The beauty series bundle, p.54
The Beauty Series Bundle, page 54
I drift lower until my mouth is over her pubic arch. “And I get to have this for the rest of my life.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be in panic mode about never being with another woman?”
I’ve always heard that, but it’s not true. “Never. The thought of not having you for the rest of my life is what puts me in panic mode.”
“Then you should be fine because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Well, I’m going somewhere, and it’s down,” I tell her as I push her legs apart. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
Her hand rests on the top of my head, stroking my hair. I laugh to myself because I know without a doubt that the gentle stroking she’s doing now will soon turn into her grabbing a handful and giving it a yank. “Yes! You have no idea how much I want your mouth on me.”
“I bet I have a good idea.”
I drop lower and give her that one long, slow stroke up the middle. Her body jerks like she’s been seared. “You always taste so good, L. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get enough of you.” She drops her legs farther apart and rocks against my mouth. I push two fingers inside her while I use my tongue to circle her most sensitive spot. She’s propped on her elbows watching me and she’s wearing the face—the one I see when I know I’m doing everything right.
I think she likes seeing me do this to her because it seems to be the norm these days. I still remember when she watched the first time. We were so new to each other then, and I think she was embarrassed by even the thought of it, but she did it anyway. Now, look at the little erotic vixen. She isn’t afraid to tell me what she wants or needs, and I love that. It’s a huge turn-on to hear her tell me how to make her come. “Tell me what you want.”
She bites her bottom lip and slowly lets it slide from between her teeth. “I want you to put the Dyson on me right here,” she says as she touches the spot above my fingers. I love the name she has assigned to my suction move. “And while you do that, I want your fingers sliding in and out of me but try your hand turned like this,” she directs as she reaches down.
“Anything you want, babe.”
I put my mouth on her and begin to slowly alternate between applying suction and releasing it as I slide my fingers in and out of her the way she wants. She beats the mattress with her hand and falls back against the bed as her legs tense. “Damn!… Shit!” I look up and see her grasp the sheets in her fists. “Fuck!” she shouts as she arches her back from the bed and her legs quiver around me. “Ohh… ohh… I’m coming.” This is one of the rare times she doesn’t yank on my hair and I’m glad, judging by the force I see her using on the bed linens.
There’s no question about the moment her orgasm ends because she goes limp. I sit back on my haunches and look at her sprawled out in her exultant state. It thrills me to no end that I’m able to do this for her—and that she wants me to. It’s something she’s come to expect, and I’ll always be happy to comply.
Her legs have slid down because she’s so relaxed. I push them up until her feet are planted flat on the bed. I stay on my haunches and pull her down until our bodies meet. She moves her feet from the mattress to my shoulders and bends her knees until they’re positioned firmly. Her toes dig into my skin. Huh. That’s a new one. “You must think you need to hang on.”
“I’m betting it’s not a bad idea.”
There’s a knock on the door and we give each other the oh-shit look but whoever it is can forget it. No way, no how am I leaving L. with this kind of hard-on.
“Are you okay, Laurelyn? I thought I heard you yell.” Shit, it’s my mum.
“I knew you’d scream too loud. You were supposed to cover your mouth.”
“You were supposed to cover my mouth.”
“Well, that’s a little hard to do when my head is getting compressed between your legs.”
She points her finger at me and I suspect that when she opens her mouth, it’s to argue but that’s not what comes out. Instead she giggles, “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Just a minute,” she calls out as she streaks from the bed to grab my shirt so she can put it on. “Go into the bathroom while I reassure Margaret that everything is okay,” she whispers.
“This is ridiculous. You’re going to be my wife in sixteen hours. I shouldn’t have to sneak around like a teenager—especially in my own home.”
“This isn’t about you. It’s about the idea your mother has for our perfect wedding day, so quit your whining and get your ass in there.”
I growl as I throw back the covers so my raging erection and I can go hide in the bathroom. She puts her finger over her mouth. “Shh.”
