Chapter 1 #2
I laugh, giving her a reassuring nod. “Wouldn’t dream of it. You’ll have your perfect wedding without me getting in the way.”
Her smile lingers, softer this time, and for the first time, I see her without the walls, without the plans and pressure she puts on herself. Just Lainey, leaning into me, letting herself enjoy the moment.
And damn, it’s captivating.
“You know you’re not so bad when you’re not trying to color-code my life.”
She lets out another laugh, and it’s addictive. “You’re not so bad either—when you’re not being your charming, aggravating self.”
I feign shock, clutching my chest dramatically. “Careful, Lainey. That almost sounded like a compliment.”
“Don’t push it,” she warns, though her smile doesn’t waver. After a beat, she adds, almost reluctantly, “Okay, just a tiny bit. You’re tolerable.”
“Tolerable?” I echo, raising a brow. “High praise coming from you.”
She tilts her head, her blue eyes catching mine, softer now. “Must be the alcohol.”
The words are light, teasing, but the way she looks at me…
it’s anything but. Her gaze lingers, flickering to my lips, and for a moment, the world shrinks to just us.
The faint buzz of the party fades into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of the music and the crackling tension between us.
I feel it too—the pull. The way her body leans closer, her breath mingling with mine. For a brief, reckless second, I think about kissing her. Maybe it is the alcohol. Or maybe it’s just her.
But then the music shifts, the slow, intimate melody giving way to something faster, more upbeat. The spell breaks, and Lainey steps back, blinking like she’s just realized how close we are.
“I need some air,” she says quickly, shaking her head as if to clear it.
Without a word, I follow her. She weaves through the crowd, her steps quick and purposeful, until she finds an empty hallway just beyond the ballroom. She leans against the wall, her hand running through her hair as if the whole night is finally catching up to her.
“What are you doing, Zach?” she asks, not looking at me.
I step closer, leaning casually against the wall next to her. “Making sure you’re not running away from me.”
She lets out a soft laugh, surprising both of us. “Not everything is about you, you know.”
“Sure feels like it is when you look at me like that.”
Her head snaps toward me, those sharp blue eyes narrowing. “Like what?”
“Like you want to strangle me and kiss me all at once.” My voice dips low, daring her.
She rolls her eyes, but there’s a flicker of something in her expression—a crack in the armor. “You’re impossible.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” I shift slightly closer, close enough to see the way her pulse flutters at the base of her throat.
“It is a bad thing.” Her voice softens, her arms crossing as if trying to shield herself. “We’re supposed to be working together, not…” she trails off, her gaze flicking briefly to my mouth.
“Not what?” I step into her space, my tone quieter, more deliberate. “Not doing this?”
The words hang between us, heavy and charged, and before she can overthink it—or talk herself out of it—I close the distance. Her lips part in surprise, and for a heartbeat, I think she’s going to push me away. But then she’s kissing me back.
It’s not a polite, hesitant kiss. It’s fire and frustration and everything we’ve been holding back all crashing together at once. Her fingers curl into my dress shirt, pulling me closer as if letting go of this moment is not an option.
When we finally break apart, both of us breathing hard, she stares at me, her expression a mix of shock and something I can’t quite name.
“That…” She swallows, her voice shaky. “That doesn’t change anything.”
“Never said it did.” My voice is softer now, though the grin tugging at my lips doesn’t let up. “But maybe it doesn’t have to mean anything either.”
Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she’s going to bolt. Instead, she exhales slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Fine. But this…” She gestures between us. “This is a one-time thing. That’s it.”
“Sure,” I say, even though I know I’ll push my luck if she lets me. “One time.”
I tighten my grip on her hand, guiding her down the hallway. She follows, her steps quick and purposeful, until she finally glances at me, her brow furrowed. “Where are you taking me?”
I glance at her, letting my smirk deepen just enough to be teasing. “I have a room here.”
Her eyes narrow slightly. “A room, huh?”
I lean in, my voice dropping lower. “What can I say? I like to be prepared.”
Her lips press together like she’s fighting a smile. “How very… thoughtful of you.”
We enter the elevator, and I press the button for my floor. The doors close, sealing us in, and I’m on her again—my hands threading through her hair, my mouth hot against hers.
By the time we stumble into the room, she’s tugging off my jacket, her eyes daring me to make a comment. And because I can’t resist, I pull back just a fraction, smirking down at her.
