Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
ABBI
“ L ook at those earrings ,” Summer breathes, her voice full of awe and admiration, from her seat next to mine.
“I can’t,” I reply. “I’m getting lashes, and I’m not allowed to open my eyes. Whose earrings are we admiring?”
“Polly’s,” Summer replies.
“Describe them.”
“Rubies,” she said. “Big, fat, red rubies the size of my baby toe. With diamonds. Did you get those for Christmas?”
“Yes,” I hear Polly reply. “Ryan spoils the shit out of me.”
“As he should.” That’s Erin’s voice. “And oh, my God, your baby bump is so cute in that red dress.”
“Okay, hurry up with the lashes already,” I say with a laugh.
“There, all set,” my makeup gal, Stacy, says with a chuckle of her own. “Go ahead and admire everyone.”
“ Finally .” I turn in my chair and sigh in happiness. Polly looks incredible in a fitted, red velvet dress that does make her bump look adorable, and those earrings are just stellar. “You’re so beautiful, friend.”
“You’re all really good for my ego,” she replies happily and passes me a glass of champagne. She’s holding a glass of sparkling cider. “Also, your makeup is amazing. And you have some pretty incredible earrings of your own. Brady did good. ”
“Oh!” I turn back to the mirror to have a look and am immediately relieved to see that there’s no sign of a bruise on my cheek or my eye. “You did a great job on that coverup.”
“It was my pleasure, and the makeup should stay in place for a few days, even if you wash, as long as you don’t scrub too hard.”
I stand and hug Stacy before hurrying over to the dress hanging in the doorway of Erin’s bathroom.
Since all five of us were already going to be at the ranch all day, getting the Wild River Ranch event space ready for tonight, we decided to just bring all of our stuff out here to get ready together. We even hired hair and makeup artists to make us feel extra fancy.
We also decided that we would all wear gold and/or red. Polly has the red more than covered in her amazing ensemble. After pulling my dress down, I turn and take in my best friends.
Millie’s in a strapless gold dress that hugs her in all the right places. Her dark hair is down, falling in waves around her shoulders.
Erin’s dress is red with ruffles that flow down the slim skirt and a high neckline, but no sleeves.
And Summer’s dress is a gorgeous ballgown, with a red skirt and gold bodice that is going to make her husband break out into a sweat.
“You need to get dressed,” Erin says with a grin. “Your date will be here soon.”
“Maybe I should have gone with something more…modest.” I bite my lip, having second thoughts, but all four of my besties immediately shake their heads.
“Fuck that,” Millie says.
“What she said,” Erin agrees.
“This dress was made for you,” Summer adds, and Polly simply walks over to me and takes my hand in hers, grinning.
“You wear this dress, Abbi. It doesn’t wear you. It hugs your curves, yes, and shows off your perfect breasts.”
“I’d kill for your tits,” Millie says with a grin. “Seriously. Smoke show right here.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Okay, you guys are good for the ego. Help me into this thing.”
I step into the dress, a long column of gold sequins that’s heavy and not at all comfortable, but once I’m zipped up, I turn to the mirror, and my jaw drops.
My blonde hair is teased into a smooth roll at the nape of my neck. My boobs are pushed up, and even I have to admit, the cleavage is impressive. The bodice is a tank style, and the skirt falls straight down, almost touching the floor.
My heels are also gold and match perfectly.
“Photo,” Stacy calls out, and the five of us hurry to stand side-by-side, hands on hips, chins up, chests out, posing for the photo.
“We’ll take more when we get there,” Erin says.
“The red and gold is so pretty ,” Stacy says, admiring us. “Good call on the color choices.”
“A toast,” Millie says, holding up her glass. We all grab our own glasses and join her. “To five badass women who had a good idea and ran with it. Next year is going to be even better than the last, and that’s saying a lot. And to my best friends. I admire you, and I love the shit out of you.”
“Don’t make us cry,” I say with a laugh. “We just finished our makeup.”
