I caught her watching me from the lens of her camera. I flashed her a wink. From the way she hurried back to the inn, I was sure I caused her to blush. I might be the only man to have ever had that privilege.
This morning's conversation left her with the expectation that she was to seduce me. I had no intentions of keeping her to that bargain. I had always been the aggressor. The one to do the seducing, not the one to be seduced. Even if that was her original intention, we had already gone beyond that. I planed to enjoy the little game of cat and mouse.
Richard slapped me on the back. “Shit Jackson, you didn’t corrupt my wedding photographer already, did you?”
My poker face completely failed me. I shoved my hands in my pockets. Rocking on my heels I looked away, like I got caught with my hands in the cookie jar. Which I totally did.
Aleksander piped in, “I know that look, this is more than playing poke the photographer. What are you not telling us, Jackson?”
My plan was to pursue a relationship with Angelic beyond this weekend. The guys were going to pry it out of me eventually. I saw no point to in dragging this out.
“Angelic is Angel.”
The loud collective gasps reminded me of my mother's soap operas. The part where the main character reveals a secret that only the audience was aware of.
Aleksander’s mocking tone added to my embarrassment. “You kept calling her your guardian angel and you had no fucking clue her name was actually Angel? I’m not sure if I should laugh at the irony of it or slap you for the stupidity.”
The confused look on Aaron's face prompted me to give him the CliffsNotes version. I forced a swig of Scotch down my throat, preventing the bile from rising with the acknowledgement of what I had allowed to occur.
The wasted years that could have been spent getting to know each other.
Would she had joined the Army? Most likely not. She could have been spared all that pain. But that pain, those experiences, made us who we were today. I couldn't go back and change what I did or did not do. I could only move forward.
Aaron’s question pulled me out of my own head. “What do you plan to do about it?”
That was easy. “I plan to make her understand we were meant to be together.” Immediate laughter ensued. I crocked an eyebrow, not understanding the joke.
“Are you up for a little advice?” Aleksander snarked.
Hell, why not? Here were three men who not that long ago lived the lifestyle I currently did. Now they have all settled down, and I had to admit I had never seen both Richard and Aleksander looking happier.
I had only met Aaron recently, but the way he looked at his redhead, the way she looked at him, I wanted that. I wanted to have that with Angelic and I wanted it back from her.
Shit, I was turning into a fucking romance novel.
“Go for it,” I tipped my drink and waited for the words of wisdom.
Aleksander raised his glass. “Be prepared to make compromises. Just because you believe this is fate and you belong together, remember, she had a life before you came along.”
A unison of “hear, hear” was cheered and we all took a drink.
Richard raised his glass. “Do not embarrass her in public.”
Another round of “hear, hear” as we took a drink.
Aaron raised his glass and paused. “Be honest. Let her know what you want from her, and what you want for her.”
“Hear, hear.”
Aleksander filled our glasses. “Now a toast before we head out.” He raised his glass. “Goodbye to opportunist exes who write tell all books about your sexcapades, real and fiction.” He pointed to Richard, “Your turn.”
“Goodbye to crazy exes with restraining orders who crash your birthday party and tell the woman you love you name all your designs after your latest conquest.” He put his hand up, stopping us from taking a drink. “On the night you're announcing your latest design named after her.” Richard ran his fingers through his hair. With a chuckle he added, “God, I almost can't believe that gorgeous wonderful woman agreed to marry my fucked up ass.”
“You want fucked up,” Aaron started, then he took a large gulp then raised his glass. “Goodbye to supposed fiancées with less than impeccable timing. The look on Katie’s face when she thought I was engaged to Beth…” His fist clenched. “I swear I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life making sure I never see that look again.”
I was amused at the anecdotes meant to be some sort of cleansing ritual between these men. “Wow, I should be grateful the only skeleton I have is that I fucked a few too many women.”
“Just be sure none of those women decide they want to fuck with you or it could be game over before it even begins.” I had forgotten about Richard’s father sitting quietly, listening in on our conversation. “Now, with all our demons behind us, let us go make an honest man out of Richard before Mackenzie wises up.”
The wedding gazebo sat at the end of the dock on the east side of the island. I took my seat on the groom's side and watched Angelic at work. It was hard to focus on anything other than her. She was wearing a soft blue dress that landed slightly above her knees.
The front had lace with a high halter-style collar. She hid her toned arms with a quarter length sleeve. If I had not seen those naked arms already, I wouldn’t be aware of the power behind them, the curve of her muscles that allowed her to pin me down so easily.
She turned her back to me. All the air escaped my lungs as the plunging back came to a perfect V that stopped short of her perfect curvaceous ass.
There would definitely be some seducing this evening. I knew what laid beneath the lacy blue fabric. That did not still my imagination. I couldn’t wait to see what other treasures await under that dress. Was she wearing any undergarments? I didn’t see any bra straps or panty lines. Suddenly, my own clothing seemed constraining and restrictive.
I wanted this wedding ceremony done quickly so I could take Angelic to my bed and rip her dress from her body. She planned her seduction perfectly, including ignoring the fact that I was sitting, watching her.
