CHAPTER 16 #4
“I’ll bet.” She made a sound much like a snort. A few moments passed before she asked, “So, why Claire?”
Irritation surged in his gut. It was almost as if Alexis was undervaluing Claire, intentionally or not. “Why not Claire?”
Alexis didn’t answer. She licked the salt off the rim of her glass in a move he would have found sultry on any other woman. “Have you ever been in a real relationship?”
“Define ‘real relationship.’”
“Come on, now.”
His stomach rolled. “OK. Yes. Once.”
“How long ago?”
“A while. Years.”
She nodded slowly.
He forced a smile. Though she had yanked the lid off a box he wanted to keep firmly shut, he was determined to keep the conversation light. “Anything else? Blood vial? A sample of my DNA, maybe? I won’t suggest you ask whether I have a criminal record because I’m sure you have that covered.”
She threw her head back with a throaty laugh.
Ian couldn’t help a grin. “I thought so. Was that the first thing you checked?”
Alexis gave him a wicked smile. “Glad you got over your penchant for speeding. You had quite the need for it in college.”
He’d also had quite the need for something else, and countless girls had happily accommodated him. Thank God Alexis couldn’t easily access that particular information. And it was time to steer the conversation away from himself.
“Claire tells me you’re a motorcycle cop.”
Her brows lifted. “That’s right. I’m surprised Claire told you.”
“Why?”
“I usually don’t make it known, and she’s aware that many people are uncomfortable around police officers.”
“I have nothing but respect for our men and women in blue. You ride an Electra Glide?
Pride flickered in her eyes. “Road King.”
“Sweet.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Smooth redirect. But I wanted to ask you—”
“There you are!” came Claire’s voice from behind him, and Ian turned to spot her, looking mouthwatering in that creamsicle-orange halter dress he’d zipped up for her in their room. Her worried gaze flicked from him to Alexis.
Ian watched her approach, the sight of her sending the blood pumping hard through his veins.
Alexis discreetly nudged him. “Hurt her, and I will end you,” she gritted through teeth bared into a smile.
Claire beamed up at him, cheeks rosy, and placed a hand on his forearm. “They want us all up front for photos.”
“OK.” He took her in, wondering if she’d been drinking.
She looked good enough to eat, and he fully intended to do just that at his earliest opportunity.
When they finally got the room, they’d only had time for five-minute showers and out the door in fifteen.
He’d never seen a woman get ready in ten minutes and with such stunning results.
For what seemed like an inordinately long time, they posed for photos, the bride and groom always in the middle of the shot, radiant with happiness. Ian noted how they only had eyes for each other. How would it feel to be so deeply in love that no one and nothing else mattered?
“OK, folks, I have everything I need! Enjoy the rest of your evening!” The photographer looked down intently at his camera, scrolling through the roll with a critical eye.
Ian felt Claire’s gaze and found her staring up at him. The heat in her eyes made him want to sweep her up and lead her to the first private spot he could find.
He bent to speak directly in her ear. “This vessel is finally on its way back to shore. Do you want to know what I’ve been thinking about all evening?”
She inhaled sharply. “What?”
He felt her shudder and ran his hands over her shoulders. “You, coming on my mouth.”
“Oh my God,” she murmured.
“Our hotel room will be on fire tonight.”
“Is that a promise?” she whispered.
“No, Penny.” He chuckled low in his chest. “It’s a threat.”
She leaned against him as if she found it difficult to remain standing. God, he loved how easily he got her going. He watched the rise and fall of her breasts and opened his mouth to whisper something even more risqué, but Kira and Samantha chose that moment to run up, giggling.
“Time for more tequila shots!” Kira announced, slurring a little.
“Oh, no,” Claire said, “not more tequila.”
“Aw, c’mon, Claire, live a little!” Samantha’s green eyes sparkled. “It’s the night before my wedding! One more shot, all of us, together. Please?”
Ian was convinced Claire would refuse, but suddenly, she pushed away.
“One more, that’s it.”
“Yay!” Kira’s curls bobbed as she jumped up and clapped. “Come on, let’s celebrate!” She took Claire’s arm.
“Don’t worry, Ian,” Samantha said, taking Claire’s other arm. “We won’t get her drunk. Well, not too drunk anyway.”
Ian watched them lead her toward the bar. A server arrived with a tray of canapés, and he took two, strolling to the rail to look out over the water.
“Hey, man, word has it that you’ve been vetted.” Daniel, the groom, clapped him on the shoulder, amusement in his brown eyes. “Congrats on getting through the baptism of fire. I’ll bet you’ve been through depositions that were easier.”
Daniel was a defense attorney, Ian had learned. He gave him a wry smile. “You know it.”
“They’re a tough bunch, but once you’re in, you’re family.
Samantha really likes you for some reason, and that’s good enough for me.
” Daniel’s gaze lingered on his bride-to-be’s retreating ass.
“Tomorrow is the day. Finally.” He grinned.
“Took me forever to convince her to say yes. I proposed until she said she was tired of seeing me on my knees.”
Ian swallowed the shrimp and avocado on toast. “You two seem well suited.”
“Never thought it would happen to me. Until I met Sam.”
Ian merely nodded. He thought better of asking how they’d met.
Daniel, however, had no problem recounting.
“I went to Hedonism every year. It was my thing. I wasn’t even thinking of looking.
Sam was there for the first time and only hung around on the prude side.
I saw her there and went to talk to her, and for the next few days, we ended up pretty much considering it our private beach because practically everybody parties on the nude side.
One day, I couldn’t find her. I went to the nude side, saw Sam getting talked up by some guy, and kind of lost my mind. That’s when I knew.”
“Quite the story. I’m happy for you guys.”
Ian slapped Daniel on the shoulder. It was uplifting to see people finding someone to share their lives with. He could only hope it would happen for him.