Chapter 53
Ziggy’s smile lights up the entire island. The resort did an amazing job making her vision come to life. I can’t think of anything more perfect to highlight Elliot and Ziggy than this. Even in paradise, there is nothing more stunning than how beautiful she looks. Her wedding dress looks like it was handcrafted for her. Naturally, Ziggy went with the sexiest wedding dress possible, a skin-tight, low-cut to show off her cleavage, cut out sides, absolutely no back, delicate lace masterpiece. From the hips down, the fabric flows around her, mimicking the breeze and waves around us. It’s so effortless, beautiful, over the top, free-spirited…so Ziggy. This whole day is so her.
I look over at Oren, standing next to Elliot as his best man, and my smile only grows. Oren’s tan suit is perfectly tailored to fit his tall, athletic frame. He looks incredible. The fitted white shirt underneath the suit jacket has a few buttons unbuttoned, enough to get a small glimpse of his tattoos peeking out. A big smile is plastered on his face. His gaze flicks over to mine, and somehow the smile on his face gets even bigger and brighter, which spreads a warm fuzzy feeling through my chest, making my heart skip a beat.
Next to him, Elliot looks just as sharp, surprisingly sun-kissed, and grinning like the happiest man on earth. They’re both picture-perfect, but Oren...he just steals my breath. I sneak one last quick peek at Elliot, watching him as his eyes follow Ziggy’s every move down the aisle toward him. He is so completely smitten, obsessed, and head over heels in love with her. I knew from the minute she told me that they had a secret fling that they’d be perfect together, but seeing them together, they’re even more perfect than I ever would have guessed. He is the man of her dreams, the one she never expected and wasn’t looking for but found anyway. Here they are, about to start the rest of their lives together. As Ziggy’s maid of honor, I couldn’t be prouder.
The officiant starts the ceremony, and instead of paying attention, my focus drifts over to Ford, who’s holding Lily in the front row. He’s such a natural with her, comforting her as she squirms and keeping her calm so she doesn’t cause a scene during the ceremony. I can’t imagine being a toddler and having to sit through this, so the fact that he is able to accomplish keeping her entertained really is a gift. All in all, she does a great job, and it’s a beautiful sight to see this little family we’ve all created. It just keeps getting bigger in unexpected and absolutely perfect ways.
The ceremony is just like every interaction with Ziggy and Elliot, full of love and laughter. Their vows are from the heart, serious and hilarious, so uniquely them. As soon as those words, “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” are said, they kiss like no one is watching and walk off into the sunset. I meet Oren in the middle and follow out behind them, on the arm of the man of my dreams, as we walk side by side toward the reception.
“So, how does walking down the aisle make you feel?” I ask, nudging him playfully.
“Amazing. It's the perfect practice for when you’re the one walking down the aisle to me.” Oren grins, squeezing my hand. There is a twinkle in his eye that is a little too mischievous. “When it’s your turn to walk down the aisle to me, how about we leave all these suckers at home, and it will just be the three of us?”
I laugh, but there’s real truth in his words. A promise that one day, we’ll be the ones vowing to spend the rest of our lives together. I’m not in a hurry to make that happen but it does make my heart flutter a bit. Today is about love, embracing whatever the future holds and the newlywed couple, Mr. and Mrs. St. Germain.
As Oren and I reach where the reception will be taking place, the photographer starts yelling about finding the bride and groom. I offer to grab them, and as the dutiful maid of honor, I get out of dodge and dart up to the bridal suite. My goal is to speed things along so we can get this party started, but what I walk in on has me regretting my choice. I throw open the door, and my eyes are assaulted by Elliot’s ass on display, Ziggy’s dress bunched at her waist, heeled shoes pressing into his back.
“Oh my God!” I shriek, whipping around and slamming the door behind me. “Please get dressed and picture ready. Now! The photographer wants to finish pictures!”
Instead of listening and making themselves look decent, they ignore me entirely. My intrusion doesn’t deter them. I cover my ears, squeezing my eyes shut, determined to burn this memory from my brain. Forever. I love them both, but not enough to subject myself to this torture. If the photographer hadn’t practically threatened me if I came back without them, I would have been out of here.
Finally, I feel Ziggy’s arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling my hands from my ears. “It’s safe to open your eyes, Rachel,” she laughs, completely unbothered by my trauma.
I narrow my eyes at her, shaking my head. “You two are feral , you know.”
“Oh, please,” she quips, giving me a pointed look. “I’ve heard your stories about Oren.”
