by C. J. Wells
“Hi,” he finally speaks, his eyes flashing a brilliant blue, “I’m Alex Tate,” he takes my hand, lifting it to his lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I lose myself in his perfect smile, adrift in a haze as I try to understand.
“That was a beautiful speech. I particularly liked the part about starting over,” his sweet words explain everything.
Oh, thank God! “I thought…there’s so much I need to explain,” I manage as my emotional dam breaks.
“Shhh,” he whispers, brushing away more tears. “Not tonight, Miss Ryan. Tonight is about new beginnings.”
I stare at him in wonder, desperate to try to understand what we’ve done to deserve so many chances. And thankful that we’re so willing to take them, despite how we’ve allowed them to be so carelessly thrown away. This is our new beginning. We couldn’t fight what we feel for each other if we tried.
“Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?” he holds out his hand.
It’s only then that the world around me comes into focus - the music pulling me back into reality - though as I take his hand, I can’t help but feel the warmth of our loving fantasy.
I realize as we turn that guests have joined Thomas and Stacey on the dance floor. I missed their first dance, I grimace with guilt and awe at how long we were lost frozen in time.
Taking our place among the crowd, Alex wraps his arm around my waist, securing his hand in mine, swaying us in time to the rhythm. We’re lost to each other, our gazes locked, our eyes silently conveying thoughts of regret and mistakes, forgiveness and fresh starts…love and never letting go.
He pulls me closer, releasing my hand to secure both of his around my waist, tightening his hold as I snake my arms around his shoulders, his cheek brushing mine in the motion of our desperate embrace.
I run my fingers through his tousled curls, a new tear escaping my fresh well of relief. Leaning against his shoulder, I relish him - the feel of the warm flesh of his nape under my palms, his perfect scent as I inhale deeply, the way he makes me feel when I’m in his arms. I don’t ever want to lose this feeling again. And though I’m so grateful for his plea to leave our regrets unspoken tonight, I can’t ignore the nagging reminder that he was never able to forgive Julia her indiscretion - fictitious or otherwise. Does he really forgive me for kissing Andrew?
Whether or not it meant something to me doesn’t matter when it’s his heart that has to swallow the reality of my lips against another man’s. I tense at the thought, and he squeezes me tighter. “Don’t,” he whispers. “Don’t think about anything right now…nothing matters except where you are. In my arms, where you belong.”
His perfect words remind me that he can see through me, sense what I’m thinking, and always know what I need to hear. But as much as I want to be able to let it go, I can’t. My heart is begging in fear for reassurance that what I did won’t mean losing his.
Pulling back marginally, I look into his eyes, pleading for an answer before finally speaking the question, “But…what about the kiss?”
He halts his lead, releasing me to cup my face in his hands, the look in his gaze taking my breath away. The kiss he takes me is so deep and sensual, I feel it down to my toes. He tastes divine. Perfect. Heavenly. It’s the type of kiss that sets off fireworks, explosions of shooting stars illuminating us in the light of our love. And that’s just what I find when he finally pulls his beautiful lips away, as we stand under the glistening spotlight, surrounded by the crowd, all clapping and cheering.
“You mean that kiss?” he whispers. “Because that kiss is the one I’ll remember forever,” he pulls me against him, lifting me, my feet dangling above the floor.
Looking down into his eyes, I thank the lucky stars above for gifting me this wonderful man.
“And,” he adds, placing me back on my feet, “…just so you know, Aby Ryan, I love you, too.”
“WHERE HAVE YOU been all my life,” Alex asks playfully, spinning me around, dipping me to steal a kiss.
“I’m not sure,” I tease in return. “If I had known you were such a good dancer, I would have stolen you for myself a long time ago.”
He wrenches me tight against him, his gaze devouring mine with its heat. “You stole my heart the moment I looked into your eyes.”
It takes a moment to reclaim my stolen breath, lost to the inferno of his burning stare and heart-melting declaration. “I just can’t believe that you’re here,” I add, overwhelmed that he’s come for me a second time. That he loves me that much.
