Free Ready to Wed by J. L. Berg Page B

stumbled on my words, trying to think up an excuse.
    Garrett gave me a knowing grin, his green eyes glowing with mischief. A perfect match set to my own. It was something we’d both inherited from my mother.
    “It’s cool, Clare. I don’t want to know,” he said, shaking his head and holding up his hands in defeat.
    “I’m happy for you, Sis. You deserve it.”
    “Thank you Garrett. That means a lot. Maybe we’ll be doing the same thing at your wedding a few years from now? I promise I’ll let you go quietly into the hallway, too,” I joked.
    His eyes went glassy and he turned away.
    “Yeah, maybe.”
    He gave me another quick hug and told me to make my getaway while I still could. I ducked into the hallway and was immediately grabbed around the waist and pushed against the wall.
    “It’s been more than three minutes,” Logan growled.
    “I don’t have a watch,” I answered, holding up my wrist which only had a small strand of pearls circling it.
    “Come on,” he said, taking my hand in his and pulling me towards a closed door down the hall.
    “Where are we going?”
    We reached the door, and he quietly opened it and we ducked inside. It was the grand ballroom, dark and unused, since Logan had rented out the entire hotel.
    “I can’t wait another minute, Clare. I need to have my hands on you. Seeing you in that dress…knowing that you’re finally my wife. It’s driving me insane.”
    He lifted me up and set me down on one of the round tables that were scattered around the room.
    “What if someone comes in here?” I asked, biting my lip and totally loving the idea of doing something naughty.
    “Believe me, no one’s coming in here. Colin’s making sure of that.”
    My eyes widened. “You don’t mean he’s out there,” I said, pointing to the door, “standing watch?”
    “What? No! Do you think I’d let that horn dog anywhere near here? He’s paying off the staff.”
    “Oh,” I said, smiling. “Well, how exactly are you going to get me out of this dress without me looking like a train wreck when we go back in?”
    He flashed me a wolfish grin. “Who said I was going to take off the dress? I am definitely keeping the dress on. For now.”
    He stood between my legs and pulled me close, leaning down to kiss my lips. He was gentle at first, but became more urgent and heated. He fisted my hair and slanted my head so he could deepen the kiss. Moving down my neck, he kissed my collarbone and shoulder.
    “Lie back,” he commanded.
    I did as I was told, and leaned back until my back hit the table top. His hands flitted down my curves, over my hips until he knelt and they found the hem of my dress. He lifted it and examined my champagne high heels.
    “Nice.” His eyes traveled to my legs. “Are these the stockings I bought for you?” he asked, his eyes quickly traveling up to meet mine in question.
    “Yes,” I answered.
    He wrapped his fingers around my ankles and slowly started sliding his hands up until the found my hip and the lace top of the stockings where the blue garter was.
    Logan stood, pushing my skirt up as he did.
    “Christ. That’s got to be the best money I’ve ever spent.”
    “And you haven’t even seen all of it yet,” I reminded him.
    “Don’t tempt me Clare. We need to keep you presentable for the family,” he grinned.
    Running his hands up my thighs, he paused. “I was just going to make you come because we don’t have a lot of time. But seeing you like this, all spread out before me like a fucking platter? Now all I want to do is bury myself in you.”
    I pushed up to my elbows and gave him a challenging look.
    “Then what’s stopping you?”
    He growled and suddenly I was in the air. My legs wrapped around his waist seconds before he pushed us against the wall opposite of where we’d come in.
    My skirt was gathered around my hips, and I heard the telltale sound of Logan’s zipper and belt. All my insides went tight in anticipation as his hand slid up my