Tamed By You (Always & Forever #2)

22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ali

“And left together, right together, glide dear. This isn't graduation, Maria, we don’t march. It’s your wedding day,” Theodore bellows.

“You try gliding in these heels, then get back to me,” Ria yells back, her voice echoing round the church.

“Don't blame the heels dear, it's your poor posture. Don't make me balance the bible on your head.”

A laugh bursts from me. I don't know where Jack and Ria got this wedding planner from but he's a riot. He reminds me of the one from Father of the Bride . He's a short man with glasses and silver hair, wearing a suit to match.

“Is it too late to sack him?” Ria huffs, walking towards me.

“I think you’re stuck with him, babe.”

“That’s it. Yes, Gabriella, stunning. Everyone watch how she glides.” Theodore claps.

“Of course she glides, she takes Barre and Pilates classes like tic tacs,” I shout. Gabby reaches the altar and does a little bow.

“Teacher’s pet,” Ria teases and Gabby pokes out her tongue and we burst into giggles.

“Right, Maria, let’s try this again. Chin up, shoulders back, and glide on those heels,” Theodore says, waving her over towards him.

“I know where I’d like to glide my heel right about now,” she mumbles.

It's the day before the wedding and we've been at this for the past hour. Theodore has us walking up and down this damn aisle like we are in some pageant boot camp. I should know I used to do them.

“Not great, but better,” he shouts from the podium. “Now, where are the little people?”

“They'll be here in a minute with Jack and the guys,” Ria says.

“Okay, Alice, show me how it's done. Play the music again.”

I hold the fake bouquet in front of me that Theodore has made us carry. Until I Found Her by Stephen Sanchez plays through the speakers and I wait for my cue.

I remember my pageant training, pull my shoulders back and glide like I'm on ice. I focus on a spot at the back of the church and keep my back straight. We all look ridiculous dressed in yoga pants and baggy tees wearing our wedding heels.

“Perfect. This, this is what we want, ladies. Perfection. Claps for Alice,” Theodore cheers. The music fades and a wolf whistle echoes through the church. I turn and see Jack, Brad, and Harry standing at the entrance, Elle in Jack's arms, and Lexi running up the aisle towards me in a floaty pink dress. I don’t notice the others as my eyes zone in on Harry.

“Auntie Ali.” I bend down, ready to scoop her up.

“Hey, Lex,” I reply, nuzzling her nose and then kissing her cheek.

“Now, the muscle has arrived, let’s get some of these chairs moved and I need to stage you,” Theodore bellows.

They all move further into the church. “Stage us?” Jack questions with a puzzled expression on his face. Elle fidgets in his arms, obviously wanting to get down, and I reach out and hold her chubby hand.

“Best to go with it. Theodore is on one and I think Ria is about ready to ram the heel of her shoe where the sun doesn't shine,” I tell them quietly.

A look of concern flashes in Jack’s eyes.

“Harry, hold Elle.” He passes her to him, and he holds her like he’s been holding kids his whole life. I won’t lie, I quite enjoy the way his biceps flex in his black t-shirt when he takes her, and the backwards baseball cap is doing things to my body that it has no business doing when we are in the Lord's house.

“Theodore, a word,” Jack calls, heading towards the altar where Ria and he are having a heated exchange.

“I’ll go give him a hand,” Brad mutters and follows Jack.

“Daddy,” Elle says with a sob.

“Hey, baby girl, it’s fine. Daddy will be back,” Harry soothes.

It seems crazy to think she's a toddler now and talking. Only feels like yesterday she was born.

Harry takes hold of the bunny she has clutched in her little hand and starts to play peekaboo. “Where's Elle gone… peekaboo.” She bursts into a fit of giggles and I can't help but smile and swoon. Something about a hot guy holding a child makes me weak.

Calm down ovaries.

“Auntie Ali, can I go see mommy? I wanna show her my walk. I’ve been practicing,” Lexi asks.

“Go do your thing, baby girl.” I put her down and she skips up the aisle.

“You’re not bad with kids, but I guess as you are an oversized man child it makes sense.”

“Ooh, that was almost a compliment from you there, Ali Cat. You sound a little jealous. Am I not giving you enough attention?”

I roll my eyes. “You wish I was jealous.”

“Don’t worry, we can play peekaboo in my hotel room tonight, or hide the sausage.”

A squeal escapes me, and I give him a playful tap. “Harry, little ears.”

He bops her on the nose. “It's fine, she doesn't know, do you cutie?” he murmurs, speaking in that annoying baby voice people use, but it's only making me swoon harder.

