On Three… Baby Reed (Scoring with Love #2)

Prologue - Wedding Season

Darcy || June

Hazel green eyes bore into mine from over Maverick's already shaking shoulders– from watching his daughter toss burnt orange rose petals to the ground as we wait for Kodi to make her way down the aisle.

Bella stands beside me with her woven basket, wearing a dress that matches Sin and Harley’s sand-colored ones except hers has a giant bow on the back and a baby’s breath flower crown sits atop her head.

Our best friends are getting married any minute and instead of looking at the flower archway that I painstakingly put together like everyone else, he is staring at me.

I want to say that I hate it but I don’t.

Tatum Reed has had my attention since we met at dip night, Kodi warned me that he was my type and she wasn’t wrong.

His dirty blonde hair is always perfectly swept to the side, and the tailored suits that he lives in are always sculpted to his body and drive me nuts.

Continuing to take him in, I wonder what his mustache and five o’clock shadow would feel like between my thighs.

Admittedly, we’ve developed a friendship throughout Mav and Kodi’s relationship, but I can’t let it go beyond that.

Not only could it affect Kodi and Mav’s relationship, but Tate and Mav’s professional relationship, too.

A soft, lyrical version of Forever and Ever and Always by Ryan Mack begins to flow out of the speakers and I do my best to focus on my best friend as her Mom walks her down the aisle.

Kodi’s long black hair is swept up into a bun-braid type situation with gentle curls framing her face, her makeup accentuates her beautiful features but her dress is the star of the show.

Her dress is simple yet elegant with its sweep train– its mesh sleeves detailed with flowers and a split front that dons the same detailing of the sleeves.

Before she even steps through the archway, Sinclair, Harley, and I burst into tears that don’t stop until Kodi is officially Mrs.

Maverick Hart.

After the I do’s, trying to wrangle the men of the Manta Rays for photos, a delicious dinner of filets covered in a Cognac peppercorn cream sauce, and speeches from the parents— it’s my turn to get up and speak on the relationship we are here to celebrate.

Standing from my seat, taking the microphone and one deep breath, I begin speaking, “Hi everyone, for those who don’t know me I’m Darcy.

Kodi has been my rock and my best friend since we were teenagers.

We’ve been through it all together.

The break ups, the makeups, the drama, every nitty gritty detail, so you can imagine that Maverick’s proposal was the hardest secret I’ve ever had to keep from her.

She stood by me, boosted me up, and loved me even when I was being stubborn.”

Feeling the emotions bubbling in my throat, I look at my best friend which was the worst thing I could do because she’s dabbing her eyes and that opened the floodgates.

I avert my attention to Maverick and Tatum who both give me encouraging nods to continue, “I’m honored to have gotten to stand by her side today as she married her person.

Kodi and Maverick have created a community, bringing people together and giving them a place to always feel welcomed, included, accepted, and loved.

To finish off, I’d like to say that my best friend deserves all the love in the world and she’s found that with you, Mav.

Good luck and thanks for taking her off my hands. Love you both.”

Claps, laughter, and sniffles are the melody throughout the rest of the speeches before the party begins.

A few hours later, I'm waiting for my next drink at the open bar, when the smell of the ocean—sea salt and cedar—invades my senses.

Turning to look, now aware of Tatum’s presence beside me, our elbows touch as he leans over the bar with his order.

Whiskey neat—of course, he drinks it straight.

“Did you save a dance for me?”

“Oop, sorry.

Fresh out of those.”

I say with more sass than normal.

I probably should have held off on the tequila tonight in lieu of Maid of Honor duty but Maverick and Kodi haven’t left each other's sides at all and I was sober until the party started.

They even disappeared for a little while when everyone was out on the dance floor, presumably to consummate their marriage knowing my best friend and her now husband.

I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy, Mav worships the ground that Kodi walks on.

While I date, I have never felt anything close to what Kodi describes feeling with Maverick.

She often describes it as if she was missing a piece of herself until Maverick and my niece by proxy entered her life.

“Is anybody home?” Tatum jibes. I must have been lost in my head longer than I thought I was.

“Uh yeah, sorry what did you say?”

“I said that there’s no way that you are fresh out of dances.” Bumping his elbow into mine again with a smirk.

“You’ve barely left the dance floor except to get more of that horrific thing in your hand.” He adds as he gestures towards my tequila sunrise.

“I could say the same to you, that shit tastes like smoke and wood.”

“I’m going to pretend that I’m not insulted by that.” His bright, white smile makes an appearance across his annoyingly handsome face. “So about that dance? I think it’s like an unspoken wedding rule that the Maid of Honor and Best Man share at least one dance.”

“You’re not going to take no for an answer are you?”

“You know me so well.”

