by Erica Lynn
“I could let you.”
His tongue eventually slowed to gentle caresses, then he made his way back up her body, kissing and nibbling her flesh as he went. As he lay down beside her, he slipped his fingers underneath her blindfold and pulled it off.
Stassi turned and snuggled into his side. “You’re amazing.”
He chuckled and ran his fingers through her hair, then pulled her in and gave her a gentle kiss.
“I mean it. You’re amazing,” she said again. Her heart felt heavy in her chest. “I love you. So very much. I don’t think I ever thought I’d be with someone like you.”
Alec leaned down and crushed his mouth to hers. “I love you, too. I have since the moment I saw you.”
She wrapped her hand around his neck and brought his mouth to hers again. She delighted in the feel of his soft lips against hers. The way his tongue caressed her body. Her mouth. She loved everything about this man. They, alone, were perfect.
“Jackson!”
Alec and Stassi both pulled away from each other and turned their attention toward the noise. Someone was pounding on the doors, one by one, making their way down the hallway.
“Jackson, I swear to God if you’re in there…”
“Is that Gigi?” Alec asked.
Stassi stood and quickly pulled her dress back into place as she walked to the bedroom door, then pulled it open.
Gigi was, in fact, going to each room and banging on the doors, yelling like a madwoman for Jackson.
Stassi jogged into the hallway and waved her arms in an effort to get her attention. “Gigi, what the hell?”
“Have you seen him?”
Stassi had never seen Gigi so disheveled. Her eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks streaked with tears. “No, I haven’t. Why would Jackson be here without you?”
Gigi ran her fingers through her hair and looked back over her shoulder. “Because he doesn’t care what I think, that’s why. He doesn’t give a shit if he makes an absolute fool of me. He only thinks about himself.”
Stassi couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It hadn’t been too long ago they’d all been out for Lacey’s birthday, and Jackson and Gigi had been the perfect picture of engaged bliss. “What are you talking about? The man is over the moon for you. Anyone can see that.”
“Gigi, is everything okay?” Alec closed the door behind him, then came to stand by Stassi. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Is LeAnn here tonight?” Gigi crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently.
“LeAnn? Who’s LeAnn?” Stassi turned toward Alec, her confusion only increasing when she saw his face had gone pale.
“I haven’t seen her tonight, no.”
“Who the hell is LeAnn?”
Gigi ignored her, speaking only to Alec. “She called him tonight and off he went, and now I can’t get ahold of him. I thought maybe they came here.”
Alec cursed under his breath, then placed his hands on Stassi’s shoulders. “She’s my older sister. I’ll explain it all later, but right now I need to call Jen. Okay?”
Stassi didn’t say anything, just went over all the information in her head. LeAnn was Alec and Jen’s sister. The one with the alcohol issues. The one they didn’t speak to. Why would she have called Jackson?
“Stassi, okay?”
“Yeah. Yes, okay. Go.” Stassi waved him off.
“I love you. I’m going to make the call outside. I’ll be right back.”
Stassi watched as Alec hurried down the hallway, and then he was gone. She turned back to Gigi, frustrated with her for having ruined their night with her bullshit, but kept her mouth shut when she saw her face. Gigi was…heartbroken.
“I knew this would happen.” Gigi sank down onto the floor, her knees pulled into her chest.
It was then Stassi noticed Gigi wasn’t dressed for the party. Instead of a black dress or skirt, she wore torn jeans and a paint stained grey top. “Why are you here?”
“I was with Jackson, and then LeAnn called, and he just…left. Like that.” Gigi snapped her fingers. “I’ve told him he can’t do those kinds of things. People will talk. It doesn’t look right. And if we want this to work…”
Stassi sat beside Gigi and brushed her hair away from her tear stained face. “Hey, it’s okay. Jackson would never cheat on you. Whatever is happening with LeAnn, Alec seemed to know what the deal was. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Cheat on me? Ha.” Gigi put her face in her hands and chuckled into them. “I’m not worried about Jackson cheating on me. He couldn’t.”
“I know, that’s what I said. He’d never do that to you—”
“No, no. Not that he couldn’t out of some moral code.” Gigi wiped underneath her eyes and looked back up at Stassi. “He couldn’t because we aren’t together.”
Stassi was trying to keep up with the conversation, but she didn’t know what to think. Gigi wasn’t making any sense. Should she call Lacey? “Gigi, babe, you’re engaged. I’d say that means you’re together. Remember that big engagement party your sister threw you? With lots of presents and all your weirdo friends?”
“Oh trust me, I could never forget,” Gigi said, bitterly. “Lacey has been on my ass about my choices for years. I’m not being responsible. I shouldn’t get another tattoo. Another piercing? No way. Purple streaks in my hair? Stupid. And now she decides to be sister of the year and support my decision?”
“She’s grown a lot, you know? Since Trent and the end of her marriage. The party wasn’t just a party. I think it was her way of telling you that no matter what, she’d be there for you. To be happy for you and celebrate you and Jackson. To recognize your engagement in a real way.”
She took in a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and then let it out. When she finally lifted her head, Stassi would have bet everything she had that nobody could ever find someone who looked as broken and defeated as Gigi. “That’s just it,” she whispered. “The engagement…Jackson…us. It’s bullshit.”
The End
Claiming Gigi Coming January 16th
Pre-Order links available HERE
About the Author
Erica Lynn lives in Houston, TX with her husband, daughters, and dogs. She considers the beach to be her happy place, and as fate would have it she fell in love with her husband after a day of sun and sand. She’s a self-proclaimed reality TV junkie, and especially loves The Real Housewives. In her fleeting spare moments, she loves to settle down with a nice glass of wine and a sexy book.
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Also By Erica Lynn
The FANTASIES UNMASKED NOVEL Series
Desiring Lacey
Craving Stassi
Claiming Gigi
The DARK & SEXY FAIRY TALE NOVELETTE Series
Gretel
Wicked Game
The LOVE AND JUSTICE NOVELLA Series
Her Husband’s Brother
Cuff Me
In the Shadows