His fingers slide out of me and he kisses my belly, his blue eyes brimming with heat and mischief. “A wedding gift,” he repeats. “And now I’m going to take a cold shower, alone, so I don’t blow your rules.” He pushes off the bed and starts walking toward the bathroom.
“They aren’t my rules!” I call out. “It’s luck and tradition.”
He just grunts and disappears into the bathroom. I sit up and twist around to sit on the edge of the bed, my body heavy and sated. His, not so much. I debate—oh, how I debate—what comes next. I should just leave him in there and follow the “rules” as he put it. But an idea comes to me. I stand up, strip off my gown and walk toward the bathroom.
***
Savage
I’m so damn hard I could nail something to the damn floor, but I don’t have a cold shower in me right now. I turn on the water, let it warm, and step inside. I’ve just shut the door when it opens again and Candace steps inside, naked of course. She pushes up against me, one of her hands wrapping my cock, and presses me against the wall. “We are not having sex,” she declares.
“You just wanted to hold it?” I ask, closing my hand around hers to make sure she doesn’t change her mind.
“No,” she says, going down on her knees.
I let go of her hand and she brings my cock to her mouth as she adds, “I just wanted to lick it.”
And so, she does.
I draw in a breath and squeeze my eyes shut a moment, but not for long. I don’t want to miss anything.
“Consider this a wedding gift.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Candace
Rick and I are dressed and drinking coffee when Adam and Blake arrive right on time, and with Starbucks in hand. Adam hands me my white mocha, proving he knows my favorite drink.
“God, I love my new family,” I exclaim, eagerly sipping my beverage.
And while the whole group of us gather around the kitchen island, Adam smiles and offers me a small wink while Blake laughs. “Smith is picking up your friend Linda right now. She should be here at your place in forty-five minutes. And Asher is picking up your father tonight at ten. We’ll let you know when we drop him at his hotel.”
“Thanks, Blake,” I say. “And I owe Smith and Asher.”
“They don’t mind,” Blake says. “We’re family, as you said. This is how we roll for each other.”
“I still want to do something for Asher to thank you. And I hate my father is coming in so last minute anyway, but despite telling me he’s retired, he had some military training event.”
There’s a tic in Rick’s jaw and I capture his hand. “You think he’s not retired at all, don’t you?”
“You know what I think,” Rick says. “I think he’s involved in another black ops project.”
“Whatever the case, and I hope that is not the case, we should have gotten you two together before the wedding just to get the past—into the past.”
“It’ll be fine,” he promises me. “I love you and he loves you. We have that in common.” He cups my head and kisses me. “I’m leaving before I don’t leave and every minute I stand here it gets harder to walk out that door.”
“And then the best man will have to kick his ass and drag him out of here,” Adam says. “And I’ll be obligated, since it’s his wedding eve, to pretend I don’t enjoy it.”
“Sounds like an invitation to box a little, Navy fin boy,” Rick suggests. “Let’s go punch each other. It feels good.”
“No,” I say. “I do not want your face smashed in for the wedding, Rick.”
He gives me an “are you serious?” look. “You think he’s going to bust my face in?”
Adam says, “Oh fuck, now you’ve gone and done it.”
“He’s right,” Rick says. “We’re going to box.” He eyes me. “Maybe you should come and watch.”
“No,” I say. “And I forbid you to go and box.”
“Woman,” he chides. “Who do you think you’re bossing around?”
“My future husband,” I remind him. “I’m the one who is sharing your life with you and who has waited years for tomorrow.”
“Right,” he says. “Fuck. Okay. I won’t go box with Adam.”
I arch a brow.
“With anyone,” he concedes.
I laugh and follow the guys to the door, where Rick kisses me again and says, “See you tomorrow, Mrs. Savage.”
“See you tomorrow, Mr. Savage,” I reply, and he steps into the hallway where the other guys wait.
I shut the door, lean on it, and smile, a smile that I feel clear to my toes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Candace
With Smith’s help, Linda, Julie, and Lauren arrive at our apartment at the same time in what becomes a rush of laughter, hugs, and girl talk. And now I have an old best friend and two new ones, which turn out to be exactly what I need right now. Twins times two: two brunettes, me and Lauren, and two stunning blondes, Linda and Julie.