Setting his empty glass down and extending a hand to me, with a sigh I set mine down too and place my hand into his, letting him guide me to the dance floor just as i can’t help it by JVKE begins to play. I feel Sin and Harley’s eyes on us as we walk by them and I can only imagine the comments they are making to each other. When Tatum finds a spot near the center of the floor, he turns to me, places both hands on my waist, and gently pulls me into him. My hands find their place behind his neck as he sways me back and forth. For a moment, I allow myself to enjoy the feeling of our bodies pressed close and his eyes on me.

“You look beautiful tonight, you know,” he says, interrupting the silence between us. His eyes, which can’t decide if they are more green or brown tonight, find mine.

This morning as we were getting ready I felt like maybe I’d made the wrong choice in dress– the deep V and open back of the burnt orange, floor-length dress making me feel exposed rather than beautiful. All of those doubts flying out the window with this compliment that sets my heart ablaze.

“Thank you. You don’t clean up too bad yourself.” I smile up at him. “I’m really happy Kodi and Mav found each other. Plus, I think it brought some pretty wonderful people into my life.”

“She makes him happy. Until Kodi came into their lives, I hadn’t seen him with so much light in his eyes since Arabella said Dada for the first time.”

“It’s special, for sure.” I sigh, feeling the buzz from that last drink kick in. “Do you want what they have?”

His eyebrows raise, my question catching him off guard. Before he can answer, the DJ calls out, “Alright people. This next song is our last one and then we send the Bride and Groom off for their honeymoon! Let’s end the night on a high note!”

“Better go and get ready for the bubble exit. Duty calls.” I giggle and drag Tatum to the spot by the door we were assigned before he answers. We do a “faux exit” for pictures and then Maverick and Kodi make their final rounds saying goodbye to everyone—spending a little extra time cuddling Bella, their daughter, who won’t be joining them on their honeymoon. She’ll be staying with Stu, Maverick’s dad, while they are gone.

“Byeeee Uncle Tater Tot!” Bella sings from Maverick’s arms, her small arm waving wildly at us before Mav passes her over to Stu.

“That’s new.” I smile in his direction.

“I brought the child tater tots from Sonic one time. So she decided that because tater tots and Tatum sound so similar, that’s my new name.” His grin grows larger as he waves back to Bella.

“Cute,” I say as the DJ begins directing everyone to the doors for the exit.

To my surprise, I can’t help but nudge Tate, and say, “You know, I heard that at these things the Maid of Honor and Best Man are supposed to sleep together.”

“Yeah, I think I heard that too.” His voice is dark and low in my ear, his body heat close enough that I can feel it but far enough away to avoid suspicion. “Come back to my place?”

Without warning, before I can even respond, he straightens up. Following his gaze, I see Kodi and Mav approach, and disappointment that he no longer holds my undivided attention creeps into my veins.

Absolutely not. I will not allow myself to feel disappointed. This is just two friends who have chemistry being drunk and flirty, that’s it.

Kodi’s arms wrap around us both and she looks at me with a drunk smile and watery eyes. “Darcy, Tate! I love you guys soooo much. Thank you for coming.” She hiccups at the end, she had a good time tonight but is going to regret it on her flight tomorrow.

“Love you too babe. Wouldn’t miss it for anything. Get some sleep tonight, and send all the pictures,” I say, kissing her on the cheek. I reach out for Mav’s hand. “Take good care of her for me. Call me if you have trouble getting her dress off—it has so many fucking buttons.”

“Thanks, D, I got it off once already though so I think we got it from here.” He laughs, throwing a wink in my direction, then prying Kodi off of me and guiding her towards the door. “I need to get her to bed if we are going to make this flight in a few hours. Thank you both!”

I shiver as Tatum and I stand outside waiting for our Uber to arrive. He drapes his suit jacket over my exposed shoulders, and I’m swallowed by his warmth and his cologne. I decide to rest my head on his shoulder, my eyes growing heavy, the business of the day catching up with me.

“Wow,” I say, accompanied by a yawn. “I’m tired.”

“I bet. You did a lot—It’s been a long day.”

“Remind me if I ever get married, to just go to the courthouse or elope in the mountains.”

“Noted.” He laughs as a small, blue Corolla pulls up to the curb. Tate double-checks that the license plate matches then opens the door, grabbing my duffel and gesturing for me to get in. To my surprise, when he enters the car, he wraps an arm around my hip, pulling me into his side again. I get comfortable with my head back on his shoulder and eyes closed as the Uber takes us back to Tate's place. A gentle hand nudges me awake and I drag myself out of the car, Tate leading me into a sleek skyscraper and onto an elevator on the opposite side of the lobby, sliding a key card and pressing the penthouse button.

“The penthouse, huh? You are a bachelor,” I laugh, letting my head rest against the cool, elevator wall as it begins its ascent.

“I like nice things and pretty views, I can’t help it.” My cheeks heat when I notice the hungry way he stares at me from across the elevator.

“I do not understand you, Tatum Reed.”

“And I don’t understand you, Darcy Whitestone.” Just then the elevator pings and opens into a short hallway that leads into a sleek yet homey living space.

