After several days of non-stop dates and wedding planning, Garrett was feeling more than a little out of control.
He still felt like a moron for not thinking about the fact that he couldn’t hide his marriage from his family, at least not for long. It was embarrassing as hell that Lily had to be the one to point it out to him, considering she had only known him for a few days and had never dealt with that kind of media attention.
He wasn't going to burden Lily with his thoughts, but there was one person he could turn to—Davi. His friend Davi Santos had been through more shit than most shifters went through in a lifetime. So he gave him a call.
“Garrett! It is so good to hear from you!”
As soon as he heard Davi’s voice, Garrett calmed. Davi and the rest of the shifters he’d brought into Garrett’s life had weathered serious adversity. It made Garrett feel like he could handle this situation with Lily. Maybe he was even overreacting a bit.
But as soon as he began to feel like he was overreacting, he reminded himself that Lily still thought he was human. He couldn’t make their relationship real until she knew the truth about who he really was.
“Thanks man. I was calling to give you an update on my life.” Garrett proceeded to tell Davi every detail about meeting Lily, including the part where he’d agreed to pretend to marry her. “What should I do?”
Davi chuckled. “I think Carolina and I will get on the next flight to Nevada. We need to be there in person for this situation.”
“You really don’t have to do that. I hate to interrupt.” He hadn’t told Davi about the way his dragon felt. But he hadn’t needed to. On some level, Davi must have suspected, especially for him to uproot his life and fly halfway around the world for a visit.
“We will be happy to. Garrett, remember, you were there for me in a time of great distress.” He made a humming sound. “I am just glad your courtship is not filled with as much peril as mine and Carolina’s was.”
Hearing the cadence of Davi’s voice was comforting. His accent was mostly Portuguese, with a little Eastern European thrown in. He was right about the peril he’d faced with his mate. Right after they met, Davi and his mate had gone on a road trip to see the Grand Canyon. All hell broke loose, and his mate took off into the Mojave Desert. Davi called Garrett freaking out, and Garrett joined him.
When they finally located his mate in the desert, she was being attacked by a crazed Fae from Ireland.
Everything had ended well though, but it had been a real eye-opener for him. His clan had never had that kind of trouble, and thank God they hadn’t.
He reminded Davi that Lily was human and didn’t know their secret, and Davi reminded Garrett that he had served in the Macedonian army, day in and day out, for five years with human men.
“Sorry, dude. I know you know what you’re doing.”
“And I know you are stressed,” Davi said with amusement in his tone. He promised he’d see Garrett soon, and they hung up. Now he had to tell Lily they would have some new guests coming in.
Just then, Lily breezed into his office. “I just talked to the photographer.”
“Yeah? Easy?”
“Yes. For once, we don’t need to meet in person.”
Thinking about a photographer made this thing real for Garrett. There would be tangible evidence that he had put a ring on Lily’s finger.
What would their relationship status be after the wedding? Would she go back to Virginia? She’d have to, if she still planned to work for her father after she finished school. Would he visit her there, or would their fake marriage end just as suddenly as it began?
He found he didn't want to know the answer to those questions yet. He’d think of something happier… like the honeymoon. Would they even take a honeymoon?
Shit. The honeymoon. Wasn't that the groom’s job? He did not want to take her to the same place her slimy ex had planned on taking her. Lily deserved a place she could enjoy.
“Hey, how soon do you have to go back to Virginia after the wedding?”
“I only have one class this semester, and it’s online. So I have until May before I have to return.”
Okay. He could work with that. “I just got off the phone with one of my friends. He and his ma—” Shit. Garrett never slipped up like that. What the fuck was going on with him? He coughed to cover up his slip. “He and his wife are coming to visit.”
“Soon?”
“They’ll be here tomorrow.”
Her pretty lips turned down. “Oh. Do you want me to clear out?” she asked.
“No!” He took a deep breath. “No, I want you to meet them. They’re like family.”
“But you don’t mind telling them about the wedding.”
“No. We can be completely honest with them. I trust them completely.”
His nerves were shot, which was dumb. This was just Davi and Carolina. A year ago he couldn't have imagined caring so much what a mated pair of shifters thought. But now he did care. He cared a lot. He wanted them to get along with Lily.
Because she’s your mate.
This time it wasn’t even his dragon roaring in his head. It was just him.
Of course, Davi and Carolina adored Lily. And she seemed to feel the same way. Lily and Carolina even hit it off, and they went down to the pool area to hang out together. “Girl time,” Lily called it.
Garrett was glad to have a minute alone with his friend. “What am I supposed to do?” he asked as soon as the elevator doors closed.
“Have you considered calling Kellan? Or Quinn? Both of them are married to human women.”
“I know that. I’ve met them,” Garrett said.
“Then perhaps you could ask Clara or Juliana how to proceed.”
“I don’t even know that I want to proceed. I’m not looking for a mate.”
“I did not mean to imply that you are looking for a mate,” Davi said. “But sometimes we are not looking.”
“I’m not like you.”
“I am aware of that fact. But what does your dragon say?”
