Taking a long swig of beer, Caroline leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a few seconds, wiggling her bare toes in the cool grass. She was wiped out.
“Care to dance?”
Caroline knew by the voice it wasn’t the man she really wanted to dance with, but she smiled and opened her eyes. “So the great and powerful Sloan dances?”
“I’ve been known to tear up a dance floor or two.” He grinned, holding out his hand.
She took another drink of beer before letting him pull her from the chair. “Oh, I bet you have.”
******
Jax stood in the shadows watching Sloan approach Caroline and then lead her out to dance. The low growl building in his chest escaped when Sloan pulled her close saying something that made Caroline laugh.
“I think it would be really bad for you to kill your boss.” Hunter had appeared at his side, a beer in one hand and a shot glass in the other. “Here, you need this more than me.”
Looking down at the shot, Jax grabbed it and downed it in a second flat. “Thanks.”
“Welcome.” Hunter gave a short nod. “Yeah, your sweet little Caroline pretty much ruined my night.”
Jax looked away from Caroline for a split second. “How so?”
Hunter told Jax what Caroline had done, all the while a small grin of respect curved his lips. “So now all the pretty ladies here think I’m a player.”
“Aren’t you?” Jax raised an eyebrow.
“Ah, yeah.” Hunter snorted. “But it was a secret until your girl blabbed.”
“Caroline is not my girl.” Jax wished he had another shot of whiskey.
“They have a history?” Hunter pointed his beer toward Sloan and Caroline.
“No,” he answered, but then realized he wasn’t really sure.
“Then you better make a move my friend, before they do.” Hunter gave him a parting look before walking off.
“You’re still on the job,” Jax called out after him. “You need to worry about that instead of playing matchmaker.”
Hunter just threw up his hand in a wave, indicating he heard him loud and clear.
“Asshole,” Jax grumbled, his eyes focused back on Caroline who was walking back to her table, alone. Jax headed her way. He’d be damned if he left without dancing with her at least once.
As soon as he made his way to her, she bent to pick up her shoes. His eyes automatically went to her ass which was cupped beautifully in her pale blue summer dress that fit her body perfectly. She straightened without the shoes and turned around, a small smile blooming across her lips.
“Hi.” She smoothed her dress, her eyes never leaving his.
“You look beautiful.” Jax’s voice was deep with a rough edge.
“Awe, thank you.” She gave him a once over. “And you are very handsome in a tux, Jax Wheeler.”
Jax cursed himself for being so awkward, his hand fidgeting in the pocket of his slacks as he stared at her. “Dance with me.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Caroline’s voice turned husky, making his desire for her soar.
Instead of taking her where others were slow dancing, he pulled her in his arms and danced her into the shadows. Her softness against his hardness was almost more than he could stand. Sloan’s scent still lingered on her, his alpha side reared its ugly head. “You and Sloan have a thing going?” he asked a little more harshly than he intended.
“Sloan?” Caroline moved her head off his chest to stare up at him. “No. I mean he’s very handsome, but...”
Anger consumed him. “It’s a yes or no question, Caroline.”
“Oh, then no.” Caroline touched the corner of his mouth gently. “You really shouldn’t frown so much, Jax.”
“Then don’t tell me you find other men handsome,” Jax replied, surprised the words came out of his mouth. What the fuck was wrong with him? He knew exactly what was wrong with him and he was holding her in his arms.
CHAPTER 21
Jill finally found a minute to sit down and glared at the pack of crackers sitting on the table. With a huff she grabbed one while her eyes roamed. Spotting Slade talking to Jax and Caroline, she looked back at her cracker.
“Let me have one of those.” Adam sat down grabbing a cracker and glared at it.
“To us.” Jill held up her cracker for a toast.
Adam chuckled, tapping her cracker with his. “To us.”
They both took a bite and chewed. “Mmmmm.” Jill tried to sound like the cracker was the best thing she’d ever eaten, but her face of disgust said otherwise.
