“So, how’d you like the Magic Galaxy cocktail?” a server asked as she stepped to my side.
I held up the empty glass that once held a fruity cocktail that magically changed colors from pink to blue to purple. “It was amazing,” I said, draining one last sip before handing the glass to her.
“Can I get you another or do you want to try a different drink?” she asked.
I tapped my finger against my lips. “How about something different?”
“OK. Answer a few questions for me. Frozen or on the rocks?”
“Hmmm. Frozen this time,” I finally decided.
“Give me five fruity flavors you like,” she commanded.
“Grape, strawberry, lime, orange and … um blue raspberry,” I ticked them off.
“How about you?” She leaned around me to ask Dawson. The woman didn’t even bat her lashes at him, which made me like her more.
“I’m good thanks.” He held up his cup. Dawson was still nursing his rum and Coke.
“Be right back.” She sauntered off as Dawson’s machine went nuts beside me.
I squealed as the tokens dumped out into the tray at the bottom. I’d been losing at about the same rate Dawson had been winning until that moment.
“Maybe we should cash out while you’re ahead,” I suggested. The thought of gambling away any significant sum of money didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t that long ago I’d been struggling to dig my way out of debt. I didn’t want to take having money for granted.
“We’ll keep playing for a few more minutes. When she gets back with your drink, we’ll call it a night and tell everyone goodbye,” he said as he fed some more casino coins into the slot.
We were parked in front of a pair of slot machines within sight of where Brittany was raking in the chips playing Texas Hold ‘em. Wilder stood by her side, completely in awe of her skills.
Gina was playing slots at the other end of the row we were on. Maddox had disappeared. And Jett was flirting with a girl at the bar. The rest of our group was playing roulette.
“You should give me a good luck kiss, then maybe I’ll win,” I told Dawson.
Without hesitation, he spun on his stool and reached for me. The bells and whistles turned into a low-level hum. The bright colors and lights faded to a haze as his lips moved toward mine. I lost myself in the depth of his kiss. Something pressed against my fingers while his tongue stroked against mine. Dawson closed my fingers around the object then lifted my arm to the rectangular hole in my machine. Together we dropped the coin in the slot. Blindly, he pressed my fingers against a button, selecting a line. The whole time, he never separated from me. Eventually the loud racket emitting from beside me caused us to pull apart.
I’d hit the jackpot. Five grand. With wide eyes, I turned to Dawson. “That was some lucky kiss,” I said, pecking him on the lips with glee.
“I see your luck turned around,” our server exclaimed as she handed me a frozen rainbow.
“It was in his kiss,” I said, grinning at Dawson. “And on that note, we’re cashing out and taking this drink to go.”
She laughed. “I don’t blame you one bit.”
As Dawson retrieved a tip from his wallet, I took a sip of my new drink. It was amazing. Sweet like candy and no liquor taste at all. “What’s this one called?”
“That’s a Laffy Taffy Daquiri.”
“It’s so good.” I longed to take a large sip, but I knew the brain freeze would be swift.
Dawson handed her a folded bill and got to his feet. “Thanks for looking out for us this evening.”
“Of course. And I’m a huge fan by the way,” she answered with a wink.
Dawson grabbed her pad and pen then scribbled an autograph for her.
“Oh my gosh. Thanks,” she squealed, then tucked the paper away for safekeeping. “One of the floor managers will be over in a moment to help you cash out.” She waved her fingers then headed off to serve someone else.
Dawson
We burst onto our floor as soon as the elevator doors opened.
“I can’t believe I won five thousand dollars,” Izzy exclaimed.
I shook my head in astonishment. She’d been feeding the machine one coin at a time for over forty-five minutes. She hadn’t won anything more than a handful of tokens on a few spins. I understood her shock.
“The timing is perfect. Now maybe you won’t mind spending the money on the wedding dress you like so much,” I said, bumping her hip with mine.
