Faster Hotter

by Colleen Masters

  “Spoken like a true PR whiz,” Bex winks.

  “I am lucky enough to have grown up with these two beautiful people. I’ve known Charlie since about the day I was born, and I’ve known Bex since we were both pretending to care about our freshman year school spirit exercises. Each of them has changed me as a person for the better, and I had the pleasure of watching them meet and fall in love.”

  “It’s all thanks to you!” Charlie says, wrapping his arm around Bex’s waist.

  “That’s true, you got me the job with Ferrelli,” Bex says.

  “I have a feeling you two would have found a way to each other, with or without my help,” I tell them. “You’re so well suited for each other. Like two halves of the same whole. And in a way, that’s how you’ll be from this day. Two parts of the same little family.”

  “Maybe not so little for long,” Charlie’s mom says hopefully, “A couple of grand babies would be—”

  “I just want you to know how much I love you,” I cut her off gently, “And how happy we all are for your happiness. I know that you’ll be as wonderful friends to each other as you’ve been to me. To Bex and Charlie!”

  “To Bex and Charlie!” the guests chorus, sipping their bubbly champagne.

  The newlyweds wrap me up in their arms, squeezing tight. When I first found out Bex and Charlie were together, I have to admit that it took me by surprise. But now, I can’t imagine them any other way. I know what it’s like to be in love with your opposite, after all.

  A hand-picked playlist starts piping over the Bishops’ sound system, and all of the guests can’t help but start dancing. We take over the living room, cutting as many rugs as we like. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had at a wedding, but I should have known it would be. No fancy venues or expensive add-ons could replace real, true love as the only part of a wedding that matters. Well...true love and the cake, perhaps.

  Enzo and I are moving through a big band swing number together, laughing at our sloppy technique, when Harrison lays his hand on my shoulder.

  “Mind if I cut in?” he asks my brother.

  “By all means,” Enzo says. That odd recognition I saw pass between my mom and Harrison is there again. What the hell is that?

  “You gonna show me how it’s done?” I tease Harrison, ready to keep on swinging.

  “Siena, I feel like such a moron,” he replies, “I completely forgot to grab our gift before we left the hotel.”

  “It’s OK, babe,” I say, trying to pull him into the dance, “We’ll get it to them tomorrow, no worries.”

  “Ah. No, no. They should really have it tonight,” he replies, edging toward the exit, “It’s traditional, after all.”

  “It’s really not a big deal,” I insist, “Stay here and dance with me.”

  “It’ll only take a minute,” he says, pulling me along with him, “Come with me. We’ll be there and back in a second.”

  “I really don’t want to leave, Harrison. It’s their wedding—”

  “Please, Siena?” Harrison asks, catching my hands in his. “It’s really important to me.”

  His eyes are roiling with excitement, I’m taken aback by their intensity. It dawns on me that whatever reason Harrison has for wanting to duck out has little to do with a forgotten gift. What’s he after? A little mid-reception booty call or something? I don’t think I can resist that, come to think of it.

  “OK,” I tell him, “Let’s go, then.”

  We slip out into the foyer, not bothering to tell anyone about our departure. It’s far sexier to sneak off, screw, and come back before anyone notices. It reminds me of the old days, back at the start of the F1 season. It’s crazy to think about the lengths we went to, to keep our relationship a secret. As if we thought it was going to be some casual fling.

  “Oh!” I exclaim, surprised to find a private car idling on the curb.

  “Yeah,” Harrison says, walking me down the steps, “I really can’t stand New York taxis, you know.”

  “I didn’t know that about you...” I say, cocking an eyebrow, “When did you call a car?”

  “Oh, before,” he says, pulling open the back door for me.

  “When you realized you forgot the gift?” I say, with a conspiratorial smile.

  “Exactly,” Harrison replies, sliding into the back seat beside me.

  I lace my fingers with his, turned on by how eager he was to steal away with me. I’d assumed we’d get back to the hotel for a good quick screw, but I’m not sure if I can wait that long. I think pregnancy must be messing with my hormones something fierce. I just can’t seem to control myself these days.

