Seducing the Bride

Hayden is already impatient, fists wrapping around the gossamer fabric as he closes the final inch between us and covers my lips with his. He doesn’t waste time seeking or searching. He plunges deep to prove that he can, that I’ll let him. That he owns me. It’s the kiss of a man staking his claim.

I sway and swoon into him, eyes closing as I dissolve into instant bliss. His throaty groan tells me he’s every bit as impacted as I am. We melt into each other as if we were always meant to share this moment.

Dragging in a heaving breath, he pulls away and peers deep into my eyes. “Jesus, Perrie. You kiss exactly the way I remember.”

Is that a good thing? “Yeah?”

“How is that fucking possible?”

I have no idea what he’s asking. “Will you kiss me again?”

“Oh, yeah. And this time I won’t stop until I know the feel of you gripping my cock as you shout how much you love me.”

“What if I don’t?” I can’t resist teasing him. The truth is, I’ve always loved him, and all it takes for me to dissolve into a puddle of need is to look at him.

He sends me a smug smile. “You better understand right now, princess, that I’m going to be relentless. I have a little more than twelve hours to prove to you that you’re engaged to the wrong man. I’m going to use every second. I’m going to leave you so boneless and sated. And I’m not going to leave your bed or your side until you admit that you love only me.”

I’m willing to admit that now, but I don’t. There’s no way I’ll let myself miss out on Hayden turning all his determined focus on me.

“You’re welcome to try.”

That makes him laugh. “You never did know when to stop baiting the bear, did you?”

Probably not, but his resolve makes me downright giddy.

I push him against the wall. “Shut up.”

Before he can respond, I tighten my arms around his neck and leap into his embrace. He catches me, both hands gripping my ass, and lets out a stunned oomph. I plaster my body against his and seize his lips.

His grip tightens. He moans, encouraging me. I should let him show me what he has in mind, let him prove how badly he wants me. But I can barely tamp down my brimming anticipation, especially when I wriggle and rub my clit against his steely cock.

“Fuck.” He ends the kiss with the gasped curse. “I can’t be patient right now. Have you fucked Derek in your bedroom?”

“No.”

He looks puzzled by that. “Not even once?”

“No.” That’s all I dare say now.

Resolution crosses his face. “I’ve dreamed so many times of having you on your bed…”

Still holding me tight, he makes his way down the hall, his lips skimming up my neck, over to nip at my lobe, before dropping to nibble on my shoulder.

At the foot of my bed, he releases me to slide down his body. I feel every hard inch before my feet finally touch the hardwood floor.

Everything in this room looks exactly the way it did when I was a teenager. The walls and tufted headboard are similar shades of pristine white. My black-and-white polka-dotted sheets shout youth and happiness. The blush comforter with its coordinating lace-trimmed shams seem so innocent. The leopard pillow and bold chandelier break up all the sweetness with attitude.

This room was a perfect reflection of me. In many ways, it still is.

This is exactly where I want to make love to Hayden, too. None of my fantasies included him seducing me with the afternoon sun slanting through my window, tossing golden rays all over his strong face and lighting up the fire in his eyes. But this is way better than any shadowy midnight I envisioned.

“I’m nervous,” I admit.

“Don’t be. This is for us. Tell me everything you want and feel. I will, too. We’re not just fucking; we’re joining. And after this, I’m never going to let go, Perrie. You understand that?”

So far he’s made me hot, but his words now touch me deep.

As I nod, he skims my cheek with his knuckles, brushing his way back to cup my nape and lift my lips to his. Then I’m falling, dissolving into him, losing myself in his kiss. One bleeds into the next, then another, until my lips feel swollen, bruised, and tingling.

His hands aren’t still, either. It’s as if he’s intending to sensitize me to his every touch, starting with a drag of his fingertips over my shoulders, then down my arms, across my collarbones, before slowly drifting up my throat and under my jaw. Finally, he swipes his thumb across my bottom lip again.

“So that’s what you look like when you’ve been well kissed.” He smiles, terribly pleased with himself.