Page 71 of Both Sides Now

Keegan’s bright blue eyes widen as he sputters his drink. “God, no. I spent the night with my cousin, feeding him ginger ale and crackers. I had to ensure he survived the ceremony today after drinking half the bar.”

The relief flows through my body like a cool breeze, my sigh audible. “When you didn’t come back to the room, I figured…” I let my words trail off, unsure how much more I’m ready to admit. But one glance at the searching expression on his face, and I know I have to get it off my chest. “Please don’t do that again. If we fight, please don’t walk away.”

His fingers glide along my chin, a small smile on his lips. “I didn’t realize it bothered you. I figured you went back to sleep.”

“I did, after waiting ninety minutes for you to come back. I also woke up every thirty minutes or so, hoping you’d returned. I even scoped out the bar area, but you weren’t there.” With a tearful shrug, I take another sip from my glass. “I can’t fix it if we don’t talk.”

Keegan pulls me to him, enveloping me in an embrace. “I promise. I won’t do that again.”

I prop my chin on his chest, the beating of his heart a soothing rhythm. But across the room, one lovely bridesmaid is sending me optic daggers as I revel in Keegan’s arms. If Nadia was ticked off before, she’s at catfight levels now. “Blondie knows we’re together, right?”

“She knows you’re my date for the weekend. Why does Nadia bother you so much?”

The whiskey has loosened my tongue, allowing all my secrets to slip by unbidden. “Because she wants you.”

“Question is, do you want me, Calli?” Keegan’s tricky and talented hands grip my waist as he presses my body against the smooth wood of the bar. When his fingers trail down my thighs and catch the hem of my dress, I whimper and close my eyes.

Who needs a darkened corner? I’m happy right here, out in the open. Let the world watch.

“Well?” he urges, his whisper husky in my ear.

I force my eyes open and meet his gaze. Do I want him? I’m damn near at implosion point.

“How much longer do we have to stay?”

His eyes alight with an inner fire, his hands tightening around me. “We can go now.”

“Thank God.”

Keegan deposits our drinks on the bar before gripping my hand and making a beeline for the exit. He punches the button on the elevator, his fingers caressing my palm as I try to maintain some semblance of balance.

Sorry, balance. Hormones are kicking your ass today.

The doors open, and I drag Keegan by the lapels into the empty elevator, barely managing to push our floor button before seizing his kiss.

Our bodies are a tangle of activity, desperate to rip off every piece of clothing.

With a grunt, Keegan lifts me into his arms and I wind my legs around his waist, my skirt hiked up to very unladylike levels as he grinds against me.

The elevator doors open on our floor and I hear the surprised gasp of a fellow partygoer. No doubt we’re the most interesting thing they’ve seen so far.

But if my handsome doctor notices the onlookers, he ignores them as he strides down the hall with me secure in his embrace.

He tears his mouth from mine as he attempts to balance me while fumbling the keycard from his pocket.

But I’m aching for his touch, and my hands and mouth willnotbehave. They have a mind of their own as I rake my teeth along his neck, delivering playful nibbles to his skin.

“You are not making this easy,” Keegan breathes, licking his lips as he tries in vain to open the door to our suite.

“Good. I prefer you hard.” And he is. His length presses against me, sending courses of electricity through my body. “Put me down so you can open the door. But don’t be surprised if I drop to my knees and take what I want right here in the hallway.”

His eyes widen at my dirty innuendo.

But I don’t care. My heart throbs, my pulse races. I’ve never felt more alive or desperate in my life.

The door beeps and Keegan barrels through, kicking it shut behind him.

My back hits the wall, my grip tightening around his waist as he frees himself with one hand. Reaching under my skirt, he tears the underwear from my body, his fingers finding their mark as they push deep inside me.

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