Midnight Heat (Firework Girls #2) (15 page)

The ceremony is a little surreal.

Sam, Ashley, and I go through the motions pretty believably, I think. Sam smiles at Isabella like she couldn’t be happier. I smile, too. It
is
a beautiful ceremony, made even more beautiful by our friend. Isabella’s in a stunning custom-made dress, with a flared trumpet silhouette cut. The entire dress is covered in delicate lace, has Swarovski crystals adorning the bodice and train, and an open back showing her gorgeous, dark, Mediterranean skin. Shane is dashing in his black tux, and the tender look of love he gives Isabella when she comes down the aisle probably makes every woman present swoon.

I couldn’t say, myself. Inside I feel nothing. I’m numb and feel like I’m watching the whole thing unfold without really being part of it.

Like I’m already on the outs.

Surrounded by the most perfect weather anyone could ask for, with a gorgeous view of the ocean, everything goes off without a hitch. At the conclusion of the ceremony, we all file into the Grand Ballroom for the reception. It looks like something out of a fairy tale. There are flowers and lights everywhere, and a false ceiling made of graceful bands of silk. The tables are set with fine china, crystal goblets, and delicate silver flatware. There’s not one, but two ice sculptures, and a string quartet playing at the far end.

We stand in the receiving line as people come through to give their well wishes and make their way to the tables. Ashley is standing between Sam and me in the line. Sam hasn’t looked at me once.

Eventually we all join Isabella and Shane at the bridal table at the front and an army of waiters and waitresses proceeds to serve us a four-course dinner. I feel like I’m being swept along by the tide. I hear the dinner is excellent, but I wouldn’t know. I’m eating dutifully, but I can’t really taste it.

At last the meal is over, the quartet packs up, and the DJ takes over. Isabella and Shane head to the open floor in the center to have their first dance. When they’re finished, the tide that’s swept me along so far will be over. There will be no more obligations.

Then I’ll be able to talk to Sam, if she’ll hear me.

When the dance is over and the DJ invites the rest of us to join in, I turn toward Sam, two seats down from me.

But she’s gone.

Thirty minutes goes by and Sam doesn’t come back. That’s when I go looking for her. I find her out in the hall, alone. She’s sitting on a padded bench, leaning against the wall and chewing on her thumbnail.

I approach tentatively. Half way there, she notices me. I stop. She looks at me and drops her hand to her lap, saying nothing. I continue on until I’m to her, but I don’t sit down.

She looks forward, still not talking. She looks so resigned and defeated. I would much rather she rage and tell me she hates me than see her like this.

“You can yell at me if you want,” I say.

She looks at me and furrows her brow.

“Or call me names?” I suggest.

She rolls her eyes and looks forward again. “Sit down, Chloe.”

I slowly lower myself to the edge of the bench.

“Have you told me everything?” she asks. “You know... everything?”

I’m not sure she really wants to know everything, or that I want to tell her. Haven’t I said enough? “I don’t want to give you excuses,” I say.

“Yes, yes,” she says, rolling her eyes again, “but this isn’t about you, okay? It’s about me. Have you told me everything about you two or not?”

I press my lips together and hold my breath a moment. “No,” I say quietly.

“Well then.”

Now I remember what Jack said. He said I should tell Sam the whole story. And Sam is, after all, asking.

So I comply.

I tell the entire thing, leaving nothing out. I tell my story the way I told it to Ashley. The way I would tell my friend. After a while, Sam watches me, but her impassive expression doesn’t change.

When I’m finished, she faces forward again and sits there for a while.

“I’m so, so sorry, Sam,” I say. “Please believe me.”

She looks at me then. “Thank you for explaining,” she says quietly, then gets up and walks down the hall without another word.

Eventually I go back into the ballroom. I don’t know if Sam is in here or not, but I don’t look for her. I find a table on the edge of the room—inhabited by elderly guests who seem perfectly content to watch the younger ones out on the dance floor—and park myself there.

The song the DJ is playing is a raucous one, and the dance floor is hopping. Isabella and Shane are really getting into it. Turns out, the professor knows how to move.

I couldn’t say how long I sat there before I see Sam marching across the room, heading straight for me. I sit up straighter.

Oh god, here it comes. She’s gonna go crazy on me right here and now.

I stand as she gets closer and flinch when she grabs my hand. But she’s not wailing on me. She’s leading me across the room.

“Uh, Sam?”

“Wait for it.”

Maybe she’s taking me where there won’t be any witnesses. Somewhere she can hide the body?

We weave through the crowd and exit the ballroom. “Sam?”

