Tryst

by Marie York

  The next morning, I felt like death, but I couldn’t hide in bed, I had a wedding to get ready for. My memory was a little foggy from the night before, but I knew I was mad at Jaxon. I remembered walking away from him in the parking lot after telling him I knew what we had was just sex and he never denied it. After that everything was a blur. I woke up and wasn’t exactly sure how I got to my room.

  So maybe I wasn’t mad at him, I was really mad at myself for thinking Jaxon Reed was capable of anything other than sex. Why couldn’t I just accept that?

  I would. From that moment on, I promised myself I wouldn’t conjure up any happily ever after’s with Jaxon. Our one night together and our few shared passionate kisses were all that it was with us. Those moments were fleeting and I… I wanted everlasting.

  I finished showering, threw on a pair of leggings and a t-shirt and took a cab to Dee’s.

  Ten minutes later, the cab pulled up in front of Dee’s house. It was quaint and exactly the type of place I always imagined for my best friend. It wasn’t too big, but big enough for her to start a family.

  The idea of Dee having kids made me both happy and sad. Happy that my friend would get to be a mother because she’d be an amazing mom, but sad because it would change things. We’d still be best friends, we always would and that would never change, but I would no longer be her number one and that was bittersweet.

  I paid the driver and got out, letting the thoughts fade as I walked up the driveway. Dee wasn’t even married yet, and I had her popping out kids already. First things were first. We had to get Dee married.

  With a slight knock, I eased the door open and let myself in.

  “Happy wedding day,” I said as I walked through the living room. The girls were all there. Rebecca was still passed out cold on the couch though.

  “The maid of honor is here,” Dee called out, but was too busy having her hair curled to get up, so I walked over to her and gave her a hug.

  “How you feeling?” I asked, hating her for having glowing skin the morning after an all-night binger. Having the bachelorette party the night before the wedding, probably wasn’t the greatest idea, and glancing over to Rebecca on the couch reinforced my thought. Dee though... Well, she looked beautiful, even if her hair was just getting started.

  “Fantastic. Cole made me his specialty hangover cure, and I woke up feeling awesome.”

  “I hate you,” I said as I rubbed at the throb in my temple.

  “Me too,” Rebecca said behind us finally moving into the fetal position.

  Faith laughed. “Watch out for the walking dead.”

  “Who wants some champagne?” Tanisha asked, and we all groaned. “A little hair of the dog might be good for all of you.”

  The thought of alcohol made my stomach churn but Tanisha had a point. “Pop that cork,” I said.

  The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of hair, makeup and helping each other with dress zippers.

  The dresses were a gorgeous deep purple with a single strap. Dee let us wear our hair anyway we chose, so I opted for a loose updo that sat on my left side. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I wondered if Jaxon would like it.

  “Here she comes,” Dee’s mom announced, knocking me out of my Jaxon induced day dream. Her mom stood just outside of the bedroom with her camera ready to snap all the shots.

  Dee stepped out, her strapless gown hugged her curves perfectly and flared out just enough at her waist, cascading into a trail of silk. The diamond necklace accented the tiny crystal beadwork of the bodice, keeping it simple and elegant. She was absolutely stunning.

  Tears filled my eyes as I took her in from head to toe. She didn’t just look unbelievably beautiful; she looked genuinely happy, and because of that, I was too. My heart swelled with pride and love as Dee caught my eye. Her hand flung up, and she pointed a stern finger at me.

  “Oh no you don’t. Don’t you start crying.” She fanned her face as her own tears built and we both started to laugh.

  “You look perfect,” I said.

  “Three hours. I better look perfect,” she said, and we laughed even harder.

  We all gathered together as the photographer snapped picture after picture, making us stand in a million different poses some of which I swear were for the photographer’s own amusement.

  After the nine hundredth pose, and my cheeks barely able to push up into another camera-ready smile, we were off to the church.

