“You shouldn’t worry about what Sydney and Kennedy have planned. I thought your shower was supposed to be a surprise. At least that’s what Google said when I looked it up.”
“With all of our busy schedules, I thought it would be better if we picked a date that works for everyone. I don’t know. It was just easier that way. Plus, I could care less if it’s a surprise or not. Every bride expects a wedding shower at this point. It’s just a matter of when and where. I’d rather know instead of having you trick me into going to a fake event, just so you can give me a heart attack when I walk into some Barbie looking room, full of people screaming surprise. No, thank you.”
“Sydney wants me to learn how to use a hot glue gun,” I say, a shudder running through me.
“Jeez, I’m so sorry, Jamie. That sounds awful.” She tries to hide her laughter and fails.
“You have no idea. Sydney insists we have these shower meetings,” I say, using air quotes, “that make me want to shoot myself. Last week, Sydney forced me to drink a mimosa. And we had brunch. We had fucking brunch. Who even came up with that? Some old rich lady who couldn’t figure out if she was hungry for breakfast or lunch by the time she rolled her ass out of bed at noon?”
Charlie bursts out into laughter and slaps her hand down on her thigh. “That’s awesome. I wish someone had a video of that. You know how I feel about brunch. I don’t get it either. I want breakfast or lunch not the option for them both. Sydney pretty much lives for them. So does Kennedy. I guess it’s a ritzy thing.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s funny. You should’ve seen the elaborate setup Sydney had just for us to eat lunch or whatever the hell it was that she was serving. I couldn’t even pronounce half of the foods on the table.”
Charlie chuckles. “Alex would get a kick out of this.”
“You wouldn’t,” I say, challenging her. “Alex would never let me live that one down, and don’t you dare tell him either.”
“Okay, fine. Don’t get your boxers all twisted up in a bunch.” She makes an X over her heart, the way she did when we were kids. “Cross my heart.”
“I’m glad you’re so mature about it,” I deadpan, a smile crossing my lips.
“Some things never change.”
No, they don’t. At least not when it comes to Charlie.
I still haven’t asked Regan if she would be my date for the wedding. We’ve been dating for close to three months, my feelings for her growing stronger each day. It’s about time I include her in my life outside the office or my apartment. I just hope the girls don’t drive her crazy.
For the first time this week, I’m actually on time and didn’t call to reschedule my date with Regan. She looks gorgeous, as always, with her hair styled into long curls that fall past her shoulders, sitting right at her breasts that spill out from a canary yellow top. All I can think about is getting her out of those tight clothes and into my bed. But I have to do my man-of-honor duties before we can escape from the torture Sydney is making us endure.
“Jamie, you’re not doing it right,” Sydney says, grabbing the hot glue gun from my hand. “Here, let me show you.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Regan smirking at me. She finds this about as entertaining as I do. Except she loves my pain, laughing to herself when she doesn’t think I notice.
“Why don’t you just hire someone to do this?” I ask, Sydney, which earns me a disapproving look in response.
“Are you insane? We are the bridesmaids in this wedding…well, you’re not, per say, but still, it’s our job to make this day special for Charlotte. You, of all people, should want this to be perfect for her.”
“Of course, I do. All I’m saying is we could hire people that could do a much better job.” I hold up the water bottle that Sydney had me bedazzle. Those were her words, not mine. “You expect people to drink out of a bottle with rhinestones on it. I just don’t get why we are doing all this stuff. No one will care if they are drinking from a bottle of Aquafina or the ones we’re decorating.”
“This is the problem with men,” Sydney says, flicking her dark curls over her shoulder, glancing at Kennedy. “Such simpletons.”
“Tyler and Carter wouldn’t be caught dead doing any of this stuff,” Kennedy says, coming to my rescue. I like her a little more now than I did before. “At least give Jamie some credit for making an effort.”
“Thank you,” I say to Kennedy. “I get made fun of by your boyfriends for doing this shit. At least I’m trying, whether I suck at it or not.”
Regan brushes her fingers down my arm to get my attention. “It’s okay, Dimples. I’ll do the rest of them for you.”
Sydney cups her hand over her mouth and laughs. “How cute. Did you just call him Dimples?”
Regan nods. “Yeah. Jamie has the cutest dimple.”
Sydney studies my face as if she has me under a microscope. “You’re right. How have I never noticed that before?” She sits down at the long dining room table next to Regan and latches onto her. “So, tell me. I never heard the story about how the two of you met.”
“You are so nosy,” I say to Sydney.
“Well, if you won’t tell me, then someone needs to give me the dirt on the two of you.”
“I haven’t told you because I don’t want to end up in one of your books.”
“Stop being so sensitive, Jamie.” Sydney picks up a bottle and presses a gem that’s falling off back onto the wrapper. “I want to get to know the two of you better. Is that such a bad thing?”
“No, not at all,” Regan interjects, her voice soft and pleasant. “I don’t mind telling you the story.”
While Regan gives the girls all the details of how we met, I work on finishing the favors for the shower next weekend.