I remembered watching her work when we were in the lighthouse, her focus to the project unwavering. She carried that same professionalism today. Was that what enthralled me about her this deeply? She had to know I would be watching her, yet there was not a hint of nervousness in her appearance.
I noticed my photographer’s camera sitting on the chair beside me. I picked it up and zoomed in on Angelic’s sexy back. I wanted a picture of this for me. As I zoomed, I caught her take a glimpse over her shoulder in my direction. I quickly snapped a picture of her profile giving me a seductive smile. It was barely a second; I hoped I captured it.
Reviewing the photo, I was pleased I captured her at the perfect moment. I noticed a small smudge of something on her back. A birthmark, perhaps? How could I have missed that?
I thought I had been over every inch of her body. I would have to make a mental note to pay more attention. Take my time to inspect those very sexy shoulders closely this evening when she was lying naked, writhing beneath me.
The sunset ceremony, the first dance, the cutting of the cake, she captured all of it, continuing to be sultry and svelte, mesmerizing and flirty. The bride and groom finally made the announcement that they were heading out to begin their honeymoon.
My heart skipped in anticipation. This meant Angelic’s duty as wedding photographer was officially over. I had not been able to take my eyes off her all evening. Now I could finally get my hands on her as well. I was not sure I wanted to wait for her to attempt to seduce me. We had wasted enough time apart already.
Angelic slowly swayed my way. Standing in front of me, she turned around and nodded to the DJ. A ballad began. “I think they're playing our song.” She took my hand and led me to the dance floor.
I was powerless against her charm.
The minute I set my hand on the small of her back and touched her soft delicate skin, a groan escaped my throat. I pulled her hip agai
nst my groin, proof her subtle seduction had been a huge success.
“I really like this song,” she expressed with a sigh as she laid her head into my chest and wrapped her arms around my neck.
The tune barely registered the minute I touched her. I listened closer. It was a ballad from one of my favorite rock bands, Get bent.
“You’re a Get Bent fan?” My surprise at her choice of music amused her.
“Yes, the guys like to hang out at a club I know. It’s nothing like The Swan. Which I’m sure is more your standard.” I caught the slight tone of distaste in her phrase.
“I would like to take you to The Swan. You might find you like it.”
“I did a bachelorette party shoot there, it’s not really my thing.”
“You might like it if you were with the right company. You might find you like a lot of things with the right company.” I was beginning to wonder who was supposed to be seducing who.
“Do you like my dress?” Her question caught me off guard.
“No.” I leaned in to graze the soft curve of her neck with my teeth.
The corners of her mouth tilted upwards. “Then why have you been staring at it all evening?”
“Because I fucking love your dress. What I’m going to love more is the way it falls off your body when I get you alone.”
Her bold laugh broke the sexual tension that had been brewing all day.
“Would you be a gentleman and assist me with bringing my camera equipment back to my room?” The request was an unspoken promise.
I recalled telling her I wanted her to seduce me. The logical assumption would be that she would entice me to her room. If I had my way, we would christen every room in that inn before the end of the weekend. Tonight, I would settle for her room.
We made our way back to the North Side Inn in her car. The air was thick with anticipation. My vision blurred at the thought of what laid under that dress. Appreciation of her involvement as a lover overcame me.
The longer the silence remained, the more I felt every beat of my heart, heard every beat of my heart. It was practically jumping out of my chest.
We reached our destination and she slowly took her time reaching for the camera bag. “I only need this, the rest of the equipment can stay in the trunk.” Her voice was calm, like she had all the time in the world.
She handed me the bag, took my hand and led me towards the stairs. Releasing my hand, she made her way to the swing on the porch. I was so hard I thought I would explode the minute she touched me, and she wanted to sit on the swing?
This was her seduction, I had to let it play out. I took a seat beside her, thighs touching. She laid her head on my shoulder.
“You weren’t much of a challenge,” she teased.
“Did you think I would be the minute I saw you in that dress?” I knew at this point my lust was overpowering.
“Can I ask you a favor?” I was afraid she changed her mind and keeping me out here talking was her way of stalling.
I quickly recalled the events of the day. I wanted to be sure I didn’t do or say anything that would have her backing out of our deal.
I couldn’t come up with anything. Did something happened with her today? I hadn’t talked to her since this morning.
Was it over before it even began?
Chapter 16
Angelic
“Can I ask you a favor?” He had been patiently waiting while I played out this seduction slowly, evident by the strain on his face and his well fitting trousers. The sexual tension was thicker than the fog that rolled off the ocean this late in the evening.
I laid my fingers behind his ear and gently scratched, coaxing a forced growl from somewhere within his chest. “You know when you touch me there, like that, I’ll give you anything you want.” He made no attempt to stop me just the same.
I did know. It didn’t take me long to discover his weakness and use it to my advantage. Tonight was not about getting him into my bed. Not any more. Tonight would be about having him in my life.
I cupped his face in my hand and turned his head to face me. Those piercing blue eyes were full of lust and desire. “Will you promise that when I get you upstairs to my room, you won’t ruin my new dress when you rip off my body?”