“Maybe …” She stopped at the door to the suite the guys were using. It was ajar. “I thought everyone was downstairs.” She frowned and looked up at me.
We’d had our privacy violated so much over the course of our relationship. Both times. I understood her concern.
“It must be Maddox. He wasn’t downstairs with Gina,” I recalled. I shuffled her body behind mine just in case as I pushed the suite door all the way open.
Maddox didn’t see us in the entryway. He was too busy pacing the floor, mumbling to himself.
“You OK, dude?” I said as we slowly approached.
Startled, he turned around, a velvet box clutched in his hands. My eyes widened in surprise.
“Is that …” I didn’t finish.
He swallowed and met my gaze. His head jerked with a short nod.
“Congrats?” I said cautiously.
“I guess. I mean, thanks,” he stammered, sinking to the ottoman in front of the couch.
“I didn’t know you and Gina were that serious,” Izzy said, sinking next to him. “I mean, I know you guys have been dating for a while, but I didn’t know you were at this level of commitment,” she hastened to explain.
“I know exactly what you mean. Gina never acted like she wanted more than fun. We are in a relationship and all. But she’s never even hinted at a future. She doesn’t even like to plan to go on a date with me more than a couple of days in advanced. She wouldn’t even commit to coming here to Vegas with me until yesterday. So when she mentioned marriage at dinner, I was shocked.” He opened and closed the hinged box over and over as he talked. “No one’s ever seen me as marriage material before.”
“Maybe she meant eventually,” I offered with a shrug. The girl flirted with every hot guy that came to the bar while she was working. I wasn’t sure she could spell I do.
“I would think that too. But then in the bus she was talking about how great it would be to get engaged. And I found myself agreeing with her. I can’t say I’ve been picturing forever with her, but I haven’t been looking for anyone else. You know me. I fall fast, and I fall hard. Gina fell with me. So … I left her at the slot machines and went shopping.” He scrunched his nose up as he flipped the box open once more and showed us the bling inside. It was big and flashy and perfect for Gina.
“It’s beautiful. I’m sure she’ll love it,” Izzy gushed.
“When do you think you’ll ask her?” I asked.
“I don’t know, man. I want to wait for the right time. So, don’t tell anyone,” he said, looking slightly alarmed.
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with us. And don’t worry about timing. Take your time. Think about it. The opportunity will present itself,” I advised.
“Thanks, guys. I’ll take some time. But for now, I need to hide this then get back downstairs before Gina starts to worry.” Maddox stood and drew me into a one-armed hug before giving Izzy a real embrace.
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Izzy said, squeezing him tightly.
“Yeah. Bye,” he said, moving toward his room.
With my hand on the small of Izzy’s back, I ushered her out of the suite, quietly shutting the door behind us. No words were spoken until we were safely behind our own door.
“What was that?” she whispered loudly, as she stepped out of her shoes.
I followed suit, toeing off my sneakers. “I have no idea. But I really never pictured him marrying Gina.” I locked the door and moved into the kitchen to fix us some water.
&n
bsp; “Did you see his face when he found out Sky was getting married?” Izzy asked.
“No, but I saw Gina’s, and I feel like that was the only reason she even mentioned marrying Maddox.”
“Hmm. Could be. She just always seemed too … flirty with everyone to be truly serious about Maddox,” Izzy said diplomatically. “I mean, she’s nice and doesn’t really create drama, but I just never got the impression that Maddox has her whole heart.”
“That’s the vibe I got too. I don’t want to see Maddox get hurt.” I frowned and took a swallow of water.
“He’s a grown man. You can’t protect him from himself. We just have to be here for him if things go south. In the meantime, we have to be happy for him. He’s always wanted someone to be his forever. If he’s found that with Gina, we’re going to have to learn to love her too.” Izzy wrapped her arm around my waist and hugged me.
“I’m just glad I’ve been reunited with my own forever love,” I said, peering down at her. There was a time where I thought I’d never get this back.
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “Me too.”