She doesn’t slow. She takes me straight to—

“Grayson?” I breathe.

He’s standing in the hall and he’s... smiling?

Sam and I halt directly in front of him. She grabs Grayson’s arm, then puts my hand in his.

“There,” she says.

I can only gape at her.

“You owe me fucking
huge,
” Sam says.

I blink.

With a perfectly straight face, she gives me a wink and starts to walk away. “I swear,” she says. “The trouble I have to go through just to get you a date for the reception.”

Still stunned, I look at Grayson. He’s giving me a tentative smile. “Can I have this dance?” he asks.

“I—” I hold up one finger, “Hang on.”

I spin and hurry after Sam, launching myself and giving her a huge hug from behind.

“Oof! Get off me, woman!”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I say, still hanging on to her.

“Okay, okay,” she says, disentangling herself and turning toward me.

She’s giving me a sort of, “What am I going to do with you?” look.

“Do you forgive me? Really, truly?”

Sam rolls her eyes. “Okay missy, let’s just get it all out, shall we?”

I clasp my hands together and nod, looking at her meekly.

“Yeah, I was hurt. Obviously, okay? I mean, what a dumb ass move.”

I nod my head vigorously. Captain Dumb Ass. That’s me.

“But there’s one thing that got me more than anything else,” Sam continues. “Why didn’t you just tell me from the beginning?”

I raise my hands helplessly. “I don’t know. Because I’m a stupid idiot? I probably should have told you. But once I realized that, I thought it was too late to change it, and then he kind of, you know, became your property and—”

She raises her eyebrows incredulously. “Say what?”

“Well, because I didn’t tell you. That kind of made him yours. Doesn’t that make sense?”

“Fuck no,” Sam says, but she doesn’t look upset. “You could’ve just explained.”

“I know. I should have. I was just... so afraid of losing you as a friend. And then I started thinking about what happened with Loni.”

“Loni? Who the hell’s... oh
that
girl?” Sam rolls her eyes again. “God, Chloe, did you really think you mean so little to me? I wasn’t as close to Loni as I am to you. That lunatic kinda drove me nuts anyway.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Sam sighs. “Just... stop saying you’re sorry. I know you’re sorry.”

“I really am.”

She gives me a sharp look. “I am going to
smack
you, woman.”

I press my lips together.

Sam’s expression softens and she sighs. “You love him, right?”

I nod.

“Are you sure?” she asks, her brows furrowed. “You know, I can’t guarantee his effectiveness in the sack.”

I snort and give a tentative half grin.

“Can’t hold his liquor either,” Sam says, starting to grin herself. “And his idea of fun is to strap himself to this teeny, tiny rope and go careening down a mountain like a crazy person. Oh, hell, what am I saying? You two nut jobs are probably perfect for each other.”

I smile and throw my arms around her. “Thank you, Sam.”

I expect her to call me a lunatic and tell me to get off, but she doesn’t. She squeezes me back.

When I go back to Grayson, I have so many questions. So many things I want to say. I don’t say any of it. I just launch myself into his arms and we grip each other tightly. Being in his arms, I feel like my entire soul is sighing with relief.

He squeezes me tighter and lifts me onto my tiptoes.

“I missed you so much,” I breathe into his neck.

“Since yesterday or since nine months ago?”

“Yes.”

He loosens his grip enough to kiss me. We open to each other and kiss deeply. Again, my soul sighs, satisfied. But the rest of me is just getting started.

“We have to go in there,” he says lowly.

I nod, rubbing one hand up his chest. “Okay.” I kiss him again, and this time he takes me with more hunger, cupping my face with one hand. I kiss him eagerly, my body lighting up.

He pulls back, still holding my face, his eyes smoldering. “I’ve been instructed to make sure you dance tonight.”

“Okay,” I say, returning to his mouth. I don’t want to know if Sam gave him any other instructions about what to do with me tonight. Besides, I have my own ideas.

As our tongues search each other, I press myself firmly against him. I feel him growing against me. It’s all I can do not to wrap a leg around him right now.

Maybe a more reasonable person would wait until later, but, yeah. I’m totally not waiting.

I’m about to suggest we take a detour to my room when he’s suddenly steering me backwards, still kissing me. He pulls away briefly, quickly checks the hall—still empty thank god, since we apparently have
no brains—
and opens a door behind me.

