Chapter 17 - Migraines and Lies.
After hanging up on Hadley, I got dressed and popped some makeup on. I was ready and on time. I repeat on time. Only, when I was on my way to the beach, where Max had told me the rehearsal was, I clocked a familiar face—Colton Shaw. He was hugging Max, her head on his chest as he caressed her back.
I’ve never been a jealous person. Never. But in that moment, the urge to run down there and rip her off him was uncontrollable. I was ready to go cave woman on her. Mark him in front of her, in front of everyone, but then I would look like a crazy bitch, so I spun around so goddamn fast and sprinted to my room.
By the time I pulled myself together and stopped my mind from going into overdrive, I had fucking missed the entire rehearsal. After spotting Hallie and her soon-to-be husband entering the hotel reception area, I ran toward her crying and apologized over and over. I had to lie and say I had a migraine from the flight. She was understanding, but I still felt guilty, so I excused myself and promised I’d be back once I got myself cleaned up.
How the hell didn’t I figure this all out. It was right there the entire time. Colton wanted help with a best man speech, he was a Shaw, Hallie was about to become a Shaw. I’ve been so up my own arse I failed to see I signed myself up for a wedding week with Colton. The one guy I’m trying to avoid.
“You look like someone I know,” Colton mocks, and I spin around to him in all his handsome glory. He places his finger to his chin, looking up and humming as he pretends to think. Come on, ballbag, like you don’t know who I am.
A sly grin takes over his face, and his dark-brown eyes burn into mine, and in a hushed voice, he says, “Ahh yes, Pearl. You look just like her. Mm-hm yes, yes, it’s you, my Pearl.”
He brings his hand up to pat my shoulder and smiles down at me. I loathe his cockiness and arrogance.
With anger surging through my veins, I shake my shoulder, wanting to get his gigantic hand off me.
He continues. “But here’s where I’m stuck, you see, I don’t remember putting any Pearl on the wedding guest list I helped make.” He winks, and I recoil while my insides betray me, exploding with a thousand butterflies and my heart beating over-fucking-dramatically for him.
Colton steps forward, making the tip of our noses touch. “So, that tells me you gave me a fake name, doesn’t it, darling.”
Dropping a kiss to my cheek, he steps back and picks up the guest list from the table beside us. Tapping the pen to the paper three times, he sighs while nodding.
Then he raises one eyebrow and asks, “What did you say your real name was again?”
“I didn’t fucking know you, okay? Why would I give a complete stranger, who basically told me I looked like a fucking librarian, my real name?” I seethe.
He huffs out an annoyed sigh. “Why didn’t you text or call me?”
I take another step back, shocked by the hurt in his voice. My mouth drops open, and his gaze falls to my lips.
“Because I didn’t want to,” I snap, my chest rising and falling as my heart hammers against my ribs.
He steps forward, then takes another one and another until my back hits the wall behind me, caging me. “You say that, but your body is reacting differently.”
“Oh yeah?” I place a hand on his hard chest. “How is it different?” I hate how easily he can spin me in a one-eighty.
He pounces, his lips crashing into mine, taking everything he needs, and I let him. My hands tangle in his hair as I pull him in closer. His hands find the back of my legs, then he hauls me up until they wrap around his waist. Unaware and uncaring of where he’s taking us or who can see us, I lose myself in him. He groans and I moan.
As I grind against him, the friction adds to my desire and need for him. He places me against something, and my arse hitting a cool table brings me out of the moment, and I realise we are in a confined room, but it’s too dark to see what kind of room it is. Fuck it, this room will do. I fumble to undo his trousers as he pulls my dress over my head. Then he attacks my neck and trails kisses down to my hard nipples, and I cry out when he sucks down hard and releases one with a pop before moving to the other.
“Raw or condom, you decide, and make it fucking quick, darling.” His harsh tone only fuels me, so I pull his pants down in a hurry and release his hard cock. I slide my hand up and down the length of him, and he groans.
“I don’t care, just fuck me, now!” I demand as all rational thought ceases to exist.
Wasting no time, he pulls me to the edge of the table and slams into me. My drenched pussy slaps against his balls with each thrust. The sound of my wetness edges me further, and he kisses me to muffle my moans.
“Sssh, baby, everyone will hear.” He kisses my collarbone while I claw at his back. “Not that I give a fuck right now, I want everyone to hear you scream my name.” I match his movements, chasing my climax, and warmth pools in my core until I can’t hold it any longer.
I scream out his name at the same time he calls out mine. What the fuck have I just done?