hun. Now go get some!”

  The command was amplified by a sharp smack to her backside. She cursed, rubbing her smarting bottom and glaring at Mo over her shoulder. Her friend’s laughter followed her as she made her way down the stairs. She didn’t need to change clothes or make the man wait any longer. She couldn’t wait any longer. The anticipation over the past twenty-four hours was likely to kill her.

  Death by lust. Terrible way to go.

  As she reached Lincoln’s door, she hesitated. If she knocked, there would be no going back. She had no idea why she was so nervous. It wasn’t like they hadn’t done this before.

  Yeah, but we were strangers.

  Two people simply seeking solace in the physical connection. It wouldn’t be like that tonight. It’d be hot and amazing, she was certain, but they knew each other now. More than she’d like to admit. It wasn’t just physical tonight. Emotions would be involved. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

  Now or never.

  She raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open. Lincoln stood there with a devilish grin, hands braced on the doorframe above his head. He wore nothing but his tux pants, unbuttoned and hanging low on his hips. His lean frame caught her eye, captivating her with all the sharp planes and dips she wanted to explore. With her tongue.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  “Hi.” She adjusted her glasses even though they sat perfectly on her nose. “Can I come in?”

  He stepped back, motioning for her to enter. She stepped inside his room, noticing how different it was from hers. She and Mo had stayed on the third floor in a small but nice bedroom with two twin beds. This room, however, was quite large and would feel larger if not for the massive king-size bed taking up most of the floor space. She was eternally grateful he’d suggested his room tonight. With their combined tall statures, she doubted their, um, activities would be comfortable in a twin.

  “So.” She wandered about the room, wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt. “The ceremony was nice.”

  “It was fantastic. You did an amazing job, Lilly.”

  A flush rose on her face. “Mo and Pru helped.” They were a team, and she could always count on her friends and business partners to have her back.

  “True.” Lincoln nodded. “Still, you are amazing, and I know Marie and Kenneth loved their day. Everything went off without a hitch, from the emergency snow transportation to the bouquet toss to the farewell birdseed. You’re like a wedding planning superhero. With two left feet.”

  She laughed softly. “I warned you I couldn’t dance.”

  He lifted a finger, crooking it at her in a “come here” motion. Since that’s exactly where she wanted to be, she obliged. The moment she got close enough, he snagged her around the waist, pulling her into him. He buried his face in her neck as his other hand came up to pull the functional but classy jeweled clip from her hair.

  The strands came tumbling down from the updo she had them in, kinking around her shoulders because of all the product she’d used to keep her hair in place. Why couldn’t it fall gracefully around her shoulders like it did in the movies? Lincoln didn’t seem to care. He gently tossed the clip onto one of the large chairs facing the curtain-drawn window. His large hand came up to cradle the back of her head.

  “I have to tell you, sweetheart, it was damn hard getting through tonight without sporting wood.”

  She snorted. “Charming.”

  “I never claimed to be a gentleman.” His gaze roamed over her. “Every time I saw you, every time I even thought of you, of this moment right here, my body tightened with anticipation.”

  Since she felt exactly the same way, she didn’t chide him for it.

  “Lincoln,” she whispered, finding it hard to drag enough air into her lungs to form words. “Did you bring condoms?”

  She had but left them upstairs. The last thing she wanted to do right now was climb two flights of stairs for protection.

  His head swiveled to the bedside table, where a box of condoms lay open, a strip out and waiting.

  “I love a man who comes prepared.”

  “Sweetheart, with you, I plan to come all night.” The hand cupping her waist slid down her hip to curve around her thigh, under the skirt of her dress. “But you first.”

  She moaned, loud and long as his fingers gently caressed her inner thigh, going higher until he found the silk of her panties, already damp for him. He made a low growling sound in his throat, rubbing her just where she needed. Well, almost.

  “Lincoln, I need more.”

  “What, sweetheart? Tell me what you need.”

  “You,” she panted. “Inside me.”

  His lips pressed a hungry kiss to hers as his fingers delved under the scrap of silk. She opened her mouth on a gasp, and he thrust his tongue inside. She eagerly met him, tasting the sweetness of his lips as he pressed one long finger inside her. It astounded her how well this man knew her body. She was fully clothed, he was partially clothed, and she was minutes away from orgasm. He added a second finger, pressing the heel of his palm to her center.

  Make that seconds away.

  She ripped her mouth from his, arms coming up to clutch his shoulders as her knees locked, the pressure building up inside her.

  “Lincoln, I’m…”

  “Let go,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m right here.”

  He quickened his pace, mouth latching onto her neck, sucking and biting gently. The pressure was too much, and she soon found herself cresting a wave of pleasure so intense her legs gave out. Thankfully, Lincoln tightened the arm he had around her waist, catching her as she melted into a puddle of sated goo.

  “Hot damn, Lilly. You are the sexiest woman I have ever known.”

  She graced him with a small smile, the only muscle she could control at the moment. “Take me to bed, Lincoln.” Because she was in no way done with him. Not by a long shot.r />
  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He moved his hand, pulling her panties off as he left her and scooping under her knees to carry her to the bed. She sat there as he carefully unzipped her dress, peeling the garment from her slowly, with a gentleness that made moisture gather in her eyes. She blinked it away. Now was not the time for blubbery emotions. She knew for a fact a night with Lincoln included multiple orgasms, and she intended to enjoy each and every one.

  “You seem to be overdressed,” she stated when he finally removed her dress, laying her back and sitting on his heels above her, staring.

  “What? Oh, I, um, you’re not wearing a bra.”

  His befuddlement amused her. No, she hadn’t been wearing anything but silk panties under her dress. “The dress has a built-in bra. Easier for formal occasions.”

  “And bedroom occasions.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  She laughed, her hands going to the button on his pants. “Now you.”

  He placed a hand over hers, stopping her exploration. “Wait.”

  For what? They were just getting to the good part. The gooder part, anyway.

  “Why?”

  He grinned, his gaze roaming over her body, tightening her nipples, making her ache as fire lit their hazel depths.

  He shook his head, moving down the bed until he was at the very end. “I’m not done worshipping you yet.”

  Far be it from her to deny a man his adoration.

  He lifted one ankle, kissing the arch of her foot, continuing to caress her skin with his lips as he moved from her ankle to her calf, up to her thigh, to graze along her hip, and then, finally, placing her leg over his shoulder, his mouth descended on the very part of her that craved him the most.

  “Lincoln!” she cried out as he thrust his tongue against her, sucking and working her into such a frenzy she bucked her hips against his face.