Tyed to You

by Jordyn McKenzie

  “I said it was one of the proudest moments of my life, getting to serve as your maid of honour. Have I told you how gorgeous you look today? You’re absolutely glowing.”

  Laurel sniffed dismissively. “Had I known I’d be a beached whale for this trip, I’d have suggested Vermont for our couples’ vacation destination instead.”

  About six months after the wedding, they’d all decided to take a vacation together. Two weeks after the purchase of plane tickets and a non-refundable down payment for a luxurious condo rental in Maui, Laurel had called Jasmine with the news she was pregnant.

  Which was the reason why she was now seven months along, sitting in the outdoor dining area of a restaurant, looking longingly and resentfully at diners around them who were enjoying their food and cocktails with pretty umbrellas and large chunks of tropical fruit in them.

  “Vermont? Oh really now, Laurel? Exactly what would we have done in Vermont? You’re certainly not exactly in the shape to ski right now. At least here you can enjoy the sun, the ocean, this beautiful island pa—”

  “Easy for you to say! You get to look fabulous in your teeny, tiny bikinis, drink your fruity, delicious cocktails, and then come back to the condo to have all the sex you want, in whatever position you want, wherever you want,” Laurel huffed. Jasmine cringed as Laurel took a moment to scan the dining area, presumably for their server. “Did they have to go to sea to catch the goddamn squid? My child will be born and suckling at this rate! Kudos on that pantry manoeuvre, by the way—I’m glad it wasn’t me that had to walk in on that action this time, but I’m pretty sure Hank’s going to have that one haunting him for a while, won’t you, sweetie?” She paused and Jasmine turned her eyes from Laurel to Hank in time to see him shudder as he took a sip from his beer, not meeting Jasmine’s stare. “But really, Jassy!” Laurel continued. “You two have lived together for what, a year and a half now. How can two people be that insatiable after a year and a half of cohabitation?”

  “Sorry about that, Hank. We tend to just…you know how it is when the mood strikes? And Laurel, if you recall, you two don’t answer your phones for as many as three days when Hank returns from his business trips. So don’t you give me a hard time. This is partially your fault, you know,” Jasmine finished with a smirk, throwing Laurel’s words back at her.

  “It is, isn’t it?” Laurel agreed, suddenly looking pleased with herself. “Well then, you’re welcome.”

  Jasmine looked at Hank incredulously at Laurel’s swift change in behaviour. Hank just shrugged, mouthing, “Hormones,” then glanced quickly at Laurel, as though to make sure she hadn’t caught. Jasmine stifled a giggle with another sip of her daiquiri.

  Ty returned to the table after what had seemed like a lengthy trip to the restroom. Jasmine couldn’t help but notice the number of women who ogled him as he made his way to the table. In those tan linen slacks and his casual, short-sleeved, ivory button-down shirt that highlighted his gorgeous bronze skin, he was the very definition of sexy. The difference now was that she was confident that he belonged to her and only her.

  “There was a line,” he explained, which piqued her curiosity.

  “Really? I thought that was a phenomenon reserved solely for women’s restrooms.”

  “Uh…yeah, I don’t know what to tell you. Have I missed anything?” He reached over the table almost absentmindedly to take Jasmine’s hand. She was a little suspicious at his odd behaviour, but at his touch she relaxed. Everything between them was so automatic, so natural.

  “Laurel’s starving and is going to pounce on our waiter and threaten to shank him if he doesn’t immediately produce her calamari,” Hank supplied.

  “Seriously, Hank? Are you really that intent on my kicking your ass to the couch tonight?”

  Just then, their server appeared with their tray of appetisers they’d ordered and a stack of small plates. Laurel snorted at the dainty plate placed in front of her, shoved it aside, and pulled the platter of calamari closer to her. She grabbed her fork, eyeing the pile of deep fried scrumptiousness greedily. “No one else wanted any of this, right?” she asked, not bothering to wait for an answer as she dug in.

  “No, that’s fine, puddin’, we’ll just share the sushi roll,” Hank deadpanned.

  “Eh, with the way she’s wielding that fork, I’m not so sure. I don’t want to lose a limb,” Ty hedged.

