Chapter Fifteen
Milo
“Are you crying?” Rowan sat back down next to me and took my hand.
I sniffled. “Your speech was beautiful. The childhood memories when Raina helped you…then you hit us all with the funny story about all of you camping together for the first time.”
Rowan wrapped an arm around me. “Thanks.”
Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned their way. “Here you go, sweetie,” said an older lady from the table behind us as she handed me a pack of tissues. She had her silver hair braided into two buns and pinned with golden pins in the shape of moths.
“Thank you so much. I love your hairdo.”
“Oh, you’re so sweet.”
The tables under the orangery-like glass construction were now covered with white cloth and elegant fruit and flower centerpieces. To the right, a stage was set up, and the band was preparing to play.
“Hi Aunt Judy.” Rowan moved his chair to face the lady.
“I see you finally found a man, Rowie.” She offered me a tender smile. “It’s the first time I know him to be in a relationship. Unless he’s been hiding well. We all thought that only a fated mate would get this man to settle.”
I swallowed. This isn’t real, you’re pretending to be boyfriends. “Oh, we really only just met.”
“Fate doesn’t care.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “Pay attention to how you read each other, and obviously, don’t forget your dreams.”
“Don’t scare him off, Aunt Judy,” Rowan said and pulled me closer.
A little girl in a pink suit and with scales on her cheeks skipped over to us. “Will you dance with me Rowie? You promised, remember?”
“Of course, Betty. Have you met Milo?”
“Hello.” I gave her a wave.
“I like your necklace.” She tilted her head. “Your chest-clace.”
“Thank you, sweetie. Take good care of Rowan for me.”
“I’ll give him back soon. Promise.” She crossed her heart and took Rowan by the hand. “Come on.”
“That’s Penelope’s daughter,” Aunt Judy told me. “But all the kids adore Rowie. He carries them around and never says no to a dance.”
I wouldn’t have pegged Rowan for a dancer, but my eyes didn’t lie. Little Betty stood on Rowan’s feet as they shimmied to music, but within moments, she was in his arms as they skipped between couples. Her giggles carried over the beat and motivated more children to take to the dancefloor.
“You can tell him how much you like him, you know?” Aunt Judy said.
I tore my gaze away from Rowan. “‘Scuse me?”
“I see the way you look at him.” She piled cherry tomatoes on her plate and waved a fork in Rowan’s direction.
“You would really get along with my aunt Ethel.”
“Is she wise and feisty?” She popped a tomato into her mouth.
I snorted a laugh. “Yes.”
“We’ll dance at your wedding then.”
Standing up, I offered her my hand. “Will I do? For now?” This was last time you’d see me anyway.
Aunt Judy zeroed in on my body jewellery and nodded. “Yes.”
Somehow, both Rowan and I ended up dancing with various family members for half an hour.
Between aunts, uncles, and little cousins, I’ve heard several cute and embarrassing stories about Rowan, been asked questions, and been threatened not to break Rowan’s heart.
The latter came from the youngest members of his family.
“Can I be next?” said a tall woman with shoulder-length fiery hair and features like Rowan’s. I’d finished a dance with an older gentleman who’d told me about his husband and wife and how neither of them enjoyed dancing.
“Sure.” I nodded at Mr. Felix and took the woman’s hand.
“So you’re the mysterious barista from Wendigo Hills.” She wore a black pantsuit that exposed her muscled arms covered in short, ginger hair.
“And you must be the other sister. Riley?” The one who always bickered with Rowan and sent him basketball memes.
“Yup. Everything he told you about me is a lie.”
“Ah, so you’re not a famous basketball player who chased her dreams and succeeded? Got it.”
Shock took over her expression. “Is that what he said?”
“He implied it.” I shrugged.
She snorted. “He’s never brought anyone home. Not since high school. So you can see why everyone is fascinated.”
“Even you?”
“Of course not. But I need to look in the face of the man who convinced Rowan that having someone close is good for him. He’s always been adamant about doing everything by himself and not following the path all the older siblings have paved for him, including a possible career in basketball.
Obviously, he never listened to relationship advice either.
Well, from others. I have none to give. Not for men, and he’s never been into women of any species much. ”
“I’m learning a lot about him today. And you’re the third person who told me he was good at ball. You’re a fun bunch.”
“Don’t get spooked. The family is big and packed with individuals, but we’re harmless.” She winked. “Mostly.”
“Oh no, Riley, what did you do?” Rowan approached us and narrowed his eyes.
“Nothing.” She stepped away from me, making space for Rowan. “He’s all yours.” Riley chuckled all the way to her table.
“Was she mean to you?” Rowan rubbed my shoulders, then slid his hands down to mine.
