by J. H. Croix
Based on the responses, I was pulling off a good little act with Walker of convincing people we were an actual couple, offering only the vaguest of details about meeting at Stolen Hearts Lodge and so on. The part that had me restlessly crossing and uncrossing my legs and shifting my shoulders was the fact it was definitely no act that I wanted him.
Hell, I craved him. Every little subtle touch was electrifying—his hand holding mine, his arm around my waist with his strong palm curled around my hip, and the feel of his lips pressing against my neck with a way too familiar kiss. Goose bumps rose on my skin, heat spun in pinwheels through my body, and desire fizzed in my veins with every chance look and touch.
Just now, I experienced a moment of feeling bereft when he leaned over to whisper in my ear in that sexy, gravelly voice of his that he needed to make a toast. He squeezed my shoulders before he stood, and I instantly missed his warm, strong presence.
He leaned down and said something to Dave before straightening and looking out over the crowd assembled in the room. Walker was rakishly handsome—with his dark hair, those smoke-silver eyes, and that quiet way of carrying himself. Before these last few days, I’d thought him reserved. I’d also been annoyed by him. I could barely, just barely, admit to myself that was because the attraction sizzled between us no matter what, and that annoyed me. It had tested my belief that I couldn’t be affected like that.
Now, having spent more time with him, I’d seen a few more flashes of the man underneath the surface. Unfortunately for me, getting to know Walker only served to deepen my attraction to him. There was that kiss.
Just now, he cast a teasing smile toward Dave before he looked out over the crowd again. He didn’t even have to clear his throat, or do anything else to silence the crowd. His presence alone demanded enough.
After the wedding ceremony, he’d done away with his tie, although he still had his suit jacket on. My eyes kept lingering on the deep bronze skin revealed against the crisp white shirt where he’d undone several buttons.
Casting his smile over the crowd, he lifted his champagne flute high. “Apparently, the best man is expected to give a toast. Although I never was that great at following convention.” There were a few low chuckles that rumbled through the crowd at that. “Dave is my oldest and closest friend. If anyone deserves a toast after his wedding, it’s him. To be quite honest, I was surprised when Dave first spoke to me about Jenny. As many of you know, Dave met Jenny while I was overseas. I didn’t have a chance to do any vetting for him.”
The crowd laughed again, and Walker glanced at Jenny. “Turns out, Dave didn’t need me to vet Jenny. The first time I saw them together, I knew he was down for the count. If only, because Jenny is perfect for him. I’m not talking about how beautiful she is. That’s obvious to anyone who sees her. I’m talking about the fact she can hold her own and brings out the best in him. Dave was a most excellent dedicated bachelor and is absolutely one of the most loyal and solid people I know. It stands to reason that if he’s going to fall, he’ll fall hard.”
My chest tightened slightly. Although Walker’s tone was light and teasing, I sensed he was dead serious underneath.
“I can’t pretend to be an expert on love, although I suppose I could claim to be some sort of expert on Dave. I have known him since first grade. He was always a looker, even then.” That comment got a good laugh from the crowd and an eye roll from Dave as Jenny leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I’ll say this, I might have been surprised Dave fell in love, but I’m not surprised in the least that he fell for Jenny. And you, my dear, well, you found yourself the best kind of man. Those who matter to Dave matter forever. Welcome to the club, although you’ve been in it since the day he met you. I have absolutely no doubt you two will have a long and happy marriage. I also have no doubt there will be plenty of arguments along the way. That’s how Dave shows his love.” More laughter accompanied this along with a nod of agreement from Jenny. “I wish you nothing but happiness. Know that to everyone who counts you as friends, we’re rooting for you. One last thing, Dave bet me that I believe in love. When I asked why, he said it was because he knew I believed in him and Jenny. And, I absolutely do. So if my cynical heart can buy it, you can rest assured it’s the real deal.”