I have a few hours before I need to get back to work. Otherwise, I will be even further behind schedule for the delivery of the game. We pulled off the demo, though I’m not so sure they were entirely convinced that it works. I tried my best to trick them into believing we had a solid product. By doing so, I bought myself more time. And I need every second I can get.
Regan has been helping me test the game whenever she can get away from work. It’s the closest we’ve gotten to a date since we’d met at Tony Luke’s for lunch months back. Actually, it’s sad that our entire relationship is built upon juggling our hectic work schedules.
Focused on gluing beads to the strip of paper that goes on the bottles, Kennedy is not even paying attention to us. Rubbing her thigh under the table, the warmth of her body leeching into my skin, Regan peeks up at me and flashes a warning look.
“Behave yourself, Jamie,” she says, quietly.
“I always behave,” I whisper into her ear.
She shudders from my breath against her skin and tiny bumps dot her neck with each touch. Taking her ear in my mouth, her body trembles. “Jamie, stop it, or we’re going to have to leave.”
“I was counting on it,” I retort, still running my hand down her thigh. “I missed you. We need some alone time before I have to get back to work. Make up an excuse, tell them you need to go.”
She scrunches her nose, annoyed. “No, you can’t use me as an excuse to get out of your man-of-honor duties.”
Cupping the side of her face with my hand, I look into her eyes. “I have something I need you to take care of that’s a lot more important than beaded water bottles. Besides, Kennedy is almost done, and we won’t have anything to do after you’re finished.”
Regan sucks in a deep breath, glancing over at the girls. “Okay, but you had better come up with something good.”
“Just tell them your dad texted you and that you need to get back to the Wells Fargo Center. They’ll understand. And I’m your ride, so I have to leave.”
She shakes her head, smiling. “You have it all figured out, don’t you?”
I return her gesture and push a strand of hair behind her ear with my finger. “Always, babe.”
Just like that, Regan tells the girl
s that we need to leave, excusing us from our wedding duties. As I’d thought, Kennedy and Sydney understand the situation. I have about two hours before I need to get back to the office, despite it being a Saturday afternoon. I plan to use that time wisely.
Chapter 12
Regan
It’s hard to believe that after almost three months together this is the first time Jamie has been inside my apartment. We walk down the narrow hallway, painted off-white, with modern pictures hanging on the walls, and the scent of herbs floating through the halls. Unlike most apartment buildings in this neighborhood, my place is in perfect condition with hardwood floors and crown molding, on the higher-end side of this area. My dad just about had a stroke when I chose an apartment in South Philly, but we met in the middle and settled for Penn’s Landing.
“I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to come to your apartment when you live down the street from Charlie,” Jamie says with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Jamie pulls me against his chest, as he leans back against the wall in the elevator, on our way up to my floor.
“You’ve been so busy with work that I’m just happy to see you, no matter where we go,” I mutter.
“I feel bad,” he says, bending down to plant soft kisses on my neck that send a chill through me. “I wish things weren’t so hectic for me. I want to make it up to you, take you out on a proper date.”
“Our three month anniversary is coming up. You can take me to Luciano’s. I could use a good meal after all the cheesesteaks and pizzas we’ve eaten lately.”
“Now, I really feel like an asshole.” He nuzzles his face in the crook of my neck. “You deserve the royal treatment, baby. And I’m whining and dining you at my apartment on greasy food and stale beer. I’m so lucky to have you. Thanks for hanging in there with me through all this.”
“It hasn’t been easy,” I say, speaking from the heart. “But the time we spend together is more important to me than the time we miss. You know what they say, Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
“Well, I’m very fond of you.” I can tell he’s smiling by the way his mouth moves against my skin, which produces the same reaction from me.
I’m more than just fond of Jamie. He has my body and heart under his spell. Both of which are his.
Once the elevator doors open, he’s practically clawing at my clothes to get them off me.
“Jamie,” I say, my voice sounding like a giggle. “Wait until we get inside.”
We make a left down the long hallway and stop at the last door on the right. I fiddle with my keys, and Jamie takes them from my hand.
“I need to get you out of these clothes. Right this second.”
He sticks the key into the lock and turns it, cupping my breast in his hand, as he pushes open the door. His hand travels beneath my shirt, his fingers connecting with my hardened nipple. Giving it a pinch, he drops the keys onto the entryway table and kicks the door closed with his foot.
Still massaging me, he uses his other hand to pull my back against his chest, dipping down to kiss my neck.
“Jamie,” I whisper, “take me into the bedroom.”
He does as I ask without another word and leads me by the hand, kissing me once we reach the room. His lips crash against mine, our tongues working together in harmony. I want Jamie to use his mouth to devour every inch of my body.
Working on the buttons of my shirt, he flips them open one at a time. I shake it off and let it fall to the floor, revealing a tight, black bra I shoved my breasts into, my flesh spilling out from the cups. He reaches behind me and unhooks my bra, my breasts springing free as the straps inch down my arms. Then, he removes my skirt, staring up at me with wide blue eyes, as he tugs it down my body. I step out of it, and he comes back up to my height.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Regan.” He makes eye contact with me for a few seconds before he bends down to suck on my nipple, taking it between his teeth and nibbling on it, while reaching up to massage the other breast.
