by Cherrie Lynn
He dropped his head to her shoulder, groaning as she slid one hand and then the other up his aching length. If he lasted more than three strokes inside her, it would be a miracle.
“Let me up for a second,” she whispered in his ear, taking a nibble after the words. “I have a treat for you.”
She was trying to kill him. If not by this treat she’d devised, then by the pain of letting her go even for a second. Nevertheless, he moved to the side and let her slide off the bed. His torture didn’t end there—she sent him a teasing glance over her shoulder before hooking her thumbs in her yoga pants and slowly sliding them down so that the perfectly round pale cheeks of her ass, separated by a scrap of black lace, peeked at him over the waistband. His heart skipped a beat. And, damn her, she bent all the way over to push her pants to the floor, killing the remark forming on his tongue—whatever the hell it had been.
“Goddamn, you are perfect,” he said once he found his voice again. Chuckling, she gave her pants a kick across the room and sauntered toward the bathroom in nothing but her tight T-shirt and panties and wild skin art…
…leaving him alone to wonder what the hell she was up to in there. The light snapped on; a drawer opened and closed again. The light went off again. When she skipped out a couple of minutes later, the only difference was that her hair was down, a wild and wavy platinum mane. She grinned at him as she straddled him on all fours, every move resplendent with sultry grace. When he leaned up to kiss her, though, she placed her finger against his lips again and gently urged him back down. “Relax.”
“Impossible.” Every muscle in his body was tense, primed. Ready for her and whatever she had to give him, now and forever or as long as she would have him. But he lay back and simply tried to breathe as her nails scraped lightly down his pecs, his abs, until finally her hands framed his cock and she leaned down to give it one long, leisurely lick from base to tip.
His hands went helplessly to her head and even behind closed lids, his eyes rolled back in his head.
Her tongue ring. He’d seen it flashing at him as she spoke the first night they’d met, but since then she hadn’t worn it—at least not when she was with him. Maybe she’d thought he wouldn’t like it. Hell, was she insane? He loved it. She massaged his entire length with that hard little ball, at such delicious odds with her soft, wet tongue. Slow, languid swirls, little sucking nips, all interspersed with acrobatics he couldn’t even figure out. His chest heaved. His balls tightened. Fuck, not yet not yet…it was too good. Too good… Once she had him nice and wet, she tightened her lips over his head and took him slowly into her mouth, fluttering that skilled tongue as she sucked, deeper and deeper until he met the back of her throat and holy shit, farther still. His entire world became her mouth around him.
“Starla,” he breathed, releasing her head to clutch her sheets in death grips because he feared he might tear her hair out. He wanted to wait, to hold off, to give her all night, but he was lost. And she wasn’t letting up until he let go. “I’m coming, baby.”
She only sucked him deeper.
His climax nearly rent him in two, bringing him half off the bed. She rode him out, refusing to let go of him until she drained every last drop, until he collapsed, spent and momentarily useless.
He opened his eyes in time to see her sit up and give her lips a sultry swipe with her tongue. This girl was wife material, whether she knew it or not.
“Good?” she asked with a teasing little smile that killed him.
“Amazing.”
She leaned over and snuggled into his chest. His arms weighed a ton each, but he managed to get them around her, to pull her closer, to swear to himself that he would never let her go.
“Give me a second,” he murmured, and she giggled. Such a sweet sound. Not one he’d gotten used to hearing while she’d stayed with him. Maybe the Starla he thought he knew was nothing like the one he held right now. That was okay; he’d get to know her all over again.
“We have all night,” she whispered. Her lips traced a damp little path around his pec. Jared pressed his nose into her hair, inhaling until his lungs were full of her. “I intend to make full use of it.”
And they did. He nestled between her thighs and licked her until she cried out that she couldn’t take any more, then he licked her a while longer. Once she was shuddering and limp from so many orgasms, and he was so hard again from watching her that he hurt, he pulled her close and slid deep inside. Slow but inexorable, demanding, feeling her body quake and pulse around him as she took him. Wrapped up in her this way, the tremors in all her limbs were a delicious reflection of her tremors within, and he couldn’t get enough. No empty air existed between their damp bodies, and he wanted it that way. When he began to thrust, though, she came alive, her hands sliding over his arms and shoulders and into his hair.
“Oh, you fucking sexy man,” she growled, and he had to laugh. “I missed you so much.”
“Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t eat. Could barely work,” he whispered back, drowning in her body, trying to show her with every move how true his words were.
“It’s okay now.” She kissed him, moving in perfect, sultry rhythm with his body, so in tune. “I’m here. God, Jared.”
“We’ll make this work. Never doubt it.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise.”
“I promise!” Her voice was becoming more strained, urgent. Her body went still, allowing him to work her sweet spots exclusively, her arms tightening around him, her fingernails biting his flesh. Her body clenched, squeezing the life from him. “Fuck, don’t stop, don’t stop.”
“Never.” He dropped his mouth to hers and kissed her through her climax, tasting her cries and grinding deep to give her everything she needed. And then, as she settled beneath him, three little words fell from her sweet lips, and in them the world ended and began again.
“I love you.”
