Bryson’s dad, Don, rescued us from Mary’s python-like hug. “All right, dear, let’s let them get going.”
There was another round of goodbyes after that, but finally we were on our way to the hotel for the night. When we finally reached the sanctuary of our room, the first thing I did was kick off my shoes. Bryson’s first move was to rip off his tie. When we saw that we were both divesting ourselves of our most hated articles of clothing we laughed.
“I want to take a shower,” I told him.
His brows shot up. “Need some help?”
My lips twisted into a grin. “Let me get this makeup off and then you can join me.”
“It’s a date.”
I laughed again. It seemed like I’d laughed more tonight than I had in years.
I stepped into the spacious bathroom and took a moment to stare at myself in the mirror. My ivory lace dress was fitted on top but then flared into an A-line skirt at my hips. It was both the most beautiful thing I’d ever worn, and the heaviest.
Deciding the dress needed to go first, I pulled at the strings of the corset in the back until the tight dress loosened enough to fall into a puddle at my feet. A very large, very lacy puddle that I immediately stepped out of.
Next, I pulled off my fake lashes and scrubbed at the makeup until my light blue eyes and pale face were my own again. After that, I tackled my hair. Forty-two bobby pins later, and my curled chestnut hair was out of its intricate up do and into a messy bun. I started the shower and quickly slipped out of my underthings before I slid underneath the steaming hot water.
The heavy door creaked open as Bryson entered the bathroom. I watched his silhouette through the sheer curtain as he slowly unbuttoned his dress shirt and stripped out of his slacks. Fully undressed now, he stepped into the shower with me.
We stood there silently, both of us searching the other’s face. This was the first truly quiet moment we’d had all day, and we were basking in it. Finally, he reached out to cup my jaw with the palm of his hand.
“You looked stunning today, Mack. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect bride.” His hand rose to cup the other side of my face. “But seeing you here, like this, with no makeup, no clothes, nothing but you, I’ve never seen you look more gorgeous.”
A chill raced down my spine while I fought with my teary eyes. I didn’t want them to impede my view of the most perfect man I’d ever seen. Didn’t want to lose a second of this night.
I didn’t have a response for him. What words could I possibly offer in response to that? Instead of trying to come up with an eloquent reply, I simply said what was in my heart.
“I love you.”
It was the deepest truth I had.
His response was to pull me closer until there was no space between us. He cradled my face between his palms as if I was something delicate that would break if not handled gently. His warm lips met mine, and he kissed me like he’d been drowning, and I was the oxygen he needed to survive.
We lost long minutes in the steamy shower as we kissed and touched, our hands sliding easily against our slick skin. Finally pulling away, he unwrapped the hotel’s bar of soap and rubbed it between his palms until he’d worked up a nice lather.
His hands grasped my shoulders and slowly worked their way down to my hands, his eyes never leaving mine. From there, he soaped my back, pulling me close and trailing down to my backside where he cupped me, using his large palms to press my body against his erection.
His hands left my skin, and I had to catch myself as I swayed forward, missing his touch. Intense hazel eyes watched me as he once again soaped up his hands and returned them to my shoulders. From there he trailed down my front, encompassing and hefting my breasts in his hands. His chest stuttered with a ragged breath that matched my own as he circled both nipples simultaneously, pinching and pulling them gently between his large fingers.
From there, he slid down my sides to grasp my hips. His hands tensed there as if he needed to steady himself. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply before he was on the move again, sliding his palms down the outside of my legs until he reached my ankles.
He kneeled before me, eyes reverential as he twisted his hands until they were between my legs. Water ran in rivulets down my body, like veins that ran from me to him, connecting us tangibly. His eyes, mostly green with the smallest bit of brown ringing the irises, slowly slid up my wet legs until they hit my apex.
He pressed them apart, and I complied by spreading my legs for him. One of his hands slid around to squeeze my backside while the other explored me. Sliding along my slit, he tentatively dipped one thick finger between my lips, before sliding back to circle my clit.
“Fuck, Kenzi. You’re so wet.”
My voice was uneven and breathy when I responded. “It’s you. It’s all for you.”
He grunted and exchanged his single finger for two that he pressed inside me. My head fell back as a sharp gasp escaped my parted lips. His fingers withdrew from my body slowly before he plunged them back in.
He continued to make love to me with his hands while his mouth found my breasts. Tongue stroking, teeth biting, and lips sucking, he assaulted first one, then the other until my legs shook, and my hands threaded through his dark blond hair.
Pleasure coiled in my stomach, knotting my insides and stealing my breath. Just when the tightness inside me had become too much, when I knew I’d shatter against his hand, he withdrew his fingers and stood up. He reached past me to turn off the showerhead while the two fingers that had been inside me disappeared into his mouth.
“Mmm,” he moaned. “I need more.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist and carried me from the bathroom. When we reached the king size bed, he gently laid me on top of the thick white blankets, and I sank into the soft mattress. He paused, standing there while his heated gaze raked my naked form. Water still dripped from his hair and I watched it pepper his skin and race down his body.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful sight.” He knelt on the bed. “My wife,” his hands grasped my legs, “laid out before me.” He spread me until I was completely open to him. “Just waiting for my mouth,” he kissed my ankle, “my hands,” he stroked my thighs, “and my cock,” he pumped his hips against me and I arched my back.
