Bad Boy's Bridesmaid (21 page)

“Because now I
know you can make me dinner.”

“Anytime you
want, baby.”

He was serious.
My heart thudded a bit too hard. I turned to distract myself with the veggies
and other prep work, but Nate thought ahead. He bought shredded lettuce and
refried beans, taco sauce, shells. Everything we needed.

It shouldn’t
have surprised me that Nate would have done everything in his power to help me.

But it did.

And it meant so
much more to me than he realized. Maybe it was time for him to know it.

“Nate…” I had no
idea what to say that didn’t sound idiotic. “You didn’t have to go through all
this trouble.”

“You asked me
for help.”

“I probably
overstepped my bounds—”

“If you ask me
for help…I’ll help. Anytime, baby.” His smile faded, but his voice warmed. “And
I like that you asked me.”

“I liked that
you came.”

He grinned, “You
always do.”

I smacked his
arm. “You know what I mean.”

My fingers
teased over his shoulder and bicep. He tensed under my touch, but it was a good
tense. A shiver rolled from me into him. Every instinct screamed at me to pull
away, apologize, and hide behind the box of dozens of tomatoes for chopping.
Instead, I traced the ink on his arm.

“I’m glad you’re
here,” I said. “I feel…calmer now.”

“As soon as I’m
done, I’ll make sure you’re
very
relaxed.”

I smirked. “Oh,
I see how it is. This project isn’t from the goodness of your heart. You want
something in return.”

Nate winked.
“Baby, you don’t have to bribe me with tacos to sex you up.”

“Sex
me
up?”

“Well, either I
sex you up or I go down…lady’s choice.”

“How
magnanimous.”

Nate gave the
pan a shake. “One thing about me you might not know…I’m a giver. I live to
serve.”

I laughed. “Your
reputation begs to differ.”

“And your
experiences?”

I bit my lip.
“Those are a different story.”

“Until you, I
hadn’t found a woman who deserved my undivided attention.”

“What’s so
special about me that I get that honor?”

“Because you’re
so goddamned beautiful I can’t help staring at you.” He graced me with another
sidelong glance that lingered over my curves. “Say the word, and I’m fucking
yours baby. I’ve got twenty-five pounds of ground beef in that cooler to prove
it.”

My heart beat
too fast to hear over the rushing blood coursing through my body. I swallowed. Nate
didn’t expect me to answer. His sweet smile soothed the raging blitz of
emotions and hormones that stole my voice.

I had no idea
what to say. I knew which words he wanted to hear.

And those were
the ones I couldn’t say yet.

Not if I kept
the secret.

Nate nudged me
to prep the ingredients, and I helped to organize once we cooked the meat and chopped
the onions and diced the tomatoes. I shoved as much as I could in the fridge. It
took a few hours, but we prepared everything and stashed it away without me
combusting from standing too near the stove or straying too near the man who
owned my heart, my body, and was slowly wearing down the only defense I had
against him.

He turned off
the light over the stove and stared at me.

“All done.” His
voice was a low, gravelly rumble. It hummed through me, and I couldn’t breathe.
“The wedding is saved.”

“I…I don’t know
how to thank you.”

“Yes, you do.”
He leaned in, but he didn’t kiss me. “I should get going. Need a shower to get
all the grease off me.”

I licked my
lips. “You could shower here.”

“Only if I get
some company.”

The thought
thrilled me. I bit my lip and took his hand, tugging him towards the bathroom.
He grinned.

“Mandy, you
don’t have to. I was joking about the tacos.”

“I’m not joking
about this.” I pulled him closer. His eyes burned so bright and beautiful it
was amazing I hadn’t surrendered to him before. “Nate, I can’t tell you how I
feel yet…but I can show you how much you mean to me.”

“I don’t want to
make it complicated.”

“It’s not
anymore. It’s really, really simple.”

I wanted to be
with him. I wanted to tell him every secret, every fear, every amazing
possibility that came from carrying his baby.

But first I
wanted to prove just how I felt about him.

In case
revealing the truth destroyed everything we might have had.

Mandy led me to
the shower. She didn’t let me speak, but I already said everything she needed
to hear.

And it was more
than I ever admitted to any woman.

Mandy was always
so
warm
. Her heat boiled inside me, and the soft brush of her skin
enraptured me. Her arms tucked around my neck, and her fingers tickled in my
hair. I hardened from just her touch.

I’d never let
her go.

She refused to
admit what she felt for me, but nothing would stop me from making this woman
mine. She fell for me, and I caught her. I wasn’t letting go.

I thought it’d
be frightening to confront my own feelings.

It wasn’t.

This was the easiest
decision I ever made.

The bathroom
wasn’t big enough for two people, but we wouldn’t be separated for long. Mandy
fit in my arms perfectly. Why didn’t I realize she belonged there long ago?

I kissed her,
nibbling her lip and flicking her tongue. I’d do anything to hear her quiet
little mew, and I do even more to turn it into a moan. I ripped my shirt off,
battling against her touch to pull hers off too. Her fingers brushed my skin,
as if she finally gave herself permission to enjoy what I could offer.