  “I think that this was a very good suggestion,” I say, my voice rich, “We wouldn’t want to leave Bex and Charlie high and dry in the gift department, would we?”

  “Siena,” Harrison says, his eyes intent on mine, “I, uh, sort of made that bit up, about forgetting the gift.”

  “Really?” I say, widening my eyes in mock surprise.

  “You’re one step ahead of me, aren’t you?” Harrison laughs bashfully.

  “What else is new?” I tease, “You know, you could have just told me what you were really after, instead of making up some story.”

  “I didn’t want to freak you out or anything,” Harrison says, taking my hands in his.

  “Nothing you could suggest would freak me out,” I laugh, “I mean, think about some of the things that have gone on between us, love.”

  “That’s true,” he smiles, gently kissing my forehead. Not exactly our usual variety of foreplay, but I’ll take it. “I can’t believe how much we’ve already experience together. How much more we’ll share.”

  “You’re damn right,” I say, cozying up to him.

  “I really never expected someone like you to come along,” he says, “I always figured I’d end up a miserable, drunk bastard with five ex-wives. You really surprised me, Siena.”

  “For what it’s worth, I figured I’d never find anyone worth sticking around for,” I tell him, freeing my hands to rest on his sculpted arms. “You surprised me too, Harrison.”

  “You figured I’d be a bad boy heartbreaker, didn’t you?” he grins.

  “Of course I did,” I reply, “To be fair, that’s exactly what you were.”

  “Until you came along,” he says, “I’m a new man since we met, Siena. Truly. You make me want to do things, experience things, that I never knew I wanted.”

  “Yeah?” I ask breathlessly, letting my hands slide down his hard torso.

  “Yeah,” he replies, swallowing hard. Do I have him that hot and bothered already? “I know that we’re not a very conventional couple, Siena, but I don’t want you to think that I love you any less for that.”

  “I know, baby,” I say softly, my fingers grazing down his tapered hips.

  “I’m just as committed, as devoted to you as I would be had we met some normal way,” he goes on. This is a lot more talk than usual from him, leading up to sex. Is he nervous or something? That doesn’t seem right.

  “I like that we didn’t meet some normal way,” I tell him, “This feels more honest. I mean, the fact that we’re about to do this in the back of a car—”

  “I know,” he laughs, “It’s crazy, isn’t it? But I thought it was sort of appropriate, given our history.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” I tell him, “Now come on. I can’t wait any longer.”

  I lift myself onto his lap, straddling him in my billowing blue gown. As I bring my lips hungrily to his, I spot a uncomprehending, shocked look pass across his face. I stop in my tracks, looking down at him with concern.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “What...What are you doing?” he replies.

  “I was about to have a quick screw with you in this here backseat,” I tell him, “Wasn’t that the plan?”

  His mouth falls open in a surprised little “O”. “You thought I was—? That we were—?”

  “Well, yeah,” I say, grinding my hips agains
t him ever so slightly, “Why, did you have something else in m—oww!”

  My thigh presses against something hard and sharp. I roll off of Harrison’s lap, taken off guard by the little jab.

  “What do you have in there, rectangular briefs?” I ask, confused. I reach for his pocket and slip my hand inside.

  “Wait—” he cries, but it’s too late. I’ve already snatched up the offending object. I open my palm and look down to see what it was that stabbed me, mid-hookup.

  And even though we’re speeding through the streets of New York City, the world hangs still. There in my hand is a small, black box with a golden clasp.

  “This...is this?” I ask, looking up at Harrison in astonishment.

  “Well...yeah. It is,” he tells me, trying to gage my reaction. “Is that...a good thing?”

  “I—You—” I stammer, completely at a loss.

  He takes the box gently from my hands. “I know, we haven’t really talked much about this,” he begins, his voice sure and even, “But the second it occurred to me, I knew it’s what I wanted. I hope that I didn’t assume wrongly—”

  “You didn’t,” I breathe, running a hand through my hair, “Not at all.”

