Hitched: Spinoff from the Dark Romance Thriller Series: Edge and Whisper Are Getting Married

by Emma James

  Hell… it is normal to be in a relationship at my age.

  Why did I think I shouldn’t have a happily-ever-after?

  After my mother passed away, I was so determined to stand on my own two feet; I may have forgotten along the way that I, too, needed somebody in my life who could love me.

  Maybe I figured, if I didn’t love anybody other than Bowie, then the chance of getting hurt was a lot less. The universe could not be so cruel as to take my boy from me; it had already taken the only two other people who meant anything to me.

  Torque has been nothing but a gentleman all evening, but I find myself wondering what it would be like to have him throw me up against a wall and devour me.

  My Bowie-alert-system is now well and truly on the fritz. Being caught by my son, displaying any kind of PDA with the man he only met today, isn’t feeling so taboo anymore.

  I walled myself off from accepting any advances in the past, but maybe I was simply waiting for Torque to walk into my life.

  Maybe he is my destiny.

  “Sunflower… you in there?” My hands are gently resting on her hips while we watch Edge now dancing with Lily, and Boxer is dancing with Whisper to Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Flora, I asked you if you would like to dance once this song is over,” I murmur in her ear. “You were off in your head somewhere, no doubt analyzing this connection we have. How am I doing so far?”

  “What? Ooh… I’m having a wonderful evening. Thank you.” She’s not going to acknowledge my comment, which makes me smile to myself.

  “Will your PDA rule allow me a close chest-to-chest dance with you when all eyes will be watching?” Including Bowie’s.

  “Have you seen Bowie lately?” She looks around.

  “Last time I got us a drink, I enquired about his whereabouts and was told all the kids are playing in and around the teepee. Juan has set up beanbags and a movie with headsets to keep them all entertained as we move into the latter part of the party. I think his plan is for them all to drop off one by one after having their fill of dinner and a long, busy day. We can go check on him if you like?”

  We all clap when the song finishes, and Edge can’t wait any longer to pull Whisper back into his arms as the next song starts to play, and everybody heads for the dance floor.

  Flora slips away from the light grip I have on her hips so she can face me. “That would be great. And just for the record, I would love for you to hold me close for a dance.” She’s permitting herself to think about her needs for once.

  “So, you were thinking about our connection before.”

  She leans in and shocks me by whispering against my ear, “Maybe a little.”

  Well, look who is crossing that imaginary line into unchartered lands.

  I whisper back. “I think we may be heading into PDA territory, Sunflower.” I take hold of her hand and softly rub my thumb back and forth over it.

  She steps back, leaving her hand in mine.

  Then those pretty eyes of hers make a beeline for my lips. Her teeth bite down on her bottom lip, and if that doesn’t send a direct line down south.

  Fuck! She’s gorgeous.

  “You thinking you might be wanting that goodnight kiss from me tonight, darlin’?”

  “Um… I… um—”

  She wounds my ego as she deliberates the pros and cons of giving into what she desires.

  “And there you go thinking too hard about it. Bowie won’t see a thing. You have no idea how addictive you are, Flora Templeton. You can bring a man to his knees, begging for a chance to taste those lips of yours.”

  “Oh, my!” she says softly.

  “Yeah… oh-fucking-my, darlin’!”

  Still holding her hand, I steer us toward the teepee.

  Change of plans.

  “Quick, Presley! Here they come.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Masson have had their dance, and we have been waiting to see if Mom is going to dance with Torque, but instead, they head this way.

  We throw ourselves into the beanbags and tug on the headsets and the 3D glasses, pretending we’re watching the movie.

  Presley hides the binoculars down the inside of his beanbag before covering himself partly with a blanket.

  I think to make it more authentic; I’ll pretend I’m asleep.

  “Psst! Presley, I’m gonna method act I’m sleeping,” I whisper.

  “Okay, I’ll just look like I’m flaked out,” he whispers back.

  We’ve both been taking drama classes.

  I let my body go slack, knock the headset slightly off my head at an angle and relax my face muscles, dropping my mouth slightly open so I can breathe a little noisily and push my 3D glasses a little crookedly up my face.

  Harper is already asleep with her blanket tucked around her. She gave up around ten o’clock.

  We’ve been role-playing private investigators checking on all the guests with the binoculars for a bit of fun. We noticed my mother has been letting Torque into her personal space tonight.

  Mom makes googly eyes at the man when he’s not looking, which is not something my mother does.

  I was beginning to think she was one of those lesbians, which I would have been okay with because I love her and want her to be happy. Guys just didn’t appear to be her thing, but watching her tonight, Presley also agrees the two of them are into each other.

  Presley tells me he’s a good guy, and I saw that when he helped save me today. I did also see Mom sitting close to Torque at the wedding. They don’t think I noticed.

  I also made an excuse to Presley that I was thirsty and double backed to get a drink from the kitchen this afternoon when Mom and I arrived. I heard Mom and Torque talking, and Presley’s gramps and nana were finding things funny.

  Nobody saw me while I listened long enough to know that my mom was getting all girlie watching Torque with not much clothing on. She thinks he has a nice bum. Mom doesn’t usually think about men’s bums.

