And hold him to it without him promptly slitting his wrists.
Morgan leans against me and says, “I see our coach/your dickhead boyfriend made it.”
Covertly watching Sparks talking to Val as I stab at my roast beef, I say, “He did. He was even here for the ceremony.”
“He owes it to you to be here.”
Putting my fork down, I look at Morgan. “It’s your wedding. He shouldn’t be here just for me.”
She resentfully scowls. “I don’t give a shit if he’s here for me. You are who should matter to him, and he’d better not forget it.”
“I think he’s making an effort. He’s here, isn’t he?” Turning back to my food, I glance over to Finn’s table, where he’s sitting with his elbow cockily propped on the back of his chair, and his finger idly brushing his bottom lip as he intently stares at me. I smile at him and he blinks out of his trance. He languidly smiles at me in response, and I quietly laugh. Grinning at my amusement, Finn shakes his head as we gawk at each other, until Val says something to him and he turns to her, disrupting our daze. Still smiling, I blink down to my plate, but my mind isn’t on my food.
Morgan leans close to me. “From what I just witnessed, it looks like you two have made up since you’re making serious fuck-me eyes at each other.”
Not looking up, I laugh and lightly elbow her. “We’re working on it. I let him dance with me, but I haven’t kissed him since finding out about his skydiving.”
Her fork drops in a clatter and I peer up at her. She slowly asks, “You haven’t kissed him yet?”
“No. He wanted to after our fight at the game, but I told him I didn’t want to.”
“You’re making him wait to kiss you?” Morgan reiterates. She laughs and pushes on my arm. “I love it, Hadley! That is fantastic!”
I regard her with an uncertain frown. “Why?”
“Because you’re making him wait for something he really wants. He should have to work for it.”
I glance at Finn, who’s still talking to Val. Returning to my barely-eaten food, I mutter, “I guess.”
“So, are you ready to kiss him now?”
I nod at my food and she asks, “What about the thing you brought with you?”
Picking up a small forkful of my potatoes, I whisper, “I think so. I’m still on the fence about it.”
“Maybe after a good screw.”
“Morgan!” I shriekingly whisper, hoping nobody heard her since she’s not making any attempt at being quiet.
“What? Like you’re really not going to take him up to your suite and fuck him? Shit. Angry fucking is my favorite.”
I shake my head, unable to look at her as I eat a few bites, for fear I’ll choke on my food when I see the expression she’s most likely sporting on her face.
She adds, “Like I told you at lunch weeks ago, get him nice and hard, and then ask him. It’s a win-win.”
I ask over my green beans, “Why do I talk to you?”
She puts her head against mine. “Because you love me.”
“Occasionally.”
“Bitch,” she mutters.
Grabbing my champagne, I take a long sip, making it a production for her. When I lower my glass, I tease with a horrified expression. “Oh, yeah! You’re pregnant! Oops! Sorry! None for you!”
“You’re a slut, too.”
“A raging one!” I drink another gulp in front of her, and she shoves my leg with a laugh.
After the cake is cut, Rod announces that it’s time to throw the bouquet. Because I’m the unmarried hag, as Rod calls me, I’m forced to the floor. Rhonda and Shasta flank me with a handful of other women behind us.
Before turning around, Morgan surveys us, eyeing me in particular. Oh, no. I’m not making a big spectacle of fighting for the damn thing like a desperate spinster. Not only that, my boobs will most likely fly out of my dress. That thought alone makes me want to dive underneath a table and stay until Rod plays Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.”
With her back to us, Morgan lazily tosses the bouquet over her head. Inexplicably, Shasta and Rhonda move away, which makes me the closest one to catching it. What the hell? The other women scramble forward, but the bouquet falls short of me, and I impulsively throw my arms forward, catching it, to my own surprise.
I spin around and Shasta and Rhonda laugh while clapping excitedly. I swing back to see Morgan laughing and hopping around. Bitches.
Shasta comes up to me and asks, “I guess that means you’re going to marry our coach?”
Rhonda says, “You’ll be Mrs. Coach!”
