37. Thirty-Seven
Thirty-Seven
Tessa
A fter an amazing buffet-style dinner at Jackie’s, followed by the most delicious wedding cake and an array of speeches that reduced me to a blubbering mess, it’s finally time to head to the saloon to ring out the evening in style.
My parents opted out of joining in favor of letting us ‘youngins’ celebrate among ourselves, and Carter’s parents have graciously offered to take the kids overnight.
Jude and Anna are among the hardened few, as are Megan, Carter, and Chase.
Bobby, one of Jake’s employees and his wife Jane, also chose to accompany us.
Jane and I have gotten pretty friendly over the past few months, ever since we hit it off at Carter and Megan’s BBQ, and I’m glad to have included them on our special day .
The only one missing is Caleb, who was unfortunately struck down by an awful stomach virus that left him unable to board his flight.
He promised to visit as soon as he’s recovered and sent his love and regret.
It’s disappointing not having the person who’s helped me through the darkest chapter of my life by my side to watch me get my happy ending, but I’m too overjoyed to let myself dwell on it for long.
We’d reserved a booth closest to the dance floor and once everyone was seated, Jake ordered several pitchers of beer and sangria.
With the hectic part of the day behind us, everyone is slowly but surely beginning to unwind as we reminisce and listen to Carter spin wild tales of our youth. At one point Anna laughs so hard her nose explodes in a spray of ginger ale, making everyone recoil to get out of the line of fire.
When Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ blasts from the speakers, Jane gives an ear-splitting shriek and herds us girls onto the dance floor like a flock of sheep.
By that point, we’ve all had our fair share of booze—with the exception of the two minors who’ve been grumbling all night about the woes of being underage.
Belting out the lyrics at the top of our lungs, we gyrate our hips and cackle like a pack of hyenas.
I turn to our table, intending to catch my husband’s eye in hopes he might join me for a song or two, but I’m disappointed to realize he seems to have disappeared.
We keep dancing for several more songs and just as I’m about to go in search of Jake, the music abruptly cuts off, and the amplified sound of a throat clearing sounds through the building.
All eyes turn toward the stage, where a lone figure stands illuminated by a single spotlight, clutching his favorite acoustic guitar.
“Good evening, everyone,” he croons, flashing that set of dimples I love so much. I can’t stop the dopey look taking over my face as I marvel at my handsome groom. “As many of you know, I got to marry my childhood sweetheart today, which makes me the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.”
The entire room erupts in cheers and whistles as Jake throws me a wink and puffs up his chest like a proud peacock.
“The last time I stood up here and dedicated a song to my lady, I was a bit of a dick about it. I can be quite petty when I think someone’s done me wrong, and I’m beyond glad my wife—goddamn, but I love the sound of that,” he says, flashing his pearly-whites as the entire bar chuckles.
“I’m beyond glad she’s the forgiving type and agreed to marry my stubborn ass, anyway.
Tessa,” he continues, finding my eyes in the crowd once more.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to formally apologize for the way I acted.
I’m sorry if I hurt and embarrassed you that night, and I’m hoping to replace that awful memory with one you may remember fondly for many years to come.
You once told me this is your favorite song, and I’m not ashamed to say I must’ve listened to it a million times during our time apart because it made me feel closer to you.
So, Teresa Nelson. My love. My soulmate. My world. This is ‘Your Song’.”
My eyes well up the second the first note of my favorite Elton John song spills from his instrument.
By the time he adds his beautiful, raspy voice to the music, big fat tears roll down my cheeks and drip off my quivering chin.
I link my arm with Megan’s as I listen to the lyrics I know by heart.
By the second chorus, every last person in the bar is singing along, covering my arms in a thick layer of goosebumps.
I watch, mesmerized by the effortless way his fingers work the frets.
Every time that man picks up a guitar, I want to rip his clothes off with my teeth and climb him like a damn tree.
When he brings his hand down one final time, I’m already flying toward him, and before the last note has time to fade, I’m in his arms, kissing him like the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
“I’m guessing this means you liked this performance better,” he chuckles against my bruised lips once we come up for air. “I don’t remember you being this appreciative last time.”