“It tastes like ass,” Adam grumbled, tossing the cracker down on the table.
“Don’t know what ass tastes like, but thanks for making the only food I can eat less appetizing.” Jill threw the cracker aside.
“Sorry,” Adam said with a sheepish grin. “Thanks, Jill. What you’ve done means so much to all of us.”
“Don’t thank me, Adam.” Jill sighed with a happy smile. “It’s what I wanted to do. This is my family and sharing this with you all has been awesome.”
Adam nodded, but kept silent.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” This was going to be awkward as hell, but she needed to know before tonight.
“You can ask me anything, Jill. You know that.” Adam closed his eyes leaning his head back. “Shoot.”
“Did Slade tell you not to...you know...” Jill cringed in embarrassment. “...with Angelina tonight?”
Adam opened one eye to peek over at her. “Have sex?”
Jill only nodded, knowing her face flushed bright red.
“Hell no.” Adam shut his eye. “And if he did, I’d laugh in his face and tell him to go...you know what...himself.”
“So you and Angelina have been—”
“Yes, Jill,” Adam interrupted her. “Now, how about we stop taking about this. I didn’t know when you said personal question it meant that.”
“What did you think I meant?” Jill asked, curling her bare toes in the cool grass, enjoying the feel.
“I don’t know.” Adam sighed. “Something like...have I been having a hard time pissing since I’ve been sick.” Again he peeked at her with one eye.
“Oh.” Jill frowned. “Have you?”
Adam sat up. “Yeah, but I think I’m dehydrated.”
“You need to tell Slade,” Jill demanded.
“I will after tonight,” Adam promised then chuckled. “We sure get ourselves in some messes, don’t we? Here we are on our wedding night talking about having a hard time pissing.”
Jill slapped her hand over her mouth and soon they were laughing so hard they couldn’t breathe. At the same time, they took deep breaths through their noses and sighed.
“Damn, that food smells so fucking good.” Adam took one more deep breath.
“I know,” Jill agreed, wanting to pinch her nose closed so she couldn’t smell it anymore. “Are you scared, Adam?”
Adam wouldn’t meet her gaze; instead, he stood and kissed her on top of the head before walking away.
With her stomach cramping painfully, Jill stood, ignoring it the best she could. Strong arms wrapped around her from behind.
“You ready, Mrs. Buchanan?” Slade’s voice whispered in her ear.
“Ready for what?” She leaned into him, savoring his strength and loving her new name.
“You’re not the only one with surprises.” Slade kissed the side of her neck. “Let’s say our goodbyes.”
Jill nodded in agreement, excitement mixing with the pain in her stomach.
******
After their goodbyes, Slade picked her up carrying her up the trail toward the house. Her bare feet stuck out from her dress.
“You forgot your shoes.” Slade stopped, ready to turn around.
“No, I didn’t.” Jill wiggled her toes. “I didn’t wear any.”
“At all?” Slade grinned.
“Nope.” Jill kissed his cheek. “You married a true country girl, Slade Buchanan.”
“Have fun you two.” Caroline met them on the path coming from the house. “Everything is set,” she told Slade.
“Thank you, Caroline.” Slade moved to the side letting her pass.
“What’s going on?” Jill frowned at both of them. When they remained silent, Jill knew she wasn’t going to get any answers. “Okay, well, leave everything, Caroline. You’ve done enough and I’ll be back to clean up.”
“I’ve got this, Jill,” Caroline told her. “Now get her out of here, Slade.”
“Caroline.” Jill huffed. “I mean it.”
All Jill heard from Caroline was a laugh. Frowning, she looked up the path and sitting in her parents’ driveway was a sleek black limo, and Slade was heading right for it.
“That’s for us?” Jill asked in awe. She’d never ridden in a limo before.
Slade set her down gently as the driver opened the door. “It’s for you.”
Looking at the driver before getting in, Jill thanked him. Scooting across the seat, her eyes were round as saucers. “It’s beautiful.” She took everything in.
“You’re beautiful,” Slade replied, watching her.
