Chapter 5
five
ELAINA
Tuesday Night…
It’s another perfect night on the beach.
With another perfect sunset.
And another couple gazing at each other like their deepest, secret, most precious dream has finally come true as they say their vows.
But I’m not completely fucking miserable, and it’s all thanks to Anthony’s stupidly gorgeous best man.
Best man, indeed…
In a tan, linen summer suit and a sky-blue shirt, with his hair ruffled by the sea breeze, Hunter looks good enough to eat.
To devour, in fact…
I can’t wait to get him alone. I’ve whipped out my vibrator at least ten times since he left me hanging on Sunday night, but self-administered orgasms aren’t cutting it this time around. My body wants that man, the best man, and it wants him now .
I’ve been so tormented by my own libido that I haven’t had time to get nervous about marrying my bestie since we were both in kindergarten.
It’s just another thing to thank Hunter for as we sign on the dotted line tonight. For a self-proclaimed “very bad man,” he sure is making my most precious dreams come true.
“Maya Swallows,” Anthony’s voice cracks with emotion as he finishes the self-written portion of his vows. “You came into my life at a time when I was so lost, and not only did you find me, but you healed me. Inspired me. Made me laugh and feel and think in ways I never had before. You are so strong and beautiful and graciously, fearlessly kind.”
I blink faster, getting teary for at least the third time since the ceremony started. These two…they know and see each other in a way that’s so beautiful, and damned impressive for people who have been together less than a year.
“I feel like the luckiest man in the world,” he continues, his eyes shining with emotion. “Every day with you is better than the last, and I can’t wait to spend all our tomorrows together.”
Maya sucks in a breath, her bottom lip trembling as she mouths, “Me, too.”
“Then all that’s left is to make it official,” I say, smiling at the joy on their faces. “Do you, Maya Swallows, take Anthony Pissarro to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” she says, her voice ringing with love and certainty.
“And do you, Anthony, take our Maya to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“Hell, yes,” Anthony says, making everyone laugh. “I mean, I do. I definitely do.”
“Then by the power vested in me by the great state of Maine, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” I grin as they lean toward each other. “You may kiss your husband, bestie, because you are married!”
The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as Maya and Anthony share their first kiss as husband and wife. The guest list was still fairly small by wedding standards, but a lot bigger than Sydney and Gideon’s ceremony. Maya has a large family in town, and Anthony flew his even larger family in for the event.
So far, the very Irish Swallows clan and the very Italian Pissarros, seem to be hitting it off like crazy.
The potluck table is weighed down with food and we had to fetch two extra ice tubs at the last minute to hold all the beer and Prosecco. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a wild night, a hunch that’s confirmed as Maya’s older sister shouts, “Last one to the dance floor is a pickled egg,” and dashes toward the large platform set up on the beach below the boardwalk.
She’s followed by two very handsome Pissarro cousins, several of our friends from high school, and her son, Maya’s nephew, who’s already promised us a break-dancing show after Auntie Maya throws the bouquet.
In just a few minutes, the DJ is cranking “You Make my Dreams Come True,” and everyone is dancing around the bride and groom. It’s pandalerium down there, so packed that no one is going to notice if Hunter and I slip away for a little…talk before rejoining the festivities.
“Hey, bad man, you clean up nice,” I whisper, joining him off to one side of the drink table, where he’s watching from a distance, as usual.
The man appears to be allergic to fun, another reason we’d be a terrible fit, long term. Yep, the longer I know him, the more certain I am that hitting it and quitting it isn’t going to be a problem at all.
We just aren’t suited for more.
His lips quirk. “You, too. I like this bridesmaid dress even better than the other one. Red is your color.”
“Thanks,” I say. “It isn’t a bridesmaid dress, though. It’s just a little something I pulled from my collection. So, maybe you’ll get to see it again someday if you’re lucky.”
“A man can only hope,” he says flatly, making me grin.
We aren’t well-suited for the long term, but I enjoy his smartass side an awful lot. Exchanging barbs with Hunter is more fun than sweet talk from anyone else.
Though there is something I enjoy even more than our banter…
“Walk with me?” I ask softly, already stepping away. “I’ll meet you on the other side of those dunes, where no one will see us.”