“That is not the same; we have a kid and some self-control!” I say, laughing because she is right, but my reasoning is weak at best.
Elliot saunters out behind her, looking far too pleased with himself. He’s still looking at Ziggy like she’s the only person in the room. “Hey, can you blame me? I couldn’t wait another second to have sex with my wife. Sue me.”
“Ugh, let’s just go before they send someone else for you!” I say exasperatedly, grabbing Ziggy’s arm and dragging her toward where we are supposed to meet the photographer.
Behind me, I can hear Elliot’s deep belly laugh, completely unapologetic. I glance between them, and they are just grinning from ear to ear, looking blissfully happy. In the end, I can’t blame either one of them.
Once everyone is caroled, it doesn’t take long for all of the photos to be taken. The time for celebration has begun. As we walk back to the reception, the wedding photographer pulls us aside.
“How about some family photos?” she suggests, and I freeze, not sure what the protocol is here.
Family photos. Us. Me, Oren, and Lily. That sounds great but isn’t that infringing on Ziggy and Elliot’s moment? Oren, on the other hand, doesn’t hesitate to take advantage of the situation. He leans down, wrapping an arm around me, with Lily against his chest, being held up by his other arm. We all attempt our best smiles for the camera. As the shutter clicks, capturing this moment for us forever, regardless of whether everyone’s eyes are open or if we are all smiling, I can feel that this picture is perfect.
As we walk up to the party, the sun has set, but the warm breeze wraps perfectly against my skin. Our friends' laughter spills into the air, especially Elliot and Ziggy, who are arm in arm, dancing, giggling together, completely wrapped up in each other in newlywed bliss. I smile as I watch them, the way they move together, foreheads touching as if no one else in the world exists. Not a single thing is on their radar but each other.
I scan the rest of the reception. The space is equally beautiful to the ceremony, with crisp white linens and white tropical flowers covering all the open spaces. I just hope that these rowdy people here don’t ruin it as the party starts to unfold. Nolan’s off in the corner, doing his best to avoid any deep conversations, his expression guarded as usual. He’s got that look in his eye like he’s here, but not really. It makes me wonder if anyone else notices how sad and withdrawn he looks sometimes.
Bryce, on the other hand, is in the middle of the dance floor, making an absolute spectacle of himself. No surprise there, as usual, commanding attention without trying with just his energy and vibes only. People get dragged into his orbit before they even know what’s happening, but that’s just Bryce being Bryce. Loud, obnoxious-sometimes impossible to ignore, and still somehow one of the most genuine, likable guys.
Then there’s Ford. Poor, poor Ford. He’s hovering near Dr. Maria, trying to penetrate her steely defenses in any way possible. His goal is to strike up a conversation that is more than just in passing, boring, or polite, but he is only crashing and burning. That hasn’t stopped Ziggy from continuing to try and play matchmaker. I watch him as he stumbles, looking so unsure of himself for probably the first time ever. I give him a look when we make eye contact that says, don’t embarrass yourself!
Maria’s incredibly skilled at appearing that she’s not interested. There’s something there, I can tell. Call it a woman's intuition, because she is trying a little too hard to not pay attention to him. She’s keeping a safe distance, not dismissive, but not welcoming. Her actions make it hard to tell if she’s being polite or just playing hard to get. Either way, it’s incredibly entertaining to watch him try.
The energy in the reception is electric, laughter filling the air and the clinking of glasses signaling everyone to shut up for the toasts. My heart blossoms, watching Oren step forward, raising his glass.
“To Elliot and Ziggy!” Oren begins, a wide smile lighting up his features. “I would’ve never guessed the two of you would become the poster children for a lifetime of happiness, but here we are!” The small crowd erupts in laughter. I look over at the happy couple. Elliot rolls his eyes at the joke, but there’s nothing but love between them. It's hard to imagine there was even a time that what happened between Oren and me could have ruined the bond between those two.
Oren continues, his voice taking on a more genuine tone. “In all seriousness, you two are a match made for each other. You’ve shown the rest of us idiots what it really looks like to love someone fully, flaws and all.” He gestures around to the fellow hockey players among him before continuing, “Alors, voici une vie copieuse et pleine d’amour entre vous deux. Que votre lien ne fasse que se renforcer.”
“Damn, Oren,” I chime in, laughing as I raise my glass. “You really know how to give a toast,” I tease, eliciting more laughter from the other guests. “But seriously, we’re all so happy for you two.”
