Seduction - Chapter 9 #2
It was a gorgeous day. Summer was trying to end quickly this year. Some trees were already starting to drop leaves. I remembered Justin’s chant about droughts. This summer had been pretty dry. Maybe Rob and Daphne would get beautiful autumn colors in their wedding photos after all.
“The country club was a great idea,” I said. “It’s going to be beautiful this time of year.”
James squeezed my hand. “It’s definitely beautiful this time of year. Especially out on the golf course.”
I felt my cheeks blushing. I knew what he was referring to. He’d taken me there in the fall. Our first real date. We’d done unspeakable things on that golf course. “Is it weird for them to get married there? Where we…you know.”
“I’m sure they can put up an arch somewhere away from the mini-waterfall.”
“And the willow tree,” I added.
He smiled and stopped on the path, pulling me into him. “And the willow tree. I definitely didn’t forget about that.”
“How could you possibly?” He’d backed me up until my back hit the bark of the tree. The golf course had been deserted, but there’d still been this thrill around the possibility of getting caught. He’d had me screaming his name in minutes.
“Maybe after the ceremony we can sneak off and recreate a few things,” he said. “I could definitely go for a round two against the tree.”
“Pretty sure we’ll be taking pictures after the ceremony.”
“We’re not in the wedding party, Penny.”
“Rob is definitely going to ask you. He was your best man and you’ll be his.”
“Not necessarily.”
“You’re being very cute right now.”
“I’m not being cute,” James said.
“You’re being a little cute.”
His hands left my waist and cradled my face.
And then he kissed me, his tongue sliding past my lips.
Completely unraveling me. He kissed me like I was the only thing keeping him alive.
Right there on the walking path. It was anything but cute.
It was scandalous and had me digging my fingers into his back.
God, what I’d do to be back on that golf course right now.
“I’m thinking of so many ways to seduce you right now,” he whispered against my lips. “I’m really liking this five months of seduction thing.”
“You’re not supposed to be coming up with ideas.
Since I’m seducing you .” Although, I hadn’t thought of what to do today.
Which was ridiculous because it was only the second day.
But all I could think about right this moment was grabbing lunch.
Maybe I could do something with food. Or sparkles, since they were still all over me. “Are you hungry?”
“We just ate breakfast.”
“I’m eating for two. I could really go for some pickles. What about you?”
He laughed. “No, I definitely don’t want breakfast pickles. But let’s go find you some. I’m not sure if any restaurants are open for lunch yet though.”
“Oh, we also need another watermelon,” I said. “I finished the last one off yesterday. Let’s just go to the market.”
“You mean the grocery store.”
“No, the market.”
He smiled down at me. “How many times are we going to debate this? A market is like a farmer’s market with only fresh produce and stuff.”
“No. It’s another term for the grocery store. I swear. And I won’t stop calling it that. It’s what I’ve always called it and that’s what my family calls it.”
“But it’s really confusing when you call it that. You’ve even accidentally sent Ellen to the farmer’s market a few times and she’s looked down at the list and couldn’t get anything there. It’s a grocery store, baby.”
I shook my head. “He agrees with me,” I said and put my hand on my stomach.
“You’re teaming up on me with our unborn daughter?”
“Our unborn son.”
He shook his head. “You fight dirty.”
Dirty. Hm. That actually gave me an idea for tonight’s seduction. Dirty and food? Yum. “I’m pretty sure you like it when I’m dirty.” I winked at him. “Now please escort me to the market so I can eat some morning pickles.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s the most horrifying sentence you’ve ever spoken.”
I laughed and lightly hit his arm. “Very funny. Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to call Bee. Give me one second.” I pulled out my phone and tapped on Bee’s name.
“Hey, Penny!” she said. “Last night was so much fun. I can’t believe Rob is actually getting married. Do you think he’ll stop calling you sexy all the time now?”
I laughed. “Probably not. Speaking of their wedding, Justin was here today. We have a million things we need to do to help them get everything ready in time.”
“You know you can count me in. Wait. One second, Mason wants me to put you on speaker phone.”
“I’ll put you guys on speaker too so James can chime in.” I hit speaker phone and held it in front of James and me.
“I have an idea,” Mason said. “Probably the best idea ever. They need a venue, right? I’m thinking…Club Onyx.”
James and I both looked at each other. I wasn’t sure Mason’s sex club was exactly the right vibe for ‘I do’s’.
“Good God,” Bee said. “That’s what you wanted to say? Why’d I even put it on speaker phone?” She groaned.
“Hear me out,” Mason said. “We already have an altar…”
“It’s a stage,” Bee said.
“I’m not talking about the stage. That wouldn’t be appropriate. I’m talking about the sex altar.”
“That kind of altar is not the same thing!” Bee said.
“Of course it is. An altar is an altar whether it’s for sex or a wedding ceremony. Same difference. Plus we have catering.”
“I wouldn’t call an abundance of alcohol catering,” Bee added.
“Alcohol is more important than food at a wedding. And I can talk to Tanner to see if we can fast track the grand opening of the restaurant. Plus if they want dancers, we can provide that. We have tons of entertainment like that.”
“Daphne is not going to want strippers at her wedding.”
“Rob might,” Mason said. “It would be a fun surprise for all the guests. Unexpected. And Rob likes throwing epic parties.”
I looked over at James. Rob had used that exact word to describe his ideal wedding. Epic. What kind of crazy wedding was this going to be?
James just laughed in response.
“Penny, are you still there?” Bee asked. “Please tell my fiancé that one of his best friends does not want to get married at a sex club in front of a sex altar with exotic dancers.”
“I’m going to have to side with Bee on this,” I said.
“What?” Mason said. “I have so many great ideas. I was just getting started.”
“I know, but as great as all that sounds, we already have a venue.”
“Damn,” Mason said. “I really wanted that to be my gift to the happy couple. I’ll have to think of something else.”
“Where is it going to be?” Bee asked.
“James’ country club,” I said.
“Our country club,” James clarified, wrapping his arm around me.
It was still really weird saying things were ours . Especially when my personal bank account only had a few thousand dollars in it.
“Ah that’s going to be so pretty!” Bee said. “So much better than Club Onyx.”
“Yeah right,” Mason said. “Club Onyx would have been sexy as hell.”
“Sexy is not the right vibe for a wedding,” Bee said. “We’ve been over this.”
I laughed. Was that why they were taking so long to plan their wedding?
Because Mason wanted to get married to Bee at a sex altar?
Probably. “There’s still a lot they need help with besides the venue, Mason.
I’m sure you’ll think of something that could help them out.
Speaking of which, Bee, can you come to the bridal boutique at 4 today? Daphne wants us both there.”
“Of course,” she said. “And seriously, I can help with whatever she needs. Just keep me posted.”
“I will. See you at 4.”
“See you then.” She hung up, but before she did I heard Mason talking about Club Onyx weddings again. “They’re very different altars,” Bee said and then the line went dead.
James kissed the side of my forehead. “And you were worried about Rob and Daphne getting married where we’ve banged. Just think about all the things that have happened on that stage or by that sex altar.”
I laughed. “Very true.” I wasn’t exactly sure what a sex altar was. But I was hoping my surprise for James tonight would be so sexy that he’d be praying for more.