“To us,” Erin agrees, and we all clink our glasses together before taking a sip.
The doorbell rings, and Erin grins. “I think our hot-as-hell men are arriving.”
“Let’s get this party started!”
Downstairs, Remington and Ryan are already here, and when their girls walk down the staircase, they both have to swallow hard. It’s actually really adorable.
The bell rings again, and this time it’s Chase on the other side. When he sees Summer, he dips her back and kisses the hell out of her.
Without knocking or ringing the bell, Brady pushes through the door, and I feel my heart rate speed up. I’ve never seen this suit before. It’s a dark hunter green that fits his lean body perfectly, with a gold tie and a gold handkerchief in his pocket. Jesus, he’s handsome. And when he glances around, looking for me and finding me, his gaze darkens, and he blows out a long breath as he stalks toward me.
“You look—” I begin, but he cuts me off, sweeping me up in his arms and kissing the breath out of me, right here in front of his family. When he finally sets me back on my feet, I realize that we’re surrounded by applause, and I can’t help but laugh. “You know how to make an entrance.”
“You’re so fucking beautiful I can hardly breathe.”
“Aww,” Millie says. “That’s sweet. Come on, let’s party.”
Thankfully, the weather has been working in our favor, so we’re able to have sleigh rides from the bigger parking area over to the event center. As the others climb into the sleigh and bundle up in the white blankets we’ve provided, Brady and I hang back, and he wraps me in a hug, then tips my chin up so he can look into my eyes.
“You’re beautiful, Blue Eyes.”
“You know, before I was interrupted back there, I was going to say the same to you. This suit is amazing.”
“Ryan came through,” he says with a chuckle.
“Are you getting in this sleigh or what?” Ryan calls out. “Let’s go.”
Brady offers me his hand and helps me into the sleigh with the others, and then we bundle up together under the blanket as the driver gets the horses moving toward the event center.
It’s a gorgeous, clear night, with a billion stars and a big full moon casting a glow on the snow around us. Aside from the horse’s hooves and the skids in the snow, it’s perfectly still and quiet.
“It’s so beautiful out here,” I say with a sigh and lean against Brady. “Maybe the most beautiful place in the world.”
“We tend to agree,” Remington says with a wink. He doesn’t quite crack a smile, but Remington rarely does.
He’s so stoic.
Some might call him grumpy. At least, that’s what Erin calls him, and it never fails to make me laugh.
It doesn’t take long before we pull up to a stop, and the guys help us out of the sleigh and onto the red carpet. There aren’t any photographers out here—we don’t want anyone to freeze— but we laid the carpet so it wouldn’t be slick.
“Wow,” Brady says when we step inside. “This is really pretty.”
From the thousands of twinkle lights hanging all around us to the gorgeous white flowers on the tables, the space is absolutely gorgeous. There are already some members of our Iconic Women’s Collective here, having their photos taken, mingling, and drinking champagne.
I love that for four events a year, we include spouses or significant others. A fancy party for everyone to enjoy. We’re never disappointed in the turnout, and I’d say that this event won’t be any different.
“Oh, this is just gorg !”
We turn and smile at Katie, the young woman who works for Polly and has been dating Jake for a few months. She’s in a pretty silver dress, and Jake is in a tux, and I think my heart just melted into a puddle at the look he sends his date.
Our Jake is very smitten with Miss Katie.
“Well, aren’t you two just absolutely beautiful?” Erin asks as we make a little semi-circle around the couple. Jake’s face flushes all the way to the tips of his ears.
“Thank you,” Katie says, executing a perfect curtsy. “This is so fun. I’m going to make Jake dance all night.”
“Great,” Jake says with a smile. “Just what I love to do most. Dance.”
The guys all laugh, and Chase claps him on the shoulder, and then we start to disperse so we can mingle with our guests.
The night flies by. Everything goes smoothly, and finally, it’s almost midnight.