  Dee stood in the back room as the rest of the bridal party met up just outside the church doors. Jaxon was the first person I saw. My eyes taking in his utter perfection. If he looked good in dark jeans and a button up, oh my God he was breathtaking in a tux.

  The thoughts running through my mind were enough to set the church on fire. I was waiting for the devil himself to reach up from the ground and pull me down into the midst. The way Jaxon’s stare was burning through me, I felt like I was already halfway there.

  He was the best man. Why was he even back here? He should’ve been up at the altar with Cole, telling him stupid jokes to keep him calm while he waited for his bride.

  “You look beautiful,” Jaxon said as he approached.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” I looked down at my bouquet, avoiding eye contact. The minute his gaze caught mine I’d fall into the endless dark pools and be lost. “Shouldn’t you be up at the front?”

  He ran a hand over his face and looked at the doors before turning back to me. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine.” He didn’t think I’d remember our conversation last night, but I did and he had rejected me. My ego was bruised, but more than anything, my heart hurt knowing whatever I thought could have happened between us never would. “Thanks for checking on me.” I held my head high and finally met that damn dark stare. “But it’s not necessary.” I was aware of my bitchy tone, but I wasn’t obligated to play nice with him.

  “You don’t remember last night, do you?” he asked.

  “I remember enough.”

  “Apparently you don’t,” he said.

  “So you’re saying you didn’t reject me? Because that’s exactly how I remember it.”

  He shook his head, the skin along his jaw taut. “Figures that’s all you remember.” Without another word, he pushed through the doors and walked down the aisle to man his post as best man.

  I had no idea what he was talking about, and I shoved it aside. Our melodrama would not interrupt Dee’s day.

  The music started, and I got into position to make my walk down the aisle. When it was my turn, I kept my head focused ahead and couldn’t help but notice Jaxon at the front, his attention completely on me.

  His eyes filled with that deep intensity that shot heat to my core. I could feel the heat of his gaze surrounding me as I stepped closer to the altar, until it completely consumed me. Sweat beaded on the back of my neck and heat prickled across my cheeks.

  I reminded myself we were in a church and when I got to the end of the aisle, I turned on my heel and took my spot before I melted into a pathetic, desperate puddle.

  I didn’t look but I could still feel Jaxon’s eyes on me. They were like the rays of the sun, hot and strong even if I couldn’t see them, I knew they were there.

  The music changed and the sound of people standing from the pews echoed through the church. All attention shifted to the back of the church where Dee made her appearance. I couldn’t help but glance in Jaxon’s direction.

  His gaze met mine briefly, a slight tug at his lips was almost too much for me to handle before he looked to Dee.

  Dee made her way to Cole who swiped at his eye, a smile on his face so large it was truly magical to behold.

  I cried as they read their own vows and cheered when they sealed it with a kiss. When they took each other’s hand and headed back up the aisle, I met Jaxon in the middle to follow behind them. Unfortunately, as best man and maid of honor, I didn’t have a choice.

  His biceps strained agains
t his tux jacket as he offered me his arm. I don’t know why I hesitated, but I did.

  A smile quirked his lips. “Come on, Layla, you know I don’t bite. Unless you want me too.” The idea of his teeth grazing my heated skin, nipping at my tightened nipple, had my cheeks turning into an all-out inferno.

  Not wanting him to know the effect his words had on me, I linked my arm through his and continued walking.

  When we were halfway down the aisle, he leaned over his lips just brushing my ear. “Can I have the first dance?” he asked.

  I met his eyes, two black holes that were forever sucking me in. “Why?” He rejected me, twice if my memory served me right, so why would he want to bother dancing with me? Dancing was sexy and intimate and I didn’t know how much more my heart could take.

  He stared at me, hot, intense and unbearably sexy, but he never answered me. We got to the end of the aisle and I unhooked my arm from his and parted ways.

  ***

  The reception was full of dancing and drinking, but since I had my fair share the night before, I steered clear of the bar. I caught Jaxon staring at me too many times to count, but he hadn’t approached me since I walked away from him.

