Chapter 27
If you don’t drink beer, then how will your friends know you love them at 2 a.m.?
“I don’t understand why we have to do a rehearsal. I’m pretty sure all of us know how to walk down an aisle.”
I might sound a teensy-weensy bit grumpy. I’m not exactly grumpy. No, I’m scared. I’m seeing Grayson tonight for the first time in nearly a week. And I still don’t know what to do. My walls are crumbling down, and it scares the absolute shit out of me.
Phoebe smacks me. Or at least I think it’s a smack. The woman needs to learn to put a bit of oomph behind her smacking. “Stop being a Debbie Downer. This is Hailey’s big day.”
“Isn’t tomorrow the big day?” I ask to be contrary. Scared Suzie is apparently no fun.
“Shush you or I’ll laugh when you trip and fall walking down the aisle.”
My mouth drops open and I press my hands to my chest in mock outrage. “How dare you assume I’ll trip.”
She giggles but before she has a chance to respond, Hailey comes rushing out of the dressing room. Her hair makes it abundantly clear exactly what she’s been up to.
“Did you pet the magic dragon in a church?” I clasp my non-existent pearls and feign shock.
Aiden hears the word ‘magic’ as he walks by and smirks. He swaggers past to stand with the men who are gathering on the other side of the vestibule.
“I can’t believe you … you know … in a church before your wedding rehearsal,” Phoebe hisses.
“It was my last chance to have sex as a single lady. I wasn’t passing it up.”
In the tradition of not allowing the groom to see the bride on the wedding day before she walks down the aisle, Hailey is kicking Aiden out of the house for the night.
“I didn’t peg you for a traditionalist.” Ms. Breaks Into my Brew Shack Without a Second Thought wants to follow tradition?
“I read an article in Cosmopolitan—”
I gasp. “You read Cosmo?” Cosmo is way too girly girl for my Hailey.
Her cheeks darken and she points to Phoebe. “This one leaves them laying around everywhere.”
Phoebe holds up her hands and takes a step back. “Oh no, you don’t. I’m not getting in between you two and one of your ‘arguments’.”
The preacher arrives and claps his hands to get everyone’s attention. Despite my teasing of Hailey, I snap to and pay attention. I’m not risking getting smote for misbehaving in a church. I do enough misbehaving as it is.
The rehearsal goes off without a hitch. Okay, there was a tiny hitch when I tripped walking down the aisle, but it wasn’t my fault! I can’t help it Hailey paired me with a mountain of a man. I had to run to keep up with his stride and running never was my strong suit. I didn’t fall on my face, though, so there.
We walk from the church to the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner is happening. I don’t open my mouth and complain about the rehearsal dinner and its lack of purpose although I really, really want to. I don’t know why it’s called a wedding ‘day’ when it’s obviously a wedding weekend. There’s even a brunch planned on Sunday. Told you scared Suzie is no fun.
I study the seating chart and grunt when I notice who’s sitting next to me. Phoebe takes my hand and practically skips to our table.
“This is your fault, isn’t it?” There’s no possible reason he’s sitting at our table unless Phoebe and Hailey decided to play matchmaker.
“It’s called karma,” she practically sings.
“You’re enjoying this entirely too much.”
“Enjoying watching you squirm while denying you’re falling in love with Grayson you mean?” I narrow my eyes at her. I am not falling in love. I’m not! She giggles. “It’s almost more fun than getting a fifty-percent off coupon for the fall sale at Chanel.”
Grayson stands as we arrive at the table. He leans forward and kisses my cheek. Tingles erupt from where his lips touch my skin, and I can’t help but remember other places his lips have touched. The memories cause fire to erupt across my cheeks. Great. Blushing and red hair do not go together. Not that I want to look good for Grayson. Liar.
“You look lovely,” Grayson whispers as he pulls out my chair for me.
I narrow my eyes on him. “No jokes about me wearing a dress.”
He chuckles as he pushes in my chair. “Feeling self-conscious, Munchkin?”
