That wasn’t it. I didn’t want her to be upset. Not when she was about to get married. The guilt seemed to eat a hole through my stomach. Was it that I thought our relationship would change once she got married? Nothing excused my awful behavior.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to throw myself at Sam Brighton as soon as I crossed the freaking border, but I wound up at his cabin, and thank God I did! I needed eight stitches.” I held my arm up as a visual. “Then he got all slap happy again?—”
“Oh? You didn’t do anything to re-introduce Sam’s very capable hands to your butt?” Judd interrupted me with a chuckle. “I’m having a hard time believing you, honey.”
“Maybe you’re right. Maybe I wanted Sam to spank me for being reckless in the middle of a storm. I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should have, and I went off the road. Plus, it was after midnight and I had no business being on the road without telling anyone.” I brushed away a tear that slipped down my cheek. “I’ve been away a while, and I have a ton on my mind… I’m sorry I snapped at both of you.”
“Apology accepted,” Judd confirmed. “We’ve got one couple staying here as of tonight, so please don’t get too rowdy. We hadoriginally planned on closing the inn but instead we’ve invited them to the wedding.”
The inn was recently featured inCozy Cabins, which showcased the top bed and breakfast locations across the country. I had done my best to convince Bonnie to take a break, but taking care of others made her so happy that I’d stopped trying. I’d missed my friends so much and looked forward to spending time with them.
“Let me know how I can help.” I got my bags out of the truck.
“Tonight we are having a girl’s night. I’ll pour us some wine. We can worry about everything else later.” Bonnie took the duffel bag while Judd grabbed the rest of my things. “Maybe you’ll drink so much wine that you’ll forget how much my mouth has run away this week.”
I snorted. “That will take a case!” Despite my earlier bad mood, I giggled as I followed Bonnie inside. It did feel good to be home. If only I could let myself enjoy it without worrying about what would happen next.
Chapter Six
Mikayla
The wedding ceremony was more beautiful than I’d imagined it could have been. Bonnie cried and so did I. After my speech at the reception, my nerves finally settled. Well, three wine spritzers—and champagne on the way to and from the church—helped my nerves settle. One of my favorite songs came on, and I scanned the room for someone to dance with. Sam had his gorgeous blue eyes locked on me. I edged toward the open floor, weaving around tables. He moved toward me as I reached the dance floor, his hands settling on my waist.
“You look so beautiful, babygirl.”
“So do you.” I laughed and then corrected myself. “Handsome. You look soveryhandsome.”
“Everyone’s having fun. It’s been a lovely party.”
“Yeah. Mostly. Except for…” I trailed off. I didn’t want to tell him I’d overheard Crystal on the phone, whining about how unfortunate it was for Sam to be babysitting again. She seemed desperate for more of his attention than he was willing to give, but her purpose was a mystery. Why’d she bother coming? Iwished she’d stop trying to rile me up. What was her deal, anyway? She should have been happy that she’d even been invited.
“Whatever it is, don’t worry. Everyone is glad you’re home.” He twirled me out, then pulled me back in.
“Visiting,” I corrected, resting my head on his shoulder to avoid his gaze. I didn’t want him to see the hesitation in my eyes, the fierce urge to tell him how badly I wanted to move home. After he’d chased me down, dragged me back into the house, and thoroughly heated my ass, the thought wouldn’t disappear. It should have. When the spanking ended and I caught my breath, a strange calm settled over me. The spanking had warmed my heart more than my bottom. Once the sting faded, I realized that it was silly to keep denying it. I loved Sam, that wasn’t a revelation. Not some silly crush, but a deep, mature need. I really loved him and wanted to finally be with him. We embarked into something more, but my thoughts continued on overdrive.
“You’re welcome to stay with me, Mickie.”
I nodded, almost irritated at how easy it would be. Jobs were plentiful. Housing was available. A new apartment complex was coming by spring, according to Judd who knew one of the contractors. It’d be a piece of cake. Sam would move mountains to ensure all that. But then what?
I lifted my head to answer him and froze. Crystal was stalking toward us on her fancy stilettos and barely off-white gown, selected as if she’d tried to upstage Bonnie. Her terrible choice in dresses should have been enough to get her kicked out but she hadn’t caused a ruckus. Yet. Plastering on a fake smile, I tried to be polite as she reached us.
“May I cut in?” she purred, a seductive pout on her lips as she sipped from the wine glass in her hand. “Please?”
I opened my mouth, but Sam slid his hands down my hips to rest dangerously low.A warning. I shut my mouth so I didn’t tell her where to go and how to get there.
“We were about to get a drink,” Sam said, drumming his fingers lightly against my ass, reinforcing the message.
I’d tangled with Crystal on more than one occasion. Now that I knew how she’d treated Sam, well that only fanned the flames of my dislike.
Crystal gave me an equally fake smile. “Mickie can have mine.”
She dumped her drink on me. Right down the front of my gown! Chilled red wine was bleeding into my blush silk gown at a rapid pace. I stood there blinking at the soaked mess on my chest.
Oh, this bitch…
Crystal clutched her hand to her lips, all doe-eyed and dripping with fake sweetness. “Oops, I’m so clumsy.”
My body locked up, adrenaline spiking, fists curling ready to swing at her surgically enhanced button-nose. I shook off Sam’s hands, ready to lose every ounce of the self-control I'd been clinging to, but he was faster. Sam yanked off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, tugging me firmly against him, his arm anchoring me at the waist.
