You Say It First--A Small-Town Wedding Romance

by Susan Mallery

  She was so swollen, she thought hazily. So wet and ready. Every inch of her was sensitized to his touch. When he moved faster, she went with him, straining for more, needing him to take her over the edge. She wanted this, but she wanted him inside, too, filling her. She wanted his body above hers, her arms around him. She wanted to know what it was like to watch him come.

  But first... Oh, but first... She sank into the sensations he created, the pleasure of what he was doing. He seemed to be able to read her well enough to know when he should move faster, press harder. She felt the moment when maybe became soon and gasped.

  “Just like that,” she breathed.

  He did as she asked, changing nothing. She breathed into the promise, focusing every cell on the steady touch that took her closer and closer and—

  She fell into her release. Muscles clenched and released in that moment of perfection. Nick continued to touch her, going slower and lighter until he was barely stroking her. As the last quiver faded, he shifted his hands so he could insert two fingers into her.

  She opened her eyes and found him watching her.

  “Nice.”

  “I believe I’m the one who’s supposed to say that,” she told him. “Although I would have gone with spectacular.”

  He smiled. “I’ll take that.”

  He moved in and out of her. She would have thought she was satiated, but instead found herself moving her hips in time with his hand. He pushed in a little deeper and touched a spot that made her breath catch.

  “There it is,” he murmured. “How about this?”

  She had no idea what “this” was until he began to move his finger in a slow circle deep inside her. The sensation was unlike anything she’d experienced before. Arousing in a sort of less intense, but more pleasurable way. As if when she came, she would be in a state of bliss for hours. Or days.

  The more he circled, the more she sank into sensations that filled her body. The more he moved, the less control she had. Her breathing increased, then turned to pants. It wasn’t like before where she could push and strain to her release. She couldn’t will herself to come—it had to be drawn out of her.

  She opened her legs wider. She pushed her hips forward. She was close to begging and pleading because she was totally at his mercy. His gaze locked with hers. Everything about what they were doing was so intimate—she was exposed in every way possible on the verge of an orgasm and he could see it all. Yet she couldn’t look away or close her eyes or stop her body from moving closer and closer.

  He kept his pace steady, circling and circling. She knew she was close, although she had no idea what it was going to be like when she finally—

  Her body shuddered as she fell over the edge. The ripples started from deep within and moved out. Everything was different, stronger, more intense, yet slow. She cried out—feeling pleasure and a sense of being out of control. She found herself wanting to scream and maybe cry and certainly hold on.

  Her orgasm went on for what felt like hours but was probably only a minute or two. As the sensations faded, he withdrew his fingers, then turned away. She lay there, trying to get control, trying to recapture the essence of who she had been before he’d done that to her, then he was back and kneeling between her legs.

  He filled her even more fully than she’d hoped. She’d thought she might be sensitive and sore, but instead, having him inside of her was exactly what she needed. She wrapped her legs around his hips and clung to his arms as he began the age-old dance of making love with her.

  He moved in and out, claiming her. Their eyes locked. This time he was the one who was vulnerable, the one who let her see him getting closer. She could feel the tension in his body, hear his rapid breathing. She followed him on the journey, and as he got closer, she pulled him in more, wanting to take all of him, be a part of everything they did.

  He pushed deeper and harder, then lost himself in his release. She hung on to him, savoring the shudders that claimed him. He was unexpected in so many ways, she thought as he sighed, then kissed her.

  “Who knew you found wedding disasters a turn-on,” he whispered.

  She started to laugh, then found she couldn’t stop. He joined in. He rolled to his side and pulled her close, then kissed her again.

  “How about we get some sleep?” he asked.

  “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  PALLAS AWOKE SOMETIME in the afternoon to a handsome man kissing her shoulder. That kissing turned into a whole lot more and it was nearly three o’clock by the time they got out of her shower and managed to dress.

  She was still feeling all kinds of aftershocks and tingles as she walked into the kitchen and started the coffeemaker. She glanced at the clock, turned the coffee off, then turned it back on. One cup shouldn’t keep her from sleeping that night. Besides, she needed the caffeine. There was so much to do.

  She had to get to work and figure out what was what—postwedding. The catering staff should have tidied up before they left and the janitorial company she hired would have already been in to put away tables and chairs and clean the kitchen and bathrooms.

  But first, she was starving and she would guess Nick was, as well. She found a box of mini quiches in the freezer and started the oven. There was also a half bag of sweet potato fries that cooked at the same temperature. She had a cantaloupe on the counter.

  Nick strolled into the kitchen and drew her into his arms. She went easily, liking how they fit together.

  “Morning,” he said, before glancing at the clock on her stove. “Or afternoon. You okay?”

  She smiled. “I believe you were with me in the shower. While I’m not sure the word okay defines anything close to how I feel, I’m doing well, thank you.”

  “Me, too.”

  They smiled at each other.