“I’ve never been in a limo before, can ya tell?” She laughed at herself climbing onto Slade’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“If this is the way you show your appreciation, I’ll buy you one.” Slade kissed her softly. “What color would you like?”
“Blue,” Jill answered automatically. “I want a blue limo.”
“Blue to match your hair.” Slade touched her face with a soft caress.
“You know me so well,” Jill teased, pressing her face into his hand.
“I’m learning more and more about you every single day.” Slade’s eyes roamed her face.
“That’s a scary thought.” Jill cringed.
“No, it’s fascinating.” He took her mouth in a gentle kiss that quickly turned into something more intense.
Finally! Jill shouted silently in her mind, but as soon as things were getting hot and she was on the verge of losing her mind in a good way, Slade pulled away from her. “No!” This time the word came out of her mouth and loudly.
Slade chuckled. “Unless you want the driver to get a peek at the action, we need to slow it down.”
Regaining her wits, which took a few minutes, Jill realized they had stopped. Slade tapped on the window, the door opened right away. Slade slid out first, then held his hand out to help Jill. She turned to find a cute little cabin surrounded by trees.
“I figured you wouldn’t want to spend your wedding night at the compound.” Slade led her around the limo and then tipped the driver who had set two small suitcases on the porch.
“It’s perfect, Slade.” Jill beamed. “It’s almost like the one I showed you a while ago, that I loved.”
Slade smiled, took a key out of his pocket and opened the door. Carefully picking her up, he carried her into the cabin and set her down.
Jill stood in the middle of the room just taking everything in. The fireplace was a gorgeous stone and already had a fire crackling. She walked slowly, peeking into another room and gasped. The kitchen was huge and rustic, just like the cabin itself.
“Sid would kill for this kitchen.” Jill laughed, opening doors and soaking up the beauty of the place. Continuing her exploration, she headed upstairs. “It has two nice size bedrooms. The cabin doesn’t look this big on the outside.”
“Did you look out back?” Slade called from downstairs.
Jill came back down the steps, excitement shining from her eyes. She opened the double doors, walked out onto a patio and clapped in delight. “A pool!” Jill spun around, laughing. “Please tell me we can go swimming.”
“We can do whatever you want,” Slade said, without realizing the implication of his words, but Jill heard him loud and clear. “So do you really like it?”
“I absolutely love it, Slade.” Jill wrapped her arms around herself, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. “How long are we staying?”
“For as long as you want.” Slade pulled her to him putting his chin on top of her head. “Because I bought it for you.”
“Excuse me?” Jill pulled away, her nails clawing into his arms. “What did you say?”
“It’s ours, Jill.” Slade chuckled at her open-mouth gape.
“You...you bought me a house?” she said. He nodded, yet she still didn’t believe it.
“I love you.” Slade tilted her chin up. “I would buy you the world if I could.”
“No.” She shook her head, her eyes still wide with shock. “A house is good, but it’s too much.”
“Be prepared to be spoiled, Mrs. Buchanan.” Slade picked her up so he had easy access to her mouth. “Because I plan on doing much more of it.”
“I don’t need to be spoiled, but I do need to be loved, by you.” Jill kissed him with all the passion she had inside her. She knew he knew exactly what she wanted, what she needed. “Please, Slade.”
“Jill.” His tone changed from sexy Slade to Dr. Buchanan.
“You never told Adam he couldn’t have sex with Angelina.” Jill dropped her bombshell on him.
“You’re not Adam,” Slade replied, letting her go when she wiggled.
“No, I’m not.” Jill backed away, reaching behind her to pull the string to unlace her dress, and wouldn’t you know it, her mother had knotted it. So much for stripping with a sexy flare. Instead, she pushed down her off-the-shoulder sleeves until she bared her breasts, which his darkening eyes went straight to. Thankfully, the lace had loosened over the hours of wearing the dress and she was able to shimmy her way out of it.
