by Ryan Michele
But maybe this week could be different. We had this time together to see what could happen between us. I knew how I felt, how I’d always felt, but would she feel the same? I wanted to find out. Needed to find out.
While I didn’t want to wake her, I knew if we were late to this group breakfast shindig, Rebecca would throw a shit fit. It baffled my mind to see what the hell Drew saw in the woman other than some great tits.
Her attitude the past year left a lot to be desired in the personality department. Her core was rotten. No amount of great tits could account for that.
But Drew was one of my oldest and dearest friends, and I wanted to support his decision even if I didn’t agree with him. That was what best friends did. We’d always had each other’s backs through everything in life. Therefore, I’d be by his side for this too.
When my sister called telling me Quinn was in a bind, I couldn’t say no. A week in Las Vegas pretending to be her man. Hell yeah. No way I was passing this opportunity up. It was a once in a lifetime, and it was time. There had always been this undeniable connection between us. An unspoken one, but the chemistry had always been under the surface ready to combust. At least it always had been on my end. All these years later and that hadn’t changed one bit.
I didn’t need another shower, but I needed some serious tension release. My cock was so hard it was painful. Easing out of bed, I was careful not to disturb Quinn. She didn’t even stir. I’d forgotten this. How she was dead to the world when she slept. It made me conjure up all the ways I could wake her. My fingers itched to trail her curves and get a handful of that fine ass.
Fuck. Shower. Now.
Under the spray of the warm water, her curves kept running through my head. The dips and swells of her breasts peeking out from the top of that barely there tank. I fisted my cock roughly as thoughts of Quinn on her knees swept over me. Her sweet lips parting to wrap around the head of my eager cock. Her eyes looking up at me with mischief as she swallowed me down that sexy mouth of hers.
Stroke by stroke images of Quinn flashed. I wanted her. I wanted Quinn badly.
My imagination painted pretty fantasies where Quinn was the star, giving in to my every desire.
I stroked and pumped my length harder, thinking of how good she’d feel. How tight her pussy would be around me, squeezing every drop from me. It didn’t take much for me to work up to my release as it ran down the drain.
I thought it’d make me feel better, but it only made me crave her more. This might kill me.
After putting some clothes on and taking one last lingering look at Quinn, it was time to wake her. How I really wanted to wasn’t in the cards just yet, but touching her was.
I brushed her hair from her neck, trailing my finger along her clavicle and watching small goose bumps rise from her skin. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”
Smacking at my touch, she growled out in a feral tone, “Leave me alone.” Quinn sure was a grouch first thing in the morning. Some things never changed. All it did was make me smile.
“Time for breakfast, unless you want to go like this. Not that I’d mind.” I twirled her silky hair around my finger and gave it a soft yank. The swells of her breasts peeked out from under the pale pink tank top she had slept in. They bounced with her movement as she wriggled away from me, snuggling deeper into the covers. It only made my damn cock hard again.
“Better get a move on, buttercup.” I continued to poke and tease, but also give her caresses as well. What I really wanted was to crawl under those covers with her and bury my tongue between her thighs for breakfast until she screamed, and then make her scream again.
“Have you always been this annoying?” she grumbled and rolled out of bed, killing any thoughts of us acting out the fantasy I was currently daydreaming of experiencing.
“No more than usual.” I stared at her sweet ass as she strutted toward the bathroom, nearly hypnotizing me with the sway of her hips. Damn, she had a fine ass that just begged for me to grab, pinch, and slap it.
The thing was, she didn’t even realize she was all that. It made her even more so, at least in my eyes.
The hotel restaurant was brimming with people as we were led into a private room where breakfast was set up buffet style. Drew was in a discussion with one of the groomsmen which was unfortunate because it was Rebecca who came up to us first.
“Conner, I didn’t know you’d be coming?” she said with that fake ass voice. Her eyes gave her away, though. She hated my being there which in turn brought me pleasure.
“Yep.”