“No. Everyone here is welcoming, including your sister. I danced with your dad too, and he asked very touristy questions about Wendigo Hills.”
“Him and Mom would want to see every corner of the world, if they could, even the cosy towns a short drive away.”
The band played a slower song, and I fell into the comfort of Rowan’s embrace.
“Sorry you got roped into this.” Rowan pushed a strand of my hair off my forehead.
“Are you kidding? This is amazing. I don’t have a big family, and most of my school friends moved far, and we lost contact.
So I’m not invited to weddings.” I didn’t need to mention that after I’d lost my parents, I’d cut myself off from everyone besides my aunts.
I couldn’t stand the questions and the pity.
“It didn’t occur to me that it could make you feel worse that you don’t get to do this.”
I rubbed his arm. “I see what I’m missing, and that’s why I’m happy to be here. Thank you for bringing me.”
A clink of cutlery against a flute sounded, and the music stopped.
“Cake time!” Raina rubbed her hands and kissed Troy on the cheek.
Troy was not a man or a werewolf. He was heart-eyes incarnate. He stood next to his wife in his dark blue suit cut to perfection and with hair tousled by the wind but holding on to the product for dear life.
The staff wheeled in a three-tiered cake to cheering guests, and absolutely no murmurs or comments about the huge thing being black with purple marzipan flowers on top.
I dragged Rowan by the hand back to our seats and snuggled to him while Raina and Troy cut the cake, then proceeded to smear each other’s faces with it.
Being used to serving others, I had trouble sitting still and waiting for our portion.
Rowan’s hand around my waist settled me, and I had a glass of water.
“It’s so good. Rowan, try it.” I lifted a forkful of my cake, and Rowan ate it. I’d do that whenever we’d order food when I was recovering after my accident. But back then, we were alone.
I blushed and looked around. Aunt Judy was smirking, but no one else paid attention to us.
Rowan chewed and nodded, seemingly oblivious. “Do you drink?” He asked.
“Yup. When the occasion calls for it.” I waved my hands theatrically at the party in general. “You?”
“Yeah. Beer mostly, but as you said, it’s a special day so I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
“Pina coladas, then.” I grinned.
“Oh. Okay.”
Three drinks in, and I was holding on to Rowan’s arm on our way to our table. “I think I’m done dancing.”
“And drinking?”
“Yeah. I’m such a lightweight.” I grinned.
He looked concerned. “Are you feeling okay, though?”
“Yup.” I hiccuped. “Sorry. Never better.” I plopped onto Rowan’s lap and had no will nor energy to move.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me steady.
“You’re not drunk.” I pouted.
“I am, it just affects me a lot less.”
“Because you’re so big and have muscles on top of muscles,” I slurred into his shoulder.
“Hey, Troy!” I waved to the werewolf passing by.
His shirt was now open and his cheeks were flushed.
He might also be inebriated. Or returning from a marital quickie.
I giggled. “Congratulations! Great wedding.”
“I’m glad you made it, Milo. You contribute to everyone’s wellbeing by making Rowan less grumpy.”
I saluted him. “My pleasure.”
He patted Rowan on the shoulder and ran off.
“And the drive here was so good too.” I rested my head on Rowan’s pec. “The last time I’ve been on a road trip was with Anabelle and Ethel when we went to Wisconsin a few years ago.” A mixed bag of sadness and nostalgia hit me. “And now I never will.”
“How about we go to our room and rest?” Rowan’s voice sounded distant. I nodded and soon floated in the air, wiggling my feet as Rowan carried me.
Waking up, I snuggled my face into Rowan’s armpit and mumbled into it.
“I’ll need an orgasm.”
Rowan’s deep chuckle shook his chest and, by default, me as well.
“Good morning to you too.” He kissed the top of my head. “You’re still drunk.”
“Nope.” I rolled over. “But I’m always horny when I’m hungover.”
“You’re also a furnace when you’re asleep, but today you broke the record. I brought you pastries. And cold juice.” Rowan traced the middle of my bare chest with a finger, wrenching a sleepy purr out of me.
I blinked my eyes open. Rowan was holding a plate of fancy-looking scones and croissants. “I’ll have them and shower. But then I’ll need you. Promise me.”
“Okay, you sexy minx.”
“Me?” I wiped the sleep drool off my face, sat cross-legged on the bed, and reached for the plate. “You mister—” I pointed a finger at him, “are the one who’s drunk.”
“You’re beautiful like this, disheveled and half-awake. But yesterday, you looked stunning.” Rowan gazed toward the window overlooking the gardens. “I will remember last night forever.”
I wolfed most of the breakfast and downed the glass of orange juice from the nightstand. “Me too. It’s so lovely here; I’m happy we’re staying until tomorrow. I will have to call Sophia and make sure everything is okay with the cafe later today.”
