Resisting Her (Moving On Duology Book 2)

by Catherine Edward

  “I don’t know man. I can’t seem to get it right.” He waved the tie in his hand. “I don’t know why I’m fucking nervous.” He ran a hand through his hair and shifted from one foot to the other.

  “Ah, come on. Where’s Mike and Jeff?”

  Enrique snorted. “Mike went to check on the arrangements with the wedding planner. Jeff… You know, he’s anxious for no reason. I mean… it’s my wedding.”

  I laughed as I followed him into the room. “Let’s get the show on the road.”

  ***

  A few hours later, we stood at the altar. Enrique looked vibrant than ever with his nervous gaze flicking over the shoulders and me as his best man. The spot overlooking the sunset was perfect for a beach wedding. The setting sun cast an orange glow to the sky. The surrounding flowers and the lighting complimented by giving it all a surreal look.

  When the bridal march started, Enrique stiffened beside me. I patted on his back and straightened my coat. The guests eagerly waited for the bride’s arrival when my eyes searched for one particular bridesmaid. And, she arrived in a lavender-colored dress that accentuated curves, curled hair bouncing on her shoulder, looking like an angel.

  Chiara looked lovelier. My gaze shifted right back to Arianna. Our gazes locked and the surroundings faded. Suddenly, my heart raced and the moment felt so special that I could vividly imagine her walking the aisle wearing a mermaid style bridal gown. Fuck. I had to blink several times to clear my thoughts. Where that thought had come from?

  My movements since then were robotic. The next time I came around was to the round of cheers. Joy radiated from everyone. When I looked at my brother again, they were exchanging vows and the smile on both their faces meant everything. Arianna sported a glassy look as she gazed at the couple with a broad smile.

  Papa and grandpapa were almost on the verge of tears. I knew what it was like for them because I felt it too. Enrique was on a self-destructing journey ever since he turned a teen and he found his solace in Chiara. She became his anchor. The crowd cheered again when the couple shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Arianna brushed away her tears of joy.

  “That was such a wonderful moment,” Aunt Gabriella, Mike’s mom burst into tears when we came down leaving the newlyweds to the photographer.

  “It is.” I gave her a warm smile. Aunt Gabriella was the only maternal figure in our lives and she had breastfed Enrique along with Mike. She cared for us as a mother when our real mother wasn’t there for us.

  “Gabi, the photographer is looking for you and Uncle Frisby. Orlando, you too.” Arianna sauntered toward us.

  Aunt Gabriella’s features brightened. “You and Rosa look so lovely,” she gushed, pulling Arianna into her embrace. Her gaze briefly cut to Rosalinda, who was busy posing with the couple.

  “You too, Gabi.” Arianna sank into her embrace. “And you already told me twice that I look pretty as a princess.” Her tone took a soft note as if she was talking to a mother. But then I realized Gabi was the only maternal figure in her life too.

  “What about me?” Uncle Frisby, Mike’s father piped in with a playful grin.

  “You look young and smart as always, Uncle Frisby.” Arianna laughed and reached out to grab his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

  Uncle Frisby, Mike’s father was a slightly older version of Mike with a rich Italian accent he inherited from his mother. Uncle Frisby’s maternal grandfather and my great grandfather migrated to the US in the early 1900s and had been friends for decades. Aunt Gabi’s marriage to Uncle Frisby united our families.

  Gabriella released Arianna and turned to me. “I’m so happy for you both,” she said. “Ari and Rosa are my darlings. Take good care of her, Orlando. I don’t want to see any more tears in her eyes.”

  I swallowed the invisible lump. Was it so obvious? A sudden overwhelming emotion washed over me. I could only nod in response. Uncle Frisby dragged my aunt along throwing a wink at me on the way Arianna giggled beside me. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s okay,” I said. We weren’t official, but when I looked at her, I had this sudden urge to make it official and call her my girlfriend. The fear of commitment tied my tongue. My heart raced.

  I gently nudged her to the photographer to diffuse the mounting tension in my mind. Am I ready for that step? My heart raced as we posed for the photos. When our gazes locked for a snap, the photographer asked us to; I found my doubts dissolving into thin air. I could have her if I didn’t fuck it up by letting my insecurities get the best of me.