Gripping her waist, I lifted her to the kitchen counter and wedged my body between her knees. Gently, I reached around to free her hair from the band that had kept it up in a ponytail all day. Locks of sapphire and steel tumbled down around her shoulders.
“You’re breathtaking,” I whispered as I dragged my fingers through the silky strands.
Cupping the back of her neck, I drew her to me. Pressing my forehead to hers, I reveled in the love shining in her eyes. Love for me. It made my heart clang against my ribcage.
Soft fingers scraped against the stubble on my jaw. “I love you,” she murmured, her declaration bathing my lips.
“I love you too, flutterby.” Then I melded her mouth to mine in a heart branding kiss. Our tongues tangled in a slow dance, sliding against each other in a deliberate adagio.
She scooted closer to the edge of the counter, pressing her body flush against mine. Deft fingers dipped into my waistband, fumbling with the snap on my jeans.
I loosened one hand from its hold on her head and reached for her hand, trapping her eager fingers in mine. Initially, she tried to use our joined hands to pop the button free.
“Slow down,” I mumbled against her mouth before trailing kisses along her jaw and up to the sensitive spot below her ear. She shivered in my arms.
Life’s chaos had forced us to catch stolen moments here and there the past several weeks. Each moment alone was treated as if it was making up for missed moments during the two years we’d spent apart. Even now, eight months after reuniting, I couldn’t get enough of her. Of her smile, her laugh, her touch, her kisses, her heat, her groans, her orgasms, her love.
But in this moment where we had nothing but time, I intended to savor everything I’d previously devoured like a man starving since we’d found each other again.
Her head fell back as I nipped and sucked a path down her neck. With my nose, I nudged the edge of her shirt out of my way, baring her shoulder to me.
Trusting her to behave, I let go of her hand so I could softly drag my fingers up her side, taking the hem of her shirt up with me. Beneath my touch, her skin prickled with goosebumps. When I finally reached the bottom of the piece of satin covering her breasts, she froze, barely even drawing breath. I swirled my index finger across the smooth fabric, deftly avoiding her nipple. My fingers spanned her soft mound, the weight perfect in my palm.
She arched her back, thrusting her breast deeper into my hand, trying to force my touch where she wanted it. Smiling against the flesh of her collarbone, I teased her for a few more seconds, circling around the area I knew was already peaked in anticipation.
Finally, I gave her what she wanted. Featherlight, I brushed my finger across the straining tip.
Once.
Twice.
Three times, before she finally moaned. The sound was one of my favorite songs. Through the fabric, I gave the tight bud the slightest pinch, which had the word, “Please,” falling from her lips.
Her fingers dug into the skin of my sides, trying to force our bodies closer together. There wasn’t even a sliver of air between us already. There’d be time during our stay and later if we decided to sign the contract for me to take her on the kitchen counter. For now, it was time to move to the bedroom.
Sliding my hands down her body, I gripped her butt and pulled her center tightly against me, enjoying the heat of her for just a moment while I captured her mouth once more. Her kiss was more desperate than our previous one. I let her control the pace for a few long seconds. It was heaven. My cock strained against my zipper.
After I’d thoroughly tasted her mouth, I pulled back, momentarily sending us both to a form of hell. I lifted her and marched in the direction of our room. I didn’t stop until my thighs bumped against the edge of the bed.
With reluctance, I lowered her feet to the mattress, standing her on it in front of me. I gazed up at woman who’d owned my heart since we were six years old, and I silently thanked God that He’d seen fit to make her love me too. I gathered a fistful of fabric and lifted it, unveiling an expanse of flesh I hadn’t tasted today. Leaning forward, I pressed an open-mouthed kiss on her stomach.
Impatient, she eased her shirt over her head, and before I could even comprehend it, she’d dispensed with her bra as well. Above me she towered, a goddess, my every inspiration. Lowering my gaze, I kissed a path down her abdomen to the edge of her pants. The denim rubbed against my chin as I licked along her waistband briefly.
