Fighter (Outsider Series)

by Micalea Smeltzer

  The bed… Oh, the bed was a work of art. My finger trailed the cool metal lines. The metal was shaped to look like vines and leaves and the metal was an antique copper. It was a large canopy bed and dominated the space.

  “It’s one of a kind,” Caeden said from behind me, “No two are the same. A local guy makes them.”

  “It’s so beautiful,” I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him close. “Thank you. I love the room, I love the house, and I love you,” I pulled away to look in his eyes.

  “Phew,” he said and wiped away an imaginary trail of sweat, “after the way you chewed me out on the ride here, and then when we actually got here, I was afraid you’d hate it.”

  “I could never hate it,” I pressed my lips lightly against his and my fingers curled into his silky soft hair.

  His hands gripped my waist firmly and before I knew what was happening, we were on the bed and he hovered over top me, deepening the kiss.

  Butterflies fluttered in my tummy and my fingers gripped his hair even tighter. I knew nothing like that was going to happen, not today anyway, but the fact that soon we’d be connected that way, made me feel all kind of things.

  His lips left mine and brushed against my cheek before drifting down and meeting with the skin on my neck. A very embarrassing noise escaped my lips but Caeden didn’t seem to mind, in fact, he moaned in response.

  His fingers crept under the edge of my shirt. A shiver consumed me as his hand skated over my stomach and then up, up, up, until he cupped my breast. I moaned in response and heat pooled in my tummy. I tugged at his shirt and he pulled away. I mewled in protest. Grinning, he pulled his shirt off, and tossed it in the corner of the room, before plastering his lips to mine. His tongue snaked out and my mouth opened in response. My fingers traced over his sculpted chest and I tenderly rubbed the raised scars on his side. It was funny, I knew his scars were there, but I didn’t see them anymore.

  “Oh baby,” he breathed against my lips. “You’re killing me.” His lips trailed down my neck and I arched in response.

  We’d never pushed the limit this far, I think we both knew what would have happened, so it startled me that we were going there now.

  “Caeden-”

  “Mmhmm?” he hummed as he lifted my shirt and kissed my belly.

  Breathing heavily I said, “Caeden, I think we-”

  His hand crept up my shirt again.

  What was I about to say?

  Oh, right.

  “Need to-”

  His lips captured mine. With a grin, he pulled away. “Stop? I know.”

  I closed my eyes.

  His nose brushed against my cheek and his lips whispered deliciously in my ear, “In a few days, we won’t have to stop and I can make you mine.”

  I shivered in response.

  Caeden pulled away and I suddenly felt very cold without him against me. He grabbed his white t-shirt off the floor and pulled it on, once again hiding his delicious body. Such a shame. He should be made to go around shirtless all the time. I smiled to myself. Maybe, I could make that a house rule.

  Caeden finished giving me a tour of the house and then led me back outside.

  “Are we not staying here tonight?”

  Caeden smiled, obviously pleased that I didn’t want to leave. “Nah, I promised my mom and Lucinda that we wouldn’t stay here until we’re married. It was one of the stipulations they gave me.”

  “One of?”

  He shrugged. “My mom and everyone else wasn’t too pleased that the house is so far away, so they made me promise we’d visit as much as possible.”

  “Oh.” I suddenly felt very alone knowing that we were going to be living in this huge house, just the two of us, so far away from family.

  Sensing what I was feeling, Caeden wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against him. He placed a tender kiss on top of my head and said, “Don’t worry about it, babe. I’m sure they’ll be here all the time. We won’t be able to get rid of them.”

  I relaxed a bit.

  “Now stop moping,” he smacked my butt. “We’ve got to meet our parents for dinner.”

  ten.

  “Bachelorette party!” squealed Chris as she wrapped a feathery pink boa around my neck. I tried to bat it away but she gave me a look and I was seriously afraid she might strangle me with it, so I left it around my neck.

  “Where are we going?” I asked as I peered out the limo’s tinted windows.