Drew came up to us, a worried look on his face. He held out his hand to me. “Conner? You’re here with my sister?” Yeah, he was in shock.
I swung my arm around Quinn’s shoulder. “Yes. Isn’t she beautiful?”
Rebecca scoffed and grabbed Drew’s arm, officially cutting off our conversation. “Okay, let me introduce you really quick.” Rebecca did this by pointing to people and telling me their names, not actually introducing me to any of them. Quinn was stiff at my side. At the small of her back, I rubbed my thumb up and down and felt her take a sharp intake of breath.
“Okay, eat,” Rebecca decreed, and I was relieved. If I could get through this week without telling Rebecca off, it would be a miracle.
Quinn and I grabbed our plates and got in line with one of the other couples. Carley, as Rebecca introduced as her as a co-worker, and her boyfriend Joe were bickering in front of us about the menu not being vegan or some shit.
I loaded my plate with bacon, eggs, pancakes, and sausage. Quinn had cereal with fruit and yogurt on the side along with some toast. I didn’t know why she didn’t grab herself some bacon. I put extra on my plate because I knew once we sat down, she’d swipe mine. She used to drive me crazy when she’d pull that crap at breakfast during her sleepovers with Carrie. Now it was a fond memory. Who would’ve thought bacon swiping would become a fond memory? Not me, that was for sure.
I took my seat next to Bruce, who was Laura’s husband. Laura was Rebecca’s cousin. Good ol’ Bruce reeked of liquor and appeared haggard. He must’ve tied one last night. The only thing in front of him was a cup of black coffee. With the looks his wife was giving him from across the room, I was willing to bet Bruce was in the doghouse already.
The moment Quinn sat next to me Rebecca didn’t waste another moment in spilling her joy *cough* around. I dug into my food.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m so thrilled you’re all here with us to share in this joyous occasion. And give yourselves a hand that you were all punctual.” She quietly clapped her hands together in applause. Such a bitch.
I heard Quinn clear her throat beside me, making me smile into my eggs just as she reached over and snatched a piece of my bacon. Damn, I missed that.
“I love all of you and can’t wait to put your love to the test along with our own. Each day this week we will have time together as a group, then you will be assigned your challenge for the day. At the end of the week we have a final challenge, and the couple who wins gets a gift from us.” Glancing at the other couples, she smirked. “I look forward to participating in each of your weddings, well except for Quinn naturally, and well Bruce and Laura are already hitched.” Rebecca’s gaze centered in on me and Quinn as I felt Quinn’s body stiffen. “It was so kind of you to step in and take one for the team, Conner. I know Quinn’s Andrew’s little sister, and you felt obligated to be her date this week. Such a gentleman.”
I felt Quinn go rigid as a statue next to me. Hurt and anger radiated off her in waves. You could feel it in the air of the room. I draped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close to my chest. Quinn came with ease, her mind otherwise occupied. “No thanks needed. I believe you’re mistaken, though. I am not a volunteer. I’m completely smitten with my girl here.” I leaned into Quinn, kissing her temple and smelling her hair. It smelled tropical, like coconuts and mangoes.
“I’m sorry, man,” Andrew started trying to apologize for his bitch of a woman, but I cu
t him off. I wasn’t going to allow anyone to make Quinn feel like shit for being single. There was nothing wrong with not having a man. For me, I was damn glad she wasn’t with anyone. So fuck Rebecca.
My hand went up. “No need to apologize, Drew. Your woman had no idea we were together. I asked Quinn to keep it hush hush, not wanting to overshadow your excitement with our news.” I lied through my teeth with a smile and loved every second of it. “You know me, and how I’ve always cared about your sister. I wasn’t about to let Quinn bring anyone to Vegas who wasn’t me. Now let the games begin because my girl and I are going to hands down win."
Rebecca narrowed her eyes on us like she was trying to piece together whether or not I was telling the truth, but before she could poke and prod, Daniel, another member of the wedding party, said, “Right on. Let the shenanigans begin, but Paula and I got this in the bag. Don’t we, sweetheart?”
