“Why am I not surprised he’s the one who took those ridiculous rules seriously?” I bumped into the table at the sound of Ryan’s voice. This time, my drink toppled, glass shattering, but the pool of alcohol and juice spilling away from me. I hadn’t even taken the first sip and I was already about to be cut off.
Ryan took the rag out of Haley’s hand and started dabbing at the stains himself while an employee rushed over to take care of the bigger mess and the broken glass. His fingers grazed along my stomach, the thin sweater I’d worn doing nothing to shield my nerves from feeling every millimeter where our bodies touched. His eyes met mine, and I melted into a puddle at the tenderness in his gaze. It was like he was silently telling me everything was going to be okay.
I thought I’d been on edge before, but there was something dangerously erotic about having his hand drifting over my treasure trail while my best friend sat on the other side of me, pretending to be oblivious.
“Anyway…” she cut in, the way she did when she felt left out. I wasn’t doing a great job of being her person-in-waiting, but technically it wasn’t time for me to do my thing yet. “Ryan, I don’t know if Lillian told you, but there was an issue with the reservations. We’re short almost a dozen rooms that I know had been blocked off. I know you’d wanted a room of your own because of your meeting, but—”
“Yes, she told me,” Ryan cut her off. His lips were pursed tight. He leaned past me so he could see Haley. “If it won’t disrupt your plans too much, Tanner could bunk in with me.”
My friend didn’t miss a beat. She nearly bounced in her seat as she clapped her hands wildly. “I knew you’d say that. Lillian swore you wouldn’t—anyway, that’s great news. Housekeeping should have put the itinerary in the room already, and there’s a few snacks and drinks in case the two of you get hungry. I know you probably want to get settled in and relax a bit before the rehearsal and dinner tonight.”
“Haley, don’t,” I warned her. I believed her when she said Ryan giving me a ride was a matter of convenience, but this reeked of a set up. When I abruptly turned to her, Ryan rested his hand on my hip. He was the one who said we couldn’t flaunt the fact we were more than casual friends, but if he didn’t watch it he was going to be the one who outed us.
She batted her big blue eyes at me. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Tanner. I only meant I know you’re probably ready for some downtime after the drive. That’s all. I swear. And Ineverwould assume Ryan’s going to insist on you sharing that big bed with him instead of sleeping on the pull-out sofa.”
“Mm-hmm.” Obviously, Ryan wasn’t buying it any more than I was. “It’s cute how you still have time to meddle in our lives when your mother-in-law is over there berating the manager.”
Haley gasped and I simply shook my head. Mom wouldn’t be happy until everything was perfect, or someone ran off in tears. I just hoped she didn’t upset Haley before the wedding. I liked to joke about her seeing the light before it was too late, but she’d be heartbroken without my brother. As she scooted out of the booth, I heard her mutter, “Deegan’s lucky I love him. That woman could drive a saint to drink.”
I laughed and Ryan pursed his lips before wrapping his arms around my waist. The same man who insisted we needed to keep things on the down-low was doing a shitty job keeping his hands to himself. I nearly protested, but whatever I was going to say escaped me when he started kissing the shell of my ear. “Well, that certainly worked out in our favor. I think it’s our duty to listen to the bride and go up to the room to…relax. Don’t you agree?”
“Uh-huh.” My body melted against his as his fingers tickled their way along my stomach. If he suggested naptime, I was going to be one very cranky man.
7
Ryan
I didn't carewhat Haley said, it was obvious this had been carefully orchestrated once she saw an opening. I would be sure to thank her later because she’d truly gone above and beyond. Tanner's mouth gaped as he walked deeper into our room for the next two nights. Except, it wasn't any old room. It was a suite with a gorgeous view of snowcapped mountains and a gas fireplace beneath a big screen TV in the sitting area. Seeing the jacuzzi in the bathroom had my mind spinning with all the delightfully sinful things I could do to Tanner in there.