The room fills with applause as Elliot and Ziggy share another X-rated kiss. There’s nothing sweet or innocent about it. I start to internally panic because the last thing Lily needs to see is the two of them dry humping by the cake. Thankfully, they quickly get a hold of themselves, and the party starts back up. The music sends people back out to the dance floor, making it the main attraction again.
We dance and laugh for hours. The best thing about everyone we know being here is that we can pass Lily around between our friends. At one point, Maria even offers to watch her so Oren and I can slow dance. He pulls me onto the dance floor, slipping his arms around my waist, and holds me close, the world falling away for a few moments. I lean into Oren’s chest as we sway to the music, everything feeling absolutely perfect. The day, the trip, us, just—everything. So I just snuggle into his chest even more.
Oren presses a kiss on the top of my head. “There is no one I would rather be here with than you,” he murmurs softly, his voice a warm rumble in my ear.
I smile, glancing up at him. “Me, either. I’m glad to have someone to do these types of things together, especially you.”
He nods, pulling me a little closer, his fingers pressing into my hips. “I love what we have, Rachel. More than anything.”
And as I rest my head on his chest again, I feel the sense of peace I’ve come to associate with him. Being here, with him and Lily, is exactly where I want to be. As the slow song fades and the beat of the music picks up again, he leans down to whisper in my ear, his voice low and teasing. “You know, we could sneak away for a bit…”
I raise an eyebrow at him, a smirk on my lips that turns into a full-on smile. “Seriously? We can’t leave our daughter to fend for herself.” I say, already knowing he has something in mind.
He doesn’t even hesitate. “She won’t be fending for herself,” he says with a wink. “I promise she’ll be well cared for while we’re gone.”
Oren tucks me into the crook of his shoulder, pulling me to his side. He brushes his fingers lightly over my hip bone, teasing me as he steers us toward Ford. I spot him ahead, all grinning as he waltzes Lily around the room. He’s got her standing on his feet, her tiny hands wrapped around his fingers, joy all over her face, laughter ringing through the air every time he spins. It’s adorable how he guides her through each step, making her the center of attention, like this party was thrown just for her. Oren calls Ford’s name, and he stops mid-spin, glancing up with a smile as he holds Lily steady.
"Hey, man. Could you watch Lily for just a little longer? Like, an hour? Max." Oren’s voice is casual, but I can hear the hidden edge that sends a thrill of anticipation straight through my veins.
Ford blinks. "An hour? I’m sure you’re trying to do something inappropriate. And Lily needs a responsible influence right now. So, yes."
Oren rolls his eyes in response, then glances at me, a mischievous smile curling his lips. "I’m going to ignore you and pretend that you are actually responsible. Thanks, dude."
Ford laughs. "Yeah, sure. I got her. Go do— Go be deviants or whatever you’re up to." He gives Oren an accusatory look before turning back to dancing with Lily.
Oren’s immediately pulling me off the dance floor, and out the back door. The warm Hawaiian night welcomes us as Oren leads us in the direction of the ocean. The sounds of the party quickly fade behind us, the sound of the ocean crashing on the sand the only sound replacing it.
I’m not entirely sure what Oren’s up to but it feels dangerous, in the best possible way. We reach the sand and kick off our shoes, and the cool sand under my toes centers me. The bright moonlight highlights the silvery path toward the ocean. There’s no one on the beach, no one in sight at all, just the two of us under the stars.
"Do you remember what you told me that night?" Oren’s voice is a low rumble that’s quickly carried away by the wind. "About your fantasy?"
My pulse quickens. I don’t need to ask to know exactly what he’s talking about. Of course, I remember.
"Um, yeah," I breathe.
He steps toward me, his large hands sliding around my waist, pulling me flush to the hard lines of his body. He slides his palm up my stomach, one resting on my rib, the other moving to allow him to pinch my nipple through my dress, pressing his thick cock into the curve of my ass.
His lips brush over the shell of my ear. "Does it make your pussy drip, thinking about someone watching you grind on my dick?"
A chill reverberates through my body. His words cause a rush of wetness to coat my panties. I let out a quick breath. Every inch of me already reacts to him, his possessive tone turning me on, leaving me wanting nothing more than to be owned by him. Somehow, Oren always has this way of knowing exactly what to say to get me worked up, and tonight is a prime example.
"I don’t know if I can," I whisper, my voice trembling with need. “But I don’t want to wait to feel you inside me, either.”
