“I’m just processing.” I try to look away, but he cups my jaw, keeping my gaze on him.
“Makes sense. Getting married is pretty life-altering.”
“I can’t believe we were so reckless last night,” I say, covering my eyes with my hands.
“Going bare might have been wild, but—” he starts.
I drop my hands, panic crashing in all at once. “I’m talking about getting married. I’ve never done anything against the rules. Out of order. I keep waiting to wake up and find out this was all just some crazy dream.”
Silas reaches for me, gently pulling my hands into his. His mouth curves into that easy, maddening smile.
“If it is,” he says softly, “don’t wake me up.”
He laces his fingers through mine, grounding me, and the ring on my hand catches the sunlight, flashing like it’s proud of itself.
“Silas,” I whisper, “everyone is going to lose their minds.” I suck in a breath. “My brother is going to be so upset—and he might actually kill you.” I gasp as another thought hits. “My dad …” My eyes sting.
“Brooke, baby”—his voice stays steady, calm in a way that almost makes me more emotional—“it’ll be okay. I’ll talk to your dad and your brother. They know me. And they know I won’t hurt you.”
He presses a kiss to my cheek, warm and reassuring.
“There will be no talking to anyone,” I blurt. “We have to go get an annulment.”
I start to sit up, already spiraling, but he brackets me in with his arms.
“We’re not gonna do that.” He hovers over me and starts to pepper kisses on my cheeks, then moves to my lips.
“No?” I swear this man has the ability to make me lose all sense.
“Nah. First, I’m gonna kiss every inch of you, all the way down to that sweet pussy. Then you’re gonna hop on and ride your husband until you come. And when you’ve taken all that you need from me, we’ll go downstairs and meet our friends for breakfast before we get on the plane and go home.”
“Silas…” I barely get out his name as he begins kissing my neck, sucking hard on a spot right below my ear, making me hiss.
Then he licks the sting with his tongue and continues down to my breasts. His palms cup my breasts in his hands. Then he circles one of my nipples with his tongue and pinches it with his thumb and forefinger. His other hand wanders down my stomach to my center.
“How can you be so calm about this?” I ask. “You have so much going on. I’m just starting school. I just turned nineteen, for fuck’s sake. How would we even stay married?”
“Because we’re both consenting adults.”
He kisses the inside of my thigh, slow and deliberate, like he knows exactly what it does to me.
“Because while I may have a wild reputation,” he continues, his mouth curving with quiet confidence, “I happen to be a catch. Handsome. Generous. Fully capable of taking care of my woman for as long as the earth keeps spinning.”
He nips my skin lightly, just enough to make me gasp.
“And because you’re allowed to start making decisions based on what feels right foryou—not what looks right to everyone else.” His thumb traces a calming line along my leg as he looks up at me. “So, tell me, Brooke, does this feel good to you?”
When his middle finger slides in between my lips, I can’t help the moan that slips out of my mouth. The brush of his finger against my clit makes me circle my hips, looking for more.
“Yes. It feels … unbelievable.”
“Stay with me, baby.”
He continues down my body until he meets his finger and sucks my clit into his mouth. His finger enters me while he continues to suck. I thrust my hips up again, but it’s not enough. I want more.
I grab his head and pull on his hair, forcing him to look up at me. “Silas, I want you to, uh …” I stutter because I’m almost embarrassed to say this out loud.
“Tell me what you want.” He turns his head and kisses the inside of my thigh.
