by Kally Ash
“What’s your legacy going to be, hmm?” he asked. “You’re a quitter and you’re a disappointment to me and your mother.”
Ouch. Okay, that stung. Her eyes flickered to her mother who was staring at her husband like she couldn’t believe the words that had just come out of his mouth.
“What are you going to do now? You’re unemployed. Don’t think you can come around with your hand out around at our house.”
“I wouldn’t do that,” she replied softly, anger curling her words until they were sharp-edged and bloodthirsty. “I’ve got another job lined up.”
“Flipping burgers?” he asked snidely. “Oh, yes, that’s money well spent on your college education, isn’t it?”
“Actually, I’m the head of education and training at the Our Lady of the Rosary orphanage on Skid Row.”
“An orphanage?” he hissed. “What the hell are you doing around all those poor kids?”
Her mother gasped but pressed her lips together. She clearly had a few choice words, but she wouldn’t chew him out here in public. That would be reserved for when they were back in their room.
“You want to know what I’m doing there?" she said, standing up and dropping her napkin to her plate. “I’m creating my goddamn legacy.”
Turning to Vee, she hugged her friend fiercely and apologized for making a scene.
“I have to go. I’m sorry.”
“Please, Tash, you don’t have to apologize. Go. I’ll see you in the morning. You have to ply me with champagne until it’s time for me to walk down the aisle.”
“What are best friends for if not making sure you get good and drunk?” She laughed and hugged her again. “You’re going to be stunning tomorrow and I can’t wait to see you in your dress.”
As she turned and walked past her parents, she didn’t spare either of them a glance. They’d both made their decision about her and her choices, and honestly, it was liberating to not care anymore.
Rounding the shallow corner, she walked right up to John and kissed him.
“Take me to your room?”
With a smile, he took her hand and guided her through the resort and to his room. He was only two doors up from her, all the bridal party and guests in the same wing of the hotel. They didn’t say anything as they walked, but enough words had been spoken.
The lock beeped and allowed them inside the dark space. John reached out to flip on the lights, but she stopped him. Moonlight was filtering in through the windows, the drapes not yet drawn.
“Leave them off,” she said, drawing him closer and kissing him on the mouth. He groaned, placing one hand on the back of her neck and angling her head so he could kiss her more deeply. His erection was hard against her stomach, quietly demanding attention. She let him lead her to the bed, the mattress cushioning their weight easily. Despite the clear need of his body, he was taking his time with her, kissing her thoroughly.
Reaching out, she began peeling off his jacket, then worked at the Windsor knot at his throat. The silk length whispered against the cotton of his shirt as she pulled it from around his neck. Dropping it beside them, she felt her way to the buttons on his shirt, unfastening them quickly and pushing the shirt over his broad shoulders.
His skin was hot against her fingertips, the smell of his cologne tangling in her nose. She’d missed this—she’d missed him. Everything about him was warm, from his body to the way he looked at her, to the way he touched her.
Trailing her fingers down his chest, they undulated over his stomach muscles until she reached his waist. She needed more. Reading her mind, he stood up and unbuttoned his pants, sliding them off his muscular thighs and letting them pool on the floor.
Natasha wiggled farther up the bed just as John crawled up her body, settling his weight beside her. H ran his hand up her leg and under the skirt of her dress, massaging her thighs, caressing her, worshipping her. Shoving the fabric up over her hips, he roved higher, brushing the tips of his fingers against her panties. She groaned, her head pressing back into the pillows as he stroked her.
Reaching down between them, she grasped his erection and stroked him back. He growled softly, pushing aside the edge of her panties and rubbing his fingers through her slippery heat. She arched beneath him, wanting him to go further, to touch her more, to claim her.
John got onto his hands and knees, pulling her panties free and discarding them carelessly. Her thighs fell open and he settled himself between them, his eyes fixed on her pussy. Her inner muscles clenched deliciously and she gasped when his tongue darted out to taste her. Again and again, he lapped at her, his hands clutching at the tops of her thighs, holding her in position as she bucked and writhed under his sinful mouth.
She came quickly, the orgasm cresting without any warning or preamble. Crying out his name, she rode the high, her spine bowing again when he entered her in one stroke. He moved inside of her, keeping that fire of her orgasm lit until she was falling over the edge once more. John groaned when he found his release, pumping into her, spilling inside her.
He rolled over to the side but kept her close, their breathing erratic for a few minutes.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, the sound of his voice calming her even though she wasn’t tense about anything. She was languid. She was on cloud nine.
She was happy.
“I love you, John,” she said softly. She’d decided that she wouldn’t hold back anymore. For so long, she’d kept men at arm’s length, mostly because she was afraid they’d all turn into her father and she wouldn’t be able to handle that kind of disappointment.
“You don’t have to say it,” she added after he was being way too quiet. “I just wanted you to know. I’m looking at things with a lot more clarity now, you know?”
He kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer. “I love you,” he said. “So fucking much.”
Tilting her head back, she looked at him. “You do?”
His smile was gentle and everything she needed to know was in there. “How could I not?”