  She’d had a spare toothbrush for him, but not a razor he’d wanted to use, so he needed a shave. She rubbed her hands against the stubble.

  “It’s a good look on you.”

  “Makes me look dangerous, huh?”

  She laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far, but it gives you an edge.”

  “I’ll have to remember that when I want to get my sexy on.”

  “Not something you need help with,” she admitted. At least not with her. She pointed to the food on the counter. “It’s an eclectic offering, but there are elements of breakfast. Or at least brunch.”

  “Works for me. What do you want to do with the rest of the day?”

  As in, did they want to spend it together? Happiness joined the tingles. Suddenly work didn’t seem the least bit important.

  “I’d like to make sure Weddings in a Box is all locked up, but that’s the only thing I have to do,” she said. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Maybe a movie, then dinner. After that we could go back to my place and—” His smile faded as he swore. “I live with my brother. I can’t take you back to my place. I don’t have a place.”

  She held in a giggle. “Well, you are planning to go to Dubai, so it makes sense not to bother with an apartment of your own.”

  “Still, it makes me feel like I’m eighteen and still living at home.”

  “We’ll come back here. My bed seems to work for us.”

  He drew her against him. “Everything about you works for me.”

  “Nice to know.”

  She put the food on a cookie sheet, slid it in the oven, then set the timer before returning to Nick’s embrace. He nibbled along her neck, then straightened and looked at her.

  “Why aren’t you married?”

  She tilted her head. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a sleepover, but I’m pretty sure that’s not an expected question for the morning after.”

  “I’m serious.”

>   “So am I.”

  Nick pressed his forehead to hers. “You’re beautiful, you’re smart, you’re funny, you’re a good person and you have a successful business. Obviously the problem isn’t you. So why aren’t you married?”

  Was it wrong of her to want to replay the “you’re beautiful” part of his list? It was all good, but somehow that one was the most appealing. She supposed that made her shallow.

  “If we’re going to get serious, I need coffee.” She crossed to the pot and poured them each a mug. They settled at the kitchen table, where she wondered how to explain her single state.

  “I’m wary about relationships,” she began. “Not that I’m having to turn men away or anything, but I’m cautious.”

  “Because of your mom?”

  “That’s insightful.”

  He shrugged. “Parents have the best shot at messing with their kids. It’s a time-honored tradition. We’ll probably do it, as well.”

  “There’s something to look forward to,” she murmured, hoping she wouldn’t make her children feel that they had to earn her love. “I always had to work to make her proud of me and I always failed. I didn’t want to have to go through that for some guy.”

  “Real love doesn’t have to be earned.” He sounded as if he were sure.

  “I’ve heard the rumor and I don’t know if I believe it.”

  “You don’t have to earn Cade’s love.”

  “He’s my brother—he has to love me.”

  “No, he doesn’t. He chooses to and it’s easy for both of you. I’ve seen you two together. You trust him to have your back.”

  “I want to say it’s different and you’re going to say it’s not. Love is love.” She leaned forward. “So why aren’t you married?”

  “Passion consumes,” he said without hesitation. “I’ve seen my mom with my dad. She would do anything for him. He would do anything for his art. I get that love comes in many forms and most of them scare the crap out of me. It seems safe between siblings but after that, all bets are off.”

  “We had passion last night.”

  “Different kind, and yes, we did.”

  Their gazes locked. She felt the heat radiating from him and for a moment thought about throwing herself in his arms. Her table was sturdy—they could do it right there. But a voice in her head whispered she needed to more fully understand why he wasn’t interested in getting involved.

  “So you’ll have sex, but you won’t fall in love,” she said. “What about a relationship? Say having a girlfriend?”

  His mouth twisted. “In theory, yes.”

  She held in a smile. “If you didn’t like her too much?”

  “Now you’re making fun of me.”

  “A little, but only with affection. You’ll risk yourself emotionally, but to a point. Sex, yes, permanent commitment, no. Part-time commitment, maybe, if there was no risk of taking things to the next level. So I would ask why would you want to be with someone if you didn’t want the relationship to have a chance of getting better?”

  “If you’re going to use logic,” he grumbled.

  She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, exactly. Maybe a reminder that she had to keep her heart safe. That Nick wasn’t a forever kind of guy. And while she hadn’t been looking for a man in her life, now that she had one, she found she really liked it. As far as his concern—that passion consumed—she didn’t mind the thought of being consumed by him at all.

  For now she was safe. She liked him a lot, but wasn’t in love with him. She was going to have to be careful and make sure she didn’t allow herself to care too much. Even without his commitment issues, he was still leaving.

  “I like that you’re emotionally broken,” she said cheerfully. “It keeps the playing field level.”

  “I’m not broken. I’m quirky.”

  “Is that what we’re calling it?” she asked.

  The oven timer dinged. Nick rose and grabbed an oven mitt. “Saved by the bell. Have you ever noticed how all of life is about timing?”

