Kissing the Maid of Honor (12 page)

“Do it,” she said.

The next thing she knew, his mouth was on hers.

And she didn’t hesitate for a second to kiss him back. Her arms went around his neck. He shifted his weight and his hands moved to her waist. She should push him away. Stop this before he remembered how awful she kissed. But she didn’t. Because he seemed to be enjoying the kiss as much as she was. He didn’t pull away, didn’t recoil and wipe the back of his hand across his lips in disgust.

Quite the contrary. He moaned and deepened the kiss. His body pressed hers into the bed. What started as a slow, careful exploration turned hot and unyielding. Then after a while, it slowed again, as if Luke wanted to savor every sensation. She didn’t want him to stop. She didn’t want this dream to end.

She ran her fingers through his hair and pulled him tighter. He tasted like mint and hot chocolate and whatever he was doing with his lips had her toes curling. She kissed him with every bit of passion she had inside her and matched his explosive pace. Her body hummed with oh-so-welcome quivers.

She was so caught up in kissing him that when he eased away, she sighed to catch her breath. A blush spread over her entire body, she was sure, when he looked down at her like she’d rocked his world, too. Thank heaven.

His forehead touched hers. “I’m sorry.”

Her elation burst. All the warm sensations swirling inside her stopped. After a kiss like that a girl wanted to hear words of devotion or at least a compliment or plan to do it again. Once again, he’d ruined their kiss.

“Don’t be,” she said, keeping her tone light. “We obviously just needed to get that out of our system and now that we have, we can forget it ever happened.” She rolled away and got to her feet.

“That’s not—”

“Save it.” She held up her hand. Her skin heated and pressure built behind her eyes. She needed to get the hell out of the room and get some fresh air. “I’m about to faint from hunger so let’s go eat.”

Luke rose, watching her like a hawk. “You don’t want to hear what I have to say?”

“No. I don’t.”

…

Luke woke Thursday morning with his arm slung over a soft, warm body. Shit. He’d crossed the invisible barrier he promised he wouldn’t. He lifted his arm and carefully scooted back. Sela’s gorgeous face, relaxed in sleep, her hands tucked under her cheek, might be the best thing he’d ever woken up to. He’d happily lie in bed all day staring at her. This close, the tiny freckle under her left eye killed him.

Last night he’d wanted to apologize for the Kissing Booth, but she hadn’t wanted to hear it. And he couldn’t blame her—his timing had sucked. The kiss last night had blown his mind and then he decided to say sorry. Not one of his better moves. But there was no way she misinterpreted his reaction to her. Hell, he’d poured himself into that kiss like a guy in love.

A weight heavier than an anchor nosedived from his throat to his gut.

The heady sensations left over from the kiss had hovered around them all evening. If not for the other inn guests’ conversations at dinner, the tension most definitely would have led to more kissing. But by the time they’d returned to the room, she’d thrown up a wall and said she had work to do on her computer. He’d tried to catch a peek, but she wouldn’t let him.

She stirred and let out a soft breath, bringing him back from his thoughts. He stirred, too, dammit. Everything she did turned him on. Not just below the belt, either. She stimulated his mind in ways that unnerved him and he wanted to spend the day with her.

From the brightness in the room, he guessed the sun was shining. They should take advantage and explore their new surroundings rather than rush back to Cascade.

The sound of rustling on the porch drew his attention and he sat up. A light tap on the door followed. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, he noted the time and decided to wake his sleeping beauty.

“Breakfast is here.” He brushed the hair off her shoulder and gave a gentle nudge.

Her eyes fluttered open and she rolled onto her back to stretch. His heart stopped with the innocence and splendor of her morning wake-up. When the corners of her mouth lifted—how he deserved a smile like that he had no idea—his heart kicked in again, double time.

“It’s nine?” she said. “I can’t remember the last time I slept until nine. Did you sleep okay?”

“I did. Better than I have in a while.” Huh.

“Your laceration looks better.” She eyed his bare chest.

