by Layla Hagen
Chapter Fourteen
Hunter
I looked around the venue, chuckling. This had gotten completely out of control. It wasn’t just a low-key party, it was an over-the-top wedding, but I supposed it was my own fault for handing the reins to Amelia and Tess.
“I can’t believe Mom and Tess pulled this off in a few weeks,” Ryker commented.
“Makes me wonder what they would’ve come up with if they had more time. But I’m sure I’ll find out as soon as one of you gets marr—”
“Don’t say it out loud,” Ryker said with a grin. “Might jinx me. Can’t believe you’re the first in the family to marry.”
I grinned back, silently agreeing with him. I hadn’t thought I’d be the first one either. I hadn’t envisioned marrying at all, period.
I looked around again. What did Josie think about everything? She’d been so adamant about not wanting this to feel like an actual wedding, yet looking around, I couldn’t imagine anything looking more like a wedding.
I was waiting in front of the officiant. When the music started, I looked up to the end of the red carpet, and nearly swallowed my tongue. She was wearing a wedding dress. Why hadn’t she told me that? Why hadn’t anyone? Had Josie felt she had to do this in order to keep up appearances?
I couldn’t say why this impacted me so much. Even through the short veil covering her face, I noticed that her eyes were a little glassy. I wanted to soothe her, to reassure her. With shock, I realized that there was some part of me longing for this to not be just for pretend. I mentally shook myself. I couldn’t get caught up in moments like this and mess everything up. Josie was here today to do me a favor, to help me out. I’d better not muddle things.
I wasn’t her forever guy. She was my best friend, and that was all she was ever going to be. She wasn’t going to fall for me. She hadn’t until now, so why would things change?
Her dad walked with her, beaming at the rest of the family on the way. Josie’s parents and siblings looked beyond happy, which brought along yet another wave of guilt.
I had to do something about all the guilt. And if I was feeling this way, I couldn’t even imagine how Josie felt.
She smiled at the crowd, a warm and genuine smile. Or maybe I just wished it so badly that I saw what I wanted.
“Take good care of her,” her dad said when they reached me.
“I will, sir. I promise.”
I planned to make good on my promise. The Christmas trip was a good start. Josie wasn’t one to easily accept things, but I wouldn’t back down. When I took her hand, kissing it, I was overwhelmed by emotion in a way I couldn’t explain or even comprehend.
Josie’s hand was shaking. I squeezed it lightly as we both turned to face the officiant.
He began the ceremony, greeting and welcoming everyone. I was too caught up in Josie to hear him, and yet, when he spoke about being together for better or for worse, I couldn’t block out his words.
I wanted to believe what he said, but more often than not, I met people who gave up when the going got rough. I glanced at Josie again, looking for any signs that she was as affected by this moment as I was.
When the officiant said, “You may kiss the bride,” blood rushed in my ears, pounding with ferocity. I lifted her veil slowly.
She was stunning. Her eyes were bright, her lips full and beckoning me. When I leaned in to kiss her, I could barely hold myself back. I felt a deep, desperate need to claim this woman as mine.
***
Josie
Up until now, I’d felt as if I was watching everything, myself included, as a movie. But when Hunter kissed me, I felt like a princess in a fairy tale, awoken from slumber by the prince’s kiss. Everything came into focus. Correction. Everything about him came into focus. His soft yet determined lips. The deep, lazy strokes of his tongue. His hand on my arm, touching my bare skin.
Someone cleared their throat.
“Easy there, we can all see you can’t wait to be alone,” Ryker said. Hunter smiled against my lips before pulling back, glaring at Ryker.
I blushed, but when Hunter took my hand, and we walked out arm in arm, I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.
“You look stunning, Josie,” he whispered as we lined up for pictures. In an even lower voice, he added, “You didn’t tell me you’d be wearing a white dress.”
“Thought I’d surprise you.”
“Did my cousins force your hand?”
