Текст книги "Incinerate"
Автор книги: Tessa Teevan
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Текущая страница: 21 (всего у книги 26 страниц)
Kale finishes, and Jace shakes his head at me. “Dude, you must have it bad. I’ve never seen you lose your cool over a chick.”
Shrugging, I take my time adding chalk to the tip of my cue stick. “Charlie’s different. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before, and for the first time, I’m actually thinking about a future I never thought I wanted.”
Jace looks at me, surprised since he’s been privy to all my ‘fuck women’ rants. “No shit?”
“No shit,” is all I say as a huge grin spreads over his face.
Slapping me on the shoulder, he drops his smile and gets all serious faced. “Seriously though, I’m so thrilled for you that I’ll even pass up the whole ‘I told you so.’ You deserve to be happy, Knox.”
“Jesus, all this wedding shit must be seeping into your brain. You sound like a couple of pussies over here having a bro moment,” Kale says.
Jace and I grin at each other, and Kale starts backing away, shaking his head. “You know, a few months ago, I think I said something pretty damn similar, Montgomery.”
“And I told him he’d eat his words,” Jace tells him. “I was right. And the same thing will happen to you. Eventually your man-whoring around will get old, and you’ll find a girl who will make you want to settle down. You know what they say? These things come in threes. You’re next, man.”
“Nope, not happening. I have no interest in settling down. At least not any time soon. Growing up with a single mom and two older sisters, I have no desire to get into a relationship when I’m gone all the time. Maybe once things calm down, but for now, I’m happy being a bachelor.”
Jace and I look at each other. “Do you want to say it, or you want me to?” he asks.
“You had your chance with me, so it’s my turn,” I tell him before looking at Kale, whose eyes are darting back and forth between us. “Famous last words, Montgomery. Famous fucking last words.”
Chapter 30
Knox
LATER ON, when we’re leaving the bar, Charlie makes Lexi promise to keep her posted on wedding details, even though that’s all they’ve talked about tonight. Chicks. They go crazy about this kind of stuff, but I have to admit that it’s nice the way Charlie fits right in with my friends, especially Jace’s girl.
Most of the ride home, Charlie’s chatting it up about the wedding. “Isn’t it just so romantic the way that they can’t wait to get married? I can’t imagine being engaged for only a month. She’s going to be stressed to the max. Drew and I had been engaged for four months and I was already freaking out.”
The thought of another man’s ring on her finger makes my blood boil, and I’m pretty sure she catches the way I grip the steering wheel tightly at the mention of him. Like I told Jace, I’m not ready for any crazy love declarations and I’m nowhere near ready to propose, but I still don’t like the idea of her ever being with someone else. Stupid? Maybe. But that’s how much she’s come to mean to me.
Parking the car, I notice Charlie grin at me when we both get out. “Thank goodness for slutty janitors, right?”
When she rounds the car, I pin her up against it and my dick stirs to life, remembering the way I took her on the hood when we got home from the gym. Gripping her hips, I brush up against her, letting her feel the bulge in my jeans. Her arms come up and slide around my neck, and I can tell she wants a kiss. Leaning down, I bypass her lips and bring mine to her ear.
“Thank fuck for idiots who like slutty janitors,” I whisper before biting down on her earlobe and trailing kisses along her jaw before planting a firm one on her lips.
A soft laugh escapes her lips, and she slides out of my embrace. Grabbing my hand, she pulls me towards the house. “Come on, Rugged. Let’s take this inside. I think Evelyn’s seen enough action today.”
I follow her closely, and we barely make it inside before she pushes me up against the wall, undoing my jeans. Take Charge Charlie is fucking hot, and I don’t mind letting her have her way with me.
As she slides to her knees, she pulls my boxers down, releasing me. Looking up at me, she smiles that fucking smile, and I groan the moment she takes me in her mouth. I can’t help the way my hands find their way to the top of her head, and she sucks harder, greedily, while her hand simultaneously strokes me, gripping me tight like a vice.
It’s not long before I’m close to coming, and when I try to pull out so I can be inside her, she shakes her head, bringing her hands to my ass, not allowing me to move. Letting a woman take control is something I’ve always struggled with, but knowing that Charlie wants to do this one solo turns me on, and I decide to give her what she wants. I’m not going to protest as she continues to work my cock over expertly, devouring me like she can’t get enough. I begin pumping harder until I feel my balls tighten, and she grips me even harder as I come.
