Page 24 of Bang Buddies With Benefits
“Zac, you might’ve won this conversation last time, but you can bet your fine ass I’m not arriving on the back of your motorcycle for my cousin’s quinceañera.” She climbed into the back of the SUV, and I couldn’t help skimming my fingers down the zipper that ran all the way from the top of the dress, over the curve of her ass, to the bottom of the skirt. Would it really only take one long pull to leave her naked?
She glanced over her shoulder, one eyebrow arching in warning. Fine, so no tugging the tab and exposing her silky-soft bronze skin. Not for a handful of hours, anyway, but then it was on like Donkey Kong.
Once we were squeezed in the backrow of the vehicle, though, my long legs didn’t have anywhere to go.
“Does this seat go forward, dude?” I asked the driver—Ellie’s boyfriend I assumed, since she’d climbed in the passenger seat.
“Nope,” the guy replied.
“Oh, right.” Penny pivoted from her spot in the middle row and did quick introductions as the guy—Luke—turned onto the road as if we were in a race to make it to the chapel on time. Which I supposed we were.
While I was a fan of Catalina’s big, dangly earrings, I’d rather not accessorize my lobes with my knees. The thick soles of my boots weren’t helping the space issue, either. Finally, I slid my arm under Cat’s legs, pivoting her so that she could drape them across my lap. That freed up space for the lower half of my legs, and I let loose an exhale. “There. Much better. What about you? Are you comfortable enough?”
She seemed to jerk herself out of a faraway world, and that explained why she hadn’t questioned my every move and complained before seeing where I was going with things. “What? Yeah. I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” I curled my hand around her thigh in the name of keeping her secured in place. I rather enjoyed our intimate bubble now that I’d sorted out a way to fit inside it. “What’s going on? Are you still worried about me cutting and running on our arrangement early? Because I promise you, I’ll be your fake fiancé and help you land that partnership spot, no matter what.”
“No. I mean yes.” She sighed and let her head fall back against the side of the vehicle. “Let’s just say that after spending the day with my loud, rambunctious and pushy family, you’ll savor anytime you find yourself alone from here on out. But that isn’t where my head’s at. It’s this case I’m working on.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
The glittery teardrop earrings she’d paired with her dress caught the sunlight and sent fractured rainbows bouncing around the space as she swiped a hand through the air. “No, that’ll just muddle things, and that’s not what we’re about, remember?”
I skimmed my fingertips over her jaw. “I’m willing to make an exception if that’s what you need right now. I swear I won’t press charges for violating our verbal contract,” I joked. “I’m well aware you’d wipe the floor with me if I took you to court.”
The corner of her mouth lifted, that adorable dimple showing up in her cheek, and my insides turned liquid and sloshy. Yep, I’d do about anything to tease out that smile, even listen to her work stuff.
“I appreciate that, but I’m totally fine.” She laced her fingers through mine. “I know I was a bit hesitant to have you come along—”
“A bit?”
“Don’t push it, dude,” she said, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as her smile widened. “Or I’ll have to take it back before I can even say that I’m glad you’re here.”
That meant more than I thought it would. “I’ve got you, boo,” I said, adding a cheesy smile and basking in the eye roll and laugh combo she was forever aiming my way. I didn’t usually refer women as “boo,” but it had the desired effect, the tension in her muscles fading away. “Then tonight, when we’re back at your place, I’ll do whatever it takes to rid you of any remaining stress.”
Catalina leaned closer and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “I’m counting on it.”
“And I’m counting down the seconds.” Strangely enough, not as impatiently as anticipated, though. Curiosity and Catalina went hand in hand, and this was my chance to meet her family, experience part of her culture, and unearth more of the puzzle.
Yeah, I was veering dangerously close toward a path she and I had agreed not to travel, but the more I learned about the woman who drove me crazy in every possible way, the more I wanted to know.
11
Zac
As soon as the ceremonial portion of the festivities concluded, we exited the chapel and headed to the grassy area out back. A tall palm tree acted like the giant pole in a big top tent, with gauzy white material streaming outward to create a fragmented “ceiling.”
Tables decorated in bright purple and white surrounded a square modular dance floor.
The floral centerpieces, napkin-stuffed wine glasses, and elaborate table settings made me think of my discussion with Noah. While I hadn’t been paying super close attention when he showed me pictures and asked my opinion, this setup was giving me flashbacks.
There was a toast, and then we were all invited to find our seats. Three little dudes in identical vests acted as ushers. One of them guided Cat’s friends to a table in the middle, while her nephew guided us toward the front, where the “family tables” were.
Catalina paused next to an elderly couple, hugging them and pecking their cheeks, and our usher let out an exasperated noise and told her she wasn’t at the table with their grandparents. With a laugh, Cat ruffled the kid’s hair, earning her a scowl, and then we were escorted another yard or so, to the circular table to the immediate right of the DJ stand.
I pulled out a chair for Catalina and then took my seat to the left of her. With the sun beating down, I shed my jacket, draping it across the back of the seat. I’d never liked the feel of fabric so tight around my wrists, so I went ahead and undid the buttons there and rolled up the sleeves a few inches, reminding myself that shedding all my clothes at Catalina’s place later tonight, would be worth it.
As the rest of the places were filled in, my date introduced me around. First to her grandparents, then two sets of aunts and uncles—one of whom were Mariana’s padrinos, or Godparents.