“I love you.” The response left him in a shaky rush. He’d said the words before to other women. But he didn’t think they’d ever rattled his heart like they did right then. He knew he’d never, not once, no matter who he was talking to, meant them so much.
Starla’s drowsy smile was a blessing to behold. “I’m ready to let you.”
Epilogue
Five months later
“You really didn’t have to come to this.”
“I know.”
“Seriously. No matter what you say, this is asking a lot.”
“Do you not want me here?”
“I want you everywhere. All the time.”
“Then, baby, it’s okay.”
Besides, she looked so damn beautiful. She couldn’t get all dressed up like this and then expect him to sit at home where he couldn’t stare senselessly at her for the next however-many hours this affair would turn out to be. In fact, he’d nearly run off the road twice on the drive over just from looking at her.
It was early October, and the weather couldn’t be more perfect for this. It had been stubbornly hot for weeks, but a recent cold front had brought some relief at last. Golden late-afternoon sunlight slanted through the trees lining Macy’s parents’ driveway. Each one of those trees had been tied with festive dark purple and bronze ribbons, matching the invitation that had arrived at Jared’s house a month ago addressed to him and Starla. He’d been a little surprised to get one, truth be told, but if he had to guess, he figured Macy’s parents had insisted. His own parents would be here, for sure.
Starla was wearing a very dark pink dress—magenta, she’d called it, but hell, it was all pink to him—and she’d piled her hair softly at her nape and somehow woven same-color ribbon throughout. She was a true artist with everything she touched. Ashley and Mia were in the backseat chatting excitedly with each other; they wore similar hairstyles to Starla’s and matching purple dresses. Eggplant, Starla had insisted. While Macy’s color appeared to be plum.
It was enough to short out the brain. Jared wore black jeans and a navy shirt—y
eah, navy he could handle.
“Wow,” Starla said as the Rodgers’ house came into view around the final curve in the driveway. It was a sprawling ranch-style, impressive even for him and he’d been here a thousand times. The wedding was to be held in the backyard, an intimate ceremony for only the closest friends and family of the bride and groom.
Macy had always said she would want it that way, he remembered. Ghost had probably been glad to hear it. Somehow, Jared couldn’t imagine him doing the big church thing.
He parked where an attendant indicated—one of Macy’s cousins, if he remembered correctly—and shared one final glance with Starla. Holding his gaze, she drew a deep breath and let it out. “Ready?”
“Let’s do it.” The four of them piled out of the truck into the mild, pine-scented air. Ashley and Mia grabbed Starla’s hands, and they all followed where the usher—another of Macy’s cousins—led them along the walkway around the side of the house.
In the back, clusters of people stood chatting among two sections of white chairs. Jennifer Rodgers spied Jared and made a beeline for him. Grinning, he caught both her hands as she reached him and planted a kiss on her cheek, then chuckled as Ashley and Mia both rushed in to give her hugs and let her smother them with kisses in return. “Everything looks so beautiful,” Starla said. And although she didn’t really know Macy’s mom, Jennifer leaned over and gave her a hug of her own.
“Thank you, honey,” she said, sounding breathless and fanning herself with one hand. “But we’ve had a last-minute catastrophe.”
“Uh-oh,” Jared said cautiously.
“Yes. I just got a call. Our flower girl started throwing up an hour ago. Can you believe it?”
“Oh no!” Starla said. She gave Jared a glance, her eyebrows raised, then looked down at the girls. Ah. Yeah, he knew what was coming.
“You know,” he ventured, “I’m sure we have two willing flower girls right here, if you need them. And if everyone is okay with it,” he added meaningfully.
Ashley and Mia both gasped with delight. Jennifer’s face lit up, and she exhaled, her relief obvious. “Thank you so much, Jared. And they just happen to be in perfect colors. Yes, everyone is fine with it, I promise.” She winked at him, then whisked the girls away inside the house, where the wedding party waited.
“Well,” he sighed, lacing his fingers through Starla’s, “now we face the ultimate dilemma.” She glanced up at him questioningly. He smiled. “Bride’s side or groom’s side?”
Starla laughed. “It is a dilemma, isn’t it? I’m here for him, but you’re here for her.”
He leaned close, putting his mouth to her exposed ear, breathing her in once before speaking. “I’m here for you.” She sighed and cuddled closer to his side, wrapping both arms around him.
“How did I get so lucky?”
How did she get so lucky? If she had never come into his life, Jared might be at home right now, alone, drinking away his sorrows, knowing Macy was getting married across town. Instead, he was here with this beautiful, amazing woman, and actually looking forward to seeing his old friend—whatever else she might have been—marry the love of her life.
“Are you serious? I’m the luckiest person here.”
Starla’s soulful brown eyes searched his, and she put a hand to his bearded jaw, stroking his cheek lightly with her thumb. “I love you so much.”
He turned into her palm and brushed a kiss against it. “I love you more.”
They mixed and mingled, Starla exchanging pleasantries with his family. For the slightly rocky start they’d had while Starla had been staying with him all those months ago, everyone got along great now. His mother was ecstatic over Starla’s cooking abilities; they regularly traded recipes. On top of all her other amazing qualities, Starla could out-cook his mom. Even more amazingly, his mother actually admitted it.