Leaning back against the wall, I look down and watch as she swallows and then sucks, draining every single drop out of my cock. Her eyes are closed and she looks so damn sexy, milking me for all I’m worth. Opening her eyes, she slowly pulls away, grinning and licking her lips like she just had the most delicious meal. Damn, I could seriously get used to this. I’ve always had a massive sexual appetite, but with Charlie, every encounter has become intimate, more than a quick fuck, and I’m finding myself feeling things I haven’t felt in a long time.
“Thank fuck for idiots and slutty janitors,” she says, pulling my boxers back up, covering me as I pull her to her feet to kiss that smart mouth I love.
Yeah, I’m definitely getting used to this.
WE’RE IN the bathroom getting ready for bed when Charlie brings up the wedding again.
“Are you going to be able to get off work on such short notice?” she asks out of nowhere.
“Shouldn’t be a problem, especially if it’s just a weekend thing. What about you? I figure we can drive down either Thursday after work or leave early Friday morning. Jace said they’re keeping it low-key, just a get-together at his parents’ place that night. Then the wedding’s not until sunset on Saturday.”
She pauses, giving me a funny look before responding. I can’t make out what she’s saying because her mouth’s full of toothpaste, so I wait, watching her finish and then rinse her mouth. “I’m coming?”
Wrinkling my forehead, I look at her, confused as to why she’d think she wasn’t. “Umm, yeah. Why wouldn’t you?”
She shrugs. “I mean, I kind of figured I’d be your date, but I didn’t want to assume. I know Lexi and I’ve become friends over the last couple of months. I just wasn’t sure how small they meant. If it was just close friends and family.’
This girl, I swear. I feel like a high school boy asking his girl to the prom. Picking her up, I set her on the counter and lean in so we’re eye to eye. “Charlotte Rose Davenport, will you do me the honor of being my date to the McAllister-Sullivan wedding?”
She laughs as she plants a kiss on my lips. “I’d love to, Knox. Especially if that means I get to see you all decked out in a fancy suit.”
Branson’s words flash in my brain, but I’m quick to push them away. She doesn’t mean anything by it. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. “Actually, babe, we’ll probably be in our dress greens.”
“Even better. I love seeing you in uniform,” she informs me before she pulls away and leaves the bathroom, still chattering about the wedding. I’m smiling at her comment, wishing Branson could’ve heard it and mentally kicking myself for ever letting his words bother me.
As I finish up, I can hear her changing and then settling into the bed. I’m about to join her when she speaks up again.
“What about you, Knox? Do you think you ever see something like that in your future?”
Not expecting that question, I freeze, not sure what to say. Even though I told Jace how I was feeling, I’m not ready for this. It’s too soon for this talk—way too soon. It’s true that I see her in my future, but I still don’t know what’s in the cards for me, if I can go down the same path as Jace. Marriage, kids, the white picket fence. I’m racking my brain, trying to figure out how to respond.
Shaking myself out of it, I leave the bathroom, and she watches as I strip down to my boxers. I get in the bed and lean over to turn off the lamp on the nightstand. Settling in beside her, I pull her close to me, hoping she can’t feel my racing heart as I try to figure out how to answer her question without saying too much. The truth is, I know I see her in my future, but I’m not sure I’m ready to say it all out loud, even though I find myself wishing I could muster up the courage to say the words.
Charlie
CRAP. ME and my stupid mouth. I have no idea why I just asked him that, but the words slipped out before I could stop myself. I knew it was the wrong question the moment I saw him freeze in the bathroom and then take a couple of deep breaths before coming back into the bedroom. He doesn’t say anything as he settles in behind me, and I’m beginning to think that he’s pretending he didn’t hear me.
When he wraps his arm around my waist, I decide I can’t stand the silence. “I didn’t mean with me or anything, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just mean in general, you know? It’s just, we’ve never talked about it, and all this wedding talk has gone to my brain, and I’m just curious, I guess.” I know I’m rambling at this point, but I can’t help it.
He presses a kiss on the top of my head. “It’s fine, Charlie. You know this is all new to me. Five months ago when you landed on my doorstep, I’d have laughed if someone had told me that you’d end up here, in my bed, as my girl. I’m still trying to figure out all this boyfriend stuff, as is evident from the gym this afternoon.”
Smiling at the memory of jealous Knox and his admissions afterwards, I nod. “I think you’re doing a pretty good job of it, today’s mishap not included. But I think you learned from it.”
“I did, but I can’t promise that I won’t do it again. It’s just that I’m still getting used to all this while trying to get back into fighting shape. There’s a lot on my plate, and I haven’t let myself think that far ahead. Hell, I’m still trying to process everything that happened today.” He lets out a sigh before continuing. “All I know is I want you with me, all the fucking time, and the thought of you not being in my life isn’t one I like. As far as the future goes, I can’t make any promises, but I can say I want you in it. I like what we have here, sweetheart, and I don’t want it to change.”
