Chapter Twenty-Nine
ZACK
I tracked Mia as she disappeared outside. Where the fuck was she going? And why wasn’t her little shit friend going with her? There was still a goddamn arsonist out there for crying out loud. Didn’t he even care about her at all? If she were there with me, I wouldn’t have let her out of my sight.
I took a deep breath. Dammit. Why was I being such a possessive asshole?
It made me fucking crazy watching Charlie touch her while they danced, even if I knew deep down there wasn’t anything going on.
And it wasn’t that I didn’t trust her. I did.
With every cell in my body. But the uncertainty of our future looming over us reminded me over and over she might never be truly mine.
Charlie appeared suddenly in the chair next to me and held out a napkin.
I looked down at it and then sent him a glare. What did he want me to do with a napkin?
“Take it. It’s from Mia.”
I tore the thing from his hand, continuing to glare at him. I had no intention of reading it until he walked away.
“For what it’s worth, she’s spent the entire night fretting about how upset you are,” he said, then walked away as my eyes dropped to the folded paper he’d just delivered.
God, I really was an asshole. It wasn’t my intention. I just couldn’t seem to shake the sadness at not being with her tonight, and the jealousy that another guy was.
I unfolded the napkin and read the note.
We need to talk. Come around to the back of the barn.
My gut sank as I read the words. Was she going to read me the riot act? End things before the cake was even served? I couldn’t exactly blame her with the way I’d acted all night. My chest ached at the thought.
I couldn’t in good faith apologize for being jealous. But I could apologize for the way I’d behaved because of it.
With a heavy sigh, I tucked the note into my pocket and walked to the exit. Once outside of the barn, I turned the corner, heading around to the back—where all the photos with the bridal party were taken earlier.
Hay bales were stacked up on top of each other at different heights along the back wall. Finally, I found her, tucked in between a few taller stacks, pacing. Sensing me, she spun, and the urge to pull her into my arms was so strong and hard to ignore.
I shuffled my feet and looked her in the eyes. “I’m sorry for being such an ass tonight. I just—”
Before I could finish my sentence, she stepped forward and grabbed my face with both of her hands, pressing her lips to mine.
I let myself get lost in the feel of her.
My hands on her back, holding her to me.
Her hands on my face as she explored my mouth.
Her strong familiar scent of vanilla and coconut invading my senses.
I pulled back, searching her face. “I thought you were mad at me?”
“I was.” She shook her head. “I still am a little. But I hate that you won’t even look at me.”
“I’m sorry.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m looking now.”
“Good.” With a smile, she stepped back, grabbing a nearby blanket and draping it over the top of two stacked hay bales. “Come here and show me just how sorry you are.” She hoisted herself up and let her legs fall open.
My eyes widened as I scanned left then right. But fuck if I was going to tell her no. I couldn’t care less who saw. But I still hesitated. Because she cared.
I took a step forward. “We could get caught.”
“We could,” she agreed.
Well…fuck. That was enough for me.
I took another step forward and then cursed under my breath. “I don’t have a condom.”
“I don’t care.” Need laced each word. “I’m on birth control and I trust you. Now get your ass over here and fuck me until I see stars.”
My smirk quickly morphed into a smile as what she said sunk in. Damn. I’d imagined taking her bare, but the reality skyrocketed my intense need for her.
I closed the distance and slanted my mouth over hers, immediately deepening the kiss.
The way she kissed me back soothed everything within me.
Our tongues danced in perfect harmony. The kiss had no tentativeness or gentleness to it, and we gave each other all that we had in that moment, neither of us holding back.
I trailed my hands down her body and separated the skirt of her wrap dress, grazing my thumb along the outside of the thin fabric that covered her pussy. Heat radiated from her, and I couldn’t wait to find out if she was already wet for me.
Swallowing her moans, I slid my thumb under the material, swiping it from her clit to her entrance, reveling in the wetness gathering there.
I broke the kiss, staring into her eyes. “You sure, baby?”
She leaned back on her hands and nodded. “Yes. Please. I need to feel you.”
I tugged her thong down her legs and stuffed them into my pocket with a sly grin.
“I hope you plan to give those back to me.” She opened her legs wider, and with the ambient light of the night sky, I could just make out how she glistened for me.
I shrugged. “Maybe later.” Bracing one hand next to her, my free hand disappeared between her thighs, sliding two fingers inside of her. “I want you to remember for the rest of tonight how I fucked you out here.”
She moaned, bucking hard against my hand as my fingers thrust in and out.
I brought my other hand up to cover her mouth. “I can’t give you what you want if you can’t be quiet,” I whispered, keeping my eyes trained on hers as I added a third finger, getting her ready for me.
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t make a sound or look away, just held my gaze as I stretched her pretty little pussy.
“That’s my good girl,” I coaxed. “You ready for me now?”
She nodded, and I wasted no time unbuttoning my slacks and freeing myself. Gripping her hips, I tugged her closer to the edge and lined myself up with her entrance, thrusting forward until I was seated deep inside her.
