Isabelle drapes herself over me, as best she can with her stomach between us, running her hands up my arms. She unlatches my fingers from the couch where they’re gripping the metal like it’s a lifeline.
“Holy shit.” I gasp, making Iz chuckle. “I didn’t know that was a thing for me.”
“What?” Isabelle asks, nipping at my lips.
“The good thing.” I stumble over the words.
She smirks. “Good boy?”
Like a reflex, my cock flexes inside of her. “Stop it.”
Isabelle throws her head back and laughs. “Are you gonna make me? Your wrists are still tied.” Her fingertips drag down my sternum. “Huh? What are you gonna do about it?Good boy.”
I’ll tell you what I did. Demanded she untie me so I could fuck her hard from behind and remind her how verybadI could be.
Chapter forty-four
Thirty-seven Weeks
I take a deep breath in, my hand rubbing over my stomach as Claire places little white flowers through the braids crowning my head. She’s wearing a bubblegum pink dress with a sweetheart neckline and little straps that tie over her shoulder.
“How are we doing for time?” Beth asks, sucking her mimosa through a straw so she doesn’t mess up her nude lipstick. Her chocolate brown hair is pinned up in a relaxed bun, loose, wavy strands framing her face.
“I’m all done,” Claire says with a smile as she steps back.
Lex and Beth move to stand behind me, the mirror reflecting their smiling faces.
“You look beautiful, Iz,” Lex says, rubbing my shoulder up and down. I bring a hand up to squeeze hers in thanks.
Mum and Dad walk hand in hand into the greenhouse, which we converted into our hair and makeup room. The boys are locked away in Thistle Theory’s café until the ceremony starts in half an hour.
“Wow, ladies. You all look lovely,” Dad says.
Chelsea, Maddie, Beth, and Lex are all in ice-yellow silk dresses. We went to Parlour Tricks earlier in the week for tans, manicures, and pedicures—a bridal gift from Caleb. It was already on our agenda, but Caleb insisted on paying so he could hireout the whole salon, complete with a catered lunch from Sweet Escape. He loves to spoil Lex, and that includes hyping up her bestie’s business whenever he can.
“Thanks, Joe. You look very handsome yourself.” Beth winks.
We all laugh when Dad stops, puts a hand on one hip and throws back his non-existent hair. Beth holds a hand out, helping me get out of my chair, as Dad steps up to me. His lip wobbles and twists as he takes me in.
Teary-eyed, he kisses my cheek, lingering for a few seconds.
“I don’t have words, cherub,” he whispers.
Mum rests her head on Dad’s shoulder.
“Do you want another drink, Iz?” Chelsea calls as she pours another mimosa. The girls got me a glass tumbler with little buttercups all over it, so we didn’t mix my drink with the alcoholic ones.
“Yes, please. Does anyone have any painkillers, though? My back’s been a bit stiff today.” I laugh through the discomfort, rubbing a hand over the yoga ball that is my stomach these days. “This girl feels like she’ll be ready any day now.”
“I have some,” says Maddie, hurrying over to her purse and pulling out a little pencil case. “I’ve got tampons, tissues, bobby pins, make-up wipes, gum, and a needle and thread, if anyone needs those at some point, too.”
She hands me a strip of paracetamol, and I pop two into my hand, then accept the glass of orange juice from Chelsea.
“Okay, who’s ready to get married?” I throw back the pills just as Hazel and Matilda step inside the greenhouse. “Oh, Isabelle, aren’t you a vision?” Hazel says.
“Thank you.”
Matilda holds her hands to her chest as she looks me up and down. She’s in a dusty blue chiffon dress, with a V-neck and ruffled sleeves. Her green eyes, so similar to Gage’s, are clouded with emotion.
