Falling for the Groomsman (12 page)

“I think so.” He lifted a shoulder and dropped her hair. “But who am I to say? I’m just a doctor. I don’t know anything but my job. Love? That’s for normal men. Men like me don’t get married. We’re never home.”

“That’s not true,” she said softly. She hesitated, not sure how to say what she wanted to say. So she settled for, “You can be in love and not give up your career. You can be an excellent doctor and go home to your wife and kids.” She almost choked on the words. The idea of him having a wife and kids hurt. “You can be a doctor
and
a man. They’re not two separate beings.”

The way he looked at her when she said that made her want to curl up in a ball and rock in the corner. He looked at her as if…

As if he wanted
her
to be that wife.

Chapter Twelve

Letting her words soak in, Tyler tilted his head back, staring up at the bright, shiny stars. No matter where you were in the world, the stars always looked the same. Constant and sure. What else in this life stayed so steady? Nothing. That’s what.

Jesus. He was waxing philosophical about the fucking stars. How much had he had to drink so far? Not enough to wipe out the fact that he wanted more than a night under the stars from Christine. At some point, he’d realized how much he enjoyed being with her, and he wanted to keep it that way.

He wasn’t the “snuggling while talking about dreams, hopes, and aspirations” type of guy. He didn’t play that way. Didn’t look for love around every corner or even want it. He was married to his job. He didn’t need two wives. But with Christine in his arms…

Maybe he could see it.

She was telling him he was more than his job, that he could be the man she would need him to be and the doctor he needed to be. He wanted to believe her so fucking bad it hurt. “You think I could find a woman who wouldn’t mind sharing me with my other wife?”

She looked up at the sky, too, then back at him. “If she loved you and you loved her? Sure. Why not?”

He let out a whoosh
of air. She made it sound so easy, but he’d seen what happened to each of his buddies when they married. They got divorced. Simple as that. If he got married, he wanted it to be forever. He didn’t want to fail. He tugged on his shirt. Since when was the neck of this shirt so damn small? “I guess it’s possible. But I’m not in the market for that right now.”

“Yeah,” she murmured. He watched her closely, looking for any sign of disappointment in her eyes. Nothing. Not even a flash of uncertainty. “Me either. I’ve been trying to loosen up and…enjoy life. Stop trying to plan everything all the time.”

“Is that why you made a list?” he asked. “To stop planning everything?”

She laughed. “Kinda backward, huh? But…yes. That’s why.”

He swallowed hard. “You know, when I touch you like this…” He ran his hands up her sides. They were sweaty and a little bit shaky. “I remember what it’s like to really feel something. I’d forgotten how you made me feel. How to feel, even.”

Her lips trembled. “
Tyler
.”

His cradled her cheeks with his hands and leaned in. When his mouth closed on hers, he kissed her with all the pent-up passion and uncertainty he was feeling. Lately? It was a hell of a lot. When it came to her, he didn’t know what he felt. But something told him if he wasn’t careful, by the time they were finished with each other…

He would need her more than he needed medicine.

Whatever this thing was between them, it had started down in Mexico, and had been left in waiting until they saw each other again. Now it was alive and real, and he didn’t know what to do about it. She moaned and her nails dug into his chest through his shirt. She kissed the spot under his ear and reached down between them, cupping his cock and squeezing gently.

He closed his eyes and groaned. “Red…”

If he did this—if he took her now, everything would be different.
He
would be different. When this wedding was over, if she didn’t want to see him again…he’d be a shell of a man. He should walk away now. Keep himself protected and free. This thing between them was supposed to be a onetime fuck.

A scratching of an itch, just like he’d said.

But it felt like
more
.

And if he wanted more, he should say so up front. He should come up with a plan to have more, because after this wedding was over, they’d be in different states. But the words wouldn’t come, and instead of pushing her away, he brought his lips to hers, kissing her sweetly. They could talk later, damn it. When she wasn’t touching him and so damn close he couldn’t stop himself from touching her. From taking what she offered.

She massaged his cock with one hand, and the other rested over his heart. Rolling her underneath of him, making sure to move slowly enough that he didn’t injure her ankle even more, he situated himself between her legs before deepening the kiss. With his free hand, he unzipped the bag so they could move more easily.