The DJ counts down from ten seconds, and when he reaches one, he yells, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
I’m a bit tipsy from all the champagne, but when Brady pulls me to him and lowers his magical mouth to mine, I fall the rest of the way into happy bliss.
I hear the buzzing around us, the commotion, the song. But all I feel is this man. He’s been so attentive to me all night, not afraid at all to show me affection, as if it’s a simple, foregone conclusion that we’re a couple, and he doesn’t care who sees.
It’s just moments after midnight when people start to filter out, ready to go home. The music continues, but the crowd thins significantly, and finally, around twelve-thirty, I turn to Brady and grin.
“What now?” I ask him.
“Depends,” he replies, looping his arms around my back. “Where is Daisy tonight?”
I smile slowly. “She’s having a sleepover at your parents’ house with Holly and Johnny.”
His hazel eyes narrow. “And you’re just telling me that now ? Shit, I would have left hours ago.”
“I know, and as a co-host, I had to stay.” I laugh as I run my hands up and down the lapels of his suit. “This color is really great on you.”
“Your place or mine?” He’s laser-focused on me and it makes my core tighten in anticipation.
“Yours is closer.”
“Mine it is.” He nods and takes my hand, leading me toward the door. We’re stopped several times to say our goodbyes, and finally, we’re in his 4Runner, driving away from the venue.
“How did your car get there?” I ask him. “We rode a sleigh to the event.”
“The guys and I knew we’d want our own cars when it was all said and done, so we parked them out here earlier.”
“Smart.” I shift in the seat, suddenly nervous. Sure, we’ve kissed and kissed, and I feel like I’ve grown to know Brady so well over the last month or so, but it’s clear that we both intend to have sex tonight.
And I haven’t had sex with anyone in a really, really long time.
“Whoa, you’re thinking pretty hard over there.”
I smile softly and look over at him. “Are you nervous?”
“No. Absolutely not. Wait, are you nervous?”
I shrug a shoulder and bite my lip. “Maybe a little.”
He tugs my hand up to his lips and nibbles them. No, he doesn’t simply kiss my skin, he bares his teeth and nibbles. Now my nipples are hard.
“You’ll keep the earrings on,” he says, almost casually. “Because I’m going to fuck you while you wear my diamonds.”
Well, damn. Now, my panties are completely soaking, and I can’t help but squirm in the seat.
“Still nervous?” he asks me.
“No. No, I wouldn’t use that word to describe what I am.”
“Good.”
Brady takes a turn, and less than thirty seconds later, he pulls up in front of a small log cabin. He cuts the engine and hops out of his 4Runner, crossing around to my side. When he opens the door, he simply scoops me into his arms.
“I can walk, silly.”
“No way. You’re in those fuck-me heels, and there’s a foot of snow out here.” He’s not even breathing hard when he opens the door and steps inside with me, then sets me on the wood floor.
I remember Erin saying that this is the oldest dwelling on the ranch. That the original owners, more than a hundred years ago, lived here. Obviously, it’s been updated through the years with electricity and plumbing. There’s a pot belly stove in the corner, with a fire smoldering inside.
The space is clean and neat, and when I turn to Brady, I find him watching me with his hands shoved in his pockets.
“I like it,” I say at last.
“It’s small.” He rocks back on his heels, looking around the room. “But it’s just me, and I don’t need anything more than this.”
“I like it,” I repeat and walk slowly to him. In my heels, I’m able to tip my head back and kiss his chin, and I grin when those hands slip out of his pockets and around to my ass. “It’s warm in here, and I have you all to myself.”
His eyes heat as his lips meet mine. Softly at first, gently brushing back and forth, just barely tasting me. Then his tongue licks across my bottom lip, and I open for him. Brady sinks into me, his hands tightening on the globes of my ass, tugging me harder against him, and I can feel his need for me pressed against my stomach.
I push his coat off of him, and he tosses it onto the couch behind me as I get to work on his tie.