A little. I wear dresses for two occasions – weddings and funerals. I’m missing my jeans and boots. I feel naked without pants on.
A waitress appears and starts pouring wine into our glasses. Grayson holds a hand over my glass. “Can you get the lady a beer, please?”
“I can drink wine,” I insist, although I can feel my lip curl at the idea.
“And I’m sure I’d enjoy watching you make faces the entire evening, but you enjoy beer, so you’re getting a beer.”
Who am I to argue? When the waitress returns with a draft beer, Grayson’s eyes flicker with envy and I smirk. I take a sip and then smack my lips. “Aaahhh.”
“You’re mean, Munchkin.”
The rest of the wedding party arrive and join us at the table. Hailey has two bridesmaids – me and Phoebe. Although she calls both of us her maids of honor, we all know I’m the maid of honor. Aiden’s two groomsmen are Ryker and Sam. In addition to the wedding party, Sam’s wife and Grayson are sitting at our table.
“I’m starving,” Hailey announces.
Aiden laughs. “When aren’t you starving?”
Hailey is the type of woman I normally hate. She can eat whatever she wants, and she never gains any weight. Of course, she constantly complains about not having any curves, but I’ll take eating whatever I want over tits and ass any day of the week. Although, if I’m being perfectly honest, I usually eat what I want anyway. The proof is in my belly. My wobbly, pudgy belly.
The wait staff enter the room and start serving the first course. I nearly gag when the plate of oysters is set in front of me. Oysters? Knowing Hailey, I was expecting hot wings and potato skins. I raise my eyebrows in her direction, and she shrugs.
“Aiden’s mom arranged the meal. She wanted to help since my mom…”
I hold up my hand in a say no more gesture. No one has seen hide nor hair of her mom for nearly two decades, although I sometimes get the feeling Pops knows more than he lets on. Wally may be a master in sneaky, but Pops is no slouch either.
I pick up my fork to force those slimy oysters down my throat, but when I look down, my plate has disappeared. It’s a Valentine’s Day miracle! Not exactly Valentine’s Day. Hailey wanted to get married on the day, but it falls on a Sunday this year making her wedding an Almost Valentine’s Day wedding.
“I got you,” Grayson whispers as he places a basket of garlic bread in front of me. His hand moves to squeeze my thigh, and I nearly jump from the contact. My dress is silk and does nothing to prevent me from feeling the heat of his hand on my thigh. Little Susan wakes up and starts to tingle. I expect her to start a dance any second now.
Grayson leaves his hand on my thigh and his thumb presses circles into my skin. I shove a piece of garlic bread into my mouth before I moan out loud. Oh god. Why does his hand on me feel this good? Are his hands magic?
He smirks before petting my thigh one last time and lifting his hand so he can eat. He eats like he’s a machine. Someone doesn’t like oysters any more than I do.
“Why did you take my plate if you don’t like them?”
“I’m not forcing you to eat food you don’t like.” My belly warms at his words. “Besides, I can eat anything. Trust me, when you’re in the sandbox you get used to eating whatever’s available.”
He notices my basket is empty. “Do you need more garlic bread?” Before I can answer, he raises his hand and a waitress practically trips over herself running over to him. “More garlic bread for the lady, please. Oh, and another beer.”
“I’m not helpless,” I insist.
He grins and the two dimples on his right che
ek come out to play. Dang those two dimples! I want to lick them while my hands pet his naked shoulders. My entire body heats up and the tingles spread from my belly and go south.
“I know you’re not. But I want to take care of you.” He leans close and whispers, “In every way imaginable, Precious.”
In case I’m clueless about what he means, he comes closer and kisses my neck. His tongue swirls around my pulse point, which is beating out of control. His sneaky hand finds my thigh and his thumb starts those lazy circles in my skin again.
Is it hot in here? I’m burning up. A waitress clears her throat behind us, and I squeak.
“Your beer and garlic bread,” she announces. Her voice full of mirth.
We separate. My eyes widen when I see Grayson reach down and adjust himself. He winks at me. “Later.”
