image
image
image

Chapter 20 - Tamra

image

Bad dreams plagued me in the days leading up to Nick’s wedding. You’d think I was the one getting married, based on how anxious I was about a family party. The new dress hanging in my closet mocked me with conflicting desires. The thought of spending more time with Chase made my pulse race, but I wished we were going to be alone instead of on display for all of my relatives. Fantasizing about dancing with him was the one bright spot. The possibility of finding a safe haven in Chase’s arms was the one thing keeping me from calling the whole night off.

Gina and Vicki offered to come play fairy godmother to help me get ready the day of the wedding. I was sorely tempted but didn’t want to take advantage of their generous natures. Instead, I got ready as God intended—with YouTube hair and makeup tutorials. I snapped a few selfies as I finished with my beauty routine and sent them to Gina and Vicki. Mostly to prove I could dress myself, but also for a much-needed confidence boost.

Tamra: Ladies? What’s the verdict? Did I do good? Or YouTube fail?

Gina: Superb. Like you know what you’re doing. You look HOT. And I should know. LOL

Vicki: Now, now. She’s already your work wife. Don’t make me jealous, Gina. 

Tamra: Thanks for the support, I love you both. XOXO

Gina: Don’t get mushy on me. You know I don’t like that. Go out there and knock ‘em slightly comatose. I don’t condone murder.

Tamra: Har, har. Who said nurses don’t have a sense of humor?

Vicki: Everyone. Everyone says that. Why must you also prove it’s true?

Tamra: Oooh. I have one I’ve been saving for you. Why did the nurse bring a red marker to work?

Vicki: Please. Don’t tell me.

Tamra: In case she had to draw blood!

Vicki: *eye rolling emoji* You kill me.

I glanced at the time and gritted my teeth. Chase was supposed to pick me up five minutes ago. My family would never forgive me if we were late for the ceremony. Chase and I had finally exchanged phone numbers, so I sent him a text to make sure he was on his way.

Tamra: Almost here? I’d hate to be late. We’d be banished to the kids table for sure.

Chase: Sorry. Five minutes out. Got wrapped up in a scene.

I tried not to pace while I waited, but I couldn't help it. It wasn’t a big deal that he was late. We wouldn’t miss the ceremony over a five-minute delay. In fact, it could work in my favor if it gave family less time to interrogate me.

I was peering outside as Chase drove up, so I quickly locked my door and made my way out to him. I tried not to totter like a newborn calf and give myself away as unpracticed in my new shoes. Wobbling in heels wasn’t particularly sexy.

Slow. Slow it down. My dance lessons rushed through me. I cut my pace in half and noted how much easier it was to keep my stride smooth.

I made it down the sidewalk to Chase’s car as he was getting out. He’d seen me in scrubs and jeans, but he’d never seen the glammed-up version. And I had to admit, for me, I was glorious. Shiny dark curls, plus my makeup and outfit all completed the picture of a confident vixen. Rawr. His gaze swung over my body as if he heard my silent roar and couldn’t help appreciating the predator in his midst. My shoulders straightened, thrusting my chest out on autopilot. I ignored the tightening in my nipples when Chase’s gaze focused on my curves and let the smile of satisfaction tip up my lips.

“You look like warm tropical waters and an oceanside breeze,” Chase said.

“Like a vacation you want to take?”

His eyes heated. “Exactly.”

His words evoked hammocks, warm skin, and piña coladas. Heaven. I shook myself. Unfortunately, we were headed for stilted conversations, perfumed relatives, and overcooked chicken. My appearance was one hundred percent false advertising.

It was my turn to let my chin drop when I caught an eyeful of Chase in his tuxedo. The dark slacks hugged his body to perfection. He’d chosen an aqua shirt underneath, and it made his eyes look more blue-green than blue. He was beautiful. Rawr, indeed. Goosebumps flared along my arms, and I held back a shiver. I’d be spending the next few hours orbiting the wedding with Chase. Close enough to touch, but not really mine. A wave of possessiveness washed through me, but I pushed those feelings down. I needed to remind myself that Chase had agreed to come as a friend, not my boyfriend.

He held the door as I got in his tiny car, trying not to flash him in the process. I had a moment of regret for the shortness of the skirt, but it was hard not to swell with pride when his eyes traveled to my thighs and stuck there. I couldn’t resist teasing him.

