by Sarah Curtis
The room had grown from gloomy to dark in the hours they’d been in bed. That was the reason she noticed Dean’s phone ringing. The sound was turned off, but she saw it light up.
Being nosy, she sat up and checked the screen. Hadley was calling.
Sadie eyed the closed bathroom door and heard the water still running. Worrying her bottom lip, she knew she should ignore the call. She didn’t really know Hadley other than Dean mentioning her in passing and usually in reference with his friend Cobi, but curiosity got the best of her.
She answered it. “Hello.”
“Sadie? Oh, my God! This is Sadie, right? I knew my plan would work. I just knew it! Where’s Dean? Wait. Who cares? All that matters is you’re there with him.”
“Your plan?” she asked, confused.
“Yeah, it was my idea for him to do a do-over with you. You know, as the real Dean.”
So, Hadley had been the one who convinced Dean to leave her stranded at the hospital.
Hadley continued talking, “And it worked.” There was a moment’s pause. “It did work, didn’t it?”
“Well, sort of.”
“Uh oh, are you guys not back together?”
“No, we are. Actually, we’re now officially engaged.” Sadie wasn’t sure why she’d shared that other than Hadley was so easy to talk to it had just slipped out.
“Woohoo!”
Sadie pulled the phone from her ear so she wouldn’t burst an eardrum.
“I don’t even care if my plan worked or not. You guys are together, and that’s all that matters. When’s the wedding?”
Sadie laughed. “We haven’t talked about that yet.”
“Well, don’t you worry. I’ve got a whole network of family and friends that will help. What’s your phone number? I have a feeling we’ll be chatting a lot.”
Sadie was rattling off her phone number when Dean stepped out of the bathroom. He gave her a questioning look, and Sadie mouthed, “Hadley.” With a small grin, Dean shook his head and went to the dresser to dig out a tee to throw on.
“Did you want to talk to Dean?” Sadie asked into the phone.
“No, I’m good. I just wanted an update.” She lowered her voice. “Between you and me, Cobi is useless at keeping up with the good gossip. But now that I have your number, I can get it straight from the source.”
Sadie laughed again and was pretty sure she’d made her first Tennessee friend.
“Well, I’m going to let you go. I don’t want to rain on the newly-reconciled parade.”
The doorbell rang, and Sadie tracked Dean as he left the bedroom to answer it. “Okay. It was nice talking to you.”
“You, too. I can’t wait until we meet. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.”
Sadie was still staring at Dean’s phone by the time he came back, pizza in hand. “Everything okay?” he asked, setting it on the bed.
“Yep. Hadley’s going to help me make wedding plans.”
Dean laughed. “You know, everyone in Murfreesboro will know we’re getting married in about…” He twisted his wrist to look at an invisible watch. “Five minutes.”
Sadie felt her smile slip. “I’m sorry. That was stupid of me. I should have asked if you wanted people to know. We haven’t even told our parents yet.”
He put a knee to the bed and leaned into her. “Darlin’, if I could, I’d shout about it so loud the whole world would know.”
Dean’s phone lit up in her hand, and she peered down at it. Mom calling flashed on the screen. Sheepishly, she held it out. “I’m going to let you answer it this time.”
Dean checked to see who was calling and smirked before taking the phone, hitting the screen, and bringing it to his ear. “Hey, Mom.”
Chapter Eighteen
Dean
Dean reached across the bed and felt nothing but emptiness. He opened one blurry eye. Sadie was MIA. Raising his head, he looked toward the bathroom. The door was closed. Getting up, he made his way to it.
Steam billowed when he opened the door, and he could see Sadie’s silhouette through the frosted glass. Her head was tipped back into the spray, pushing her breasts forward. To wake up to a sight like that, he was one lucky bastard.
Smiling, he entered the shower. Her head popped up, and he got her beautiful green eyes and the smile he loved so much.
One lucky bastard, indeed.