I clear my throat and grab hold of my lady balls. “We need to talk.”
I expect him to snarl or frown or be generally annoyed with me, but no. What does the man do? He smiles and says, “Whatever you want, Precious.”
Whatever I want? Too bad I have no idea what I want. Adult Suzie calls me a big fat liar. You know exactly what you want and it’s sitting next to you. I want to ignore Adult Suzie. How the hell did she get out of the box I trapped her in anyway? Stop being a pussy.
Yeah, Little Susan gets in on the action. Give us what we want.
Is this what going crazy feels like? My mind, heart, and body are fighting for control and I’m terrified my mind is going to lose. Oh, who am I kidding, my mind has already lost.
Chapter 28
The difference between beer and your opinion is that I asked for a beer.
I’m running down the stairs of my house the next day when someone knocks. “I’m almost ready,” I shout.
I’m expecting Phoebe. She’s picking me up on her way to Hailey’s to get dressed for the wedding. Unfortunately, ‘getting dressed’ is a major understatement. In addition to getting into super uncomfortable dresses, we are also having our nails, make-up, and hair done.
Phoebe insisted. She went so far as to bribe Hailey by paying for the entire thing and making all the necessary appointments. I’m telling you – the more she comes out of her shell, the more sneaky the woman gets.
I open the door and rush out without bothering to look up. I slam into a body. A hard body. Not Phoebe then. I tilt my head back to find Grayson standing there looking edible. My palms begin to sweat.
“What are you doing here?” I ask when I manage to force myself to take a step back from his body.
“You said we needed to talk but then you snuck out of the party before we had the chance.”
True story. I totally snuck out of the back door at the end of the party after putting off ‘the talk’ all night long.
“I don’t have time for this now.” For once, I’m not lying. Phoebe will be here any second.
Grayson smirks. “I’m your driver, and you have an hour before you have to be at Hailey’s.”
Shit. Phoebe and Hailey the matchmakers from hell strike again! Sneaky Phoebe is getting out of control, and Hailey is the worst influence on her.
“You might as well come in.” I motion him inside with a frown on my face.
I shut the door and spin around to find him standing in my foyer. He lunges forward, hauls me into his arms, and slams his lips down on mine. The second his soft lips meet mine, I melt. He smiles against my lips when he feels my surrender and lifts me up. I respond by wrapping my legs around his waist. He moves until I’m pinned to the wall by his body. Yes.
He punches his hips forward and his hard cock hits me in exactly the right spot. I groan before grinding down on him. He moans before tearing his mouth away from mine.
“Shit. I didn’t come here to do this.”
I frown. “You don’t want me?”
He presses his lower body forward so I can feel his hardness. “Don’t ask silly questions.” He pats my legs until I loosen them, and he sets me on my feet. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to attack you.”
“You didn’t hear me complaining, did you?”
“No. Some moaning and groaning but no complaining.”
I slap him. “No making fun.”
“I wasn’t making fun. Did you miss my groaning?”
“You need to stop talking about moaning and groaning.” My body is already primed and ready to take him, but he wants to talk. The last thing I need is to have a serious talk with wet panties. And this talk of moaning and groaning is not helping the panty situation.
“You wanted to talk,” I say once we’re seated in the living room.
Grayson smirks. “I believe you’re the one who said we needed to talk last night.”
Oh right. My brain goes on the fritz whenever he’s near. Darn. I thought I could put this talk off until after the wedding.
I stand. “Do you want a drink?”
He wraps his fingers around my wrist, thwarting my escape. “Stop running away.”
I yank my hand from his and collapse on the sofa. I wring my hands together as I gather the courage to start this conversation. Ugh. I hate having ‘the talk’ with a man. Although, if I’m honest, I haven’t had many ‘talks’ with men. Once Toby and I had our blow out, I was done with men. Hailey isn’t kidding when she calls me a man-hater. Damn Grayson and his ability to break through all my walls.
“Why don’t I start?”