I nudged him playfully. “Show a bit more faith in me, will ya? I liked this one, so I thought what the heck? Why waste the opportunity?”
We smiled and posed for the pics, and I tried not to allow my emotions to overwhelm me again.
It was a testament to Amelia’s and Tess’s organizational talent that the wedding looked as if they’d worked on it for months, rather than a few weeks.
I had attended plenty of weddings lately, what with half my friends tying the knot, and this one was right up there with the most elaborate ones I’d seen. I was happy I’d chosen a bridal gown. A cocktail dress wouldn’t have done all of this justice, and I didn’t need yet another reason to feel guilt toward Hunter’s family.
The ballroom was connected to the ceremony area by an archway with flowers. Hunter and I led the way, with the wedding party just behind us and the rest of the guests following suit.
The ballroom was simply beautiful. Understated elegance and more than a dash of romanticism. High ceiling supported by columns on the outskirts and a crystal chandelier hanging in the center. The room had two levels: the ground floor, and half a level higher, balconies with wrought iron railings. Twinkling lights were interspersed here and there, casting a warm glow throughout the room, highlighting the white freesias that served as centerpieces. The tables were arranged on the balconies. The ground floor was entirely used for dancing.
The next hour was a whirlwind as everyone congratulated us. By the time we finally sat at the bridal table, I couldn’t feel my toes. But my reprieve didn’t last long, because the DJ announced it was time for the first dance.
“Ready, Mrs. Josie Gallagher?” Hunter asked.
I laughed, taking his hand. There was a pep in my step as we headed toward the dance floor.
“You’re not going to get over the fact that I didn’t take your name anytime soon, are you?” I asked once he placed an arm around my waist. I was trying to distract myself, to focus on anything other than how close he was. It was to no avail; his presence was inescapable.
“I plan to make you feel guilty about it for a long time.”
“No chance. I have zero guilt about not further inflating your ego. You think you have too much swagger anyway.”
“Let me prove my swagger then, wife.”
I shuddered at the word. I’d never imagined Hunter would say that word to anyone, much less to me. I’d been looking forward to the dance this morning, but now my hormones were still in overdrive from the kiss earlier. Even the barest of touches set me on the edge, and I wasn’t sure I could dance with him and not give myself away.
When Hunter held me even tighter, I knew I didn’t stand a chance. He’d take one look at me and just know.
“Thank God you made me practice,” he muttered in my hair after twirling me once.
“See, listen to me. You’ll get far.”
He threw his head back, laughing. “Spoken like a true wife.”
“And your best friend,” I reminded him. He smiled wickedly.
“I’d say you’ve become more daring since you put on that first ring.”
I could hardly dispute that. “Yes, but you seemed to need it, honestly. Besides, I had to get in character.”
He watched me with warm eyes. “You’re the best person I know, Josie. Thank you for doing this. I promise I’ll make the next three years as amazing as possible.”
I wanted to tell him that he better not or I might not want the arrangement to come to an end at all. Instead, I braced myself for the final twirl. Hunter executed the m
ove with perfect precision, just as we’d rehearsed it, but when he pulled me back, he didn’t just catch me...
He kissed me.
I hummed low against his mouth, because I just couldn’t help it. He stroked my tongue lazily, and I couldn’t help but wonder... how was he in bed?
I’d been trying not to think about this, but now I couldn’t keep the thoughts at bay. The way he kissed me... fuck, it was as if he was close to throwing me over his shoulder and leaving the party with me. I had no doubt that Hunter would know how to take care of me, no matter if he loved me slowly or fucked me hard. When he pulled back, there was no mistaking the lust in his eyes.
I danced the whole night. I had so much energy I didn’t think I could sit anyway. I danced with anyone who asked me to. Unfortunately though, our guests were throwing questions at me left and right.
“When did this happen?”
“Have you always been in love with him?”
“How did he propose?”
“Are you pregnant?”