  That is when I had to make a run for it.

  Talk about awkward.

  I want to keep spying on them tonight, so we have to pull this off.

  Mom needs to have some romance in her life, and if this guy can make her happy like Mr. And Mrs. Masson, then I am all for her dating him, but I don’t have to let Torque know that. I want him to earn my approval because my mom means everything to me.

  I only want the best for my mother and if he isn’t the best thing to happen to her…

  … then I’ll be pulling a Code 43.

  We arrive at the kid friendly area to find them all passed out—hopefully for the next ten minutes, at least.

  “Sunflower, come with me.” I slip my hand back into hers and keep walking.

  She pulled her hand free once we got closer to the kids, and now I have claimed it back. She isn’t resisting, so that’s a win for me.

  “Torque... where are we going?”

  I look back at her as I lead us away from the kids. “To do something I’ve wanted to do to you all night, but you still owe me that dance afterward.”

  “Oh, my,” I hear her murmur.

  I spot Mathias close by talking with Jakob. Our eyes meet.

  Using two fingers I point at my eyes; then I aim them at the sleeping kids.

  Mathias nods in understanding.

  Then I hold up my palm showing five fingers and repeat that movement.

  He gives a thumbs-up, acknowledging my Marcel Marceau style message is received loud and clear.

  We walk away from the variety of vintage sofas and sofa style chairs to a darker, quieter area, then down the ground lit pathway.

  If you are quiet, you can hear the ocean waves from here.

  “Torque—?”

  “Sunflower, are you honestly going to question why I’m bringing you somewhere private? We’ve been playing this game all night. I said I would be a gentleman, but all night you’ve been driving me… well, let’s just say it has been really uncomfortabl
e playin’ by your only rule: No PDA.”

  “But we have been PDA-ing.” She sounds confused.

  I find a secluded spot, partly in the shadows, because the lights are at ground height, shedding enough light to reveal our silhouettes if somebody comes looking.

  I pull her close, so we are facing each other, both her hands clasped in mine, both my thumbs rubbing against her soft skin.

  The shadows afford her privacy, making it difficult to see her facial features, but I can make out her lips.

  “Sunflower, if you think we’ve been PDA-ing, then I’m about to show you what PDA-ing means in my world—except only the shadows will have eyes on us.

  “Now, with your permission, because I am breaking my rule of being a gentleman, I’m going to thoroughly kiss you in ways you have never been kissed before. You okay with that?”

  She licks her lips, and my groin sings Hallelujah.

  “Darlin’ you’ve been eyeing my lips up all night, wondering how they taste. Am I right?”

  “Yes.” That one word comes out all breathy.

  Fuck, she’s killing me with sounds like that.

  “Flora Templeton, I don’t want to just kiss your mouth, I want to kiss you in other places that will make you scream my name so loud you’ll think you can’t take any more.”

  “Oh… myy,” she breathes out.

  “But for now, let’s stay north and maybe another day I can make my way south and prove to you BOB is a very poor substitute for me.”

  I can’t be sure, but I think she just clamped her thighs together.

  “When I leave you tonight to your bed all by yourself, I don’t want BOB takin’ what is mine. I’m right here, willing and able to give you that release your body is craving, you only need to say the word.” I know she’s wound tight from the way her breathing has gotten heavier. We both need the valve released on this pressure cooker environment our bodies have been in since we met.

  “Now how ‘bout that kiss, Sunflower?”

  I gather Torque wants me keeping an eye on the boys because he’s sneaking out of the prom for some get-to-know-you time with Flora.

  I saw Bowie earlier watching his mother with Torque through the binoculars, and the next thing they are faking being asleep.

  That can only mean they are up to no good.

  And I just got my answer.

  They wait a minute to make sure the “coast is clear” before blankets get flung off, and the boys get vertical.

  “Excuse me, I just have to catch up with my nephew,” I say to Jakob, my mom’s fiancé, clapping him on the shoulder and shoving my beer into his hand.

  I hurry off after the boys.

  Oh, no, they don’t.

  I grab them both by the back of their vests, halting their nosy adventure because where they are heading is strictly not safe for kids.

  “What’s the rush, boys?”

  They both turn around, knowing I know what they are up to.

  “Erm…Uncle Matty, we were just—”

  “Yeah-nah… let’s give the adults some time to themselves for a stroll and to check out the twinkling lights while everybody else is dancing, without binoculars invading their privacy. Yeah?” But still full points for attempting to worm their way out of it.

  I place a hand on the back of each of their necks and steer them back to the beanbags. “They will be back in ten minutes. How about the three of us go see Happy and get ourselves a late-night snack. Sound good to you?”

  “Oookaaay.” Presley’s disappointed I put a stop to their spying, but he’s on board.

  “Bowie?” He’s stopped walking.

  “She’s my mom, and I’m all she has. I just want to make sure she’s in good hands with Torque, so I don’t need to be eating anything right now.”

  “Well, I can see your point as you are the only male in the house, and you want to protect your mother, but times are changing. Torque’s a good man, and your mother knows her own mind. Do you trust her to be a good judge of character?”