My head whips up at his words. Start? What is he going to start with?
“In case I haven’t made it perfectly obvious, I want you, Suzie. And not only to warm my bed at night. Although you and me in bed is fucking fantastic.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “I want a relationship and I think you want one, too.”
I open my mouth to respond but let’s face it, I have no idea what I’m going to say.
“I can be patient. I know I can wear you down. But why waste the time? I think I proved my point last night.” He winks.
“What do you mean? You proved your point last night? Was last night about proving a point?” My voice may sound slightly hysterical. I need a man who plays games like I need another fermentation bucket. Oh wait. I could use another fermentation bucket. Never mind.
He clears his throat. “No. I didn’t set out to prove a point. I can’t resist touching you when you’re near. But how you melt when I touch you proves my point. We are explosive together.”
“Sex a relationship does not make.”
He takes my hand and threads his fingers through mine. “No, sex is not enough. But we’re friends. Friends and smoking hot sex does equal a relationship.”
Ugh! I hate when he’s right. “I thought you didn’t want a relationship.”
“Like I explained before, I’m ready to try again.”
This is all my fault. Why did I have to fix him? Damn me and my awesome ability to help people. I should have let him wallow in his guilt about his best friend’s death. Oh boy. Bitchy Suzie has arrived. I tell her to get lost before looking over at him.
“I don’t know.”
He tugs on my hand until I’m close enough for him to grasp my hips. He maneuvers me until I’m forced to straddle him or fall off the sofa. Forced. Yeah, right.
“Much better.”
I roll my eyes. Typical man.
He smooths his hands up and down my sides. “Talk it out.”
“You can’t seriously want me to talk about my ex-boyfriend with you.”
He smirks. “Where are you sitting?”
Did he hit his head? “In my living room.”
“No.” He squeezes my hips. “Where are you sitting at this moment?”
“On your lap.” Where is he going with this absurd line of questioning?
“Exactly.” He leans forward and kisses the tip of my nose. “You are currently in my arms, not your asshat ex’s. Now, lay it on me. What’s your excuse this week for not wanting to be together?”
“This week?” I bristle. “You act like I’m making up excuses.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Aren’t you?”
I try to stand, but he holds me tight. I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes on him. “I am not making up excuses! I don’t want a relationship.”
“Okay. Let me ask you this. How would you feel if I hooked up with one of the single women at the wedding tonight?”
I will kick her ass. How dare some woman move in on my man? My man? Well, shit. My head falls forward and hits his shoulder. “What if this all blows up in our faces?”
He grasps my chin and lifts my head. “What if it doesn’t? No.” He shushes me when I try to speak. “Don’t start listing all of the reasons this won’t work. Think about how glorious it will be when it does work.”
“You sound awful sure of yourself.”
“I’m not saying I’m ready to move in and get down on my knee to propose, but I am sure you are worth taking a risk for.”
What can I say when his gorgeous face is grinning at me, sincerity is shining from his eyes, his dimples are out, and his mint and vanilla scent is surrounding me? Ugh. “Fine. We’ll give it a try. But when it all burns to ashes, I get to say I told you so.”
“Nothing is going to burn to ashes, except for your reservations about being in a relationship.”
“I—”
“No. The time for talking is done. We have fifteen minutes before I need to drive you to Hailey’s house.”
“Fifteen minutes is not enough time for a quickie,” I protest. I’m sure in a year or two I’ll be okay with having a quickie with the man. For now, though, I need all the time possible to explore his body properly.
“Who said anything about a quickie? We’re going to make out like teenagers on the sofa until it’s time to go.”
In the end, I’m ten minutes late arriving at Hailey’s and it’s a good thing a hairdresser is available because my hair is an absolute mess from Grayson running his hands through it. I’m also glad I packed an extra pair of panties in my bag because mine nearly went up in flames when Grayson yanked off my jeans and decided he just had to taste me before we left.
A Soldier for Suzie: A Military Romantic Comedy (Love will OUT Book 3) Page 15