She rested her head back onto his chest. “Mother Catherine Marie gave me a job.”
“She did?”
Reaching out, she ran her fingers up and down his stomach, making him shiver. “I’m heading up the training and education for the older kids. I’m working on getting them ready for life.”
“That’s amazing, Natasha. When do you start?”
“Next week. I also get to oversee the construction of the new edition.”
“Did you end up seeing the final designs?” he asked, kissing her on the forehead.
She shook her head. “I wanted to wait and see what the finished product looked like.”
“Why?” he asked, surprised. “I mean, I could’ve fucked it up completely.”
“No, you couldn’t. You listened to me. I know you would’ve put everything you could into that building. I’m just glad I got to be a part of it all.”
They fell silent for a while, each of them absorbed in their own thoughts. Natasha sank into the warmth of his body and sighed—truly content.
“So that was your dad, huh?” he asked after a while.
She opened her eyes, blinking.
“That’s my dad.”
“He’s an asshole.”
She smiled. “He’s got an antiquated way of looking at things sometimes,” she agreed. “But I don’t think he knows of any other way to do it, you know?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, his father—my grandfather—was as friendly as a rattlesnake. When you only have someone like that to model yourself on, what else would you expect?”
“How do you feel about it? About what you said, about what he said?”
She tilted her face up to him. “You know what? I feel amazing.”
He grunted, kissing her once more.
“Take a shower with me?”
She heard the smile in his voice. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Twenty-Seven
&nb
sp; John said goodbye to Natasha early the next morning, watching her pad barefoot down the hall to her room. Her hair had that just-fucked look to it, and to him, nothing looked better on her. Well, maybe the shirt she was wearing—it was one of his.
Sliding back into his room, he shut the door and let out a breath. He felt like a fucking legend. After making love in the shower, they’d crawled back into bed together and fallen asleep, and he had to say it was the best damn sleep he’d had in a long time. When his alarm had gone off at seven, he’d wanted to pretend it wasn’t Beau and Vee’s wedding day, but the reality was, he had some best man duties to dispense.
After taking a shower, he carefully ran the razor over his face, brushed his teeth, and styled his hair. He pulled out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, dreading the time before having to get into his suit. Sliding the hotel key into his back pocket, he double-checked the room number Beau had sent through in a text last night and started heading over there.
He knocked on the door and waited.
“Come in,” someone called, and he opened things up to find Max pouring himself a drink at the wet bar.
“Hey, John. How are you?”
“I’m great, Max. How are you? Oh, and congrats on the birth of your son and your wedding. You’ve been busy.”
The guy positively beamed and pulled out his phone. “Thanks! Hey, you want to see photos?”
John didn’t bother to answer. He knew he was about to get a montage of baby and wedding photos whether he wanted to or not. He smiled at the pictures of Max’s little boy, the sight of him surrounded by his mother and big sister slugging him right in the middle of the chest. They were a real family unit and John felt like he might get his chance at that now too.
“Is Beau through there?” he asked once the slide show was over.
Max hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “Yeah, man. Straight through there.”
John clapped him on the shoulder and made his way through the suite. Beau’s parents weren’t there to see him on this amazing day, but John was and he was so damn proud.
“There he is. The man of the hour.”
Beau was grinning so widely John was afraid he’d pull a muscle.
“And there he is—” he countered. “The Savior.”
“Savior? Oh, the Natasha thing?” Beau nodded and John shrugged. “I was just doing something I’ve wanted to do ever since I heard about her old man.”
“You sacked up. Natasha’s dad is fucking scary.”
Another shrug. “Anyway, today is not about him. It’s about you. Are you ready?”
Beau turned around and looked at himself in the floor-length mirror. He wasn’t in his suit yet—just rocking a pair of sweats like John—but he clearly had something on his mind.
“Do you think my mom would’ve been happy?”
“Are you kidding me? Your mom loved Vee and she knew you were perfect for each other, even before you guys did.”
Beau ran a hand through his hair. “I miss her, J.”
John placed his hand on the nape of Beau’s neck and squeezed gently. “I know you do, my brother. She’s here though. Don’t doubt that for a second.” He glanced around. “Now, we have a few hours to kill before we have to start getting ready. What are we going to do?”
“Max said he brought his Xbox. Although, if I’m honest, I feel like I have too much pent-up energy to just sit around and play computer games.”
“Have you eaten?” His best friend shook his head. “Perfect. Neither have I. Let’s go and get breakfast and we can talk some more.”
Ten minutes later, they were seated in one of the restaurants at a table near the window, the view of the Pacific Ocean stretching out before them. The water was still, no white caps foaming, and only one vessel on the glassy surface.
“What’s going on with you and Natasha?” Beau asked once they’d been served coffee. John looked up at him from the menu he’d been scanning.
“If you’d asked me this last week, I wouldn’t know how to answer that question, but now…”
“But now?” he asked with a grin, taking a draw off his coffee.
John thought back to the sex they’d had, to the words they’d spoken.