Dammit. He didn’t want to lie. So he told the truth.
Davi, true to form, did not judge him. He just listened, and after spending a few hours with Davi, Garrett did feel better, although he was no closer to knowing what to do.
Lily came back upstairs with Carolina, and her cheeks were pink from the sun, and her lovely skin was glowing. He was across the room before he knew it. He greeted her with a kiss. “You look like you had fun.”
“Yes. I did. I had originally planned to sit by the pool quite a bit this week.”
Davi greeted his mate just as enthusiastically as he always did. “My love, I have rented us a motorcycle. Would you like to see if it’s up to your standards?”
Carolina beamed at him.
Lily confessed to him later that she found Carolina’s motorcycle fascination a little odd. She’d never ridden a motorcycle, and didn’t plan to, she said. But Garrett had a surprise for her too. “I rented us a convertible. Would you like to go for a drive?”
“I would love to.” She might not want to ride a bike, but who didn’t love to feel the wind in their hair? Thirty minutes later, the two of them were speeding down the open highway. She hung her arm over the side of the window, letting the warm air press against her skin.
Garrett’s hand landed on her thigh. She’d worn a skirt, and it had ridden up. “The view out here is breathtaking.”
“Yes, it is.” She glanced over to him, only to see him staring right at her bare thigh. “Garrett!” She shoved at his shoulder. “Keep your eyes on the road.”
“I don’t know that I can.” His hand caressed her leg. “I didn’t get to see you get dressed. I don’t know what color panties you’re wearing.”
She gathered her skirt and pulled it up just a bit, revealing the hot pink lacy panties she wore underneath. “There. Now you’ve seen them.” She smoothed her skirt back down
He didn’t remove his hand. Instead, he moved his hand clo
ser to the inside of her thigh. She shivered. “Cold?” he asked.
“No. Tingling.”
“What’s tingling?” He wanted to hear her say it.
“You know. Between my legs. It’s tingling every time you touch me.”
“Good. I like it that I can make your pussy tingle when I touch you.”
She moaned, and pressed her hips back into the leather seat of the car.
Even though he had keen senses that were much better than a human’s, even he was getting too aroused to drive safely.
He ran his finger over the front of her panties, right where her pussy was. “You’re wet,” he exclaimed. “So wet.”
She pushed her hips up, meeting his finger. His cock was so hard it was about to rip his pants open.
He took one finger and pushed it up under the fabric of her panties, feeling along her bare flesh. He kept his eyes on the road, and one hand firmly on the wheel. Thank God there were no other cars coming. He watched for a place to pull over. He was going to have to park the car and have Lily right here in the desert.
Mate. Mine.
Yes. He was aware of how his dragon felt. He would deal with that later on.
Right now, he was ready to make love to his future fake-bride, and the most captivating woman in the world.
He went a little farther with his finger, running it just over her slick folds. She was dripping for him. He couldn’t take it for one more second.
He yanked the car to the right, pulling off onto the side of the road, getting far away from the highway and any potential traffic.
He hopped out of the car and ran to the other side, opening her door. With one smooth motion, he lifted her up and sat down in her seat, pulling her into his lap.
He gritted his teeth as her sweet, wet little pussy rubbed against his rock hard cock. He’d never been this hard in his life.
“I couldn’t wait,” he said. “I need you.”
“I need you too,” Lily said.
He grabbed her panties and tugged them off, letting the fall to the floorboard. He popped open the button on his pants, and let his cock spring free. He found a condom in his wallet and rolled it on. Before he impaled her on his cock, he needed to get her ready. He hadn’t forgotten how her ex had neglected her.
He unbuttoned her shirt, revealing the hot pink bra that matched the panties. Her breasts were right in front of his face. “This is the perfect height,” he said. He took them in each of his hands, and pressed them together. He took time to cup each one, and then he unfastened her bra. He flung it on the backseat.
Now she wore only her skirt, but it was pushed up around her waist.
He was thankful that he could see in the dark. He wouldn’t want to miss seeing her body, not ever.
He sucked on her nipples, which drove her crazy this time, just like it had the first. Keeping his mouth on her nipple, he pushed one finger into her pussy. “I can just slide right in,” he said. “Your body wants me.”
She hitched her hips forward. “Garrett.” She wove her fingers into his hair. “It does want you.”
He and his dragon both loved the sound of his name coming from her pretty mouth.
He was struck again, wondering what he’d do when it was time for her to return to Virginia. He began to calculate how much time he could spend there. He’d reached a place in his career where he could call the shots. He didn’t have to sign any contracts that he didn’t want. He didn’t have to go on any tours he didn’t want, and the same went for concerts.
If Lily’s life was in Virginia, then he could be there too.
He froze. What was he thinking? He hadn’t even discussed their life after the wedding. He had no idea what she wanted. If she heard his thoughts, she’d probably run screaming.
Fuck. He had a beautiful, sexy woman naked in his lap, and he was freaking out inside his own mind. It was time to get his head back in the game.
He was going to make sure she got the pleasure she deserved. And he could worry about the future later.