  “No, no, no,” Chris scolded, grabbing my chin, her freshly manicured nails digging in. “You’ll find out when we get there.” She stuck some kind of tiara on my head that said: Bride to Be. Shoot me now.

  “Ugh, this has to be the longest bachelorette party in existence,” I grumbled.

  First, we’d been to the spa to get massages, then we got manicures and pedicures, and now I was being subjected to Lord knows what.

  “Do I need to blindfold you?” she asked.

  I looked over at Charlotte, with a panic stricken expression. “Don’t you dare let her blindfold me.”

  “I’ll tackle her, if necessary,” Charlotte promised and Chris glared at her.

  Chris, looking for a way to change the subject said, “Can you believe you’re getting married, tomorrow?” Her green eyes were bright with excitement.

  “No,” I smiled. “But I’m happy about it.”

  “Of course you are,” she patted my hand and gave me a motherly look. “Caeden’s going to lose it when he sees you in that beautiful dress.”

  I blushed. “You think so?”

  “Ten bucks says he tears up as soon as he sees you,” she smiled.

  “I say he won’t cry, until she’s in front of him,” Charlotte piped up.

  “Who’s placing bets?” I asked with a smile.

  “All of us, duh,” Chris rolled her eyes.

  “You guys are so mean,” I crossed my arms over my chest but my smile ruined my air of anger. “I can’t wait until you two get married and I can torture you.”

  “Nuh-uh,” Chris waggled a finger. “You already promised me strippers. Torture was not part of the deal.”

  I rolled my eyes and before I could reply the limo came to a stop. I looked out the window. Hard Rock Café. I shook my head. Only Chris would pick that place to hold a bachelorette party.

  The driver opened the door and as she climbed out, Chris said, “I hope the others are here.”

  “Others?”

  “Just wait and see,” she grabbed my hand and hauled me out. Charlotte was already at the door. “Come on!” Chris shrieked as she dragged me along.

  They must have been expecting us, because they immediately led us to a private room upstairs without anyone saying anything. My stupid tiara probably tipped them off. When I got home, I going to burn it, along with the boa.

  The doors opened and I was greeted with, “Surprise!” from seven of the greatest guys ever.

  My jaw dropped open. “I can’t believe you guys are here!”

  “Frankly, we can’t either,” Evan fiddled with some kind of sash around his torso that said, With the Bride. Grinning, he looked up at me, “But we had to be here for our she-wolf.”

  “We still can’t believe you’re getting married so soon,” Brody flicked a piece of dark hair from his eye before wrapping me up in a hug. With a lopsided grin he said, “Is there anything you want to tell us?”

  I smacked his arm. “Of course not.”

  “So you’re not pregnant?” Riley asked. His sandy hair was shorter than before. Now it ended at his ears instead of reaching his shoulders.

  “No, definitely not pregnant.”

  Christian squeezed my shoulders. “Our little Sophie is a virgin,” she informed the guys who all looked at me with disbelief.

  I blushed.

  “Geez,” Shane said, “We all assumed you and Caeden were going at it like bunnies.”

  My face turned even redder. “Nope, sorry to disappoint you.”

  “We’re not tryi
ng to offend you or anything,” Cam said. “We just assumed with the way you two look at each other…” He shrugged. “You’re just obviously in love.”

  “So, if you’re not pregnant,” Kyle piped in, “what’s the rush?”

  “I love him,” I answered honestly, “and he loves me.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Evan brought a glass to his lips and I eyed him. “It’s ginger ale.”

  “Enough of this,” Chris said, fluttering around like a little fairy. “Sit, sit,” she pushed me into the chair at the head of the table. Charlotte and Chris took the empty seats beside me.

  A waiter came in at that moment to get our drink order and ask if we wanted an appetizer. I just let Chris take over with that.

  After the waiter left, Chris said, “We’ll eat and then we’ll get to the presents.”

  “Presents?” I gulped and for the first time noticed the small pile of packages in the corner. I was a bit afraid, between Chris and the seven, there was no telling what I would get.

  “Yippee,” I feigned enthusiasm and failed miserably.