Standing before Slade in only a lacey white thong, Jill gave him her sexiest smile. “Tell me no now, Slade.” And God, she prayed he didn’t tell her no, because that would devastate her as well as being the most embarrassing moment of her life.
Slade adjusted his crotch as he continued to stare at her. Her eyes dropped to watch him and smiled at the huge bulge in his tux slacks. She wished she had high heels on, but she had to go with what she had. Turning around, on purpose of course, she bent and picked up her dress giving him the best view of her ass. Walking toward the steps with her wedding dress in her arms, she stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“I’ll be upstairs, Slade.” She purposely ran her eyes over his body, stopping at the bulge for a second longer. “I’m not above begging or playing dirty.” She tossed him a sexy grin; at least, she hoped it was sexy. She was just now learning the art of being sexy. Climbing the steps, she prayed to God she wouldn’t trip and that her climb showed him all her assets that she was overly exerting to draw his attention. Taking a peek, she grinned when his eyes were exactly where she wanted them.
Jill walked into the biggest bedroom, a huge grin on her face. Well, even if he didn’t ravish her, he’d be as uncomfortable as she had been. Jill jumped when the door slammed behind her.
“You don’t play fair.” Slade ripped off his shirt, buttons flying everywhere.
“Oh, isn’t that rented?” Jill watched the buttons bounce along the floor.
“I don’t give a fuck about the shirt.” He growled as he stalked toward her, his eyes burning black.
Okay, maybe, just maybe she pushed him too far.
“Take it off,” he demanded. When she didn’t react fast enough, he reached out and with expert ease, he ripped her lace thong off her body. She hissed in pleasure as he slid it between her legs, tossing it on the floor.
Raising her hands eagerly to his belt buckle, he grasped her hands, holding them together with one hand as he himself undid his buckle and completely stripped away the rest of his clothes.
“This will be on my terms, Jillian.” Slade’s voice was rough. “You are to do nothing, but enjoy me as I worship every part of your body. I want no argument whatsoever from you. Is that understood?”
Was he crazy? What woman in her right mind would argue with those terms? All she could do was nod her agreem
ent.
Picking her up, he gently laid her on the bed, but still held her hands above her head. He did just as he promised, worshipped every part of her body, driving her insane with need. If the serum sickness didn’t kill her, this certainly would.
“Please, Slade.” Jill panted, needing to find release, and soon. It had been too long.
Slade let go of her hands. “Do not move them,” he ordered as he climbed between her legs and lifted her knees from the bed.
She loved the dominant part of him that came out in the bedroom. Even though sometimes it drove her absolutely crazy, she loved it. Their eyes met as he slowly slid into her. She started to rise to meet his thrust, but he growled down at her.
“Do not move.” He leaned down and kissed her as he began to pump hard and fast, using his own strength to bring her up to meet his thrusts.
She realized what he was doing. Not only was he taking care of her needs, he was making sure she used no energy by doing all the work himself. She had never loved him more than she did at that moment. He loved her that much.
He pulled his mouth away and she was happy to let him go because she could watch him as he loved her. The snarl on his face was sexy because she knew he was fighting back his own release until she found hers. He looked down to watch as their bodies met in a fast tempo and when he raised his eyes to hers, they were black as midnight, rimmed with red as his sharp fangs protruded, giving him a wild untamed look.
Jill’s body burst into what felt like flames. It was the strongest orgasm she had ever had. It shook her to the core, lasting for what seemed like hours. Slade’s body trembled for just as long. Using his arms to keep his body weight off her, he leaned down and kissed her, careful not to slice her with his fangs.
“Are you okay?” Slade’s voice was hoarse.
“You’re not allowed to ask me that anymore.” Jill touched his cheek. “But yes, I’m more than okay. I’m fantastic.”
“I love you.” Slade’s voice actually cracked and for the first time, Jill saw the fear he couldn’t hide shimmering in his eyes. Pulling him to her, she held him tight.
“I love you more,” she whispered before closing her eyes. It was time to put her next plan into motion.
A Warrior Wedding Page 15