We both sighed in pleasure. Feeling her like this, with nothing between us… It was even better than I ever imagined.
“Hook your legs around me, baby.” The words came out a bit strangled because I was barely holding on by a thread.
She anchored her legs around my waist, and with my hands braced on either side of her, I glided back out and slammed back in.
“Don’t make a peep, or I’ll have to spank your ass later,” I teased.
Her lips lifted into a grin. “That’s not the deterrent you think it is.”
Damn, she was such a little brat. I loved how breathy her voice was.
How her sass came through every word, but so did her desire.
I was already seeing spots in the corner of my vision, and feeling my cock slide against the slick walls of her channel was overwhelming.
It was so fucking intense, and I was sure I wouldn’t last long.
“Fuck. This feels amazing,” I gritted out.
“So good,” she panted softly. “So perfect.”
She threw her head back with a hiss as I drilled into her over and over.
“Baby,” I whispered, waiting for her to look at me. My need for her coupled with the intensity of the day left me wanting more from her. Everything. “I want to watch you fall apart.”
She seemed to understand what I needed, and she met and held my gaze. It burned bright, flaring with each thrust forward. Pleasure and happiness flashed in the depths. No walls. Just open for me.
I swallowed hard, the possible meaning of it and the hope that filled me egging me on. Her mouth fell open in a sharp intake of air and a soft moan escaped. In that moment, I didn’t even give a damn if she screamed at the top of her lungs. I wanted everyone inside to know she was mine.
“Zack,” she panted. “Oh my God. I can’t—” A whimper left her lips this time, louder than before. “Feels so good.”
“Fucking amazing.” I slammed harder into her, coaxing another soft moan from her lips.
Harder. Deeper. Faster. Until her eyes flashed and her walls gripped my cock so tight it pulled the breath from my lungs.
Her mouth opened in a silent scream and spasms tore through her body.
I was mesmerized, watching her as she fractured around me.
My own climax hit me hard, and I exploded inside of her.
She latched her arms around my neck, and I buried my face in the crook of her shoulder. Holding onto her, I focused on her breathing, her little sighs of contentment, and the perfect way she felt in my arms.
Finally, having no choice, I slipped out of her warm, wet heat. I brought my hands up to cup her face and placed my lips against hers, savoring this moment with her. As our breathing returned to normal, I pressed a kiss to her forehead and stepped back, helping her off the hay bale.
I tucked myself back inside my pants, zipping them up as she smoothed her dress back in place and dusted hay from her ass.
“Will you dance with me before the night is over?” I asked, hopefully.
“Yes.” She stepped forward with a grin, reaching up and wiping her thumb under my lip. “You have my lipstick all over your mouth, babe.”
That last word settled firmly in my chest. The way it tumbled from her lips so easily made me so fucking happy.
She finished wiping my face and smiled up at me. “You go in first. I’m going to stop at the bathroom.” Her grin turned mischievous. “Someone made a mess of me.”
“Yes, I did,” I hummed, tucking her into my side and heading around the corner.
We parted ways and I watched her disappear into the farmhouse where the bathrooms were.
Someone clearing their throat caught my attention, and I looked over to see Ethan—one of the officers assigned to keep an eye out for the arsonist—coming from the same direction we just did.
The slight smirk and head nod in my direction made it clear he knew what had just happened.
I choked back a chuckle. Oops. It should upset me, but something about someone knowing what we just did made me unreasonably content. I turned and headed back into the reception, satisfied and a little euphoric.
“Hey,” Adam said, stepping in front of me. “I’ve been looking for you.” He studied me. “You look…happy.” His tone held surprise, and he shook his head. “No fucking idea what’s gotten into you tonight.”
“I told you, man. I was just tired. But I’m feeling much more awake now.”
“Any idea where Mia is?” Adam looked around. “Logan and Izzy want to get the whole group together down by the pond soon.”
I grabbed the back of my neck, glancing around like I had no clue she was in the bathroom cleaning up from our sexcapade. “Nah, I haven’t seen her,” I lied horribly.
He assessed me with narrowed eyes, and I smirked as I held his gaze. Until the flash of a fuchsia dress pulled my attention as Mia sauntered by, a devious smile aimed at me. I mimicked her expression, telling her with my eyes how much I wanted to do that again.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Adam bit out.
I whipped my gaze back to him. “What?”
He leaned forward, dropping his voice to a whisper. “If Lyla finds out you guys are sneaking around and hooking up, she’s going to be pissed.”
“We’re not—” I wanted to tell him we weren’t just hooking up. That it was more than that. But the last thing I needed was for him to accidentally slip and tell Lyla.
“You’re a shit liar.” Adam huffed out a laugh. “But seriously, you two need to come clean about what you’re doing before it all blows up in your face.” He turned and walked away.
He was right. It was obvious that Mia felt more than just a casual attraction for me.
She wanted something real—I was sure of it.
And I needed to figure out a way to make her realize that.
I wanted to hold her in my arms and kiss her in front of all of our friends.
Because I was done hiding this from everyone.