He kissed up the length of my body, licking up the drops of water before they had a chance to dry on my skin. “I’m going to make you feel so good tonight, Kenzi.”
I gulped. “You do. You always do, Brys.”
He shook his head, small beads of water dripping onto my skin that he quickly slurped up. “No, baby. Tonight, is different. Tonight, you’re really mine. Forever.” He whispered the last word and I couldn’t help but echo him.
“Forever.”
He nodded and pressed his lips hard against mine, tongue dancing against my own for a long time before he ripped himself away.
“I’ve been a patient man tonight, Kenzi.” He sat up and smoothed his hands down my body. “I waited and watched you all night as you talked and laughed with our guests, gifting them with that beautiful smile I love so much.” My lips stretched into the smile he was talking about. “There it is,” he whispered. “But, like I said, I’ve been patient, and I feel like I should be rewarded for that.”
I quirked a brow at him. “And what do you think this reward should be?”
He slid off the bed and pulled on my ankles until my butt rested at the edge. “This.”
His head disappeared between my thighs and my eyes rolled back. Not satisfied with his access, he used both hands to spread me further before returning his mouth to my center.
He licked from the base of my slit up to my clit before circling the sensitive nub and pulling it between his lips. I was lost as my hands clenched the blanket beneath me and the tightness deep in my belly clenched almost painfully.
He tucked his hands beneath my bottom and pulled me closer to his face, diving deeper and heightening the pleasure. I writhed on the
bed, lost in the pleasure he so graciously doled out until he gently bit my sensitive clit and I crumbled. My throat ached as I screamed his name, limbs tensing and jerking as I came spectacularly against his mouth.
Bryson lapped at my slit a few more times before straightening and offering me a smug smile. “How was that?”
My only answer was a series of heavy pants, but it was enough for Bryson who chuckled and crawled back up my body. Pulling me back up into the center of the bed, he trailed his lips along the valley between my breasts before tucking his face into the crook of my neck. His mouth sucked and bit at the sensitive skin there that he knew drove me wild.
“Are you ready for me?” he whispered against my flushed skin.
I nodded jerkily, and he smothered a laugh against my neck as he lined himself up with my center. His thick head spread me wide as he slowly pressed into me. It was a heady mix of pleasure and pain and I reveled in the feeling.
My nails dug into the soft skin on his back as he bottomed out inside me. We both paused as my body grew accustomed to his girth. Bryson leaned back until his beautiful eyes met mine and they crinkled at the corners with his soft smile.
I returned it, tilting my hips to let him know I was ready. He responded by slowly withdrawing before surging forward again. In and out, he slowly picked up speed until his thrusts were sharp, and deep inside me.
Without warning, Bryson gripped my hips and flipped us over until I was straddling him, the new position driving him deeper.
“Ride me, Kenzi. Show me how you like it.”
I propped my hands against his firm chest and lifted from him before slamming back down. His hands gripped my hips as I sank onto him over and over. Changing the position, I pushed off his chest and leaned back, arching my spine and placing my hands behind me on his thighs.
He hissed as I rocked my hips against him, helping that knot in my belly tighten and strain against its confines. Bryson reached up to stroke and pinch my nipples and a loud moan fell from my lips.
“That’s it, baby. Use me. Take what you need.”
“Bryson,” I panted.
“I’m here, Kenzi.”
“I’m so close,” I moaned, my movements becoming more erratic as I chased my orgasm.
One of his hands left my nipples to press against my clit and I gasped. “That’s right baby. Come now. Come on my cock.”
His dirty words slithered through my insides, tightening them until the cord deep in my belly snapped. My head fell back sharply as I moaned my release to the ceiling above me. I distantly heard Bryson curse and jerk beneath me as he came too.
When the final aftershock left my heavy limbs, I opened my eyes and looked down to see Bryson smiling at me. His eyes were so full of love, mine teared in response. He saw the raw emotion on my face and pulled me down to lay next to him on the bed.
He gently smoothed the hair away from my sweaty face before kissing my lips sweetly. “I love you Mackenzie Thompson. I always will.”
My heart fluttered at the sound of my new name and I snuggled closer. “I love you too, Brys. Always have.”
Chapter 3
Present
I shook off the memories and hurried toward Mason’s SUV. My eyes scanned the neighboring houses, hoping I wouldn’t see anyone I knew, and more importantly, that they wouldn’t see me. I reminded myself again that I wasn’t doing anything wrong, and that I was just getting a ride to work from a colleague, but I couldn’t help hoping I wouldn’t get caught.
I opened the door and smoothed my skirt down before sliding across the leather passenger seat. My eyes met Mason’s and found his bright blue gaze already trained on me. They skimmed down my body, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind.
This was definitely not how a coworker greeted another coworker.
I cleared my throat. “Morning, Mason. Thanks for picking me up.”
His eyes snapped back to mine, and he grinned. “It’s my pleasure, Kenny.”