I hide out in the bathroom for a minute before she opens the door and comes in. “I told her I stubbed my toe and that’s what the yelling was about. I’m not sure she believed me. I think she may have seen your clothes scattered on the floor. If she did, we’re totally busted because she knows you’re entirely too anal to have left a mess like that.”
“She’s probably at the guest house right now checking on me.” I lift her onto the bathroom countertop and pull her to the edge. “She’s gonna know the rooster’s in the henhouse when she doesn’t find me there, so we’d better hurry.”
I push inside her and she gasps before she slaps me across my back. “What the fuck is that for?” I ask.
“You know my new birth control hasn’t had time to start working and you keep doing this.”
I forgot. “We both know you’re the gambling kind. You like to roll the dice for your fate. I saw that when we were in Vegas.”
I don’t stop and she doesn’t make me. “I think you’re the one who likes to gamble when it comes to this.”
“Maybe.”
I grasp her hips and pound into her with as much force as she can stand. She brings her legs up and wraps them around my waist as she leans back against the mirror. I watch my reflection give it to her and I wish she could see it because it’s so damn hot.
I pull out of her and step back. “Get down and turn around. I want you to watch this with me.”
She slides off the countertop and spins around before leaning forward, just the way I want her. I place my cock at her wet entrance and I watch her eyes in the mirror as I slide inside her. I never get to see her face when I’m giving it to her from behind, so this is new.
She’s holding onto the granite edge and watching my face. “You like this, don’t you?”
I pump her harder and she keeps perfect rhythm with me—but I would expect no less from a musician. “I’m not gonna lie. I love the fuck out of it.”
I lean forward and kiss her back as I deliver those last few thrusts and then remember that her birth control isn’t working yet. Dammit! I gotta pull out.
I don’t want to do it, but I grab the hand towel and come into it. It’s not nearly as satisfying as coming inside L., but I don’t want her to be upset with me because she wants to avoid a pregnancy for the time being.
She’s giving me the stare. “I thought we agreed to wait a while before we tried to get pregnant.”
I’m standing there holding the evidence–a towel full of semen–which is the opposite of me trying. “I pulled out. That doesn’t qualify as me trying to get you pregnant. I would’ve reamed you good when I blew my load if that’s what I was shooting for. Believe me—it would be jam-packed with little swimmers since it’s been a few days.”
“It can still happen even when you pull out, says the girl with the swollen belly.” Funny one.
“I know and if it does, it just does. By the way, you should know now that I’m not using rubbers on our honeymoon. Forget it. It’s not happening.” There. She has her warning.
“I know. I have some other stuff, but it’s useless if you don’t give me a chance to put it in.”
“Next time, babe. We won’t be in a rush.” We’re trying to beat the Margaret alarm.
“Next time, I’ll be your wife.” Wow. I hadn’t thought of that.
There’s a pounding at the bedroom door, followed by my mum’s voice. “I know you’re in there, you little shit, and I’m giving you two minutes to shut it down, get dressed, and get out of there.”
We look at each other in the mirror and laugh as we simultaneously say, “Busted.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Laurelyn Prescott
I open my eyes and look at the clock. It’s 6:37 on a Saturday morning, and Jack Henry’s spot is already vacant. He’s up earlier than usual on this weekend morning. The thought piques my curiosity, and then the reason for his absence strikes me.
It’s our wedding day.
I put the pillow over my face so no one can hear me and I squeal at the top of my lungs. I can’t believe this day is here. Jack Henry will be my husband later today.
I quickly change into something more presentable than Jack Henry’s T-shirt and go into the kitchen. I hear someone there and peek around the corner to make sure it isn’t my groom, although I’m certain he knows better than to be in this house with me today. Margaret sees me and laughs.
“He’s not in here. He knows I’d beat him within an inch of his life if he set foot in this house today.” I sit in my usual spot at the bar and can smell Margaret’s freshly brewed cup of coffee. She holds it up. “Care for a cuppa?”