  “She can’t have the sushi or the raw oysters on the half-shell,” Jasmine said, reaching for the platter to serve some on to her own appetiser plate. “We’re safe with these, guys.”

  “Feel free to piss off, you three,” Laurel suggested around a mouthful of calamari.

  Jasmine chuckled then slurped down an oyster topped with a spicy sauce, looking up to catch Tyson grinning at her. “What?”

  “Oh, you know what they say about oysters. I’m debating getting another order.”

  “Positively not,” Hank chimed in.

  Ty winced. “Yeah, sorry about that, mate.” The way his eyes twinkled as he looked back at Jasmine, then winked at her, told her he wasn’t the least bit sorry, and really, neither was she. She felt bad for Hank for walking in on them, but damn, that had been fun.

  “Honestly, Hank, I thought you guys were gone for the afternoon. I see this half-naked stud in the pantry, and, well, my mouth just started to water. It was just supposed to be a blow job.”

  Their server arrived just then to deliver their salads, announcing their entrees would be following shortly. Jasmine didn’t miss his odd parting look.

  “What the hell is he looking at?” Ty growled.

  Apparently Ty didn’t miss it either, Jasmine thought. “The poor man just walked into a conversation about blow jobs. How is he supposed to react?”

  Ty scowled. “By keeping his eyes to himself.”

  “I get all that, Jasmine. But seriously, the pantry? That’s where our food goes. No more sexy time in the condo outside of your bedroom for this trip, okay?” Hank asked. “Ty? No offence, Jasmine, you’re beautiful, but I really don’t need to see anything like that again unless it’s on my computer or TV screen—OW!” He looked at Laurel, who apparently had just kicked him under the table. “What the fu—why’d you do that?” Jasmine found it adorable that he rarely swore at his aggravatingly hormonal wife.

  “You know why,” Laurel seethed, her eyes brimming with tears.

  Thankfully, their entrees arrived, providing a successful distraction for Laurel’s imminent crying jag.

  “How does an ‘innocent’ blow job turn into a stunning feat of sixty-nine in a four-foot by five-foot room? Dare I ask?” Laurel inquired, suddenly placated by the pu-pu platter that had been placed in front of her.

  “Your brother is rather…enthusiastic,” Jasmine offered lamely, wishing this topic would just pass.

  Ty suddenly had a mischievous gleam in his eye. “And Jassy gives amazing—”

  “Ty!” Jasmine admonished before he could finish his sentence.

  “It’s where the enthusiasm comes from.” He grinned, swiping a bite of her Mahi-Mahi.

  Hank snorted. “I’m amazed you didn’t get a cramp or a hernia or something.”

  Ty started to laugh, nearly spitting out his bite of kalua pork. “She’s not that heavy. We, ah, work out, Hank. Frequently.”

  Jasmine smiled to herself as she remembered Ty standing and holding her upside down by her hips, her mouth stuffed with his length while his tongue had worked her into a frenzy. She’d been mid-orgasm when the door had swung open to reveal a surprised, yet admirably composed Hank. He’d immediately closed the door, saying, ‘When you’re finished bring out a roll of paper towels, please.’

  “Jassy, your face is beet red,” Laurel observed.

  Jasmine smirked at her. “Just reliving that moment, sorry. Still a little embarrassed about that. And really, Hank, with the paper towels…” She giggled, despite it all. Jasmine had been mortified, but Ty had still had a raging erection so, once he’d placed her rightfully back on h
er feet, she’d bent forward, bracing her hands against a shelf, and had let him take her from behind. He had met his release quickly, bringing her along for another one as well.

  “Well, I noticed it didn’t stop you two from getting the job done, and you still forgot to bring out the paper towels,” Hank pointed out.

  Jasmine met Ty’s eyes, and he picked up her hand and kissed the back of it gently. “I’ve yet to fail at getting the job done.”

  “Ugh, okay, already. You two are almost enough for me to lose my appetite,” Laurel groused around a mouthful of semi-chewed food. “I love you, but damn—quit fucking in public family areas, and quit sharing the verbal play-by-play in front of me. I don’t need that mental image of you two. Ick. Now, pass the shoyu and let me eat my dinner in peace.”

  “Sis, has anyone told you how charming you are in all your bloated glory?”