“Good morning.” He went to her and spun them so his head got hit by the spray. He bent his neck back, letting the water hit him in the face.
“Shower thief.”
He shook his head, hitting her with water droplets. “Make it worth your while.”
“Yeah?” She had a note of skepticism in her tone. “How?”
He turned them again. “Place your hands on the wall.” He reached over and squeezed some soap into his palm and lathered her back.
She dropped her head forward. “Mmm… That feels nice. You’re forgiven.”
His hand followed the trail of soap suds down to her ass, sliding a finger through her crack until he reached her pussy. She arched her ass out invitingly.
His fingers found her at the same time his other hand went up, soaping her breast and plucking and rolling her nipple.
She started squirming.
He removed both hands, and she moaned.
“Don’t move.” Reaching up, he detached the shower sprayer, aiming it at her back, and when that was soap free, over her shoulder to rinse her chest. He adjusted the sprayer to pulse and moved it down her front. “Spread your legs.”
Once her feet were planted, he wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her steady, aimed the jet at her clit, and slid his cock into her.
Her head jerked back, crashing against his shoulder. “Oh, my God.”
“Not quite, darlin’, but I can make you see heaven.”
His chest swelled when she laughed, but soon her laughter turned into moans as he started a rhythm that had them both panting, trying to catch their breath in the humid air.
Fuck, she felt good. He slammed in and out, over and over, flexing his biceps to keep her in place. “Tell me you're almost there.” He wasn’t sure how much longer he would last.
“Yes. Almost. Aim the jet a little lower.”
“Put your hand over mine. Direct me.”
She felt along his arm, stopping at his hand and moving it around until she found a spot she liked. “Right there.” Her grip on his hand grew tighter, her fingers digging in, and she raised to her tiptoes. “Yes!”
He wouldn’t make it if she didn’t come soon. Bending his head, he found the sensitive spot at the curve of her neck and bit at the same time he pinched a nipple. She shattered, her whole body spasming, and he followed right behind her, coming harder than he could ever remember.
She deflated in his arms, pushing at his hand that held the sprayer, moving the pulsing water away from her oversensitized clit. He let it fall to the shower floor, spraying their legs and the glass shower doors as he turned her, found her lips, and kissed her.
“Now, it’s a good morning,” she said when he ended the kiss.
“The first of many.”
Sadie
Two Weeks Later
“Do you realize this is the first time we’ll be apart since the fifth grade?” Maggie stood, hands on hips, staring down at Sadie who sat on her bedroom floor surrounded by a plethora of packing supplies.
Sadie tossed a shirt into the discard pile. Not having worn it in three years, it was a safe bet she never would. Even though Dean had hired a moving van for all her stuff, she was trying to be smart and not pack junk. “You can come visit whenever you want, and I’ll be seeing you in a few weeks for the wedding.”
“It’s not the same. I mean, I knew one day we wouldn’t still be living together, but I at least hoped we’d still be in the same zip code, or hell, even the same state.”
Sadie stood and went over to her friend, giving her a hug. “We�
��ll FaceTime every day. I’ll probably see you more living in another state than I do living in the same apartment.”
Maggie’s sniffles were breaking her heart.
“You’re my best friend,” she said into Sadie’s neck.
“And that won’t change just because I’m in Tennessee.”
Maggie stepped back, composing herself and scrutinized the room. “You’re a shit packer. Need some help?”
Sadie knew that was Maggie’s way of saying she’d accepted the situation even if she didn’t like it. “I’d love some help. And who knows, maybe you’ll meet your dream man at the wedding and want to move there, too.”
Maggie’s eyes lightened for the first time since Sadie had told her the news. She smacked a hand to her forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Whoa, slow down, lady. You’re putting the cart before the horse.” She didn’t want her best friend to get her hopes up she’d meet the love of her life.
“No, no. Not the meeting someone part—though that would be nice—the moving part. I don’t need a man as an excuse to move. You’re reason enough.”
