Living Again (64 page)

Rachel scoffed. “Seems to me he has a lot less than most guys. Why can’t he have a brother? Any single friends? Anyone? I’m doomed.”

Kayley put her hand on her friends arm. “You aren’t doomed, Rach. You just haven’t found someone worthy of you yet.”

Rachel hugged her quickly, wishing that what she had said was true. She had found someone before that was worthy of her—he was too worthy. That was why she wasn’t with him, and would never commit like that again, to anyone.

Kayley watched as Emily made her way for the stage, the announcement having been made that speeches were starting. There was no telling what she would say. Lacing her fingers with Ben’s, she looked up at him. “Be prepared for anything,” she laughed, and he nodded, knowing Emily. This could either be the sweetest or the funniest speech he had ever heard.

Emily took the microphone, her eyes locking on Kayley’s. “Most of you know me, but I’m Kayley’s best friend Emily, or as we’ve always considered ourselves, her sister. We met when we were in elementary school, second grade, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. We’ve been through a lot together, as you can imagine. When we were kids, we thought our challenges were tough. We had no idea what tough was, though. The things that this woman right here has dealt with over the last few years, it would tear anyone apart. But, see, she was stronger than that. And, she had a best friend that wouldn’t let her give up. See that handsome doctor that’s her husband next to her? Well, when she met him, I wouldn’t let her push away what was there. All of you know what happened to Kayley, and that’s not something for today, because today is happy. So, you two can thank me now for making this day possible.” She paused, smiling at them. “Just kidding. I have never been happier for my best friend, my sister, and her new husband. They are the most sickingly sweet couple you’ve ever seen, but you can’t help but love them. I love you both, and congratulations. Oh- and I forgot to say it, because you know I would, you can also thank me for the nickname Dr. Yummy.”

Everyone clapped, laughing at her nickname for him, and Kayley dried her eyes as Emily made her way for her. Gripping her tightly, she was so thankful for her friendship. “Love you, Em. That was way tamer than I thought it would be.”

Emily laughed, hugging her again before walking back by Trevor. Next up was Cam, Ben’s best man. “I could say the same thing about him,” Ben whispered. “He could get embarrassing very quickly.”

“Kellie wouldn’t let him do that,” Kayley said. Ben grinned, and Kayley knew. If Cam wanted to embarrass him, he would.

Cam walked up, grinning at Ben. “I’m Cameron, Ben’s best man and his friend for a really, really long time, but I refuse to say how long because it would make us sound old.” The group laughed. “Ben has always been a fantastic friend. Throughout high school, we had our share of good times, crazy times. But Ben was always the driven, goal oriented guy. That’s why he’s a doctor and I’m not.” Again, laughter twittered throughout the room. “He’s the greatest friend you could ever ask for. He’s there for you whenever you need him, no matter what. And though he was successful and a great guy, he was missing something. When he met Kayley and he told me about her, I could tell right away that she was it. There was a look on his face that I can’t even describe. They are a great couple, and Kellie and I are blessed to call them friends. Congratulations, Ben and Kayley. We wish you all the best, and many more children.”

The room clapped again, and Cam hugged both Ben and Kayley. They really had the best friends in the world.

Rachel sat at the table, watching Kayley and Ben mingle around the room. The speeches were over and the party was winding down. She felt awful for the way she was feeling right now, at her friend’s wedding. No matter how happy she was for them, she couldn’t seem to get a hold of the turmoil swirling inside her. Luckily, she was very good at hiding her true feelings, and from the outside, she looked like she always did— a little edgy, sexy, and confident.

Her feelings had nothing to do with the happy couple. They were amazing together, and she knew they belonged together. Kayley deserved every bit of happiness she had after what happened to her.

Rachel knew that even if Kayley were to notice that she was struggling, she wouldn’t understand why. Rachel had been very careful what she shared with her friend. As much as she loved their friendship, she could never tell her what had brought her to this point in her life. She would never look at her the same, just like everyone else in her life.

I had this once
, she couldn’t stop the thoughts.
This could’ve been us. Enjoying everyone celebrating our marriage.
But instead, she had resorted herself to the fact that she would spend her life avoiding serious commitment.
Never again
, she reminded herself, pushing the pain back in the box where it belonged and slamming the lid shut.

“Everyone gather around, let’s say farewell to our bride and groom as they get to the HONEYMOOOOON.” Kayley laughed, shaking her head as Ben looked at her and wiggled his eyebrows. It had been a fantastic night, but she was ready to say her goodbyes, for sure.

As they ran through bubbles being blown and into the hotel, they made their way for the elevator. Ben had reserved the honeymoon suite on the top floor of the resort, and he had already been there to take their things. Leaning against the wall of the elevator, Kayley closed her eyes.

“I am
so
tired,” she mumbled. Before she could open her eyes and smile to show Ben she was teasing, his body was on hers.

“Oh no you don’t,” Ben growled, his hands everywhere. “I will do whatever I have to in order to make sure you have enough energy for me. I’ve been looking at you all night in this dress. I have been visualizing you in that naughty underwear you gave me the pictures of
all day
. That was not nice, by the way, wife. Not nice at all.”