  Chris ignored me and I turned to the guys. I was amazed by how much I had missed them and I hadn’t even realized it until they were here. “What have you guys been up to?”

  “Nothing much,” Tyler shrugged. “Just hanging out, playing soccer, the usual.”

  “What about college?” I felt bad that I hadn’t asked any of them where they were going.

  Evan grinned. “Virginia Tech all the way.” He slapped Brody on the back, “And this annoying fucker is coming with me. We’re roomies,” Evan made a smoochie face at Brody.

  Brody shook his head. “Dude, grow up. Act your age, please.”

  “Not going to happen anytime soon, so don’t hold your breath.”

  Brody rolled his green eyes and didn’t say anything.

  “What about you? I asked Shane.

  He motioned to the remaining guys. “Lord Fairfax for all of us,” he said, referring to the local community college.

  “That’s where Caeden and I are going. Maybe we’ll see you around?”

  “I hope so, she-wolf,” Riley grinned. “It’s no fun without you.”

  I plastered a smile on my face and tried to appear upbeat because suddenly I wasn’t so sure about the whole school thing. I wanted to do it. But that was the thing; I had a responsibility to my pack. Now, I realized that being normal wasn’t everything. I owed it to my pack to focus on pack business instead of silly human things. I know now that college isn’t the right path for me. I just hoped Caeden didn’t look at me like I was crazy. Oh who was I kidding? He’d definitely think I’d lost my marbles.

  The waiter came back with drinks for me and the girls and appetizers.

  I hadn’t realized I was hungry until the food was in front of me. I grabbed a potato skin and dipped it in sour cream.

  I took a bite and swallowed. Delish.

  To Chris, I said sarcastically, “This is a very lady-like place to have a bachelorette party.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me. “Sophie, you aren’t exactly the tea and crumpets kind of girl. Besides, do you really think these losers would have come to some girl party.”

  “Definitely not,” Evan said around a mouthful of nacho. “This is much more manly.”

  I giggled. “Thank you for a manly bachelorette party.”

  “You’re welcome,” Chris lifted a potato skin in the air as if she was toasting me. “And just so you know, I expect the same spread, but with strippers.”

  “I’m already dreading your wedding and you aren’t even engaged yet.”

  “Be afraid, very afraid.”

  After devouring a cheeseburger the size of my head, it was time for presents. Ick.

  “Mine first!” Chris screamed and grabbed up a box wrapped in pale pink paper. She tossed it to me and I twisted the box around. It was pretty light.

  Biting my lip, I slowly and methodically removed the paper, stalling for time. I recognized the name on the pink box and paled. I lifted the lid and found the box full of different colored lacy bras and underwear.

  Swallowing, I covered the box, and glanced at Chris. “Thank you for the lovely gift.”

  Shaking her head, “Geez, Sophie. It’s just some sexy lingerie. Stop looking at me like I murdered a kitten.”

  I didn’t know I was. I tried to school my expression into some resemblance of normal.

  “And I fully expect you to wear them, especially tomorrow,” she continued, taking the box from me. She removed the lid and pulled out a lacy cream colored strapless bra and matching panties. “I specifically got these for the special occasion,” she waggled her eyebrows.

  “Yay,” I feigned a smile.

  She poked my side. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re really a girl.”

  “I assure you, I am,” I batted her hand away before she could poke me again.

  Smoothing my hands down the purple flowery skirt of my dress, I waited for Chris to hand me another present.

  “That one is from me,” Charlotte said. “I hope you like it.”

  It was heavy, flat, and rectangular. Not afraid of what Charlotte would get me, I ripped the paper away and stared in amazement at the piece of art before me. It was white with red lettering, my favorite color.

  S W C

  Sophie

  &

  Caeden

  July 6

  A love like no other

  With tears in my eyes, I leaned over and wrapped my arms around Charlotte. “Thank you so much, this is… wonderful.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” she smiled and her green eyes lit up.

  “I more than like it I love it. I know the perfect place for it too, on the table in the foyer.”