“I couldn’t fight my pull to you if I tried, Aby,” the sincerity of his promise for a night of starting over oozes from his loving gaze.
“Alex, I love that you’re here, and that you’re sweeping me off my feet as though nothing has happened, but…” I pause, trying to find the right words.
“Not ‘nothing’, Aby. Everything. Everything that’s happened - as painful and avoidable as it all could have been - lead us to where we stand right now,” he searches my gaze, cupping my jaw, brushing his thumb lovingly along my cheek. “The mistakes we’ve made, the wrong choices, both of us wanting to protect the other, while at the same time avoiding our own fears. The guilt can be equally distributed. I’m not pretending that none of it happened, baby. I’m fighting for the reality that despite all of it, I simply can’t live without you.”
A single tear slips down my cheek, wiped away with the pad of his thumb before he leans in to brush his lips against mine. “I love you, Aby. That’s why I’m here,” he kisses me again. “That’s all that will ever matter to me.” And yet another kiss. “And that’s why I will never give up on us.” His final kiss tears through me, shattering every regret, every fear, and every doubt. It’s almost painful in it’s cleansing. A beautiful beginning from a painful ending.
“I love you, too,” I gasp against his perfect mouth.
“I love you more.” I feel his smirk at my lips, and I can’t help but smile in return.
His playful love feels delicious, and hits me down to my core. His words, his touch, everything about him ignites me. Owns me. And above all else, drives me wild with want. A desire for him, and only him. It will always be him.
Grabbing his curls, I pull him to reignite our kiss, deepening it with my forceful hold of his nape, his hands dropping to fold me in his arms.
He wrenches me tight against his perfect, sculpted form, and it takes everything in me to hold back a desperate moan. It feels like a lifetime ago since we lost ourselves to the passion that consumes us. It’s been much too long since he’s owned me in the way I need him right now.
“Get a room, you two. What have I told you about displays of public affection?” Stacey mutters, dancing beside us with Thomas. “Although I have to say, that earlier kiss was pretty stellar, Mr. Tate. Just so you know, you have my approval.”
“I don’t think he asked for it, love,” Thomas teases her.
“Congratulations, Thomas, my friend,” Alex releases me to shake his hand. “Congratulations to you both,” he bends to kiss Stacey’s cheek, before flashing her his perfect smile. I can’t help but light up seeing it. “And, on the contrary, I highly respect the opinion of anyone who loves Aby as much as I do,” he looks back into my eyes, his gaze glistening with his devotion.
“Well, in that case, my opinion is that you two need to get out of here and hit this great place I’ve heard about - it’s called A Bed Near You,” she winks. “Unless, of course, you can break away from each other long enough to let me get in some dance grooves with my bestie for a bit first. What do you think, Abs? Is it time to get this party-a-started?” she gives us a little shake preview.
Smiling, I look to Alex, taking in his sweet grin and nod to signal he’s willing to let me go, despite knowing that he really doesn’t want to. “It’s your party, you can shake-it if you want to. And I’m in,” I reply.
“Yes!” Stacey double-fist pumps with a sexy, playful purse of her lips. “See you in a bit, boys. We’re go
ing to have a chat with the DJ,” she adds, wrapping her arm in mine to pull me away.
I can’t help but look back to Alex, biting my lip at the delicious sight of him staring at me with equal love and desire. Though this night is sure to be fun, it’s going to be a tortuously long one, filled with needy glances and the occasional stolen touch.
“So,” Stacey begins the minute we’re out of earshot, “When are you going to tell me about…oh, you know…what the fuck, Aby?” she stops to stare me down for an explanation.
“You mean about the part where I walked in on Helena and Ben last night, not Alex?” I bite my lip harder; lust trampled by the herd of elephants that is Stacey’s oncoming lecture. Once again, I don’t think I need it - I seem to do just fine punishing myself for my stupid mistakes - but that won’t stop her, so why bother trying to avoid it.
“Okay,” she nods her head, seemingly walking the thin line of composure mimicked in her pursed lips, continuing on to our destination.
I catch up with a sigh, knowing she’s not done just yet.