“I know that smile,” Beau murmured. “It’s serious, huh?”
John could only nod. “We’ve been messing around since your engagement party,” he admitted, enjoying the surprise he saw in Beau’s face. “We’re so good together in bed, but I fell in love with her, man, and I fell fucking hard.”
Beau was nodding like he knew all about that.
“The thing is, everyone thinks they know her, but they have no idea just how generous she is, how much she cares about other people.”
“I wouldn’t know anything about that, but I see where you’re coming from. Natasha doesn’t let a lot of people past her guard, but you must be pretty damn lucky to see a side to her most people don’t.”
Yeah, that was how he felt: lucky. Lucky that he’d followed her into that office. Lucky that he’d turned around and stayed instead of leaving her to clean her dress.
“So, will we be helping you to plan a wedding this time next year?” Beau asked and John smiled. The idea didn’t terrify him, but then again, his model for a happy relationship was his parents and they’d been married for thirty-five blissful years.
“I wouldn’t say no to that, but it might be too fast for Natasha. I’m just happy to follow her lead.”
Beau put two heaping spoonfuls of sugar into his cup and stirred slowly. “She’s a great woman, John. I’m truly happy you’ve gotten together with her.”
John grunted and took a sip of his coffee. “And what about you?”
Beau gave him a shit-eating grin. “We’re doing the happy marriage thing now.”
“I know that,” he said, rolling his eyes. “What I mean is, have you discussed how quickly you’ll do the kid thing?”
“I think we’re on the same page as you. I’m not rushing Vee and I totally understand if she doesn’t want to be a mom right away. I can wait too. I have everything I need right now.”
“Good morning, gentlemen, my name is Sarah and I will be your server. Have you had a chance to look at the menu?”
After each ordering pancakes, Sarah vanished, leaving them to talk once more.
“So, you’re ready, then?” John asked. “Everything that can be planned has been planned?”
“Yeah, it has. We’re ready to start our lives together.”
“And I’m so fucking happy you are,” he replied. “When you and Vee broke up all those years ago, I knew you were making a mistake, so I’m glad you’ve got your shit together.”
“Me too.”
Raising his coffee cup, he said to Beau, “I know this isn’t alcoholic, but here’s to you and Vee and the new chapter of your lives.”
Beau mirrored him. “And for you to kicking my ass into action.”
“Anytime, my brother. Anytime.”
Twenty-Eight
The morning had been a whirlwind of curling wands, flat irons, and hairspray. Natasha had been primped and preened to within an inch of her life. The only person who had it worse was Vee, but her best friend had looked like she was lapping up the attention. She guessed there was only one day when a hard-hearted bitch could let loose and enjoy the show, and that was her wedding day.
Natasha’s hands shook as she did up the pearl buttons on the back of Vee’s gown, the whole bodice covered from top to bottom in the delicate circles. The buttons were the only decoration on the dress. A lot like Evangeline, the dress was stunningly gorgeous without the need for decoration.
When the last button was secured, Natasha exhaled sharply and stepped back, looking at Vee’s reflection over her shoulder.
“Don’t cry, Tasha, or you’ll set me off,” Vee warned, tempering her words with a gentle smile.
“I wasn’t going to cry,” she lied, praying those traitorous things stayed back. “You just look so beautiful.”
“So
do you, babe.” She turned around. “And John isn’t going to know what hit him.”
Natasha laughed and looked down at the emerald green dress she was wearing. It hugged her body like a second skin, the strapless dress truly did fit her like a glove. She shimmied her hips. “Think his jaw will drop?”
“Guaranteed,” Vee assured her.
“And Beau isn’t going to be able to take his eyes... off your ass,” she finished with a laugh. She needed to lighten the mood or they’d both be liable to cry off all the makeup that had been applied. And she had no intention of sitting in that damn chair for another two hours.
Evangeline laughed, but her eyes still looked a little glassy.
“Seriously, girl, you are smoking hot.”
“Thank you.” Vee looked down at herself, then looked back at Natasha. “You know, I never planned on doing this with anyone else.”
“I know.” Natasha glanced around at their suite. There were only two women in the bridal party: her and Gigi. Gigi hadn’t come through for the hair and makeup piece yet, opting to stay with her new baby boy and get him settled before coming to Vee’s suite.
“Are you ready for this?”
Evangeline turned to look back in the mirror. “I’m so ready that I don’t even need the big ceremony. We’re doing it for our friends more than anything—giving them an excuse to come together and celebrate.”
“And celebrate we will,” Natasha replied. “Please tell me you have an open bar though.”
Her friend laughed. “Yes, there will be an open bar.”
“Fantastic. Oh, I’ll get that,” she said when she heard someone knocking on the door. “It’s probably Gigi.”
Natasha’s heels clicked over the hardwood floor as she walked, the silk of her dress sliding like a lover’s hands over her skin. She pulled open the door and paused.
It wasn’t the wayward bridesmaid.
It was her mother.
Her mom’s hand went to her mouth, covering a gasp as she looked at Natasha in her dress and with her full makeup.