At that, glasses were raised, mine included. Then, Walker returned to my side, sliding his arm around my shoulders as he set his champagne flute down on the table. I didn’t quite know how to read the expression in his eyes. I couldn’t say I knew him particularly well.
Yes, but you feel safe with him, a voice whispered deep in a shadowed corner of my heart.
“How’d I do?” Walker asked.
It was just a question, a question that had nothing to do with me. But still, a shiver chased over my skin at his drawl and the rough edge to his voice that I was coming to love.
Restless, I uncrossed my legs and crossed the other one over the top. “Quite well,” I managed, my voice coming out a little breathy.
“I think my duties are officially done, right? Or did I miss a rule? There’re so many unspoken rules to weddings that I don’t even know what the hell I’m really supposed to do.”
Walker’s question was earnest, and I almost laughed. Although Walker came across as a completely confident man, it was becoming clear to me that when someone was important to him, he wanted to make sure to do the right thing even if he didn’t know precisely what that was.
I nodded. “As far as I understand it—wedding etiquette, that is—your duties are officially done. I don’t even think the toast was a given, but many best men do offer a toast. Dave means a lot to you, doesn’t he?”
I wasn’t quite sure why that question slipped out, but it did.
Walker was quiet for a beat, and the teasing glint in his eyes faded. With a single, decisive nod, he replied, “Absolutely. He is truly my best friend. He’s like a brother to me.”
“Do you have any brothers and sisters?” I asked, forgetting for a second that I’d asked him that question on our drive here.
With the direction of the conversation, that was a logical question. Yet, the moment it passed across my lips, I suddenly knew that it was somehow loaded, and that Walker’s cursory response during the drive wasn’t the whole story. Of course, I didn’t know why.
After a moment that felt jammed up by my question, Walker replied, “I didn’t mention it when you asked before, but I had a little brother who died. It wasn’t that I wanted to lie. It’s just easier not to dive into it. You know?”
I managed, just barely, to contain my gasp and nodded jerkily. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I understand why you don’t usually mention it to people.” My mind spun in circles with the implication that he’d chosen to share this personal and sad detail with me.
His hand tightened incrementally where it was resting on my shoulder. “Of course you didn’t know. How could you without me telling you? Thank you, though. He died when he was a baby. Apparently, he had a breathing disorder, but it wasn’t diagnosed until he died in his sleep. It was a long time ago.”
Unsure what else to say, I nodded and repeated, “I’m so sorry.”
I felt the pads of his fingers press into the skin of my shoulder when he squeezed again. “It’s okay. Really.”
Someone else said something on Walker’s opposite side, and he turned to reply. I reached for my champagne and took a gulp, savoring the fresh, bright burst of flavor. The waiter stopped by with a tray of glasses filled with champagne. I shook my head, and Walker leaned back, asking, “Can we have a fresh bottle, please?”
My chest tightened. Even though I’d commented to Walker last night about why I didn’t prefer to have guys buy my drinks, it seemed his perception ran deeper. Somehow, he’d picked up that I didn’t prefer to take a drink unless I knew exactly where it came from. The fact he made sure to take care of that had tears stinging at the backs of my eyes.
That led to me reminding myself, yet again, I was an emotional wreck over nothing.
> Chapter Twelve
Jade
A few hours later, I walked at Walker’s side up the stairs. This inn had only one elevator since it was an older building. When we noticed the line of people waiting for the elevator, we elected to take the stairs at the end of the hallway. It was only two flights.
Although I’d had a few glasses of champagne over the course of the evening, I wasn’t drunk. If I’d ever been tipsy, that had worn off. As it was, my entire body felt as if it were fizzing like champagne—alive and bubbling from the sparks of need Walker elicited.
His hand was warm where it rested at the dip in my waist. I wished it would slide down over my bottom, and I was a bit startled at that. I wasn’t prone to craving a man’s touch, but Walker was proving to be the exception to many rules. We crested the landing between the second and third floors, and one of my heels caught on the carpet. When I stumbled slightly, he tightened his grip on my waist and steadied me.