He looked down. “Yeah. Had some great hands taking care of me.” He got up and threw his shirt over his head. “Let’s eat.” If he didn’t move away he’d pounce on her and after their kiss last night, he needed to tread lightly.

“How are you feeling otherwise?” she asked, following him out to their private porch. Her voice rang raspier than normal. Good. He hoped his hands comment had affected her.

“Better. Stronger. Not far from a full recovery.” Being with her, he could conquer anything. Nothing hurt when she stood near him.

Lattice covered with ivy surrounded their dining area and sunshine peeked through the slats. The cool air smelled fresh, clean. Whoever had dropped off breakfast had also turned on the space heater. Luke took the seat farthest away from the warm airflow. He wanted Sela to be comfortable.

“Wow. This looks amazing.” She lifted the lid off the second plate and handed it to him.

He eyed thick French toast with powdered sugar and sliced bananas and several slices of bacon. He grinned. “Looks like bacon is popular at B&Bs, too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Could you pass the syrup, please?”

They ate in happy silence. Unrushed. He tried to watch her on the sly, but she caught him several times.

“What?” she finally asked. “Do I have powdered sugar on my nose or something?”

“Or something.”

She threw her cloth napkin at him. “Luke. It’s rude not to tell someone when there’s something on her face or in her teeth.”

He caught the napkin. “You look great. I was just thinking this is probably how you looked in college. Sweatshirt, sweatpants…” He leaned to the side. “Bare feet.” With lavender nail polish that was sexy as hell.

“Oh.” She chewed the corner of her lip.

“So I was thinking we could rent mountain bikes and do some exploring around here today. What do you say?”

“Shoot, I completely spaced out. I’ve got to be at work by one.” She tidied up her mess and stood.

“Wait.” He grabbed her hand before she went back into the room. “Call in sick. Play hookie with me.”

She looked down at their hands. He hadn’t realized it, but his thumb was stroking back and forth. He watched her swallow. However stupid it might be, he wanted more time alone with her. He liked how he felt when they were together. He liked hearing her laugh, loved when she made him laugh. The best therapy, he’d come to discover, was Sela.

“Luke.”

The best way to get her to agree, he’d also discovered, was to provoke her. “Come on, Miss Goody-Two-Shoes. You’ve never ditched a day in your life. What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid. I’m responsible.” She pulled her hand back. “And I have too ditched before.”

“Name one time and I’ll let you off the hook.”

Sela looked around the porch, searching her memory, Luke guessed. “I can’t remember, but I know I have.” He loved that she didn’t just make something up.

“Doesn’t count. Guess you’re mine for the day.” He got to his feet.

Surrender, anticipation, and a hint of wickedness crossed her expression before she forced a frown in his direction. He bit back a laugh. If she wanted him to think this bothered her, fine. But there was no disguising the glint in her eye. She might get away with playing the good girl with everyone else, but he saw through to the woman who wanted to break the rules.

“I can pretend I’m feeling under the weather, but I need to make sure I can get someone to cover for me. Let me make a phone call or two before I say yes.”

“Fair enough. While you do that, I’ll pop into the house and talk to Charlie or Millie about bike rentals.” He leaned forward, an unconscious desire to kiss her good-bye gripping him, as if they were a married couple. He pulled back, mortified, and thankful she’d already half turned and missed his gesture.

Still, as he walked down the main porch, he couldn’t stop the goddamn smile on his face.

Fake illness aside, whatever the hell Sela had, she’d infected him. Big time.

Around one o’clock, when they parked their bikes on a bluff overlooking the Pacific and sat down to the picnic lunch Millie insisted they take, Luke checked out Sela’s perfect rear end for the hundredth time. She’d led them up the mountain, happy as a clam for the position, unaware he had the best view.

“Looks like we’ve got turkey wraps,” she said, on her knees with her back to him and pulling food out of the insulated bag. “Fruit salad, and”—she looked over her shoulder—“giant chocolate chip cookies. I could get used to this.”

So could he.

