by Ava Walsh
Lauren slipped his button up shirt off of his shoulders and felt the breeze against their skin as she looked over his tanned chest in between kisses. He was so sexy and she looked into his eyes before he covered her nipple with his mouth through the bra. They’d come so close to this, but the feel of him sucking her inside of his mouth was overwhelming, and she moaned as she gripped his hair. His hand slipped around her back and she felt him unclasp the hook before he pulled away and released her generous breasts.
She cried out as he kissed her all over and finally settled on her bare, hard nipples and sucked harder. His hands loosened her jeans and slid them down as she moved to her knees. She slipped her hand down to tug at his jeans and opened them enough to slide her hand over his thick cock as he groaned against her.
Lauren found herself on her back, naked, as he kicked his pants off and crawled up between her legs to lick her slowly. It was intense, almost too much, and Lauren jerked against him. “Oh, Cole. This feels too good.”
“I want to taste you when you come for me,” Cole told her, as he parted her and found her sensitive, swollen nub. She rocked against him as he murmured to her in between long licks and deep sucks with his mouth and finally she felt something break inside of her. Lauren arched her back and cried out as she closed her eyes to see the stars against her eyelids. She felt him continue to taste her as her orgasm rocked through her. “You’re like honey, Lauren. You taste so good and look so beautiful like this.” Cole stared at her and she managed to open her eyes and look back at him. “I love you, Lauren. I love you so much.”
“I love you, Cole,” she told him. He reached down and slipped off his boxer briefs. He looked so good in them with his tight abs and toned thighs, so much so that Lauren almost hated to see them go.
She’d prepared for this and had been on the pill since she got together with Cole. He moved over her body as he looked closely at her. “Baby, you’re everything to me.”
Lauren felt him slip between her legs and stroke her with his fingers before he pressed against her entrance. “Ready for this?”
“I've been ready for you for years,” Lauren assured him. He slid inside of her and moved slowly so she could adjust to his size. She moaned as she felt him fill her and move a little deeper as something pinched. “Oh, Cole,” she whimpered, before heat filled her and she started to move.
“Lauren, baby. Yes, honey,” Cole told her, as he moved with her until their bodies were slapping together. He held out until she trembled before him and then released inside of her as he told her how much he loved her.
Cole held her on the bed after as they tried to find a way to make his over six-foot-tall frame fit. Lauren was already five foot six and she had a hard time. “How big is your bed?”
“I have a king,” Cole told her.
“Now that I’ve given in to you, can we sleep there sometimes?” Lauren asked, as he stared into her eyes.
“I will sleep anywhere that you are. Now that I have you, I am not letting you sleep alone ever again,” Cole promised her and she smiled so much that it hurt her face.
“I like that,” Lauren told him, as he pulled her against him and kissed her hair.
They made breakfast the next morning, and he looked at her across the table. Her first time was now three or four times ago, and Cole smiled at her. “I have a small place, much smaller than this. I always just felt like it was four walls compared to this house and I think that I’d like you to live there with me. If it’s too small, we’ll get something bigger, but I need you with me all of the time.”
“I’d love that.” Lauren had no idea how she’d gone from being single to having such a strong love in a matter of months, but she was happy as she stood up and went to hug him. Cole spun her around as she laughed and squealed.
They cleaned up the house and cooked dinner for their friends since they were due home on Sunday, and then they broke the news to Adam and Jane. Jane hugged Lauren happily even as she proclaimed how much she would miss her with tears. They opened a bottle of champagne and toasted to love and cowboys and Lauren slipped into the secure feeling of Cole’s arm around her before clinking their glasses together.
Cole took her to his place the following evening, and Lauren looked around with a smile. It was smaller, but it still offered a good living room with a spacious master bedroom and a guest room. It just needed a little warmth and she assured him that she could help him with that.
Lauren moved in two weeks later. She still spent a lot of time at Jane’s house, because the girls loved staying up late together and talking. Lauren adored Jane so much and thanked her every day for helping her to meet Cole.
