Page 51 of Drunk on You

He waggles his brows, and I laugh at his playfulness.

“It’s actually been rescheduled for Sunday. And I have an entire day planned, so don’t worry. After this ridiculous wedding is done, we’ll see plenty of the island before we leave.”

He envelops my hand in his and kisses my temple, then guides us toward where the rehearsal is taking place.

“Why are you so against Ryder getting married?” I ask. “Or are you against marriage in general?” I vaguely recall him mentioning something about not wanting to get married when we first met.

“I’m not anti-marriage,” he says as we walk down the sidewalk. “My mom and Frank have been happily married for over twenty-five years. They give me shit all the time because I haven’t settled down, but the truth is, I always thought I’d be married with kids by now. I just got so wrapped up in work, and the women I met weren’t exactly wife material.”

“Which is why you went in search of me.” I bat my lashes flirtatiously, and he chuckles.

“Actually,” he says with a smirk, “I was in search of a woman who could play the part of the submissive, doting wife, but I got you instead.” He stops and peers down at me, his smirk now replaced with a look of seriousness. “I never planned for you, Red, but I’m so damn glad I got you.”

His admission causes a lump of emotion to clog my throat, making it hard for me to breathe. I wasn’t expecting him either, but now, I can’t imagine not having him in my life. And that scares the hell out of me because no matter how sizzling the chemistry is between us, how life-altering the sex is, or the way he’s recently proven that he makes me laugh and smile, we can never be anything more, and I need to remember that.

He might’ve mentioned wanting more, but that’s only because he’s thinking with his dick. Men like Julian don’t want women like me long-term, no matter what they say. He said it himself—he was looking for a submissive wife, not one who would give him a run for his money. And it might be fun now, but eventually, he’ll get sick of the games.

“There you are!” Ryder comes over and pats Julian on the shoulder, providing a welcome interruption in our conversation.

“Shouldn’t you be at the rehearsal?” Julian says with a laugh.

“Forgot my tie,” he says with an eye roll. “Nora sent me back to grab it. Can’t have me looking like she picked me up off the streets.” His phone pings, and he checks it, then groans. “Better get back there. See you in a few.”

He takes off running down the sidewalk, and I give Julian a look that says, What the fuck?

“If I tell you something, you have to keep it between us.”

“Always,” I tell him.

“She’s pregnant.”

“Oh. Is that a bad thing?” I ask, assuming it’s not good by his ominous tone.

“She trapped him,” he says with disgust. “She said she was on birth control, but Ryder doesn’t believe her. He wanted to do the right thing, so he proposed, but shortly after, she miscarried, and I guess she sank into a depression. He felt bad, so he held off on calling off the engagement. And just before he was finally about to do it, his dumbass got drunk one night and gave in to having sex with her. She swore she was on birth control—again—and he says he used protection, but a few weeks later, she told him she was pregnant.”

“Ouch. That’s rough.”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “He thinks he needs to marry her so he can provide the baby with a loving home. I tried to convince him otherwise, but he won’t listen, so as his best friend, I’m going to support him … and when shit comes crashing down—because we all know it will—I’ll have his back.”

“You’re a good friend,” I tell him. “And don’t worry. I am actually on birth control, one that’s good for the next three years, so I won’t be trapping you.” I wink playfully, and he chuckles.

“I don’t know,” he says, pulling me into his arms. “The thought of a little hazel-eyed boy or girl running around doesn’t sound half bad.”

“It’s the sun,” I deadpan. “It’s getting to your brain and frying it.”

He barks out a laugh. “Maybe.” He backs up and lifts my hand that’s intertwined with his, giving it a kiss. “You ready? I have a feeling this rehearsal, dinner, and wedding will be nothing if not entertaining.”

“Red, baby, you gotta wake up.”

I pry my eyes open and find Julian staring down at me.

“There she is.” He smiles and then dips down, giving me a soft kiss. “I need you to get up. It’s early, but there’s somewhere I want to take you before we have to go to the airport.”

I pout at the reminder of us leaving today.

“I know,” he says, as if reading my mind. “But I promise we’ll be back, and we can stay however long you want.”

He presses his lips to mine, and I wrap my legs around him, lifting my pelvis to grind against his groin.

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