Stronger With Us (The Strength Series Book 3) (8 page)

13

Weddings are like walking the plank. You know you’re going in the water, but you just don’t want to. At least that’s how I feel about it. My brother, on the other hand, is like a man possessed trying to fight his way through the pirates to the water. Or something like that.

“Colin, if you don’t stop pacing, I’m going to knock your ass out,” I say for the third time in ten minutes.

“Fuck you, Jude. You have no idea what it’s like to be in love. I feel like I’m going to lose my mind if I don’t see her soon.”

“What the fuck? It’s only been twenty-four hours.”

“Yeah, well, that’s too long. Hopefully someday you’ll understand what it's like.”

“I never want to be that dependent on one pussy. That’s insanity.”

Kevin and Runt are laughing as they come in the room.

“Ready to go, man?” Kevin asks my brother. We’re all dressed in our suits but it doesn’t feel formal and stuffy.

“I’ve been ready forever. Let’s go,” Colin replies as he walks out the door, leaving us no choice but to follow.

The wedding chapel is a fairly large room for our small group. It doesn’t look like those cheesy Las Vegas chapels you see in the movies or on television. We line up on the right side of a glass table and Runt sits in the front row to watch.

Classical music starts playing and the girls walk in one at a time. Stephanie is first and she looks at Runt the whole time. They both have matching grins and I can’t help but roll my eyes.

Christin enters next, and I am paralyzed. She has her long blonde hair piled high on her head, with enough falling around her face to look almost angelic. Her dress is purple and it fits perfectly. I can see those luscious curves that are made for holding onto. Those amazing tits are on display in a way that’s classy, but tempting. She doesn’t look at me, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her.

“Dude, close your mouth. You look like a cartoon character,” Colin says quietly. I blink, and I’m pulled out of whatever trance I was in. Then I feel my pants tighten and I realize that I have a different problem to deal with.

The music changes and everyone looks toward the back of the room. Thankfully that gives me a chance to adjust my dick without being noticed. Adele’s version of “Make You Feel My Love” plays as Becca walks slowly toward Colin. He’s smiling from ear to ear and moves up the aisle to meet her halfway. They stop and talk quietly before he turns around and escorts her to the altar as the music fades away.

The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur. I remember handing Colin the ring, but that’s about it. I spent the time trying not to stare at Christin, fantasizing about the one time we were together and figuring out how to make that happen again. Before I know it, everyone is clapping and it’s over.

“Let’s go party!” Kevin exclaims and everyone cheers in agreement. Thankfully, there aren’t going to be any formal pictures. Colin and Becca lead our group out of the chapel to the casino where people we don’t know offer their congratulations or applaud.

“So, how was your skank?” I hear Christin’s voice in my ear.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, you know, your entertainment last night. How was she?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Obviously I do, but if I’ve got any chance of having her later I can’t admit that.

“Jude, I interrupted her walk of shame this morning. I know it when I see it.”

“I don’t know what you think you saw, but last time I checked, it’s still a free country. I’m an adult, and you don’t have anything to say about how I live my life.” Great, way to fuck it up, Jude.

“Okay, you’re right. Fuck you, too,” she says as she storms off. Why does she make me a raving lunatic?

I make a beeline for the bar. I’m obviously going to have to drink to feel sane again.

“What’s up with you two?” Kevin asks as he takes the stool next to me.

“What are you talking about?”

“You and Christin. It’s obvious that you want her. Why are you fighting it so hard?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Isn’t it always? That’s what makes it worth going after.”

“What do you know about it?” I don’t know Kevin well. We worked a couple cases together when I was DEA, but I’ve never seen him with a woman.

“That’s a long story for another time. Just trust me on this. You need to get over your shit and see where this thing could go. I think you’ll be surprised to find exactly what you’ve been looking for.” Before I can respond, he takes his beer and walks away.

I slam my 7 and 7 down, trying to process what Kevin said. I signal the bartender for another one when I’m overwhelmed with her scent.

“I’ll have what he’s having,” she says as my drink is delivered. I’m shocked that she came back so soon.

“You don’t know what I’m drinking,” I say as I turn toward my greatest temptation.

“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong. I’d recognize my favorite drink from a mile away.”

“You’re a whiskey drinker? I would have pegged you as a hard cider woman.”

“Screw that. Why waste time with that shit? There’s nothing better than the burn that you get with whiskey. I like to live boldly, especially with my alcohol.”

“Well then,” I say raising my glass for a toast, “To living life on the edge.”

“We’ll see,” she says as she touches her glass to mine.

14

My head is pounding, I feel like I’ve eaten a roll of toilet paper after several people shit in my mouth. Also, I’m too fucking hot. I try to open my eyes but the room is much too bright. Rolling over to put my head under the pillow, I bump into a body.

“Holy fucking cheeseheads!” I shout as I sit up quickly. That, of course, makes my head swim and my stomach churn.

“Shhh, I’m sleeping,” a male voice says.

