Page 39 of Bridesmaid to Bride

My hands move over his abs, past his thighs and down his pants, something that should be so weird to do with someone I know so well.

Except it’s not weird. It’s scorching hot. My body is on fire. My skin is on fire. I throw off these Godforsaken jelly shoes.

West rips off my shirt and flicks the release on my bra like a pro. I barely have time to be impressed because his mouth is sucking on my pebbled nipple. I throw my head back in a fit of ecstasy, and a pile of sponges falls to the floor. “Oh, God, West.”

“You’re so fucking hot.”

That would mean a lot normally, but especially now with my hair ratted to the moon. He climbs on top of me, and we’re skin on skin. Every touch sets off sparks in my body, igniting a bonfire. I can feel the rise and fall of his chest with every breath he takes. I’m aching to be even closer.

Our kisses become more frenzied now, and I can feel his hardness pressing against me.

“I want you so badly,” he mutters as he tugs at my pleather pants.

“Me too.” I tug at his.

Footsteps tromp outside the door, and we freeze, my heart pounding a frantic beat.

The door swings wide open, and I grab a mop head to cover my boobs.

West looks ghostly.

It’s Olivia… and Tyson.

She puts a hand over her mouth, muffling a laugh.

We throw our shirts back on.

Olivia looks at Tyson and says, “If you keep our secret, we’ll keep yours.”

“Deal,” I say, the words hanging between us like a challenge.

19

The Corkboard

EVA

West and I left the kitchen and came back to our own rooms. So I’m in my bed, alone, and I’m tossing and turning. Thank God West and I got interrupted—that would’ve been a terrible mistake!

Right?

My body sure doesn’t think so, and I’m ready to raid Paige’s honeymoon suite for all the sex toys she has and find out how they work. Ugh, I just need to go to sleep and try to forget it all. I am exhausted, after all.

Finally, my eyes drift closed, and everything blurs into the nonsensical dream world. Except it’s not a peaceful sleep. I’m vaguely aware of my racing heart as I toss and turn violently, but I can’t bring myself out of it.

“Eva, wake up!” I open my eyes to see Skye hovering over me, her face twisted in concern. I look around and don’t recognize where I am.

“What’s happening?” My vision clears enough for me to realize we’re in my bathroom.

“I heard you screaming, so I ran through our adjoining door. I found you in here, panicked and mumbling about how you need to get out.”

“Oh, no.” Not this. Not the nightmares kicking in. I shouldn’t be surprised—they start up when I’m staying in unknown places. And I fell asleep all torn up about West, which doesn’t help either.

Skye helps me sit up, and together, we walk back to my bed.

She sits. “So, what’s going on?”

I take a deep breath to steady my galloping heart as random images flood my mind. There’s always shattering glass. Falling. Screaming. Icy cold water.