I don’t know when it happened, but I acquired a taste for coffee somewhere along the way. It was probably while on the road with the band since that was the only thing available for a pick-me-up. “I’ll take one, although it might not be a good idea to have caffeine on top of my nerves.”
“It’s okay to be nervous.”
“Maybe nerves isn’t the right word.” Margaret is my mother-in-law now and the closest thing I have to a mom, so I can be honest with her about what I’m feeling. “I’m hurt because my mom wouldn’t come. She’s still mad because I left her and my career. When she told me she would never visit, I thought she was using it as leverage to make me stay, but I see now that she was serious. If she won’t come for my wedding, then I don’t ever see her visiting, either.”
“I’m sorry, Laurelyn. I had hoped she would come, but don’t ever think you don’t have people who love you. Your parents will always be your parents, but we’re your family too—not just Jack Henry. We’ll always be here to take care of you because you’re ours now, and we love you.”
I feel the tears coming. “I know how important family is because I’ve never had one. I’m so happy I’m becoming a member of the McLachlans. I love each and every one of you.”
Margaret blots her eyes with a napkin. “That’s enough tears on your wedding day. You don’t want your eyes to be red and swollen.”
This is the happiest day of my life, and I won’t let my mother’s selfishness spoil it for me. It stops here. “You’re right. I can’t change the things I have no control over, so no more tears.” I’ve shed too many of those and I have this wonderful life ahead of me now. From here on out, everything will be different with Jack Henry by my side.
“Your groom has a surprise for you. He arranged for all of us to have a morning at the spa. Our appointment is at nine.”
That’s my Jack Henry—always pampering me like a princess. It’s what he promised me from the night of our first date and he hasn’t disappointed me yet. “He loves to pamper me. I’m sure I have you to thank for that.”
“I tried to teach him and Evan. I hoped they would mature into kind, thoughtful men who treated women with respect, so you can imagine my horror when Jack Henry told me about the arrangement he had with you.”
Oh, shit! I hoped I’d never have this conversation with her. “Don’t be upset with him. He didn’t do it by himself. I agreed to everything.”
“I’m glad it happened the way it did. That time apart showed each of you what you were missing by not being together. It’s probably the best thing that could’ve happened to the two of you. I seriously doubt you’ll ever want to spend a day apart again.”
I think of all the days we’ve spent apart, and I know she’s right. “No. I don’t ever want to be away from him again. Ever.”
* * *
Our morning at the spa was so relaxing. I’ll have to remember to give Jack Henry a special thank-you for that tonight.
I’m sitting on a barstool in the middle of the bathroom floor and Addison is applying my makeup. She’s fantastic at it and could’ve been a makeup artist if she’d wanted to be. She’s working on my blush when a smile comes to my lips. I’m thinking about tonight, and it reminds me of the lingerie I’ve chosen. He’s gonna love it. It’s hot and innocent at the same time—just the way he likes me—and I can’t wait to see his reaction.
“Why are you grinning like the cat that swallowed the canary?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“You’re thinking about tonight.” Am I that transparent?
“Yeah. Do you think it’s going to feel different because he’s my husband? It’s not like we haven’t had sex in almost every possible way imaginable.”
“I’m the wrong one to ask, honey. You should ask Emma.”
As if on cue, Em comes into the bathroom. “Ask me what?”
I feel silly asking someone about wedding-night sex. “I’m curious about something. It’s no secret that my marital bed will not be a virginal one. Can I expect tonight to feel different with Jack Henry as my husband?”
She lifts her brows at my question. “Are you suggesting I wasn’t a virgin when I married Evan?”
I feel the heat in my cheeks. “Oh, God. I’m sorry, Em. I didn’t even think of that.”
“I’m kidding, Laurelyn. I had been with Evan every possible way by the time we got married. I think it’s a McLachlan thing,” she laughs. “It’s different but obviously not in a physical way. It’s emotionally different—I don’t really have the words to explain it. I think it’s something you have to experience for yourself to understand.”