“Well, thank you, I think.”
Maggie laughed. “You know what I mean.”
Sadie smiled. “I do. And I think it’s a great idea. You can live with us until you find a place.”
Maggie waved her hand. “I’m not crashing on the newlyweds. They have gyms in Mur… Mur…”
“Murfreesboro,” Sadie supplied.
“Right. Anyway, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a job, and I’ll look for an apartment when I come out for the wedding.”
Maggie’s excitement was infectious and gave Sadie a brilliant idea. “Oh, my God. Wait!”
Maggie stopped her rambling. “What?”
“Dean’s buying Mom a three-bedroom house. The place is huge—I saw pictures—way too much space for only her. You can live there.”
“That’s perfect.” Maggie clapped and even did a little bounce on her toes.
They hugged again, and this time when Maggie sniffled, Sadie knew they were happy tears.
“Now I need to start packing.” Maggie picked up one of Sadie’s empty boxes and started walking from the room.
“Hey, are you ditching me after you’ve already offered to help?”
Maggie smiled at her over her shoulder. “If I get my shit packed, I can stick it in the moving van with yours.” She winked. “My momma didn’t raise no fool.”
Sadie laughed as her friend vanished into her room.
“For she’s a jolly good fellow. For she’s a jolly good fellow.”
Sadie looked around at the happily singing faces of her co-workers and knew she would miss them. It was a bittersweet feeling. She was excited about her move to Tennessee to start a new life with Dean, but at the same time, sad to be leaving all her friends.
“Which nobody can deny!”
The crowd parted, making way for Inga as she carried a cake weighted with sparklers.
“Make a wish,” someone shouted.
“She can’t make a wish without candles to blow out,” someone else called out.
“It doesn’t matter,” Inga wrapped an arm around Sadie’s shoulders, “because her wish already came true. Right, honey?”
Boy did it ever. And it would happen in just a few days on the back of Dean’s bike. A four-day road trip with nothing to do but hug Dean. Yeah, that didn’t sound too shabby.
Sadie smiled at her peers. She’d miss them but was ready to start the next chapter in her life. “Who wants cake?”
She picked up the knife and sliced, a giddy feeling overtaking her knowing soon, she’d be cutting another one. Only then, it would be her wedding cake.
Sadie spied the “State Line” road sign, and her excitement increased ten-fold. Not only had she and Dean started the first leg of their journey to Tennessee, but they were stopping for the night in Las Vegas. She’d only been one time before, four years ago when she’d turned twenty-one. Her and Maggie—Sadie’s elder by two months—had gone for the weekend to celebrate. And they’d done it in style—drinking, gambling, and shows. They’d barely slept a wink in the forty-eight hours they’d been there.
And now she’d get to experience it all over again with Dean.
Sadie took in the sights as they cruised down Las Vegas Boulevard. With so much to do and see, she was disappointed they were only staying the one night, but she knew Dean was excited to get home, and his excitement was contagious. Over the past couple of weeks, he’d shared everything about his hometown, and Sadie couldn’t wait to see all his favorite places and meet his friends.
Dean turned into the hotel entrance, rode around the side to guest parking, and pulled into a spot. He helped her off the bike and unhooked their duffle from the back, slinging it over his shoulder.
Sadie pulled off her helmet and shook out her hair. “I can’t believe we’re in Vegas. I’m not sure what I want to do first.”
“Well, the first thing we’re going to do is check into our room. After that is totally up to you.”
Dean took her hand, and they made their way into the hotel, the sounds of bells and dings and shouts of excitement following them all the way to the lobby. They passed people playing slots and table games—blackjack, craps, and roulette. Cocktail waitresses in skimpy attire circled the floor, trays of drinks in hand. Others milled about, people watching or contemplating what to play next.
Sadie squeezed Dean’s hand. “I want to try the slot machines later. I’m feeling lucky.”