“My name is Pussy Galore,” I said in my throatiest voice. It probably sounded more flu-ridden than sexy, but Chase didn’t miss a beat.

“I must be dreaming,” he responded, his eyes still on my thighs. He stood frozen, looking his fill.

“Chase?”

Chase shook himself at the sound of his name and made sure I was tucked in before shutting the door.

“You make a great James Bond.” I couldn’t resist complimenting him as he got settled in the driver’s seat. He was A-plus arm candy. I wouldn’t have to worry about pitying glances from my female relatives today.

His smile creased his cheeks, but he didn’t look at me. “Thanks. If I can carry off a tenth of his sophistication, I’ll consider today a victory.”

I hadn’t considered that he might be nervous too. “If you want to indulge in a few martinis, I’m more than happy to drive home if you don’t mind me driving your car. Hooking you up with booze to take the edge off a strange wedding is the least I can do.”

He rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand before glancing my way. “I’d better not. It’s going to take all my attention not to sink your battleship with unplanned rubbish. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but my mouth tends to get carried away ... I need all my wits about me to manage this afternoon.”

I sank into my seat at his words. I was so used to needing to control my tongue, I hadn’t realized he was struggling too. It was easy to overlook his gaffes when I made my own so often.

“Have you met me? You’ll fit in perfectly.”

He didn’t look reassured. “I can’t let down my guard. You have no idea what might slip out. For that matter, neither do I.”

I reached out a hand to clasp his where it lay between us. His skin was warm, and my fingers tingled at the contact. He stared through the windshield, focused on the road.

“You’re doing me a major favor just coming today. It will be fine. You can claim blue aliens fly out of your butt on alternate Sundays and I won’t care. I’m thankful to have a partner instead of doing this alone.”

He grunted, but his shoulders relaxed slightly.

I grinned. “Well, not to be that date, but if you’re not going to drink, can I?”

He smiled at my honesty. “Sure, knock yourself out. No, wait. I don’t want your family thinking I’m a creep if I have to carry you to the car. I’m reserving the right to cut you off before you get too nuts.”

I nodded. “Deal.”

We pulled up to the ceremony venue as the lot was quickly filling up. I recognized more than a few cars. The family had turned up en masse to celebrate Nick’s big day. The sun was peeking out from behind the clouds. It cast the park pavilion in soft light that warmed the brick and high ceilings. We made our way to the reception table with Chase’s hand on my elbow. After one wobble, he caught on to my amateur heel status.

My sister, Jennifer, was greeting new arrivals and asking everyone to sign Nick and Mindy’s guest book. She spotted Chase first, and her gaze stuck. His black suit coat clung to his shoulders and nipped in at the waist, advertising his build to perfection. She gave him her most charming smile. “Hi, I’m Jennifer, the groom’s sister. I don’t think we’ve met. Are you a friend of Nick’s?” she asked.

Typical Jennifer. I wondered what Jennifer’s husband would say about her laser-focus on Chase to the exclusion of all else, namely me, standing right beside him. Then again, I couldn’t blame her. Given the choice between us, I’d be staring at him too. Still, I hadn’t expected her to ignore me altogether. Like we were strangers, not sisters.

“I’m actually here with Tamra,” he said, nodding to me. Jennifer’s wide eyes were priceless. She really hadn’t noticed me by his side. I swallowed past the hurt and pushed my shoulders back.

“Oh. Hi, Tamra. Didn’t see you there.”

If she was embarrassed, she hid it well.

We exchanged stilted pleasantries about her husband and kids, then turned to find our seats.

“Are things okay with you and your sister?” Chase asked. “She’s giving off strong dark moment, marriage-in-trouble vibes.”

I shrugged, like the motion would let the weight of her indifference slide off. “We’re not close, but she can usually recognize me in a crowd.” I frowned and glanced back at her greeting other guests. She looked a little tired maybe, but makeup hid most of the evidence. Was there something going on with Jennifer underneath the veneer of wedding gloss? I hadn’t spotted her husband yet in the crowd, but they weren’t normally joined at the hip. He was probably off chatting with family, waiting for the ceremony to start.

The venue had set up chairs outside in the grass for the ceremony and tables inside for the reception afterward. My parents were already up front, and I approached them with Chase in tow. “Mom, Dad, this is my friend Chase.” I made it a point to speak first, to make sure they didn’t open with something embarrassing. I came by my social awkwardness naturally, as I was reminded every time we were in the same room.