The wedding wasn’t planned for another six months, but Jane was already thinking about every detail. This was going to be her only wedding and she wanted it to be a perfect day, something that made Adam roll his eyes every time she said it. He only cared that she became his wife and that was the only detail that he wanted to focus on. They were more in love than ever and Lauren loved seeing Jane so happy.
Lauren was falling more in love as well. She loved the nights when she was with Cole in his bed and he taught her more and more about sex and making love. Even though he was not that experienced, Lauren thought he was perfect. She loved the way that he held her afterwards and whispered how much he loved her. Cole was a perfect boyfriend and she was happy.
“Did you live here with Kelsey?” Lauren asked him one night, after they’d made love sweet and slow.
“No. We never lived together, since she wanted to be married first,” Cole told her, as she gazed at him.
“Why did you ask me to live here?” Lauren asked. He smiled and kissed her.
“I love you more than I’ve ever loved anybody,” Cole explained. “I have never wanted someone close to me the way that I want you.”
Chapter Six
It seemed like time passed at the speed of light once Lauren lived with Cole. She slowly fixed the house up with Jane’s help and gave it a warmer touch, framing pictures of them and of their friends. Lauren added a few paintings to the walls and even painted the walls a warm brown color and the kitchen a soft green. It felt good to have a home again, somewhere to settle in and love again. Every month it seemed to come more and more to life, and Cole smiled with every change. Lauren spent equal amounts of time between the two houses since she was still hanging out a lot with Jane, planning the wedding and working on their side jobs.
It was fun, and Lauren felt like she was accomplishing something.
Despite her happiness about her new home, Lauren also missed her dad a lot and sometimes when she was alone, she talked to him and told him about her new life. She told him that somebody loved her and that she was happy here. She just wished that he could be a part of things here.
The wedding was coming up fast, and Lauren found herself over at Jane’s almost every night, making this or that for the ceremony. Lauren admired the fact that her friend wasn’t going expensive with this and making a lot of favors herself. They were having the wedding at a cute little barn in town that had been fixed up for such occasions. It was perfect. It offered a beautiful tree out front that they could say their vows under if it was nice enough outside. The barn was open and welcoming. They could set up tables in there and food with a dance floor outside for the party. It was going to be a true country wedding, and Lauren couldn’t wait.
The guys grilled dinner for the girls while they worked on the wedding preparations and joined them to keep them company. It was like the perfect foursome, both of them happy couples and all friends. Lauren was getting to know some of the other people in town as well through the wedding planning.
It wasn’t Georgia, and Lauren missed some of her friends and the state itself, but she was happy. She fell more and more in love with the simple farm life and just sitting outside at night looking at the sky. She and Cole made love every night, unable to get enough of each other. They’d snuggle together and fall asleep before the alarm went off
early in the morning and the day would start over, all over again.
The closer the wedding day came, the less time Lauren could spend with Cole due to all of the last minute things that needed to be done. She was at Jane’s all day and night, and though the guys still cooked for them, it was busy.
The evening before the ceremony, Jane’s pretty white dress was hanging up in the spare room of the cottage along with the pretty lavender dress that Lauren was going to wear. The entire town was going to be there and the families of the bride and groom were helping with setting up the food and the decorations. It was a big deal for Julesberg and Lauren was looking forward to it even though she was exhausted.
She went home that night with Jane in tow since Jane wanted to stick to tradition. She was going to sleep in the spare bedroom, which really meant that she was going to keep Lauren up talking in the manic way that she did when she was nervous and excited.
It was charming in a way, but Lauren found herself longing to be in Cole’s arms in the next room just feeling his skin against hers. After tomorrow, things would settle down, and the newlyweds were going to New York for a honeymoon. Lauren and Cole were keeping an eye on the cottage, of course, but they were planning to spend a lot of time in their own house and their own bed. Not a sexual person by nature, Lauren found herself missing Cole when she was so busy, missing his body.
