Page 57 of Wicked Games We Play

The venue for Ryder and Elle’s wedding was absolutely gorgeous. The courtyard to the Meadowlark Hotel was picture perfect, with its lush greenery and cobblestone paths leading out from the courtyard area to the gardens that framed the building. White wooden chairs lined the aisle way, and Ryder and his groomsmen stood in front of a trellis arch that was bordered with blooming jasmine shrubs that climbed their way up, giving it a very bohemian yet elegant feel. Behind where they stood, guests had a perfect view of an open meadow that, along with the birds that inhabited the area, inspired the hotel’s name. The sun began its descent beyond the horizon, casting a warm light across the ceremony, creating an extra layer of romance on our already perfect surroundings.

Tears misted my eyes, and I discretely dabbed at them before they fell, not wanting to ruin the makeup I had applied earlier. I distracted myself by looking through the sea of loved ones that had come to show their love to Ryder and Elle.

Although I knew he wasn’t here, I couldn’t help but look for Noah, hoping to find his lopsided smirk amongst the crowd, but as I knew I would, I came up empty. Still, I had the sense that I was being watched and turned my head toward the front, catching Ryder’s gaze with mine.

He studied my face for a moment, and I knew he could see the sadness that filled it, yet I returned his smile and tried to fake a cheerful face. The reception would be so much fun, I just knew I was going to have to cage my heart through the ceremony: it was going to hurt a little.

The bridesmaids looked stunning, their bouquets of wildflowers contrasting perfectly with the light champagne shade of their long, flowing dresses, and when Elle finally came into view, she took everyone’s breath away, including my own.

The ceremony was short and sweet, and although I white-knuckled my clutch that sat in my lap the entire time, I felt prideful watching my son stand next to his father in their matching tuxedos. Finally, a genuine smile replaced the fake one that had covered my face before.

* * *

Sweaty,out of breath, and grinning like a maniac, I finally made my way back to the table they assigned me to and pounded a glass of water. Between the wine and the dancing, I was feeling a little lightheaded and needed a break. Plopping into a chair, I swung my feet onto the other chair directly in front of me and watched everyone have the time of their lives. I caught my breath and sipped the last of my second glass of water while I people watched.

The slight break helped, but I desperately needed fresh air and decided to sneak out for a bit. Before I left, I opened my clutch to sneak a glance at my phone, but no new notifications waited for me. Frowning a little, I tossed the phone back into my clutch and sat it on my chair, pushing it in before kicking out of my heels. Heading to the double doors that separated the ceremony from the courtyard, I snuck out and closed them tightly behind me.

The courtyard offered a few paths that led to the gardens, and I knew I would find solitude in the flowers and darkness.

My fingers brushed against soft petals as I walked, the cobblestone pathway rough against my bare feet. This side of the building was far from the reception, and the darkest, but the soft glow of the moon offered just enough light for me to make do as I found a bench settled beneath a willow tree. Crossing my legs beneath me, I got comfortable on the bench and enjoyed the gentle sound of leaves rustling and the breeze that caused my sweat-damp skin to prickle with goosebumps. I zoned out, concealed within the branches of the willow, and allowed my mind to go blank for the first time in a long time.

After a while, the feeling of being watched heightened my senses, and I don’t know how I knew, but I could feel it within every cell in my body—Noah was there. A soft shiver ran through my body and I kept my eyes closed, terrified that it was a dream.

“You’re home,” I whispered into the stillness that surrounded me. The sound of my breathing whooshed through my ears, and my heart hammered in my chest.

Just when I thought my intuition was wrong, the voice that haunted my dreams for the last five months radiated through my core. “I’m home.”

My eyes snapped open and immediately landed on Noah, leaning against the trunk of the willow with his arms and feet crossed, as if he had all the time in the world. My body moved before my mind could catch up, and I lunged toward him.

Noah caught me effortlessly as my body crashed into his and he pulled me tight against his torso, fisting the ponytail I had tied my hair back in, and pulled it roughly to gain access to my mouth. He kissed me frantically, our teeth clashing as our tongues twisted together.

“I fucking missed you so goddamn much, Lily,” he groaned into my mouth. “So fucking much.”

My fingers threaded into the hair that touched the nape of his neck, and I moaned in response. “Is this real, Noah? You’re really back?” But I knew it was real. I could feel him. I was touching him. Kissing him. God, he felt so good.

Noah spun our bodies and pressed my back into the tree trunk, shifting his body lower to grind his hips against mine. The friction from his erection rubbed against my clit and almost had me seeing stars within seconds.

“Does this feel real, Flower?” He captured my mouth again, his hands traveling up and down the sides of my body, bunching the fabric of my dress and pulling it up toward my waist before pulling it tight in one hand, leaving his other to roam.

His fingers grazed along the silk of my panties, and I knew he could feel the dampness seeping through. “Noah,” I moaned as he dipped his head to nip the tender flesh beneath my neck and jaw. “I—”

“I know, Lily. I need to be inside of you.”

Noah scooped me into his arms, gripping my ass with both hands, and moaned appreciatively. He moved us back to the bench and sat down, keeping me in his lap. I knelt above him, watching as he unfastened his belt and pants, pulling them down slightly to allow enough room for his cock to spring free. My lips parted at the sight of it.

He wrapped my hair around his fist again before he brought his forehead to mine. His chest heaved, and for a moment we were still, our breaths mingling while our lips hovered barely an inch apart. “I love you,” he sighed, using two fingers to pull my panties away from my core.

My response was lost to the feeling of absolute euphoria as he sank his length into me, pushing his hips up at the same moment he pulled me down onto him, causing my knees to slide forward from the pressure of his hold on my hip and his hand in my hair. A harsh gasp hissed out of me when our bodies connected fully, his entire cock buried inside me.

With slight circles of his hips, he began to move. “I fucking love you so much,” he said with small thrusts that barely rocked inside of me yet somehow felt like magic.

Finally, it was my turn to tell him everything I’d been keeping locked away from him for so long. “I love you, Noah. I’ve been a coward and I’m so sorry it took you leaving for me to realize it, but I’m yours, Noah. Always. Forever. As long as you’ll have me. I’m yours. You make my heart beat faster than it’s ever beat before, yet somehow you slow it too. You make me calm when I feel anything but. You make me feel like your heart was meant to beat in sync with mine.”

“My heart only beats for you.” He let go of my hair, moving his hands to cup my face. “It’s only ever beat for you.”

“Show me,” I murmured.

Noah smiled against my mouth and gripped my hips. “Brace yourself on your knees again, Flower.”

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