We sit in silence for a minute until Ali comes out in a new gown, and I deliberately don’t look up. I’ll just sip my champagne, smile and ooh and ahh when I’m supposed to. Or at least I’ll try to.
Ali’s hips sway as she walks to the mirror. This one is pretty, but not as formal as the other one. It's sleeveless, dark cream lace with a cutout in the back. Her face falls when she sees it though.
Ali makes her way to the pedestal, turning this way and that. She faces us again. “What do you think?”
“Pretty,” Sam pipes up.
“Yeah, pretty,” Ellie says, nodding her head as her eyes travel up and down the gown.
“Not pretty enough, though,” Lindsay says.
“I think I agree,” I say. “But it is pretty,” I add with a peppy voice just in case she likes it.
“Yeah,” Ali agrees, shoulders slumping. “All right. Cheer me up with some more details about yourself. Tell us how you met Charlie.”
“Oh, yeah!” Ellie says. “How’d you meet that hunk of man candy?” Her question forces a grin on my face. When the other girls look at her funny, she shrugs. “What? I can’t think that Ali’s brother is hot?”
We all laugh.
“Okay,” I say, returning my attention back to Ali. “Charlie and I met because my friend Diane told me about his bar. She took me there for a drink, and one thing led to another…”
I leave it open-ended, hoping that their imaginations will be better than mine.
“When are you going to officially be his girlfriend?” Lindsay asks pointedly.
I frown. Her question is like a bucket of ice water to the face.
“Jesus, Lindsay,” Ali says, getting up. “You really are no fun when it comes to Charlie, you know that?”
“Sorry,” Lindsay mumbles.
Ali disappears into the changing room again before I have to answer. I should try for diplomacy with Lindsay. After all, I’m the one who’s full of crap. If I wasn’t in the way, Lindsay could be putting the moves on Charlie. She could be winning his heart, for all I know.
The idea of the pretty little blonde with big handsome Charlie makes me nauseated, but I choke it down, and wash the bad taste out of my mouth with another gulp of champagne. I’m going to play nice with Lindsay.
“I just started dating Charlie,” I tell her. “It’s barely even a thing.”
“Yeah?” she says, looking surprised.
“Yeah, totally. Like, we’re not even exclusive or anything.” I bite my tongue as soon as I say that. Charlie probably won’t appreciate that I've given Lindsay license to kill where he’s concerned.
Then again, it’s not like we’re married. Just friends… He’s the one who said it’s just for fun. He can deal with it.
“Wow. Well… okay,” she says, some of her gloom lifting. Although she’s now smiling, my heart hurts and I wish I hadn’t said that. But I can’t take it back now.
Ali comes back out, and the way she looks in the third dress knocks the breath right out of me. The dress is pure white, with delicate lace straps, lacy cups, and a full skirt. She turns, and the back has a row of tiny white buttons.
There’s a collective gasp in the room. She climbs up on the pedestal, straightening her skirts and looks at us in the mirror.
“Y’all,” she takes a minute to sway and then says, “I think I found my dress.”
“Yay!” Ellie and I say.
“That is definitely the one,” Lindsay affirms.
“No kidding,” Sam says, getting misty-eyed. “You're a gorgeous bride.”
“And look!” Ali says, pulling up her skirts to reveal a pair of cowboy boots. “We’re all going to wear these under our dresses.” I can’t help but smile. “Cute, don’t you think?” she asks.
“Definitely,” Sam says.
“You and Charlie can knock boots. Literally,” Ali says devilishly.
I blush. “Yeah… maybe.”
I laugh, and the other girls smile. Marcus appears to refill our champagne glasses, and I absently empty my glass before he gets to mine, wondering what Charlie would say.
CHAPTER 20
Charlie
* * *
“SO LINDSAY HAS the hots for you,” Grace says, leaning against the bar and sipping on her beer. It’s late. Really late for her to be out, but I’m glad she’s still here. The bar’s nearly empty, and closing time is minutes away. Maggie and the others have already left. The drone of the television and one other person are the only things accompanying us. I can’t wait to get her alone. Mickey needs to take the hint and get the fuck out of here, but he always stays till closing. I get why he doesn’t want to leave though, and so I’m not going to kick him out. He just doesn’t want to go home alone.
