Page 6 of Love Under Protection

Thank God for Jameson though. He pulled our girl through one of the darkest parts of her life, while her mother practically abandoned her.

The elevator dings, signaling that we’re in the lobby. I toss my phone in my handbag and run my fingers through my wavy hair while heading for the restaurant/bar where tonight’s rehearsal dinner is taking place. This wasn’t my first time being in a wedding party, but my dear friend Olivia and her soon-to-be husband Jameson decided that we really didn’t need to practice the whole walking down the aisle thing. Instead, we’d just go with the flow tomorrow and tonight we’d enjoy hanging out, eating good food and having some drinks.

I’ll admit, I’m shocked that Liv is foregoing the traditional rehearsal, especially as high strung as she’s been lately, but trust me, it’s all the same in the end. Walk in when you’re told. Stand here. Look pretty. Hold this. Smile.

“Raylynn! Over here,” Liv calls out as soon as I walk in.

As promised, she’s at the bar with one arm wrapped around Jameson while he’s talking to someone. I make my way over, and she greets me with a hug before spinning me around.

“I’m so glad you’re finally here. Jameson and I want you to meet, Harley. He’s our best man!” Olivia tells me excitedly, as time seems to slow down.

This cannot be happening. There is no way. No way in hell. No...no...no.

Harley meets my gaze and smirks.Fucker.

Before either of us can say anything, Olivia squeals and tugs on Jameson’s arm. “Sorry. You two get acquainted, we need to go say hello to Payton and Cody!”

They disappear in a flash, thankfully, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Harley lets out a throaty chuckle that sends sparks up my spine. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“Really? That’s how you’re going to play this?” I try not to giggle like a schoolgirl. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s not like we spent the night together last night, and he blew my mind six ways to Sunday.Except he did just that.“Pretty sure Liv and Jameson sprung for the open bar,” I tell him while ordering a shot of tequila and a Coke.

“Make that two,” he tells the bartender before turning back to me. “I guess you’re right, it is an open bar.”

The bartender slides our drinks across the bar top, Harley and I both hand him a hefty tip.

“In that case, a toast then?” Harley asks.

“To?”

He hits me with that devilish smirk again. “To wedding parties and second chances.”

“Second chances for what exactly?”

Harley leans in, his breath against my skin heats my entire body and whispers in my ear, “To do wicked things to your body all over again.”

My nipples pebble beneath the fabric of my red dress, begging for his touch. Visions of his mouth against me play through my mind. “Who said I was going to let you do wicked things to me all over again?” I tease, knowing damn well that if I could keep Olivia and Jameson from finding out, I would gladly go for round two or more.

When in Hawaii...right?

I mean, come on now, it’s not every day that I meet Mr. Tall, Dark, and Oh So Sexy. I would bet good money that it will be a long time before I ever find another guy who is as good at pleasure as Harley.

God. I cannot believe I slept with the best man. Before the damn wedding. Shit.

If his luck is anything like mine, I can guarantee that it was Jameson who ruined what was about to be a really good morning by nearly blowing up Harley’s phone. At the same time that mine was going off with messages from Olivia with today’s itinerary and reminders.

I quickly look around to make sure Liv and Jameson are still distracted. “You know we cannot tell them about this, right? I’m not about to let what happened with us ruin their big day.”

Harley runs his hand over his chin, scratching at the stubble that felt incredible against my thighs, and I nearly whimper. “What makes you think what we’ve been up to would ruin anything? We’re two consenting adults.”

“Have youmetLiv? Anything not written down on her agenda will throw her through a loop. I seriously don’t know how Jameson convinced her that we didn’t need to rehearse the ceremony.”

He orders another round, passes me a shot, and nods his head. “You’ve got a point. But what they don’t know won't hurt ‘em.”

I hold up my shot glass. “Right. Last night didn’t happen. We don’t know each other. And no repeats.”

Harley downs his shot and coughs. “Fuck that. There most certainly will be a repeat.”

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