“Easy there,” he murmured.
Glancing up, I was instantly trapped in his gaze. My mind whirled back to my reckless and impulsive kiss this morning. Kiss him again.
I was practically taunting myself. My pulse was racing along madly. It was quiet in the stairwell. After hours of voices and noise, it felt as if we’d stepped out of reality for just a moment.
Walker’s gaze was darkening, like clouds burgeoning before a thunderstorm. He turned slightly, taking a step closer. I reflexively stepped back, not realizing the wall was right there behind me. My hips bumped against it. With my knees going wobbly at the look in Walker’s eyes, I was relieved for the support. I couldn’t look away and took a shallow breath as I swiped my tongue across my bottom lip.
“I need some clarification,” he said, his tone gravelly and sending tingles spinning through me like hot flares.
“About what?” My question came out raspy. I mentally rolled my eyes at myself. All this time I’d been so confident no man could ever get to me.
My confidence was turning out to be so foolish. I’d been stupid enough to think I would never be tempted. I also knew ever since I’d first met Walker that he was like flint to stone for me, striking sparks all around me just for being close.
I vividly remembered the night I met him. I’d seen him in person here and there when I covered shifts at Lost Deer Bar before we officially met. He was usually hanging with my brother and the other guys from the first responder crew. I’d thought him handsome, but I’d bet anyone who could see probably thought that. One night, he’d given me a ride home after I got a flat tire in bad weather. I’d gotten up close and personal with the potency of his presence on that drive.
Even knowing the electric power of my body’s reaction to him, I hadn’t thought I would fall prey to a desire that practically glowed with heat. Yet, here I was. I knew my cheeks were flushed. The heat was intense, suffusing my entire being.
The only relief I could find from it was to dive straight into the heart of the fire. As these thoughts chased in circles in my mind, Walker’s eyes searched my face.
After a long moment, he asked, “When you said we only have two nights, what did you mean?”
Oh God. He was going to make me say it out loud. I hated the sense of vulnerability this desire kindled inside of me. Pushing against it helped me get a hold of my gooey self. I felt like I was about to melt into a puddle at his feet. With his arm wrapped around my waist, and his strong body pressed close to my side, all of it was overwhelming.
Narrowing my eyes, I scrambled for some control and told myself I wasn’t going to be a coward. “Just that. I won’t pretend I don’t want you, although it annoys the hell out of me. But we’re here, and we’re sharing a room, so let’s take advantage of the circumstances. Let’s not make it anything more than that.”
Walker was quiet for several thumps of my heart before a slow smile stretched from one corner of his mouth to the other. Oh hell. His smiles were dangerous. My belly felt all fluttery and my breath got shallow.
He looked as if he was considering something. I suddenly recalled his comment about my brother. Straightening my shoulders against the wall behind me, I lifted my chin. “Don’t you dare include my brother’s potential opinion in this equation. We’re two consenting adults, and this is none of his fucking business.”
Walker’s responding slow laugh sent a hot shiver through me. I shifted my weight on my feet. I knew things were bad when I could feel the slick heat between my thighs. We hadn’t even kissed yet, and I was already so turned on, there was a throb at my core.
“Obviously, I’m aware it’s not really any of his business. Just as I’m aware if your brother finds out, I’ll probably get his fist in my face.”
That infuriated me. There was only one person who had a say in what I did with my body. That person was me.
Driven by the tumultuous combination of the simmering desire that needed a relief valve and irritation at the knowledge my brother most likely would have an opinion if he knew anything about this, I hooked my index finger over the last closed button on Walker’s shirt. His skin was warm against my knuckle. There was no tie for me to yank off, since he’d divested himself of that hours ago, so this would have to do.
When I pulled him closer, Walker rested a hand on the wall, just beside my shoulder as the full heat and strength of his body covered mine from head to toe.
“I didn’t say that would stop me,” he murmured right before our lips collided.