  Two hours later, the party was in full swing. The newlyweds had their first dance. I couldn’t wait to ask her for a dance when it was our time. A sigh of contentment slipped out of my lips when her soft curves pressed against mine. Hands traveled down her lower back, resting there as I pressed my forehead against hers.

  “Lavender suits you better.”

  Arianna chuckled softly. “Mhmm. The other day, you said purple looked good on me.”

  “Do you want me to tell you the truth?” I murmured against her ear, inhaling her mild cologne.

  “Yes.” Her voice breezed out.

  “I think none of the colors do you justice.” The corners of her lips lifted and her gaze lowered to my chest. “You looked much better without any color on you.”

  Arianna gasped. “You shouldn’t talk like that.”

  Her breathing grew heavy against my chest. I sensed the shudder running through her body, which left me smiling. “You wanted the truth and I’m being honest.”

  “Your honesty should wait until we get somewhere private.”

  I wanted to tease her more when I saw Dean waving me over. I kissed her forehead, “I’ll be right back.”

  She looked toward Dean with an understanding smile and nodded.

  “You shouldn’t do this, man,” Dean whispered as we got out of there.

  “I know.” Guilt washed over me for leaving her like that. As much as I wanted her, tonight, I couldn’t do it. I should probably talk to her about it eventually if we took our relationship to the next level. But not tonight. Dean agreed to help me this one time to get away from Arianna.

  He shook his head, disagreement written on his gaze. “She is your chance for happiness. And, you’re ruining it.”

  “No. I’m doing this for her. What good it’ll do considering that I’m leaving this country in a week? It’s just—I’m not ready, Dean.”

  “I understand.” He sighed. “You know you’re physically fit. It’s all in your mind.”

  “I know. But I’m not willing to test the theory yet.” I clenched my jaws. Dean knew about this because he dragged me to a therapist.

  “I wish you could see this from my perspective. But what can I say? Do what you feel is right.”

  When Dean left, a void filled my heart. The contentment filling me a few minutes ago was no longer there. I wanted her, but it also scared me. What if she rejected me after a night together? What if my therapist was wrong?

  I punched the wall, ignoring the pain that shot out of my hand. I fucking didn’t want to find out. With a frustrated growl, I stripped and walked into the bathroom, banging the door shut.

  Chapter – 14

  “Coward,” I spat for the third time that night as I gazed into the mirror. “Why can’t you just do this one thing you want the most? Fucking coward.”

  I despised seeing myself in the mirror. I’m a fool. I clenched my fists, suppressing the urge to hit the mirror. But I had to walk away to protect my heart and my sanity. Even a hot shower didn’t help to calm my rattling nerves.

  Boxer had snuck into grandpapa’s room earlier, leaving me alone. Opening the cabinet, I took the pills, inspecting the bottle. Not that I needed it, but after what I went through, I wasn’t sure. The sex stamina pill was promising, but then our relationship would build on a lie. Besides the bottle, the condoms I stacked last week seemed to laugh at me. What was I thinking?

  Self-doubt is the worst poison. With a sigh, I placed it where
it belonged. Let her hate me or think I wasn’t worth it. But how could I talk about this to her? I ran a hand through my hair. It’s so fucked up and messy.

  Just as I entered the room, I heard a light rap on the door. Did Boxer return already? Arianna stood outside in a short dress.

  Damn. She looked delectable with her wet hair and that hesitant smile. I should have known she wouldn’t give up on me. My breath eased out. Why? I had no answer. “Hey, can’t sleep?” I asked, deciding to strike out a casual conversation. Should I tell her now? We were alone and maybe I could do this.

  “I want you tonight, Orlando.”

  “Huh?” Her boldness caught me off guard, causing my eyes to go wide. I forgot to breathe for a moment as the desire ignited my blood.

  “I expect nothing from this. I just want to forget. Everyone has company tonight and I feel alone. I don’t want to feel alone. Please, I want to know how it would feel to be wanted. I want to know… Orlando. Show me how it would feel to be loved by a man.”

