What I plan to do to him tonight in his black suit will be worth the dry-cleaning bill.
He cups my ringed finger against his chest, his other arm wrapping around my waist, spinning me across the dancefloor, a.k.a. the deck around my father’s palatial beach house.
String lights glow. Palms rustle in the breeze. Green Lenten roses brim from low centerpieces on tables withflickering votives. A DJ drops tunes but can’t drown out the lull of crashing waves against the dunes of Folly Beach.
“Careful.” I laugh as we twirl. “Remember, red velvet cupcakes and spicy margaritas didn’t mix.”
Yeah, I tossed my cupcakes earlier. Then brushed my teeth and freshened my face: nothing could keep me from this.
Loch slows our pace, nuzzling his nose to mine. “Sorry. Got a little carried away.”
“It’s our engagement party.” I seek his lips. “We’re allowed to getverycarried away.”
I don’t care if my father and guests are watching. Our polite kiss steams into a passionate one, making Loch groan as he lifts from my lips. “Later, Babygirl. We may have your father’s blessing, but I can still take his bullets.”
I turn my chin, scanning the crowd for my dad.
For a month, I didn’t talk to him. After I saw what Dad did to Loch’s noble face when he told him about us, I couldn’t speak through my rage.
It took me weeks to calm down until my dad stood outside my cabin door, begging me to open it.
That day, I told Dad everything. How I’ll always love him, but how it felt to lose Mom. How I lost myself too. How I was bullied and mocked about my size. How Vale saved me. How Loch made me feel beautiful. How I love Loch, and I don’t need Dad’s permission to do it.
I even told Dad about @LuvPounder and @DirtTGirl falling in love online. No details. The gist was enough to give him a sociopathic conniption. But he didn’t punch Loch. He just bared his teeth at him.
Since then, Dad and I have talked.
Does he still worry about me like I’m his little girl? Yes.
But does he speak to me as a grown woman? Finally.
He does the same with Loch. Man-to-man, they have anunderstanding. Especially now that Loch and I are getting married in July.
“Where’s Vale?” I worry, glancing around. My bestie and maid of honor just said goodbye, but Vale’s tipsy like me. We both tossed our cupcakes earlier.
“Think I just saw her go inside,” Loch assures.
“Yeah, but she shouldn’t drive.”
“Your dad followed her. She’ll be fine.”
I sigh, relieved. Loch’s right. Dad won’t let anything happen to Vale. He may have given Loch and me his blessing, but Dad will never stop being overprotective, even over my best friend. I’ve made peace with it.
I glance back at Loch, loving how he left his jaw scruffy for me tonight. I want my man rugged, not refined. It sparks something between my thighs.
“I’m feeling mighty fine,” I tease, and he laughs.
“You mean you’re feeling the four margaritas you tossed back?”
I clasp my hands around his inked neck. “No, I feel my mighty fine fiancé. Maybe if I tell the DJ to put on a little bump ’n grind, I’llreallyfeel you.”
He leans down, his lips tickling the shell of my ear. “Is my bride-to-be feeling dirty for me?”
“Yes, Sir.” I sigh, my nipples tightening. I love it when he plays with me.
“Good girl,” he praises. “Now keep waiting for our party.”
We have big plans tomorrow night. A private erotic engagement party at the sex club in Atlanta. That’s all I know.