  The DJ put on a slow song and Jaxon finally made his way over to me. “Dance with me,” he said.

  “Why?” I asked again. Maybe I was bitter from his earlier rejections, but I needed to hear him say he wanted me. That walking away from me was a mistake, and he wanted to make up for it.

  He ran a finger down my cheek, curling my insides into a knot of erotic tension, then rested his hand under my chin, and urged me to look at him. “Because no matter how hard I try I can’t stay away from you. And because I know you want to.”

  “You don’t know what I want,” I said, trying to act as if every single part of my being wasn’t relishing in his touch and dying to close the gap between us.

  He pressed a kiss to my neck, shooting chills up my spine. “I think I do.”

  Two could play this game. I grazed my lips up his jaw until they were next to his ear. “Then let’s cut the bullshit and fuck already.”

  His body tensed beneath my hands, hard muscles turning rigid. “That’s not what I want,” Jaxon said and what was left of my heart nosedived into the floor.

  He didn’t even want to have sex with me. The realization felt like a boulder pressing against my chest and crushing my heart. Using every ounce of self-respect I had left, I met his eyes. “Of course not.” The words sounded as if I didn’t care, but the truth was, I did care. I cared more than I wanted to admit to myself and more than I wanted him to know.

  I didn’t understand him. If he didn’t want to fuck me then why wouldn’t he just leave me alone? Did he get some sick thrill out of evoking my desires only to walk away leaving me desperate and soaked?

  “Dance with me,” he said again.

  “There’s really no point.”

  “Just shut up and dance with me.” He grabbed my hand and didn’t give me a chance to take off. He pulled me onto the dance floor and wrapped my hand around his waist. My fingers griped hard muscles and my desire to run my hands beneath the crisp white shirt grew with each sway of his hips. His hands hovered just above my ass and that was even more of a turn on than if he actually crossed the line and went for it.

  Our bodies moved as one and I hated how much I loved being pressed against his hardness. How amazing he smelled and how regardless of the many times he bailed on me, all I wanted was to succumb to the passion and feel him inside of me.

  I all but threw myself at him just now and last night and he rejected me both times. It was more than a blow to my pride and ego it was a blow to my heart.

  I couldn’t do this anymore. I wanted him too much to pretend I didn’t.

  The song ended and without a word I was the one to walk away from him this time.

  Chapter 17

  I stayed to the end of the wedding, doing my best to avoid Jaxon. Every time I saw him, I went the other way. When the party died down, I found Dee and Cole and said goodbye with a promise to stop by in the morning before I left.

  Back in my room, I kicked off my shoes and went to get out of my dress when I realized I couldn’t reach the damn zipper. Faith had zipped me in and now without her here to unzip I was a prisoner in my own dress. No matter how hard I tried and no matter how many ways I contorted my body, I simply couldn’t reach it.

  Damn it.

  If I had a pair of scissors, I would have cut myself out of it, but unfortunately with all I packed, I didn’t think to bring scissors. I gave one more futile attempt before collapsing on the bed in frustration. There was only one thing left to do.

  Against my better judgment, I knocked on Jaxon’s door. The door swung open, and I gaped at the chiseled chest in front of me. Hard muscles narrowed to his waist, dipping in that perfect V and disappearing beneath his tux pants. My eyes caught on the slight bulge in his pants. I bit my lip at the sight, wondering if I dropped to my knees right now if he’d send me away or let me take every inch of him into my mouth.

  But the thought of another rejection kept me on my feet. I smiled awkwardly.

  “I know this is going to sound like a line, but I promise you it isn’t.” I pointed to my back. “I can’t reach my zipper. Can you help me?”

  His jaw ticked as the skin around it tightened. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing beneath corded skin. He stepped toward me, his hand landing at my waist, causing a million explosions to erupt inside me.

  “Sure, but not here in the hallway. Come on.” He didn’t bother throwing a shirt on as we headed back over to my room. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Just as I was taking a deep breath to calm the aftershocks from the millions of explosions that were still smoldering, the door closed behind us. I turned to the side, facing the wall and exposing my back to Jaxon.