  “Jesus, Ty, what are you trying to start here?” Hank muttered, shaking his head.

  Choosing to remain out of that particular fray, Jasmine dug in and ate heartily, stealing bites of Ty’s kalua pork while pretending not to notice him helping himself to her grilled Mahi-Mahi, and appreciated just how perfect the moment was. Beautiful weather, beautiful island, delicious meal, and her favourite people to share it with, including the love of her life—what more could a woman ask for? Jasmine had never before been so utterly content.

  Once dinner had been cleared away, Ty flagged the server and asked Jasmine if she’d like another cocktail before leaving.

  “I don’t know that last daiquiri was pretty strong.”

  “Come on, I’m gonna have one more, you should too. Hank? One more?” He turned to his brother-in-law.

  “Uh…sure. Yeah, I’ll have a beer.”

  “I’ll have a mai tai, and a mango daiquiri for the non-pregnant lady.”

  Laurel flipped off Ty. “And I’d like another one of those pineapple-orange-guava juices, please.”

  “I didn’t say I wanted one,” Jasmine argued as the waiter hustled off.

  “We’re on vacation, Jas, you may as well indulge.”

  A few minutes later, music began to play and some hula dancers came out to perform in an empty space in the middle of the dining area.

  “Oh cool, I didn’t know they did live shows here,” Jasmine said excitedly.

  Their server came back with their drinks, placing Jasmine’s in front of her with a strange smile. “Uh, thank you,” she said looking at him curiously, wondering what that was about. She looked down to pick up her glass and take a drink when something shiny caught her eye. “What is tha—? Oh my God.”

  Carefully attached to the little umbrella in her drink was a sparkling diamond ring. She looked up to find Tyson on his knee in front of her, the hula dancers now slowly swaying behind him to the soft music. The patrons in the restaurant had fallen to a hush to watch.

  “Jasmine, I have known you almost my entire life and have been in love with you for nearly half of it. In my eyes, the sun rises and sets on you, your smile is the reason I wake up every morning, and I find that I only fall in love with you a little more each day that we’re together. The day you decided to stop running and let me catch you for keeps was one of the happiest days of my life, but I’m hoping today will top that one.

  “Jasmine Leanne Montgomery, would you please do me the utmost honour of becoming my wife?”

  Jasmine’s eyes were wide and brimming with tears, and she glanced towards her best friend who was shedding tears unabashedly. Turning back to Tyson, she could feel her mouth moving to form words but none were coming out.

  So instead she just grinned and nodded.

  “Is that yes?” Ty confirmed with a hopeful smile.

  “Yes!” she managed around the lump in her throat, and Ty cupped her face and leant forwards to kiss her as the dining area exploded into applause.

  The music grew louder and faster and the hula dancers began to undulate their hips in a frenzy in celebration of the newly engaged couple of.

  Ty’s nerves were suddenly made apparent when he reached to retrieve the ring from her drink with trembling hands. “Oh my gosh, look at your hands, were you that nervous?”

  He laughed shakily, as a tear escaped from the corner of his eye. “You haven’t run from me in a long time, but yeah, I was afraid this would’ve given you cause to hit the road. Of course, you can’t get very far on an island. Why do you think I chose to do it here?”

  She shook her head, laughing softly. “I’m so done running from you, Tyson.” She held out her left hand so he could slide the ring onto her finger. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as the woman who wears it,” he said and leant forwards to kiss her again.

  They finished their drinks while Laurel ‘ooh’d’ and ‘ahh’d’ over the ring. Jasmine had to agree Ty had chosen very well, its platinum pavé setting was beyond gorgeous and exactly her style.

  “Jasmine! You’re officially going to become my sister, my child’s auntie!” Laurel practically squealed, throwing her arms around Jasmine. “I mean, you were always going to be an auntie to my future children anyway, but now…” Jasmine smiled dazedly as Laurel babbled in her excitement, now prattling about her turn at being maid of honour. “Don’t you dare call me matron of honour, either, it sounds elderly!”

  Hank slapped Tyson on the back. “Congratulations, bro, I told you she’d say yes. Now, you should just get married while we’re here, get this gal knocked up, then we can be miserable together!”

