The words seem to trip over my clit, and a sudden explosion of sensation snaps the coil until a torrent of warmth floods my being. My entrance pulses around his erection as he pours cum inside me. My body tightens.
When the spasms in my pussy abate, Ty pushes up onto his elbows, his fingers trailing through the hair over my ears. “That was fucking amazing.”
I nod.
“I hope we straightened out your confusion.” He kisses my forehead, the tip of my nose, and then my lips. “Thank you, love.”
He rolls off and lies next to me.
As my chest heaves, clarity returns with a vengeance.
“I need a shower.” I extricate myself from the twisted sheets, fighting the urge to cover myself as I stand. “And then I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He props his head on his hands and grins. “I’ll be here when you get back.”
“No. You won’t.”
He jumps from the bed. “Wait…you don’t want me to sleep here?”
“The best part of your day is over now, and it’s not like you love me or anything. I’m tired. Have a nice evening.”
I close the bathroom door.
His words follow me anyway. “What the fuck?”
FOURTEEN
The cooling breeze is a welcome respite to the heat.
Leaves above me dance to the strains of music already filling the air around the pavilion where the musicians have set up for the festivities.
“Did my mother show up?” I ask.
Terri grimaces. “Not that I know of. But I did see your father at the bar.”
Hopefully, he left Mother at home like I told him to do.
I wiggle my finger under my collar.
Terri bats my hand away. “Quit, you’ll mess it up.”
“Why couldn’t we have gone with less formal attire?” I stretch my neck to alleviate the constriction.
She frowns. “You told me to plan it. I planned it the way I’d want it. Don’t complain to me. It’s not my fault you gave me zero insight into what your vision was for this shindig.”
I pull at the sleeves of the tux, trying to adjust the shoulders. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m sure it will all be perfect. You never let me down.”
She picks up her gown and tosses me a pointed expression. “Damn right, I haven’t. So don’t go screwing this up and disappointing me. Now in a few minutes there’s going to be a lull in the music. When it starts up again, that’s your cue to get to the altar.”
“Music. Altar. Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m going to make sure Josephina is ready.” She steps out from under the tree into the late afternoon sun, but she suddenly stops and turns.
Terri returns to stand in front of me, her face as serious as I’ve ever seen it. “Tyson Masters, I respect you—most days. I respect you most days. This day, not so much.”
I draw back. “Why would you say that?”
She purses her lips. “That girl loves you. She may not know it, but I can tell. She’s alone in the world—no parents, no siblings. And you come along and take advantage of the fact that she doesn’t have anyone to stand up for her.”
I open my mouth, but I don’t have an answer.
“You’re better than this. I believe you can treat her better than this. She deserves better, young man.”
Finally, I shake off the shock her words have dumped over me. “I’m not using her. There’s a mutual benefit. You’ll see. Wait and see.”
Her curls bob as she shakes her head and walks away.
The breeze picks up, even cooler than before, and the smell of rain rides in on it.
I fold my hands in front of me and wait under the tree. The music plays as Terri’s words ricochet through my brain.
It’ll be all right. I’ll make sure JoJo doesn’t suffer for helping me. I’ll give her a double bonus.
People mill about the arboretum, stopping at tables laden with appetizers. Children play tag. A dad separates two boys scuffling in the grass, their pint-sized suits bearing marks of their childishness. A small group of little girls spins in circles with their frilly dresses flying out around them.
Terri did a great job of getting this together on such short notice. I hope JoJo appreciates it.
The music stops, and the crowd of people find their seats facing the pavilion where the man in black stands, his small Bible in his hands.
Jake appears out of nowhere, slapping me on the shoulder. “You ready, lover boy?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.” I straighten my tie for the fiftieth time.
He gives my shoulder a push. “Lead on, my friend.”
We make our way through the stragglers who haven’t found their seats.