by Fiona Starr
I kiss him again, moving my fingers over his lips as they intertwine with mine, and then I run my fingers down his neck to his collar and undo his buttons one at a time.
His hands are cupping my bottom, pulling me to him, holding onto me as he tries to lift himself off the mattress to kiss me. But I can’t do that and open his shirt at the same time and getting him out of his clothes is more important than anything else.
When I finish with the buttons, I push his shirt over his shoulders, revealing his tanned body that is just begging for me to kiss it. I run my hands over his abs, his pecs--everything about him is toned and tanned and just waiting to be explored. I take his nipple in my mouth and squeeze it between my lips and he gasps with pleasure.
I move my hands down to his belt, and undo the buckle, fighting against all the clothing to get my hands on him.
His hands are all over me, tugging at my dress, lifting it over my hips. I undo the tie of the wrap and let it fall open, and watch as he just looks at me, his face serious.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing. Nothing at all. I just can’t believe you’re here.”
I’ve never looked at Luke Morgan in any other way but as a friend. Meeting him as Jesse’s girlfriend, it was a natural thing. There’s no denying he’s gorgeous, but it was never something I thought of. I was with Jesse, I wasn’t looking at anyone else. But now, looking at him here, knowing how he feels about me, it really is like meeting him again. I marvel at the idea that I’ve known this man for more than six years, and this is the first time I’m really seeing him.
I smile. “I’m really glad I’m here.” I shrug out of my dress, letting it fall to the floor, as Luke sits up and embraces me. His hands are warm, his hands gentle as he kisses me, his hands and his lips moving over my skin. He unclasps my bra, taking my breast in his mouth, flicking my nipple with his tongue.
I feel like I’m soaring through a dream. “Oh, Luke. I want you to take me.”
He puts his arm around me and holds me as he flips us over, laying me gently on the bed. My body is eager to have him, to maintain contact, and it is all I can do not rip my clothes off and do the same to him. But the other part of me wants to savor it. Taste him, enjoy him, learn him.
I slide my mouth over his chin, teasing the stubbly skin along his jaw until I get to his ear. I hear him moan as he presses his hardness against me. Pure heat rushes through me. He squeezes my breasts and then moves his hands over my belly, lifting one of my thighs holding me to him. With his belt open, I attack the button of his shorts, shoving them down until he’s able to step out of them. Then my hands are on the length of him, gripping him and enjoying the soft silkiness between his legs.
“My God. You are beautiful.” He stands up on his knees, and moves his hands inside my panties, pulling them down my legs all the way to my ankles, where he tosses them onto the cabana floor. Once he has me naked, he spreads my legs and kisses my wetness.
Everything he does makes my body yearn for him even more. I am a pile of sensation and need, and he is the only thing that can cure me.
“Luke, please. More.” I gasp under his touch.
He moves on to his back, and lifts me onto him, the two of us sitting up together facing each other. He lowers me down onto him.
His cock fills me and I wrapped myself around him as he thrusts his body against mine. I hold him so I can ride him without missing a beat. Everything in me was heat, and rushing blood, and the smell of him in my head, the taste of him in my mouth. We move together as the waves crash behind us and the wind sways the trees, until both of us are spent and we tumble into each other’s arms.
* * *
We lay together quietly for a while, Luke on his back as I nestle in his arm.
“I could stay like this forever.” I feel a smile on my lips as I say the words.
He exhales a long breath and rubs his hand over my hip. “Me too.”
I prop myself up on my elbow so I can look at his face. “I feel like I owe you an apology.”
“An apology? Are you kidding? For what?”
“I don’t know. For choosing Jesse? For never really seeing you? I really had no idea you felt this way. I’m sorry.”
“Olivia, you weren’t supposed to know. It wouldn’t have been right. I’m not the guy who tries to steal his best friend’s girlfriend. And I don’t think you’re the type to look around while you’re with someone.”
“Yeah. You’re right. I wasn’t. I’m not. But still, it feels like so much time wasted.”
He closes his eyes. “Anytime you guys would fight or argue or anything, I would imagine rushing in and sweeping you off your feet, but that was all just stupid stuff. I would never.”
God, he’s so sweet. “Well, I’m really glad you told me.” I bend and kiss him softly, slowly, letting our mouths linger over each other, not wanting this to end.
“Me too.” He smiles and he looks like a little boy. “You hungry?”
I smile. “Starving.”
“You’re in luck, because lunch is part of the tour.” He stands up at the foot of the bed, faces the water, and stretches, without a care that he’s completely naked. Then he gathers up my dress and underwear and lays them on the bed for me.
LUKE
When we get back to the manor house, Maurice is waiting for us at the main entrance. He takes the steps two at a time and meets us as I park the cart.
“Olivia, this is Maurice, Ginny’s second in command.” He’s going to be managing most of the details this weekend.
“Maurice! We’ve talked on the phone. Glad to meet you, finally.”
He smiles and takes her hand in both of his. “Yes, yes! Good to meet you, too. How was the tour?”
She blushes behind her sunglasses. “It was… great. Thanks. The beach is lovely.” She looks at me and I just smile.