I mentally chastise myself for my earlier thoughts about my not wanting to hear his answers to the question, because I understand where he’s coming from. The fact that he’s even willing to admit that he does want me in his future is more than enough. And he’s right. What we have right now is good, and I don’t need him to draw me a map of where we’re headed. We’ll get there, somehow, someday. But for now I can just be content with the fact that he’s mine.
“I get that, Knox. Trust me. After Drew, I’m in no rush. And I like where we are, too.”
All of a sudden, I’m flat on my back, Knox hovering over me. I can see his eyes shining in the moonlight, fierce, fiery, and full of possession as he looks down at me. “What the hell am I going to have to do to get you to stop saying that asshole’s name?”
Biting my lip, I pull him down to me by his dog tags. “I can think of a couple things,” I say teasingly, and I hope he’s thinking the same thing.
“I might have to spank that hot little ass again,” he threatens against my lips.
“Is that a threat?” I ask, recalling the feel of his palm coming down hard on my skin, causing a warm fluttering to fill my belly. I’ve been wishing he’d do it again, but he’s done nothing but tease me with weak slaps on my ass. I’m almost ready to beg.
“No, sweetheart, not a threat. That’s a promise,” he growls, and I’m already mentally planning on making him keep that promise before the night is over.
Chapter 31
Knox
AFTER THAT night, there’s been no further discussions about the future. While I’m okay with that, her question did get me thinking about eventually moving things forward. Now that I’m in this condo in Florida, watching Jace nervously pace the room, I realize that I wouldn’t mind being in his shoes, waiting to put the final claim on my woman.
Then all of a sudden it hits me and I see things with complete clarity. This isn’t what I’ve ever wanted. But this is what I want now—with her.
“Dude, you’re going to wrinkle your uniform if you don’t calm down. Why the hell are you acting so nervous?” I ask as I go to the kitchen to pour him a drink. After handing him a whiskey neat, I watch as he downs it in one gulp. “You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”
Jace looks at me, shaking his head. “Fuck no. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I’ve just been waiting so damn long for this day that I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around it. That it’s finally here. That, in less than an hour, Alexa’s going to be my wife. My fucking wife.”
Walking over to him, I slap him on the shoulder. “You know, I never thought I’d see this day after all those years of you cryin’ in your beer.” He starts to interrupt me, but I keep talking. “I’m happy for you, man. I really, genuinely am. And seeing you find your happiness after so long, well… I guess it’s fucking contagious, because I want that now, too.”
“You serious?” he asks, and I nod, knowing I might as well say it out loud.
“I don’t know when it happened—or even how. But from the moment that girl slapped me, there’s been something there, and it’s built ever since. She’s stubborn, irritating, and she drives me crazy. But she’s also intelligent and kind, and it’s one hell of a turn-on that she can kick my ass. Fuck me, man, but I’m more in love with her than I ever thought possible.”
A huge grin spreads over his face. “You know, if you’d have figured that out a little sooner, this could’ve been a double wedding.”
Holding my hands up, I back away from him. “Hey now. Just because I’m ready to say the L word does not mean I’ll be walking down an aisle anytime soon. Baby steps, J. Mac. Baby steps.”
“Yeah, well when you’ve been waiting as long as I have for forever, you want forever to start as soon as possible.”
The door opens and Jace’s dad walks in. He crosses the room and gives Jace a hug before holding out his hand to me for a shake.
“You ready for this, son?” Patrick McAllister asks Jace.
“I’ve been ready for this day for as long as I can remember, old man,” Jace says, causing his dad to scowl at him.
“Watch it. Just because it’s your wedding day doesn’t mean I can’t still kick your ass,” he says. Watching them interact has me thinking of my parents, and I’m happy knowing that maybe one day I’ll be able to have the same moment with my dad before my own wedding. I don’t know that we’ll ever be as close as Jace and Patrick, but just knowing that there’s a possibility has me looking even more forward to the future.
Checking the clock, I realize we need to get downstairs and out onto the beach. “Okay, guys, you can duke it out later. We’ve got a wedding to get to.”
They both stop messing around, and Patrick goes to straighten his son’s ribbon rack, even though I know it’s perfectly aligned. “I’m proud of you, son. Let’s go get your bride.”
WHEN WE get downstairs, Patrick leads the way out onto the sand where the ceremony will take place. The mothers of the couple have coordinated with the resort to set up a makeshift arch, complete with white ribbon and lilies, where Jace and Lexi will stand up to say their vows. About thirty chairs have been set up in the sand.
