Sweet Salvation

by Maddie Taylor

  “Are you sick?” he’d asked when she’d opened the door. His tone was solicitous, but she’d snorted at his question and rolled her eyes at how thickheaded he was being.

  “What is it then?” he asked pointedly.

  “It’s not a panic attack, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  She shook her head. She was pissed and if he didn’t know why, she certainly wasn’t going to tell him. A childish reaction, true, but if he could act like an archetypal insensitive man, she could act like a typical hard-headed woman and expect her man to know what he had done to upset her. Let him stew for a while.

  “So if you’re not ill and it’s not a panic attack, what’s going on with you? You’ve been incredibly rude. Are you hormonal?”

  Her jaw dropped. “You did not just say that.”

  “If you don’t give me an answer, I can only guess.”

  “This is the side you warned me about, but when you mentioned bossy and dictatorial, you forgot to mention condescending ass.”

  “Stacy—”

  “Nothing is wrong. Can we go back now? I’d like dessert.”

  As she brushed by him, his frustrated growl was her answer. After that, she’d turned prickly and standoffish; he’d become impatient.

  “Are you feeling all right, my dear?” Russell had inquired when they returned.

  “Yes, sir, except for a slight headache.”

  “Don’t you like lamb, Stacy? I should have asked. Can I offer you something else?” Joanne’s offer was cut short by Jared.

  “Dinner is excellent as usual, Mom. Stacy is just a bit out of sorts this evening.”

  That patronizing comment had earned Jared a derisive snort. In turn, he’d placed a warning hand on her thigh under the table. Then he laid out their decisions for the wedding, including ‘scaling back significantly’ and their intention to hire a wedding planner to make all the arrangements. At that point, Stacy knew he’d come to the wrong conclusion. He’d assumed she was upset over the wedding—dumbass.

  His parents had looked on in confusion. She was sure they both wondered how the initially pleasant evening had turned into such an awkward affair. Joanne asked, “What about the engagement party?”

  Stacy, at last, spoke up. “I’m really not the type for formal parties, Mrs. Baker. I didn’t even go to my high school prom, so please don’t go to any trouble. As far as the wedding, I’d be fine with a small dinner party after a no-fuss civil service. To be honest, I’d much rather have a quickie marriage in Vegas. Jared nixed that idea, but I can’t help thinking how fun it would be to get married by Elvis.” Her suggestion had laid heavy over the dining room and she promptly wanted to take it back.

  “We are not getting married in Vegas. We’ve already discussed that.”

  Stacy frowned at his dismissive comment; maybe we won’t get married at all. Giving him a sidelong glance, Stacy saw that Jared’s jaw was clenched tightly in anger. Good, now we’re even.

  Joanne looked stunned, although she’d been accepting of all the proposed changes without a word. This made Stacy’s complaints about her efforts seem petty. Left to Joanne, she would only have to show up and say, “I do” as she’d suggested to Jared earlier.

  “Vegas could be fun,” Russell had offered, giving Stacy a small smile of encouragement.

  “Don’t encourage her, Dad.”

  He’d silenced her only ally, clueless insensitive jerk. During the awkward silence that followed, she felt the tension radiating from Jared as he sat stiffly beside her.

  “The party will go on as planned,” Jared announced. “I know how hard you’ve worked to organize everything.”

  “But if Stacy doesn’t want it…” His mother’s intelligent eyes flicked between the two of them, apprehensive.

  “Haven’t the invitations have already gone out?”

  “Yes, last week.”

  Looking at her future mother-in-law, Stacy easily read the concern in her eyes. “That is fine, Joanne. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. The party I’m sure will be lovely.”

  “I want whatever makes you happy, dear. As far as the wedding goes, it’s your special day, so of course you should decide.” She set her napkin beside her plate and pushed back her chair. “I’ll just go get dessert.”

  Stacy felt two inches tall. Joanne was obviously upset. However, she’d nailed it when she said it was her day. She was the bride, wasn’t she? Then why did she feel like such a bitch?