Holy hell, I’m in trouble here.

“We won't be hiding anything. I’m in with Ria and Gabby tonight.”

He leans in and speaks loud enough for only me to hear him over the music that’s playing. “I'll make it worth your while.” A bolt of pleasure surges me through and I squeeze my thighs together. The asshole notices and gives me a wink. “Yeah, I’ll see you later for game night,” he says in a low tone, walking past me and heading towards the altar.

I really need to get it together when I'm around him.

After another hour of gliding up and down the aisle, Ria finally ‘got it’, as Theodore put it and we were allowed to leave. We all headed to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. I’ve gone for a simple black dress with silver straps that cross over at the back. My blonde hair in loose waves.

“Looking gorgeous, as always,” Ria says eyeing me up and down.

“Me? Look at you, Ri. You look incredible.” She’s in a fitted white beaded dress and she looks like a goddess. “Jack is gonna lose his damn mind.” She does a little spin and winks. I feel honored to have a front row seat to her happily ever after.

“Okay, is this too short?” Gabby appears in a little black dress. It’s a high neck and comes just above her knee.

“No, it’s giving Audrey Hepburn vibes. It’s gorgeous, Gabs. Is Patrick coming?” I ask.

“I, ermmm, didn’t invite him,” she mumbles, awkwardly fiddling with the hem of her dress.

“What?” me and Ria gasp at the same time.

“Why?” I ask.

“I don’t know. He’s just, erm, how do I put it?” she says, tapping her index finger against her chin.

“… as exciting as watching grass grow?” I suggest.

“Ali!” Ria scolds but I can see her silently laughing.

“Yes,” Gabby says pointing at me.

“Knew it.” I shrug.

“Gabs, I thought you liked him,” Ria says, reaching for her purse and taking out her lipstick.

“No, my parents like him. I just don't feel it, you know. He just loves to talk about his job or numbers and himself and I don’t know… I haven't written him off completely. I’m hoping things will start to feel more exciting soon. Maybe we just need to get to know each other a little better. I just didn't want to feel like I had to babysit him this weekend.”

“Totally. Life is too short to waste on a soft cock. You didn’t need him weighing you down this weekend.”

“Ali,” Ria scolds again, tapping me on the arm.

“What? Tell me I’m wrong, Gabs. I mean, he’s a good-looking guy, but if he’s not getting the juices flowing, it’s time to bin him.”

Gabby doesn’t respond. She just stands there like a deer caught in the headlights. Poor girl gets so flustered talking about sex.

“Right, enough cock talk. Let’s get going,” Ria chimes, waving us towards the hotel door.

Excitement zaps through me as we take the elevator down to the private room they have hired for the dinner. Excitement buzzes around my body and I tell myself it’s because I am excited to see them get married, but I know there’s more to it.

We exit the elevator, walking through the double doors to the room with its white walls, white floors and tall tables with little lamps on them dotted around. The place is packed with all their loved ones. My eyes scan the room and then I see him. Wearing a black dinner suit, his short beard perfectly trimmed, his dark hair a little longer these days, and his blue eyes focused on me.

I smile, giving him a wink, and if looks could melt your panties, the grin that spreads across his face would be the one to do it. I graciously take the champagne glass that’s handed to me, and we walk over towards the guys who are at the bar. Everyone gathers together, and I greet Mason and Brett with a brief hug.

“Hey, Ali, you good?” Brett says.

“Yeah, how’s things?” I ask. I haven’t seen him since Vegas.

“Good. Listen, I hope I didn't make things weird in Vegas. I didn't mean to—”

I interrupt. “It’s forgotten, I swear. No big deal.”

He lets out a long breath. “Thank god, because I’m not that kind of guy and I don't know… I thought we got on and I’d like to take you out.”

My face must say it all.

“Unless you aren't interested, then that's cool, I just…”

“No, no, it’s just that I don't really do the dating thing.”

“Can I have the chance to change your mind?” He gives me a pleading look.

Before I can answer, Harry swoops in taking my hand in his. “Sorry to interrupt. Ali, a word. The hosts need to ask us about something for tomorrow.” His tone is clipped.

“Excuse me,” I say to Brett. He nods, but Harry is already dragging me through the sea of people.

“Hey, where are we going?”

He doesn't say anything, his grip tightening on my hand. “In here,” he demands, opening a door and ushering me in.

It’s a small bathroom decorated in a floral wallpaper. With a large vanity on one side and the toilet on the other, there’s not much space for two people in here.

