by Olivia Devon
“No. I’m fine.” She shook her head. “Just a little run down.” She shivered again and laughed. “Maybe I’m just cold.”
“Here.” Jack took off the suit jacket he’d been wearing and draped it over Tessa’s shoulders, then rubbed her arms to warm her. She sighed and leaned back into him, her hair brushing against his chest. He could feel her warmth through the thin fabric of his shirt. Everywhere her body pressed against his, he tingled. The scent of her, sweet and spicy and so very sexy, warmed the air around them and he inhaled deeply, trying to savor her scent.
“Jack?” she said softly, and he immediately felt guilty. She was married, and one of his closest friends, and just…totally off limits.
“Yes?” he asked quietly, hoping his voice sounded steadier to her ears than it did to his.
“Do you believe in soul mates? Love at first sight? All of that romantic stuff?”
“Yeah why not,” he said, clearing his throat. “For some people.”
“Just some people?”
“Sure, like Wyatt and Jinx. Wy says it was love at first sight for him, and I believe it.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “You can tell just by watching them that they’re the real deal. Probably be married for fifty years or something.” She laughed, and Jack heard the cynicism in the sound, the undercurrent of sadness.
“Hey,” he said, turning her to face him. “What’s going on?”
Tessa shook her head and wiggled out of his hands, turning back to the ocean she walked to the edge of the deck and set her mug on the railing.
“Tess.” Jack thrust his hands in his pockets and eased up behind her. “Talk to me. I’m right–”
“I’m getting divorced,” she said, the words coming out in a rush.
“Oh my God. I had no idea. I thought–”
“Nobody knows yet.” Tessa turned to face him. “And you can’t say anything. Not even Anton knows.”
“I don’t understand.” He frowned and tilted his head, studying her. “You’re getting divorced but your husband doesn’t know?”
“No. Because I just decided. Five minutes ago, when I called him in Las Vegas for about the six hundredth time and this time, instead of turning over to voice mail, a woman answered his phone. A woman that claimed to be his girlfriend.”
“Tess I’m so sorry.” He moved towards her and she held up her hand to keep him at bay. She fumbled around behind her for the tea mug. When she found it, she raised it to her lips, gulped, and set it back down with a clatter.
“Just listen,” she said, her voice raspy. “Just stand there for a sec and listen because I have something to ask you and I just don’t want to lose my nerve.”
“What?” he said, his brow knitting with concern. “Yes, just whatever it is you need. Yes, Tessa. Always. You know that.”
“No. Don’t say that,” she said glancing up at him, a quiver in her voice. “Don’t say yes when you don’t know the question yet.”
“Tess,” he said with a sigh. “Just–”
“I want you to have sex with me,” she blurted. “No, scratch that. I want to fuck.” Her voice grew louder. “Nasty, filthy, totally crazy…I want you to fuck me Jack. Just fuck the hell out of–”
He was on her in a flash, one hand around her waist and the other pressed over her lips. “What the hell, Tessa?” he said, his gaze scanning over the deck. It was empty, they were alone, but that didn’t mean someone inside hadn’t heard her. “What’s gotten into you?” he said again, sliding his hand from her mouth he stared at her, stunned.
“I’m sorry,” she said, a sob in her voice. “I just…maybe it’s the rum.”
“Rum?” His gaze darted to her now empty mug. “I thought that was tea?”
“Rum,” she said again, shaking her head. “I was sad. So I drank rum.”
“Sweetheart, it’s six a.m. We’ve got a wedding to put on this evening, and you’re drunk?”
“The dress is finished,” she said, and Jack noted that her s’s were a little slurry. “Don’t worry about that. It’s fucking amazing, if I do say so myself, and I’d like to remind you.” She pointed at him, then hiccupped, her cheeks flushing. “S-sorry. But I’ll remind you that Anton had nothing to do with this dress, you are all witnesses to that. It was all me.”
“Yes.” He nodded, watching her warily. “All you. No one can doubt that. Now I think we need to get you to bed.” Jack took her hand in his, picked up her mug from the railing, and started to lead her inside.
“Oh wow,” she said, her tone full of awe. “We’re really gonna do it?”