Keeping his gaze glued to the dancers below, he murmurs, “Meet you there.”
A few minutes later, he crests the dune behind me, navigating the steep descent to join me on the sand with his usual grace, making me wonder, “It’s hard to believe you’re a bad dancer,” I say, as he falls in beside me. “You’re so naturally graceful. Like a panther who’s been classically trained in ballet.”
“I’m nothing like a panther who’s been classically trained in ballet,” he deadpans before adding with a shrug, “And I’m not a bad dancer. I just don’t enjoy it. Not in public anyway.”
I grin, teasing, “So, you’ll dance with me in private? Spin me around your fancy apartment on the Upper West Side and show me all your panther ballet moves?”
His lips quirk the slightest bit. “Is that something you want added to the contract before you sign?”
“No, that’s okay,” I say. “I’ll take you at your word.” I fight a smile as I add, “I’ll have to, since I signed the docu-sign your lawyer sent to my email before the ceremony. It should be in your inbox now.”
The flash of pleasure in his gaze makes me feel warm all over. “I’m very glad to hear that.”
“Yeah, me too,” I murmur. “And Kira, my part-time holiday baking helper, is going to take over for me in the kitchen and sublet my apartment until I get back. She loves cats as much as I do and has been looking for a full-time gig. Her cousin is going to help up front, starting tomorrow, and I have my vet tech friend coming by once a week so that Kira won’t have to deal with transport if the babies need anything. Everything has fallen into place beautifully.”
He shifts his focus fully my way. “You saw your doctor?”
I nod. “I did. And she said I’m good to start trying as soon as I get my IUD taken out. No waiting period or worries.”
“That’s what I read online, but good to have it confirmed by a professional. And you’re otherwise in good health?” His gaze sweeps up and down my frame, making me very aware of the deep V at the front of my dress.
And very glad I chose this dress instead of the more modest blue silk…
I like it when he looks at me like he’s dying to devour me, too.
“Fantastic health,” I say, as we reach the abandoned lifeguard shelter at the end of the beach. I start up the steps, pausing as I add over my shoulder, “Dr. Saunders did say that I could probably use some more cardio in my life, but I go dancing at least a few times a month. That’s enough cardio.”
“It’s not,” he says, so close behind me now that his heat warms my back, my ass. “But I’m sure you’ll be getting more cardio in soon.” His hands settle possessively on my waist, making the ache between my thighs even more insistent.
“Oh yeah?” I turn just enough for his breath to warm my cheek as I lean back against him, my hormones celebrating the feel of his erection, long and thick, as it presses against my backside. “We do tend to get pretty athletic, don’t we?”
“We do,” he agrees. “I’ve had a hard time thinking of anything but getting athletic with you since Sunday night.”
I sigh, shivering as his hands smooth up my stomach to linger just below my breasts. “Me, too. Why do you think I lured you out to an abandoned lifeguard station for a quickie? I can’t wait until after the wedding. I need you to dick me down hard right now.”
“I’ll dick you down so hard you won’t remember your own name until tomorrow morning,” he rumbles in my ear as one wicked hand wraps around my throat, drawing me back against him. “But not until we’re ready to fuck with a purpose. I don’t want to waste a single drop of come I could be using to put a baby inside you.”
His other hand splays across the softly rounded flesh between my hips, making me burn. And whimper. And my poor, frustrated pussy clench around her wretched emptiness.
Who knew that hearing him talk about knocking me up would be so hot?
Who? Why I did, of course.
Which is why I’m prepared for just such a moment as this…
I pull away from his grasp, climbing the last two steps to the entrance to the small hut before turning back to him. “I totally agree with that sentiment,” I say, my voice husky with desire. I slowly lift the hem of my dress, revealing the lace edge of my silky black thigh-highs. “Which is why I asked Dr. Saunders to take my IUD out today. So, I would be all prepped and ready for you to come inside me.”
The look in his eyes is so intense, so focused and hungry, that it might have been scary if I didn’t feel the same wild, ravenous need.
I lean back against the railing, drawing my dress even higher. “Do you want to do that, Mr. Mendelssohn? Do you want to come inside me?”
The look he gives me as he sweeps me into his arms promises I’m about to get everything I’ve been burning for.
And then some.