Although I didn't expect much time watching movies or anything like that, it would be fun to curl up with my sweet boy's head resting on my shoulder at some point. Maybe we could find a cheesy movie to watch so I could help him relax tonight before the true chaos kicked off in the morning. Rather than dwelling on the limited time we had together, I was committed to making the most of it and filing away those memories for the future.
“I can't believe Haley did this,” Tanner remarked as he kicked off his high-heeled shoes. He sighed as he shook out his feet and curled his toes in the plush carpeting. I stepped behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist as I kissed his neck. I couldn't help myself. Now that I had permission to touch him, I didn't want to let go.
“Why do you wear them if they hurt your feet?” It was something I'd always wondered when I saw women suffering for beauty, and it irritated me that it was something expected of them. But for a guy, there wasn't the same societal norm at play.
Tanner spun around in my arms and gave me a devilish smirk. He kissed the corner of my mouth and leaned back. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who liked my arms wrapped around him. “Because they make my ass look fabulous.”
“That they do,” I agreed, gripping his backside and pulling him closer. “But I don't think you need shoes for that. In fact, I'd be willing to bet your ass looks remarkable without you wearing a stitch of clothing.”
Tanner barked out a laugh. “That might be one of the cheesiest pickup lines I've ever heard,” he teased me. “If you want me naked, all you have to do is ask. Or, I suppose you could demand since you’re Daddy and all.”
“You make a good point.” Without releasing him, I started walking him backward toward the bedroom. Tanner tensed with the first step. “Trust me, sweetheart. I'm not going to let anything happen to you.”
I didn't bother turning on a light in the bedroom. I wanted to see him spread out, the light filtering in through the sheer curtains creating a contrast of highlights and shadows over his body. He fell back on the bed with a squeal. I stepped between his legs, flicking open the button on his jeans.
“One of my biggest regrets since the last time I saw you is not telling you how beautiful you are.” As I lowered his zipper, I reached up to brush the hair away from his eyes. I peppered his high cheekbones with gentle kisses as my hand slipped inside his waistband. “I don't want to live in the past anymore. Nothing changes if you dwell on your mistakes.”
Tanner arched his back, lifting his hips off the bed so I could slide his jeans down. They fell to the floor and I kicked them out of the way. He shivered as I ran my hands along the insides of his legs, carefully pulling down his briefs. They were tiny and purple, but I wondered if he’d be interested in wearing something prettier.
I made a mental note to check out the boutique I’d seen off the lobby, just in case he was up for giving me a sexy fashion show at some point. Hell, maybe I’d find something for him to wear under his clothes as a reminder that I was here for him, even when we weren’t together. Tanner’s body was even more exquisite than I’d imagined, and it was a shame for him to wrap it in boring cotton briefs, even if they were bikini style.
“I’m still annoyed that you let me go this whole time thinking you freaked out because you didn’t want me. You should have talked to me. I know why you didn’t, and maybe you’re right and I was too young back then, but you should have trusted me. You’ve known me my whole damned life, Ryan.” Tanner hooked his feet around my calves, pulling me closer to the bed until I fell on top of him. I braced myself so I didn’t crush him, which left our mouths too close to resist.
While Tanner might be okay with giving up control sometimes, it was clear he’d never be completely submissive. This was a man who knew how to go after what he wanted. He tangled his fingers in my hair, yanking me down until my mouth crashed against his. There was no build up as his tongue forced its way into my mouth. I ground against him and he hissed at the rough fabric of my pants against his bare, tender dick.
“I'm sorry I couldn’t tell you why I was so upset. It wasn't fair to you,” I apologized as I broke the kiss. I stared into his rich brown eyes, thanking whatever forces in the universe aligned to make it possible for me to have a chance to make things right. “I had myself convinced that wanting you made me a creeper because I have known you for so long.”
“You can make it up to me now,” he responded breathlessly.