I kept the number of champagne glasses I drank to a minimum, because I wanted my head clear.
For the most part, I had fun. So much fun, in fact, that I had to constantly remind myself this wasn’t really my wedding.
I wasn’t going to go to bed and wake up next to this gorgeous man. One day, another woman would have his ring on her finger, and if we managed to play our eventual divorce as “we were better off as friends,” I’d even be at that wedding, celebrating the happy couple. Instead of cheering me up, the thought made my heart squeeze. Oh, Josie, Josie, Josie, your hormones are wreaking havoc, that’s all. I just had to tell Hunter to stop with the panty-melting kisses. They’d mess with any girl’s head.
I’d tell him just that, starting tomorrow. Tonight, I wanted to enjoy them for a while longer. Once the number of guests dwindled, I indulged a little more in champagne... and in Hunter. I didn’t know if he was buzzed too or if I was feeling everything in a magnified way, but his kisses were becoming a little more frequent. A lot hotter.
By the time we climbed into the car that would take us home, my entire body felt like a livewire. My nipples were too sensitive, pushing against my dress. The pressure between my thighs was unbearable.
I’d never been more pleased by the sheer size of the house, and by the fact that the bedrooms were far apart, because I had to take care of myself tonight. The past weeks had been like foreplay, and today had just been too much.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realize what Hunter was about to do until he lifted me in his arms. I shrieked, grabbing onto his neck, holding on for dear life.
“What are you doing?”
“Crossing the threshold with my new bride.”
I smiled. “You think the immigration services have spy cameras around here?”
“No, I just think that you’re an incurable romantic and you secretly like that I’m carrying you.”
I giggled, resting my head in the crook of his neck. I was too tired and too wired up at the same time to pretend with him.
“I do like it, Hunter.”
We were quiet as he walked through the house with me. A five o’clock shadow already covered his cheeks. I stroked them absentmindedly. His skin smelled amazing. The aftershave and cologne had evaporated, revealing the scent of him.
He only put me down when he brought me to the master bedroom. For a brief second, I forgot we’d switched rooms and thought he was laying me on his bed. My nerves lit up in anticipation before I remembered the switch.
I wasn’t ready for the evening to end, and yet, when he left, I didn’t stop him.
Half an hour later, I paced the room, cursing. This damn dress just wouldn’t come off. I’d tried to undo the laces at the back myself, and somehow I’d managed to make a knot of it. Even though I planned to keep the dress, preserve it like the prize it was, I was tempted to head to the kitchen, grab a knife, and just cut the string. I would have done it too, if I hadn’t been afraid I might accidentally stab myself. How could this be so hard?
Brides aren’t supposed to undo their own wedding gowns, a small voice said at the back of my mind. I sighed. I knew that, of course. But Hunter was probably asleep by now. I didn’t want to wake him up. If only I’d started this process sooner. But I’d wasted twenty minutes removing my makeup, and the three hundred or so bobby pins from my hair.
After fifteen more minutes, I gave up. My only choices were to either sleep in it or wake up Hunter. I opted for the latter.
To my astonishment, he wasn’t asleep. His bed was empty, but I could hear the shower in the bathroom.
I sat on the mattress, right up until the water stopped running and the door opened. I leaped to my feet.
“I’m in your bedroom,” I yelled, then lowered my eyes to my lap just in case he was naked.
When I heard him step into the room, I asked, “Are you decent?”
“Yes.”
His voice was a little hoarse.
“Umm... sorry to crash in on you, but I can’t undo the ribbons by myself.”
It sounded ridiculous, like a cheap pickup line. When Hunter didn’t say anything, I added quickly, “I pulled at the laces, but on the wrong one, and ended up with a knot I can’t undo myself.”
“I’ll take care of you.”
I looked up to him as he walked to me. Holy shit. The man only had a towel wrapped around him. His chest was bare. I had a flashback to the moment he’d walked in on me in the bathroom.
