“That's enough of that,” Sebastian said, cutting in on her thoughts. “You're crying,” he explained when she frowned at him.
“It's a wedding. I'm supposed to cry.”
“Yes, and that's why you got away with it for so long. No more tears. Dance with me.”
Mariss and Sebastian glided onto the dance floor. He led her in a perfect waltz, but made sure not to undercut the happy couple. At one point, Mariss and Brit faced each other. Brit smiled, her face aglow. Mariss tried to smile back, she gave it all the effort she had, but, in the end, Brit's smile faded and gave way to sad eyes that broke Mariss' heart. Her friend was supposed to be happy today, not worrying about her.
Mariss pressed her head to Sebastian's chest and he slowed his dance, cradling her against him. Whether it was his intent, or simply habit, Sebastian made her feel safe. Despite the heat that radiated between them, the smoldering of lust and emotions slowly building as they moved around the dance floor in each others arms, Mariss knew that if she needed him, Sebastian would always be there for her. Just like Holden had always been.
She pushed the thought away. To compare the two men wasn't fair, though inevitable. Her heart broke and she fought the wave of tears.
“Alright!” The DJ cut in a few moments later. “Per request of the bride, we're going to keep this party poppin'! Let's get some Cupid Shuffle going folks!”
Mariss giggled. “Are you going to Cupid Shuffle?” she asked Sebastian as the music changed.
“I can shuffle with the best of them,” he told her with a wink.
Mariss splashed her feet in the fountain and took a draw from the beer in her hand.
“My, but you're the alcoholic tonight,” Sebastian joked.
Mariss chuckled. “I guess so.” She nodded to the identical drink in his hand.
Sebastian clinked his bottle against hers and tipped it up for a long drink. “How are we doing tonight?” he asked.
“I'm fine. Ready for sleep.”
He was quiet for so long, Mariss wondered what was going on.
“So, are you going to stay with me tonight, then?”
She dipped her head to hide her smile. “Since when do you nervously ask a woman to share your bed, Bassy? Aren't we past this? Just tell me that I'm sleeping with you tonight and be done with it.”
“I don't want to,” was his quick reply. “I only want you if you want me. I don't care about anyone else. They'll do as I say. They always do. You though… I can't afford to push you away.”
Mariss frowned, though her heart did a weird sort of dance in her chest. “And why is that?”
She looked up into Sebastian's electrifying eyes. In the darkness they were an intense grey that promised so many things.
“I don't want you to leave me.”
“What are you saying?” Mariss asked, sensing something else behind his words. “What do you want from me?”
“I want you. I can't promise I'll be monagomous, but I would never hold you to a standard I'm not willing to keep.”
“You're saying you want me to be your main squeeze in an open relationship?” Mariss wanted to giggle and punch a wall at the same time. Did she want this? Could she handle it?
Of course, she wanted to be with him. As for handling it, there was only one way to know.
“Yes,” Sebastian chuckled. “I'm asking you to be my girlfriend. I've never had one before.”
“Mm, so I get to pop your girlfriend cherry.” Mariss snorted.
“If that's how you want to see it.” He didn't sound amused.
“We'll try it, but only if I get to move in. And I want control of the remote. And Brenda has to go.”
“Brenda is gone. I've already hired movers to come in the morning. As for the remote.”
Mariss looked up at him and Sebastian took a drink of his beer.
“I don't watch TV anyway. The remote is all yours.”
“That was far too easy.”
“Fine, then I'll keep the remote.”
Mariss shook her head and finished her beer. “Should we seal it with a kiss then?”
“Oh, I've something else we can seal it with.”
Mariss laughed harder than she'd expected. “You'll take me right here then?”
“You have to ask?” Sebastian pulled her to her feet, so she was standing on the edge of the fountain. They stood eye to eye as he pulled her closer and pressed his lips gently to hers.
“I've been wanting to do this all night,” he growled, his voice low and his accent thick with desire.
“Hm, now see? That's the Bassy I like to have around.”
Sebastian made quick work of his belt and fly and slid his hands up Mariss thighs. She shuddered at his gentle touch as he pulled one leg around his hip. He bumped gently against her, then slid inside so slowly she could feel every inch of him.
“Oh, god,” she groaned, pressing her face into his shoulder to muffle the sound.
“I want to hear you,” he said through clenched teeth.
“I don't want anyone else to hear me,” Mariss panted. “Why are you being so gentle?”
“I want to take my time.” There was a hint of villainy in his voice as he pulled out and pushed back in just as slowly as before.
Mariss writhed against him. She tried to work her hips to take more of him, but he held her fast.
“Keep fighting me and I'll bend you over and take you from behind.”
Mariss laughed when she wanted to be shocked. “Okay.” She moaned as he pushed inside her again.
“Here's an idea,” she said as he pulled out achingly slow. “How about a nice, rigorous quicky now and we can take our time when we go home.”
“Home?” Sebastian slammed his hips into hers, pulling a strained cry from her throat. “I like the sound of you coming home with me. Never thought I would. If that's what you want, Red.”
Sebastian slammed into her again. Mariss bit down on his shoulder to muffle her cries. A few passersby caught them though. Sebastian chuckled low in her ear, sending a shudder through her body.
“I'm close, Bassy. Oh god, so close.”
Sebastian slid home one more time, sending her over the edge, but he wasn't finished. Mariss wrapped her arms around his neck for stability as he continued to pound into her. She fought the cries of pleasure, felt herself building to climax once more. People were stopping to look now, some laughing, some disgusted. She hid her face so she wouldn't be recognized.
They flew over the edge together. Mariss' body rocked in his arms as they untangled themselves.
“People are watching,” she told him.
“Let them watch. They didn't see anything they can't see on TV.”
Mariss giggled. “Lovely. I'm an after school special.”
“You're a late night matinee.”
She threw her head back and laughed. When their eyes met again, Mariss couldn't help but see how happy he was.
“Do you think this will work?” she asked, voicing her concern.
“It will work better than you trying to stay away from me. Besides, it's what we both want. Why won't it work?”
“Let's go home,” she said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tyffani Clark Kemp was born in Florida and raised by her grandparents. She has been writing since she discovered in the sixth grade that it wasn't enough just to read about fantastic places, but she could create her own. She weaves small bits of herself into everything she writes whether it be a science fiction piece about aliens or a dramatic romance fraught with conflict and love. After graduation she moved to South Carolina where she lives with her family and her fluffy shii tzu-mix dog who things he's a Saint Bernard. Kemp also owns SideStreet Cookie Publishing LLC.
www.tyffanickemp.com
http://www.facebook.com/withoutrulesseries
www.sidestreetcookiepublishing.com
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The Red Wife Page 33