“What's the matter with yo—”

“You aren't going on a date with him.” His voice is almost a growl.

My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

“I said you aren't going on a date with him.”

“I’m sorry. Since when do you get to tell me who I can and cannot date?” I ask, challenging the gaze he has boring into me, which ignites a fire in my belly. I had no plans to go on a date with Brett, but where does he get off telling me what to do.

“Since now.” He moves closer and I step back until my back hits the wall.

“You don't get to tell me what to do. I’m not yours.”

“See now, that’s where you’re wrong. I think you are mine. You’re just scared to admit it.”

“I’m not yours,” I hiss. “Jesus, why don’t you just drag me back out there caveman style and pee on me to mark your territory while you’re at it?”

“I will, if I have to. I have no problem claiming you in front of everyone.” His words make me falter. Taking in a shaky breath, suddenly his proximity has me heating.

“We are just fuck buddies, nothing more.” My voice sounds weaker than I’d like.

“I think we can both agree, we are a little more than that.”

His mouth is now inches from mine, his thick thigh pressing in between my legs and my traitorous body welcomes the pressure it's causing.

“No, we’re not,” I say, my voice barely a whisper.

“So, it’s not my name you scream when my cock is buried inside you?”

I begin to pant, his thigh moves, raising my dress and rubbing against my clit, forcing a whimper to escape my lips.

“It’s not my fingers that your pretty little cunt tightens around when they thrust inside you, no?”

His lips graze the shell of my ear, his scent so intoxicating I want to consume him. A little moan escapes me as his thigh moves in small circles in between my legs and my hips move on their own accord, grinding down on him. This is too much. I need to get out of here. I started this stupid game and now I need to end it before I lose all my restraint.

“We should go,” I pant.

“Go where, baby… here?” His voice low and gravelly, making my clit throb with need for him. He presses an open mouth kiss to that sensitive spot between my collarbone and neck. My eyes flutter close, and I bite down on my lower lip,

“Or here?” He runs his tongue along my decollete, dipping in between my cleavage, sucking on the skin.

I gasp, pressing my breasts into him, welcoming the heat of his tongue on my tingling skin.

“More…” I pant. I’m slowly losing it over here.

“Or should I go here?” His hand slides agonizingly slowly up my inner thigh, disappearing beneath my dress. He moves his leg as his expert fingers replace it, rubbing small circles on my swollen clit. “Does that feel like more, Ali Cat?”

Another whimper escapes from me.

God, he’s fucking good.

“Or does this feel like more?” A finger slides inside me and my back arches off the wall, my body falling into him. He holds me up, his fingers working harder, and I am so close I feel the pressure building.

“H… please,” I beg, the need for a release becoming too much.

“Tell me we are more. Tell me you won't go on a date with him.”

I swallow, my eyes meeting his, “Jealous, are we?” I tease breathlessly.

“Yeah, I fucking am,” he growls.

Being the bitch I am, I decide to push him, determined to win this battle.

“Well, that's tough shit, H.”

“Well, that's a damn shame.” He slides his fingers out of me, putting space between our bodies, and I wince at the loss.

“You can't be serious.”

“Deadly,” he says, eyes locked defiantly with mine.

“We agreed. Fuck buddies, nothing more.”

“Yeah, well, shit changes.”

What does he mean by that?

“You better finish me off, Harry Walker, or so help me, god.” I don't know if it's desire or rage, but my chest is heaving at a rapid rate. I need a release before I go clinically insane.

“Tell me, you won’t go on a date with him,” he repeats, but my stubborn streak takes over. If there's one thing, I hate most in this world, it’s being told what to do, especially by a man.

“No,” I spit. I don’t want to date Brett. Not one part of me does. I only have eyes for Harry, and that scares me. I fear if I let go of this push and pull that we have, that if I cave, and give in to how I feel, I’ll fall so far there’s no coming back.

He brings his fingers to his mouth and sucks my arousal off them, moaning as he does, and the sound makes my eyes roll and my eyelids flutter close. “Mmmmm, so fucking sweet.”

Giving him a wicked grin I say, “If you don't get me off, I will go out there and drag Brett in here to finish off what you started.” I barely finish my sentence before he pounces on me. His hand grips my throat, not enough to hurt me but enough to still me, and my body thrums with excitement.

“You wouldn’t fucking dare,” he growls. His eyes bore into mine, a mixture of heat and hate.

I narrow my eyes, smirking. “Watch me.”