Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series)
Page 22
Can you say Shit?
Sam looked understanding and caring, where Charlie looked frustrated that he was in the dark.
“Why so interested Charlie?” I turned and looked at him, “It’s not like you’re going to miss me.”
“If you believe that to be true than what difference is it if I know where you will be? It’s certain that I won’t follow on the basis of what you think so you shouldn’t have any fear of it.”
“I’m not having this conversation with you. Nor do I care to tell you where I will be as I plan for a few destinations.” I turned back around and started the car. Pulling from the parking spot it was hard to keep my eyes from searching for him in the rearview mirror.
I needed this night to end and quickly. Leaving was now a need.
We pulled up to the country club, Hayfields only to be ordered around for pictures. Thank god, Patricia was there to order around a waiter bringing us drinks.
Julie was really pushing the entire concept of Charlie and me, insisting on photos of just us. This was ridiculous. Charlie on the other hand didn’t seem to mind.
Thinking we were done I went to walk away when he spun me back around and forced a kiss. Damn photographer was quick to capture that shot.
“The two of you make a lovely couple,” the photographer offered, as I pulled away from Charlie.
“Looks can be deceiving.” I spit out, and finally walked away.
Walking through the doors, I made a quick walk to the first bar before the reception hall.
Wholly shit, non-other that Corey was tending bar.
“Corey?” I walked around to the side and hugged him. “Tending bar here?”
“Yes, I’m doing it as a favor to the owner. Owner being my Uncle.” He laughed. “You’re usual?” he smiled pulling away as he didn’t need me to confirm.
“It seems like everyone is getting married these days, Julie and Chris, hell Brady and Sam, engaged no less. Next you’ll be telling me you’re getting married.” He handed me a drink and shook his head.
“You sound like the idea of getting married puts a bad taste in your mouth” I offered laughing.
“I don’t have a problem with marriage Lil, just don’t see the need for it right now. I like being single. And at last check you and I have been of the same mind when it came to relationships and commitment. Don’t tell me that’s changed.” He raised a brow waiting for an answer.
“I don’t have wedding fever if that what your implying Corey.” I shook my head smiling at him as I pulled another long sip.
Shifting my sight, I was almost in complete shock. Wesley.
“Scotch neat.” he ordered while smiling at me. “You look amazing Lillian.”
“As do you.” I moved over and reach up to kiss him on the cheek. His hand was quick around my back guiding me to him. “I didn’t think you would come.”
“I said I would, and thus I am. I told you I’m a patient man Lillian.” I heard nothing but the sound of truth in his words. He looked down and me slighting his head as he appraised me.
Pulling my drink from my hands, he placed it on the bar. “You look like you’re in need of hug Lillian.”
Without actually asking, he pulled in tight. For once, I felt no need to disguise my simple need. He was right. I needed to be held and his embrace felt secure.
“Wesley, you made it.” Sebastian stood behind. Wesley broke his hold and smiled then extended his hand to Sebastian.
Turning, he clearly found himself a date. She was a tall brunette that looked like she just stepped of the pages of a catalogue.
Wesley leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s been a long time Sophia.”
“Yes, it certainly has.” She spoke in an eastern European accent.
“Sophia, this is Elizabeth Holt”
“It’s a pleasure MS Holt.” She turned to Wesley “I have to say I’m very impressed Wesley. Here I thought you only dated models?” She laughed.
I almost laughed. Did she not realize she was insulting herself?
“If you will excuse me. I need to fulfill my role as maid of honor and tend to the bride.’ Smiling at Sophia, “It was very nice to meet.” Turning up, Wesley lowered down and kissed my nose. “I’ll see you in a bit,” he offered.
Stepping over, “Sebastian” I nodded coolly.
He repeated my same tone as I walked away.
Of course, Charlie with his hands in his pockets, grinning like a kid whom was up to something, stood in front of me.
“Another testament to how good Sebastian is.” He shook his head grinning looking back at the three. “What did you think of Sophia?” he smirked.
“I don’t Charlie.” I stepped past him as he turned and put a hand around my waist pulling me closer to him as we made our way down the hall to where Julie was. “Don’t touch me” I swatted away his touch. “And why are you so amused?”
“I just find it interesting that Sebastian brought Wesley’s x here.” He laughed “Wesley and Sophia have been an off and on thing for years now.” He added.
“Everyone has a past Charlie and an X.” I replied coolly
“Well that’s not true for everyone. You have no x”
“Sure I do, and one of them he just married your sister.”
Grabbing my arm, he stopped me, “whoa, you and Chris were a thing? I don’t believe it. Your reputation was one I looked into as fact.”
“Then whomever you had digging did a poor job. Chris and I dated three or four years ago Charlie. That’s the whole reason Julie planted that seed in your head about me in the first place. Before you knew who, I really was.”
“So, how in the world did she and him? And you and he didn’t?” he was rambling like a child confused.
“Chris and I were friends more than we were anything else. He’s a good man and I suppose it’s in his nature to want to help and nurture. I think his entire thing with me was that he saw someone alone, broken and wanted to fix me.” Gazing down the hall, “We were friends from go it just took some time to realize it. Our relationship wasn’t an intimate one, well not physically.”