  * * *

  MONDAY MORNING PALLAS got to the office extra early. She and Nick had spent a lazy Sunday afternoon together. Somehow they never made it to the movies, but they had gone out to dinner. He’d gone back to his brother’s for clean clothes and a shaving kit, then had returned to her place. Despite her 3:00 p.m. cup of coffee, she’d had no trouble sleeping in his arms.

  She felt good, she thought as she walked through the building and checked to make sure everything had been put back in place. She’d made it through the wedding from hell and had lived to tell the tale. She and Nick were having fun. Her girl parts were very excited about all the action.

  She knew the relationship was temporary and she was going to go with that. Maybe hanging out with Nick would give her the courage to find someone else after he left. A man who was interested in forever. She would like to be a part of something bigger than herself, she thought wistfully. And have kids.

  A little after three, Alan strolled in. He handed her a latte, then took a seat next to her desk.

  “How was prison?” he asked.

  “I was giving a statement, not being arrested,” she reminded him. “I should have made you go in my place. You saw the same thing I did.”

  “It’s something I will never forget.” He shuddered. “Of course, over time I’ll change the story so I’m the hero and that will be fun, but dear God! I can’t believe the DJ pulled a gun on us. Even a paint gun. Who does that?”

  “Criminals.” She leaned back in her chair. “I’m just grateful Catherine is the one who hired him. I offered her our local guy, but she wasn’t interested.”

  “I’m sure she’s sorry now. Are the zebras all right?”

  “So it seems. I talked to Carol this morning and she said they’re recovered and acting their normal zebra selves.”

  In fact her friend hadn’t been all that upset about the incident. Pallas wondered if she had taken too much to heart. Maybe the rain hadn’t been an omen. Maybe it had just been rain.

  “I’m thinking wild animals are probably not something we should promote,” she said. “But offering some custom elements to our clients might be fun.”

  “I wonder if anyone would like a hostage wedding.” Alan chuckled. “I would have loved to have seen Gerald’s face, if he’d still been with us. Can’t you see him marching up to the DJ and saying very sternly, ‘That simply isn’t done, young man.’”

  “It’s funny to think about, but if it had really happened, I would have worried about him being hurt.”

  “Which is only one of the reasons he adored you.” Alan shook his head. “I still remember when you first came to work here. You were so proud of your Disneyland experience.”

  “Don’t mock the mouse,” Pallas said sternly. “I adored working there. All the special parties were so important to the guests. It was great fun.” She sighed. “And the reason I didn’t do as well in one of my classes, setting in motion a series of events that totally changed my life.”

  “Was that good or bad?”

  At the time she would have claimed it was a disaster, but now she knew being forced to leave college had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

  “I appreciate my degree more because I earned it myself,” she said slowly. “And I’ve had a wonderful experience working here.”

  “Gerald was impressed with you from the beginning. After your first interview he told me you’d be running this place one day. And look, you are.”

  Only because of Gerald’s generous and unexpected bequest. “Why did he leave the business to me and not you? You and he were close.” She didn’t want to define their relationship any more than that. While she knew that Gerald and Alan had been involved, she’d never been clear on the details. Friends with benefits? Partners? A
nd asking had seemed rude.

  Alan’s expression softened. “He always knew that while I liked Weddings in a Box, you loved it. You were excited and passionate about every aspect. He’d created this from nothing and wanted whoever inherited it to appreciate his legacy.”

  “I like to think he would be happy with how things are going.”

  “I’m sure he is.”

  Pallas thought about her conversation with Nick. She’d forgotten to mention the love she and Gerald had shared. One in which she’d expected nothing and had gotten everything. Gerald had been a total stranger that first day, yet in the end, he’d changed her life. Or maybe the person to share that with was her mother. Not that Libby would get or appreciate hearing about unconditional love and generosity.

  “Unless you’re still thinking of selling,” Alan added.

  “I’m not. I’ll admit that every time my mother mentions the bank to me, I get a knot in my stomach and I feel guilty. But if I wanted to work there, I would already be doing it. This is where I belong.”

  Alan sniffed. “Our little girl is all grown-up.” He rose. “All right, darling, I’m heading back to LA. I have parties to attend. I’ll be back for Nova and Joel’s wedding. No one wants to miss that.”

  Pallas stood and they hugged. As he walked out, Silver stalked in. Pallas took one look at her friend and knew there was only one person who could put that kind of fire in Silver’s pale eyes.

  “What did he do now?” she asked.

  “I hate Drew.” Silver paced to the far end of the room and then turned back. “Hate him.”

  Pallas almost asked “Why this time?” because despite having broken up years ago, Silver and Drew were never quite over. Except she guessed that question wasn’t exactly supportive. Instead she said, “What happened?”

  Silver planted her hands on her hips. “He said he missed me.”

  “That bastard!”

  Silver glared at her. “Do you really think this is the right time for sarcasm?”

  “Sarcasm is like Jell-O. It’s always the right time and there’s always room.”