My mom peered at us over her glasses. They had a funky bead chain that gave her a librarian vibe that totally worked for her. She rocked a bun of silver hair and a blue dress that accentuated her figure. “Dear, you didn’t tell us you were dating someone. How did you meet?” she asked.

“I stalked him on social media” popped out before I could think better of it or tone down the dating angle of her comment.

“Honey, you haven’t turned into one of those internet catfish we keep hearing about, have you?” my dad asked.

He cut a sharp figure in his tux, his mane of silver hair brushed back from his face and down to his collar. I could tell their time in the RV didn’t leave much time for haircuts, but the length looked good on him.

Both of my parents examined me. Technically if there was any catfishing going on, that honor belonged to Chase. But they didn’t need to know that fact before they’d even shaken his hand. I moved aside to let Chase reach out to my father for a quick shake, watching as my dad appraised him. He couldn’t find anything objectionable in his appearance and turned back to me. “Well?”

Dad. I’m not catfishing anyone. Chase knew who I was when we met. He’s an author, and I admired his work online.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’ve enjoyed getting to know your daughter.”

My mom wasn’t about to let that one drop. “How long have you been dating, exactly? We haven’t heard about you at all.”

I hung my head, then lifted my chin, ready to interject with a fairer description of my relationship with Chase, but he beat me to it.

Putting his arm around me, Chase smiled at my mother and lied through his beautiful, white teeth. “We’ve been dating for about six months.”

It was too cool out for the bead of sweat that rolled down my spine at his words. Rookie mistake. Too much detail. He revealed a definitive time period to my mother. She jumped all over that, turning to me.

“Oh, really, dear? I thought you told me about that dating disaster with the teacher you met only about five months ago. Has it been longer than that, or are you not exclusive?”

Direct hit. And here I thought she didn’t pay attention. Bombs were dropping all around our ship, and I did my best not to cringe. She’d see any claims of an open relationship as me not willing to commit and any insistence that Davis and I had fizzled first as me quitting. Either way, I lost. I was reluctant to deny Chase’s claim, but my mom’s timeline made it awkward. And public. It was a war of the socially inept, and I was ... not winning.

“Mom, I think I told you about that right before I met Chase. He’s probably rounding up because it feels like we’ve known each other forever.”

I leaned into Chase and gave him a reassuring smile, silently urging him not to drop any more lies I’d have to dance around. We escaped the conversation to find our seats, and I sighed as we sat down. There was no time to ask Chase why he’d claimed we’d been dating for six months because the ceremony was starting.

Nick, handsome in his tux, took his place at the altar. He’d come so far from the little boy who followed me around wanting to play Star Wars. His short, curly dark hair was styled close to his head, and the white shirt beneath his suit set off his tan. He glowed. We made eye contact, and his soft smile had me grinning. My baby brother was getting married.

Mindy was radiant when it was her turn to come down the aisle with her parents. Her blond curls were arranged in an updo, woven with pink roses. She walked slowly but confidently to meet Nick, and they clasped hands.

I was keenly aware of Chase’s big body in the seat beside mine during the ceremony. His knee so close to mine, sending tingles racing along every nerve. He caught my gaze and grinned, grabbing my hand in his. Our fingers tangled, and my stomach tied itself in equivalent knots. Friends. Lies to the contrary, we were friends. Chase might appear interested now, but he was probably one busty blond away from forgetting me altogether. I needed to be ready to let him go. Still, having him sit beside me bolstered my confidence.

I focused on Nick and Mindy’s vows. The clear devotion and laughter in their faces clutched at my heart. Even Chase’s eyes got misty during the pledges they’d written themselves.

I was thrilled to hug and congratulate the newly married couple when they came down the aisle.

“You did good, little brother,” I whispered.

“Thanks, sis,” he whispered back as he squeezed me tight. Worth it. It was worth wrangling backup in the form of Chase and facing my relatives to see Nick this happy.

Things didn’t get hairy with the rest of my family until the reception. Nick and Mindy hadn’t assigned seating, so we were able to grab spots with my younger sister and parents instead of with other extended family.

“Where are the kids tonight?” I asked Vanessa.