I spot Charlie sitting next to a guy who looks about our age, but I don’t know him. She laughs at something he says, and I have to stop from heading over to claim my girl.
“That’s my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Jeremy. He’s happily married, so she’s in safe hands. No reenactments of that day at the gym, got it?”
Turning to Jace, I shrug my shoulders. “I was just curious. That’s all. And don’t worry. I learned my lesson that day. Charlie still won’t let me live it down, and I swear she’s sparring more now with Chris just to test me.”
“Nah, she’s not that kind of girl. I think you’re just paranoid. All right, man, I’m heading in,” he says, nodding to where his dad is talking to the minister. “See you on the other side.”
He leaves me to watch Charlie a little while longer, and she’s completely oblivious to the fact that I’m here until she sees Jace walk past. Turning around, she spots me, a huge smile breaking out on her face. She says something to the guy, Jeremy, before rising.
When I left her earlier to meet up with Jace, she was just getting out of the shower. I had no idea what to expect, because she wouldn’t tell me what she was wearing. As she walks towards me, she’s absolutely breathtaking. She’s wearing a dark green dress, similar to the one she wore to my parents’ house, but this one’s complemented with a brown belt that accentuates the curve of her waist. Just the tops of her breasts are visible, and I swallow hard at the sight of them. The dress flares out at the waist, flowing around her legs as she walks. It stops at just mid-thigh, and when my eyes trail down her legs, I see that she’s barefoot, just a thin gold chain wrapped around her ankle.
My eyes roam all the way back up her body as she gets closer. Her dark brown hair is pinned to the side, and curls cascade down one shoulder, leaving the other one bare save the thin strap of her dress. I have visions of raining kisses on her skin, but I have to shake the thought away or I’m going to be embarrassing myself in front of everyone.
Stopping just in front of me, she gets up on her toes and places a kiss on my lips before stepping back. “I’m pretty sure it’s a sin to look better than the groom on his wedding day, Rugged,” she teases, smiling up at me.
“There are some things in life you just can’t help, sweetheart,” I tell her. “Plus, you’re one to talk. You look beautiful. But don’t think I didn’t notice the whole matching thing. Green on green again?” I ask, raising my eyebrows up at her.
A slight blush creeps on her cheeks. “I couldn’t help it. I love the way the green brings out the color in your eyes. I know, totally cheesy, but what can I say? Weddings make me go a little nuts.”
Leaning down, I place a kiss on her forehead. “I’m just messing with you, babe. You wear whatever color you want. Even if you want us to look like matching pop stars.”
Laughing, she slaps me in the arm. “I never said that!” She looks around as other guests begin to arrive. “I wish Kale and Lucy could’ve been here.”
“I know Kale couldn’t get off his shift, but Lucy could’ve ridden down with us,” I tell her.
“That’s what I told her. She said she hasn’t been feeling well lately and didn’t trust her stomach to stay calm for the long car ride.” Charlie says, shrugging. “Hopefully it’s just a stomach bug. Probably something she picked up from one of the kids at school.”
Before I can respond, music starts, signaling that we better get to our seats.
Charlie
I CAN’T help but shiver when I see Knox watching me intently. The way he looks at me, like I’m the only woman on the planet—at least the only one he’d ever want—sends a jolt straight to my heart—and well, one in between my legs. Seeing him standing there, I notice how he looks gorgeous in his dress greens. Well, let’s face it. He looks gorgeous in anything—and nothing at all.
After I greet him with a kiss, we joke around before we realize it’s time to get this wedding going. Jace has taken his place in front of the minister. Moments later, we all stand as the music switches from classical to a slow cover of “Lucky” by Jason Mraz. Ava, the flower girl Jeremy introduced to me earlier, starts walking down the aisle, tossing petals in the sand, looking cute as a clam.
Lexi’s stunning when she comes into view, wearing an ivory gown that’s simple yet elegant. Her long blond hair is pinned in a French twist, with curled tendrils loose on her neck. But the most stunning of all is the smile on her face as her eyes are shining, tears threatening to spill over. Watching her radiate happiness brings tears to my own eyes.
Turning, I look at Jace, who’s watching Lexi, eyes equally bright with tears. He looks like someone’s stolen his breath, and he makes everyone laugh when he decides he can’t wait any longer and meets his bride halfway down the aisle. I imagine Knox doing the same thing on his wedding day, and the thought that maybe one day this could be us sends a rush of giddiness through me.
“Uncle Jace, you’re too soon!” Ava exclaims when he starts to bypass her, causing everyone to laugh again.