We slip into a small, dark conference room and he backs me against a wall. What little restraint we were exercising in the hall is completely gone now. Frantically kissing each other and breathing hard, I undo his belt buckle and zipper while he shimmies up my dress and slides off my panties. The second we’re both exposed, he hooks his hands under my shoulders and lifts me easily. Throbbing and ready, I wrap my legs around his waist. I gasp as he presses me against the wall and enters my wet channel in one smooth move.

Oh my god, how I’ve needed this man.

He thrusts into me eagerly and I allow a moan of pleasure to escape before remembering where we are and biting back further sounds. The bass of the music in the ballroom resonates through the wall. Gripping his shoulders, I arch my head back as he takes me again and again. “Grayson,” I whisper. “God, yes.”

As my slick channel tightens around his hard shaft, I feel every ridge of him rubbing against me. I tuck into his neck, and he tucks into mine. The sound and feel of our hot breaths surround me.

“Chloe,” he says thickly.

“Yes,” I breathe, clutching him tightly as he rides me hard. As the hot ecstasy pulsing in my clit starts to flow outward, bathing me in pleasure, I clamp even harder around his cock.

“God, Chloe.”

“Take me,” I whisper. My chest is flushing hot as his movements intensify. I try to bite back a cry, but it escapes as a desperate whimper. He pushes me high and hard. The pleasure in my body spikes and I throw my head back.

I’m about to come and his cock is so hard that I know he is too. He thrusts me furiously and I almost go over. I claw at his back as he thrusts me again, my whole body ready to burst with pleasure. I bite my lip and he slams into me once, twice, three times and I damn near come undone as my orgasm explodes at last. I arch back, practically climbing up the wall as I climax around his hard cock that’s still riding me fast and furious. I’m panting and whimpering, then he groans heavily and his hot semen fills me. The contractions of his climax press against mine and amplifies the waves of pleasure tearing through me.

“Grayson,” I gasp. My body contracts with pleasure and I bite the fabric of his shirt in an effort not to cry out.

At last I’m released from the peak and waves of pleasure slowly bring me down to the tingling conclusion. He slows too, and as the last of my contractions squeeze his cock, we’re left still and panting against the conference room wall.

He presses against me gently, his hands supporting me as my body starts to relax and my legs lose their strength. He keeps us there, his cock still inside me, as I release into his arms.

He’s still tucked into me, but kisses me gently on the neck. Little ripples of pleasure dance away from the place his lips touch me.

“I...” he says kissing me softly again, “am so...” he lifts up and kisses me on the temple, “in love with you.”

I look at him and he holds me firmly, keeping me safe and secure right where I am. He smiles and I smile back.

“I love you, too,” I say. “So much.”

His smile widens.

I’m starting to be aware of the fact that we’re in a rather compromising position in an unlocked room and start to lower my legs. He gently slides out of me, then carefully helps me get back on my own two feet. There’s nothing graceful about the redressing and hair fussing that follows, but we can’t stop grinning at each other and our little burst of passion feels impossibly romantic to me anyway.

Once we’re put back together, but still in the darkened room, he pulls me into his arms.

“I think I’d better get you back in there before I get into trouble,” he says, rubbing his nose against mine.

“I’m ready,” I say. Now that I’ve settled things with Sam and quenched my need for Grayson, even if only for the moment, I do want to go celebrate with Isabella and my girls.

“We still have some things to discuss,” he says quietly.

I nod. I haven’t forgotten that I’ll be on a flight to Boise in less than 24 hours. God, how I’m regretting that move just now.

“We’ll do it after,” he says, kissing me sweetly. “Maybe in your room, where we can have some privacy?”

“Can we go to your place?” I ask tentatively.

“You want to come to my place?”

I nod. “I want to sleep in your arms tonight. Is that alright?”

“Of course,” he says gently, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear and squeezing me. “I’d love that, Chloe.”

Then he gives me one, last, lingering kiss, and Grayson and I leave our little cocoon to rejoin the rest of the world.

At first it’s a little weird, to be dancing with Grayson so openly when he’s been here with Sam all week, but it doesn’t seem to bother her at all. In fact, judging by the way she and one of the groomsmen dance during a slow song, I’d say Sam has landed on her feet just fine.

A few times during the fast songs, a large circle forms—including Isabella, us girls, Jack, and our dance partners—with everyone bopping around and laughing. I feel like I could soar up to the ceiling, I’m so light.

After one of the slow songs, Jack comes up to us and pins my feet on the ground a bit. After putting his arm around my shoulders and planting a kiss on the top of my head, he turns his attention to Grayson.

“Grayson,” he says, a smile on his face but a serious tone in his voice. He extends his hand, and when Grayson shakes it Jack hangs on. “A word?”