“What’s next on the wedding to-do list?” Luke asked. If they kept to the topic of Vanessa’s wedding and their duties, he’d stay focused on that, instead of how much he wanted to kiss Sela again.

She unwrapped his sandwich and handed it to him. “Saturday we’re putting together the favors.”

“We?”

“Don’t worry. It’s just the girls—your mom, Ness, Erin, and me. That’s the last big thing. Then it’s little stuff Vanessa has to do and the rehearsal dinner.” She crossed her legs and took a bite of her sandwich. “I can’t believe my best friend is getting married next weekend.”

Even chewing looked sexy when Sela did it so he turned his attention to the ocean. The storm had left nothing but blue sky and waves dotted with surfers in its wake. Sunbathers braved the upper sixties temperature, too.

“Hayden wanted my thoughts on a wedding present,” he said.

“Really? What did you tell him?”

“Sorry. Sworn to secrecy. You’ll have to be surprised like everybody else.” He forked a piece of honeydew out of the bowl and put it in his mouth.

Her lips formed the most kissable pout. “You have to tell me.”

“No can do, sweetheart.”

Luke wasn’t sure if the “sweetheart” or “no” caused the quirk in one eyebrow and the squaring of her shoulders, but either way, she had his interest.

“I promise not to tell anyone.”

He shook his head. “My lips are sealed.”

“What if I unsealed them? Would you tell me then?” She never broke eye contact as she put down her sandwich and crawled closer.

Holy shit. He’d tell her anything she wanted when she looked at him like
that
. “What exactly are you implying?”

“I think you know.”

“I need you to spell it out for me.” He didn’t want to assume anything.

“I’d rather show you.” She stopped just shy of touching him.

Luke loved that she’d decided to take the initiative this time, but the idea that she only wanted information from him quelled the desire burning through his veins. “I’m all for showing, but first let’s tell.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’ll tell you what I told Hayden and then you tell me if you still want to brush those lips against mine.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Who said anything about kissing?”

“Take it or leave it.” Ball in her court. He hoped she made the right play.

For a brief moment her gaze dipped to his mouth. “Okay. Tell me.” She sat back on her haunches, giving him some much-needed breathing room.

“Hayden told me traditionally, the groom gives his bride jewelry, but that he wanted to be different. I told him the story of how when Vanessa was young she had this infatuation with planting trees and even now she has her students buy a seedling in honor of a person or event every year.” Luke stretched his legs out in front of him. “She’s kept track of all her trees. I told him to find the first one Vanessa planted and have a knot tied around it.”

“Tying the knot,” Sela whispered.

“Right?” Luke said, excited she got it. “Vanessa’s never been into material things, but a gesture like that would mean the world to her.”

Her gaze moved to the blades of grass between them. Luke watched her swallow with effort, as if emotion choked her. “You are a seriously awesome big brother.” She looked back into his eyes, lifted, and straddled his lap. “And that’s the most romantic idea I’ve ever heard. You’re right. Vanessa will love it.”

Luke didn’t dare move a muscle as she settled against him, her hands now on his shoulders. “I have my moments.”

“I’d say so. Thanks for telling me.”

“Sure.”

She leaned in so her mouth hovered next to his ear. “I still want to brush my lips against yours,” she said softly. “You ready?”

He moved one hand to her waist while the other cupped the back of her head. He’d been ready and waiting for her his whole life.

They kissed. And kissed. And kissed some more.

Chapter Eleven

Worst maid of honor ever.

Besides her own family, Sela cared more for the Watters family than anyone else. Since getting back from her overnight stay with Luke, though, she didn’t know how to act around them. She’d lied to Vanessa by keeping what had happened between her and Luke to herself. And Vanessa had barely spoken to her after missing their dance lesson.

“Hellooo?” Vanessa said, bringing her back to Saturday afternoon and the dining room table at her best friend’s house. “Your bag is overflowing.”

She looked down. Sure enough the small, silver linen drawstring pouch had maxed out on heart-shaped mints. “Thanks, Ness. I must have zoned for a minute.”