I rolled my eyes as I fastened my seatbelt. “I’m not sure about this nickname of yours. Kenny is a boy’s name.”
His grin widened. “Believe me, you look nothing like a boy.”
My face heated, and I pretended to check my phone.
“In fact, I was just going to tell you how beautiful you look today.”
My skin felt hotter, and I figured the blush had probably reached my neck by now. I took a quick glance at my colorless clothing and laughed humorlessly. “Oh, this old thing?”
He reached out to touch my chin, lifting my face until it met his. “What you wear changes the color of your eyes.” He squeezed my chin slightly. “Today they’re gray. And stunning.”
I was shocked speechless for a moment. Then I word vomited. “Everything about my life is gray.”
He frowned. “What was that?”
I shook my head, dislodging his hand from my face. That was plenty of touching for the day and it wasn’t even nine a.m. yet.
“Nothing. Can we get going? I don’t want to be late.”
Mason smiled again and shrugged. “Sure, sure.”
He put the truck in reverse and carefully pulled out of the driveway as my eyes continued to scan the neighbor’s windows looking for any sign of movement. When we’d finally made it down the block, I breathed a sigh of relief that I thought was silent.
“Something wrong?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Everything’s good.”
He nodded and scrutinized me out of the corner of his eye. “Where’s your husband?”
My stomach sank. “Bryson?” My voice was too high pitched, and I cleared my throat before speaking again. “He left for work already.”
“I thought that might be who you were looking for.”
“No, I wasn’t looking for Bryson. Why would I be?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you don’t want him seeing you with me?”
My already sunken stomach twisted into a knot. “Why wouldn’t I want him to see me with you? You’re just giving me a ride to work.”
Mason eyed me again. “Right.”
“Right,” I echoed.
What were we talking about here? I felt like we were having two different conversations.
“How come your husband–Brian was it? How come he didn’t give you a ride to work?”
“It’s Bryson.” My voice was soft and weak and so unlike me.
“Bryson. Right. Why isn’t he driving you to work?”
This conversation was going down a path I didn’t want to explore. “Is this really an imposition? I thought you liked my company,” I joked.
His smile was brief. “Of course, I do. Anytime you hear me complaining about having a beautiful woman in my car, you slap me, all right?”
My laugh was as fake as my smile. “Deal.”
“But, really.”
Shit.
He wasn’t going to let this go.
“Why didn’t he give you a ride today?”
I didn’t know how to answer. Do I tell the truth? That my husband barely noticed I was in the room and hardly bothered with my wellbeing anymore? That we were practically roommates. Not even friends that lived together. We were like two people who’d met on Craigslist.
Or do I lie? Tell him Bryson had an early meeting and didn’t have the time to drive me. That Bryson offered to call me an Uber, but I’d declined. Say that he’d worried about how I’d get to work, but I’d told him to go on and that I’d figured it out myself.
The lies were on the tip of my tongue, but they burned and turned to ash in my mouth.
I settled for something in the middle.
“It must have slipped his mind. He was in a rush this morning.”
Mason’s eyes brightened before turning back to the road. “Good thing I was thinking about you, huh?”
Was it?
“I’m a lucky girl,” I deadpanned.
Mason laughed although I wasn’t trying to be funny.
He jerked his head toward the dashboard. �
�I got you a latte too. Caramel macchiato, right?”
I turned to see he had two Starbucks cups in his cup holders. With shaking hands, I reached for mine and took a tentative sip. It had a double shot and extra caramel. Just the way I liked it.
“Why’d you get me a latte? You couldn’t have known I’d need a ride today.”
He shrugged. “Just hoping I guess.” His smile was easy and threatened to trigger my own.
“And if I hadn’t needed a ride?”
He shrugged again. “I would have just given it to you when you got to work.”
He seemed to have all the answers, but I was still suspicious.
“What were you doing in this part of town? I thought you lived on the north end.”
Mason’s smile lit up his face. “Stalking me, Kenny?”
I rolled my eyes, my face heating slightly. “You mentioned where you live once.”
He nodded with mock seriousness. “So, you’re writing a book then?”
I backhanded his shoulder, desperately trying to not focus on how hard the muscle was beneath his coat. “No.” I was trying to be stern, but his soft glance reminded me I was about as ferocious as a bunny. “I just remember what people tell me. I’m a good friend like that.”
“You have such a good memory with everyone? Or am I special?”
Now we were getting into dangerous territory again. Because I didn’t think of him like I thought of everyone else in the office. But I certainly wasn’t admitting that to him.
“Nope. Not special at all.” My cheeky grin should have made it clear I was kidding with him, but the smile fell from his lips and I rethought my answer.
Like he flipped a switch, a smile was back on his face, but it didn’t seem to reach his eyes like it had before. “You wound me, Kenny.”
“And I’m still on the fence about that nickname.”
“It’ll grow on you. Just like I will.”
My stomach clenched again. “Ugh, like a fungus?” I was going for a light response, but my breathy voice wasn’t doing me any favors.
We finally pulled into the parking lot next to our building and Mason parked the car before turning to me. His eyes were serious, and the smile had slipped from his face. “If that’s what it takes.”
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