She ran her fingers down his back gently, her featherlight touches driving him mad. He slanted his mouth over hers and slid his hand under her shirt, needing to touch her bare skin. She trembled and arched into his hand, wanting him to touch her more.

And fuck, he wanted to, too. Everywhere.

She deepened the kiss, the heel of her good leg digging into his ass, and rubbed against his cock. Knowing her heat was just a few scraps of clothing away made his stomach clench with need, a need that if left unanswered would eat him alive. He broke free of their kiss and bit down on her shoulder, then lower, on the swell of her breast.

Maybe this was a bad idea, but he couldn’t stop now.

She yanked his shirt off impatiently. He freed his head from the garment, and took off her shirt, too. Next came the bra, followed by the rest of her clothes. His followed, and soon they were naked in the woods.
Again
.

Next time, he’d make sure they were in a fucking bed.

He grabbed a condom before they got too hot and heavy, but the whole time he reached for one, her fingers worked over him. She ran her hands over his back, and slid forward to close around his cock again. “
Now
, Tyler.”

He moved up a tiny bit and sucked on her nipple, hard and fast. She let out a mewling sound and urged him closer. He sucked harder, using his teeth to create a friction for her. Her head tossed back and forth, and she panted into the night air. When he bit down gently on the extended bud, she shrieked and arched her back even higher.

Begging him for more, just like he liked it.

He pulled back and slid his fingers in between her legs. She was soaking wet, hot and inviting. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself inside her and forget about everything but making her moan his name. But she wasn’t ready yet.

He needed to make her scream again.

He moved to her other breast and scraped his teeth against her sensitive nipple, not stopping until she squirmed and begged. Still not enough.

“
Tyler
.” When she whimpered and raked her nails down his back, he thrust a finger inside her at the same time he sucked her nipple hard. She screamed and dug her heel into the ground, her other leg straight out.

Groaning, he removed one finger, replacing it with two. “You’re mine. Say it.”

“God, I’m yours.” She yanked at his hair, pulling him up for a kiss. “All yours.”

“Fucking right.”

He captured her mouth and thrust his tongue into her mouth in tune with his fingers. As his fingers pumped inside her, he broke off the kiss and situated himself between her legs, sliding down her body inch by torturous inch. He traced a damp finger down her slit before thrusting it inside. He watched as her muscles clenched down on his finger, the pink sweetness begging to be touched. To be licked. The sight drove him fucking wild.

His. All his
.

The second his mouth touched her, she cried out and clenched down hard on his finger. He flicked his tongue over her clit, savoring her sweet taste.

She shuddered and clung to him. “Again, Tyler.”

He pulled his fingers out and plunged them again. Hard. At the same time, he closed his mouth around her clit and sucked. As he rolled his tongue over her, never breaking suction, he moved his fingers, hard and fast.

There was no going easy on her. Not anymore.

He could feel how close she was to coming. Could feel it in the way her muscles clenched down, squeezing his knuckles. He deepened his intimate kiss, rolling his tongue over her again and again until she cried out and came against his lips. Even though he wanted nothing more than to drive inside her right away, he hesitated.

Her back was scratched up and her ankle hurt too much for her to be on top.

When she relaxed, he withdrew and flipped her over onto her knees with one smooth motion. He pressed the tip of his sheathed dick against her clit and bumped it once, twice, a third time. She screamed out and climaxed again, her nails scratching at the dirt in front of her.

As she convulsed, he entered her from behind, burying himself completely. Her warmth surrounded him, and he curled his hands around her hips. Holding her in place, he slammed inside her again. He moved faster, harder and harder, and her cries grew louder and louder.

“Mine,” he growled, slapping her ass gently. “Say you’re
mine,
or I’ll stop.”

She cried out. “I’m yours, damn it. Harder. More.”

Fuck yeah, he’d give her more. He slapped her ass again, harder this time, and pumped his hips relentlessly. No breaks. No mercy. She screamed and came again, her walls clenching down on his cock so hard she almost pushed him out.

His balls grew tight and hard, and his breath came faster, and he moved faster, too. His entire body strove to reach the end of this crazy ride she’d led him on, and he bit down on her shoulder. Her body went stiff under his
again
, and he pulled out of her, only to slam back inside her with one sure, deep stroke.