He pumped his fingers in and out of her pussy, still squeezing and pinching her nipples. He pressed his mouth against hers, licking over her lips. She tasted so damn good, every part of her body did.
“I need to be inside you,” he said. He picked her up, and held her body over his cock. With one of her delicate little hands, she positioned his cock, and slid down onto his hard erection.
The feeling of her taking him in had not been diminished. He felt satisfied to his very core, and he hadn’t even come yet.
As soon as he was all the way in, he wrapped both arms around her and kissed her again. “You’re the best,” he said. He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her fragrant scent. “You make me feel so good.”
She rocked her hips, nearly causing him to come undone before he’d even thrust into her for the first time. “The feeling is mutual,” she said.
She moved her body up and down on his cock, which caused her pert breasts to bounce right in front of his face. His cock surged, and he had to bite down on his tongue to keep from shooting off right then.
He began to thrust up, rocking his hips in a steady rhythm, doing his best to hit her g-spot each time.
She let out a series of small cries, whimpering as he slid her up and down on his shaft. She put her hands on his shoulders, using him as leverage as her slick walls milked his cock.
He put one hand on the back of her neck, and one hand on her clit. He began to rub fast circles on her clit, making sure he had just the right amount of pressure to please her.
“Don’t stop,” she breathed.
He panted with each breath, as his heart pounded in his chest. He was going to come first if he wasn’t careful, and he didn’t want that. She was first, always.
He wanted to see her face as she let go.
He tugged on her clit, holding the flesh between his fingers. As he tugged, she froze, not moving. Her hips stayed flush against his, and she flung her head back, crying out as her orgasm flooded her body.
Her pussy walls tightened, and unbearable pressure on his already sensitive cock.
As he felt her waves begin to wane, he let go too, following her over the edge.
Mate, his dragon said.
And he didn’t have the strength to protest.
13
Lily
They hung out with Davi and Carolina again the next day, just relaxing. But that night, instead of spending the evening at the Chateau Nightclub inside the Eiffel Tower replica, Davi and Carolina wanted to go out and ride motorcycles—again—under the night sky.
Lily could hardly blame them. The Eiffel Tower replica was fun, but it was a bit much. And Davi and Carolina both seemed to prefer understated entertainment, which is why their obsession with the motorcycles was amusing.
Davi made sure to invite her and Garrett along, but she declined. She still wasn’t ready for any more death-defying acts.
They walked off with a spring in their step, and Garrett and Lily took their seats. The band at the club was just getting started when Garrett got a call from his manager.
“Go. Take it. I’ll be fine,” she said, waving him off. He was sweet and attentive, but she knew he’d been neglecting his own very demanding life for days now.
Several minutes went by, and he still hadn’t returned. She was sitting alone, and guys kept coming over to try and talk to her. She couldn’t even enjoy the band. She glanced at her phone and saw that Garrett had texted.
Sorry. My agent called too. I’m down on the street trying to find a quiet spot.
She texted him back, letting him know she would join him on the street. She’d agreed to go out, but now she just wanted to spend time with Garrett. Their days together were numbered and she didn’t want to waste any of them.
She grabbed her purse and made her way down to the street. Before she got to the sidewalk, she heard a familiar voice.
“Lily.”
She spun around to see her ex standing there behind her. She kept g
oing, making her way to the street, where at least there would be hundreds of other people around. She was met with the smell of cigarette smoke and perfume, and way too many people on the sidewalk, but she didn’t care. She did not want to be alone with him.
She hurried away, and was right next to a palm tree when his fingers closed around her arm. “Lily. Stop running off. I want to talk to you.”
She whirled around, yanking her arm away. “Do not touch me.”
He took a step back, holding his hands up in the air. “Lily, be reasonable. I’m your fiancé.”
“Not anymore you’re not. And don’t say my name.”
“Can we go somewhere and talk? Your hotel?”
Like hell she was taking him anywhere. She began to walk farther from the Eiffel Tower. She did not want him to see Garrett and make things even more complicated. “We can talk here.”
He let his arms fall, limp at his sides. “I screwed up, babe. Big time. I won’t ever do it again. I really want you back.”
She studied his eyes. There was an intensity there that she hadn’t seen before. The look on his face was desperate and wild. Something was up, and it wasn’t just that he missed her. “Why do you want me back?” she asked.
His eyes hardened.
She took a step back. There had been plenty of things she didn’t like about her ex, but she’d never been scared of him. Now, something was setting off alarm bells in her head.
When he spoke, his voice was low and harsh. “He’s no good for you,” he hissed.
“Who?” Fuck. Had he seen her with Garrett? That would really suck.
“The singer. I’ve been watching you. I saw you together. He’s a snake.”
Her heart skittered. She could barely get a breath. “I thought you went back home.”
“I did. I flew all the way back to Virginia. I waited there for you. You never showed up.”
“Yes. Because I stayed here.”
He spat. “For him. For that snake.”
“Stop calling him that.” Dammit. She hadn’t meant to admit they were together. “It’s none of your business. You gave up the right to know what I was doing when you invited four women into your bed.”
Rockstar Dragon's Bride Page 8