  “Thank god,” he says, exhaling in a rush, “Because Siena, you’re the most important part of my life, and always will be. I’ve known it, I think, since the first time we really talked. You challenge me, and inspire me, and make me want to be a better person. Hell, you make me a better person.

  This is sudden, I realize. But I just couldn’t wait another moment. The time we’ve shared since the tournament, just living our lives together, sharing a home...it’s been unbelievable. I want a lifetime to share with you, Siena. And even then, I don’t suspect it will feel like enough.”

  My hand flies to my mouth as he opens the ring box. There, nestled in black velvet, is a staggering diamond, encased in intricate, elegant filigree. It looks like it belongs in a museum, or on the hand of a queen.

  “It’s my grandmother’s first,” Harrison goes on, “But I think it was made for you.”

  “Harrison, it’s stunning,” I say, “I...I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Maybe this will help,” he says, taking a deep breath, “Siena Lazio. I am hopelessly, unconditionally in love with you. Will you please do me the honor of marrying me?”

  I throw my arms around his shoulders, pressing my body to his. A thousand emotions clamor to be heard in my heart, but utter joy wins out in a second. I bring my lips to his, kissing him deeply, endlessly. He buries his hands in my hair, pulling me closer. The ring box falls down against the back seat, but I don’t much notice.

  “Siena,” Harrison says, pulling away for just a second, “You forgot to say yes.”

  “Yes!” I cry, kissing him once more, “Yes, yes—all of the yeses!”

  He snatches up the box and tenderly take the ring in his hand. My stomach turns a triple axel as he slips the beautiful piece onto my left hand. I stare down at the glittering diamond, amazed by how perfect, how right it looks there.

  “I love you so much, baby,” he says, taking my face in his hands.

  “This is the best quickie ever!” I cry, cuddling close to him.

  “I can’t believe that’s what you thought,” he laughs, “I do have other things on my mind, every once in a while.”

  “Clearly,” I beam, “Harrison, how long have you been planning this?!”

  “Since you left London this last time,” he tells me, “You walked out the door, and I realized how ridiculous it was for us to be in separate places. All I want is for you to be with me, every hour, every day. I realized that I couldn’t be without you. I didn’t want to be. I’m just glad you weren’t totally flummoxed. I mean, Bex said you wouldn’t be—”

  “Bex knew about this?” I exclaim.

  “Obviously,” Harrison says, “We are doing this in the middle of her wedding reception, after all.”

  “Does anyone else know?” I ask.

  “Why do you think your mother flew in?” Harrison smiles.

  “Is...is this what you and Enzo have been so cagey about lately?” I demand, “Is this what you were colluding about at the bar?”

  “I was...uh...asking his permission, that night,” Harrison says, “To request your hand.”

  I stare at Harrison, moved beyond words. He went to his former rival, his competitor, my big brother, to ask for his blessing?

  “I wish I could have asked your dad,” Harrison says gently.

  “I hope you know he would have been happy,” I tell him, resting my cheek against his shoulder, “He really did like you, Harrison. He would have been happy to have you as a son.”

  They word “son” catches in my mouth. I got so caught up in the moment of Harrison’s proposal that I forgot one very important detail that we have yet to discuss. My heart slams against my rib cage like a wrecking ball. This is it—the moment I’ve been trying and failing to plan for since that little blue plus sign popped up on my pregnancy test.

  I’d been wishing and hoping that Harrison would want to marry me on his own, that he wouldn’t feel pressured into it because of surprise pregnancy. But it turns out that he didn’t need any pressuring or pushing. He came to it on his own. He was honest with me about what he wants out of our life together. Now I have to be honest with him, no matter what.

  “Harrison,” I begin, “While we’re dealing in life changing events, here...there’s something I really need to get off my chest.”

  “Of course, baby,” he says, “What is it?”