Then? He found heaven on earth.

Everything faded away but the pleasure taking over him and he collapsed on top of her. When he came back down from his high, he withdrew from her and helped her lie down again. Hesitantly, he lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. The other times they’d kissed had been in the heat of passion. Kissing her after sex felt awkward, weird, and yet somehow…fucking perfect as hell.

She kissed him back after a second, her own mouth moving over his uncertainly. When he pulled back again, she blinked up at him, looking confused and lost. He felt the same way right now. As if he didn’t know what way was up and what way was down. She’d tossed him off his axis, and he didn’t know what to do next.

So he did what he did best. He let go of her. “I’m going to get rid of this.” He gestured to the condom and rolled to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and sat up, gathering her clothes silently. He swallowed hard and went into the shadows, feeling like the world’s biggest fool. All this time he’d been telling her he wasn’t looking for a relationship. And now? He couldn’t think of anything but being in one with
her
. Only her.

She had to be his forever.

For the first time in his adult life, he would be spending the night with a woman in his arms. He’d never wanted to have that intimacy before. Never wanted a girl to stick around long enough to spoon, for fuck’s sakes.

But with Christine, he was actually looking forward to it.

They were living in the same country now. Sure, he’d just accepted a job in Portland, and she lived here in Boulder, but it was a hell of a lot closer than they’d been before. Why couldn’t they make this something more than a fling? Why couldn’t they try? There was obviously an attraction between them that withstood the years of separation they’d put themselves through.

Why
not
try for more?

He came back into the clearing and saw her sitting there, hugging her knees. She glanced up at him, her eyes dipping low over his body. In some weird, sick, twisted way, he was grateful that they’d been stranded together, forcing him to sleep with her in his arms…

Even if he’d never actually
spent
the whole night with a woman before.

He was glad she would be his first. The question was…could she maybe be his last, too? Slowly, he crossed the clearing and stoked the fire, his blood rushing through his veins as he did so. He could feel her gaze burning into his back the whole time he worked. For some reason, the fact that he was going to sleep with her felt more intimate than sex itself.

What if he snored? He had no idea.

He finished with the fire and squatted next to the blaze for a second, his hands out to the heat, before glancing over his shoulder. “You look tired. You should sleep.”

“Come over with me?” she asked so softly he almost didn’t hear her. She yawned and covered her mouth. “I’m cold, and I won’t be able to sleep without you.”

Oh, shit. What he wouldn’t give to hear that every fucking night.

“Y-Yeah.” His heart sped up. “Of course.” He swallowed hard and stood, brushing his sweaty hands across his shorts.

Wait a second.

Racing heart? Sweaty palms? Dreams for the future?

Oh, fucking shit
.

Chapter Thirteen

Christine woke up slowly, the haze of her vodka-induced sleep drifting away to allow her consciousness to creep back in. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in Tyler’s arms. At first, he’d been stiff and almost uncertain of himself. As if he wasn’t sure how to sleep with another person or something.

But he’d relaxed. As she drifted off, she was pretty certain he’d kissed her forehead, but she might have imagined it. Even if it was in her head, it had been nice. Had made her feel special. Treasured. Cared for.
Happy
.

All dangerous thoughts when paired with Tyler Dresco.

She peeked at Tyler from under her lashes. His own eyes were closed, and in sleep he looked softer. More open to the possibilities that life might throw at him. It was hard to believe that he was the same man who threw her against a tree and whispered naughty things in her ear. The same man who was going to steal her heart…

Even if he wasn’t trying.

This wasn’t okay. She didn’t want this confused tangle of emotions he’d given her. She needed to distance herself before it was too late. She’d made a huge freaking mess of her sex list. Heck, if she was honest with herself, she’d admit she lost hold long ago. Probably ever since she’d kissed him.

But no more. She would find a way to still walk away from this with her heart intact, and she would still be free of his hold. It was time to go back to avoiding him. Because that would be
so
easy, what with them both being in the wedding party and all. She might as well put
Fly to the moon on a cow
on the list while she was at it. Then she could add
with Tyler
after it, because he’d totally taken over her list.
Make out in an elevator
…with Tyler.
Have sex in public
…with Tyler.
Kiss a stranger
…with Tyler.