  “I think we’ll head out. It seems we have a few things to discuss.” He was tense, but in control like usual. After that, his conversation had been limited to clipped orders like, “button your coat” and “buckle up.” Mr. Cool had returned until she’d jumped from the moving vehicle like a maniac.

  His low voice close behind her dragged her from her musings. “Are you ready to talk now?”

  “Not really.”

  “Then I obviously didn’t spank you long enough. Come back to the bed and bring your hairbrush.”

  “No, Jared. Please.”

  “You’d better come clean then.” His hands stroked up her arms and cupped her shoulders, squeezing. “What is going on in that head of yours, my beautiful girl?”

  “Nothing.” Her attitude wasn’t doing her any favors, but she was still pissed at him.

  “I definitely didn’t spank you hard enough. Come on.” He took her hand and tugged.

  She’d only taken a step when she pulled away. “No! I’m still pissed at you, Jared.”

  “That’s obvious, Stacy. Your language deteriorates when you’re angry. Why don’t you tell me what I did wrong because I’m at a loss here.”

  “Fine.” This was her opportunity to confront him about work and it was on the tip of her tongue, but something made her hold back. What she finally came up with was a cop-out. “The wedding is out of control. I don’t want any of this fancy-schmancy stuff. I told you that, Jared.”

  “You heard me tell my mother to back off. We went over this. What has changed since we talked this morning?”

  “Nothing has changed. I shouldn’t have agreed to something I don’t want. That’s the problem. I’m trying to keep from making a fool of myself and all you want to do is make your mother happy. Excuse me, but I thought I was the bride here; nobody seems to care what I want. It’s for damn sure nobody cares how I feel, especially my groom. Maybe this is all a big mistake.”

  Silence permeated the room as she finally gave voice to her concerns.

  “You don’t mean that, Stacy.” His voice was low and gruff with emotion.

  When she glanced at him, she saw the hurt and confusion in his eyes. It broke her heart. She moved toward him and sank against his chest, sighing with relief when his arms came up to embrace her.

  “What’s this about making a fool of yourself? Why would that be?”

  “Oh, Jared, we are just so—different.” Her voice broke as the emotions just below the surface burst forth. “You and your family are white glove service, which I’d never even heard of until today, but I’m imagining a waiter in a monkey suit, white gloves, and silver platters, a linen napkin across his arm. I’m paper plates, red Solo cups, and all-you-can-eat buffets. I don’t know anything about what your mom was talking about tonight. Caviar is disgusting and I have no idea which fork to use for which course at a formal dinner. I’m afraid I’ll just embarrass you and your family. It’s making me a wreck. I’m sure I’ll just trip on my train, spill gravy on my dress, or say something stupid. They’ll all think…”

  “What?”

  “That I’m just a stupid hick from the south and not good enough for you. And they’d be right.” Pain seared through her belly, which came out in a heart-wrenching sob.

  “Baby, don’t,” he breathed as he pressed his lips against her temple, his hand stroking her hair as he held her tight. “I had no idea until today that you were so freaked out by all of this.”

  She was at a fork in the road, de
nial versus truth, and having decided to avoid the work-related issues, she decided on the latter and gave him some truth. “I’m a nervous wreck, Jared.” Her voice shook as she told him one of her greatest fears. “What if I melt down again? In front of all those people, your family and all the people from work would know. I’d die.”

  “I’m sorry, honey. This is my fault. I thought a simple ceremony, a dress, some flowers, and a small party would be no biggie, but I can see I was wrong. I can’t stand to see you this way, doubting yourself and doubting us, thinking we’re a mistake and I for damn sure don’t want to add more stress and trigger another attack.”

  His hand cupped her chin and he lifted her face up to his. Through her tears, she saw the concern on his face, and was that fear?

  “Is that how you really feel? That we’re making a mistake?”

  She lifted her hand and palmed his beard-roughened cheek. “No, I didn’t mean that. I love you, Jared.”