Lexi and her dad stop as Jace crouches down in front of the little girl. “You know how on Christmas Eve you get so excited for Christmas and all your presents that you just can’t sleep?” he asks, and she nods enthusiastically, as any kid would. “Well, Ava, today’s my Christmas Eve, and I can’t wait to open my present.” I’m pretty sure every woman here not related to him just swooned at his words, and Ava grins when he places a kiss on her forehead before standing back up.
When Jace meets Lexi, he whispers something to her dad, who nods before placing her hand in his. They continue until they get to the minister, where they turn to face each other.
“Well, normally I’d start this ceremony by asking who gives this woman, but Jace already took matters into his own hands,” the minister says, causing Jace to smile sheepishly.
He launches into a prayer, blessing the union, but when I sneak a peek, Jace and Lexi are staring at each other, both beaming from ear to ear. The ceremony continues with a few readings until it’s finally time for the vows.
“Jace and Alexa have decided to recite their own vows,” the minister says and gestures for Jace to begin.
He clears his throat, looks directly into her eyes, and begins. “My beautiful girl, first and foremost, I love you. I’ve loved you for over half of my life, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of it doing the same, but this time with you beside me. My love for you has never wavered, never faltered; it’s only grown stronger. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known, and I promise to be your loving husband, your best friend, your confidant, your lover, and your partner in every facet of our life together. I’ll love and cherish you every single day. I promise to be a loving father to whatever children we’re blessed with, and I will raise them with you in a home filled with laughter and love. I vow to be your support, your protector, your shelter in the storm whenever you need me to be.”
He pauses, bringing his thumb up to wipe away a few tears that are streaming down her face.
“I promise to laugh at your jokes, even when they aren’t funny, and to take you to at least ten Reds games a season, especially when they play the Braves. I promise to communicate with you clearly and effectively so that we don’t have any more decade-long misunderstandings. I’d like to say that I can’t imagine not having you in my life, but I lived it. And well, it kinda sucked. So I’ll thank God every single day that I have this second chance. From the moment you snubbed me on that school bus, you’ve had my heart, and I thank you for never giving it back. Alexa Leigh Sullivan-Tate, I vow here, today, before God, our family, and our friends, to be the best husband I can possibly be, the man that you deserve, from this day forward. I will love you, honor you, care for you, and respect you for the rest of our lives.”
Wiping away the tears that have fallen as I watch him pledge his undying love for her, I can only hope to someday be loved like that. Knox grabs my hand and brings it to his lips to place a quick kiss on it before he places his arm around me, allowing me to settle in close to him.
The minister then turns to Lexi, nodding for her to go ahead. She dabs at her eyes, before lifting her chin to look at her handsome groom. “You had me at the Reds games,” she says, sending a ripple of laughter through the small crowd. “I can’t believe I’m standing here, in this dress, in front of you, pledging my life to you. Sometimes, late at night when you’re sleeping, I have to pinch myself to convince myself that all of this is real. And I mean that in the most uncreepy way,” she says, shaking her head when he smiles at her. “Before you came back into my life, I didn’t think I could ever find true happiness again. I was drowning, and you became the lifeline I didn’t know I was looking for. From this day forward, I promise to love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I promise to cherish every single moment we have together and to never take each day for granted. To never waste another minute. I promise to love you not just with my words, but with my actions. I promise to cry with you, laugh with you, and grow with you. To raise our children with you in a loving, stable environment and to be the best mother I can be. I vow to share your dreams and goals and to be your support system, your comfort, and the shoulder you need to lean on. I promise to always make you laugh, because my jokes are funny, and I’ll never make you choose between rooting for the Braves or Reds. After everything we've been through, I believe our love can get through anything, that our futures are intertwined, that we'll grow old together. On this day, Jace Michael McAllister, I vow in front of God, our family, and our friends that I will be your best friend, your partner, your lover, and your confidant. I will love you, respect you, trust you, and hold you above all others, today and every day that follows.”
Her voice catches on the last word, and Jace leans in, placing a long, slow kiss on her lips. The minister steps back, waiting for the moment to pass. When Jace pulls away, he grins. “Sorry, Reverend. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I just couldn’t help it.” It’s completely adorable yet masculine, and I’m not surprised that Knox and Jace are best friends.
The ceremony gets back on track as we watch them exchange rings, and say their ‘I Do’s.’ Before the minister can even get the words out, he has her swept up in his arms, pressing a kiss so hot on her lips it causes even me to blush. When he pulls back, Lexi’s face is flushed, and Jace is grinning wide. Turning towards the crowd, Jace lifts their joined hands, and his happiness is contagious as my heart feels so full after watching them finally get married.
“Ladies and gentleman, for the first time, I’m pleased to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Jace McAllister.”