“You keep telling me you can’t stand me, but here you are,” I murmur, holding her gaze, “and you can’t keep your hands off me.”
“Shut up and kiss me, Zach.” Her tone is sharp, but her hands are anything but.
“Yes, ma’am.” I dip my head, capturing her mouth again, letting all the pent-up tension between us ignite. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, pulling me closer like she’s finally letting go—and so am I.
I back her up until her shoulders hit the wall, my hands sliding down her waist as I press against her.
She lets out a breathy gasp that shoots satisfaction through me.
For once, she’s not in control, and neither am I.
We’re just two people who’ve been fighting this pull for way too long, and nothing is stopping us now.
“Still think this is a bad idea?” I murmur against her neck, letting my lips graze the sensitive skin there.
She bites her lip, that familiar spark of defiance in her eyes. “It’s a terrible idea,” she whispers. “But right now… I don’t care.”
“Good.” I capture her lips again, deeper this time, letting all the tension between us unravel. Her fingers thread into my hair, pulling me closer, like she’s trying to erase the space between us.
“Stop… talking,” she breathes, her voice soft but commanding. “Just… show me.”
That’s an order I’m happy to follow. I scoop her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bed. We fall together, her mouth on mine.
I waste no time. Pulling at the strap of her dress, I slide it down her body, leaving her in just her bra and panties. She looks damn near perfect lying there, and I tell her so, even if the words feel like an understatement.
I want her naked, skin against skin, and the thought alone is enough to send a jolt of need right through me.
“Fuck,” I mutter, pulling back just enough to tug at the clasps of her bra. “Let me see you.”
She obliges, letting the bra fall away, and I take a moment to appreciate the view—her breasts spilling out, her skin flushed, her eyes challenging me to look away.
“You like what you see, Darling?” she asks, her voice husky, her fingers trailing over my shoulders.
“More than you know,” I growl, capturing her mouth again, tasting her, teasing her with little nips of my teeth until she’s biting her lip, her fingers tightening in my hair. “You feel so damn good, Lainey.”
Her hands wandering lower, sliding over my hips, my ass, pulling me even closer until I can feel her heat against my cock. “Fuck me before I come to my senses.”
I groan, pulling back to tug at the buttons of my shirt, eager to get it off, when her hands slip lower, gliding over the waistband of my pants, her fingers teasing the line of my cock. I reach down to still her hands, not ready to let her take control just yet.
“Patience,” I murmur, nipping at her jaw and her neck, enjoying the way she squirms.
She lets out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling with a dangerous glint I’ve never seen before. “Zach, if you don’t take your pants off right now, I might just—”
“Oh, you might what?” I tease, grinding my hips against hers, feeling my cock throb with the need to be inside her.
“You’re gonna pay for that, Darling,” she warns, her eyes flashing with a promise.
“I can’t wait.” I grin, nudging her hands off my hips, taking over as I work my pants over my hips, my cock straining against the fabric of my boxer briefs.
I kiss her again, slower this time, my hands sliding down to cup her breasts, savoring her gasp as I tease her nipples with my thumbs. “Let me take care of you, Lainey.”
“I don’t need you to—” she starts, but I cut her off with another kiss, stealing the breath right out of her lungs as I stroke her breasts, my mouth trailing lower, my tongue teasing her skin as I kiss my way down her body.
“Zach, wait—” She tightens her grip on my shoulders, her breath catching as I dip my head, capturing a nipple in my mouth, swirling my tongue, teasing, tasting.
“You taste so fucking good,” I murmur, my lips ghosting over her skin as I pull back just enough to watch her expression. Her head falls back, her eyes sliding shut as she bites her lip, and the sight is almost too much.
“Please,” she whispers, her fingers threading through my hair, urging me closer. “Don’t stop.”
I smile against her skin, my hands gliding down her stomach, my thumbs drifting beneath the waistband of her panties, teasing her skin, torturing us both as I go agonizingly slow. “I wasn’t planning on it.”
Her answering moan is music to my ears, spurring me on as I hook my fingers in her panties, sliding them down her legs, her heels kicking them away as I kneel before her. She looks down at me, her eyes dark with need, her chest heaving as she watches me, her body trembling with anticipation.
“Fuck, Lainey,” I breathe, my voice rough as I gaze up at her. “You’re so damn beautiful.”