  “That’s right,” Chris said. “Ya’ll have already gotten a house. When do we get to see it?”

  I shrugged. “Soon, I guess. We’re not allowed to move in until after the wedding.”

  “I bet it’s gorgeous.”

  “It is. Caeden picked the perfect house. I love it. Even though I am still a little mad that he didn’t let me help in the whole home searching business.”

  “If Bentley did that to me he’d never hear the end of it. Caeden should count his lucky stars that you’re not like me. Anyway-” she said with a flick of her hand and proceeded to pick up at a large box and deposit it in front of me.

  “That’s from all of us,” Evan announced with a smirk on his face.

  I really hoped it wasn’t something bad.

  Slowly, like I had with Chris’ present, I unwrapped the gift.

  “Oh,” I said with a smile. “This is great.”

  The seven had gotten me two soccer nets.

  Brody smiled. “We figured we could plan a day where we can all play together sometime.”

  Oh no, the tears were going to start up again. “I’d love that.”

  “And don’t forget this,” Riley pulled a soccer ball out from under the table and tossed it at me. I caught it and tucked it under my arm.

  “Thanks you guys, all of you,” I looked at the girls.

  “You’re welcome,” they all chimed.

  * * *

  We ate dessert and talked for another hour before we finally got up to leave.

  I hugged each of the guys and said, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow, right?”

  “We wouldn’t miss our she-wolf’s wedding! Are you crazy?” Evan grinned and pushed his orange-red hair out of his eyes.

  “Good, I’m glad ya’ll are coming,” I said as we left the building. Two of the guys, Shane and Kyle, were loading my gifts into the limo.

  “You better be happy we’re going to be there,” Tyler smiled. “We’ve got to wear suits and ties.”

  I shook my head.

  “I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow,” I waved as they headed down the street to their cars.

  “Come on Sophie,” Chris called from inside the limo. I ducked inside and pulled out my phone, remembering I heard it chime.

 
; It was a text from Caeden.

  Hope ur party is better than mine. We just hung out at my mom’s house. (no strippers, I promise) ;) Wanna see what Bryce got us?

  Sure. I text back.

  A second later, my phone beeped.

  It was a picture of a welcome mat that said: Nice Underwear. Only Bryce would be able to find something like that.

  Burn that. I said.

  Really? I thought it would make us the coolest neighbors on the block.

  We don’t have any neighbors for miles.

  Exactly. ;)

  Chris snatched the phone from my hands. “No texting lover boy.”

  “The party’s over,” I scrambled to get my phone back.

  “I don’t care,” she said and stuck my phone in her bra. Ew.

  “Chriiiiiiiis, that’s gross,” I pouted. “Geez, you could’ve at least stuck it in your purse.”

  “Ah, but then you might have risked sneaking it out. This-” she patted her top, “is a place you’ll never venture.”

  “You’ve got that right,” I grumbled and settled in for two hours of girl talk.

  * * *

  I pulled into Gram’s driveway, exhausted from the day. Even though my parents had moved back here, it had seemed silly to move my stuff to their place and then to Caeden’s and my house.

  I slid out of the car and grabbed my purse. I had almost made it to the door when the roar of a motorcycle made me turn around.

  The black monstrosity came to a stop and he pulled the helmet off of his head. He ran his long, tan, fingers through his wavy dark brown hair, before turning and giving me a dazzling smile. How did I get so lucky?

  He climbed off the bike and bounced up the walkway to me.

  “Hey beautiful,” he cupped my cheek. “I missed you today.”

  I leaned into his warm touch and a soft sigh escaped my throat. “I missed you too.”

  He smiled and licked his lips. “You know, I hear about people enjoying being away from their girlfriend, or in my case soon-to-be-wife, but I don’t feel that way. When you’re gone, it’s like I can’t breathe. It’s as if all of the oxygen has been sucked from the room and you’re my air supply.”

  I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him like I hadn’t seen him in years. Like I was starved for him, and in a way I was. I agreed with everything he just said and that’s why I didn’t need words to tell him, I just needed to show him.