“What?” He whipped around, and gaped at her. “No! Tessa no.” He shook his head, and blinked at her, words failing.
“Why not?” She glided into him, that curvy petit body molding against him, warm and soft and so very willing.
“Because,” he said evenly, working hard to steady his voice, steady his pulse. “We’re friends. Good friends. I’d never–”
“But I feel like it’s always been there, this magnetism,” she said, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. “This attraction between us. I think you want me, Jack. And right now I really need to feel wanted. Please…” There was that tongue again, pink and eager, her lips were parted just a hint, full and ripe and just begging to be – His head seem to lower on its own. “Please,” she whispered again. He let go of her hand, slipped his arm around her waist, drew her body up tight against his, and lowered his head a little more.
That mouth, so plush, and oh so close. He closed his eyes, felt the barest whisper of her soft lips against his own, and arousal jolted through him like a thousand volts. His cock was steel against her hip, and he could tell by the way she moaned and grabbed his arms and then swiveled her hips in response that she could feel it too. And she wanted it. Wanted him.
Every muscle froze. He didn’t dare move. Didn’t dare breathe. Didn’t dare deepen this kiss, even though it was all he’d ever wanted in his life. To plunder that mouth, thrust his tongue…his… He. Didn’t. Dare.
“Please, Jack.” She breathed against his lips. “Fuck me.”
The smell of rum hit his nose, and the spell was broken.
Not like this.
“Jack,” she pleaded.
He pushed away from her, stumbling over his own feet. The mug popped from his grasp and clattered over the rail, smashing into pieces and shattering the moment.
“Hey! What the fuck!” Aiko’s voice sounded from below them. “You nearly hit me! Jeez–”
He scrambled to the edge of the deck, leaned over and waved for her attention. “Aiko! It was me. Sorry. An accident. You okay?”
“Yeah I’m fine but mind the fucking pottery would you? I’m in no mood for a concussion thank you very much.”
“Right. Sorry again.” He pushed back, ran a hand over his face and then squared his shoulders, ready to face Tessa again, to explain to her why this couldn’t happen. Ready to lie if he had to, to make her understand that they could never be together. Best friends? Always. Soul mates. Probably. Love at first sight? He’d never believed in it, until he’d met her.
But lovers? Never.
He cared too much to ever do that to her.
“Tess,” he said, turning around. “We can’t…” but the words died on his lips.
She was gone.
Chapter Six
The Big Day
When Wyatt woke up on Saturday morning, it was with a smile. The past few nights without Jinx had been torture. But this cruel and unusual exile would soon come to an end, because tonight, finally, they were going to be married.
Jun, his sweet, beautiful, loving, supportive, sexy woman was about to be his–
Wyatt’s phone buzzed with a text. He picked it up and tapped the screen awake.
Jinx: Ha! Ha! What’s up LOSER? UR about 2B chained to me 4 LIFE. No new pussy for U eva again.
He sighed, and texted back.
Wyatt: Already into the rum I see. Give your phone to Aiko please.
&n
bsp; The phone rang with a video call and Wyatt picked up. Aiko’s face filled the screen.
“I didn’t do it,” she said.
“Bullshit.” Wyatt frowned. “I’m not happy, Aik. You know she basically turns into you when she’s drunk.”
“Yeah.” Aiko sighed heavily. “I know. Sorry.”
“I am not. Marrying. You. The mere thought is absolutely–”
“Repulsive and disgusting, and if you’d accidentally overdosed on poison you could just imagine having sex with me to empty your own stomach. Yes. I know Wyatt. And I repeat. It was not me. I did not give her rum.”
“Then what the hell? Is she having cold feet or something?”
“No!” Another face wobbled into view. It was Tessa, the dress designer. Her hair was sticking up in funny angles and her eyes were red-rimmed, her nose raw. “I gave her the rum, Wyatt, or rather she insisted on joining me in a commisera-com-commiss-arestory.”
“Commiseratory drink?” Wyatt said, frowning with concern. “You okay Tessa?”