And then it was time. Jared and Starla settled on the groom’s side in the end. Macy’s mom had introduced them to Ghost’s sister and her family, who’d made the trip from Oklahoma to be here. They seemed like nice people. Starla’s friend Janelle was there, along with all the crew at both Dermamania locations and a few people Jared wasn’t familiar with—but thankfully no one they’d run across on their mission to locate Max. Brian and Candace were in the wedding party. Candace’s mother sat over on Macy’s side under an ostentatious hat, lightly bouncing Lyric on her lap while he cooed and giggled. The way he kept reaching for Mrs. Andrews’s hat, she might not be wearing it for long. He was getting big fast and had the thickest mop of black hair Jared had ever seen on a baby.
The altar at the end of the aisle was adorned with Macy’s autumnal colors in flowers and drapes with strings of clear twinkling lights woven throughout, and matching paper lanterns hung all through the huge oak tree just beyond it. There were even a few pumpkins scattered around the arrangement. And a couple of hay bales, to give it that Macy touch.
Starla’s fingers curled through his as the processional music began. “You sure you’re up for this?” she whispered.
Even if he wasn’t, it was too late now—but he was fine. Giving her a grin, he wound his arm around her shoulders and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’m good. I promise. I’m glad I’m here with you, and I’m glad the girls can help out. They love Macy.”
“They’ll be adorable. I can’t wait to see them.” He noticed she had her phone’s camera at the ready.
And he was overcome with appreciation and admiration for her. All through the processional, he kept her tucked against his side, as Ghost and Brian stepped up to the altar and Candace walked up the aisle, beaming at her husband and stunning in dark purple, or plum, rather. The men had opted for all black with the only splashes of color their ties. One of Ghost’s nephews was the ring bearer, and then Ashley and Mia came excitedly up the aisle, tossing petals to the ground…and in the air, and even a couple in Jared’s lap, doling out hugs to anyone they recognized in the congregation, while Starla laughed and snapped picture after picture.
And then came the bride.
Oh, the bride.
The guests stood, and the woman who’d once been the embodiment of all of Jared’s dreams walked at her father’s side to marry someone else. She was beautiful. Yeah, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t feel a little tug in his chest, but it was by no means the shard of pain it would have been earlier this year. Her dress was simple and elegant, more a pale shimmering gold than white, and as she passed, he was stunned to see its plummeting back was perfect for showing off the tattoo of vibrant ivy leaves that cascaded down to cover her old surgery scar.
“Ohhhh,” Starla breathed happily at his side. “It turned out gorgeous.”
“It’s beautiful. But I can’t believe she did that,” he murmured back.
“I know, I never thought she would. They’ve been working on it for a while after hours. And the way she’s showing it off—I love it. Look at Candace’s mom. She’s about to have a stroke.”
Jared chuckled. Macy had always been about never looking back once she made a decision. If she was going to let Ghost give her a tattoo, then hell yes, she was going to show it off. Good for her. After her horse riding accident, she’d practically gone into a cocoon, not wanting to hear from him or any of their old friends. She’d emerged better and stronger and had a new life now, new friends. And they were good ones. He was happy to be among their circle now himself.
Daryl handed Macy over to Ghost and the two men’s handshake turned into a brief backslapping hug while Macy’s eyes brimmed a little. They exchanged words, and while no one could hear but them, whatever Daryl said caused a wash of emotion on the groom’s face and had Macy swiping at escaped tears. Even Starla opened her clutch and grasped for a tissue.
Jared understood the emotion. Both of Ghost’s parents had passed when he was little. But whatever traumas he’d endured, he was about to become a member of the best family Jared knew, and they thought the world of him. He couldn’t imagine not having his own parents
around to see him get married.
His gaze was drawn again to Starla’s delicate profile as everyone settled in their seats and the officiant began. Damn. He’d been down the aisle once already. There had been moments he’d vowed never to do it again, but in truth, the whole idea had been so beyond the realm of possibility that for the most part, he’d never given it much thought. But now that she was such a steady fixture in his life, sometimes it was all he could think about.
God, she was beautiful. The sunlight played in her platinum hair, and the breeze kept teasing him with the faintest hint of her scent. He would know her anywhere by smell alone.
Either the ceremony was short or Jared was too wrapped up in his own matrimonial thoughts to pay much attention to it, but suddenly Ghost and Macy were striding up the aisle all smiles to music and their guests’ applause. Brian and Candace followed close behind them arm in arm and smiling mostly at each other. Those two had been so inseparable, it was a miracle they’d managed to stand on opposite sides of the altar for the ceremony.
Starla sighed with what sounded like happy relief. Instead of going with the wedding party, Ashley and Mia ran straight to them, babbling excitedly. Starla cooed over how pretty they’d looked and what a good job they’d done, then showed them some of the pictures she’d snapped.
“So,” she began once they’d completely taken the phone away from her to thumb through the photos, “are we going over to the reception?”
“It’s up to you,” he said, lacing his fingers through hers. “I know you’d like to spend time with everyone.”