“You know how we’re taught that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all? Well, it’s moments like this, my little twat waffle, that make that a very large pill to swallow. Like enormous,” her hands demonstrate her point with a sweeping outlining of something imaginary, and really big. “H-U-G-E,” she adds as we reach the DJ, now shaking her head. “Seriously, Abs…Ugh.”
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know,” I stand firm, my defenses always lurking despite my resistance.
She turns towards me, searching my gaze. “Oh yeah? Cause I’m having a moment of deja poo, myself - an overwhelming feeling that I’ve heard this shit before.” Taking a breath of composure, she continues, “You know what?” I’m not going to say anything more. The torture you put yourself through this past twenty four hours is enough punishment for your gigantic, naïve, stupidity.”
“Nice. I thought you weren’t going to say anything more?” I try not to roll my eyes, but fail. “Alex and I have both made our share of mistakes…”
She jumps in with patronizing shock, “Noooo.”
“You know that high horse you’re riding is going to be a bitch of a fall.”
‘Ohhh,” she flashes a sincere, beaming smile, “Look at you, talking all Stace-i-fied. I’m so proud. Besides, I know I have flaws too, but my boobs usually distract people from them.”
I continue, ignoring her, “Alex and I came with our own baggage…Issues with trust, insecurity, bad communication…”
“Assumptions,” she adds. “Although that being said, I too would have made the same assumption you made last night. But the difference between you and I, princess, is that I wouldn’t have left without seeing what was behind door number one. Just saying.”
“Thanks for the clarification. My point is Alex and I have to learn to deal with our issues. There’s no other alternative. He loves me as much as I love him, Stace.”
“I know he does, poodle. You’re like two peas in a fucked up pod. AND,” she blurts to hush me, “…that’s okay. We all are. You can take the easy road and walk away, or you stay and fight for what you have - if it’s worth fighting for.”
“It’s so worth fighting for.”
“Then I couldn’t be more happy for you, Abs.”
“Thanks, Stace,” I take her hand, giving it a loving squeeze.
“So are we, like, at the intermission of your drama now? Cause I have to pee.”
Laughing, I shake my head, “You’re awful, my sarcastic trucker-mouth, pain in the ass, best friend.”
“Hey, I may be a pain in the ass, but I bring a lot to the table - and I’ll make no exception tonight, sista. Once I change into sexy dress number two, I’ll be dancing on the table,” her devious smile makes me laugh. “Come on,” she pulls my held hand, “It’s time to fulfill the most important duty of the Maid of Honor - holding my dress while I pee.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to pee once you get out of the dress to change?” I question the obvious as she drags me along.
“Oh absolutely, but where’s the fun in that? We’re making memories, toilet duty and all.”
“SO, TRADITIONALLY, THE man that catches the garter has the privilege of adorning it on the beautiful leg of the woman that catches the bouquet?” Alex asks from over my shoulder, wrapping me in his arms as we watch a loving Thomas bent before his seated bride.
“That’s how it works,” I mutter through a wide smile, leaning back into his delicious hold.
“Should we make a game plan?” he kisses my neck, his lips a shock of sensual therapy.
“You do realize that, traditionally, the man and woman that do the catching are said to be bitten by the wedding bug in return, don’t you?” I bite my lip at the thought. “Although that doesn’t necessarily mean to each other,” I add quickly, feeling suddenly nervous at the idea of Alex sliding the garter up another woman’s leg.
“Semantics,” he objects, kissing my bare shoulder. Stacey’s choice of a strapless dress for me was brilliant, and Alex has been taking advantage of the exposed flesh all evening. “That garter is mine,” he adds in a husky whisper.
Oh God, I close my eyes, my body’s building and impending eruption to the constant attention of his words and touch reaching a point of no return. Combined with our evening-long consumption of alcoholic aphrodisiacs and suggestive glances, I’m not sure how much longer I can resist before imploding.
“We don’t have to participate…” I trail off in a haze of lust. I need to get my hands on him. Soon.
“What? And miss being bitten by that wedding bug?” his words are inviting in their suggestiveness.
