Page 27 of Bad Teacher

9

“So, no bachelorette party? Are you sure? We’re in the right place to go rent a stripper for a few hours after the rehearsal dinner,” Lara said, gesturing to the floor-to-ceiling window facing The Strip. A mix of lights and billboards announcing shows and musicals blended together against the extravagant hotels at night.

Violet glanced around the lavish suite where she and Nikki, Lara, Britt and the children got ready for the rehearsal dinner. The week had gone by quickly, and Theo was supposed to arrive just after dinner. He had to stay behind because of a famous food critic who was supposed to visit one of his restaurants in Tulip.

Brit chuckled. “Lara! Children.” She nudged her head in the direction of the kids, who played with the videogame console they found in the suite. Trevor was happy to watch them and shake his squishy toy.

“I think it’s romantic you guys want to be with each other the night before you get married,” Nikki chimed in, smoothing her hand over her growing belly. “I’m just happy my mom took the twins so we could come without them and have a romantic getaway before the baby comes.”

“What time does your guy get here, Violet?” Lara picked one of Brit’s many makeup brushes and toyed with it, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

Violet checked her iPhone to see if he’d texted her before his flight, then sat it aside. “After dinner. He had an important meeting, and it’s better this way so I have a date tomorrow but it’s not very overwhelming.” And it’d also be easier to explain it to Amanda. She’d told her she and Theo were friends, so her daughter wouldn’t think otherwise. Thankfully, the getaway got Amanda excited enough not to dwell on details too much.

“And his kid isn’t coming, right?” Brit asked.

“No, she’s at a sleepover,” Violet said. Marcelle had been excited to spend the weekend at her friend’s, and Theo had used that as reward since her behavior had improved at school.

Brit leaned closer. “Why don’t you have Amanda and Trevor sleep with Libby tonight?”

“And get in the way of your last night before the wedding? No.”

“Libby is sleeping with me tonight,” Lara said. “That’s part of my gift to the happy couple. You know, besides a kickass toaster.”

Violet pondered. Amanda and Libby were stepsisters and she wouldn’t mind spending time with her—Libby was in the list of her favorite people in the world. And Violet would love some alone time with Theo. She felt like she hadn’t seen him in ages, because it’d just been quick greetings as she saw him before her tutoring lessons. “I-I don’t want to give you more work—”

Lara waved her off. “Hey, if my running an unofficial childcare service helps anyone get laid, by all means do it. When these kids get together, they play with each other anyway so I don’t get to do much besides being the fun honorary aunt.”

Violet glanced at Lara, unsure if her friend was underestimating her workload or just being nice about it. “I’ll ask Amanda and if she agrees, I’d love that.”

Brit high-fived her. “Get yours, hot momma. You deserve it.”

Violet bit back a smile. Did she? She certainly didn’t deserve this amazing group of girlfriends who always had her back, no matter what. A jolt of happiness surged through her. “I’m so lucky to have you guys.”

Brit hugged her, and soon, Lara and Nikki joined them so they became a snowball of limbs.

* * *

A few hours later,Violet texted him.

Did you check in?

Yeah. Flight got here a few min. early.

She slid her phone in her bag, and knocked on his suite. Being part of the wedding party, she’d access to the guests’ room numbers and decided to make him a surprise as soon as he arrived. She’d tipped the concierge to call her after he checked in.

He opened the door, wearing a towel wrapped around his torso. Hmmmm…

“Hey there, stranger,” she said, coming in.

He stepped back, taking in the maroon dress she still wore from the rehearsal dinner. It hugged her body, and had a slit on the front, showing her shapely legs. “You look stunning. Come here.” He pulled her into his arms, and a scent of soap swirled around her. She loved embracing him with his bare torso, his strong pecs rubbing against her clothed chest. What a magnificent man he was—and tonight, all hers.

He lifted her off the floor and she yelped, surprised. He carried her to the enormous bed. Heat flooded down her legs, adding to her growing arousal. The lights from the strip twinkled from the floor-to-ceiling glass wall. When he put her on the bed, she couldn’t care less about the extravagant view. “I missed you.”

“Me too.”

He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her like they were star-crossed lovers reunited after months apart. His mouth explored hers, his tongue swiping over hers, provoking an adrenaline rush from top to bottom. Even though she lay under him, a part of her ignited, restless, wanting to take flight.

She lowered her hand, and got rid of his towel.

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