Page 13 of On the Rocks
More conviction than I’ve ever heard swells through her whisper. One word instantly easing my torment. Just like I want for her troubled mind and wounded heart. Yet, I have to find a way for her to be as confident in my feelings for her that she has for me.
Softening my grasp on her, I tip my head closer. Luxuriating in her soft kiss. That turns more urgent as my hands slide around her waist and I clutch her to me. That I have to fucking stop, or we’ll both be in trouble.
“You’re too beautiful for me to ruin it…right now anyway. But after the party is a different story.”
An authentic smile finally emerges. “I have to admit I have a thing for a guy in a tuxedo. So maybe it’ll be me ruining you…”
Fuck me. I need her so fucking bad. “There’s nothing I want more.”
My dick, straining against my boxer briefs so hard I can feel the fucking zipper teeth of my pants, agrees with me. Only a few more hours that I have to share her, and then she’ll be all mine again.
5
Chapter Five
“Oh my God, honey. No wonder Drake’s so smitten with you. You’re simply stunning.”
“Thank you.”
Uncertain what to do, I do nothing. Stand here and let her squeeze my trembling hand. Appraise me from head to toe. Try to smile. Not to fidget. Ignore the ache in my stomach. That she’ll hate me. That she’ll know I’m scared beyond reason she’ll tell her son that marrying me was a terrible mistake and he could do so much better. Or worse yet, that he’ll believe her.
I glance over at him, but his gaze is already on me. Watching me. Ready to swoop in and rescue me. Just like he promised. His sly wink warms me in places I shouldn’t be thinking about with his mother standing two feet in front of me. I can do this. I will do this. He’ll be proud of me. Proud that I’m his wife.
“Drake said you work at the animal shelter?”
“Yes, I coordinate the volunteers’ schedules to make sure the animals are fed and watered. They also help with other things like walking the dogs and cleaning out litter boxes.”
Her attention drifts to something behind me. Searching for something else. Someone else. She’s bored. I’m boring. Stop talking. Stop talking. Stop talking.
I start to step back. Time for me to escape before I make her opinion of me worse. “Thank you for having me, I mean us. I’m sure you’re busy with everything, so I’ll just?”
“And your parents? They’re physicians, living abroad?”
Why didn’t she let me walk away? Heat flames in my chest, radiating out through my throbbing body. Well aware the direction her questions head. I take a deep breath. Failing to slow my racing heart. “Yes, they’re involved with international relief efforts, so they travel where the need’s the greatest. All over the world.”
“But what about you, honey?”
What about me? I often wonder the same thing myself.
“I was kind of a surprise…”
I smile brighter with all the humor I can feign. I never say accident. The truth makes everyone uncomfortable. Better to stick with jokes and laughter.
“So you lived with your grandparents?”
Posed like a question, but she knows. Otherwise, she wouldn’t dig. Wouldn’t make me defend them. Or our situation. I manage a small giggle and try to gloss over the awkward details I don’t like to share. That no one likes to hear. “After I was born they worked in an emergency room for a while, but it didn’t have the same rush I guess. So I stayed with my Mom’s friend but you know babies aren’t for everyone. Then I was with my grandmother until having a rambunctious toddler got to be too much for her. I lived with my aunt and uncle for a while, but they already had two children so I’m sure three kids was a handful. Then I was in foster homes until I turned eighteen and moved in with my best friend.”
I finally stop rambling and gesture to Trish. Blessed that she’s my sister-in-law now too. She’s so beautiful, glowing with her own happiness. My smile’s genuine this time, matching the grin lighting up her face while she talks to her new husband.
“So let me get this straight, you have living, healthy, self-sufficient parents and you ended up in foster care?”
Shame heats my face from her disgusted tone as I shrug. Pretending a nonchalance I don’t feel. I’ve been kicked around so long and so much I shouldn’t be offended. Nothing should bother me at all. But somehow her words still hurt. Piercing the hard shell I like to think I’ve built around myself. Yet, my fortress crumbles instantly when confronted with the harsh reminders of how unwanted I am.
“Well, they sound like fucking idiots to me.”
An embarrassing noise hiccups in my throat. Not sure if it’s a sob or laugh. Kind of both. So much like Drake I want to hug her. Instead I wrap my arms around myself.
“I’m glad you’re part of this family now. We’ll always take care of you.”
