Page 22 of Wicked Little Thoughts

I manage to last a few more thrusts before I'm coming, burying my groan of release into another kiss as I fill her to bursting. She sighs, smiling, content to hold me through it until I have enough strength in my muscles and brain cells in my skull to move.

“So,” I manage once I've caught my breath. “Relaxed?”

She giggles, and grins at me widely. “Yeah. That did the trick.”

* * *

Laying in my bed,I shift onto my side. Lucy is asleep in my arms, she rolls with me, nestling her body against mine. I kiss her neck, breathing in her sweet scent. She’s so fucking beautiful. If I wasn’t so damn tired, I would lay here all night just watching her sleep.

10

LUCY

I'm absolutely dreading today.

Having to stand up and lie about my relationship with Noah in front of my family and my friends is really getting to me. Maybe it upsets me so much because I really like him. These last couple of weeks have been some of the best of my life but I'm scared about what happens once Noah gets what he really wants. His hands on his trust fund. I want so much to be able to say fuck it and take a risk, but what if I can't handle the aftermath?

I pull the special dress I bought for tonight out of my closet and lay it on my bed. I spent a fortune on it. Much more than I could afford, because in my heart I want today to be perfect. It sounds ridiculous now that I think about it, that I would spend so much to look pretty for a guy I'm not even sure is serious about me. This whole thing is a bad idea. Maybe I shouldn’t go. I am obviously just going to end up getting hurt.

Kara pounds on my front door, interrupting my mini breakdown.

“You have to go,” she says when I share my doubts with her. “Regardless of how you feel about him, you made a commitment to help him. You can't back out on that last minute. That would be really uncool.”

“You're right,” I say. “But I'm damn confused. He says he really likes me, but how do I know he's being genuine?”

“Trust your gut. Now, go get ready or you’re going to be late,” she says, ushering me back into my bedroom.

I spend the next half an hour getting dressed and putting the final touches on my outfit. I stare at the result in the mirror, surprised at how good I look. I know I'm attractive, but the girl staring back at me is unbelievable, she looks nothing like me.

The dress is long, fitted, and hugs my curves in all the right places, the deep purple shimmery material making my eyes look even bluer than normal. My hair is piled back into a loose bun and fixed with some cute diamante clips. Kara walks into my room and stops in her tracks.

“Wow, girl. If he's not into you, then he's out of his freaking mind.” She pauses. “Or gay.”

“Trust me, he’s not gay,” I say with a chuckle.

I smile at my friend, noting how beautiful she looks too.

“I love that dress,” I tell her.

She strikes a pose. “I've got to look hot for my best friend's engagement party, right? Just wait till you see what I brought to wear to your bachelorette party.”

“This is just for show, remember? There won't be a bachelorette party.”

“Why have you gotta go and spoil my fun?” she whines.

“You’ll get your fun one day, but I promise you it won’t be anytime soon,” I say, rolling my eyes at my friend. “You want a bachelorette party earlier, go get married yourself.”

She makes a face. “No fucking chance.”

* * *

Noah's grandfather’shouse is incredible. From the outside it doesn't look inviting at all, but once you get through security, it's like a different world. Set on an acreage, the huge mansion sprawls across the lush green grounds, surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. High fences border the property, complete with very intimidating-looking security gates.

“This is incredible,” I mumble to Kara.

“You could do a lot worse than marry this guy,” Kara jokes. “Who else did you invite besides me?”

“My brother,” I say. “A few friends from college. That’s it. I invited Mum and my stepfather, but they’re in the middle of a cruise around the Greek islands, so I knew it was going to be a no.”

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