  Dumbfounded by her words, I stared at her. I had to tell her. She doesn’t get it. It wasn’t about her expectations. It wasn’t about her loneliness. It was me. “Ari—”

  Arianna’s lips crashed with mine. She pushed me into the room, kicking the door that closed with a click. When my back sunk into the mattress, she took charge of the kiss and I opened up for her. My hands sought her feminine curves while holding her body close. One taste and I was lost. I wanted more.

  Awareness shot to my lower half. Arianna ground her hips against my arousal. A moan slipped out of my lips. Her lips trailed kisses along my jaw and neckline. Soft hands grabbed my hardness, stroking it. It was all it took for my control to snap. All my rational thinking blew out of the window.

  In the blink of an eye, I pinned her lithe frame to the bed. I slipped the dress off her shoulders and I let my fingers grace her smooth skin. Her pink nipples were hard and waiting. Dipping my head, I took a hardened peak in my mouth, losing myself to the exhilarating emotions. Her back arched as her soft moans drifted around me.

  “Orlando…”

  Her needy whisper mesmerized my senses. I looked at her as she lay with half-hooded eyes and parted lips. An angel by every means. My angel. Her hips rose to get her point across and I removed her panties along with the dress, admiring her beauty.

  God, she was beautiful. Perfect in every sense.

  My stare did not waver. I didn’t want to look away. I couldn’t do it even if I wanted to. I traced the pout of her womanhood, admiring the recent wax job. Her pink folds glistened with wetness. A soft moan left her lips when I parted her folds, revealing the sensitive bud swollen with need.

  “You’re so beautiful and wet,” I murmured, pressing on her core, making her body jerk. I wanted to taste her. How would her body react if I did that? I was so eager to discover. Looking up, she’d bitten into her lower lip, controlling the moans.

  Not happening, sweetie. Tonight I want to hear you scream. Releasing her lip from the grip of her teeth, “I want to hear it.” I spread her wide, holding her legs still using my shoulders. A deep inhale filled my lungs with her arousing scent. Without further ado, I buried my face in her pleasure cove.

  Each flick of my tongue had her hips jerk. Her pleasure-filled cries became the music to my ears and my cock throbbed painfully.

  Oh, how much I wanted to bury myself deep inside her. But I couldn’t hurry. It was about her, about us. I had to make this good for her. I wanted to blow her mind so she wouldn’t see me as a wuss. It was a need that burned deep within my heart. When her orgasm hit, she was dripping wet, so ready for me.

  I paused only to slip on the safety. I almost came when I slid into her. Her wet channel gripped me tighter, making me groan. It felt so good—so consuming. Her pleasure was my undoing. Lean legs wrapped around my waist, holding me close as I leaned forward to kiss her.

  When I moved, she moaned into my mouth. My sweet heaven. It was better than every wet dream I ever had of her. My eyes rolled to the back of my skull. Suddenly a hot, blinding pleasure shot through me and I realized in between the short pants of breath that I lost it.

  Instead of relishing in the bliss, my eyes shot open. It was her face I saw—Kenzie. I pulled out abruptly. She blinked, but said nothing. Horror filled me to the core and a major part of me waited for the insult to come.

  My vision blurred and I did the only thing that came into my mind. I ran or rather walked numbly to the bathroom.

  Discomfiture.

  Repugnance.

  Rage.

  Heavy breaths expanded my lungs, but it didn’t ease the weight I was feeling. I fucking ruined it. I should’ve known better. I punched the tiled wall. Fucking idiot. I clenched my jaws tighter. She was still in the room.

  The cabinet door rattled when I opened it violently. Grabbing the stamina pill, I stared at it in contempt. This would have saved me from the shame.

  “What are you doing?” Arianna stood at the door, wearing my shirt.

  Huh!

  “Why are you here?” I snapped, but my gaze swept over her disheveled frame. Even in a situation like this, I couldn’t help but admire the way her nipples poked over the thin material.

  “What are those tablets for?” She frowned.

  Fuck. My first thought was to hide it from her view. My response came before I could think. “That's none of your business.”

  She snatched the bottle from my hand. “It is in every sense my business since you left me hanging.”