“Miss Olivia, I’m glad I got to say hello.” Maurice turns to me and points a finger over his shoulder. “I’m on my way to the mainland. Judy’s bringing the flowers over to store in the fridge and chef has a delivery that needs picking up. Jackson’s going to bring the boat around in a minute.”
I look at my watch. “Sounds good. The wedding group should be getting back from their excursion around three thirty, then rehearsal dinner at seven.”
He nods. “Right. Sophie is with the Pearson-Greene party now. She’ll get everyone to their rooms so they can get ready for dinner.”
A radio clicks static once and Jackson’s voice barks through the air. “Hey Maurice, I’m ready for you.”
Maurice waves as he hurries off. “I’ll catch up with you tonight. Go over any last minute stuff.”
“All right. I’ll see you later.”
Olivia and I step into the manor house. It’s a sprawling estate house, built in the plantation style, like all the buildings on the property. From the front door you can see through to the ocean, and the palm trees swaying over the island.
“Sounds like you’ve got quite the operation going here.” Olivia turns to take in the great room and hall.
“We do. Though, I don’t take credit for any of it. Ginny and Maurice do everything with the events we host. They manage the staff, and they handle all the details. And when it’s this close to the event, Ginny’s got everything under wraps—which is good, because I’m not sure I could do more than follow the plan she’s already laid out.”
“Well, from my point of view, having worked with them both over the past year, it’s been perfect the whole way.”
“That’s good to hear. Sometimes we get some wedding clients who are… shall we say, hard to please?”
She laughs. “Oh, god. Tell me about it. It helps that Heather isn’t a Bridezilla.”
We sit at the table and a moment later, Chef Dani comes over to meet Olivia. Right behind her, Ian, our waiter, takes our drink order.
Olivia orders a white wine and I do the same, and when we’re alone again, neither of us speak for a minute or so.
I clear my throat. “I hope we’re okay… after… this morning.”
She smiles. “Yeah. We’re okay—more than okay. I think?”
“This morning was amazing.” I reach across the table and touch her hand, unable to fight the urge to maintain contact with her.
She twines her fingers with mine and we sit for a moment, letting our hands explore each other. She doesn’t pull away when Ian returns with our drinks. He brings the bottle and leaves it on ice in a stand next to the table.
Her face blushes and it makes her eyes glow. “We didn’t finish the tour. I am not doing my job very well.”
“Don’t worry. It’s a small island. I’ll show you the manor house after lunch, and a few of the spots the photographers use for pictures. You’ll see it all again during the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
She smiles wickedly. “Oh good. Will there be another tour of the beach cabanas?”
Now it’s my turn to have my face flush. “Uh, I am sure that can be arranged.”
“That was my favorite part of the tour,” she whispers and her smile is absolutely wicked.
“You don’t say?”
She nods. “Bar none.”
* * *
After lunch, which includes a small sampling of all the meals we’ll be serving the guests during the reception and the wedding, we leave the table for a tour of the manor house. I show Olivia through the main hall to the great room, the library, and the separate lounge areas we have set aside for the wedding parties.
She stands on the stage where musicians and deejays usually play in the corner of the main hall and spins around. “You really have thought of everything. I can’t wait to see Heather’s wedding.”
“Again, I take no credit. My aunt loves weddings, says they are her favorite things in the world. When they built this place, she made sure the architect planned out the space with only weddings in mind. It’s pretty brilliant, because no matter what kind of event we have, there is room for everything and everyone.”
“I like the playroom for the kids, and the feel of the bridesmaids and groomsmen’s lounges. There was no detail spared.”
“That’s my aunt for you. Oh… check this out.” I take her hand and lead her through the bride’s lounge, through a small wet bar and around a corner to a door.
I open the door and we step inside. The room is about twelve feet square, with a tiny vanity table set off to one side. There’s a teal chaise longue positioned in the center of the room, on super plush carpet done in blues and whites. The walls are covered with panels of white and blue foam, the kind used in recording studios to muffle any noise.
“What is it?” Olivia’s voice sounds distant and small.
“My aunt calls it the quiet room. She suffered from anxiety and thought it would be useful for anyone who needs a moment. There’s another one on the groom’s side.”
She runs a hand over the padded walls. “This is incredible. I sure could have used a room like this a few times with my clients back home.”
“Yeah. I guess we all could use a soundproof chamber.”
Olivia moves up against me and tugs on my shirt, her brows arched in a question. “Soundproof? Really?”
“Totally,” I growl.
“Have you ever… tested it?”
“Can’t say that I have, no.”
Olivia leans against the door, letting it close and then she turns the lock on the knob. “How much time before the rehearsal dinner?” She tugs on the bow holding her dress together and pulls it loose and lets her dress fall to the floor as she steps toward me.
I raise my watch arm but I don’t look at it; I can’t take my eyes off Olivia. “Plenty of time.”
She pushes me back until I am sitting on the chaise. Then she gets on her knees in front of me and undoes my belt. My cock stands at attention, throbbing for her. Then my shorts are around my ankles and she’s sucking me, her mouth warm as she takes me in, her lips clamped down on me like a velvet vice. I hold her hair off her face. I want to see her suck me, feel her tongue on my cock as she moves over my shaft.