Vanessa’s eyebrows shot up.
Great.
Her best friend could read her better than anyone. Sela felt guilty for shirking her maid of honor duties, but Vanessa must have sensed there was more going on. Probably because sunshine flowed through Sela’s veins every time she thought about the kisses she’d shared with Luke.

When they were through here, she’d come clean about Luke. With guilt tugging at one half of her heart and happiness the other, she was about to go crazy.

“How many of these do we have to make?” Erin asked. She sat a few seats away and still wore her pajamas.

“Five hundred,” Paula said. “So quit slacking,” she teased.

Judging by the supplies still filling the table, Sela guessed they were about three quarters of the way through. She added mints to a pouch, picked up a pink ribbon with a tiny sand dollar attached, and tied the pouch shut. Repeated.

“Thought you ladies might like a snack,” Vanessa’s dad said, carrying in a tray of cheese and crackers, grapes and apples.

“Reed, darling, you read my mind,” Paula said. “Thank you.”

Luke followed right behind, making Sela’s heart trip over itself. His smile traveled across the room just for her. When Erin looked up from making a favor, his focus turned to his sister. He pulled a piece of her hair and made a face as he moved around the table.

“What in the world is that on your pajamas?” Luke asked.

“You have a problem with Hello Kitty?” Erin said.

“Hello who?” He continued around the table, slowing his step when he got behind Sela.

She wanted to touch him so badly, the tips of her fingers tingled. He took a sharp inhale, like he wanted to breathe her in. She dropped the linen pouch she’d just filled and heart-shaped mints scattered all over the floor.

“Dammit,” she muttered and crawled beneath the table to pick them up, vaguely aware that Erin had said something.

Luke almost bumped her forehead as he bent to help. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

“We’ve got an audience, so I’ll make this quick. Can I see you later?” He gathered some mints in his hands.

Sela blinked. “What?” She still hadn’t processed everything that had happened between them.

“You heard me.”

A pair of men’s tennis shoes appeared beside them. “Need some help?”

“Oh no, that’s okay, Reed.” Sela leaned away from Luke and scooped up the last few hearts. “I think that’s all of it.” She avoided eye contact with everyone as Luke stood and she got back in her seat.

Reed and Luke stayed to eat and join the conversation. They talked about Vanessa’s second grade class and Erin’s obsession with reality TV shows. They talked about the youngest Watters—Teague—and her studies abroad and love of animals.

“Remember when Teague won a fish at the Fall Fling and was so happy when she brought it home?” Vanessa said. “She named him Hurricane because he liked to swim in circles.”

“I remember,” Erin said. “And then she went next door to play and he died and you, big brother,” Erin said, pointing at Luke, “went back to the carnival and spent like twenty dollars to win her another one.”

“And she got home before Luke did,” Vanessa said, “and we had to keep her away from the bowl until Luke got back.”

“I seem to recall that fish living a long damn time,” Luke said.

“It did. You’ve got the magic touch.” Erin tied a ribbon around the pouch in her hands and then threw it at Luke.

The throw surprised him and when he swiveled to catch it, he groaned. His eyes shut and his mouth twisted. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

“Luke?” Paula said, concern and unease in her tone.

“Shit.” His gaze darted to Sela and she wished she could rush to his side to hold his hand.

“Is something wrong?” Paula asked.

“No,” he said.

“Luke.” Paula stretched out his name and used her tell-me-the-truth voice.

He fidgeted. “Nothing that’s more important than these wedding favors.”

Silence filled the room, and no one moved. Every member of the Watters family contemplated Luke, waiting for further explanation.

Finally, he took a deep breath and told his family about Tibet. About his fall into the rapids and about his injuries. Sela kept her eyes trained on him the whole time so that whenever he glanced at her he’d find someone who wouldn’t judge or tell him to stop doing what he loved. His fearless, wild, adventurous personality was one of the things she admired most about him.

Plus, his photographs really were amazing. He shared a piece of himself in every single one and brought the most spectacular images to life.