“Yeah we do.” The redhead squeezed his bicep, smiling cattily up at him. Shit, were all of Rebecca’s friends raging bitches?
I looked at Quinn and rolled my eyes to the heavens. No way anyone was beating us. This competition was all ours.
“Thanks for that,” she whispered, looking at the floor.
“Hey…” I tilted her chin up, meeting her gaze. “She’s a bitch. Don’t let her get to you. She’s nothing. We’re going to have fun this week. That I promise.”
“Okay.” Momentarily she appeared unsure of herself, and I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. It only took a second before Quinn’s arms came around me, and she melted into my body. That felt good. I liked the feel of her giving herself to me too much.
“Oh, make sure you look your best for today’s challenge. Dress to impress,” Rebeca announced snottily. I shook my head and saw Drew staring at his shoes, hands in his pockets. For a guy who was supposedly marrying the love of his life he didn’t appear very happy. Loved Drew, but he knew my feelings about Rebecca; we’d talked many times about it. There was nothing more I could do for him. He’d have to figure this life out on his own. Quinn was my priority.
Leaning into her ear, I whispered, “Want to get out of here for a bit?”
She pulled back a touch, giving me those green eyes. “Why, what are you up to?”
“Let’s do some damage with this.” I pulled out my credit card, holding it up between my two fingers. “You need a new dress for today, and I need something to wear because I didn’t bring anything fancy.”
“Conner, you’re not paying for my dress.”
My arms gave her a squeeze. “I’m afraid you don’t get a say in the matter. Didn’t you pay attention? It’s gentleman’s choice.”
A smile played at her lips. “You just made that up.”
“Maybe … maybe not. You gonna go talk to Rebecca and find out?”
“You’re impossible.” She might have said those words, but the grin gave her away.
“Humor me, Quinn.”
“Fine.”
Lacing my fingers with hers, I led her to the exit and found us a cab. We both needed a break, and who better to spend it with but each other. A bonus was getting to watch her model the dresses I picked out.
Conner
I PREFER STRIP POKER. EITHER WAY YOU’RE A WINNER
At seven pm, our group was escorted to a private game room above the casino floor. Red carpet, champagne, and appetizers greeted us along with specialized wait staff.
Everyone was dressed to the nines, but no one appeared more beautiful than Quinn. Dressed in a red satin gown with a heart shaped strapless top, it wrapped around and accented her curves, then flared at the bottom giving the illusion she was a mermaid; she was a vision to behold. Her silky dark hair fanned across her shoulders in loose waves hitting mid back. She was utterly breathtaking.
Even Rebecca smiled when she saw her and, lucky for us, she kept her mouth shut, not ruining the moment. Maybe Drew gave her a volume before bringing her down. We could only be that lucky.
We had a few drinks and finger foods, mingling while we waited for our dinner table. Quinn and I stayed side by side, holding hands and being close most of the time. For me, I liked her exactly where she was. When she took off into the room, I missed her instantly and kept my pulse on her as she moved.
I chatted with Joe, Carley’s live-in boyfriend, who was an outdoorsman like myself. By day I was a website developer, but in my free time I loved getting out and hiking in Buffalo Park, exploring Mother Nature.
“Next time you get a group together for Walnut Canyon hit me up,” Joe said as Carley sidled up to him, but instead of eyes for him, they were on me. The woman was warm as honey with me, and no way in hell was I interested. There was only one woman in this room I cared about. Only one woman I wanted.
“Sure thing.”
“Honey, that’s a bit advanced for you,” Carley said with a laugh sliding herself into Rebecca bitch face territory in a flash. No man wanted to be talked down to, especially in front of people he just met.
“I can handle it.” He flexed his spaghetti noodle thin arms on a grin, obviously thinking Carley was cute. To each their own.
I ignored the entire exchange between them. It was one fire I did not want to be a part of.
