Falling for the Groomsman (Wedding Dare #1)(31)
Author: Diane Alberts

She cried out. “I’m yours, damn it. Harder. More.”

Fuck yeah, he’d give her more. He slapped her ass again, harder this time, and pumped his hips relentlessly. No breaks. No mercy. She screamed and came again, her walls clenching down on his c**k so hard she almost pushed him out.

His balls grew tight and hard, and his breath came faster, and he moved faster, too. His entire body strove to reach the end of this crazy ride she’d led him on, and he bit down on her shoulder. Her body went stiff under his again, and he pulled out of her, only to slam back inside her with one sure, deep stroke.

Then? He found heaven on earth.

Everything faded away but the pleasure taking over him and he collapsed on top of her. When he came back down from his high, he withdrew from her and helped her lie down again. Hesitantly, he lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. The other times they’d kissed had been in the heat of passion. Kissing her after sex felt awkward, weird, and yet somehow…fucking perfect as hell.

She kissed him back after a second, her own mouth moving over his uncertainly. When he pulled back again, she blinked up at him, looking confused and lost. He felt the same way right now. As if he didn’t know what way was up and what way was down. She’d tossed him off his axis, and he didn’t know what to do next.

So he did what he did best. He let go of her. “I’m going to get rid of this.” He gestured to the condom and rolled to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and sat up, gathering her clothes silently. He swallowed hard and went into the shadows, feeling like the world’s biggest fool. All this time he’d been telling her he wasn’t looking for a relationship. And now? He couldn’t think of anything but being in one with her. Only her.

She had to be his forever.

For the first time in his adult life, he would be spending the night with a woman in his arms. He’d never wanted to have that intimacy before. Never wanted a girl to stick around long enough to spoon, for f**k’s sakes.

But with Christine, he was actually looking forward to it.

They were living in the same country now. Sure, he’d just accepted a job in Portland, and she lived here in Boulder, but it was a hell of a lot closer than they’d been before. Why couldn’t they make this something more than a fling? Why couldn’t they try? There was obviously an attraction between them that withstood the years of separation they’d put themselves through.

Why not try for more?

He came back into the clearing and saw her sitting there, hugging her knees. She glanced up at him, her eyes dipping low over his body. In some weird, sick, twisted way, he was grateful that they’d been stranded together, forcing him to sleep with her in his arms…

Even if he’d never actually spent the whole night with a woman before.

He was glad she would be his first. The question was…could she maybe be his last, too? Slowly, he crossed the clearing and stoked the fire, his blood rushing through his veins as he did so. He could feel her gaze burning into his back the whole time he worked. For some reason, the fact that he was going to sleep with her felt more intimate than sex itself.

What if he snored? He had no idea.

He finished with the fire and squatted next to the blaze for a second, his hands out to the heat, before glancing over his shoulder. “You look tired. You should sleep.”

“Come over with me?” she asked so softly he almost didn’t hear her. She yawned and covered her mouth. “I’m cold, and I won’t be able to sleep without you.”

Oh, shit. What he wouldn’t give to hear that every f**king night.

“Y-Yeah.” His heart sped up. “Of course.” He swallowed hard and stood, brushing his sweaty hands across his shorts.

Wait a second.

Racing heart? Sweaty palms? Dreams for the future?

Oh, f**king shit.

Chapter Thirteen

Christine woke up slowly, the haze of her vodka-induced sleep drifting away to allow her consciousness to creep back in. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in Tyler’s arms. At first, he’d been stiff and almost uncertain of himself. As if he wasn’t sure how to sleep with another person or something.

But he’d relaxed. As she drifted off, she was pretty certain he’d kissed her forehead, but she might have imagined it. Even if it was in her head, it had been nice. Had made her feel special. Treasured. Cared for. Happy.

All dangerous thoughts when paired with Tyler Dresco.

She peeked at Tyler from under her lashes. His own eyes were closed, and in sleep he looked softer. More open to the possibilities that life might throw at him. It was hard to believe that he was the same man who threw her against a tree and whispered naughty things in her ear. The same man who was going to steal her heart…

Even if he wasn’t trying.

This wasn’t okay. She didn’t want this confused tangle of emotions he’d given her. She needed to distance herself before it was too late. She’d made a huge freaking mess of her sex list. Heck, if she was honest with herself, she’d admit she lost hold long ago. Probably ever since she’d kissed him.

But no more. She would find a way to still walk away from this with her heart intact, and she would still be free of his hold. It was time to go back to avoiding him. Because that would be so easy, what with them both being in the wedding party and all. She might as well put Fly to the moon on a cow on the list while she was at it. Then she could add with Tyler after it, because he’d totally taken over her list. Make out in an elevator…with Tyler. Have sex in public…with Tyler. Kiss a stranger…with Tyler.

Maybe the list wasn’t even hers anymore.

She stared up at the sky, silently cursing her stupidity. The sun wasn’t even up yet, but the slightest traces of dawn touched the horizon, painting tendrils of pink across the inky blackness. She shifted her weight, gingerly testing out her ankle. It still hurt, but it didn’t hurt quite as much. She rolled it in a circle and stiffened.

Okay. Never mind. That hurt.

“You shouldn’t do that,” Tyler said, his voice gruff.

Christine jumped slightly and peeked at him. With all traces of sleep gone from his eyes, he looked like the Tyler she was used to. Slightly hardened, yet kind to everyone around him. She forced her tone to remain cool and impassionate. “Why not?”

“You’ll injure it worse.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes before focusing on her. “You need to rest it, or you’ll be getting carried down the aisle.”