“You’re really okay?” Paula asked, kneading her hands atop the table.

“Yes. And you don’t have to worry because I’ve got my own personal nurse looking out for me.” He cast a quick glance at Sela.

“You knew?” Vanessa and Erin said at the same time, shock and a twinge of disappointment in their voices.

“I did. We ran into each other at the hospital, and Luke told me why he was there.” She noted the hurt in Vanessa’s and Erin’s eyes and moved her regard to Paula. “I was happy to be his sounding board, since he wasn’t yet ready to share what had happened with you guys.”

“Thank you,” Paula said, gratitude etched in the lines around her eyes and mouth.

“Of course.” She almost added it was her pleasure, but then caught herself. She didn’t want to even consider what everyone thought about her right now. They all stared, and she fought the urge to drop the party favor in her hand so she could duck under the table again. Could they see how enamored with Luke she was? And how guilt-ridden she was about that? “So, Ness, what did you decide to get Hayden for a wedding gift?”

Talk about the wedding resumed and the mood lightened—at least on the surface— with a discussion of the watch Vanessa bought for Hayden and their honeymoon. Out of the corner of her eye, Sela peeked at Luke. Unshaven, his hair mussed in that sexy way of his, he made her stomach quiver.

He gave her a mischievous look. The same one he’d worn before he kissed her at the bed and breakfast.

With only a handful of favors still needing to be assembled, Paula and Reed excused themselves for a dinner date. They took turns hugging Luke before they left.

“I almost forgot about the Chocolate Wars,” Erin said, dropping a pouch on the table like it was a hot potato. “Be right back.”

Silence filled the room. Luke fiddled with a grape. Vanessa concentrated on a favor.

Erin plopped back down and opened her laptop. “I swear to God if we didn’t make it, See, I will never be able to face Candace Candywhacker Brewer again.”

Vanessa put her arm around Erin. “She’s got nothing on you.”

“True, but she drives me crazy, and she’s so full of herself.” Erin pressed a few keys on her keyboard. “And she never has anything nice to say about anyone. Oh my God!” She looked up from the screen. “We did it. We’re in the top five.”

Sela stretched across the table for a high-five. “The game is almost yours.”

“You bet your ass it is.” Erin typed furiously. “I’m commenting and thanking everyone who voted for us.”

“What’s that?” Vanessa asked, squinting toward the computer screen. She put down the ribbon and sand dollar she was holding.

“What’s what?” Erin said.

“That.” She pointed at the screen. “There’s a poll about Sela and—”

“How about we order pizza and have a girl’s night in?” Sela stood and slammed her hands on the table. She had to make things right with Vanessa before they got worse.

“Hold on,” Luke said, getting up and moving toward the computer. “What kind of poll?”

“It’s nothing.” Erin, bless her heart, closed the laptop. “See, I’ve got another pair of Hello Kitty jammies I’ll hook you up with.”

“Sold.” Sela put the final touches on the last wedding favor. She rubbed her hands together and cracked a knuckle. “I’ll call my neighbor, and he’ll bring Becks over to his place.”

It wasn’t until Sela pulled her phone out of her purse that she noticed both Luke and Vanessa had left the room.

Sela tiptoed down the stairs and headed to the kitchen. She couldn’t sleep. After coming clean to Vanessa—about everything with Luke—her mind wouldn’t shut off.

Vanessa wasn’t happy. She wasn’t unhappy. She didn’t know what to be, she’d said. She was worried about the wedding—and Sela—and didn’t want anything to interfere with what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life. Sela agreed and promised that from now on nothing with Luke would get in the way of her maid of honor duties.

She grabbed a box of cereal, milk out of the fridge, a bowl and spoon, and plopped down at the kitchen island. Frosted Flakes ought to stop the racket in her head. At least while she ate the sugary comfort food.

When a hand brushed aside the hair at her neck and lips grazed the spot just under her earlobe, she shivered and almost choked.

Luke
.

“Hello, Kitty. Mind if I join you?”

