She immediately rolls her sweet, soft body into mine, resting her head on the place where shoulder meets arm, stroking her fingernails through the curls of my chest hair. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
Even though I just came, my dick punches out at the honey-sweet sound. The suggestion that I satisfied her, getting me revved up to do it again.
A dozen different answers flip through my head. Glib ones like, “At your service” or boastful like, “there’s more where that came from.” But none of them do her justice. None of them fit the beauty of the sex we just had—and I swear to fate, I’ve never called sex beautiful before in my life.
But with Sadie it was. Even the part where my wolf fought for control and wanted to mark her. It all felt right. Protecting her from my wolf felt right, and wanting to mark her also felt right.
I settle for a rumble of assent and kiss her head.
In a few moments, her breath lengthens, and she falls asleep. I wait another half an hour, savoring the feel of her in my arms, before I slip out of bed to shift and run.
Chapter 12
Deke
As soon as Sadie stirs in the morning, I return to the bed. I hadn’t trusted myself after the run to sleep beside her, so I dozed in the chair by the door. It felt right to guard her, keep her safe.
“Deke.” She yawns, curling into me. I grit my teeth as she brushes against my cock, and it hardens to steel.
“Morning, baby.” I dip my head and kiss her, my tongue teasing out her secret longing, stroking the silken cave of her mouth. She moans and arches against me. I scent her wet heat.
I pull away and clear my throat. “It’s almost nine.”
“Is it? Fudge.” She sits up.
“Fudge,” I repeat because it’s so damn cute. “Do you ever curse?”
“Yes.” She grins. “But not often. I would hate to inadvertently do it in front of my kids.”
She pecks my lips again. “I’ve got to go. We have a spa day all day, and I’ll be getting ready with the bride.” She bites her lip, and I want to mark her so bad, my canines ache. “You’re invited to lunch with the groom and the groomsmen. It’ll be a bunch of dudebros in tuxes, and Scott will be there. You could keep an eye on him. I know it sucks—”
“I’ll pass,” I say immediately. “Don’t worry, I’ll entertain myself.” I cup her cheek.
She grabs my wrist and slides one of my fingers into her mouth. Her lips surround it, and she sucks, hard.
“Just a promise of what’s to come,” she says and scampers off the bed quickly but not quickly enough. I snake a hand out and smack her ass, hard. She jumps but smiles, and I almost chase her down. She’ll have the memory of my handprint on her through the morning.
Sadie
The day of the wedding passes in a blur. Spa morning then getting the bride ready. The whole time I want to be with Deke instead. Back up on the mountain having a picnic. Or taking a hike. Or… having another round between the sheets.
But I do my part supporting the bride. Getting into my grape purple bridesmaid dress. Jenn is a lovely bride in a short and sculptural wedding dress. It’s beautiful and modern, with a collar that flares up at the top in an asymmetrical line, making her look like a white calla lily.
As planned, Scott walks me down the aisle.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers, a minute before we start.
“I know,” I say. “Deke told me.” I actually haven’t seen Deke yet, but I look for his dark head and broad shoulders, rising taller than anyone else in the seats. And when I find him, he’s looking straight back at me. I smile and wave and am rewarded with a subtle nod. Not an overflow of emotion but plenty encouraging in Deke-speak. You got this, baby.
As I walk down the aisle, I hold Deke’s gaze as long as I can. I hardly notice Scott’s frustration, even though it radiates from him. I started out needing Deke as a shield from Scott’s pressure, but now it just bounces off me. I could care less what the man beside me wants. I’m way more interested in what I want, and that’s Deke.
As Jenn and Geoff say their vows, I seek out Deke again. He said he’d never get married. I wonder why. We’ve grown closer this weekend, but not so close that his secrets aren’t a chasm between us. A chasm I intend to cross.
“Great job, baby,” Deke tells me after the ceremony. He tugs at the flimsy strap holding up my bodice. “You wearing shapewear under this?”
Laughter rockets out of me, and I cover my mouth to stifle it. “Nope,” I whisper back. “I learned my lesson.” He moves closer, his lips finding my ear, and I duck my head. “Not yet,” I warn. “I have to do pictures with the bridal party. Then the reception.”
“Fuck the reception,” Deke murmurs, and my pussy clenches.
“I would love to screw instead of going to the reception,” I murmur, watching his eyes heat, “but we have to stay until they cut the cake. And a few dances.”
“Okay.” He removes his hand and smoothes the front of his tux. In his bowtie and cumberbund, he looks like a sexier and more dangerous James Bond. “But it’ll cost ya.”
“I can’t wait until you collect,” I murmur back and obey Brigit’s summons to do pictures with the bride and groom. I can’t help glancing over at him the whole time, and he seems to always be watching me. His eyes flash oddly in the low light.
Later, after the meal and the speeches, Deke and I dance cheek to cheek to Frank Sinatra. Well, not cheek to cheek—he’s too tall. But I lay my head on his chest, and it’s perfect.
“Thank you for coming with me this weekend.” I lift my head to meet his warm gaze.
His eyes crinkle, but he doesn’t quite smile. His smiles are rare, which makes it all the more exciting when I win one.
“I know this isn’t your scene at all. This was a huge favor to ask…” I guess I’m fishing. I feel like last night proved we’ve gone way beyond the fake date thing, but I’m honestly still not sure where we stand. The fact that he doesn’t want to marry and have kids should’ve made me stop hoping for something more, but it hasn’t. I’ve already fallen for this guy.
I want it all.
We dance past the gift table, piled high with everything a couple could want to start married life, including an entire set of Le Creuset cookware.
“Sadie.” Deke looks uncomfortable.
Oh God, he’s going to let me down gently now.
“I can’t be in a relationship. I’m… dangerous.”
I blink up at him. Finally, we’re getting things into the open. “Is this about the, um assault charges?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened?” My heart’s pounding, but I want to know everything, whatever it is.
“I get… protective. Over-protective. I was at a bar, and a woman seemed like she was getting hassled. I stepped in. But I sort of lost control. My wo—” He stops and gives his head a quick shake. “I used excessive force. I didn’t mean to, but I hurt the guys more than was necessary.”
“You don’t know your own strength,” I murmur.