The Wedding Contract

by H. M. Ward

“Did she mention that mermaids wear clothes and only appear for girls?”

  “I’m down with that.” He lifts his palms up like he means no harm. “It’d still be fun to see with the right person. Between the Imperial March and the shower curtain rumors, I think you’re the right person.”

  My face flames redder. “Oh God, you heard about that, too?” At least he didn’t add ‘crotch grabber’ to the list.

  “Saw it.” I make a noise and try to walk away, but he takes me by the elbow and turns me toward him. “Have you ever heard the expression, imperfectly perfect? Well, that’s you.” Deegan offers a shy smile.

  My stomach twists so hard I can’t look at him. This feels like high school and he’s my first crush. What happened to the confident woman who offered to castrate Nick Ferro? Tucking my hair behind my ear, I nod. I look up at him from under my lashes, not meaning to do it, but it happens anyway, “You made that expression up, but yes to the walk anyway.”

  “Okay, Mermaid. See you after dinner.” Deegan returns to the wedding party and resumes his place by Steven. Nick watches us speaking, but keeps his distance. There’s possessiveness in Nick’s eyes that surprises me. I’m not his. I can talk to anyone I like. I could sleep with Deegan and Nick can’t stop me. Maybe I should be the slutty bridesmaid for once and have a fling with Deegan. God knows I brought enough sexy panties.

  CHAPTER 17

  The moonlight is stunning. It dances across the dark water. Deegan and I sit hip-to-hip in the darkness, perched on the edge of a large rock that is submerged in the sand and extends out into the water. Our shoes are behind us. We walked barefoot to the edge and put our feet in. It conjures memories of the other night with Nick.

  Deegan is safer, more normal. The Ferros aren’t average and their family is constantly involved in some scandal or another. I don’t want that life. I don’t want him. Even as the words form in my mind, I feel the lie and it’s growing. I have a thing for Nick. I know I do. I’m hoping that this beautiful young man sitting next to me can shatter my infatuation. Deegan is real and has been from the start. He’s also not some pampered ass, either, so I respect him more than Nick.

  Stop thinking about Nick! I mentally scold myself. I remind myself that I’m sitting next to a hot guy, with a very nice package in those pants. Not that I usually think like that, but it’s hard to ignore it now.

  I lift my foot from the water and stretch my tired toes. It makes ripples that fan out from the rock and into the dark water.

  Until now, Deegan has been making pleasantries. I laugh, he talks, and so on. It’s nice. So when he mentions Ferro, it throws me for a loop. “Uh, Sky, it’s not that I don’t trust your roommate or anything, but check the coins.” Deegan is looking out at the water when he says it, his gaze fixated on some point far in the distance. “I bet he dumps his change on the dresser at the end of the day.”

  I smile, thinking he’s joking. “Why should I do that?” The side of his face is striking. He has a five o’clock shadow I imagine feeling rough under my palms. His tie is off, behind us somewhere with his jacket and shoes. The collar of that pristine pale purple shirt is open and I can see a tiny bit of his chest below.

  “He won all three spots.” He looks at me and cocks his head to the side. “Make sure he was playing fair. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had a double-sided coin in his pocket. The man is a Ferro. Don’t put anything past him. They all play to win and like to screw with anyone who gets in the way.” Deegan’s face scrunches up as he glances away. “Well, maybe not screw you, but you get the idea. I don’t like the idea of him messing around with you like that.”

  For a second, I wonder if Deegan overheard our bet. I shove the thought aside. “I don’t think Nick is that devious, but I’ll check. If he is, he’s going to wish he never met me.”

  Deegan chuckles softly. When he turns his face to mine, we’re a breath apart. My heart pounds harder and I forget to breathe. My eyes drift to his lips and I think about it. I could be the slutty bridesmaid, just this once. No one is out here. We’re practically on the other side of the island, which is mostly a nature preserve, and shrouded in darkness. He could slip the strap of my dress off my shoulder and run his palm over my bare skin. I could lie back on the cold rock and let his body warm me inside and out. Those beautiful hands could feel every inch of me. I could let him. I could.