Unable to wait for more, I popped open the button on her jeans. Then much faster than I would’ve liked, I dragged the fabric from her body. Her pants and underwear were gone in one fell swoop. Eagerly, she stepped out of the puddle of clothing binding her feet.
When she started to ease her form to the mattress, I wrapped my hands around her thighs, halting her motion. I bent my knees a little and pressed a kiss to her pelvis. Then I moved to plant a series of them on her inner thigh. With a nuzzle, I urged her to spread her legs enough to for me to put my mouth where we both yearned for me to.
I licked along her seam, gathering her flavor. Her fingers fisted in my hair. Unintelligible syllables flew from her as I shifted my tongue higher. I was almost where she ached for me to be. With two fingers, I spread her apart for better access. Ever so slowly, I lapped at her clit, stoking her pleasure, raising the tempo from adagio to moderato.
We were creating music, but I didn’t want to write a jingle. I planned to write a symphony with our bodies tonight. With that plan, I kept her hovering in that space between the notes, shifting from moderato back to adagio and even drifting to lento.
When her legs started to tremble, I lifted my mouth from her body. “Lie down,” I rasped out.
She collapsed to the mattress with a grateful smile on her face. As she scooted up to the head of the bed, I snatched the covers down, not caring where they landed. She reached for me.
I shook my head. “I’m not done with you yet,” I growled. Quickly, I shed my clothes, then wedged my shoulders between her thighs.
With my hands on her legs, I pressed her open, so I’d have better access to all her sensitive parts. The music in my mind started again the instant my mouth touched her flesh. Her moan was the perfect accompaniment to what played in my heart. I started our song over just like I would if my favorite song got interrupted in the car. Slow, precise laps of my tongue, dragging long, drawn out notes against her center.
The melody slipping from her increased in cadence without me changing my tempo. It was time for me to create harmony in our sonata. After a few adagio licks from bottom to top, I shifted to allegro and concentrated on her sensitive bud. Her body complied, singing along with the rhythm I set. When she started to quiver beneath me, I increased the rate of my tongue’s motions to prestissimo.
With a crescendo, she shattered beneath me, yelling my name.
Gently, I crawled up her body, aching to join
my body with hers. I argued with myself to wait, but in the end my heart won out. Using my hands braced on either side of her head, I held the weight of my body off hers. My cock twitched where it rested against her.
Izzy wrapped her legs around my hips, causing my dick to slip into perfect position. It strained to enter her warmth. Her eyes closed in anticipation of that perfect feeling that only came when I was buried inside her.
I peered down at Izzy as I sank inch by inch into her until our bodies were physically united like our hearts always had been. I ran my finger across her cheek.
“Flutterby, how is it possible that every time is better than the last? Or that each day my love for you grows?”
The sweetest smile lifted her lips as her eyes fluttered open.
Forever stared up at me.
“I think it’s what some people consider a miracle,” she whispered then pulled my face down to hers.
When our lips joined, I started to move, thrusting my hips at a slow but steady pace. A pace destined to send us both spiraling into bliss.
Izzy
I sat between Britt and Cleo as the car service drove us to Bridal Couture. The girls’ eyes all grew wide when we pulled up in front of the building.
“I can’t believe you were able to get into a place like this on such short notice,” Tansy exclaimed.
“My wedding planner is pretty amazing. As soon as she heard we were going to be here, she pulled some strings to get me an appointment. The dress I fell in love with online is in this store. But once I saw the price, I vetoed it and tried to find something else. Dawson said I have to at least try it on before I say no to that dress. Bianca agreed. So here we are,” I explained as we exited the car.
A woman in a designer suit held the door open for us. “Isabelle?” she asked.
“That’s me,” I said, stepping up to shake her outstretched hand.
“Hi. I’m Sara. I’ll be assisting you today. I see you’ve brought some friends along.” She smiled and shook each of the girls’ hands.
Lyrical Odyssey Rock Star Series: Box Set 1 Page 85