Ben nipped her earlobe, cupping her behind through her dress. She could feel his excitement through his pants. “I’m so sorry,” she breathed, wrapping one of her legs around one of his, pulling him closer to her. “Want to hear the good news?”

He flicked his gaze to her eyes, his eyes lazy with desire. “What’s that?”

The elevator dinged at the top floor. “I’m going to show it to you, right now,” she teased, leading him by his sexy blue tie out of the elevator. “Which room is it?”

Ben whipped a key card out of his pocket and walked to the door. “Here it is.” He grabbed her hand and led her quickly into the room, grabbing the Do Not Disturb sign and putting it on the outside of the door before slamming and locking it.

Kayley stood in the middle of the room, waiting for him, an amused grin on her face as she watched him. She couldn’t even appreciate how nice the honeymoon suite was. All she could do was stare at the man that was now her husband. His hair was messed up from hours of dancing, and she loved it. His shirt was untucked and his tie loosened. He looked mouth-watering.

“Let’s get that dress off of you,” Ben’s voice was low, desire lacing every syllable. “First, I need to investigate every single facet of this amazing dress, then I need to see it on the floor.” He walked around her, making her feel like a mannequin in a store window. Whistling, he ran his finger down the V of the back, making her shiver. He leaned over and ran his tongue down that V, which stopped at her lower back. She breathed out through her teeth as the sensation of what he was doing shot throughout her body. His big hands started at her back and traveled to her shoulders, then over as he walked to the front of her body. He ran his finger down the heart shaped neckline and into the slight cleavage that showed, then his mouth followed.

“Ben,” she squeaked out, gripping his hair in her hands as he explored her. He stood back up, the look on his face setting her ablaze. His hands roamed her hourglass shape, tightly hugged by the dress. He reached around her and easily found the zipper, freeing her. The dress immediately dropped down, displaying part of the lingerie that he had a sneak peek of earlier.

Taking her hand, he helped her step from the dress as it puddled on the floor. “That dress was the hottest wedding dress in history of wedding dresses. However, this, right here? This is pure heaven. You just dropped from the sky.” Still holding her hand, he turned her so that he could see the lingerie set in great detail. A strapless lace corset tucked her small frame in and made her breasts spill over the top. It laced very low in the back, tying at her bottom. She wore white thigh highs, with garters that attached to the corset. In between was a snatch of lace just covering her in the front and not covering anything in the back.

“I have died. You’ve killed me. This is sinful, but heavenly, all at the same time. I don’t know what I want to do first.”

Kayley gave him a flirtatious grin, then reached for his tie, sliding it off. “First,” she purred. “I’m going to remove these things from you.” Unbuttoning his shirt, she flung it off and it landed next to her dress. She then went to work, unbuckling his belt, then pants, dropping them to the floor. He was left standing in front of her in one of her favorites- white boxer briefs. They hugged him tightly, showing off his rock hard body. She put her hands on the sides and pushed them off, and it was like in that moment, a switch was flipped and Ben was activated.

He grabbed her quickly, turning her around and pulling her against him so she could feel how ready he was to have her. He ground against her, his breath hot on her neck, her shoulder, her back as he kissed her, biting lightly, then licking. He ran his fingers along the ties, untying it as fast as he could and unlacing it so he could get it off. As soon as it was loosened, he unclipped the garters from the thigh highs and eased them both off until they hit the floor, kissing her legs along the way. That left Kayley standing, her backside against a very ready him, in only the small scrap of lace that was considered underwear.

“So hot,” he groaned. “I need you, now.”

“Yes,” she agreed. He turned her back so that she was facing him, and he glanced at her sexy underwear one more time, then pulled them off. Picking her up in his arms, she wrapped her legs around his waist as he devoured her mouth with his, showing her with his tongue what he wanted to do elsewhere. She gripped his hair as he lowered his mouth to her breasts at the same time he entered her, causing them both to groan in satisfaction. Holding her up easily, they were frantic, almost desperate. He gripped her from her bottom as he sank deeply inside her, loving the feeling of knowing that they were forever now. It fueled him.

He kissed up her neck until he reached her mouth, kissing away a moan as it came out of her mouth at the sensations building. “Now,” she demanded, and he knew what she wanted. He pushed her harder, faster, until they were both falling over the edge together, panting and calling out each other’s names.

Setting her back on the floor after their hearts had calmed, Ben touched her beautiful face, flush from their lovemaking. “Our first time as husband and wife. And hot as ever.”

Kayley laughed, reaching her hands around to cup his firm behind. “Hotter.” She reached out her tongue and flicked it at his nipple, making him squirm.

“Let’s go clean up,” Ben said, a suggestive smirk on his face. They made their way into the bathroom to the large shower, complete with four shower heads and several jets that went in different directions and a large bench against one wall. “Hmmm,” Ben pretended to be thinking, tapping his finger against his head. “If my memory serves correctly, and I’m pretty sure it does, there was a shower involved before, one that made me very, very dirty.”

Kayley cupped him in her hand and his eyes became wide. “Oh, is that right? Well maybe my husband will have to tell me about that.” With that, she stepped into the water, with Ben right on her heels.