“Oh pssshhhhhhh.” The woman blew raspberries for an overlong period of time, then seemed to blink herself alert again. “Yeah I’m fine,” she shout-whispered. “Fine! You know you got a good one there. Jinx? She’s the best!” Tessa did a thumbs up, and then pressed her thumb to the phone, blocking the camera for a moment. Wyatt heard Aiko murmuring words of comfort and the thumb disappeared. The screen was empty for a few moments and Aiko came back.
“Listen bro, I’ve got your back. Jun is fine. Tessa is not. She’s fucked up about something. I think she and Anton are on the outs. Sis was being sympathetic and didn’t remember that she’s the world’s lightest lightweight and had literally a thimble of rum before her morning oatmeal and is now the Mayor of silly town.”
“Fucking-A.”
“Relax. The wedding’s tonight. It’s not even noon yet. I’ll have her sobered up in no time.”
“Well yeah but that doesn’t help me now,” he pouted. “I was going to steal her away for a bit, spend a few last unmarried minutes together.”
“The hell you were!” Aiko glared at him. “The Moms would kill you for it. You are to stay away from her mister, until you see her walking down that aisle.”
“Aw c’mon! That’s so messed up!”
“It’s fucking romantic!” Aiko shouted. “Now leave me alone so I can go take care of these trashy bimbos and then eat my goddamn breakfast.”
“Jeez. Fine.”
“I’m the younger sister!” Aiko hissed at him. “I’m not supposed to have to adult. You know I hate adulting. This is so not ok–”
Wyatt hung up, fell back onto the bed, and ran a hand through his hair.
Another whole day without his beloved. How was he supposed to get through this?
Maybe rum wasn’t such a bad idea.
Wyatt wasn’t getting any rum. No whisky, wine or other spirits either. In fact, he was damn lucky to get a simple glass of iced tea. Malcolm had come to retrieve him halfway through his mid-morning nap, and he’d spent the better part of the day helping out whoever he could, wherever he was needed.
He’d assumed it was all done. Isn’t that why they’d worked their asses off for two whole days? But as he found out, he’d assumed wrong, and apparently weddings were total time sucks, because there was still a ton of work to do. He spent hours unloading trucks, stacking chairs, and being generally useful.
Then he spent another hour catching up with a few guests that had arrived early. Since the venue was changed on short notice, Jack had thoughtfully arranged transportation for anyone that needed it. Limos, helicopters, even a few party buses rolled down the long, private drive to Bryce’s house into the pavilion where they’d be holding the reception later. Right now it was set up as a temporary area for guests arriving early.
“Where are all these people gonna stay?” Wyatt asked Jack when they were standing in the doorway of the pavilion together sipping some well-earned iced tea.
“Aiko and Malcolm polled the guests, via phone and email, and asked who might need accommodations. We’ve found something for everyone that needs it. Bed and Breakfasts, hotels etc. Some opted to take the chopper back to the city. Others are staying with friends.”
“That’s great.” Wyatt clapped Jack on the back and smiled. “I hope you know how much I appreciate all this.”
“Of course,” said Jack. “You’re not only family, you’re one of my best friends.”
“Glad to hear you say that,” Wyatt said, arching a brow. “Because I’m gonna need you to stand up with me, be my best man.”
“Oh no!” Jack said, waving him off. “We discussed this months ago. I don’t do that whole stand up in a monkey suit in front of a bunch of strangers thing. That’s why you asked Bryce!”
“Yeah well Bryce can’t do it now man. Aiko got him to be the marrying guy!”
“The marrying guy?”
“Yeah the priest dude, the judgey fella.” Wyatt sighed, searching for the word. “The guy that marries us! Aiko signed him up online to be a minister or something, so he’s marrying us.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Nope.” Wyatt grinned, gripped Jack’s shoulder and squeezed. “I need you bud. One more thing. Come on. Do this for me?”
“Fine,” Jack growled. “But you better never ask me again.”
“Don’t plan on getting married a second time man.”
“That’s not what I…” Jack began. “Never mind.” He pointed across the lawn towards a limo approaching the pavilion. “I bet that’s Aaron,” he said. “He’s got something for you.”
“For me?” Wyatt smiled and batted his eyelashes. “I love presents!”