  “Thank God.” His thumbs wiped away the tears still rolling down her cheeks. Leaning in, he pressed a soft kiss to her tear-stained cheeks before gently brushing her lips with his. “Let’s get into bed where we can be comfortable.”

  Lifting her in his arms, he carried her to their plush king-sized bed. Following her down, he braced himself on his elbows, his handsome face above her all that she could see.

  “You’re a beautiful, poised woman, but you talk as though you’ve just come down from a mountain top where you’ve been living like a hermit for the past decade. You have a southern grace and charm that is utterly captivating and was the first thing I noticed about you.”

  Her unladylike sniff was anything but charming. “You said it was my ass in that pencil skirt I wore to my interview.”

  “Mm, yes, I did love that skirt.” His leering face and waggling eyebrows got her tickled. Snickering, she smacked his shoulder lightly.

  “What can I say? I’m a man and I’m not blind.” His lips quirked momentarily when she rolled her eyes.

  “Do you think I’m being ridiculous about all this?”

  “No, it’s how you feel, so it’s not ridiculous and after last weekend, I can certainly understand your reluctance to have a big crowd.”

  “That’s something I’m supposed to work on in therapy, but I doubt if I’ll be ready in a few weeks. If you want to postpone—”

  “No. We’re getting married as planned. I want you to be mine, forever, and I want everyone to know it.”

  “You’re not still mad at me?”

  “No, but I am disappointed that you didn’t come to me with this. All of this drama could have been avoided. You can tell me anything. If I don’t listen, or don’t seem to understand, like this morning, keep telling me until I do. Nothing is as important as keeping us together.”

  Jared lowered his head and kissed her. His lips and tongue teasing at first then taking more, claiming and possessing her. When she was breathless and limp, he lifted his head.

  “What if we just get married at the courthouse? We’ll invite my parents and Marc and Jess can stand up for us. Afterward, we can throw a small dinner party here with family and close friends to celebrate.”

  “Your mother will hate me.”

  “No, she won’t. She has the engagement party.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really.”

  Twining her arms around his neck, she pulled him close, burying her face against his neck. “Thank you, Jared. I really am sorry for tonight. It’s like my mouth has an override button on my brain sometimes.”

  “It wasn’t only your mouth tonight, honey.”

  He wasn’t going to allow her to minimize her reckless leap from the car, or withholding her feelings from him. “I know, but it seems to get me in the worst trouble.”

  “I happen to like your mouth, although it did call me an ass, so your butt owes me ten.”

  Of course, he wouldn’t forget that. Her head came up, brows lowered in indignation. “I claim temporary insanity due to that crack about being hormonal. Any other woman would have called you worse, Jared. I mean, really. That’s a sexist low blow, don’t you think?”

  Peppering small kisses along the corner of her mouth, he scattered more along her cheek and jaw. “Hm, that was rather crude, although there is scientific evidence behind it.”

  “Jared!”

  His hand came up and captured her chin, nudging it upward until she was staring into his green-gold eyes. He offered another compromise. “I’ll give you amnesty this once.” She was expecting a steamy kiss, but instead his face turned stern as his husky voice laid down the law. “Next time, I expect you to get my attention, but not with childish behavior like today. Sass and sarcasm gets my notice, Stacy-mine, but only tells me that something is bothering you. That will earn you more corner time with a sore bottom. Although I’m happy to give you what you need, I prefer a more direct route. Be open and honest with me, especially when it comes to problems between us. I don’t have a crystal ball, nor am I a mind reader. I can’t help solve these problems if I don’t have all the facts.”

  “I really was a brat today, Jared, and I’m sorry. I promise I’ll try harder. Will you be patient with me?”

  He rolled until she was on top, her hair a silky blond curtain around them. She pushed up on her forearms and looked down into his handsome face, melting at the golden sparks of passion that flashed in his eyes. His smile lightened the mood, breaking through the seriousness of their discussion, like the sun penetrating gray clouds on an overcast day. She didn’t need an answer to her question. She could read it in his loving gaze.