“Good for her,” I tell her with a grin. “I’ve got the hots for you.” I almost said only for you, but I’m careful with my words. I want Grace, but I don’t want to lead her on. She’s made it clear what she wants. I respect that, but I’m a little too addicted to her writhing under me to let her go just yet. Besides the wedding’s only a couple of days away. She’s all mine till then.
She holds my gaze as she tips her beer back.
“Come on sweetheart, tell me you’ve got the hots for me.” As I tell her the words, Mickey gets up from his seat and yells out, “Alright, I’m gone.” He grabs the remote, turning off the TV, and tossing it onto the table where it belongs as he walks out.
I leave my spot behind the bar and round the side of it as he walks out. “Drive safe,” I tell him and he turns around. He glances at Grace behind me and gives me a look.
“You two have a good night.”
A smile curves my lips up as I follow him to the door and open it for him.
The second I lock the door I turn around with a heat in my eyes. My dick's already hardening watching the way she shifts shyly on the barstool.
“Last time I had you in the back room,” I say in a lowered voice as I stalk my way to her. “This time I want you on the bar top.” Her eyes widen, and her breath hitches.
“Right here?” she asks, gripping the bar behind her without breaking our gaze. The way she leans back makes her breasts push forward.
“Right fucking there. So every day I come in here I can remember how your back bowed as I fucked you on my bar,” I breathe the words into the crook of her neck.
I let my fingers trail down her sides, watching as goosebumps form down her arms. She’s so responsive. I leave an open-mouth kiss just behind her ear, on that sensitive part of her neck and she moans softly in response, almost a whimper.
I pull away, gripping the dip in her waist and waiting for her to open her eyes. When she does, her baby blues shine with lust. “Get your ass up here and get naked for me.”
She’s moving the second I give her the command. I smile when she turns her lush ass to me, crawling onto the bar top. The lighting is dim in the bar and this far back, no one will be able to see what we’re doing.
But I’ll know. I’ll remember how I had her, long after she’s gone.
I pull my shirt over my head, breaking my view of her pushing her sleeves down her shoulders and stripping out of her clothes as quickly as she can.
My jeans fall into a puddle on the floor and I push my boxers down and step out of them, standing in front of her naked and hard as a fucking rock.
A shuddering breath leaves her as she pushes her clothes off the bar, sitting on her bare ass with her knees bent and her feet on the bar. Her breathing comes in deep as she finds my eyes and licks her lips.
We’re both bared to each other, in the same spot we first met. I knew then that I wanted her, but I never thought it’d happen.
I smile at the realization that it really is happening after all.
“Lie down, sweetheart.” I climb up on the bar, using the stool as a step and spread her legs. A gentle push on her inner thighs is all I need to get access to her glistening pussy. Fuck. She’s so wet. I can’t help but to pick her ass up with both hands an
d tilt her hips so I can easily take a languid lick.
My blunt nails dig into her flesh as she writhes on the bar. I smile into her heat, tasting her sweet arousal and feeling conflicted on whether I should get her off this way, or just fuck her hard and rough like I want.
I let go of her with my right hand, just to push two fingers into her tight pussy and feel how ready she is. I know I’m a little bigger than she’s used to, and I don’t want to hurt her.
But I don’t want to wait either.
Her sweet moan accompanies her back arching as I curve my fingers and stroke her G-spot. My dick twitches, and a strangled groan vibrates up through my chest. It takes great effort to keep my eyes on her and not let my head fall back when I feel how fucking tight she is. Just the thought of her tight pussy wrapped around my dick is nearly enough to set me off.
She’s already close, I know she is.
“You like that?” I ask her, stroking her front wall a bit harder as she stretches for me. Her pussy keeps clenching and her arousal soaks my hand as I push her higher and higher.
