Chapter 21 – Donkey Sanctuary.
When everyone else was walking to the reception, I found my feet walking toward Pearl still sitting on the bench looking at the piano keys.
“You did amazing, darling.” I sit beside her, turning slightly to the side so I can look at her face. She doesn’t move or say anything, but a single tear runs down her cheek, so I grab her face to tilt her head up toward me. “Pearl?”
“That was the best moment of my life,” she whispers. My heart thumps loudly, and pride swirls inside me.
I smile and say, “You were made to do this.” Flipping her curled blonde hair over her shoulder, she gives me a toothy grin.
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“So, you’re gonna let me be your first dance of the day?” I bite my lip, praying she says yes. The thought of another guy here dancing with her irritates me.
“Just one dance?” she asks, her eyebrows raised. I grab her arms before she has a chance to fold them across her chest.
“Let go of your stubbornness and be in the moment with me. Right here and now. It’s just us, Pearl. It can always be just us.” I sound weak and needy, but I can’t help the words flying out of my mouth when I’m around her.
She untangles my hands from hers and stands, leaving me feeling a little deflated on the piano bench. “Come on, Deep Browns, you owe me a dance.” She holds her hand out, and the weight in my chest disappears. I take her hand and drop a kiss to the back of it, making her scoff.
We walk hand in hand upstairs toward the hotel to join everybody else.
The reception party is held out back in the gardens, where you can get the full scenic view of the ocean and beach.
I see my father in my peripheral vision standing in the corner with a group of his work colleagues and catch him staring at Margo, his head tilted to one side. As if he’s already judging her before he knows her.
Pearl doesn’t realize it, and I wonder what goes on inside her mind. I’ll get my chance to find out soon. Throughout the afternoon, I catch up with old friends and work friends. I lose Margo along the way. Occasionally, I’ll see her sitting at a table drinking, chatting to the servers or on her phone.
Logan taps a glass to address the entire party to take their seats.
He starts by giving a full-on speech about how Hallie is everything he’s ever wanted in a person, in a wife. He thanks Harold and Maggie for raising such a beautiful woman, and then Max for always being by Hallie’s side. Also thanking me for being the one person he could always rely on when he didn’t have Hallie. Logan finishes, then hands me the microphone.
“Please don’t bring up any exes,” he whispers.
I smile as the color drains from his face. Have faith, Brother Logan. I let out a breath and begin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and those who accidentally wandered into the wrong wedding—I mean, welcome! For those who don’t know me, I’m the best man.
And no, I didn’t win a ‘Who can wear the most uncomfortable suit’ contest; this is actually happening.”
I pause for effect and let the guests giggle like Pearl had written for me to do. I throw her a wink and carry on.
“Now, I’ve known Logan since we were knee-high to a grasshopper. Back then, he had more hair and fewer responsibilities. But look at him now—still with less hair, but hey, at least he found someone willing to put up with him!” That earns me a few whistles from the crowd and a “Boo” from Logan. I laugh and carry on.
“But let’s talk about the lovely bride, Hallie. She’s smart, beautiful, and clearly has excellent taste. I mean, she’s marrying my best friend, right?”
“In all seriousness, though, Logan, you’re not just a friend, you’re like a brother to me. And I couldn’t be happier to see you marrying someone as amazing as Hallie. I’ve never seen you as happy as you are with your Pidge. And believe me, I’ve seen him pretty happy—usually when he’s beating me at Mario Kart, but still, you two are a match made in heaven—or is it a match made on Tinder, which is pretty much the same thing these days.”
The crowd cheers and claps, and Hallie shouts a shocked “You play Mario Kart without me?” and the room laughs again.
I finish my speech, turning to a teary-eyed Logan and Hallie, and raise my glass in the air.
“So, here’s to Logan and Hallie, may your love be as enduring as Logan’s collection of mismatched socks, your laughter as contagious as Hallie’s smile, and your adventures as wild as that one time you both got lost on a hiking trail and ended up in a donkey sanctuary.
Cheers!”
Logan’s first to his feet, hugging me hard. He doesn’t say anything, and I don’t need him to. The last few weeks we’ve both said enough, and I know, married or not, the brotherhood will live on.
After hugging Hallie and receiving a gentle smack on the arm for bringing up the donkey sanctuary, I inform the wedding guests Max is about to take the mic. I hand it to her and say, “Beat that” as I move to sit back at my seat.
Max stares daggers at me before shouting, “Challenge accepted” into the microphone.
I spot Pearl looking between me and Max with furrowed brows, and I rise from my chair. I can’t have her worried about some chick, not Max, not anyone.
I lift my seat and carry it over my head, so I don’t hit anyone with it on my way past. Father hisses, “What on earth are you doing, boy?” I smile, ignoring him. I’m going to my girl.