“I think I’m more nervous about the sex than I am about the wedding. I want tonight to be different and special, but I’m scared it won’t be because we’ve… tasted the nectar so often.”
“I don’t know what a virginal honeymoon is like so I can’t compare the two, but I don’t think either of you will be disappointed. Don’t let it worry you.”
Margaret appears in the doorway and lightly raps against the open door. “May I disturb you for a moment?”
“Of course.”
“I didn’t want to say anything this morning until I was a hundred percent positive, but I have a surprise for you.” She’s beaming as she steps aside.
Behind Margaret stand my mom and dad. And Nana and Pops too.
I’m out of my seat and in my mom’s arms instantly. As much as she’s done wrong, I forget it all in that moment because she’s my mother and I’ll always love her. “I can’t believe you’re here. Thank you for coming.” I look at my dad and grandparents. “And you too. I’m shocked. I wasn’t expecting this at all.”
“Margaret called me last week. She said some things that made me come to my senses, and realize there was no way I could miss being here for you. I’d hate myself if I chose to miss my only child’s wedding.”
I mouth “thank you” to Margaret over my mom’s shoulder and spend a few minutes catching up with my family before Addison boots them out so we can finish my hair and makeup. When she’s done, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ve never looked better.
“Addison, you are amazing.”
“It helps when you begin with a beautiful canvas.”
“Thank you.”
“And the finishing touch,” she says as she secures the champagne floral piece to the back of my hair. It’s tucked and pinned into a perfectly romantic updo, just above my neckline. “I’m glad you didn’t go with some goofy-looking veil hanging down to your feet.”
“It didn’t matter if it was a church or vineyard wedding—that so wasn’t happening.”
She gives me a mirror so I can see what the back of my hair looks like with the floral embellishment. “What you chose is perfect. Are you ready to get into your dress? The photographer is waiting and you don’t want to be in a rush to finish your bridal portraits before the ceremony.”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You want your mom and Margaret in here to help?”
It wouldn’t feel right if they weren’t. “Yeah, I do.”
After Addison retrieves them, I stand in my robe by the bed as they work to remove my dress from the garment bag. My mom sighs when she sees it. “Oh, Laurie. It’s beautiful.”
It is the most beautiful wedding dress I’ve ever seen. The perfect in-between shade of creamy vanilla lace over champagne charmeuse—something I never imagined myself choosing. I always thought lace was old-timey, but not in this case. It’s a modern sleeveless trumpet gown with a romantic plunging-V neckline. My favorite part, and probably the reason I chose it, is the thick champagne sash around the waist adorned with a floral embellishment that matches the one in my hair.
I step into my gown and Addison pulls it up. I suck in so she can zip me because it’s a little snug in the waist. “Sweetie, your seamstress didn’t cut you any slack here.”
I work to situate my cleavage. “No, she didn’t. I said that I wanted it to be fitted and she did exactly as I told her, so I can’t complain.” It’s even a little tighter in the chest than I thought it’d be.
“Jack’s going to be a huge fan of the boobage you have going on here. They look great.”
“I just hope I manage to not pop one—or both—out during the reception when we dance.”
She reaches up and bounces them. “Nah, you’re good. Those puppies aren’t going anywhere.”
I do a spin around and look at my mom and Margaret. “What do you think?”
Margaret, being the courteous person she is, allows my mom to speak first. “You’re gorgeous, baby girl. Never doubt how proud I am of you or your decisions. Jack is a fine man and lucky to be making you his wife.”
“You’re a beautiful bride. Jolie will always be your mum, but I couldn’t be more thrilled about being your other mother. You’re one of my own from this day forward. Today you become Laurelyn McLachlan, my son’s wife and the mother of my future grandchildren.” Margaret puts her arms around and squeezes me. “I love you. But please, don’t make me wait long on a baby.”