I take a moment to squint and glance around. It looks like my hotel room; I see my suitcase by the closet. There are clothes all over the place. My bra is hanging off the mirror on the dresser. But who is in my bed?

I don’t have time to ask before running to the bathroom to vomit. I trip over a shoe and bang my shoulder against the doorframe, but I’m able to make it to the toilet before losing it.

As I puke my guts up, I feel strong hands gather my hair and hold it back from my face. This is so humiliating. I never get sick from drinking, ever.

“Are you done yet? I have to pee,” he says. Who is this guy?

“Yeah, I’ll get out of your way if you’ll let go of my hair,” I mumble as I try to stand.

“Thanks. I’ll be right out,” he says as I shuffle past him. Thankfully the sink is outside of the bathroom so I can wash my mouth out. I try to find my toothbrush while I inspect my appearance. As I figured, I look like road kill. I have huge circles of eyeliner smeared under my bloodshot eyes, my hair is sticking out all over the place, and there’s a little drool dried on one side of my mouth. The worst part is I still have no idea who’s in my bathroom, and I’m not sure I want to know.

I wash my face and brush my teeth as fast as I can. At first I think he must have a huge bladder because I get both tasks done before he comes out. Then I hear the shower turn on so I know I’ll have a little more time until I have to face the music. I find a shirt and pull it over my naked body before climbing back into bed to wait for the mystery man to reappear.

I don’t remember much of last night, but I do know I had sex. There’s a soreness between my legs that tells me that things got pretty rough, but not in a bad way. I smile a little knowing that I can throw that in Jude’s smug face later. Maybe he’ll have the opportunity to meet this guy as he leaves my room. That would be sweet justice.

“Do you know where my pants are?” His low voice breaks me out of my little fantasy. I look up and find my worst nightmare staring at me.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. What are you doing here, Jude?”

“Well, right now I’m trying to get dressed. Why are you wearing my shirt?” I look down and see that, in fact, I’m in a man’s undershirt.

“Fuck. This just keeps getting better. I’ll get dressed and you can have it back.”

He drops the towel from around his waist, and I can see that he’s getting ready to go again. I can’t tear my eyes away from the V of his abs and the proud cock that’s pointing at me.

“Keep looking at me like that and we’ll never leave this room,” he says as he stalks toward me. I know I should put a stop to this, but I can’t make myself say the words. Unfortunately, my body wants this more than I’ve wanted anything in my life.

“I don’t have any plans today,” I whisper as I take his shirt off and throw it aside.

“That’s good because there is so much more I want to do to you.” He climbs on top of me, pushing my legs apart as he uses his dick to rub my clit. It doesn’t take much to get me wet and then he’s slamming into me.

“Yes!” we cry out at the same time as his balls slap my ass. He thrusts in and out a couple of times before stopping.

“See, isn’t this better than fighting?” he asks before pulling out to the tip and hovering there.

I stare at him, waiting for him to move. He stares back but doesn’t do anything. I wiggle my ass a little, and he shakes his head.

“Answer me or I won’t give you what you so obviously want,” he says with a smirk.

“Fine, yes, this is much better than fighting. Now, fuck me, Jude,” I relent. He doesn’t disappoint and gives me one of the best orgasms of my life. I feel him come inside me before I can catch my breath.

Once I’ve recovered, reality hits home, along with the headache I had when I woke up.

“How did this happen? I thought you hated me,” I say, rolling over to look at the man who has occupied more wet dreams than I care to admit.

“Honestly, I don’t remember getting here. And I never said I hated you. Things have been really tense between us since the first time, so I stayed away.”

“I’m not going to get all emotional here, Jude. We can both call this what it is.”

“And what is that, exactly?” he asks propping his head up on his bent arm. The sunlight peeking through the curtains hits his eyes just right and they look like they’re glowing.

“A hookup. And we need to honor the Vegas code.”

He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What are you talking about?”

I sigh and shake my head. “You know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Please tell me you’ve heard that before.”

He drops back down to the bed and lies on his back. His amazing abs are on display, and I find myself wanting to trace the ridges with my tongue, especially when they bunch up as he laughs.

“Ah, I see. So we can just blame this on Seagram’s and Las Vegas. That sounds legit,” he says sarcastically.

“Well, how do you explain it?” I ask irritably.

“I don’t think you can deny that there’s an obvious attraction here. I’m not opposed to this happening again after we get back.”

“Oh, so I’m just supposed answer your booty calls? Sorry, that’s not how I do things. In fact, I normally don’t go back for seconds. I’m going blame that on Vegas, too.”

“Don’t get so pissy. Jesus, I didn’t mean it like it sounded. I’m saying that I’m willing to explore something more if you are.”

I can’t help rolling my eyes. “You’re full of shit, and we both know it. Neither one of us is relationship material so don’t even try. Now, I’m going to take a shower. I trust that you know where your room is and you’ll be gone when I get out.” I don’t give him a chance to respond, walking stark naked away from him and closing the bathroom door behind me.