Tatum drops my duffel by the door and his hands find my waist, spinning me to face him as he backs me into the wall. His lips are so close to mine they almost touch, and his minty breath hitting my face, sends my pulse skyrocketing. His hips have me pinned to the hard surface behind me.

“Tate,” I blurt, suddenly feeling like I’ve downed five shots of espresso—my skin is on fire and my heart is pounding.

“Darcy,” he growls in that low, dark tone from earlier in the night. “Do you want this?”

“I do.” My voice is faint. I’m nervous because I’ve always been attracted to Tate and if tonight is the only night that I am courageous enough to give in to our attraction, then I’m going to do this. In a labored whisper, I add, “Just tonight.”

“Just tonight.”

And then his lips are crashing into mine, nothing about the kiss gentle. He tangles one of his hands in my hair, while the other he has firmly grasped around my hip. I slide my hands up his chest and behind his neck, kissing him until we pull apart—breathless and in need.

“Take me to bed, Tate.” I urge.

Lifting me by the waist and wrapping my legs around his hips, he carries me down the hall and sets me gently on my feet. Turning me so he can unzip my dress, Tate lets it fall to the floor before pulling me back to face him.

“Fuck,” he groans, having discovered that I wore absolutely nothing under my dress all day. There wasn’t a reason to—the dress has built-in support and would show panty lines.

“Your turn, Tater Tot,” I say with a smirk. I unbutton his white dress shirt, running my pointed fingernails down his abdomen and through the patch of hair above his pants before popping the button on those too. With a grip on his boxers, he pulls them off and I don’t even have time to admire the view before he pushes me backward towards his bed and lays me down, then pushing my knees open. He stops at the end of the bed, scrubbing a hand down his face as he takes me in. I’ve never had a single look make me so nervous and soaking wet at the same time, the way he is now. On instinct, I snap my thighs closed.

“Don’t hide from me. You’re fucking gorgeous.” He growls, bringing himself to kneel in front of me and pushing my legs open. He leans over me to claim my lips again, before trailing down to my neck, nipping and sucking along the way. His hands roam my body down over the swell of my breasts, down between my legs where his thumb finds my clit and begins to rub in what feels like agonizingly slow circles with just enough pressure that my hips are bucking up to find more friction. “Anxious, are we?” He says into my ear.

“Tate, please.” I whimper. Oh my god, this man is making me fucking whimper.

“I like it when you use your manners. Say it again.”

God, that shouldn’t have been as hot as it was and I am so going to regret saying this would be an only tonight thing. He pushes back onto his haunches, lazily stroking his erection. A bead of precum glistens on the head of his cock. Following my eyes, he swipes at it. Our eyes reconnect and stay locked as he gently rubs it along my bottom lip. Without a second thought, I greedily swipe my tongue out to taste it.

I reach out, and his veiny cock feels hefty and warm in my hand—my pussy throbbing at the thought of the delicious stretch it’s about to cause.

“Tatum, please. Fuck me.”

“I want you to come for me first, baby.” He sinks a finger into me, adding another after a few thrusts while his thumb continues its assault on my clit. I feel his mouth on my nipple, and his tongue swirls around the bud, provoking me; I push my chest up, greedy for more.

“Oh, God.” I moan as he finds that spot inside me that is guaranteed to send me over the edge. It takes only a few strokes before I’m a writhing mess, crying out as I spasm and clench around his fingers. And as if this man couldn’t get any hotter, he brings his come-soaked fingers to his mouth sucking them in and groaning with my taste on his tongue.

“Fucking delectable, Sweetness. Are you ready for me?” He smirks at me.

“Yes!”

He lines himself up, slowly pushing into me causing us both to groan at the intrusion. Once he’s fully seated, he slowly pushes in and out but his bruising grip on my hips tells me that he doesn’t want to be this gentle. I move my hand between us to rub my clit and on a breathy exhale say, “Give me more, Tate.” That’s all the permission he needs, he starts pumping in and out of me at a rapid but steady pace and I move my fingers in time with him.

“You’re taking me so well.” He groans, moving my hand out of the way to take over. “Fuck you feel so good.”

“I’m—fuck—I’m so close, Tate.”

“Shit, Darcy, you’re squeezing me so tight.” There’s a sheen of sweat on his golden chest and his movements are becoming more erratic—he’s getting close and I want him to let go just as much as he wants me to come undone.

“Tate, come with me.”

After a few more rolls of the hip, we both find our release. I cry out his name as he groans into my neck. As we come down, he kisses me gently and carries me into the shower. Once we’ve dried off and my head is resting on his chest, I succumb to the weight of the day and pass out almost immediately.

The next morning, I wake up before Tatum. If I let myself stay wrapped in his arms, I’ll want more and we both agreed that it would be one night only. Before I can change my mind, I carefully unwrap myself from his arms, throwing on the sweats and the t-shirt I had in my duffel, and sneak out before an awkward conversation about what can happen next comes up.