Her head thrashes as she breathes the word out. “Yes,” she says and it’s barely audible.
I press my thumb to her clit, ruthlessly rubbing circles and her ass jumps in response, her thighs shaking. I grip her ass tighter, pinning her down as she moans my name. I can’t move, my body paralyzed from watching the pleasure overtake her body. She struggles to stay still as I pick up the pace of my movements, desperately needing her to get off.
“Fuck!” she screams out, gripping the bar with both hands as her body shakes and her legs try to close tight around me. Fuck yes. Her pussy spasms around my fingers and I don’t wait for her orgasm to finish. I need her right fucking now.
I climb between her legs, spreading the bead of precum over the head of my dick and stroking it. Shit! I forgot the condom.
Her one leg wraps around my waist, the heel of her foot digging into my ass. “Charlie, please,” she begs me.
“Condom,” I barely get the word out, but I don’t try to pull away.
“No condom,” she shakes her head, her heel pushing harder at my ass and that’s all I need.
I line my dick up between her hot, slick folds and push in gently at first. Just enough so I can lean forward and brace my arms on either side of her head. Her body’s so small beneath mine. So hot.
I tilt my hips and rock into her, slowly stretching her. I watch her face the entire time. Her lips part, and her forehead pinches. I’m quick to reach down and rub her clit gently. Her eyes roll back in her head, and her soft moans fill the room. It gets her to relax and I slide in deeper and easier although there’s still some resistance.
I can barely breathe with how tight she is. She feels too fucking good.
I rock out when her expression turns a little bit more to pain than I want and wait a minute, kissing her neck and rubbing her throbbing nub before pushing my way back in.
My lips travel up and down her neck, leaving kisses all along the way.
As soon as I’m buried deep inside of her, I pull back to look her in the eyes. Her pussy gets accustomed to my size as she looks up at me.
And in that moment, something switches for me. Something changes between us. I don’t know what it is, a spark, a pull. Something raw and pure. Something that’s scary as shit that I don’t want to face.
I pull back quickly and slam into her, groaning and falling forward as a cold sweat breaks out along every inch of my skin.
I wait, pushing my chest against hers to keep her pinned down as her pussy spasms around my dick. Her body tenses and she screams out, and I give her a moment… and then do it again.
“Fuck!” she screams out, and I don’t wait this time. She’s hot, wet and ready for me to fuck her pretty little pussy the way she deserves to be fucked. I angle my hips so each time I thrust all the way to the hilt, my groin smacking against her clit.
“Charlie,” she cries out, her hands flying to my shoulders and her nails digging into my skin as I piston my hips, taking her rough and hard. And raw.
Fuck, she feels so good. I bury my head in the crook of her neck, feeling my hot breath against her heated skin. I don’t stop, I don’t let up my pace.
I’m so fucking close though. My balls draw up, and my spine tingles. I hold my breath, needing her to cum with me. A sweat breaks out along my skin as I pump my hips faster.
I need her to get off with me. And just as I’m about to lose it, she ignites under me. A cry of pleasure leaves her lips and her nails scratch down my back.
I thrust my hips in shallow pumps until I cum, still deep inside of her. My release washes through me in waves. And I finally breathe, taking in her sweet scent as my dick pulses and I empty myself inside of her.
I finally lift my head up to look at her. And that spark, that pull is even stronger.
Her head lolls to the side as we both catch our breath.
I swallow thickly, and gently pull out of her. My heart races, and it won’t quit.
Something happened. Something changed.
But I ignore it as I climb down and reach for the paper towels under the bar. She doesn’t look me in the eyes as I wipe between her legs.
All I want to know is if she felt it, too.
CHAPTER 21
Grace
* * *
IT’S the day of the wedding, and I’m right in the thick of it. Everything’s crazy, but in the hushed, well-heeled way that only weddings can be.
I’m upstairs at the hotel, in the suite of rooms reserved for the bride to get ready, getting my makeup and hair finished by two aestheticians. One lady sweeps a bit of blush on my cheeks. The other lady puts a final pin in my hair, backing away to stare at me as she, considers her work.