Maybe the list wasn’t even hers anymore.

She stared up at the sky, silently cursing her stupidity. The sun wasn’t even up yet, but the slightest traces of dawn touched the horizon, painting tendrils of pink across the inky blackness. She shifted her weight, gingerly testing out her ankle. It still hurt, but it didn’t hurt quite as much. She rolled it in a circle and stiffened.

Okay. Never mind.
That
hurt.

“You shouldn’t do that,” Tyler said, his voice gruff.

Christine jumped slightly and peeked at him. With all traces of sleep gone from his eyes, he looked like the Tyler she was used to. Slightly hardened, yet kind to everyone around him. She forced her tone to remain cool and impassionate. “Why not?”

“You’ll injure it worse.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes before focusing on her. “You need to rest it, or you’ll be getting carried down the aisle.”

Hell no. She would walk down the aisle on her own two feet, thank you very much. “Not happening. I’m not ruining Kady’s wedding because I’m an idiot who couldn’t watch where I was going.”

He slid out of the sleeping bag and stretched his hands high up over his head. His shirt rode up, baring those fabulous abs of his she loved so much, and her fingers twitched with the desire to stroke his skin. To further explore the vee shape of his hip bones that led down to his cock, perhaps with her tongue…

No
. She needed to remember that she was done crossing items off with him.

Before it was too late.

“Your ankle is more important than appearances,” he pointed out, eyeing her closely. Could he tell she was keeping her behavior polite, but not personal? “You okay?”

“I’m fine. I just want to walk down the aisle on my own two feet.”

His brow furrowed. “But you could prolong your recovery period by pushing it too fast,” he said, his voice hard. He didn’t look confused anymore. He looked pissed. “Instead of a few days, you’ll be flat on your ass for over a week. How is that a better option than taking it easy?”

“I’m not getting carried down the aisle,” she said, fisting the sleeping bag. It was getting a lot harder to keep her tone even. “And that’s that. It’s not up for discussion.”

“Why do you care so damned much?”

She raised a brow, looking him up and down. “One could ask the same of you.”

He stepped into his shoes, his eyes on her. “Why are you acting like we’re strangers again?”

“I’m not. I’m just talking,” she said, keeping her tone even. “Am I supposed to act as if we’re more than what we are?”

The pain that flashed in his eyes was undeniable. An answering pain slashed through her.
Wrong, wrong, wrong
. “And what are we, exactly?”

“Do you really want to have that talk in the woods, when I have a hangover?”

He slammed his foot into his second shoe. “You know what? Never mind.”

“Good.” She swallowed past her aching throat. “I’m glad we agree on that, at least.”

“On avoiding that particular conversation? Sure.” He shot her a hard look. “But you’re not walking down the damn aisle. I’ll carry you.”

No way
. His romantically carrying her down the aisle in his strong arms was not a good idea. “No. I don’t want to be carried by you—or
any
one. Got it?”

“I can’t help but notice that you mentioned me first,” he pointed out, bending over and grabbing her shoes. He shoved them in his bag without even asking her whether or not she could walk, and started gathering more items, including the almost-empty vodka bottle. “That’s quite telling if you ask me. There something you want to tell me, Red? Did I snore and keep you up last night?”

“Uh, no.” She shoved her hair out of her eyes. “I just don’t want your help. I don’t need to be saved by you. I’m not one of your helpless patients.”

He snorted, but didn’t say anything. But his jerky motions said it all. He was pissed off, hurt, and maybe a little bit confused. He’d get over it. It was better this way.

“Did I kick in my sleep?” he asked, yanking in his hair. “I seriously have no fucking clue. I’ve never slept with anyone before.”

“I told you. I’m fine. I just—” She paused, his words sinking in. “Wait. You never slept with anyone before? I was your…your…first?”

“Yeah.” He glanced away. “Did I do it wrong?”

Her heart twisted. “No. You did nothing wrong, Tyler.”

“Could’ve fucking fooled me,” he muttered. Once he finished gathering objects, he stared at her with narrow eyes. “I need to pack the sleeping bag, then we’re heading back.”

She bit down on her lip, her mind still wrapping itself around the fact that she’d been the first woman he’d ever slept with. “Do you even know which way to walk?”

