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For all fairytale lovers, the lovers of love, the hopeless romantics, and the underestimated.
“I have many talents, but rotating my head and dislocating my arms are not among them.”
“Why are you such a storm cloud?” I try to pass him so I can ask Uma for help, but he steps in front of me and crosses his arms. “Because I enjoy raining on your parade, obviously.”
He might be hot, and wildly intelligent, and delightfully broody, but he’s a jerk. Besides, he’s off-limits. He’s my best friend’s fiancé’s brother. The best man to my maid of honor. Also, and most importantly, I’ve sworn off men for the foreseeable future. Especially men who are bad for me. I’ve had my heart broken too many times by guys who didn’t deserve it in the first place.
She’s the glorious ray of sunshine peeking through my rain clouds to create a rainbow.
Now I have a new memory to add to the one I wish I could erase. Essie’s pierced nipples are forever burned into my brain. Etched in stone. Permanent. Irascible. And so fucking fantastic.
It’s not her fault I’m guilt riddled, or that I’m not over the kiss we shared all those years ago, or how apathetic she seems in my presence.
I hate when she says my full name, because I love when she says my full name.
What if it all falls apart? People leave. Women leave. My mother left. Lisa left. I have no faith in love. No faith that it can endure, because in my experience, it doesn’t.
Tristan already asked if there’s a cucumber salad. If anyone is being kept, it’s that man.”
He kissed me. He ghosted me. He never apologized. He can’t stand me
“Take your broody asshole down a notch, Nathan. Your black cloud is dimming my shine.”
Why does she have to be so brain-meltingly attractive and sassy and competent?
“If you get tired of sleeping alone tonight, you know which yurt to find me in.” I wiggle my fingers. “My girls are good company.” He wiggles his back and winks. “My boys are better.”
I’ve seen the way Tally looks at him. Not with stars in her eyes, but some kind of awareness. And Flip is always hyper-alert when she’s around, always looking out for her. Always worried. Always protective. If he gets a clue, that could change. It could also really fuck him up, and the guy has enough emotional baggage, so I keep my mouth shut.
What if we pass out from the gas fumes? What if I irritate you to the point that you put me in a sleeper hold and end up accidentally killing me?”
“God, you get under my skin.” “Good. That’s been my goal from the start.” “Mission accomplished.”
I’m suddenly desperate for this kiss to never fucking end, because it’s not just as good as I remembered, it’s better
I worry she’ll come to her senses and slap me across the face or bite me. Based on the way my dick kicks at the possibility, I’m not opposed to the latter.
“You don’t have to defile the lawn mower. We have plenty of more comfortable spots available, which you can use like civilized folk.”
“And you couldn’t text me back six years ago. Thanks for your help. I accept your apology.” She pats me on the chest. “You’re absolved of your crimes against me.”
It seems she didn’t forget that kiss either. It also seems like I hurt her more than she’s ever let on. That makes me feel worse, but better. Because if given the chance back then, I probably would have mishandled her soft heart. Probably even crushed it. And then maybe it wouldn’t be only me who doesn’t believe in love.
“Why do you have to be so fucking tempting?” He groans and bites the edge of my jaw. “Because the dark is always trying to consume the light.”
“It was an excellent handy. And I did get to play with your clit ring, so I guess it was worth the trouble.”
I give her a look. She winks. My dick wants to get involved. This is going to be a long-ass flight.
“You don’t need to keep checking to make sure you’re still beautiful,” I murmur. “Just ask me, and I’ll tell you.”
She reaches up and smooths her finger between my eyebrows. “What are you doing?” “We’re in Vegas, Nate. Your furrowed brow belongs back in Canada.”
“People like pretty things. Even if they might bite them.”
“Endlessly intriguing.” He traces the edge of the tape covering my right nipple. “A lovely puzzle I want to solve.”
“Come on, Nathan, teach my pussy a lesson.”
“Wanna find out how much chocolate-dipped cock I can swallow?”
The sooner we get this done, the sooner you’ll have access to fun Essie.”
“I’m used to people telling me I’m pretty, not that I’m smart.” “Well, you’re both, so you should own them equally.”
“And you could have gone to Essie’s apartment, where she lives, on her own. But you didn’t, and that’s on you, isn’t it, honey bear?” He pats me on the shoulder. “I’m going to leave you and your sexual frustration to fester.”
“You miss my nipples that much, eh?” “We both know I’m a sucker for pretty things that sparkle.” He settles his palm on my lower back. “And I happen to love the way you moan my name when my mouth is on you.”
“You are wearing a thong bikini, Essie. I’ve had to watch you parade around in it every time you got out of the pool to refresh your drink. And now your entire bare ass is pressed up against me. So yeah, I’m poking you with my hard-on.”
“He’s hitting all the bad boy who’s really a marshmallow buttons so hard right now. Do not tell Flip I was checking out Connor. He will lose his mind.”
“Because your big brain is a turn-on, and it’s even sexier when you say smart things while you’re naked and wearing your serious face.”
It feels good to hold someone. No. Not someone. It feels good to hold Essie. And that’s the moment I realize this isn’t just about sex. Yes, it’s out-of-this-world amazing. But I like Essie. More than like Essie. This warmth in my chest, the desire to spend the night beside her, to hold her. What if I have feelings for her?
She sighs despondently, eyes on my erection. “I’m sorry I can’t jump on that now, but we’ll make up for it later.”
“That’s always the risk. You have to decide if she’s worth it.” He claps me on the shoulder. “You don’t have to make a move now, or this week even. But weigh what you’re willing to put out there. Maybe this is your second chance.”
Lexi shrugs. “Technically I know I’m your stepmom, which is all kinds of weird for both of us, but I view you as a friend. I will never repeat any of this to Roman, because it’s better that he lives in the land of make-believe where you do none of the things the rest of us do with our partners behind closed doors.”
The Nate I’ve come to know is softer and sweeter than anyone realizes, and it would be so easy to open my heart to that side of him. It would also be totally on brand for me to fall for another guy whose life vision doesn’t align with mine. We can have fun this week, but when the wedding is over, so are we. It’s the only way to keep my silly heart from being broken again.
“She’s sunshine and a rainbow, and the dark eats the light,” Nate says helpfully. His words are already slurring together. “Looks like the antihistamines are hitting him hard. You’ll want to get him into bed as soon as possible,” the nurse says.
“I like this. I like you. You’re beautiful. Everything about you. I just want to hold you. It’s nice not to be alone all the time. We can have this week, right?” My silly, sentimental heart is already bruising. “Yeah, Nate, we can have this week.” “Good. That’s good. That’s what I want. I’ll make up for this when I’m not high.”
I can hide how I feel for now. I have to. But when we’re back in Toronto, that could change. Fear makes my throat tight but hope tugs at its fingers. What if she could be mine?
Even after I ghosted her all those years ago, she never stopped being nice to me. What if she could love me? What if I could love her? Would she be willing to try?
“Nothing hurts more than a water nut-slap,” Sam says. “Fuck, my balls…” Brody groans. A mom ushers her preteen daughter away, firing a dirty look over her shoulder at Brody, who is far too busy cradling his bruised balls to notice. I crouch beside him. “Everything feel like it’s still intact?” “I feel like they’re in my throat.” He gags. “I’m gonna—” I move out of the way as he tosses his cookies.
“She was a legend at our high school, Nate. Everyone talked about how hot she was. And still is. You are the man.” He puts his hand on his chest, his smile sly. “I bow to you, you giant fucking nerd.”
I’m not supposed to fall for the man who doesn’t believe in love. That’s the last thought I have before I drift off into a fitful sleep. And I wake the next morning alone.