  Deegan’s eyes drift to my lips before darting back to my eyes. He repeats the same movement several times leaning closer to me ever so slowly. The rush of breath I’d lost comes back and I can’t hide that I’ve been imagining our tangled naked bodies. My face grows hot as my body pulses in all the right places. I want this kiss. I want his lips on mine. Just for now, I want him to make me forget all my problems—to forget who I am. He can see it in my eyes.

  Deegan’s lips brush against mine, making my skin prickle. I lean in closer, threading my fingers through his hair. The kiss is tame at first, but shifts quickly. Neither of us speaks. It’s like he knew this was coming, even if I didn’t. I don’t do things like this. I’m no exhibitionist, no one-night stand chick aching for another lay. That’s not me. But it doesn’t matter because here I am, falling back and pulling this stranger down with me. His firm body eagerly follows and presses my back into the cold, wet stone.

  Slow down, a voice in my mind warns, but I ignore it.

  No! For once, I want things to go my way and I throw caution to the wind. I’ve been nothing but cautious and look where it’s gotten me. I’m going to win this bet or go groveling back to my parents. And if I lose, I offered up myself as the prize. What the hell is wrong with me? Why’d I do that? Hindsight is always crystal clear, but at that moment it seemed like a logical move.

  Stop thinking. I want to be a siren and this is my cove. I want to seduce this man for no reason other than I want to and I can. When I was a teenager, I’d thought about mythological mermaids to the point it was scandalous. I never mentioned it to Amy. I can’t imagine the conversations that would ensue.

  This isn’t like you, slow down.

  No, this is me. I have Deegan here alone. He wants me, here and now. I can feel it and I’m not going to stop him. Deegan’s hands are all over my skin, gripping, cupping, and feeling my curves through my clothes. One hand slips under the hem of my dress and I’m in heaven. As I come up from a passionate kiss, Deegan works his way down my neck. Eyes closed, I gasp for air. He presses our hips firmly together and rocks our bodies with the rhythm of the dark waters, filling me with naughty thoughts.

  I moan and smile serenely for a moment, thinking about how strange this is for me, but loving it all the same. It’s been too long since I’ve been with a guy. I work eighty hours a week and have no life. There’s no time to meet anyone and no time to do anything even remotely like this. As it is, I have to be up at the hotel to take Sophie’s boudoir pictures later. I’m always working. There’s never any time for fun and it kills me that all that work was all for nothing.

  Don’t give up yet, a voice whispers in the back of my mind, as Deegan teases me ruthlessly with kisses.

  I won’t. I’m a fighter and I’m not going to roll over and die. Nick Ferro is going to have to shove me headfirst into the ground before I stop trying to win.

  Nick Ferro. Nick. The name echoes through my thoughts, but my mind becomes filled with a lust-ridden fog that makes me unable to think. I blink slowly, enjoying the way Deegan’s hot mouth feels on my skin as I stare at the stars.

  My life hasn’t turned out the way I wanted. I follow the rules, playing fairly in every way, but always come out behind. I’m breaking the rules this time. I’m going to do this with Deegan and not care about the consequences.

  Deegan whispers in my ear, “Tell me what you want.”

  “You. Now.” I manage to reply, but my voice is all air. Reaching for him, I tug his shirt out from his slacks and run my palms up his back before digging my nails in. Each one bites his skin as I scratch and pull him toward me.

  Deegan gr
ins and goes for my neck again, this time undressing me as the kisses spread lower and lower. He places the garments under my back as he removes each one so my hot skin isn’t on the cold stone. Then he dips his head, and oh, my God!

  My eyes close as I savor the sensation of not having a worry in the world. In the very back of my mind, in the places where I think dark thoughts live, some part of me can still realize that I’m using Deegan to forget everything, even if it’s only temporary.

  It’s worth it. Isn’t it? I mean, it’s not like I’m a slut. I’ve only slept with one guy before. It was a long time ago and we were in a serious relationship. Yes, it was in high school, but that’s the last relationship I had. Our relationship fell apart when he left for college and some blond co-ed mistakenly fell on his dick. I walked in on them. That’s pathetic. That event was my last sexual encounter.

  Stop thinking!