As wild as I felt inside, our kiss burst into flames, rushing like a brush fire. Walker angled his head to the side as I arched into him, gasping when he fit his mouth over mine and swept his tongue inside. After a deep sweep of his tongue against mine, he drew back, gentling our kiss just as quickly. He dusted a kiss on one corner of my mouth and then the other, turning my insides to molten lava.
Electricity was zinging through my body so fast, I couldn’t contain it. My legs shifted and my hips rocked into the hard, hot press of Walker’s arousal, which was cradled at my hips. I whimpered when he brushed his lips across mine and teased my tongue with his again.
In another hot second, our kiss was all-consuming. Walker was a master at kissing, his hand sliding into my hair as he angled my head just so to most effectively plunder my mouth with sensual, maddening strokes of his tongue. By the time he pulled back again, lightly catching my bottom lip with his teeth, it was a good thing I had the wall behind me. Without it, I almost certainly would have collapsed.
While we stood there, I could feel the rapid beat of his heart where his chest was pressed against mine. My own heartbeat was totally out of control, and I had to gulp air with messy breaths. The sound of footsteps coming up the first flight of stairs below us barely filtered through the haze in my mind.
Walker gave his head a shake and straightened. “Let’s go.”
I’d never had this kind of experience where I didn’t want any physical distance between us. Whether Walker felt the same or not, he kept his arm around me as he guided me up the next flight of stairs. His hand slid lower on my waist, and his fingers splayed over the curve of my bottom. I savored every point of contact. His touch was like a brand on me. The brush of his hips against mine was warm with each step, and the curve of his shoulder sheltered me as we moved in unison.
I couldn’t tell you if we moved quickly or not. I was in a haze, an almost dream-like state, with every cell in my body vibrating with anticipation.
Just before we reached our room, someone said Walker’s name. I reflexively followed his gaze as he paused and angled back to look over his shoulder. Dave and Jenny stood there at the end of the hallway.
“Just wanted to say thanks, man,” Dave called. “Don’t forget what I said earlier.”
A grin stretched across Walker’s face. “Of course not. We’ll see you in the morning, right?”
“You sure will,” Jenny replied with a smile. At that, they waved and turned to step into what I presumed was the honeymoon suite.
The heat banked
in Walker’s eyes nearly took my breath away. “Shall we?”
I couldn’t even speak and simply nodded. Walker propelled me forward with a gentle, coaxing pressure. There were only a few more feet to our door. Seeing as I didn’t even know where my key card was, I was relieved Walker quickly produced his from the pocket inside his suit jacket. Seconds later, the door was clicking shut behind us.
In a flash, Walker had turned and pressed me against the door. “Now, where were we?” he murmured, right before his mouth claimed mine again in a kiss for the ages.
By the time we came up for air, I was positive that particular kiss needed to be documented in some history book. If there was a history book of kisses, a chapter should be dedicated to Walker’s kisses. Hot, wet, teasing, and sensual, his kisses overpowered all of my senses and left me in a puddle of want.
Although it had been a while since I’d been intimate with anyone, I knew exactly what I wanted. Walker. Naked. Now.
Chapter Thirteen
Walker
When Jade moaned into our kiss, what little control I had almost snapped. She arched her hips against me, and I became painfully aware of just how deeply I wanted her. I was rock-hard, my cock swollen and tight in my dress slacks. Ever since I’d zipped up her dress hours and hours ago, I’d been in a state of unsettled arousal.
Her mouth was warm and pliant under mine, and her tongue was a maddening tease. My fingers curled against the door as one of her hands deftly unbuttoned my shirt. When her warm palm coasted over my skin as she pushed it out of the way, it was a special form of hell.
Maybe I was crazy enough to ignore the fact Lucas would have my head if he knew I had my hands all over his sister, but I definitely didn’t think he would appreciate that Jade already drew clear lines around what we could have. To make matters worse, the burning need I felt for Jade was unrivaled. I couldn’t stop it, or contain it.