I turned my back to him, glad that the room was semidark, or there would be no hiding my blush.
I sucked in my breath when Hunter tangled his fingers in the laces, pulling them open. The corset loosened, and I knew he’d succeeded. This felt so intimate. Even more intimate than his carrying me over the threshold. Each eyelet made a tiny pop when the lace was pulled out of it, and I knew Hunter had opened all of them when I had to press the corset against my chest with both hands to keep the dress from sliding down.
“Thanks,” I said after he was done.
“You’re welcome. It was too tight, I think. You’ve got marks here.”
He touched his fingers to my bare skin in a slow, delicate move, and my knees weakened a little.
“They’ll fade by tomorrow.”
Please, stop touching me, or I might just turn around and kiss you.
“Josie, fuck... what are you wearing?”
It took me a second to realize he’d probably just noticed my lingerie. He only saw the back of it, but still...
“Umm... just... lace, and...”
I felt his fingers curl against my skin before he removed his hand, as if he had to fight his every instinct in order not to touch me.
“You’re so sexy.”
His voice was even lower, gruffer.
“Hunter—”
He silenced me by bringing a hand to the side of my waist. The pressure he applied was light, but it set me on fire.
I’d barely managed to calm down over the past half hour, and now I was on edge again.
“Fuck, Josie. Keep me in check, okay?”
“What?”
His mouth was dangerously close to my ear. His hot breath tickled the sensitive spot behind it.
“Since you’ve moved in—and after today—I can’t keep the lines from blurring. I don’t know how. You have to be the reasonable one between the two of us.”
I didn’t know what to say, how to react.
“You’re the most important person in my life, and I don’t want to screw this up,” he said.
He whirled me around, bringing his hand to my face, caressing my cheek before kissing my forehead.
The first night in one thousand ninety-five. How were we supposed to make it through?
Chapter Fifteen
Josie
Next morning, I woke up with a headache, as if I was hungover. No surprise, since I’d only gotten a few hours of sleep.
I’d expected Hunter to already be up and about, but a quic
k peek in his room showed that he was still fast asleep. Then again, he’d already finished packing before the wedding. As usual, I’d left some details until the very last minute.
I still had to sort out my cosmetics. As I stuffed all my creams and scrubs in the toiletries bag, I caught a glimpse of my wedding ring, and it dawned on me that I was a married woman. Holy shit. I was legally bound to the six feet of sexiness currently sleeping in the guest room. I was married to Hunter Caldwell, my best friend, and teenage crush. A mix of panic and euphoria overwhelmed me, and I had to lean against the wall of the bathroom and press the heel of my palm on my collarbone to calm down. Then I headed to the foyer, where Hunter had already brought our bags. I wondered if he had a reservation confirmation from the hotel somewhere. He hadn’t wanted to tell me the name of the hotel, insisting he wanted an element of surprise.
I had a sneaking suspicion he actually hadn’t wanted me to research the price, but eh... he was asleep now. How would he know I snooped around?
I hunched over to find the zipper to his bag.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
I startled so badly that I nearly plowed headfirst into the door. My heart was beating so fast, I felt I was going to be sick as I straightened up and whirled around to Hunter. He was wearing pajama pants and nothing else. The pants hung low enough on his hips that I had a prime view of the V-lines pointing downward. Don’t stare. Don’t stare.
I forced my gaze up. Right, at the first opportunity I got, I was buying him some decent pajamas.
“I just wanted to put my toiletries in the bag,” I said with as much innocence as I could muster. Hunter narrowed his eyes, stepping closer.
“My bag?”
“I don’t have enough space in mine.” It was true, but I was sure my cheeks were pink.
“There’s something else too. You wanted to look at what hotel we’re going to.”
“Not at all.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. In a fraction of a second, he wrapped one arm around me, pinning me against the entrance door. His hips were pressing against mine, keeping me immobile.