My eyes never left Quinn. She lit up the entire room with her smile. My heart squeezed tight in my chest as I watched her make her rounds, putting forth her best effort to be kind to her future sister-in-law, although Rebecca didn’t deserve it. The way she treated Quinn pissed me off. Someone needed to put her in her place.
But Quinn was trying, and only when her brother wrapped her up tight did I see how she was holding her body because it relaxed into Drew. She was on edge, and I hated that for her. She shouldn’t have to walk on eggshells around these people.
“Excuse me,” Rebecca called out, getting all our attention. “Tonight is our first couples challenge!” She clapped her hands together, a wide smile on her snake face. “The stakes are high in this game of poker. Instead of strip poker, we’re playing kissing poker. Your lip-locking skills will be put to the test as well as communication and your card skills. With every round lost the stakes get higher, and each kiss must be more passionate and sexier than the last.”
Well, this was going to be interesting.
“Time to eat. Everyone, grab your seat. Then the games will begin!”
I moved to Quinn and grabbed her hand, lacing our fingers together and leading her to the table. Pulling out her chair, her round ass sat in it making my dick stir again.
Dinner was served, and my hard-on didn’t recede. Seared salmon, steamed veggies, bread, and a salad were all placed in front of us by waiters dressed in black suits.
I sat to the left of Drew with Quinn on the other side of me.
Conversation flowed well with Drew, with Quinn butting in and adding pieces to the different stories we discussed. Quinn was having a good time judging by the amount of times she laughed out loud. Only thing missing was Carrie. Then it’d been like old times.
Rebecca didn’t find anything funny and even commented, “That was in the past. Let’s leave it there.”
We ignored her, even Drew, as we continued. “I’ll never forget Carrie’s face when you jerks put frogs in our sleeping bags.”
Drew’s face perked up at the memory. “Carrie squealed so loud I thought she’d peed her pants.” He chuckled and took a hearty sip of his drink while Rebecca scowled.
“Those were the days,” I told him, and Quinn agreed.
By the time our dessert, strawberry cheesecake, came all that was on my mind was all the ways I could attempt to get Quinn out of her dress. Over the years I had thought of her in many compromising positions, but I never had the opportunity to act. Tonight, though, I’d finally lay claim to those lips.
I ate my cheesecake, but it wasn’t satisfying my hunger. I hungered for more. I hungered for Quinn.
Rebecca raised her flute in a toast. “May the best couple win.”
“We will,�
� I announced, smiling at Quinn. We had played poker lots of times growing up, only back then we played mostly for candy. Drew, Carrie, Quinn and I taught ourselves the rules of the game. Once we nailed down one, we’d pick another type of poker. There were a shit ton of them. Our parents liked to play, so naturally we did too.
“We’ll be right back,” I told Drew, grabbing Quinn’s hand and pulling her with me.
“Where are we going?” she whispered as I felt the eyes in the room on me. I didn’t give a shit. Instead of answering, I pulled us down the hallway and into a small nook away from prying eyes.
“What’s going on?” Quinn asked as I looked down into her beautiful eyes. Ones that captured me so many years ago.
“No way our first kiss will be in front of all those assholes.”
Her brows creased, but I didn’t let her think. Cupping her face in my hands, I pulled her to me, her lips parting and breathing picking up. Her eyes flashed with desire which was the only green light I needed.
Leaning down, our lips connected. I’d never believed those bullshit movies that showed these sparks flying like fireworks around a couple while they kissed, until this moment. This right here was everything wrapped into one. I’d never felt anything better in my life than Quinn Landis’ lips moving against mine.
It only took a moment before her hands filtered through my hair, and her body pressed against mine. Lips parted, she invited me in, and it felt like home. Tasting of strawberry cheesecake, her tongue slid against mine. My skin prickled with desire, but I knew if we didn’t return to the group, Rebecca or Drew would come looking for us.
I pulled back and stared into those olive eyes knowing Quinn was feeling as into the kiss as I was. Her breath fanned over my lips. “Conner…”