“Um, okay.” I skeptically laugh at their merriment. I thought Shasta wanted Finn for herself. Now, she’s endorsing our potential engagement?
After Ivan removes Morgan’s garter with his teeth to the whistling and cheering of the entire hotel ballroom, Rod again takes the mic. “Alright, Hadley! Let’s find you a groom!”
This won’t be mortifying. I’ll probably be paired with Morgan’s cousin Humper. And yes, his nickname is very accurate, apparently.
Rod plays Janet Jackson’s “Nasty” and tells all the unmarried men to take the floor. I’d nervously laugh, but I feel sick because the one man who I want to catch it is still sitting in his seat, coolly drinking his champagne.
Fleetingly, I catch Rod’s concerned scrutiny before he leaves the DJ table and strides over to Finn, bending to tell him something. Immediately, Sparks’ indifferent demeanor changes and he purposely stands. What the hell did Rod tell him?
All the bachelors gather, with Finn actually taking a spot, but so does Shane, Humper, a bunch of drunk strangers, and Ivan’s teenage nephews. This will be magical, no doubt.
I worriedly watch as Ivan flicks the garter behind him. I can’t look. I’d rather Rod be there trying to catch it, but he’d want to look up my dress, and Rod reaching up my dress would give me nightmares for the rest of my life, let alone anyone else doing so besides Finn. However, I just know Sparks won’t make much of an effort to be eternally jinxed.
Hiding my face in my hands, I blindly hear an actual battle for the small piece of fabric. Shit. After a minute, Rod taunts, “Oh, Hadley, we got you a groom!” With me still hiding, Shasta and Rhonda pull me up and force me to sit down in the chair Morgan had sat in. I want to die of embarrassment right this second.
No such luck.
Rod changes the song to Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away” and shouts, “I need the extremely lucky bastard to step forward and put the garter on this woman! Let’s do it!” My mouth pops open behind my hands from his announcement and from the thought of some “lucky bastard” putting his hands up my dress.
Hearing footsteps near me, I hesitantly crack my eyes open and move my fingers, and see Sparks squatting before me. I drop my hands and gape at him in shock. Thank you, God!
Still embarrassed, I reticently smile as he sexily grins and firmly grabs my leg. Everyone starts whooping and whistling. My face has to be redder than my nail polish as he hooks the garter over my shoe. Then while raptly watching me with his sultry brown eyes, he works it up my leg, lifting my dress along the way and slowly dragging his fingers across my skin up to my thigh, which draws even louder screeching and yelling as my dress rises. I can’t even breathe. My eyes have to be huge, yet he keeps his composure, of course.
On the microphone, Rod says, “Not too high, Wilder! Save that move for later!” I’m going to kill Rod.
When Finn reaches the top of my thigh, he lets his fingers linger on my skin before he slides them down. Standing, he offers me his hand and I straighten out my dress before shakily taking it.
“Way to go, you two! Now, I want the bride and groom, and Hadley and Coach Wilder to take the dance floor. Then, everyone can join in.” Rod plays a sexy, semi-slow song while the lights are dimmed. Finn leads me onto the floor behind Morgan and Ivan.
When he pulls me into his arms, I laugh in disbelief. “I can’t believe you caught that.”
He self-assuredly scoffs, “You rea
lly think I was going to let anyone put their hands up your dress?”
“Such a gentleman,” I smilingly coo. “I actually didn’t think you’d do it since it supposedly means something.”
He wickedly smirks. “Yeah. It meant that I got to look up your dress.”
I tilt my head and try hard not to smile. “You think you’re cute?”
“That word again.” He jokingly rolls his eyes.
Sliding my hand down his tie, I say, “You’re right. Cute doesn’t cut it since you’re hands down the sexiest man I’ve ever met.” I look up into his sobering eyes as they glide over my face.
“Becks.”
I slip my hands up into his hair, twirling my fingers around, and his eyes blink closed. “What, Sparks?” Say it.
He opens his eyes and implores, “Please forgive me.” Not what I expected.
I nod and we thoughtfully contemplate each other as we slow dance. Other couples begin to surround us, and Sparks grips me as if he’s afraid someone might take me away from him.