“Are you kidding me? I know Nick is their favorite uncle, but you couldn’t pay me to bring two kids under six to a wedding. We got James’ parents to watch them for us so we could have a date night.”

I couldn’t see what was happening under the table, but judging from James’ abrupt start, Vanessa was really enjoying time away from the kids.

I shifted my attention to my parents, who were chatting quietly. Had they had time to disseminate their knowledge of me “dating” Chase to others before the ceremony even started? Once Vanessa heard, I was expecting a full interrogation. She’d know it was utter bullshit. I dodged her meaningful glances when conversation turned to what I’d been up to lately and kept my responses vague.

After dinner, we mingled with other family, and I didn’t escape fast enough when Uncle Ted approached us with my Aunt Kelly. My uncle was medium height with a rotund build and a ruddy complexion offset by graying hair. My aunt had the comfortable padding of later middle age and wore a dress with a wild floral pattern. The pair looked cute, harmless, at least until they opened their mouths.

“There you are, dear,” my aunt exclaimed when they caught up to us.

Chase put an arm around my shoulders, correctly reading my stiff body language as a plea for support. I smiled weakly. “Hi, Aunt Kelly. How are you?”

“Oh, you know. The usual. Your uncle and I have just completed our annual trip to Maui, which was fabulous. Retired life agrees with us.” She smiled and opened her mouth to continue, but Ted broke in, clearly tired of hearing his wife talk about their trip, for what I assumed was the umpteenth time.

“What about you, Tamra? Are you still dinking around with nursing? When are you going to become a real doctor?” His false joviality made my back stiffen. Sidling up to me with a smile and a stiletto was his style. Good old Uncle Ted. Flying his asshole flag proudly. I didn’t know why he thought he could criticize my career choice. He’d retired from pharmaceutical sales, but some of his golfing buddies were retired doctors. He’d been sipping on their superiority.

Chase squeezed my shoulder but kept silent. In the name of keeping the peace, I figured “fuck off” wasn’t going to cut it as a response, so I took a deep breath instead. “I love my career, and I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.”

Uncle Ted was too stubborn to let the subject go, and my aunt wasn’t fast enough at changing topics. She’d opened her mouth but he barreled on. “Well, I still think you’re wasting yourself.”

I was debating the wisdom of responding at all when Chase piped up, “I think Tamra is fabulous just as she is. It’s not everyone who has the stomach to handle blood and body fluids and look at vaginas every day. Will you please excuse us? We need to be somewhere else now.”

My uncle’s face blanched at Chase’s crude phrasing, and my aunt fanned herself gently, but neither said anything as Chase tugged me with the arm around my shoulders to make our way across the room in the other direction. I chuckled softly and shook my head. Raw, but effective. I leaned into Chase, letting our bodies brush. His support made my heart feel full. I’d grown used to going it alone, and having him with me, fighting for me, cast the evening in a new light. He’d defended me with such passion to my uncle. Did it hint at deeper feelings? My pulse raced at the possibility.

Chase was oddly silent the rest of the evening unless asked a direct question. Having Chase present was the shield I’d hoped for. Only one brazen great aunt asked if she’d get to dance at my wedding before she died. The rest of the questions were less invasive. I kept sneaking glances at him to make sure he was all right. I finally nudged him with my shoulder as we stood watching the bride and groom dancing. “I appreciate you coming today. Having someone in my corner has made a big difference. You’ve been really quiet. Is everything okay?”

His eyes connected with mine. “Yes, sorry about that. I was trying to rock my mysterious Bond persona. And avoid making any more major verbal errors.”

“Verbal errors?” I asked with raised brows.

He nodded sheepishly. “Yes, like giving a specific timeframe to our relationship with your folks. Rookie mistake. I should know better; I write this for a living.”

I tilted my head to the side, considering his past books. “I can think of two of your books that contain the fake dating trope. I loved your holiday novella when Bella invites Nate to her office party, not realizing he’s the boss’s son. Is it your favorite setup?”

He nodded. “Guilty. There’s a reason it was easy to convince me to come tonight. I feel like I’m living one of my books right now.”

Tingles spread through my body. Did that mean he saw me as leading lady material? I chuckled to cover up the flash of desire. “Is it everything you imagined?”