  “You know that verse we heard at that wedding a few weeks back? Love is patient…”

  “Love is kind? I do, darlin’, it was beautiful.”

  “Love rejoices with truth, always trusts, and never fails. I’m determined to have all those things, Stacy. No matter what, I’m in this for the long haul.”

  Tears flowed anew. How had she been so fortunate to find this man? “You say such sweet things, but they make me cry and I drip like a leaky faucet.”

  He ignored her little joke. “Promise you’ll talk to me.”

  “I promise.”

  “That’s my good girl.”

  A pang of guilt hit her gut. She hadn’t been completely honest, had she? Should she tell him? Maybe she should let his mother’s report speak for her. She was confident in her research and planning. What harm would it do for her to look?

  He pulled her head down and gently kissed her, lingering along her lips before delving into the warm recesses of her mouth. The kiss soon surpassed gentle, the intensity building incrementally as all thoughts of work, reports, and proposals disappeared. Swept up quickly in his passion, Stacy groaned as his hands wandered to her backside and glided over her tender, still warm flesh. Gripping her thighs, he spread her legs until they straddled his hips, opening her to his thorough exploration. His fingers played over her wetness, curling into her from behind as she arched her back, opening more fully for him. Pressing his hips into hers, his rather insistent erection found its place between her thighs.

  “How about you show me what you can do with this glorious ass. Ride me, baby.”

  Jared flexed his hips, his cock gliding into the cleft of her swollen wet lips. Stacy groaned helplessly, lifting her hips she moved over him until the smooth head of his cock nudged firmly against her clit.

  “Sit up and take me inside.”

  Pushing up on his chest, she angled her hips so that he slipped right inside. She was so slick that he slid in smoothly, filling her to the hilt, without the need for a guiding hand. Stacy sat back, enjoying his impressive length stretching and filling her, her lips parting on a heavy exhalation as the head of his cock bumped up against her cervix.

  “You fill me up so good, darlin’. We’re perfect, you and me.”

  “Move on me, Stace.” His hands claimed her hips and set the pace, guiding her up and down his hard le
ngth. After he’d set her movements to the rhythm that he liked, his hands began to play. Her fingers splayed over his smooth, broad chest as she moved against him. She was angled forward, causing her full breasts to sway seductively as she rode him, his fingers tweaking and tugging her erect nipples. His mouth replaced teasing fingers and captured her nipple between his teeth. He bit firmly, just a touch of pleasure-pain, enough to make her whimper and arch her back, seeking more.

  “Such sensitive nipples, love that.”

  When his head moved to her other nipple and latched on, the need to come tightened like a knot low in her belly. She rode him faster. She wanted to come, the need building to a near unbearable level. Her man was a full on assault to her senses, using every tool in his arsenal to make her squirm. His mouth continued its sweet torment as his fingers trailed teasingly down her flat belly, finding the sweet spot between her thighs. Expertly, his thumb homed in on her clit, circling and flicking it, ramping up her need for fulfillment and sending her quickly out of control. However, the devious man was in the mood to drag things out. A quickie was not what he had in mind for tonight, because just shy of her peak, he took his hand away. Growling with sexual frustration, her focus centralized on the aching need between her thighs.

  “Jared,” she gasped. “I’m dying here.”

  “Patience, all in good time.”

  Now is the time, she thought and her hand sought the burning fire he’d built, then abandoned. Her tormentor caught her hand shy of its goal, however. A keening cry of desperation rose from deep within her as her head fell forward, thumping against his shoulder. “Jared, darlin’, please. You’re getting me all hot and bothered, then just as I’m fixin’ to come, you stop. It’s killing me and I can’t bear it any longer.”

  His taunting mouth released her breast with a little pop. His hand wrapped around her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair as he pulled her face down to his.

  “Look at me.”

  Panting agitatedly a hairsbreadth from his mouth, she felt his lips move against hers. Her eyes opened and she was mesmerized by his golden gaze, the amber flecks having conquered the green in his passion. His grin told her how much he’d enjoyed subjecting her to his brand of slow, agonizing torture.