  “Yeah…”

  “Did Torque treat you fairly today?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What is your gut telling you about what your mom thinks of the man?”

  “Well, if Mom didn’t like him, she wouldn’t have sat next to him at the wedding, and she seems to be enjoying herself talking with him tonight,” Bowie admits.

  “Do you trust she can handle herself around a man like Torque?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I thought so. Are you hungry?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then what are we waiting for?”

  Oh. My. Gosh!

  I’m like a furnace about to explode, listening to the way he’s talking to me.

  “Yes,” the word rushes out.

  One hand gently cups the back of my neck, massaging it as his fingers dig into my scalp, the other cups my face.

  “Flora Templeton, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. It will be an honor if you will gift me ten minutes of your time for me to pleasure you.”

  Before I can reply, his lips are on mine, inviting them to open up, offering a slow, sexy promise of what is to come.

  I didn’t know if I would remember how to kiss, it’s been that long, but Torque makes it easy to follow his lead, letting our lips and tongues slide to and fro, up and down, round and round.

  I’m instantly aware of Torque’s delicious scent, which wraps itself around me in a seductive embrace, holding me a slave to his sexy mouth.

  Without shame, moans of desire mingle in the night air as the kiss heats up.

  My libido has woken up, and she wants more.

  I feel like something is washing over me, flowing through me. It’s like I’m dizzy, but I’m not.

  It only lasts briefly, but with its departure comes a sexual hunger gathering momentum.

  Whoa!

  A fire lights inside me.

  I’m breathless with anticipation, but at the same time, I fear my orgasm is going to be made of dust. It’s been that long.

  “Torque…” I manage to pant that one word out before inhaling some much-needed oxygen.

  “I know, darlin’...” I don’t think he does. He certainly wouldn’t need his privates spring-cleaned like I do. “This isn’t enough to cool the burn you’ve got going on inside you.” He’s got that right. “We’ve still got nine minutes I can use wisely—if you’re game?”

  His lips are back on mine, and all I want is to hose down my libido.

  It’s like something has changed in me—a veil has lifted.

  I respond by wrapping both my arms around his neck and take over the speed from sexy-Sunday-drive to drag-racing-Saturday. I’m consenting to so much more than a kiss when I slip my tongue farther into his mouth.

  “Darlin’, I’m gonna ask you to slide those little panties off and hand them over. I’ll give them back to you before we go back up.”

  “Why?”

  “Trust me. I know what you need, and I aim to please.”

  I strip them away from my body, folding the scrap of material in half, and hold them out to Torque. They disappear into a pocket, and then he’s pulling me into his arms.

  And that’s when things get much hotter.

  “Sunflower…” He curses under his breath. “The things I want to be doing to you right now… but we are at the party and—”

  “You talk too much.” I smash my mouth against his kissing him with a hunger I don’t quite understand.

  He’s right about me needing a release because I’m sexually frustrated. I may also have had a little too much champagne, and that is the excuse for my wanton behavior.

  I fully know what signals I’m sending out and what message I want to be delivered.

  His free hand slips under the skirt of my cocktail dress, rubbing circles across both bare cheeks.

  “Torque…” I’m begging for more. I don’t understand the change in me, but I am willing to take the ride. “I need more than kisses,
right now.”

  “Sunflower, are you sure about this? Because when I slip my fingers inside you, I will make you orgasm.”

  “God, yes!” I’m about to combust if I don’t get some relief.

  Right now, I don’t understand this version of me, but I like her.

  I feel sexy, something I don’t think I have ever felt, not even with Toran.

  “You don’t need to tell me twice. I’m happy to oblige,” Torque murmurs lazily against my swollen lips.

  “I need—”

  “I’ve got you covered, darlin’. I’ll help you slide your leg up over my hip, and I’ll get you to where you want to be.”

  His hand moves away from my neck, supporting my weight while one finger slips inside me.

  I moan.

  He curses quietly.

  “Jesus, Flora. You’re so wet for me.” His breathing grows louder. “This is why I am saving your panties for you. I don’t want another male at this party to know what we’ve been doing.” He moves his finger inside me, and all I want to do is climb him. “This scent is only for me.” Another finger fills me. “You orgasm—only for me.”

  Oh. My.

  Torque’s tongue makes slow love to my mouth while his thumb rubs me in places that take my breath away.

  I close my eyes, imagining his head buried underneath my dress, his mouth taking over from his fingers.

  “Sunflower, I’m about to show you why BOB is about to become your ex-boyfriend.”

  And then it’s like a lit match gets thrown on gasoline as he slips a third finger inside me and starts pumping them in and out, faster and harder while his thumb rubs my clit.

  “Oh, my… ooooh… myy,” I gasp out. I’ve never felt anything like it.

  I’m holding on, trying not to make any noises while my orgasm starts building.

  The music playing in the background drowns out my noises.

  “Torque… oh… god…” My orgasm pours out of me, making my leg shake, so I hold on tighter to his good shoulder.

  “I got you, darlin’. I won’t let you go until you come down from your ride.” His fingers slide out of me so he can support my trembling body.

  I rest my forehead against his chin when I can think straight again.