Lowering my hands down to his scruff, I dreamily gaze at his lips. I really want him to kiss me, but he doesn’t make a move.
The song ends and Rod yells, “While they’re still on the dance floor, I have a special song for the bride and her BFF!” Our song starts with flashing lights and Morgan grabs my arm, yanking me from Sparks.
She twirls me and then jerks me to her for a hug. “This day is perfect!” she squeals.
“I’m glad!” I spin away and we tug each other back and forth, giggling like little girls on a playground. Finn returns to his table, taking his seat next to Val. I feel terrible, but I’ll make it up to him later.
I meaningfully nod to the DJ table and she giggles. We hurriedly run over and pull Rod out to the dance floor, putting him in the middle of us, and bumping our hips onto his legs. Not one to shy away from the dance floor or women in general, apart from Tonya, he sticks his tongue out, gyrates his hips in a circle and raises his hands above his head. Much better than the moves he did last night on the beach, of course.
Suddenly, Rod grabs my hand and speedily twirls me around multiple times, while Morgan goes up behind him and puts her hands on his hips, which surprises both Rod and me. She and I essentially make a Rod sandwich, and he’s loving it. I knew Morgan always wanted to dance with Rod. She can’t fool me.
Morgan and I sway with him, going down to the floor and then up again. He turns to Morgan and they bump and pop each other. Still laughing, I spin around and rock against his back.
People clap and cheer us on. I’m having too much fun to be self-conscious, though, it’ll most likely horrify me later. I glance at Finn’s table and see him watching us. Holding his champagne glass, he appears to be uninterested, but I know he’s seriously sulking. Not wanting to leave him out, I take a step from Rod, crooking my finger, beckoning Sparks, challenging him to join me. He rolls his eyes and I put my lip out into a pout, but I’m wasting my time.
When I turn around, I spot Ivan in the mix now. Good man. Seeing me, he grins and snatches my hand, pulling me to him to give me a hard, dancing hug. Unexpectedly, my hand then is picked up and I’m pulled into another direction, falling against Rod’s chest. I honestly feel like a ragdoll. He puts his hands on my hips, I grab his shoulders, and we smoothly move together. It’s so familiar with him. On the dance floor, I definitely know Rod’s body more than Finn’s.
Two hands come up behind me whirl me away from Rod. “I guess I’ll have to get my dance this way!” Shane shouts above the music.
“I guess so!” Damn it. He surprisingly does have rhythm, except not the kind I’m used to with Rod. We fall into the beat and from the corner of my eye, I see Tonya approaching Rod. I grin and try to gawk, but Shane spins me again.
“I take it your boyfriend can’t dance?”
“He can!” I defend him.
He pulls me closer and I try to think of a graceful way to escape; however, a hand clutches my arm and swiftly twirls me around and, more importantly, away from Shane. I look up and see Sparks.
I grin in relief. “My hero!”
Beaming at me, he shouts, “Always, baby!”
I pivot so my back is against him and I sway, moving him with me. I know he won’t do much more, so I keep it easy for him and lead as we dance. Reaching behind me, I grab his hips as I spiral us down and then up again. He’s actually keeping good tempo with me and my stomach doesn’t hurt too much to slow me down. I never thought Sparks would ever dance with me like this. Shit, I’ve never even danced with Rod like this before. It must be the champagne making me so brave.
Then again, I think it’s my hot boyfriend finally dancing with me that’s doing it.
His lips and bristly chin graze my ear, while his quick, hot breath travels down my neck. We rock together and he kisses down my neck as his fingers insistently dig into my hips. As his mouth hovers my collarbone, lightly brushing his lips across my skin, I wonder if he’s deliberating whether to give me a love bite right here, but he lightly kisses me instead.
Without giving it much thought, my hands from his hips and boldly send them up around his neck, which pushes my chest outward more. I hope the tape holds my tits in. I hear and feel his groan over my throat, making me close my eyes. His hands move up along my rib cage as his kisses trail back up to my ear, his goatee prickling my skin in his wake.