“I love dressing up,” I murmur against his lips, “but I hate all of the layers.”
His lips twitch up into a smile as he helps me unbutton his shirt and pull it out of his pants. It takes longer than I’d like, but eventually, he’s standing before me in just his trousers, and I’m quite sure the air has just been sucked out of the room because I can’t quite catch my breath. His muscles are hard behind smooth skin, and I can’t resist reaching out to touch his chest, letting my fingers drift down those rock-hard abs.
“And I like that you don’t have as many layers,” he says, but he doesn’t reach behind me to unzip my dress. Instead, he drags his fingertips gently along the material of my bust, sending goose bumps down my arms. “I’m going to take you to my bedroom.”
“Please, by all means, do.”
He chuckles and takes my hand, leading me down a short hallway and into a small bedroom where a king-sized bed takes up 90 percent of the space. He flips a switch and a bedside light comes on.
“You said earlier that you’re nervous,” he whispers as he kisses down my cheek to my ear. “I won’t have that, Abs. You’re with me. I won’t hurt you. I won’t do anything you don’t want to do. And I plan to worship every goddamn inch of your amazing body.”
I bite my lip when his teeth nip at my earlobe. “I wasn’t nervous because I don’t want this. It’s just…been a long time.”
I feel him grin against me, and then those magical fingers of his find the zipper at my back, and he slowly tugs it down.
“I’m a bastard because I’m damn glad that it’s been a long time.” He kisses the ball of my shoulder after one strap of my dress falls down. “But if you want to stop, we stop. You’re in control here, sweetheart.”
I swallow hard and let my fingertips drift up and down his sides. He lets my dress pool at my feet, but he doesn’t lean back to look.
Not yet.
No, I don’t want to stop. I don’t ever want this to stop. I’ve wanted Brady Wild for what seems like eons, and we’re finally here. As far as I’m concerned, this could last forever and I’d be perfectly fine with that.
“Holy God.”
I blink and then grin when I realize that he’s checking out my bra and underwear set. They’re gold, like the dress, and all lace.
With a teasing smile, I take two steps back and prop my hands on my hips, not even a little self-conscious about my curves, thanks to the fire in Brady’s eyes. “You like?”
He swallows hard, wipes his hand down his face, and then shakes his head. “No.”
I pout and try to keep the sudden nervousness out of my voice. “You don’t like?”
“What I’m feeling right now is way beyond like . I’m…fuck, I’m speechless.”
Suddenly, I’m on the bed, still in my underwear and heels, and his lips are all over me. His hands are everywhere at once, and everything in me is on fire.
My hands dive into his thick, dark hair as his lips move to my breast. He teases the nub through the lace, and finally, he reaches behind me to unfasten the bra and casts it aside.
“Abbi,” he breathes before pulling a nipple into his mouth, his fingers toying with the other one, and my hips have a mind of their own, twisting and moving beneath him. I’ve never wanted a man the way I want Brady Wild.
“I want to see you ,” I groan, but I hold him close, loving the way his mouth feels on me, the way his hands make me tingle all over.
And before I can complain anymore, Brady shoulders his way between my thighs, spreads me wide, and loops my panties with his finger to pull them aside, and then his mouth is on me. I’m pretty sure the veil between heaven and earth just lifted. My back bows as I cry out, gripping onto his hair as he feasts on me. He moans, and it sends me over the edge, screaming with the first real orgasm that I think I’ve ever had in my life.
He tugs my panties off, tosses them over the side of the bed, and shimmies out of his trousers.
Before he can reach for a condom, I sit up and reach for him, palming him, moving up and down.
“Abbi,” he moans, his head falling back. “Christ, I want you.”
After stroking him three more times, he leans over for the condom, rolls it on, and nestles against me, rubbing up and down my slit as he brushes my hair away from my cheek and smiles down at me.
“You’re sure?”
“So sure.” I kiss his nose. “I’ve never been surer of anything.”