  He tugged at the zipper and very slowly inched it down. Goosebumps raced up my neck, spreading out and winding down my arms. His warm hand landed on my shoulder, shooting a ripple of tingles down my thighs. I sucked in a jagged breath as the sensations tortured my deprived body.

  His head rest on the back of mine then his lips brushed ever so softly across the heated skin of my neck.

  “Damn it, Lyla,” he growled against my skin, then pushed me up against the wall. His mouth came down on my shoulder, dragging his tongue up my neck. He yanked the zipper the rest of the way down and shoved the dress strap off.

  His hands cupped my breasts, and I moaned as the material fell away from me, pooling around my waist. “I’ve wanted to be inside of you all weekend,” he said, then plunged his hand into my thong. His finger found my clit instantly and he rubbed the swollen nub. Sparks ignited in my core, spreading through my body, engulfing me in a fiery inferno. My back arched into him, my ass pressing into his hard cock.

  He groaned against my ear just as he slid two fingers up and down my slit before pushing inside of me. “Mmm, you’re dripping.” His breath grazed my ear, his words fueling the already out-of-control fire.

  I moaned in response unable to form a single thought.

  He stroked in and out of me, bringing me to the edge, but every time I felt as if I would fall off, he pulled his fingers out then slowly started up again. It was a deliberate torture, and I welcomed every toe-curling second of it.

  “Does that feel good?” he asked, his voice heavy with desire.

  “So good.”

  His other hand reached up kneading my breast with greedy abandon. He pinched my nipple between his thumb and forefinger and I threw my head back against his shoulder, surrendering to his delicious assault.

  He captured my mouth with his, thrusting his tongue against mine. I could taste the slightest bit of Jack, but what I really wanted to taste was him. I reached behind me for his zipper, but he grabbed my hand and pinned it up against the wall.

  “I’m not done with you yet,” he growled.

  He traced his tongue along my collarbone and sucked on the cro
ok of my neck, making my knees go weak, but his body held me in place. Tremors ravished me as he pushed my dress the rest of the way down.

  “Fucking gorgeous.” He stepped back then fell to his knees.

  He squeezed my ass with both hands, taking as much as he could grab, then linked his fingers around the band of my panties. His lips pressed into my lower back and inch by torturous inch he peeled the material away from my body, trailing his lips behind it. My thong fell to the floor in a puddle of silk and I stepped out of it. His hands massaged my ass, mixing between gentle caresses and hard grabs before separating my ass cheeks, and exposing me to him completely.

  He buried his face into my backside and licked a delicious stroke across my aching pussy.

  Needing to grab onto something, I reached behind me, knotting my fingers in his silky hair. I urged him forward, loving the feel of his tongue on my most sensitive spot. His clever fingers circled my pulsing clit and then without warning he pushed them inside me. My hands flattened against the wall, holding myself up, not relying on my weakening legs.

  A soft moan pushed its way up my throat as his slick tongue stroked lovingly along my sex. He grabbed handfuls of my ass and spread me wider as he continued with the relentless strokes.

  Tremors wracked my body. The release I had been dreaming about for two years was building inside of me. Sparks flashed behind my eyes, nerve endings sprang to life one after the other, pushing me closer and closer to my release, but then, Jaxon stopped.

  He ran his hand up my side, tracing his mouth along my back. His grip tightened on my waist and spun me to face him. My breath came in shallow gasps as my mind reeled with the loss of his tongue driving me toward the edge.

  He kissed my stomach then sucked my tight nipple into his mouth, teasing me with the right amount of teeth, and sending me spiraling toward a new edge.

  I curved into the wall as he licked the peak with long sensuous laps of his tongue. I was holding on by barely a string but every time he brought me to the brink he pulled away. If he wanted to play games, then I wasn’t going to sit on the sideline while he controlled every high and low.