“Yeah.” He bent down and lifted her to her feet, making sure he set her in the grass, away from the sharp rocks and twigs. “Down the mountain, just like we did last night.”

“Well, that leaves about a million options,” she mumbled, smoothing her hair.

She probably looked more zombie than human right now, and her mouth tasted about as wonderful as a week-old sock. She’d never felt more unattractive than she did right now, and of course it had to be with Tyler. If nothing else gave them closure, one look her way and he’d be done with her.

He rolled the sleeping bag up. “Do you have a better suggestion?” he asked, his tone as perfectly even as hers was. Apparently, he’d caught on to her desire to distance herself from him. “I’m open to hearing them, unlike some people in this clearing.”

“No,” she admitted. He picked up the vodka bottle and opened the lid. She eyed him. “Drinking already?”

“I’m tempted to,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze locked on her. He took the lid off and swigged it, swished it around like mouthwash, and spit it out into the grass. “Here. It’ll make your breath taste a little bit better. Just don’t swallow unless you want to.”

She took the bottle and did the same thing he did, shuddering at the taste of vodka at such an early hour. It couldn’t even be five o’clock yet, judging from the barely there dawn. The pink had crept a little bit higher, but the night still owned the sky. Once she gurgled and spit, she handed the bottle back to him and wiped her hand across her mouth.

He was right. She felt a tiny bit less repugnant.

Of course, she probably smelled like a lush, but it was still an improvement. “Thanks,” she said, her eyes averted.

“Yeah. Sure. Anytime.” He shoved the vodka into his bag. “Am I allowed to carry you
off
camera, or is that not allowed either?”

“Last I checked, you had my shoes in your backpack. Does it matter what I want?” she asked, her brows up. “Or is this one of those pointless questions men like to ask women?”

He hauled her into his arms without another word. She wrapped her arms around his neck, but didn’t rest against his shoulder this time. He shifted her in his arms and tipped his head upward.

“The sunrise is pretty,” he said, his tone still perfectly neutral.

She looked up at the sky, her breath catching in her throat. The pinks were now melded with oranges and reds, and the sky was almost blue. The colors were so vibrant and beautiful and perfect. She’d never have thought she would see a sunrise while cradled in Tyler’s arms. Even in Mexico, she hadn’t gotten to watch the morning arrive with him, because he’d left her.

If she weren’t careful, he’d do it to her all over again. She was only protecting herself by pulling away now. Which only made it even harder to keep him at a distance.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Yeah. It’s beautiful.”

“Absolutely perfect,” he said, his voice hushed. When she glanced up at him, more out of habit than anything else, he was watching
her
with hooded eyes. Not the sunrise. “Red, I know we have a hell of a lot of—”

Loud voices came from the left, cutting him off, and Christine recognized one of them. It was Julie and another man. Maybe Reed? Christine looked through the trees, catching a brief glimpse of color. Any second now, they’d be here. Saved by the bell.

“You can put me down now,” she said.

His grip on her tightened. “Just because we have help doesn’t mean you’re walking yet. I’ll carry you to the resort, and I’ll take you to your room. Then, and only then, will I put you down.”

“Yes, sir,” she bit off, hating the way he was acting—all bossy and domineering again. Hating that she’d
made
him act this way with her behavior.

Julie stumbled into view, with Reed right behind her. Judging from the tight lines around both their mouths, Christine would place her money on the fact that they’d been fighting. Julie rushed forward, her brow crinkled. “What happened?”

Christine opened her mouth to reply, but Tyler cut her off. “Ankle sprain.”

Julie paled. “Oh, you poor thing. Let’s get you back to the resort right now. Ice and elevation, that’s what you need. We’ll get it fixed up real good. Don’t you worry, sweetheart. I’m going to have room service bring you up a big old cup of coffee and some chocolate. Aunt Sylvie always said there’s nothing you can’t cure with chocolate and time.” She patted Tyler on the arm. “Can you carry her the rest of the way or should—”

“I’ve got her.”

Christine balled her fists. “I can—”

“I said I
got
it,” Tyler snapped.
It
. Not
her. “
Julie, you can go lead the way with Reed, since you have the flashlight.”

Julie raised a brow at Christine but nodded. “Fabulous. Let’s get moving.”