When I arrive at Pearl’s table, she’s looking up at me with wide eyes. I laugh and tug her chair close enough for me to sit beside her as Max begins her speech.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and those who are just here for the free cake—I’m Max, and if you’re wondering why I’m standing up here instead of a professional comedian, well, I’m wondering the same thing!”
I laugh, but Pearl is scowling at Max, her arms crossed over her chest. Jealous much?
“You don’t need to worry about her.” I grab her hand and lace our fingers together as her eyes turn wild. “If you are worried about her, is all I’m saying, not saying you are, but if some part of you thought there was something going on …” I ramble out in a hushed tone near her ear. She places her soft hand over my mouth before pointing up at Max.
I nod and listen as the maid of honor carries on. “But enough about me, let’s talk about the real stars of the day—Hallie and Logan. Hals, you look absolutely stunning today. I mean, seriously, if Pinterest boards could walk, they’d look like you right now. And Logan, well, you scrub up pretty nicely too, I guess.”
Margo giggles, and it’s my new favorite sound. One I want to draw out of her every day.
“Hallie, from the first day we could walk, you’ve been my sister from another mister. From late-night gossip sessions to emergency wardrobe malfunctions, every in-the-moment card we’ve pulled out, we’ve been through it all together. And now, as I stand here watching you marry your soulmate, I couldn’t be happier for you.”
The crowd, Margo, and I give her an “Aww,” and Max gags into the mic.
“And Logan, let’s not forget about you. I must admit, when we first met, I was a little skeptical. But then I saw the way you look at her—the way you light up whenever she walks into the room—and I knew you were the real deal. Plus, anyone who can spend two weeks in hospital because the love of your life put you into anaphylactic shock deserves a medal. Here’s to Hallie and Logan, may your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and enough inside jokes to confuse the rest of us for years to come. Raise those fucking glasses, people!”
The room rings out with scraping metal along the floor as we rise to our feet clapping and raising glasses toward the bride and groom. Logan and I lock eyes, and I raise my glass higher to him, mouthing, Let’s get smashed, and he winks back. Margo pulls my attention from Logan when her hand grabs mine, followed by her head on my shoulder.
“You can pretend you hate me all you want, baby, but you and I both know, I’ll be fucking you raw again before the end of the night.” Her mouth falls open, and I drop a kiss onto the tip of her nose before smacking her ass hard.
You’re mine, Pearl.
******
“Colton, you remember me telling you about a guy named Nate, Pidge’s ex?” He points over to the buzzcut guy in military uniform in front of me. “This is him in all his glory.” Bastard has the biggest grin on his face.
“Ha, ha, ha, Logan, funny fucker—”
“That’s Mr. Shaw to you,” Logans says, and we all bark out a laugh. These two play the game of hating each other, but they get along well.
Grinning, I say, “Yep, I remember you telling me all about him. Who’s the chick and kid you brought with you?” I ask.
“That’s Everley and her son, Harvey.” He turns to the direction they are, and I see Hallie bent down talking to the little boy. “Eve’s had a hard time being convinced I’m over Hallie, so I thought if I brought them along, she could see there is nothing to worry about.” Logan slaps one hand on Nate’s shoulder and whispers something about winning the war, then waves the ring on his finger in front of Nate’s face. They both laugh.
“Oh, I see, well good luck to ya, I’m just going to get another drink, I’ll catch you two in a bit.” Walking off, I leave them laughing like school children while they watch Hallie and Harvey together.
****
After Logan and Hallie have their first dance, the evening party gets into full swing.
He points at me to Hallie and makes his way over. I catch the look on his face and already know what he’s gonna ask me. What’s my obsession with the pianist? And I’ve already got my answer lined up.
“Hey, so, let’s cut the crap, what’s with the girl?” He lets out a deep chuckle.
“Ha, that’s Pearl, my friend.” I give his shoulder a playful shove.
“Well, shit, she actually did last past twenty-four hours. This must be the girl for you.” I laugh along with him, then punch him in the leg.
He lets out a “Oof” and laughs.
“She’s different, like, different. I don’t know what it is about her … it’s just.”
I brush a hand through my hair. “Just look at her, she’s beautiful.”
He glances over, following my line of sight. She’s dancing with Harvey, Everley’s little one. He seems enamored by her too. She’s got this playful way to her, and I wonder if she’s got any nieces and nephews. There’s so much I want to know about her, if only she would let me. I mean, I know we made this bet, well kind of bet, even if she thinks I was drunk, it’s still a bet.
I want to date, that’s all. Just need to prove to her I’m serious.