“I can honestly say appreciation was the furthest thing from my mind. But if you’re ready to get out of here, I think I wouldn’t mind showing you just how appreciative I can be,” I whisper in his ear, before I pull back to hit him with the full force of my hungry eyes.
“Damn, woman,” he growls, giving my backside a firm squeeze. “We better get off this stage before I end up giving the audience a show they didn’t ask for.”
I release a husky laugh and drag him across the dance floor to bid our remaining wedding party goodbye.
When I glance over my shoulder and catch him bite his lip as his stare lingers on my ass, I’m once again reassured I made the right choice with this dress and pull him in for another scorching kiss.
“I’ve gotta say. Being married is pretty great so far,” Jake tells me in a low, sexy rumble as he presses himself against me, allowing me to feel every hard inch of him.
“Oh, honey,” I taunt, patting him on the cheek and flashing him a cocky smirk. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
As soon as the front door closes behind us, Jake is on me.
He uses his big body to pin me to the wall and drags his lips over the length of my jaw and down the column of my neck in a way that has my toes curling in my stiletto pumps.
We’re frantic with need, hands roaming, lips searching, as we move our hips in tandem in a desperate attempt to relieve the ache.
“Goddamn it, Tessa. I want you so bad.”
I bury my fingers in his thick curls, head falling back on a moan when he sucks on a particularly sensitive spot right below my ear.
“I’m right there with you, big guy. But let’s take this party upstairs,” I pant as I half-heartedly push against his chest and marvel at the way his pecs move under my hands.
“No time. I need to be inside you right fucking now,” he growls, hiking my leg up and wrapping it around his hip before he grinds himself against my core.
I want to object, but his talented fingers are already traveling up the inside of my thigh to push my soaked panties aside.
He runs a fingertip through my slick center, before swirling it around my clit with a featherlight touch.
My moan of pleasure can only be described as animalistic.
“Fuck, Tessa. You’re so damn wet,” he rasps against my ear, his hot breath making me shiver.
“Anna and Jude could be home any moment,” I bite out while I still have the presence of mind to reason with him.
But it all goes out the window when he slides a thick digit inside of me and begins pumping it in a slow, agonizing rhythm.
The palm of his hand presses against my sensitive nub, adding the kind of delicious pressure that has my eyes rolling into the back of my skull.
“Anna and Jude are staying at Carter and Megan’s tonight.
I told everyone not to set foot in this house until at least noon tomorrow if they don’t want to risk losing a limb.
Now, stop worrying and enjoy the moment,” he orders in a tone that has me wanting to obey before he claims my mouth, and I stop thinking altogether.
We break apart panting, as Jake’s baby blues swirl with dark desire.
He takes his hand off me just long enough to unbuckle his belt and shoves his slacks and boxers all the way down to his ankles.
Then he takes a calculating step back, meets my unfocused eyes and gives his hardened length a slow, sensual stroke, knowing damn well I freaking love it when he puts on a show.
Without breaking eye contact, he reaches under my dress, grabs a hold of my lace thong and tears it clean off me.
I gasp, wildly turned on by his signature move, but also making a mental note to myself to stop purchasing pricey lingerie.
With a cocky smirk, he brings the torn fabric to his nose and inhales.
My jaw goes slack at the primal display.
Never have I been more turned on than I am at this moment, and I almost come on the spot when his lids flutter shut on a guttural moan.
Without warning, I jump, wrapping my legs around him and diving in for another frantic kiss.
Jake catches me easily, shoving me higher up the wall and taking hold of his rock-hard cock.
Dragging the head through my wet center, I whimper with need when his satiny skin slides over my swollen clit over and over.
My hips surge forward in a silent plea for more, and my thighs begin to tremble as pleasure builds and begs to be released.
A desperate groan rises from my throat, forcing me to dig my teeth into my lip to keep it contained.
“Don’t you dare come before I’m inside you,” he orders, pressing his forehead into mine and staring straight into my soul. “I want you out of your mind with need. I want to hear you beg and scream my name before I let you come all over my dick. Is that clear?”
Holy guacamole , he’s so damn hot when his dominant side comes out to play.