“Play your cards right, and you’ll get lucky tonight.”
Sadie laughed, loving Dean’s corny one-liners.
They waited in line, got their room, and made their way up to it.
“Wow,” Sadie exclaimed, looking around. “This place is way nicer than where Maggie and I stayed.”
Dean threw their duffle on the bed, and Sadie made her way to the window. “Dean, come check out this view. Oh, look,” she pointed, “you can see the Bellagio fountains from here.”
Dean’s arms wrapped around her from behind and his head appeared, reflected in the window next to hers.
“Once it gets dark, we need to go down and watch.”
His lips found her neck and nuzzled. She tilted her head a little, giving him better access. “Whatever you want, darlin’.” His lips blazed a trail up her neck to her ear. “We’ve got all night.”
It was the gruff voice he used that was her undoing. “Or we can stay in our room. I’m sure we can find something to do.”
She felt his smile. “I like that idea, too.”
They did leave their room, but it was hours later. Dressed in an LBD and heels, Sadie felt sophisticated and ready for a night on the town. Dean was semi-casual in a nicer pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. Staring at their reflection in the elevator door’s glare, she had to admit, they made a pretty nice pair.
Dean pressed the button for the lobby. “What do you want to do first?”
“Slots.” She bounced on her toes. “Then dinner. Then the fountains.”
“And after that?”
She smiled up at him. “More slots?”
Dean chuckled. “Good thing we don’t live in Vegas. You’d put me in the poorhouse.”
“Hey, you never know. Maybe I’ll win a huge jackpot, and you can be a kept man.”
“As long as I get to keep you, I don’t care if I’m rich or poor.”
Aww, he said the sweetest things.
The elevator opened, and they stepped out.
“What do you want to play?”
She worried her lip. “Maybe we should start small. The penny machines over there?” She pointed off to her right.
“Not gonna become a kept man, you play the penny machines.” He steered them toward the dollar slots. “Here, try this one.” He pulled a hundred out of his pocket and fed the machine. “Max bet will give you fifty pulls. Good luck, baby.” He kissed
her cheek and stood behind her as she sat on the stool.
Nervous and excited, she pressed the max-bet button and watched the reels spin. Cherry. Bar. Bar. She got her money back. A little braver, she pushed it again. Nothing. And again. Nothing. After twenty pulls, she hit three double bars and won her money back.
“Maybe I should quit while I’m even.”
Dean nodded to the machine. “Play the hundred. Maybe you’ll win me a steak dinner.”
She didn’t. She lost the whole thing.
“Well, that was anticlimactic.” She jumped off the stool.
Dean chuckled. “Come on, let’s go eat and see the fountains. You can try your luck one more time before we head back upstairs.”
As they made their way through the casino, they came abreast of the poker room. Sadie peered through the glass and did a double take, coming to an abrupt halt. She blinked, not believing what she was seeing. “Oh, my God. The Prince of Poker.”
“Who?” Dean had stopped to look back at her.
“Alec Throne! One of the most famous poker players of all time. Maggie and I watch the Omega One poker tournament on TV every year. He’s won the last two years, and next year he’s going for a three-peat. I can’t believe he’s here, and I’m staring at him! Isn’t he dreamy?” Sadie thought she heard a low growl from Dean’s direction but was too busy fangirling to pay it much attention. “Oh, my God!”
“Now what?”
Her eyes shot to Dean. He seemed a little perturbed, but she was still too caught up in the moment to take caution. “It’s River!”
“River?”
Sadie rolled her eyes, turning her gaze back to the poker room. “Alec’s wife. She plays, too, but not as much since she’s had the baby. Wow, she’s even more beautiful in person. I didn’t think that could be possible.”
She looked over to see Dean’s eyes were now trained on the poker room window. She laughed. “She’s the one in the blue dress.”
He scowled. “She’s pretty but not as beautiful as you.”