I wait patiently for the slowest song to come on from the DJ. When “With or Without You” by U2 comes on, I know that’s the song I want to dance with her to.
I rise from my chair, giving Logan a knowing look, and walk over to her and tap Harvey on the shoulder.
“Hey sport, can I have a dance with her now?” He nods and lets me know I’ve got only one minute, then runs off to join his mom and Nate.
When I look at Margo, she’s deep in thought, biting in her little lip. “You were supposed to save the first dance for me,” I tell her, and she giggles.
“And say no to that little boy.” She looks over my shoulder at him, and he’s watching us intently, well, her intently, me with evil eyes.
I clear my throat. “Fair point.” I bow slightly, a little drama never hurt anyone.
Taking her hand in mine and placing my other one on her lower back, I pull her in close to my body. The song plays on, and it seems like we’re the only two on the dance floor. We’re not, but that’s just how it feels. She lays her head on my chest, and I want to savor this moment, bottle it up and lock it away.
We sway back and forth, neither of us saying a word, just lost in this moment.
My brain goes into overdrive, how can I do this? How can I make her see she’s not a one-time thing. She looks up at me. Her hand comes off my back, and she cups my cheek.
She whispers, “What are you doing to me?” I wink and get all cocky, I could be truthful.
But she’s fun to tease at the same time.
“What am I doing to you? What would you like me to do?” I squeeze her ass cheek “You know, I got some handcuffs in a suitcase, we could put them to some use.” She scoffs and smacks me on the arm.
“I’m serious, I think you’d like to be tied up to my bed, wouldn’t you?” I lean right into her ear and whisper, “You’d like for me to spread you open wide, make it easy access for me. You’d love me to give you the time of your life?” She rolls her eyes, but I can tell there’s a part of her that’s intrigued by it. The way her arms have spread with goose bumps and her chest rising and falling in quick succession, she definitely enjoys dirty talk.
She cups my cheek again and pulls my head down to meet hers. She’s gonna kiss me. My dick’s already straining in my pants and I’m ready for it. I open my mouth just slightly as her lips collide with mine. I could live in this moment forever.
******
Tonight, something snapped into place between us. Whether she’s aware of it or not yet.
We kissed our way back to my room, then I threw Margo down onto the bed with a little force, like a barbaric caveman. I can’t wait to be back inside her, so I rip her zipper down on her dress and attack her neck with my mouth. I waste no time doing a sexy striptease tonight.
That’s for another time.
My dick pulses to be set free.
“Please,” she groans, and I pinch her nipple with my free hand.
“Please what darling?”
“More …”
I slide a hand into her panties, swiping my finger up and down her soaking clit, then curl my finger inside her tight pussy as she moans for more. She rides my finger over and over, clenching onto it like I might pull it out and take away her pleasure.
She’s completely unaware she’s obliterating the memories of any woman I’ve fucked before her.
I squeeze her perfectly sized handful breast while invading her mouth with my tongue.
She’s perfection.
I can’t wait any longer, so pulling my hand out, I flip her onto the bed, forcing her onto all fours. I let out a low groan as I slowly enter her from behind.
“Cuffs, baby,” I growl, needing her completely at my submission.
“Fuck yes,” she cries out as she grips the bedding with white-knuckle force.
Leaning to the side, I pull open my bedside drawer and grab the metal handcuffs.
“Hand,” I say in a gruff tone. She doesn’t give me her hand, so I rear back my hips before slamming back into her. She lets out a surprised cry, but the way she moves back and forth on my cock that’s stretching her walls tells me she’s fucking loves it rough.
Her hand comes into the air, and I cuff her wrist. “Other, baby.” I pull back and slam into her again, and her head drops into the mattress, pushing her ass farther into the air as her free hand drops behind her back. After quickly cuffing the other on, I move her head to the side. She didn’t close her eyes; she wants to watch as I drive in and out of her. Grunting hard, I slowly increase the pace of my thrusts.
“Fuck, I love you.” I didn’t mean for it to come out but fuck it. It’s the truth. Call me crazy—I don’t care. She moans in response.
“I want to see you,” she says. I’m used to being in control, not the other way around.
I flip her back over and climb onto the bed, pulling her with me and placing her on top as my back hits the headboard.
I lay back, shamelessly enjoying the ride. Her breasts bounce as she moves, and if she keeps this up, I won’t be able to hold out much longer.
Her movements pick up as her breaths become labored. I know how close she is, so I grab her hips and start thrusting deep inside her, my balls clenching as I reach the point of no return.
“I-I’m gonna come.”
“With me, baby, come with me.” My voice is strained.
Once we’ve come down from our ecstasy, I undo her cuffs and lay her on the bed, her legs still spread wide, and her eyes closed. Fucking beautiful.