His lips sweep my ear and he breathes heavily. He whispers, “You’re killing me.”
The song changes to another one and I giggle as his goatee grazes my cheek again. “What with the dress?”
“Yeah, that, but also because I can’t wait for Sunday. I love you, Becks.”
Swiftly, I turn around and using both my hands, I scrape my fingers against both sides of his jaw and skim my thumb across his bottom lip. I audaciously whisper, “Prove it.”
Without hesitation, his lips crash into mine, impatiently consuming them, but I quickly catch up as I encircle my arms around his neck, holding onto him tightly. This is the kind of kiss he gives me when we’re alone. He did kiss me on camera, but it was different. This kiss is in front of a bigger, immediate, live audience.
Before we lose ourselves too much in front of Morgan’s guests, I tear myself away and gasp, “Whoa.”
“Whoa,” he repeats breathlessly. “I’ve wanted to do that for over a week now.”
I unthinkingly whisper, “Maybe we can go for a moonlight walk on the beach later.” Instead of answering, he tilts his head to gently kiss and lightly suck on my neck. “Does that sound okay?”
He kisses my cheek before straightening. “I’d rather change first.” He suddenly looks uneasy as his tongue flicks over his lips and his eyes dart around me. “I need to get my clothes out of my car. Can I have your room key so I can change there? Or I can get my own room, if you want.”
As he awaits my answer, my hands find their way into his hair as his dark gaze searches my face. “You can stay with me.”
“I can still get my own room.”
On my tiptoes, I whisper in his ear, “I’m begging you to let me help you take your clothes off.” Yep. The champagne has positively hit me. I’m not trashed, but definitely am feeling more uninhibited.
“Becks, what I said after the game last week, I’m sorry.”
I yank on his tie and he tips forward. “Shut up, Wilder, and go get your clothes, so I can take them off. I want to have loud, hot sex with you.” His mouth drops open in astonishment and I brazenly grin.
Not wanting to waste any more time, I leave him and walk through couples dancing, to the bridal table for my clutch purse. Sparks is soon behind me. I can feel his body heat and smell his erotic scent. Spontaneously, I whirl around and he meets my lips, thinking the same thing. Against his lips, I say, “Room 713. Be there. I’ll be up as soon as I can.” He smiles before impetuously kissing me again. I giggle over his mouth and hand him my spare key card. Grinning even wider, he plucks it out of my hand and hurriedly leaves the ballroom.
&n
bsp; I quickly make my way to Morgan, who is dancing with Tonya. I touch her arm and she stops. Pursing her lips, she rolls her eyes and says, “I see you and Finn have completely made up.”
“Why? Did you see him kiss me?”
“I thought he was going to bend you over the table.”
“Oh.”
“He’d better not hurt you again. I won't put up with it, Hadley. I don’t want to see you upset all the time because of a man who doesn’t want to make you happy.”
“I love him, Morgan. In the end, he’s all I want.”
She sighs and shakes her head. “You’re going to propose, aren’t you?”
I fervently nod. “Yes. I’ll stick around until the reception winds down, but after, we’re going to take a walk.” Later…
She waves to the door. “It’s almost over since we only have the place until 10:00. Go ahead and go.”
“No, I want to see you off.”
“We’re only going upstairs to our room. And believe me, we want to go now. So, go. And good luck. Let me know…”
“I will.”
She hugs me. “I love you, Hadley. I only want the best for you. I want Finn to be the best for you. He’d better take your happiness seriously and not blow it again. I’m watching him, and he knows it.”
I let go of her and say, “Thank you, Morgan. I love you, too. I’ll call you and let you know, if you don’t mind the interruption.”
“You’d better call. If I’m in the shower, I’ll call you back. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast, too.” I smile at her and go to the table to grab my things.
Behind me, Rod asks, “Where are you going, Hadders?”
“To my room.”
“Hmm.” I turn to see him peering around us. “I don’t see our coach. Is he going to help you get out of your dress?”
I can’t help smiling. “Maybe.”
Playfully dismayed, he says, “Hey! You’re my date!”
Igniting the Wild Sparks Page 39