  Deegan’s breathless voice pulls me back. “Are you sure?” He kisses way below my neckline and then hovers there, waiting for an answer.

  “Do you have a condom?” He nods and the black square appears out of thin air. He holds it between two fingers and looks down at me. His chest is toned and his abs are lean. Coupled with the trim waist, he’s my type to the core. I nod and pull him toward me, making his lips meet mine.

  My heart pounds harder and faster as the kiss grows hotter and hotter. Deegan’s fingers are in my hair, tangling it and pushing it out of my face as he rocks his hips against mine. I’m only wearing panties and Deegan’s down to a pair of black tighty-whities. What do you call those? I know the only barrier keeping him from me is the thin layer of fabric between us. He’s obviously ready, and every time he moves against me, I want this even more.

  Just as I gasp again, about to beg him to do all sorts of naughty things to me, my eyelids flutter open. The shore behind us is dark, but I can make out hazy outlines in the moonlight. Rocks of different sizes litter the shore as far as the eye can see. I blink slowly and my eyes focus on a shape that’s too soft to be made of stone. A dark outline is standing on the shore, leaning against a dead tree—watching.

  Sucking in air, I grip Deegan’s wrist hard, stopping him. “Someone’s there.”

  “No, can’t be.” The condom is open and the wrapper is gone. Did he toss it into the water? I’m not a hippie, but I don’t toss trash on the ground—or in the water. He’s slipped his bottoms off and is in the process of hooking a finger around my panties.

  I squirm so he can’t pull them off. “Deegan, we can’t do this—someone’s watching.” The words come out in a rush.

  Deegan looks down at me and smiles like I’m a child. “If you wanted to stop, you should have said so.”

  “I didn’t. I mean I do want you, but I’m not doing it with someone watching.” Our eyes are locked and mine are pleading for him to turn around and look.

  Deegan sighs loudly, like he’s massively annoyed and turns around. The way he scans the shore says everything—he thinks I’m making this up—until he flinches, spying the voyeur.

  The man in the shadows finally speaks as he steps toward us. “That was incredibly fast. Sorry Sky.”

  Deegan’s face pinches in anger and he moves like he’s going to slug the guy, but I don’t give him the chance.

  Fury boils inside of me as I cover my breasts with my hands and try to find my clothes. “Nick! What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you watching us, you perv?” I’m shrieking and shaking.

  Deegan sits on the rock, naked and stares at Nick. “You’re an asshole, man.”

  “Likewise.” Nick walks over to the edge of the boulder with that confident swagger of his and redirects his comments at me. “Sophie wants you. She said she was tired and wanted to do the boudoir shoot now, which was about an hour ago. I told you I wouldn’t shoot without you, so I waited.”

  I try to grab my bra, but I’m trembling so much that it falls into the water. Black water pours through the holes in the pink lace, making it sink. I stare at it for a second before lifting my gaze to Nick. “You!” I have no words. I growl like a lunatic and pull on my dress. He’s seen me naked twice! Twice!

  As I get to my feet, Deegan takes my hand and touches me gently. The caress sends a shiver up my spine. I nearly melt right then and there. It was the perfect touch. “I’ll be there for you anytime.”

  I offer him a nod and mouth, sorry.

  CHAPTER 18

  When I get to the shore, I shove Nick as hard as I can. “Why were you watching? What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Nick laughs. “Everyone would have watched that.”

  I don’t like the way he said the last word. “Excuse me?” We’re far enough from Deegan, but not close enough to the hotel for anyone to hear us. I shout at him, “No, they wouldn’t have. They would have kept on walking.”

  Nick’s dimple appears as he smiles. Bastard. “You’re so cute when you’re mad, but you’re wrong, babe, and I’ll tell you why. Any person who heard the noises you were making would have stopped and stared because you were so loud it was impossible to ignore.”

  “I was not!”

  He shrugs his shoulders like it doesn’t matter. “Yes, you were and seeing a woman in the throes of passion and behaving so uninhibited, well, fuck Sky—anyone would look and stare...” His eyes drift over me before he adds, “and want you for himself.”

