Page 45 of Let's Call a Truce
I pretended to pay attention to the conversation I was in rather than watch Ben, when Gabriela slipped up next to me. She slid her arm through mine, greeting the rest of the group and apologizing for interrupting their conversation.
“Juliana, I need some help.” I nodded and let her lead me away from the group.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” She dropped her voice low. “But I have to pee so bad, and this dress is too heavy to hold up. We’re supposed to leave soon, and if I have to wait until we get to the hotel, I’m pretty sure I’ll pee my pants in front of my new husband.”
I busted out laughing while she frowned at me. I didn’t stop through the entire ordeal, the ultimate in bridesmaid’s responsibilities. The dress was absurdly heavy, every inch covered in beading, with a beautiful bustled train.
Gabriela managed to look stunning from her glamorous seat on the toilet. “And with this moment, we are bonded for life. Our own little commitment ceremony.”
“I vow to always hold up your dress and never describe this scene in public.”
We spent a few extra minutes in the bathroom, repinning parts of her beautiful black hair and touching up her makeup for their big exit pictures. She looked perfect again within minutes, a shining bride bathed in love. I marveled at how she was so put together after hours of dancing and drinking. She went on ahead of me while I tried to fix myself up a bit, too. The effect was not nearly as successful as it was on Gabriela.
I rushed out of the bathroom, knowing it wouldn’t be too long before Gabriela and Christopher left, and slammed right into something. I teetered on my heels like a cartoon character, arms waving around, before landing with a hard thump on my ass.
“Are you okay?” Ben squatted down next to me and offered a hand, but he was fighting off a laugh. Once he was sure I wasn’t hurt, he lost the battle altogether, his laughter echoing around us. I scowled as I brushed the dirt off my ass.
“You could have caught me.”
“You surprised me.”
“Too distracted by all of your admirers?”
“Juliana Ryan, are you jealous?”
“No.” I scoffed and started off down the path. I realized I had turned the wrong direction too late, heading away from the reception rather than toward it. “I just think it’s obnoxious to dance with every single woman at the wedding.”
“Say the word, and I’ll dance with only one woman for the rest of the night.”
“Good plan. I know Lola has her eye on you.” He laughed loudly, gently grabbing my arm and turning me toward him. I found my back against the wall with him caging me in, blood boiling under my skin.
“I had someone else in mind. Do you think Lola will be too disappointed?” He trailed his fingertips up my arms.
“Wildly.” My eyes fluttered closed, and I wasn’t sure if I wasreferring to Lola’s disappointment or how my heart was beating. “But what makes you think she would say yes? You seem incredibly confident.”
“She’s been watching me all night.” His featherlight touch continued across my collarbone. “I haven’t been able to focus on anything but the feeling of her eyes on me.”
“Circumstantial at best.” The breathiness of my voice undermined me.
“And she is definitely jealous.” He continued his path up my neck to toy with my ear, the swaying teardrop pearl adding to the sensation. I swallowed thickly, trying to hide how badly I wanted his touch. I whimpered, the sound chased by Ben’s low chuckle. “And, most importantly, she hasn’t told me to leave.” His voice was in my ear, and I shivered when I realized how close he was, arching my body into his. “Now I’m waiting for the yes I need.”
Some voice deep in my mind reminded me I should say no, screamed that it wasn’t worth all the risks, but my body had taken over completely. I couldn’t form a single rational argument. The only thought ringing through my head was how close he was, how he had every woman at this wedding begging for time with him, but he only wanted me.
“Say yes, Juliana,” he whispered, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
I forced my eyes open. His gaze was trained on my face, hungry and desperate. I ran my hand up his chest, marveling at the strength beneath his suit. His eyes flared at my touch, a sensuous, throaty noise escaping his mouth.
“Yes,” I whispered so quietly I wasn’t sure I spoke the word aloud, but he heard it.
“Thank god.” He leaned down to press his lips to my own. I whimpered into his mouth, our tongues dancing as we explored each other, more leisurely than the first time. His hand cupped the back of my neck, and I moaned as his fingers twined in my hair.
Another voice broke through my lust-fueled haze. “Juliana.”
I pushed Ben off of me and twirled toward the intruder.
Asia watched us with raised brows. “Gabriela and Christopher are leaving. I figured you wouldn’t want to miss it,” she said.