Giving each of my breasts their fare share of time, Jamie finally kisses his way to my mouth. Once the backs of my knees hit the edge of the bed, I fall backward onto the mattress, with Jamie collapsing on top of me. He moves my panties to the side and pushes his finger inside my wetness.
“Jamie,” I hiss against his lips. “You have no idea how much I missed you. Missed this.”
“Probably not as much as I’ve missed you,” he says, adding another finger and quickening his pace. “I want you to come for me.”
“Not a problem,” I moan, closing my eyes, my insides clamping down on his fingers. I rock my hips, my body trembling, as Jamie’s fingers push further, harder, and faster.
He leans down to kiss me on the mouth, his kisses creating a raging fire that burns within. Taking a chunk of his hair in my hand, I arch my hips once more, screaming his name as I come for him. With my juices coating his fingers, he raises them to his mouth to taste me, a sexy-as-fuck look in his eyes.
Jamie gets off the bed to peel off his shirt and throws it onto to floor behind him, followed by the rest of his clothes. He plucks a condom from his pocket, rips open the foil packet and gives me the hottest stare as he rolls the latex down his length.
Instead of crawling between my legs, like I had expected, he gets on the bed next to me and flips me over and onto my stomach. He positions himself behind me, gripping my hips so hard he could leave marks. Once he plunges inside me, I let out a scream, taking it as he fucks me harder and faster, with my face pressed into the mattress.
Apparently, he missed me a lot more than I had realized. Jamie hasn’t been this rough with me before. This feels more like breakup sex than anything. But I love every second of it. For all the times I get the more tender side of Jamie, I enjoy the rough, animalistic side to him as well.
Unraveling beneath him, I lose all control. Jamie owns my body right now. After I come again, Jamie pulls out and rolls me onto my back. In one swift motion, he throws my legs over his shoulder, the new position hurting more than before. He’s so deep inside me, I can feel every movement he makes, hitting all the right spots. At this point, he knows me so well that we’re connected, joined as one.
My body convulses, the grip I have on his dick like a vise. Muttering a bunch of incoherent nonsense, I come once more, consumed by the high Jamie has given me. After Jamie finishes, he collapses on top of me and kisses my lips, before rolling onto the mattress next to me. It takes a few minutes for us to get our bearings before either of us can formulate a decent thought. We smell of sweat and sex, his manly scent filling my nostrils.
I curl up into the nook between his arm and shoulder, resting my head on his chest. I missed him so much I don’t care that he’s sweaty, the salty taste practically on my tongue.
“You were so rough,” I say with a satisfied grin.
He sits up enough to stare into my eyes, a worried look in his. “I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not going to break. It felt amazing. You were incredible. It was worth every second of the wait.”
Jamie runs his fingers through my hair, touching my cheek with his hand. “We need to make a change. I can’t have you only once a week.”
“You can have me whenever you want.”
“So, we’re doing the whole three month anniversary thing.” His tone doesn’t indicate a question.
“Yup. We’re that weird couple that celebrates the day they met and stupid shit like that.”
“As long as you’re mine,” he speaks against my hair, “we can celebrate whatever you want. I just wish we had more time together.”
“Me, too,” I mutter.
“You could start spending nights at my place.” He sounds hopeful. “I want to fall asleep and wake up with you in my arms.”
“You want me to move in with you?” I try to hide my excitement.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but yeah, I guess so. We spend too much time apart. And I need to
see more of you. I miss you too much.”
“I miss you, too, Jamie. But I’m not so sure that moving in together is the answer.”
He cocks his head to the side. “Are you saying no?”
“No, I’m just saying not right now. Why don’t I start by sleeping at your apartment or you here a few times a week, and then, we can go from there?”
“That’s a start.” Jamie climbs on top of me, pinning me against the mattress. He kisses me on the lips, his breath causing my body to tremble. “I don’t have much time before I have to leave. And I have to be inside you again.”
He owns my body two more times, leaving me with the promise of more along with plans for our date. I never thought I’d be the type of girl to make plans for a three month anniversary. But I also didn’t expect to fall so hard and fast for a guy like Jamie.
Chapter 13
Regan
I’m so nervous I could puke right now. After what has felt like an endless wait, Jamie and I are finally going on a real date. In a restaurant. With cloth napkins. Who knew something so simple would be so exciting?
We haven’t seen each other since Jamie left my apartment this weekend. The things he did with his tongue have left me thinking about him non-stop, which only makes me miss him more. But that also makes me even more excited to see him. I want him to explore my body with his mouth, show me what I have missed.
Staring into the mirror one last time, I fix my hair and apply a coat of pink lipstick. I chose the tightest black dress I could find that sits so high up on my thighs that if I move wrong, I could not only fall over but give everyone in the restaurant a show. I spent about ten minutes getting into this dress, the spandex practically glued onto my skin.
Jameson (Face-Off Series Book 4) Page 12