My eyes scanned his face as I waited for his response. He wasn’t quite as crisp as earlier in the day, but still incredibly handsome. Golden stubble peppered his strong jaw. The glint in his icy blue eyes should have warned me.

“Well, I can’t say it’s everything I imagined,” he said. I wilted slightly at his words. “I know one thing we haven’t done yet. Care to move this conversation to the dance floor?” He tilted his head toward the other couples. A new slow song had started, and my chest inflated at the thought of swaying together, soaking in the seduction of his closeness. I nodded and moved into the shelter of his arms. I wound my arms up around his neck, inhaling his soapy scent. Chase placed his hands on my hips, and tingles radiated under my skin.

I lost the thread of conversation as his body grazed my own. His tux pants scraped deliciously against my thighs as he maneuvered us around the dance floor expertly. Safe and secure, I relaxed into his grasp.

He leaned in and murmured in my ear, “I don’t think I’ve asked, is this wedding everything you imagined? Your family is a little colorful, but I haven’t had to tranquilize you yet.”

I tilted my head back and smiled at him. “You’ve helped me dodge most of the uncomfortable questions. Thanks again for coming with me.”

“It was my pleasure. I have so many plot bunnies hopping out at me. I should be thanking you.”

I laughed softly, the timbre huskier than normal. “Plot bunnies?”

“Author speak for more story ideas than I can possibly use in a lifetime,” he rumbled.

I traced a hand down his chest, resting it over his heart. Was it my imagination, or was it beating faster than typical? I could feel the heavy beat in the palm of my hand beneath the firm muscle.

“So, if we were characters in one of your books, what would happen next?”

Would he pick up the gauntlet? We’d been friendly all day, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss in my kitchen. Or him defending me to my uncle. A languid mix of gratitude and desire percolated in my veins. Dancing together had only turned up the lust quotient. Did he feel it too?

“You want to know?”

I nodded against his chest, settling my head on his shoulder and reveling in the heat of his body against mine.

Chase nuzzled at the back of my ear, and murmured, “Well, I noticed that the caterers are gone, and the kitchen looks empty, but the door is still ajar. I bet that door has a lock.”

I shivered. My heart pounded at the possibilities a locked door presented. Instead of commenting, I answered with a hum.

Chase took it as encouragement and continued, “Your dress has been driving me crazy all night. That color makes your skin glow. I can imagine inching the right sleeve down your shoulder, then the left, and running my lips down into the valley between your neck and shoulder, tickling you with my stubble. Scraping until I can peel the bodice down your gorgeous breasts, releasing them for more of my attention.”

A shudder danced down my spine, and he paused to pull me closer. I didn’t know what to say, but I wasn’t ready for the sweet torture to end. Every word evoked his hottest scenes, transporting me the vision he painted of us.

“Go on,” I whispered.

“Your arms would be trapped by your dress, and I’d take advantage of that position. I’d spin and push you toward the wall, until your forehead kissed the cool plaster, and come up behind you. Slowly, so slowly, I’d inch the zipper on your dress down and pull your hips away from the wall, legs spread wide, while you ached from the sensation of air and emptiness. I’d lean down to grasp each of your ankles, wrapping my hands around them, and caressing my way up until I’d flipped your skirt out of my way, showcasing your panties. Would they be wet for me, Tamra?”

I could do nothing but groan softly at his suggestions, losing track of the people around me and the music. Heat pricked my skin and desire pooled like warm honey between my thighs. We kept swaying, we were barely moving, pressing closer and closer together. I couldn’t focus on the music. The beat of my pulse overrode every other rhythm. It was clear from the firm tent in his trousers that Chase’s fantasies were turning him on too.

“I bet they’d be dripping. I’d peel them off, stopping to bite that full ass on the way down. Not hard, mind you, but just enough so you’d feel it later. But I still wouldn’t really touch you where you were aching. Anticipation is so sweet, don’t you think?”

This time he didn’t wait for a response, which was good because all rational thought had escaped my brain.

“I’d kiss my way from the nape of your neck down your spine, keeping those hips and ass front and center and you facing the wall, arms at your sides. I can imagine grinding myself against you, the heat and friction of our bodies together increasing the ache.”

I was nearly panting. Any pretense of dancing was gone. His words echoed through my body in stereo, sexy scenes from his books amplifying my desire as I considered the possibilities.

“How do you feel about turning fantasy into reality?”