Rowan nodded. He might call me a workaholic, but I’d seen him checking work emails on his phone when we’d arrived here, so he wasn’t innocent either.
With one last look at the big, hairy man looking like he was posing for an underwear ad, I went off to shower.
I scrubbed my body and didn’t bother towelling off—just air-dried when brushing my teeth. “I’m still not fully awake,” I said, entering the room.
“I have something that will help.” Rowan pointed to a bucket of ice sitting on the bedside table.
“There’s no champagne in it.”
“We don’t need it.” Rowan popped an ice cube into his mouth and crushed it with his teeth. “Come here.” He splayed me on the bed and wrapped his lips around the head of my semi-hard cock.
“Holy shit, that’s cold.” I grabbed Rowan’s hair. “Don’t stop.”
Rowan pulled away with a smirk. “That was about to give you a taste. Lay back.”
He took a cube between his teeth and hovered over me, tracing the ice along the side of my neck then down to my nipple.
I yelped and flailed my entire body.
Rowan pinned both of my hands above my head with his and crunched the ice. “No wiggling.”
“Or what?”
He nipped my jaw. “Or I’ll tie you to the headboard.”
I flicked my tongue. “Do it.”
Rowan’s gaze darkened. “Do you mean it?”
I grabbed the bars behind me. “I do.” Maybe I was crazy, but I trusted Rowan with my body. I just couldn’t extend that to my heart.
Rowan looked around the room, then popped open his suitcase, rummaged in it, and closed it.
“Take anything from mine.”
He rummaged through what I had packed and pulled out a pair of lacy knee-highs. “Were you planning to wear these here?”
I chewed my bottom lip. “I like being prepared.”
“They might stretch a bit.”
“Destroy them if you want. I have plenty.” I wiggled my toes at him, knowing what I’ll be wearing for his next foot job.
He ran the lace between his fingers. “Do you really?”
“Yeah. And I have a few items to match too. I may show you someday if you take your boxers off.”
He stepped out of the garment as if it had offended him, and straddled me on the bed. His dick was already hard when it thumped on my chest. Fuck, I wanted it inside me so bad. Soon.
“Let me suck your cock while you tie me up.”
Rowan moved up my body and stopped when his dick reached my chin. “Like this?”
“Yeah.” I licked the tip, tasting the salty pre-cum. Fuck, it was so good.
Rowan bound my wrists together to the headboard with my lacy thigh-highs. “Is this okay?” He wiggled a finger between the binds and my hands. “Not too tight?”
“Nope.” I pulled on the restraints and grinned up at him. If I tried hard enough, I could free myself, but that was not the point.
“Good. These will leave pretty marks.” He traced the lace, then my fingers one by one, and took his cock away from me.
I released a whine.
He kissed me, delving his tongue in, gliding it against mine in an elegant swoop. He was tasting his pre-cum, and the mix of sweet and filthy was so characteristic of him.
“Hips up.” He patted my ankle, and I obliged. He slid a pillow under my ass and arranged it as if he was decorating a plate for a restaurant dinner.
Rowan took a cube in his mouth and traced it over my groin and down my thigh.
He lifted my leg up and slid it under my knee, down my calf until he sucked my big toe into his mouth.
Moaning, did the same to every single toe, then did the same with the other foot.
The cool sensation was like a brand he was leaving in his wake—I could still feel it when he had moved on to the next spot. It was new. Exhilarating.
With another cube he held in his fingers, he traveled back up and stopped at my cock. He gave the head a tiny kiss, then delved under my balls. I groaned with pleasure and applauded his ideas for how to cool my body down.
The cold of the ice contracted the muscles of my pucker.
Rowan swallowed the ice and chuckled. “Let it in.”
He took another cube and pressed it into my hole. It went in, spreading cold inside. I arched, rolling my hips on the pillow.
Rowan held my things to my chest and kissed my calf. “Can you give it back to me before it melts?”
I strained. “I don’t think I can.”
“I believe in you.” He ran a finger along the underside of my dick, teasing.
Moaning, I pushed it out.
“That’s right, sweetheart, my little coffee bean.
” Rowan caught it into his mouth and rose above me for a kiss.
It was needy and so intense, his beard scratched my face, but it was exactly how I liked it.
I loved when Rowan was so lost in passion that he let go of his delicate ways with me and took what he needed from me.
I wanted to share one more experience with him, and I was working on accomplishing my goal. The dildos in my suitcase were there to prove it.
Author’s notes:
A fandom friend of mine (shout out to CarmillaCarmine!) wanted a black wedding cake, but no one in the area was willing to make it! So this one is for you, babe!