Mr. Beautiful (Up in the Air #4)(43)

I filled one hand with a plump tit, the other with her straining neck, rubbing my broad tip against her slick entrance.  With a groan I surged into her, moving fast and rough this time, f**king her with purpose.

I squeezed her neck when she started to come, exerting just enough pressure to enhance her pleasure as she found her release.

I followed with a groan, leaning down to bite the tendon in her neck.

Later, over dinner, I told her about Tristan's request.

She looked as conflicted as I felt.

"Danika won't like it," she said simply.  "We can't do it unless she agrees to it."

"I'll talk to her."

She made a face.  "I can . . . if you want me to."

I laughed, couldn't quite hide a smile.  We both knew how much she'd hate the task.  I didn't like it much either, but of course I'd do it, to spare her having to.

Danika took it much better than I expected, quickly making a point to reassure me that she could play nice and wouldn't cause any drama at the wedding.

"Even if you have to sit next to him?"  I asked carefully, feeling like I was walking through a field of land mines.

We were at the casino.  I'd called her up to the office during working hours, because it seemed like something I should tell her about in person.

She took a deep breath, but then nodded, not even looking upset about it.  "That's fine."

"Even if you have to walk with him in the wedding?"

"It's fine.  I'm fine with it, James.  If I can't be nice to one person for one day, your wedding day, then what kind of a friend would I be?"

I was hugely relieved.  I'd been expecting the worst.

"Thank you," I told her sincerely.

"Don't mention it," she said with a smile, shocking the hell out of me, and went back to work.

CHAPTER THIRTY

MY SIN AND MY TEMPLE

Stephan's speech at our wedding reception seemed tailor made to make me embarrass myself.  It was short, but packed a hell of a punch, one aimed right at me.

"I think everyone here knows that I'd do just about anything for Bianca," he began, giving her a soft smile.

"And it's no secret that I can be a little overprotective where she's concerned.  I don't think anyone will call bullshit on me when I say she's someone I'd be happy to take a bullet for."

Several laughs for that.  Their story was well known among our friends.

"It's also no secret that I think she's the most wonderful woman on earth.  Best girl in the world, as far as I'm concerned."

He turned to face me.  "I never thought I'd find someone that was worthy of her.  I always figured, if she finally found a guy she liked, I'd have to put up with it, but I just assumed I wouldn't like him.  Who could ever love her as much as she deserved to be loved, as much as I loved her?  Who could live up to that?  Who on earth could possibly be good enough for my Bianca?  And then she met James.  A man so perfect for her, so good for her."

That got to me, and I found myself blinking rapidly.

"That I never could have seen it coming," he continued.  "I'll admit it wasn't all that smooth right from the start.  We had some hurdles to overcome."  He grinned.  "I might have tried to choke him out."

Laughs broke out.

"But it was only the one time."

More laughs.  He waited for them to quiet, smiling all the while.

"Bianca and I have a friendship that not everyone can understand, steeped in years of history that make it incapable for us to be apart from each other for any length of time.

"And something that always worried me, even more than worrying I'd hate the guy she ended up with, was the idea, the near certainty that he wouldn't understand or tolerate what Bianca and I mean to each other."

He spoke directly to me, his eyes bright.  "But I needn't have worried.  You are just the person that she needed in her life, for so many reasons.  Thank you for seeing the same thing in me.  Thank you for never trying to diminish what she and I are to each other.  Thank you so much for never questioning, never complaining about this package deal you got."

I nodded at him, eyes suspiciously moist.

He raised his glass to me.  "Welcome to the family, brother."

I tucked Bianca's body into mine, kissing her temple, then nuzzling my face into her soft, white blonde hair as we danced.  I'd intended to behave myself for a few more hours, or a few more songs, at least.  Really, I had.  But it was useless.

I spoke into her ear, "Are you wet?"

Her step faltered.  I'd clearly caught her off guard.

"I'm going to take you into the woods and ravish you.  I'm going to bind you, claim you, brand every inch of you as mine.  Mine."

I heard her breath stutter in and out unsteadily, waited a beat for it to steady, still dancing with her, a slow sway to the music.

"I have the perfect spot," I added.  "It's a bit of a walk, but we need some distance."

I let her process that before I added, "This won't be quiet."

I could feel her trembling.

I smiled into her hair.