“I have no doubt of his character. He is a good sound man and Julie and he look very happy.”
“They don’t just look it Charlie, they are.” I looked up and him just for a moment. I didn’t care if he saw the sadness I held. For I knew this would be short lived. The next time I would see him, hopefully my heart will be mine again.
We walked down and into the room. “Thank god, help her bustle this dress, I can’t seem to figure it out” Patricia, looked frustrated.
“Let’s see what I can do.” I walked over and knelt down behind her pulling her dress and feeling for the button loops. “Damn they made them small,” I offered trying to blindly bustle each tiny button.
“Do you think you can get them?” Julie looked nervous.
“I got it, one more and your set.” I offered as I hooked the last one.
“Oh you’re a life saver.” She breathed. “I thought we weren’t going to be able to get them.”
“How’s my wife doing?” Chris popped into the room with a bottle of champagne. Stepping to Julie, he pulled her in for a kiss. Yes, they were very happy.
I found myself smiling as I watched them.
Too lost in the glow of their union, I hadn’t realized that Charlie was holding me from behind. Mindlessly, I wrapped my hands around his arms that held me.
Julie turned and smiled from ear to ear. “I can’t wait until it’s the two of you getting married”, she blurted out. Turning bright red it had just dawned on me that I was completely cocooned into his hold. Biting my lip, I didn’t even know how to respond. Sure enough, it looked, as Charlie was the one offering up a comment.
“We are already married sis.” Oh, shit.
My mouth opened and his grip around me was firmer.
“That being said the two of you can’t tell anyone.” He added very sharply. “No one can know. And I do me no one.”
“What? When?” Julie looked floored.
“He conned me into it Thursday.” I interjected. “It’s not a real marriage Julie, this is just another bullshit scheme that will be over and done in the next year.”
“Doubtful, you just might like being married to me.” He snorted while keeping his grip around me. “And I didn’t con you. You said yes on your own free will.”
“Oh bite me! You conned me and you know it.” I rolled my eyes looking at Julie. “And let me go damn it, I can barely breath with your death grip around me.”
Julie laughed shaking her head. “Welcome to the family” she looked over at Charlie “Really? You had to con her in to marrying? Hell, whatever got it done!” She added.
Oh my god, she was approving this stunt of his.
“Look, I love you both and think that the two of you truly belong to each other. Whatever the pretenses that got the two of you together is irrelevant. It’s so fucking obvious that the two of you are in love with each other.” She came over, kissed my cheek, and winked at Charlie. “If you will excuse Chris and I, we have a reception to get to. I’ll lock the door on our way out.” She laughed.
“There’s no need to lock the door Julie, I have no intentions of staying in any room alone with him.” I offered in a clipped voice.
I could tell he mouthed something to her as she and Chris made their way from the room. Of course, she locked the door.
“Let go of me Charlie” my voice was sharp.
“I will in a minute.” He laughed.
His lips landed on my neck, kissing and playing seductively. I could feel his hold release slightly. One hand pulled up and over my breast as the other moved to the side of my hip pulling my dress up.
“Charlie stop” my voice was a labored as his lips were seducing me to his will.
“You know you don’t want me to.” He breathed between his kisses.
His hand fell straight to my core now that he found the bottom of my dresses hem. The moment his hand began its rub I was almost complete taken by him and my resolve gone.
“Oh god” his finger slipped past my panties and straight to the center of me.
“You’re always so ready,” he whispered into my ear just before sucking my lobe.
I was almost fully undone when he pulled his hand forcing me around. His mouth quick and commanding took my lips. My hands eagerly dropped to his pants pulling his arousal from them, as he pulled my dress up and tore my panties off.
Lifting me up and around his waist he walked up over to the small desk and lowered me down. Gripping my hips, he steadied himself as I felt his arousal just at the core of me.
Pausing for a moment, he looked down at me, as I held my grip around his neck. My breathing was labored and felt as if I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.
His hands moved, one behind my back the other up the center of my chest. Leading me, I lowered down lying on my back. My eyes trapped in his. He pulled his jacked t off and followed up by removing his tie, then shirt.
Lowering back down, he pulled my breast free from the gown, kneading, cupping and taking it into his mouth. Arching my back, I felt his tease; His arousal just skimming my core setting me ablaze with need.
One small push and I was on fire. The way he felt on me, in me, all around me was intoxicating. He was my weakness.
He worked me over forcing me to be at his mercy. I was close to begging as he sensed each moment that I was about to hit my climax, my release, forbidding it. It was clear that he was in control and made the point over and over.
So close to, he pulled me up and sat down on the chair taking me with him. He was now allowing me the control or making me think I had some. Rising up and down his length, his hands guiding me, as I only needed a little more. Moving my hips and circling into him my head arched back as my need released, finally taking me over the edge.
Falling back into him, I felt weak, sated beyond measure. It was the oddest sensation when a small tremble release through my entire body.
The first thought that surfaced was “what power does he have?” I needed to go away. The idea that he had this much control, scared the shit out of me.