“There’s no need to wait, Rachel. I’m going to take you right here. Make your fantasy come true.” Oren’s hand, resting on my rib, slides down, pulling my dress up just enough to slip beneath it. His fingers find the arousal dripping down my thighs.
"Fuck. You’re soaked already, sweetheart," he growls.
I gasp as he plunges two fingers into my pussy, teasing my inner walls, making my knees go weak, but he doesn’t let me stumble or falter. His strong arms support me until I'm bucking beyond control. Oren tosses his suit jacket down on the sand and guides me to lie on top of it. He adjusts himself so that his body covers mine, giving me my fantasy while protecting me from the risk of getting caught or exposing myself. I let out a breathy moan as he bunches my dress up around my waist and pulls my thong from my body, the fresh air grazing over my bare skin for the first time.
He continues to work his fingers slowly, torturously building me up until I'm a writhing mess beneath him. Unable to think straight, my breathing coming out in labored pants.
"More," I cry out. "Now."
In one fluid movement, Oren frees himself from his suit pants, his thick cock filling up the small space between us. He rubs his tip over my clit a few times, covering himself with my wetness. I barely have time to register how good it feels before he thrusts inside me, filling me completely.
I moan, biting down on my lip in an attempt to keep from crying out as Oren moves, thrusting in and slowly pulling almost all of the way out. Each thrust sends jolting waves of pleasure through me. He grips my wrist together over my head, his hips pinning me to the sand as he pounds into me, eliciting more of a reaction from me than I ever imagined possible. Even though, logically, I know we’re alone, just the thought of someone finding us like this only makes the moment hotter.
"Look how turned on you are," Oren's voice is thick and rough as he plunges deeper. "Knowing someone could see you like this? See you spread open for me, taking every inch of my cock like a desperate little slut?"
I can’t form any coherent thoughts, answers, or even words. Not with how he feels or how his touch has me tightening around him. Every filthy word whispered only makes me more desperate. All I can do is nod, fighting to stifle the screams that threaten to spill out of my lungs.
Oren’s pace picks up, his hips meeting mine with each movement, his breathing ragged as the pressure on my wrist tightens to a bruising grip. "God, I love how you feel," he groans. "You’re so fucking tight."
I’m close—so close. My orgasm is right on the verge of exploding, the nerves building inside me to the point I feel like I might combust from the inside out. "Come for me," Oren growls, low and commanding. "I need to feel you come all over my cock."
And damn, if I don’t do exactly what I’m told. The sensation hits me like a tidal wave. I can’t even tell if I ever come down from the first orgasm before my muscles start to contract again, another one coursing through me. Or it could have just been one really long, insanely intense orgasm. I don’t know and can’t decipher what is happening, but the sensation ricochets through me with a force that leaves me gasping for air. Oren’s orgasm chases mine with a guttural, wolfish sound that sends yet another wave of pleasure, my body completely shuddering beneath him.
I lie there with my legs wrapped tightly around Oren’s waist, our breathing heavy and uneven as we try to regulate. The world slowly starts to come back to focus as the aftershocks of pleasure slowly ebb away. Oren kisses up the side of my neck, his lips soft and gentle compared to the roughness of his touch before.
"You okay?" he murmurs, his lips pressing lovingly to mine.
I nod, “More than okay,” a lazy smile spreads across my face.
The reality of our actions quickly catches up with me. I let out a giddy, breathless sound that can only be described as strangled laughter. I pull my dress back down and cover my face with my hands, letting out the giggles. I peek up at Oren, who’s somehow fully put together, between my fingers.
"Don’t tell me you’re getting shy now," he teases with a grin, taking my hands and pulling me to stand in front of him. He helps me make sure my dress is straight before draping his suit jacket over my shoulders, wrapping his arm around me, and walking us back toward the party.
"I’m not shy!" I protest, though I just know my cheeks are still a bright hue of pink. "Just deciding if I want to experience something like that again.”
Oren squeezes me tightly. "Good."
We sneak back into the reception where the party is still going but slowly starting to wind down. I scoop Lily from Ford. Somewhere along the way Maria let loose a little bit and is no longer keeping her distance from Ford. We congratulate Elliot and Ziggy one last time before excusing ourselves to go put Lily to bed. As we walk back to our room, Lily and I wrapped up in Oren’s strong hold, everything feels perfect.
"Think you’ve got one more round in you, Rachel Reese?" he whispers, somehow sending another shiver down my spine, which has become second nature to him.
I smile up at him with a wink, "For you? Always."