It’s nearly 6 p.m., and I’m the last one of the girls to be made up. I squirm in my seat. The ladies wouldn’t let me look while they were doing my hair and makeup. They said I would just fuss the whole time. They’re probably right. I’m not used to being pampered like this.
“Okay,” the hair stylist says. “I’m done.”
“Me too,” the makeup artist says, setting her brushes to the side and backing away. “You can go look now.”
I’m a bundle of nerves as I walk to the bathroom. I look in the mirror; a dewier, much more polished version of myself looks back at me. My hair is braided and pinned up. My makeup is a little more extravagant than I usually go with.
Still, it’s nice to look pretty. And I do feel pretty. I fidget with my dress, which is ocean blue silk with triangular side cutouts. I twirl a bit feeling giddy, and smile at the way the floor-length gown moves.
It’s a gorgeous dress. I didn’t bring much to this wedding, but at least I look nice.
“Grace!” Ellie calls.
I turn as she comes in and stops to look at me.
“You look really nice,” she says with a smile.
“Thanks,” I answer while tugging at the fabric, the nerves coming back again. “You do, too. Love your dress,” I say, half pointing to her dress. I hope I’m not coming off awkward. At least not as awkward as I feel.
I feel like I’m betraying his family, being a fraud and taking part in this moment. But I also feel sick knowing once tonight is done, the charade is over. I think Charlie would let it continue a while. But I can’t keep doing this, pretending like this is okay. It’s not just fun for me. Not anymore. And I’m only going to end up hurt.
“The bridesmaids are all meeting downstairs for pre-wedding toasts.”
“Oh! Okay. Let me get my boots, and I’ll be right down,” I say.
She nods, heading out of the room. I make sure to thank the makeup artist and hair stylist, then hunt for my boots which are our wedding gift from Ali.
I check the shoe rack in the closet. They’re the only pair left. I’m careful sitting down on the bed not to mess my dress up so I can pull the boots on. The leather is fresh; the boots still brand new.
Who’d have guessed that the shine o
n my boots would last longer than my relationship with Charlie?
Anyone with eyes could’ve seen that coming, I tell myself. My throat feels tight as I stand up and hightail it downstairs. I exit the elevator, picking up my dress as I search for the girls, making my way to the hotel lobby. I pass the ballroom, where the reception will take place. After checking a couple of empty rooms, I find the girls drinking from a silver flask in what seems to be a coat closet.
“Hey!” Sam says, eyes twinkling. “We were just warming up.”
“I see that,” I say, smiling. “Is it my turn?”
Lindsay hands the flask to me, and I take a swig. I wince; it’s bourbon.
“Wow. Strong,” I wheeze.
I pass the flask on to Ali. She looks at it, considering, then shakes her head. “No more for me. I want to be clearheaded.”
“You think the guys are drinking?” Ellie asks.
“The groomsmen definitely are. I saw Chris sneaking a whole bottle of whiskey into their suite earlier,” Sam says.
“I swear, Michael had better not be falling down drunk,” Ali frets, smoothing her hands over her dress.
“Charlie won’t let him drink too much,” I say.
I’m mostly assuaging Ali’s fears; I have no idea what Charlie will or won’t do. Otherwise I would’ve seen that this whole wedding thing was a bad, bad idea.
“Ladies?” the wedding planner asks, poking his head in. “The guests are all seated out on the terrace. They’re ready for you all to line up now.”
“Oh God,” Ali says, gripping Lindsay’s hand. “Oh God.”
Lindsay takes the flask out of her hand, then gives her a mini pep talk, getting down on her knees in front of Ali.
“You are ready,” she says in a hushed voice. “All you have to do is walk down that aisle, and Michael will be there waiting. That’s it.”
Ali nods at Lindsay, and I can feel the emotion rolling off of her. Her anxiety and nerves are contagious as I look into her eyes. After a moment she whispers, “All right. Let’s go.”
Deepen The Kiss Page 26