She glanced at her pajamas before glancing at him. Low-slung sweatpants. That’s all he had on. He reached for a bowl in the cupboard and the sinewed shape of his back accelerated her heart rate. When he turned, she couldn’t help but stare at the muscles on his chest and abs.

“See something you like?”

Her gaze snapped to his eyes. “Just noting how well you’re healing from your baseball accident.”

He took the seat beside her. “That’s nice. I bet the townspeople would call that in favor of the Love Bug.”

From the neutral sound of his voice, she had no idea if he thought the situation funny or irritating.

“You went to the blog.” She dropped her forehead into her hand.

“Hey.” He turned her bar stool so their knees bumped. “It doesn’t bother me.” He leaned forward and touched his nose to hers. “I even voted.”

She pulled sideways. “You did not.”

“You telling me you haven’t?” He leaned back with a boyish simper that undid her attempt to keep a straight face.

“How did you vote?”

He traced a finger down her arm. “I’m all for having you as my love bug.”

The fluttery feeling between her thighs that started the second he’d walked into the kitchen intensified.

“You probably don’t remember this,” he started, and her pulse raced. She knew what he was going to say. “But I’ve been reminded of something I said to you and I want to apologize.”

“Apologize?” Holy crap.
Apologize?

“Yeah. It happened my senior year on the baseball field. During the team’s—”

“Kissing booth.” Embarrassment crawled up the back of her neck thinking about it.

He narrowed his eyes. “You remember?”

“It was the last thing you said to me until a couple of weeks ago, Luke. And it’s something a fifteen-year-old girl doesn’t forget.”

“I’m sorry.” He gently took her hand.

Since he’d started this conversation, she wanted to finish it. Once and for all. Then she wanted him to stop talking and show her what he did with love bugs.

A part of her wanted to yank her hand back, all the hurt feelings bubbling to the surface again. But the other part, the part that knew Luke
now
, didn’t. “Sorry I remember, or sorry for saying it?” she asked, keeping her hand put.

“I’m sorry for saying it.”

“I’m just curious,” she said. “Where was your apology back when I really needed it?” She shivered, remembering the repulsed look on his face. “You shoved me away and said the meanest thing anyone’s ever said to me. If it weren’t for Vanessa’s wedding, I wouldn’t be anywhere near you.”

Luke took a deep breath. “You’re right. I should have apologized then, but I can’t change the timing, so I hope you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt now, especially given the past couple of weeks together. I’ve really liked being with you, Sela.”

The silky tone of his voice was pretty convincing. As was the flare of heat in his eyes. “Was it the truth? Was my…?” She paused and dropped her head. “Was my kiss so bad that it sickened you?”

He lifted her chin. “No. It wasn’t true. You were a great kisser, Sela. Still are.”

She stumbled out of the seat. “Then why did you say those things?”

“Because I didn’t know what else to do. You were—you
are
my best friend’s little sister. I wasn’t supposed to enjoy kissing you.” He gulped and his gaze slid down to her neck where she was sure he could see her rapidly beating pulse.

Sela covered her face with her hands. She hadn’t seen this coming. Something warm and nice and unfair spread through her. He’d liked their kiss! His confession made her happy—and scared shitless. It was easy to hold a grudge against him when he’d done something horrible to her. It would be impossible to ever fall back on that now.

With a slow and gentle motion, Luke pried her hands from her face. “I’m sorry.”

“You already said that.”

“This time it’s for whatever I’ve apparently done to upset you now.” One corner of his mouth lifted. Then he did something so unexpected, yet so thrilling, that she didn’t care about anything in the past. He threw her over his shoulder.

“Luke! What are you doing? Put me down.” She squirmed. Her pajamas were thin and his body was warm, and flurries of excitement zinged around her middle.

“I will when we get to the bedroom.”

“How do you know I want to go there?”

He stopped outside the bedroom door and slid her down the front of his body. As he held her tight against him, she felt how much he wanted her. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go, Sela.” His lips crashed against hers, fierce and demanding. Possessive.