It was a restless night and Lauren dragged herself out of bed, never happier to see a pot of coffee in the kitchen. Cole was reading the paper at the table as she trudged in and he gave her a sympathetic look. “You look so tired, baby.”
“She talked so much last night,” Lauren lowered her voice as she glanced towards the hallway. “I know she’s excited and I’m so happy for her, but I’m glad that it will be just us tonight. I just want you to hold me in your arms.”
Cole stood and walked over to her before he cupped her face and kissed her. “I understand. I am so happy to see my best friends getting married but I miss you.”
“Hand me a cup of coffee and nobody gets hurt,” Jane said suddenly. Lauren looked over at her with wide eyes, feeling embarrassed that her friend had caught them talking about her behind her back. How much had she heard?
“Look at the two of you. You’ll be next walking down that aisle,” Jane teased as Lauren handed her a steaming cup of coffee.
“Oh, geez. Just shut up,” Lauren said as she rolled her eyes and took another sip of her own coffee. “Let’s get through this day first, okay?”
“I have to agree with you on that. I love Adam more than anything, but all of this planning has worn me down. Do you know what it’s like to deal with two moms?” Jane rolled her eyes and Cole and Lauren laughed. The families were wonderful but there was no doubt they could be overbearing as well. “I just want to say “I do”, kiss the hell out of him and party through the night. Then party on our own later.” She winked and Lauren shook her head as Cole pulled her close to him.
“So what’s the itinerary like?” Lauren asked for the hundredth time as Jane pulled a donut from the box that Adam had dropped off earlier.
“We need to be at the salon in two hours with the moms and then at the barn by three. I think Mom said something about brunch at the salon too since she’s paying for the full treatment. It will be relaxing in theory, I’m sure, but let’s hope there’s champagne involved.” Jane caught the look that Cole gave her and smiled. “Just a little, Dad. I don’t want to be drunk when I marry Adam.”
“Good. He’d hate that,” Cole muttered as Jane and Lauren shared a look.
They hung around the kitchen for a few more minutes before Cole headed over to Adam’s to spend some time with him. Jane and Lauren took showers and dressed in jeans and t-shirts before Jane’s and Adam’s moms stopped by to pick them up.
The moms were an adorable combination of nervous and excited women. “It’s going to be perfect, ladies. Just calm down and let’s enjoy this,” Jane said to them. She was glowing now and Lauren settled back in the seat and took a slow breath.
They went to the spa in town where everyone got a full body massage. They were in the same room, so the women could talk throughout the lavish experience. They sipped champagne and laughed as the moms recalled their own weddings, making Lauren and Jane cry.
From there, they moved onto manicures and pedicures. Jane’s mom frowned a little at her daughter’s choice of bright purple for her toes and pink for her fingers, but Jane told her to get over it. While she loved her country life, Jane would always hold onto the vibrant part of herself that she was born with. Lauren picked a soft green for her toes and a muted lavender for her fingers to match the dress and quite frankly, because she wasn’t as comfortable with herself as Jane was.
They ate a light brunch of various sandwiches and some desserts before they got their hair and makeup done for the ceremony. It was relaxing and Lauren smiled as Jane took pictures of them and made the moms take some shots as well.
After lunch was finished and cleaned up, they were taken to the main part of the salon and set up at different stations. Lauren opted for soft curls that fell around her shoulders with just a little of her hair pulled back while Jane had her short bob curled around her face. She typically didn’t do too much with herself apart from some makeup and she looked thrilled as Lauren glanced at her.
The mothers just had their hair curled but they looked beautiful.
The makeup was natural but stunning. Jane had her eyes darkened with some mascara and some shimmery shadow and went with dark matte red lips. She was a cute girl to begin with but she looked absolutely gorgeous now. Lauren hugged her and told her that Adam was going to lose his mind when he saw her.