She had every
permission, every right, and every reason to touch me.

I was hers.

I tugged her
shirt off. Jesus, her tits got bigger every time I saw them.

That was a damn
nice surprise.

Not that Mandy
wasn’t absolutely perfect before, but now she was curvier, more beautiful, and
utterly
feminine
. What was it about this woman that made me want
more
?
Desperation threaded my veins. I craved to touch her, hold her, take her as my
own. Her silken body lured me close, and something primal hardened my cock.

Desire was too
sweet an instinct.

I had to prove
she was mine once and for all.

Her bra dropped
to the floor. The chocolate-dark of her skin warmed under my hand. I cupped her
breast and rolled my thumb and finger over the hard, waiting bud. My mouth
watered for a taste, but her hands worked quicker than my lust-addled mind. She
shimmied from her yoga pants.

Oh, Christ. She
wasn’t wearing panties.

I’d drop to my
knees and worship this woman. Just one taste. Just one lick.

Just one
quivering, mouth-watering, creamy bite from her most sensitive secret.

Mandy took my
hand before I knelt down. Her sweet smile turned sultry, and she glanced at the
shower.

Fuck it. It
didn’t matter how. Either on the floor or under the water, Mandy was getting
wet.

I kicked off my
jeans and gathered her into my arms. I flipped the water on too hot, but I
didn’t care. Nothing burned more than my blood, and the steaming droplets
striking my back soothed me, calming me with a sting before I overwhelmed the
woman I poised to attack.

I shielded her
from the water until it ran cooler. The beaded heat struck my skin, and she
teased me with the sensual caress of her fingertips. Her touch traced my
muscles, my pecs. She smirked and drew her nail over my nipple. My cock
hardened. Twitching. Her hands lowered, but not quick enough, lost within the
hard-packed strength of my abs.

I grunted. “If
you knew what you did to me…”

“If you knew
what you already did to me.”

I kissed her,
pressing her into the shower wall. The water cradled us in warmth and a cocoon
of quietness. The rhythmic cascade roared over my rasped breath. Mandy moaned
into me, still somehow hotter that the steam. The heat curled between us, and
every pelted drop of water urged me on, encouraging me to shelter Mandy with my
strength, my body, everything I had for her.

I couldn’t get
any harder. My cock pressed against her belly, and she broke my kiss to stroke me.
Her hands were tiny, but I appreciated the effort. Every tug, every loving pull
enthralled me, and I stared at her hands to watch the dark and light pleasing
me with every caress.

I strained
against the near agony of her touch. Mandy giggled, even as I pinned her
against the wall, my arms on either side of her shoulders. She wasn’t going
anywhere
.

She squeezed my
cock. I nearly came then, imagining how sexy she’d look splashed with my
desire.

“I never
showered with a woman before.” I swore as her pace increased. “First time for
me too.”

“You don’t have
to do that.”

“Do what?”

“You don’t have
to make me feel better about giving you my virginity.” She slowed her motions,
but her delicate fingers wrapped so lovingly over my cock I had to force myself
not to come. “I wanted it to be you. And I’m glad it was you.”

“If I had
known—”

She got a little
mischievous. She yanked me, drawing me closer with a sexy smile. “You couldn’t
have done it any better than you did, Nate. Every time you touch me it’s good.”

“I’m not a man
who settles for
good
.”

“You’re not just
good enough
.” Her words quieted. She nibbled on her lip. “You’re more
than I thought you were. When I close my eyes at night, I see you. I
dream
of you. I wake up thinking of you.”

There she was,
finally brave enough to speak some of the truth, to tell me how she felt, what
she needed.

And all I had to
do was drop three hundred bucks on taco supplies, cook for four hours, then
seduce her while confessing more to her than I’d ever admitted to any other
woman.

Best decision of
my life.

I kissed her,
tasting her full lip and savoring every moment our bodies touched without any
barrier. She quieted again, staring at me with eyes wide with sincerity and
uncertainty.

Why was she
still guarded?

It didn’t take
courage to ask a girl out. That was an acquired skill. I chased them, I seduced
them, I fucked them, and I ran when things got too real. Mandy was the only
person who untangled me from that dominating lust to show me something…more.

That’s why
relationships were hard. I left myself at her mercy, begging for a relief that
came from a kiss, a touch, and three simple, uncomplicated words. I risked
everything to give that much of myself, to put her happiness ahead of my own.
That selflessness didn’t take courage or skill.

It required
honesty
.

Admitting what
we felt. Accepting what it meant.

Trusting her
more than I trusted myself.

I pressed into
her. Her hips arched, a little hope that I’d gather her in my arms and fuck her
then and there in the shower.

No. For the
first time in my life, I didn’t want sex. I wanted
her
. Completely. Mind
and body and soul.

More importantly,
I planned to capture her heart.

My voice growled
low. “I didn’t fall in love with you.”

Her eyes
widened. I kissed away the fear before she voiced it.