The entire idea of the ritual highlighting a path to our possible future is incredibly tempting. But at the same time, I want to experience our journey uninfluenced by wedding folktales. And more prominently, at this very moment, I want to experience him. Alone. Every perfect inch.
“Well, we could just bail on the games and go for the gold upstairs,” I offer suggestively, unable to resist the urge to grind my ass back against him inconspicuously.
The hint of the arousal of his erection at my behind erupts my desperate needy core. Squeezing the want away before I attack him right here, I fumble in my clutch for the key card to my room, spinning in his hold to dangle it invitingly. “Stacey and Thomas thought it would be safer for some of the guests to have a room to retreat to.”
Momentarily eyeing the access card, his molten stare darts back to mine. The desire that hits me in the motion of his sinful gaze is enough to blow the roof off my impending orgasm right here among the crowd. Holy Shit.
Grabbing my hand, he tugs me in the direction of the exit doors. My head spins as we rush through the lobby in our tornado of desire, his tongue taking ownership in lustful warning of what’s to come before the closing of the elevator doors.
“BABY, I NEED you to hurry,” Alex groans against the back of my neck.
He’s driving me crazy with want, his finger grazing along my bare shoulder sending bolts of heat along my core. I need him. Now.
“Oh god, Alex…I can’t…” I manage in needy frustration, my hands shaking uncontrollably in anticipation.
Chuckling, he reaches around to pull the keycard from my grip, seamlessly unlocking the door before pushing it open and dragging me inside.
Our lips crash feverishly as he pulls me into his arms, the door slamming closed behind us barely a pinprick in the lustful hazed silence, filled only by our restless moans.
Desperate to feel him, I slide my fingers inside the lapels of his suit jacket, pushing it off his shoulders and down his arms until it falls to the floor. I reach for the buttons of his shirt without hesitation, blindly releasing them one by one until his heated skin is at the mercy of my greedy fingertips.
“Alex…” I moan into his kiss, running my hands along his chest, clawing my nails through his chest hair as I slide his shirt off his shoulders. A whimpe
r of pleasure escapes my lips as it falls to the floor, his perfect body bared to my touch. I can barely breath I’m so overcome, my need for him so great, I could combust from its heat, if not melt to the floor in a puddle of lust first.
“Mmmm, I know, baby,” he murmurs, brushing his lips along my jaw, his hands splayed along my back, wrenching me flush against his strong body. “God, I need you too,” he admits with a husky groan, squeezing me tight. “You’re mine, Aby. Mine...”
“Ye-es, Alex. Yours. Always…” my breathless whisper escapes as my head falls back in absolute abandon, his fingers gliding seductively through my hair, securing the tresses firmly in his grip.
“There was no stopping what we started, Aby…” he trails off, tugging my hair to angle my neck to his lips and tongue, the onslaught singeing my sensitive flesh.
Mumbling incoherently in agreement, my hands devour his back, my fingers begging for him. My breasts are swollen and heaving, my nipples puckering, pushing against the constricting tightness of my dress - my body’s affirmation of his ownership. He’s owned me from the beginning; I could never stop loving him, never stop wanting him.
“What do you need, baby? Tell me.”
“You. I just need you, Alex. I want you all over me. Do anything you want with me…” I plead, desperate for him. Needy. Crazed. Madly and irrevocably in love.
“Sweetheart, I’ll give you everything you need,” he growls. “I want you dripping wet, baby. I want the taste of you all over me.”
I gasp as he lifts me in his arms, grateful for the speed with which he makes his way to the bed. God, I’ve missed him…I lick and nip along his corded neck, my arms wrapped tightly around his strong shoulders as I luxuriate in his masculine scent.
Setting me on my feet, he turns me, brushing aside my hair to reach for the zipper of my dress. Moans of need escape my lips as his heated breath dances across my flesh, eliciting delicious shivers as pulsing spikes of lust shoot along my core, my pussy throbbing in desperation. My body is aching for him, and as my dress sashays to the floor, I tremble in the anticipation of his touch and gaze.