  “Give it to me!” Snatching the bottle from her, I yelled, “Get out.”

  I didn’t want to hear it from her. Something hot pricked my eyes as my insecurities unleashed at a full force.

  “You don't need this pill.”

  “Don’t test my patience, Arianna. Did you think you can ask me questions just because we’re fooling around and fucked once?” Hurt flashed in her eyes and guilt washed over me. I wouldn’t let her have a go at me. I couldn’t live with that.

  “No,” she whispered. Her gaze held steady, never leaving mine. “But it matters when you resort to this pill to fuck me.”

  She must leave. I’m not good enough. I can never make her happy. I cannot satisfy her. Why hasn’t she left yet?

  “Leave, Arianna.” A plea slipped out as my mind longed for solitude.

  “I won't.” She shook her head.

  “I'll leave, then.”

  Her hand caught me before I could sidestep around her. “It doesn’t matter how long you can fuck me. What matters is how you make me feel during and after.”

  Arianna’s words infiltrated through the haze of embarrassment and disgust.

  “You made me feel special and wanted. It felt good to be wanted for once. Trust me, you don't need that.”

  Speechless. I was out of words for the first time. “Arianna...”

  “I'm not her, Orlando.” Her voice paused. Her gaze locked with mine as her tears broke free. “I'm not her.”

  The warmth in her gaze consumed me. I kissed her. Tears now sprung free and I realized it was mine. A feeling so intense took hold of my heart. A mixture of love, content, and joy I’ve never experienced. And, I loved the feeling.

  My cock grew hard again. Strange enough, the self-doubt hadn’t spread its claws yet. I pulled her flush against my body and hoisted her over the counter. She opened her mouth for my seeking tongue. When I sank inside her again, it felt right as if we belonged together.

  No fear. No doubt. Just me and her.

  ***

  The distant ringing of my cell phone woke me the next morning. With my eyes closed, I blindly reached out for the phone, only to trace the softness of a woman. Eyes shot open and when it adjusted to the bright early rays of the sun, a mop of brown hair greeted me.

  Sleep and confusion cleared as I remembered last night. Arianna faced the other side and our legs were entangled. Grabbing her shoulder, I turned her over and a smile breached my lips when I saw her sleeping form. Arianna looked more beau
tiful than ever with tousled hair and a flushed face. The sheets slid down, revealing her breasts and my morning wood twitched.

  She moaned softly when I pressed a kiss on her lips. Climbing over her, I pushed her legs apart. A soft gasp parted her lips when I slid inside her. Damn. So tight and warm. I could get used to waking up every morning like this. Her eyes cracked open and back arched.

  “Orlando…” Her seductive whisper held the remnants of sleep.

  “Yes.” I sucked on her nipple, making her moan.

  I slid my hands between us, stimulating her pleasure bud. Soon, she came apart in my hands and I followed. The creepy insecurities poked their head in my mind, but looking at Arianna’s content smile, everything felt right.

  Resting my forehead against hers, I enjoyed the peace while it lasted. The phone blared again, earning a string of curses from me. I slipped out of the bed and found it in my discarded pants and an involuntary frown pulled the corners of my lips.

  “This better be good.”

  “We have a breakthrough.” Marcus’ voice rang with excitement.

  “What?” I whispered, not wanting to wake Arianna, who curled back under the sheets. Rushing to the bathroom, I closed the door behind me.

  “We found how Isabela got your father’s signature on those documents. Last night Isabela and Henry were drunk. And, they talked a lot with a bit of alcohol in their system.”

  Damn. “Go on.” I gripped the counter as my heart raced.

  “Apparently, our theory was right. They met and rekindled their relationship while she was still married to Sir Ricardo. Hendrick was broke and divorced, then. Isabela hatched a plan to elope, but she didn’t want to lose the luxury by doing so. Long story short, she paid off Sir Ricardo’s former secretary and sneaked in the documents. The secretary tricked your father by placing it along with many other documents and got him to sign the papers.”

  I wasn’t sure how good this evidence would be, but we now found the little birdie that betrayed us. The secretary in question resigned around the time of Papa’s high profile divorce. “Track down Martha Pennington. Get her to talk.”

  “On it.”