They dressed at the salon, having brought all of the dresses and stood inside as they made one last toast. Jane smiled as she thanked them for being there with her and raised her glass as the women clinked them together. They sipped the drinks and took the last few minutes to relax before the chaos set in.
They got into the car and drove over to the barn, where the staff was just finishing the decorations. Lauren looked around at the tables as they made their way to the room in the back, thinking how sweet everything looked.
There were about twenty tables set up with cream candles floating in purple candle holders along with bouquets of light purple roses and white lilies. Soft twinkle lights were strung around the rafters. A buffet was set up against the back wall of the barn. The weeping willow was waiting for the couple with an archway of purple and cream blowing in the soft Fall breeze.
Chapter Seven
The girls hung out in the room as the moms checked on the progress. Jane was sitting in a chair and taking deep breaths. “Are you okay?” Lauren asked her. Her best friend teared up and nodded.
“People said that I was too young for this…a lot of them said that. I know that I’m young, but I have all the hope in the world. I love Adam, and he loves me. It’s that simple.”
Lauren nodded. “It is. Anyone looking at the two of you can see that. There’s always those people and there always will be. Go with your gut, since it’s gotten you pretty far in life.”
Jane laughed and wiped her cheeks as Lauren giggled with her. They’d made some stupid girlish mistakes when they were younger, but they were healthy and responsible adults now.
The families came back and let them know that everyone was waiting. Jane widened her eyes and fanned her face. “You’ve got this,” Lauren told her as she hugged her one last time as a single woman. Adam’s parents went down the aisle to take their seats while Jane’s mom hugged her daughter tightly. She was crying when she went out and was led by Adam to her seat. He took his place back next to Cole. Lauren peered around the corner of the building. They looked so handsome.
Lauren took her place as the harp started to play, counting her steps until she reached the aisle of pink, purple and white rose petals. The wind was soft and the crowd quiet apart from the sweet comments about her dress or how pretty she looked. Lauren blush
ed and looked forward, catching Cole’s intense stare as she blushed further.
He looked a little star struck and Lauren pressed her soft pink lips together and hoped that her eyes still popped like they did earlier. Cole locked gazes with her as she walked, making her forget all about the counting or even the setting. She turned and moved to the left to stand next to the preacher as she smiled at Adam, who looked like he was struggling with his emotions.
When Canon started playing, and everyone looked towards the end where Jane was walking with her dad, Adam was the first to cry. Most everyone followed suit and Jane stared forward with an intent gaze on her flawless face, as if to not give in, though meeting her soon-to-be husband’s eyes did that in. They both cried through their vows and laughed through their awkward kiss as Lauren clutched the bouquets and watched them with a soaring heart. Jane had hugged him before they were announced and grabbed Adam’s arm to skip down the aisle while grinning.
Lauren watched as Cole held out his hand and she took it to walk down the aisle after the couple, still a little teary eyed over what she’d just seen.
Forget age. Forget expectations. Lauren was in love with Cole, and she knew that they’d have what Jane and Adam had someday in the future too.
They walked on behind Jane and Adam. In one of the rows they passed, she saw a girl with dark brown eyes staring coldly at her. It made her frown. Who could be so angry at a wedding? “Do you know that girl?” she asked Cole as they were walking towards the barn.
“Yeah. Don’t worry about it, baby,” Cole said with an uncomfortable look on his handsome face.
“What do you mean? Who is she?” Lauren asked as he looked away towards the people who were coming over to the barn.
“She’s an ex. Her name is Kim. I dated her before Kelsey. We ended amicably but she’s probably just not happy seeing me with someone else is all. It’s not important. You’re everything to me.” Cole kissed her before turning to walk into the barn. The guests were sitting down at the tables. The music started to play and staff from the restaurant started stirring the various tins of hot food that were set up. Adam had chosen a local barbecue restaurant to cater while Jane had a bakery create all sorts of cute pastries that were set up on the side.
