Ready to Wed (Ready #1.5)(7)

Tradition? A little time apart? Fuck that. I tried to move back in immediately, but no…the damage had already been done.

Clare had already initiated my punishment before I had formed the words of my apology. And now that punishment was right up in my face—two round perfect br**sts surrounded by a teal dress that was probably illegal in some countries. She leaned forward laughing, and I got an even better view down that valley of sin.

Dying. I was dying.

Shifting slightly, hoping to not draw attention to my now very uncomfortable position, I tried to get back into the conversation that was taking place at the table. But all I could see was Clare; her dark red hair, creamy smooth skin, and emerald green eyes that had held me prisoner since the moment I met her. A very willing prisoner, mind you. I had no plans of ever escaping.

She was my world. She had given me everything I’d ever wanted in life. If someone had asked the old me whether I thought one person could bring such happiness to your life, I would have laughed in their face. I’d spent a lifetime being screwed over by those who were supposed to love me, and finally when I found someone to love me back, I couldn’t return those feelings. I’d decided love was something that was taught, learned from an early age and since my upbringing was less than warm and fuzzy, I’d missed out on those essential lessons needed to love another.

Meeting Clare had taught me otherwise. Her very presence showed me that I was so much more. Love was more than just a lesson or an acquired skill, and in a few days, she would be my wife. Mine to love and cherish forever.

She laughed again, the musical melody of her laugh bringing a smile to my face even though I had no idea what was being said. She lit up my entire world.

Clare’s parents rose from their seats, thanking everyone for dinner and headed to bed. Apparently dinner was over. How long had I spaced out? Everyone else said their goodnight, and Clare, Maddie, and I headed upstairs to our suites. Plural.

God, I really was an ass.

“What’s an ass?” Maddie asked as we exited the elevator on the top floor.

I looked at her, and quickly to Clare who was giving me a death stare. A slightly amused one, but a death stare nonetheless.

Great, I was thinking out loud now. Is this what happens when I went too long without touching Clare? Would I go crazy?

“Uhh…I said pass. Yeah, pass. I was thinking that we needed to get season passes for the amusement park when we got home.”

“The season is just about to end,” Clare said, arching her brow, almost as if she were challenging me.

“Well, for next year then. Never hurts to plan ahead, right?”

Maddie then launched into a ten minute conversation about what rides were her favorite and what order she would ride them and how much she loved cotton candy, especially the pink kind because pink was her favorite color. By the time we got her calmed down, she was dressed for bed and cuddling her favorite stuffed animal. We said goodnight and softly shut the door behind us.

It took about five seconds for Clare to burst out laughing.

“Season passes?”

“It was the only thing I could think of!” I said defensively. “Besides, I didn’t hear you offering anything up.”

“What were you muttering about anyway?” she asked, still snickering about my less than PG mumbling.

“I don’t even remember. No sex is driving me bat shit crazy, Clare! You must take pity on me…for both of our sakes. Otherwise, I could be clinically insane by the time we take our vows, and then how would you know I actually mean them?”

“You’re seriously asking for a pity lay?”

I sauntered over to her, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her body to mine with a bit of force, causing her to gasp in surprise. I let my lips hover over hers.

“I can assure you, a lay with me will never be pitiful.”

I think her brain went offline for a moment or two, because her eyes glazed over and she licked her lips hungrily, causing me to groan. I bent down to finally take her perfect red lips, only to be stopped with a single finger. I guess her brain came back online. Damn.

“I think you have a room to go to,” she said, her finger still holding court on my deprived lips. Her mouth was upturned in a slight smile, but her eyes still looked a bit unfocused, like she was fighting the desire as much as I was. Good, at least I knew this was affecting her as much as me.

I sighed, knowing she’d won the battle tonight, but only tonight. There was always tomorrow. We were going snorkeling, and she could never resist a shirtless Logan. The thought brought a smirk to my face as I turned and made my exit.

“Well, just in case you get lonely or cold…you know where to find me!” I said, before giving her one last panty dropping smile and exiting the room.

Clare – one, Logan - zero. That would have to change tomorrow.

Chapter Five

~Clare~

I’d never been snorkeling, but lounging outside on the sun-drenched beach next to my sexy as sin fiancé wasn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon. I was becoming mesmerized by the way his dark blue swim trunks hung low on his hips. I could just make out the beginning of that “V” I so loved to trace with my tongue when we were alone. I licked my lips just thinking about it.

His hair was messy and yet completely put together. I have no idea how guys did that. I know, from living with him, he did little with it. He just ran his hands through it and poof! Magic hair! Me, on the other hand? When I woke up, it looked like a small woodland creature had taken residence in my red locks overnight. I had a thing for Logan’s hair. It was one of the first things I noticed about him when we met, his gorgeous, just-f*cked hair. And now, I knew from experience…it looked even better after a good roll in the sheets.