I can’t take it, she’s so fucking hot. I pull away from her and take her hand, guiding her to join me on the chaise.
“I want your cock in my mouth.” She crawls over me and takes me again, sucking and licking and teasing me with her tongue.
With her body now within reach, I shift a little so I can pull her pussy to me. She hovers over my face and spreads her legs, letting me kiss her mound and probe her wetness with my tongue. She tastes musky and clean, and when I take her swollen clit between my lips, she cries out.
“Oh my god, yes! Luke, yes!”
Her breathing is ragged for a moment as she lets go of my cock and writhes against my face. Her moans make me want her more—want to please her more. I would do anything to be the one who can bring her to the top.
She licks my rigid shaft up one side and down the other, then she cups my balls and takes me again, with even more urgency than before. She grinds against me, moaning and panting, begging me not to stop. I grab on to her ass and hold her tight, pulling her to me so I can suck her harder, harder.
“Yes! Yes!” she screams. She’s up on her knees riding my mouth, letting me do whatever it takes to get her there. “Oh my god, I am going to come. Yes, Luke. Yes. Oh, yes!”
She bends down and takes me in her mouth again, this time it’s like she’s ravenous for me. I moan into her, unable to hold back.
“Yes! Yes! Luke, ohhhh!”
My body explodes into her as she bucks against me. I feel a gush of heat against my tongue as my balls tighten and I fill her mouth. She groans as she lets her orgasm ripple through her body. Slower, slower, until she relaxes onto the chaise. I kiss her wetness gently as she pulls away from me and then let myself melt into the cushions.
I don’t know what I have done to deserve this, but if I died right here, I would die a happy man. I shift my position on the chaise so we are face-to-face. “You’re amazing.”
She smiles. “Thank you. You’re not too bad yourself. I think the room works.”
“Oh? Were we making noise? I didn’t notice.” I grin.
“Oh my, yes. The best kind, too.” She leans in and kisses me, lingering for a moment, a huge smile spreading across her face.
“What is it?”
She shakes her head. “I am so glad I’m here. This is all so unexpected, but it feels good, like really good.” She runs a finger over my arm and raises gooseflesh that makes me shiver.
I brush her hair off her shoulder. “I never imagined this could ever be.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think I wanted you for so long that I got used to not having you. Now that you’re here, it’s like this can’t be real.”
She sits up and glares at me. “Okay, so you need to stop talking about me like I am some distant unattainable fantasy. I am just me. The same Olivia you used to know. The pathetic Olivia who got dumped at the altar. I haven’t earned a place on any pedestal, Luke. I’m here with you. And it is possible that I actually like you, you know?”
“Okay.” It feels like I am being yelled at but I love what she’s saying and I don’t know how to respond.
“No, I’m serious. You act like you don’t deserve to have what you want. You’re a great guy and you’re fucking hot, and just because I wasn’t interested in you years ago doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be. I wasn’t looking at you like that back then. But I sure as hell am now., and you can’t deny this… whatever this is I’m feeling. You’re allowed to want this. We are allowed to want this.”
I kiss her hard on the mouth. “I want you.” My voice rasps and my throat feels tight.
She holds my gaze. “Take me. I’m yours.”
I don’t need to be told twice.
OLIVIA
The rehearsal dinner goes by like a crazy haze of fun and people and memories. Heather and Steve are glowing with excitement about their big day tomorrow and all of our friends from back home
are here to celebrate together. Luke and I keep making eyes at each other as we move around the room, but there isn’t much time for playing.
Heather insists that I put my wedding planner hat to the side and celebrate with them. Once I make sure everything with the meal is done, I do just that and we dance and laugh as we remember the old days.
It’s a perfect night. Everyone is so happy to see everyone else and as we all catch up, there is no mention of Jesse, my wedding, or anything about my reasons for leaving town the way I did.
As the night goes on, I begin to feel the weight of all that Jesse baggage fall away. It loses its grip on me as I realize that my friends only care that I am well, and happy, and living a good life. For the first time in a very long time, I feel like maybe I can finally let go of the shame of my past. Or maybe I am realizing that there was nothing to be ashamed of in the first place.
I peel away from the dance floor make my way across the lawn to the chairs on the veranda. I drop into a seat and Heather follows me taking the seat across from me.
She’s all smiles. “Everything is perfect, Liv. Thank you.” She pours us both a glass of water from the carafe on the table.
I lean back in my chair and lift my hair off my neck, letting the breeze cool me after dancing for the past hour. “I’m so glad. I can’t believe this place. It’s perfect, and tomorrow is going to be absolutely beautiful.”
She crinkles her nose. “I can’t believe I am getting married!”
“I can. Steve seems really great. I know you’re going to be happy together.”
“God, I wish everyone could feel the way I feel right now.” She lifts her water glass for a toast. “To happily ever after.”
I clink my glass against hers. “To happily ever after,” I say, and I find a tiny beam of hope inside me for the first time in years.