  Unfortunately for Hank, Laurel had just stopped talking and was hugging Jasmine again as he spoke, so she heard every word. Jasmine felt her stiffen and pull away, affixing such a look on Hank that surely he’d be dead if looks could kill.

  “Cheque please,” Ty called to the server.

  After dinner, they drove to their rented condo so Laurel could relax and put her feet up, and receive a very thorough apologetic foot massage from Hank. Jasmine was feeling a bit restless though, and not really ready to call it a night. She laced her fingers with Tyson’s and gave him a tug towards the door. “Let’s take a walk down to the beach. Do you mind? It’s such a nice night. I’m not ready to turn in just yet.”

  The beach was a mere ten-minute walk from the condo, and they strolled to it leisurely under the moonlight. Once they had reached the sand, Jasmine removed her sandals, carrying them in the hand that wasn’t being held in Ty’s. They began to walk again, heading towards the water’s edge.

  “Thank you,” Ty suddenly said.

  “For what?”

  “For saying yes. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world tonight.”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Jasmine laced her hands, sandals and all, behind his neck so that she could properly melt into his kiss. Even two years in, his kisses were a phenomenon that literally took her breath away.

  “That proposal was fabulous, with the hula dancers and all. I really appreciate the effort you put into it. It was perfect.”

  “I’m glad you thought so,” he said with a pleased smile on his face and kissed her again. “So, any idea as to when you’re ready to become Mrs Tyson Benedetti?”

  “Hmm…since Laurel will need to be my matron, sorry, maid of honour, I’d probably at least better wait until she’s given birth and allow her some time to lose baby weight before making her put on a bridesmaid dress. How does springtime sound? May?”

  “You’re gonna make me wait ’til May? That gives you way too much time to change your mind and run.”

  Jasmine shoved against his arm. “Jerk. Do you want to convince Laurel to squeeze her belly into a bridesmaid’s dress while pregnant, or shortly after giving birth? Because I sure don’t. And she has to be in our wedding. Other than the fact she’s my best friend and I was her maid of honour, her meddling in my love life is a major reason why you and I are together.”

  He sighed. “I don’t care what my sister looks like stuffed into a fancy dress, all I care about is making you my wif
e as quickly as possible. And she may be more game for the idea than you think, especially since she was just as eager to see us end up together as I was.”

  Jasmine chuckled and looked up at the large full moon that lit their walk from overhead. After a moment, she realised while she was staring at the moon, he was staring at her.

  “You look like an angel, in that white dress and your hair blowing in the wind,” he said, wrapping his arms low around her waist and pulling her body close to his. “What are you thinking about, beautiful?”

  “I’m thinking about a night on a boat on a lake about two years ago.”

  “I remember that night. I felt like I’d just won the lottery. And in a way, I had. The girl I’d thought was lost to me forever became mine…well, aside from a minor speed-bump,” he added teasingly, and kissed her.

  She pulled away, resting her cheek against his chest. “Obviously we were meant to be together. I mean what are the odds of you and I running into each other in that bistro? I’d never been there before that day. Fate certainly intervened.”

  “Remind me to send Fate a gift basket,” he murmured. “You know what? Let’s get out of here. I have a sudden and intense need to make love to my fiancée and I don’t think the beach in broad moonlight, while romantic, is the appropriate setting for this.”

  Jasmine crooked her eyebrow at him. “Romantic? Because let me tell you about sand in the vagina.”

  He burst out laughing. “Considering we’ve never fucked on a beach, I think I’d rather pass on that story. Let’s head back to the condo.”

  When they arrived, the place was silent and dark. Laurel went to bed early often these days and by default, so did Hank. They quietly crept up the stairs to their room, and no sooner was the door shut that Ty had her pressed up against it. She loved the feel of his firm body against hers, how he made her feel like the sexiest woman alive. He kissed her deeply, massaging her tongue with his, his hands grasping her ass before sliding down to the backs of her thighs to lift her legs up and around his waist.

  The change in position aligned his erection against her heat most favourably. Though the thin fabric of her dress and panties provided little barrier between the two, it was still too much. “Naked time,” she mumbled against his mouth. It had become their code for skipping the ceremony of sensuously removing each other’s clothes, instead shedding them as quickly and efficiently as possible.