  A rush of anger bursts through me. I pull my arm back and swing, but the punch doesn’t connect. Nick catches my fist and then gets into my face. In that sultry voice of his, he breathes, “Why are you trying to punch me? I’m telling you the truth. I’d just found you and was shocked. Did you want me to leave and go shoot Sophie’s photos without you?”

  He’s still holding my fist. “No.”

  I try to yank my fist away but his grip tightens. Nick leans in closer and those dark lashes dip to my lips. “I wonder.” He doesn’t finish his thought, which drives me nuts.

  As I continue to try to pull away, he manages to hold on without hurting me. “I don’t care what you wonder. Let me go and if you tell anyone you saw me with Deegan—”

  Nick releases me and steps back, chortling before walking away. “Called it!” He raises his fist in the air and whoops like he won something.

  I remain behind him, perplexed. “You called what?”

  “I knew you were the slutty bridesmaid. Hey, when we do it, I’d prefer some place less slimy.” Nick hastens his pace, making it difficult for me to keep up with him even though I’m practically running. I lose sight of him somewhere between the hotel and the road.

  CHAPTER 19

  When the big white hotel comes into view, it’s glowing golden against the night sky. I stop for a second and take in the view. I loved this place so much and now it’s tarnished with these horrible memories.

  When I get to the house, there’s no sight of Nick. I smooth my hair and head to the elevator, very self-conscious of my free-swinging state and the sheer fabric of my dress. Mr. Stevens walks up beside me and presses the up button. “It’s so good to see you again, Skylar.” He fumbles my name when he finally takes a good look at me. My hair is a mess, I’m flushed, and I’m pretty sure my high beams are on and very visible.

  I stare straight ahead and act like nothing is abnormal. “Thank you. It’s nice to see you, too.”

  The elevator door opens and a few guys from the wedding party walk out. Their eyes dart straight to my nipples. They smirk like they know what I was doing and would be happy to do me again. One winks as he passes, but makes certain no one else can see. He acts like he’s holding the elevator door for me, but leans in and whispers, “Room 207.”

  I don’t respond. Mr. Stevens can’t avoid the cramped space without making it look as if he doesn’t want to be near me. So instead of excusing himself, or answering a non-existent call, he steps into the box with me and presses the number for his floor. The old guy stares straight ahead, only asking, “Which floor?” I tell him and he punches the button.

  T
he doors close and silence ensues. There is no music to cover my horror or to make the ride seem shorter. We both stare straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge that anything is amiss.

  Finally, Mr. Stevens says, “Nice weather we’re having.”

  I nod way too much and practically throw myself through the doors when they open. “Yes, have a good night.” I say over my shoulder as I exit. Then I make a horrible mistake. When he starts to talk, I stop and turn toward him.

  The older man fumbles his words and looks everywhere but at me. His hands are gripped tightly as his gaze darts all over the place. “Well, you too. Well, I mean, have a fun, uh,” he stares straight at me with a deer in the headlights look, “well, have a nice night. Be good.” The doors slip shut and save us from further agony.

  I’m never going to be able to talk to Sophie’s father-in-law again, ever. Holidays are going to suck. He’s going to be like, remember the time I saw your breasts, but I didn’t look? And I’m going to be like yeah, Mr. Stevens, those were good times.

  Someone shoot me. Please. This can’t get worse, it just can’t.

  When I arrive at our room out of breath, Nick looks up from the bed, where he’s grabbing his gear. The man straightens and tilts his head to the side and tut-tuts me. “Sky, you can’t bang the entire groomsmen party. Well, at least not all on the same night. Save some for tomorrow. Damn, woman.”

  I snap. I mean, it’s not like I can take a lot of teasing to start with, but I usually maintain my composure. I can’t stand it when people get the better of me and I never ever show it, but something about Nick makes me crazy. I do idiotic things when he’s around and so I act on my feelings by raising my hands over my head and charging him while growling so low it sounds like there’s a bear living in my stomach.

  I launch myself at him, my hands aiming for his neck. I bounce across the bed like a Gummy Bear and knock the man to the floor. Nick doesn’t think I’ll do it, he expects me to stop, but I don’t. I plow right into him and down he goes, shocked expression and all. Straddling him I take my pointer finger and jab it to the tip of his nose, pressing up until it can’t move another inch.