His wicked smile and panty melting glare bore through me. “How about I just buy you a new one?” He grabbed my hand, ushering me towards the door.
I stopped him in his tracks. Innocent and doe eyed, I stared up at him. ”I like the way you look at me in this one.”
One arm slid across my back, the other below my knees. He had every intention of carrying me to bed.
”If we have to look in every store on the planet, I promise to find one just like it. In fact, I insist we buy every fucking one on the market.”
“Jackson, don’t forget my camera bag, “ I squealed.
He turned, grabbed the bag and made a beeline for my suite. He put me down in front of the door. I took out my key and fumbled with the lock.
“Are you trying to kill me, Angel?” His breath against my neck served only to enhance my arousal.
Who was that girl who just giggled? I didn’t giggle. I hadn’t giggled since, never.
How was he able to break through all my walls? This had gone far beyond anything I hoped for. I wanted him to know everything about me. I had told him more in one weekend than I’d divulged to anyone except Liam. And that had taken months of therapy before I trusted him.
The heat resonating off Jackson had me panting before we made it through the door to my bedroom. His masculine body pushed my small frame further into the room. I took the camera bag dangling from his broad shoulders and set it on the dresser.
The man's presence filled the room, removing all lingering doubts. We had been together twice. A connection born out of hunger, need and lust.
Tonight was about an emotional bond with the promise of a future.
I closed my eyes and melted into him. His soft caress brushed against my skin. Slipping my dress off my shoulders, he grazed the flesh along my collarbone. He sucked, nibbled and sank his teeth into my tender flesh, marking me, claiming me.
I didn’t care if I had to wear a scarf around my neck for the next month to conceal the desire he possessed me with. I wanted all he had to give.
There was a careful precision in the way he undressed me. Slowly, like unwrapping a cherished present. Every touch, every action, a reminder that tonight he would be making love to me.
My dress fell to the floor, leaving me standing in my underwear. Jackson stepped back, completely mesmerized. Mission accomplished. That was the reaction I hoped for when I went in search of the perfect outfit.
I blushed as he slowly drank in the sight of my nearly naked body standing before him.
“I wanted to take my time tonight, Angel. I swear to God.”
The man was a master in prowess. In one swift move, I laid naked on the bed watching him undress before me. My mouth watering as he removed his clothing, revealing taut abs and a muscular physique.
Lacing his fingers in mine, he stretched me out beneath him, his powerful body hard on top of mine, at contrast to the soft mattress below. I was totally engulfed by him. Surrounded by everything that was Jackson.
I should have been panicking. I was closed in, trapped under his enormous body. His gorgeously aroused, very enormous, body. My only comprehension was the soothing calm taking me over. Those piercing blue eyes locked on me through the entire process. Never wavering, always focused, like nothing or nobody existed outside this room.
Outside this bed.
His soft sensual mouth continued its exploration of my body, never forgetting to return to make eye contact. Watching, gauging my reaction to every one of his actions. His focus completely consuming me.
I was lost in a sea of piercing blue. Unrecognizable thumping. My heartbeat or his? Perhaps both synchronized, beating as one. Cocooned by his strength, his magnetism, his love. I never had to be afraid again. Not as lo
ng as I had him.
“Jackson?”
“Yes, Angel?” His mouth released my body to answer, sending a shiver down my spine. Why did I let him remove those warm succulent lips?
The burning need to reconcile these emotions overtook my desire to be possessed. “Is this what being in love feels like?”
His breathing slowed, his answer a question of its own. “Are you having trouble breathing?”
“Yes.” It came out in a whispered cry.
“Are you having trouble thinking clearly, like nothing makes sense except being here, with me?”
“Yes.”
“Then yes, Angel, I believe you are in love.”
“Oh.” I sighed as he continued his meticulous stimulating assault on my skin with his lips.
He quickly halted, hovering above me, releasing my wrist to prop himself up on his elbows. “Oh… That’s it?”
My fingertips had a mind of their own as they relentlessly reached for his sweet spot with urge. He quickly clasped my hands in his.
“I’m not a puppy, Angel, you can’t keep using those bewitching fingers to distract me.”
“Are you sure?” I chuckled.
Every time his lips brushed against my skin, I shuddered with an erotic need to have him take me. Yes, the sex had been phenomenal between us. This current need to feel owned spiritually superseded any physical lust.
In his own sweet sarcastic tone, nudging the hair from my neck, he breathed into my ear. “Do you want me to say it first?”
Biting on my lower lip, I contemplated his question. Did I want him to say it first? Would that make it real for me? Was that the encouragement I needed to express my feelings?
“Yes, please.”
“Please.” His mouth curved upwards into his wicked grin. “Since you asked so nicely, I have always loved my Angel.”
I lowered my eyes to avoid him seeing the pain behind them. Of course he had. The same way I had always loved the idea of what might have been. I had hoped to push past the facade that sat on the surface. I had hoped he would reciprocate the feelings I had for the man with me. Not the man I thought he was, but the man I knew he could be.
Womanizer Heir (The Heirs Book 4) Page 9