“I never hit
bottom or stumbled into how I feel. I just
loved
you. I’ve probably
always loved you, but I never took the risk.”

“I…” She trembled.
I kissed her neck, chasing away her hesitations. “I had no idea.”

“It wasn’t a
surprise to me. I can’t imagine
not
feeling this way for you. I can’t
imagine not having you here, in my arms. I was
lonely
, Mandy.”

“I was too.”

“We could be
together.”

She bit her lip.
“But you never…wanted a commitment. Or a relationship. With anyone.”

“I never found a
person who
made
me want that. You do.” I brushed my hands over her body.
Water streamed along her curves. She tensed as I touched her tummy.

“Tell me you
want me,” I said.

“I want you.”

“Tell me why
you’re still hiding everything.”

Her voice turned
to a whisper. “Because I’m scared.”

That ended now.
“Nothing will change how I feel about you.”

“Promise?”

I grinned. It
was the easiest promise I’d ever made.

Mandy welcomed
my kiss, but she needed more than a touch. The girl was a knot of nerves and anxiety
and stress. It killed me for her to suffer such insecurities.

Vanilla wasn’t
my favorite scent, but on her it made my mouth water
.
I pooled her body
gel into my hand and faced her with a wicked smile.

The cool soap
touched her skin, and she coo’ed. I nearly poured the entire bottle over her to
hear that soft breath once more.

I spun her to
face away from me, and I guided the soapy streams of suds and water over the
softness of her body. She sunk into me. I liked that. Gave me access to all the
beautiful and curvy parts of her I longed to hold.  My hands wove tight circles
over her shoulders, back, and to her waist.

I watched with a
perverse joy as the most beautiful woman in my world squirmed and groaned. I
massaged her hips, belly, and teased the bubbles to her breasts. Even they felt
tight and swollen, but I considered that a perk. The silky soap washed over her
nipples, and I chuckled as they budded within my hand.

“Feel good?” I
murmured, nipping her neck.

Mandy nodded.
“More.”

“Always.”

She hummed as I
snaked my touch lower, guiding the warm water to caress an already slickened
part of her.

Her body pulsed
hotter than the water. I bit her neck and shuddered with her. Nothing would satisfy
me but that heat again.

And it was mine.

I had the
freedom
to touch her. Take her. Love the feel of her.

We weren’t
sneaking around or playing games. I didn’t bathe her to begin some rushed,
desperate fuck so we could get off and become almost-strangers again.

This was
real
.
I could have her and hold her.

And it was the
greatest revelation of my life.

Mandy giggled as
I reached for the shampoo, but her smile faded into a soft moan as I massaged the
gel into her hair. She fell against me, using my strength to stay upright.

Christ, if I
knew I could turn her on without even touching her slit…

That was some dangerous
knowledge.

And I’d planned
to exploit it at every opportunity.

Mandy’s moans
became breathy whimpers as the conditioner rinsed away. She grinded against me,
and I held her to keep her still as the water teased as much as I did. I never
knew a woman could be so desperate and aching for more than my undivided
attention.

Mandy slammed a
hand against the shower controls and flipped the water off.

Fine by me.

We tumbled from
the stall. I didn’t release her from my kiss. A towel waited, bundled on the sink,
but I hated the thought of something so rough scouring her skin. Then
again…Mandy groaned my name the instant the material stroked her quivering body.

I should have
known. She wasn’t a princess who needed pampering unless that’s what I wanted
to give. We had fucked against the poison ivy spanned tree, and I learned she
could take a pounding.

And that she
loved it.

I didn’t bother
drying off.  The heat surging through me should have turned the droplets to
steam. I picked her up, and I tossed her onto the blankets.

She giggled.

I didn’t.

I wasn’t in the
mood for fun or flirty or anything that wasn’t taking this woman hard, until
she understood how much I needed her.

And she was
ready. She opened her legs for me, holding me as I steadied over her waiting
slit.

I didn’t warn
her.  She clutched at me and whispered her desire in hushed, desperate
whispers.

I sunk into
her—all the way, to the hilt, and I nearly lost it.

Her softness,
that tight and wonderful milking, cascaded pleasure along my spine.

Mandy cried my
name with such a breath of perfection and completeness I vowed I’d never stop
fucking her. We’d stay together, locked in place, writhing in the absolute
pleasure of the other.

Except she
wanted more.

And so did I.

I withdrew to
the head, watching as her beautiful expression crumbled in panic and loss. She
begged me in unspoken words and choked gasps to stay inside her. I couldn’t
leave a lady in misery. I thrust within her, driving into her core. She came,
clutching at me and the bed and anything that could keep her hold on the world.

She could hold
onto me from now on.

I wouldn’t let
that ecstasy fade from her.

I gripped her
hips, plunging inside her again and again to feed that clenching, unrelenting
tightness from her constant orgasm. Mandy thrashed with a quaking wave of
pleasure. She clawed me, her quiet mews transforming into a melody of grateful
and beautiful moans. She surrendered, fell limp in my arms, and offered her
body for any delight I could incite.