  “Oh, man...” I laugh nervously, “I really can’t believe I’m about to start this conversation. I’ve been scripting it in my head for so long—”

  “I know the feeling,” he smiles, “You can tell me anything, baby. Go ahead.”

  “Well,” I go on, “There’s something I’ve been keeping from you, since the season ended. Not because I wanted to, just because I wanted the moment to be right when I told you.”

  “Is everything OK?” he asks, brows furrowing with concern, “You aren’t sick, or—?”

  “Far from it,” I tell him, “I’m...pregnant.”

  The word falls between us in all its permanence. The seconds that pass feel like centuries as Harrison takes in my news.

  “Baby?” I say tentatively, “What do you—?”

  But his lips stop my words as he kisses me, hard and fast. My every cell relaxes, the weight of my secret finally lifting. After all these weeks, he finally knows the incredible truth. I’m going to have our first child, and soon. And even better than that—he’s happy about it.

  “We’re having a baby?!” he breathes, elated, pulling away to look at my face.

  “We are,” I grin, “This is good news for you, right?”

  “Are you kidding?” he cries, kissing every part of me he can reach, “I’m going to be a father. We’re getting married. Things couldn’t possibly be any better!”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” I say, “I just didn’t want you to feel like you had to stay with me because—”

  “I could never feel that way,” Harrison says earnestly, “I’m definitely surprised, but it’s the best kind of surprise, Siena. This is what I want—I just didn’t expect it all to happen at once, is all.”

  “That makes two of us,” I laugh.

  The car slows to a halt, the Bishops’ townhouse standing just outside the window. Who knew that so much could happen in the course of one little drive?

  “Guess we have some news for everyone,” Harrison says, grabbing my hand.

  “A lot of news, I’d say,” I reply.

  “I hope you don’t mind too terribly that I didn’t invite my mother to celebrate with us,” Harrison winks.

  “I think I’ll live,” I tell him.

  We all but fly up the front steps and ease open the front door. I step inside with Harrison on my heels, and find the entire wedding party gathered in the foyer. Clearly, they’ve been waiting
for us to return.

  “I had to tell them,” Bex says breathlessly, “I couldn’t help it!”

  “Well?” Gus prompts, “Are you guys—?”

  “We’re engaged!” Harrison announces, slinging his arm around me.

  The room erupts into a happy din as everyone closes in around us. Hugs and kisses rain down until I can’t keep track of who they’re coming from. We’re surrounded by love, basking in it. I won’t forget this moment for as long as I live.

  “Congratulations, Siena,” Enzo says, kissing the top of my head.

  “Thank you for giving your blessing,” I tell him, squeezing his hand, “It may not seem like a lot, but it means everything to me.”

  “I wouldn’t have given it if I didn’t believe that Davies is good enough for you. Well. No one’s good enough for you, but he comes pretty damn close.”

  “My baby’s getting married,” my mother sighs, cutting in on Enzo, “And did you tell your husband-to-be the other good news?”

  “He’s all caught up,” I smile.

  “What other good news—?” Enzo starts, looking suddenly alarmed.

  Bex bounds over, brimming with excitement. “We’re going to be married ladies together!” she squeals, “Siena, can you believe it?”

  “Not really,” I tell her honestly, “This whole thing feels like a dream.”

  But it’s not a dream. Harrison and I are going to be husband and wife. Parents, too. And even though my life is about to change forever in the face of this news, I’m not afraid. How could I be, when I have Harrison here beside me? It’s going to be a wild ride, this next stage of our life, but if anyone can handle it, it’s us. We’ve always made quite the team, after all. And what are a husband and wife if not perfect teammates?

  We celebrate well into the morning hours together, until Bex and Charlie say farewell and take off for their honeymoon. The rest of us part ways at last, head off to our beds for some well-earned shuteye. I can’t keep my eyes off my new ring, the gift from my new fiancé. That’s going to take some getting used to.

  Harrison and I collapse into bed the second we make it back from the hotel. With our arms wrapped around each other, we drift off to sleep. My dreams that morning are the brightest I’ve ever had.