Claimed By The Best Man

Normally I’d do something. I’d do more than just something, but today, it’s the easiest thing to let go of.

I did just blast the guy with my horn for no reason. I think a little sign language is the least anyone would do in reply.

There’s no reply from the other end of the line and I figure maybe Mitch has hung up, but the call’s still showing as connected.

“Hello?” I bark again, my whole mood shifting when I hear her voice.

“Reeve? It’s… It’s Piper.”

I almost cross over into the next lane, getting a dose of my own medicine as several cars and trucks honk at me, flipping me the bird as they speed by.

I slow down, looking for a place to stop.

I can’t focus on Piper and drive right now. Hearing her voice is the best thing to happen since yesterday.

She needs my full attention.

I manage to pull up at a rest stop, explaining how I thought she was someone else.

“That’s okay,” she says, her voice shaking with what sounds like nerves. I have to ask if she’s okay.

My hands grip the steering wheel tight until she gives a little laugh and tells me she’s fine.

“It’s just been a big day so far,” is all she says at first but it isn’t long before she fills me in on what’s happened once she loses some of her usual shyness.

“Rhys know?” I ask the only time I interrupt her. Never sick of hearing anything she has to say but surprised to hear she’s not sure how much Rhys knows yet.

I could listen to her talk all day.

And moan all night…

“So… The next rehearsal is tomorrow,” she announces excitedly. I'm still not sure when the actual wedding day is now.

But seeing her again at the rehearsal is one thing. Getting her alone for a whole week to myself?

That’s my main mission. And I don’t need any direct orders to tell me exactly what I already know needs doing.

It’s strange that Rhys isn’t in the loop yet, but from what Piper tells me, her mom is making all the necessary calls as we speak, so I’m sure Rhys will be calling me soon anyhow.

“Listen,” I tell Piper. “I’m not too far from you. How about I just come over, see what I can do to help.”

Again, my old habit of telling rather than asking comes through, but Piper doesn’t seem to mind following orders.

Not nearly as much as I did when I was her age…

I feel my face twist at the thought. That reminder of our age difference bubbling up in my mind again.

Something Piper hasn’t mentioned yet.

And why should she? I’m just a friend of the family, right?

Hm. Yeah, right. But for how much longer?

“Uhhh,” Piper says hesitantly. “I thought I was supposed to wait for you to pick me up. For the next rehearsal?” she asks, sounding a little worried.

“I’m like ten minutes away. And rehearsals be damned. I wanna see you, Piper.” I tell her, figuring I may as well get shot down in flames by being more direct with her than playing this will she, won’t she game for the rest of my life.

“See me? Why?” she asks, in a voice that has me picturing her flushing that deep red she gets whenever she’s embarrassed.

“You know why,” I growl, feeling my whole body course with a sudden rush of adrenalin.

The kind of rush I never got from active combat. The kind of rush that money, security, or success has never brought me either.

I get an even bigger rush of blood to my already thickening arousal just from talking to her. Kind of like having her alone, but not exactly what I’d imagined.

Her shy silence tells me more than she might think.

It’s not a definite yes. But it’s not a definite no either.

I have a chance, I reason to myself.

And I’m even more certain when she finally does say something.

“Then I’ll be waiting for you,” she says huskily, sounding like she needs way more than just a family friend right now before she hangs up first.

Something I’m pretty sure nobody’s ever needed from me.

Despite her shyness, Piper is definitely her own person and not really dependent on others.

She just needs a nudge to get her going, some security, and she’ll be fine.

She definitely needs a well-to-do ex-marine in her life right now.

Definitely.

Pulling back into traffic and pressing my foot down on the gas to get to her faster, I feel better I’ve at least told her something.

Broadcasting feelings and desires is one thing, but actions speak louder than words.

I just need some alone time with her, and we’ll see just how shy Piper really is once she can really feel what she’s doing to me.

Finally, at her place, I fight the urge to run to the door. Pacing my steps carefully. Reminding myself that we have a long way to go before I truly get what I want.