I look over at my baby brother, smiling. I always knew he’d beat me to the altar. Actually, that was one race I’d gladly let him win. Until lately, I never saw myself standing where he is now, but now I find myself wishing it were me waiting for Kailey to walk down the aisle. Still, I fear there are too many hurdles in our way.
Ms. Cassidy was right. I don’t deserve what I have in my life. And eventually, what you deserve ends up finding its way to you.
Storm clouds roll through the sky. Only an hour ago in the cemetery, the sky was bright blue, but not anymore. How ironic. The wedding is about to begin, and the darkness is coming. The storm is almost here, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
The music changes, and the smile that was on Knox’s face does, too. It spreads wider upon seeing Mae walking toward him. He’s oblivious to the changing weather, his eyes fixed on his bride. Her father is escorting her, wearing his military uniform. She’s wearing a simple white dress and carrying what appear to be wildflowers that she picked from beside the lake. No veil, no shoes, no fuss—that’s Mae.
I can’t help but wonder what Kailey would choose, what kind of wedding she’d want, how she would look walking toward me. Would the storm clouds gather?
When Mae reaches him, Knox takes her hand, lightly kissing her cheek. They do the traditional exchange of vows, gazing into each other’s eyes and smiling the whole time.
I watched my brother fall in love with this woman, twice! Once when they were kids, and again as adults. I had a front row seat both times. It’s strange to observe two people falling in love. Love can be dangerous. It’s like watching two people run off a cliff together, hoping the other knows how to fly.
But even I can’t deny these two have wings.
When they are pronounced husband and wife, my cool Hollywood brother fist pumps the air, making Mae laugh. The moment he pulls her in for their first kiss, a soft rain begins to fall. All the guests scurry for shelter underneath the porch of the cottage, me included. When I turn back around, I see my brother and his new bride slow dancing.
Though they’re soaking wet from the rain, I’d swear nothing could touch them.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Kailey
Ryder’s on his way. He landed not long ago, so I sent Addison and Geoffrey packing. Ryder’s not going to be happy about that, but a girl can use a few minutes alone. I step into the shower, starting to wash my hair. I have a huge surprise for him. And I have my sister and Geoffrey to thank for helping me pull it off.
I hear him call out my name, and it’s not long before the shower door opens. “This is exactly how I was hoping to find you,” he says, joining me and leaning in for a kiss. “Hot and wet.”
Giggling and shaking my head, I say, “I’ve missed you, too.”
He kisses me again then reaches for the removable shower head and begins to rinse my hair. My eyes never leave his, as he massages my head, using the suds to wash my body. His big, strong hands slide over my full breasts and belly. I’ve missed him, his touch, his warmth. It’s like he’s saying he loves me without the words, or maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part.
Taking the shower head from him, he bends his knees and I return the favor, washing his hair, my fingers exploring his hard chest and abs. Once I have him rinsed off, he takes the shower nozzle, and with a sexy grin on his face, lowers it between my legs. I can’t help the loud moan that escapes. I need him so much, need to feel loved.
“Ryder,” I say, moving the nozzle and scooting closer to him, his tip lingering at my entrance. “Please,” I beg, taking hold of him.
He pushes back slightly. “Kailey, you’re killing me. You know we can’t.”
“We can,” I say with a wink. “I made a little visit to Dr. Myers while you were gone.”
He pulls away from me, panic in his eyes. “Did something happen? Why didn’t you call me? How did you see him without anyone finding out? Are you okay?”
“It’s going to sound crazy, but I just had this feeling,” I say, pushing my body into his. “I just knew I was all good.”
“He said that?” Ryder asks, a huge grin covering his face. “You’re off bed rest? Everything is fine?”
I nod, and he pulls me into his arms, like I’ve just given him the best news of his life. “I need to know,” I whisper. “I need to know how you feel.” His eyes lock on me, and I know he’s not going to say the words I so desperately want to hear, the ones I need to say to him. “Show me. Show me how you feel.”
I know he can feel the warmth radiating off me, beckoning him. It’s been months. We’ve used our hands and mouths on each other daily since the doctor gave us the all clear, but I know he misses being buried inside me.
And I miss him. I want him. I need him to make love to me, so I know how he feels, even if he can’t say it.
“Make love to me, Ryder.”
“You’re sure?”
I give him my answer by pushing forward slightly, his tip sliding inside.
“Oh fuck,” he groans through gritted teeth, his eyes shutting tightly, trying to hold himself back, trying not to move, not to slide in and out of me, not to pick me up and fuck me against the wall like I know he wants to.
I tighten around him, and he uses his fingers to circle me. We build up together, and it’s not going to take much for either one of us. My hips start to move, and I push him all the way in.
His eyes dart to mine, and I slowly slip him in and out, praying he doesn’t stop. I don’t say a word, hoping he can tell how much I need him, how much I want him, all of him, right now. This is how I remember him from our first night. The pleasure, it’s almost more than I can take. Then suddenly, he pulls out. A little whimper escapes at the loss of him.
He turns off the shower, scoops me up in his arms, and carries me to bed. “We’re going to do this proper,” he says, smiling at me.
“Shower sex isn’t proper?”
That earns me a little chuckle. He lays me down and doesn’t waste a second, slipping himself back inside me. God, it feels incredible. The man was made to be between my legs.
Our hips start rocking back and forth. “Slow,” he whispers, and I’m not sure whether he’s telling himself or me. He pulls my leg up to his hip, sinking deeper into me.
His eyes stay on mine as we move together, long, slow strokes in and out. The muscles between my legs tighten over and over against his hardness. His jaw tenses, and I love it. Love being able to bring him to his knees, love knowing I can give him pleasure, just as he can give it to me.
My body starts tingling. I don’t want this to end—ever. But he’s hitting the right spot in a perfect rhythm. This is why he’s a musician, he knows what the perfect downbeat can do to a woman. And he’s playing me so well.
He grabs my ass, thrusting into me. I move quicker, wanting it harder and faster, unable to deny myself any longer. I grab the bedsheets with both hands and throw my head back. “Right there, right there,” I scream.
“Yes, baby,” he groans and then comes right along with me.
If my body could smile, it would. All of it.
Ryder slides himself out, his hand gliding over my belly. I whimper slightly. “You did the same thing our first time together,” he says softly.