My smile falters as I glance between the two of them. They’re still gripping each other’s hands and holding each other’s eyes. “Uh—” I say.

“Sure,” Grayson says calmly, “I think that’s a good idea.”

“Uh—” I say again but they turn away from me and head toward the ballroom doors.

I stand there frozen, not sure what to think. Sam and Ashley come up to me. Sam’s watching Jack and Grayson depart as well. “Don’t worry,” Sam says, smiling, “he’s not going to kick his ass or anything.”

I glance at her, then look back to the doors, where they’ve both just disappeared. “Are you sure?” Jack kind of had that big brother look I’ve seen in him before.

Sam shrugs easily. “Pretty sure.”

I bolt forward, toward the doors, but she laughs and grabs my arm, stopping me. “I’m kidding, ding dong. He just wants to talk to him.”

“O-kaay,” we hear Isabella’s firm voice behind us. We spin to find her examining us with crossed arms. “Are you guys going to tell me what’s going on with Grayson, or what?”

“Uh...” Sam says.

We look at each other. Where to begin?

“There was a little mix up,” Ashley jumps in. She gives us a questioning glance.

Sam and I look at each other and shrug. I guess now’s as good a time as any.

Permission granted, Ashley proceeds to give Isabella the condensed version of events. Isabella’s eyes widen almost immediately, then we watch as various expressions of astonishment cross her face. Sam and I are both trying to give her reassuring looks.

“So they got it all worked out,” Ashley finally concludes. “It’s okay.”

“It really is,” Sam says.

“Because Sam’s awesome,” I say.

“Fucking
awesome,
” Sam agrees.

I have to smile, but Isabella’s still giving us this look of disbelief. Poor thing. It’s a lot to catch up on in just a couple of minutes. Maybe we should’ve waited.

“Really, it’s—” Ashley starts, but Isabella holds up one hand, stopping her. Her mouth is partially open and her brows are furrowed.

We all hold our breath, watching her.

“Let me see if I’ve got this straight,” she says, looking at Sam and me. “Out of the two of you,” she points at me, “
Chloe’s
the one getting laid tonight?”

My eyes fly wide and my mouth drops open.

A sly grin emerges on Isabella’s face.

That little stinker!

Sam doesn’t miss a beat. “Oh, I’m getting laid tonight, don’t you worry about that.” She points through the crowd, “With
that
guy right over there.”

With that, Sam heads in the direction of the lucky groomsman, glancing back over her shoulder and giving us a wink.

We watch her go, smiling, but Isabella gets serious again when she turns back to Ashley and me. “Is she really okay?”

Ashley nods. “I think so.”

“And are
you
okay?”
Isabella asks me.

“I am now, yes. I’m really, really glad it’s over.”

Isabella’s aunt comes up and taps her on the shoulder. “You and your dad are up next,” she says.

Isabella glances over her shoulder. Her father is waiting for her on the edge of the dance floor.

“Okay, I’ll be right there,” she says, and her aunt leaves.

She looks back to me. “You’ll fill me in later, right?”

I nod and give her a hug. “You look beautiful, Isabella,” I say. “The wedding was perfect.” I’ve said all this already, but it’s nice to say it again when I’m not in such a fog.

“Thanks, Chloe,” she says, beaming. She gives us both a smile before heading off to dance with her dad.

Ashley smiles at me. “I told you it would be okay.”

“Because you never had any doubts,” I say smiling.

“Nope. Not a one.” We laugh, but then I see Jack and Grayson reemerge. They’re both laughing.

I exhale heavily.

“See?” Ashley says. “No worries, honey.” She pats me on the arm and goes back to the dance floor as I head toward Grayson. Jack gives me a wink, but spots his date and heads in that direction.

“What happened?” I ask, as I get close to Grayson.

He gives a little laugh. “I feel like I’ve just been interrogated by your father or something.”

“What? Why? What did he say?” I’m starting to get worked up but Grayson takes my hand and squeezes.

“It’s okay. Jack’s a good guy. I think he just wanted to make sure I’m not the kind of guy to...”

He trails off and I furrow my brows. I know he’s trying to reassure me, but I see the discomfort on his face. Whatever they discussed, it’s left a mark.

“Well,” Grayson continues, “after the way he found us he wanted to make sure...”

He trails off again, but I think I understand. “You’re not the cheating type?” I finish.

Grayson nods and frowns. “You know, I realize Sam and I were never exclusive, but I also knew you and I shouldn’t have been doing that. I’m not.... It’s not one of my finer moments.”