Pulling myself out of his hold, I rose up and off him. Not once did I look at him. Turning and fixing my dress. Looking to the mirror, I looked like I was just fucked.
Shit…I whispered and shook my head.
I could hear him dressing behind. Unsure of myself, I knew leaving would be to my benefit. I walked to the door and said nothing as I exited the room leaving him there.
I had no idea how or why it had happened. Pulling me to the present there was a reception to contend with and I needed to pull myself together.
It had seemed that I didn’t miss the first dance. There must have been some delays in their entrance as I was watching them finish up. Standing at the door of the reception, I looked around the room full of guests and loved ones. Brady walked over and put an arm around me. I leaned my head into his shoulder as we watched.
“Come, I think we’re up next with the toasts.” He whispered and guided me to the center of the dance floor.
Brady well, being Brady, went first with his best man speech, announcing that he would be the comic relief and I would be providing the deeper stuff. I could help but laugh the entire time. He was indeed the comedian.
Handing the mic over to me, I was still laughing. Giving my speech, I added my own brand of humor that was received better than I would have imagined. Closing up my toast, I noticed Chris look and gesture to the band member walking my way. Shit, I had forgotten that I promised this for him.
“Chris has asked one small favor of me,” I offered to the on lookers. “I rarely if ever do this for anyone but this will be my pleasure as a gift to two people I adore” I added.
I couldn’t believe I allowed myself to forget. I turned and reached for the guitar and walked to the stage
“Julie this is Chris’s song to you.”
I adjusted the guitar strap and took a deep breath as I began strumming the strings. Finding the ability to close out all that were in front of me I began the song, “the only exception” originally by Paramore.
The song finished and both Chris and Julie found me on the dance floor walking from the stage.
“Thank you.” Chris came over and hugged me
“Wow, I had no idea you could sing?” Julie reached over and hugged me as well. “Is there anything you can’t do?” She smiled. “The song was amazing thank you for singing it.” She added.
Breaking from her embrace we all went and sat down as dinner was commencing. A few more toasts here and there, but it was Charlie’s toast that had me surprised. For one whom didn’t care for the ideal notions or romantic gestures, he had me in awe. It was tiny moments like this that had me so taken with him.
Seated next to Wesley, he had been perfect thru dinner. The conversation easy and light. It was only when Sebastian would throw in a contrite comment here and there, had me annoyed; perhaps, it was Sophia doing her best to flirt with him. I wasn’t sure. I was only relieved that Charlie found himself in constant conversation with his mother or stepfather. From time to time, I caught him watching Wesley and me. Doing his best to hide any jealousy, I could sense it.
The music was playing in the background as Brady came to my rescue. Wesley and Sebastian were talking business and Sophia, looked as if she couldn’t decide whom her attention should go to, her date or mine.
“Would you care to dance?” Brady smiled down.
“I would love to,” I rose up and followed him to the floor.
Brady smiled “Ready?”
If there was ever a two people who danced as one it was he and I. The years of dance classes and he and I constant partners, we knew the way the other moved like second skin.
“Always, Brady” I offered and he took the lead.
“Georgia” by Michael Buble played and Brady and I were the only two on the floor as the dinner conversations were in bloom.
r /> One would think that the dance would be conformed and tight. However, he and I were true dance partners at heart and the dance was so much more. He twirled and moved me along the floor, making it more.
Ending it with a deep dip, the applause had me surprised. He lifted me back up as we took a bow.
The song changed and he raised a brow. “One more dance?”
“Why not.” I grinned.
This time we were a bit more theatrical dancing the Taylor Swifts, “Love Story”. My mood indeed lifted with this play. Brady was more than just family for me. He was my best friend. I was going to miss him.
Fortunately, this time around we weren’t the only ones dancing. Singing along while we danced, I was grateful for the shift in mood.
The music shifting and we were having a ball. A few shots here and there, the pace of the reception had moved to a party feeling.
Thankful for the reprieve, I didn’t have to deal with Charlie or Sebastian. They seemed to all be with Wesley chatting away. Looking over at the three, I laughed. What a sight.
Julie broke Brady and me up, “One more song please?” She was drunk and very giddy.
“One song.” I nodded. “What do you want me to sing?”
“How about “Catch my Breath” the one by Kelly Clarkson?”
“Ok.”
Finding my way back to the stage, I thought I was going to lose it laughing.
Getting the attention of the audience didn’t take much.
“Per Julie’s request.” I laughed and looked to the DJ.
Holding the mic and waiting for the music to cue me, I found Brady laughing. But it was the trio I seemed to be watching for a moment.
Wesley seemed amused with the lyrics. The more I realized it, I was singing about what I needed.
Most of the older guest had left and the reception was more or less the younger crowd.
Buzzed and feeling good from one song, I decided on a second. “Let’s Play” by Kristina Maria. Seemed like a good idea. Or inspired by liquid courage.
Julie grabbed Sam, ushering her over by the dj booth. Oh lord I knew what she was up to. In her pouting, I agreed.
It was agreed and I couldn’t get over that we were doing this. Like drunk fools, we readied and sung our favorite bar song.