They left the pavilion and met Aaron as he exited the limousine, then walked with him away from the guests, to a quieter patch of lawn near Bryce’s private beach.
“It’s for running,” Aaron said, as Wyatt tore the paper off the package. “I know you have one already, but this one is different. Trust me. A buddy of mine is working on these with his company, they’re also working closely with veterans and athletes, and–”
“It’s amazing,” Wyatt said as he inspected the piece reverently. “The shoes? I assume they’re part of the tech?”
“Yeah.” Aaron nodded and sat down on the grassy covered dune that separated the lawn from the beach. He pulled out a shoe and pointed to a small row of buttons on one side. “The prosthetic communicates via Bluetooth embedded in the shoe for your other leg. So it’s smart. The knee in the prosthetic will power forward and match your stride perfectly so you can run more effectively.”
“Glad I’m wearing shorts,” Wyatt said as he began taking off his current leg in favor of the new one.
“You’re gonna try it now?” said Aaron. You haven’t had any training on it, or anything–”
“No time like the present, pal.” Wyatt strapped the leg in place, then tied on the shoes and stood, lifting his legs and swiveling his hips to test his balance. “Like riding a bicycle,” he said with a grin. “I’m gonna go run off some of this pre-wedding stress. I’ll see y’all later. Thanks for the leg, Aaron. You’re the best.”
“Be careful!” Aaron called as Wyatt jogged over the dune and down the beach. “Don’t fall!”
“He’ll be fine,” Jack said. “Guy’s been through worse. Skinning his knee on a little sand is hardly gonna slow him down.”
“It’s not his remaining knee I’m thinking about,” said Aaron. “If he messes up that pretty face for the wedding, Jinx will kill me.”
The run was glorious. The sound of the surf, the perfect breeze that swept in over the water, the smell of salty seaside air, and this new leg. Awesome. Wyatt ran for a while, let his mind empty, the tension fall out of his shoulders, let the steady pounding of his feet beat a rhythm for this moving meditation. Jinx had taught him that. Well, first, she’d tried to teach him plain old fashioned meditation. Sitting on the floor, hands on knees palms up. Om…Om…he couldn’t do it. Kept
getting distracted by random thoughts or itches in rude places.
So, desperate to teach him how to clear and settle his mind, she’d taught him to find his happy place through movement. He was an eager learner, and his enthusiasm aided his recovery and helped him master moving with prosthetics. Because of that, he knew the minute he saw this new leg, they’d work well together. And damn, he was right, the thing was sweet, powering up to match his stride as he beat down the beach faster, steadier, than he’d ever hoped.
The sun was lower in the sky now, and Wyatt stopped running, slowed to a walk and took a moment to appreciate the view. Light glinted off the water and colors, orange, yellow, purpled, streaked through the sky. Perfect weather for an outdoor evening wedding. He couldn’t wait to–
Whoomp, whoomp, whoomp.
He gasped and jolted, as a chill ran up his spine. He knew what that sound was, just the chopper returning to its pad. No cause for alarm.
Chills again.
He started to feel sick.
What the hell?
This was no time for a flashback. He was getting married tonight! No way he wanted to relive the worst day of his life, here, on this beach, while the love of his life was up in the house getting ready for what was supposed to be the best day.
Besides, it didn’t even make sense. He’d been listening to that chopper for days now. Nothing. No flashbacks. Why all of a sudden, now, was he affected?
He heard Jinx in his head, her gentle voice, her patient reminder. “This stuff doesn’t have to make sense. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it. But that’s okay, we can teach you to be prepared for it.”
It was the sand he supposed, and the sound of the chopper, and the fact that he’d been thinking about amputated legs, and of course, he could never think about that without thinking about Barnes, and the reason why he, Wyatt, was the lucky bastard that got to stand here on a beach with a fucking plastic leg, and Barnes didn’t. Barnes was in the dirt.
“Just Breathe.” He heard Jun in his head again and laughed. She’d trained him well.
So he did. He breathed, in, out, slowly. He focused on the truth of his surroundings, all the ways in which it was entirely different from the torturous environment of his memory. After a few minutes, he felt better. His pulse was steady, his breathing easy, and his hands had almost totally stopped shaking.