6. Giana

CHAPTER 6

Giana

“ I look like a tomato.” Nettie sobs at her reflection in the mirror in the bride’s room of the church.

“Stop it, Nettie. You’re just making it worse with all that blubbering.” Her mama pats her face with a cool cloth while I attempt to hide my giggles behind a cupped hand.

I’m probably the worst maid of honor in the history of maid of honors. And not only because of the laughing. It’s my fault Nettie’s face looks like a tomato. It was my idea to go sunbathing at the creek near the cabin. But I hadn’t anticipated we’d fall asleep. And since Nettie’s skin is fairer than mine, well, let’s just say, she’s not far off from the tomato analogy.

I suppose suggesting going to the creek the day before her wedding wasn’t so smart.

“It’s not that bad,” I say.

She turns to look at me, and once again, I fight the urge to burst into a fit of laughter. Her mama is right, the crying is making her face even redder.

“Not that bad? Gigi, look at me.”

Believe me, I’m looking. Eesh .

“First, you need to calm down. And second, makeup does wonders. Just you wait. In ten minutes, I’ll have you looking as good as new.” Even if this isn’t a promise I can keep, it stops the crying for now.

I tug a stool in front of Nettie and take a seat. Her mama gives me an appreciative look before slipping out of the room.

Nettie takes my hand and squeezes it. “Thank you. I don’t know how I’d get through this day without you.” Her eyes water again.

“Damn it, Nettie. No more crying,” I warn.

“Right.” She sniffs.

“And you wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for me.” I snort, and despite her best efforts, a slight smile cracks on her face. “Now, let’s start from the beginning with a fresh canvas. Then I’ll redo all your makeup, and no one will even be able to tell.” Picking up the damp cloth, I wipe Nettie’s face, being careful not to rub her sun-kissed skin too vigorously.

By the time I’m finished, the sunburn is a lot less noticeable. And it also helps that I snuck a shot of rum into Nettie’s soda. She’s pleasant now. Not to mention, calm.

After another reassurance that she looks beautiful, I give Nettie a side squeeze and slip out of the room along with the rest of the bridesmaids. Pete is in the foyer of the church with the reverend.

“Pete,” I call, just before he walks down the aisle to wait for his bride on the platform. He spins around, and I tug his elbow and whisper in his ear. “I did my best, but if you laugh at Nettie’s sunburned face, I’ll kill you.”

“Cool your jets. I already saw her this morning. I know she’ll look gorgeous.” He pats my arm and shoots me a lopsided grin before rushing down the aisle with the reverend.

My shoulders relax. But then Pete’s words echo in my mind. I already saw her this morning. The calmness in his demeanor. The goofy grin. All the signs begin arranging themselves. I don’t know why I didn’t see it on my best friend.

Pete and Nettie had sex.

My feet are antsy to hurry back into the bride’s room to get confirmation from Nettie, but we’re minutes away from the ceremony beginning. Now I’ll have to wait until afterward. But this information feels like it’s too big to just sit on.

I’m blindsided when Nettie’s mama shoves me in line with the rest of the bridal party. My head feels discombobulated. A light touch to my arm causes me to flinch. But I exhale when I find Leo next to me.

“Hey, pretty girl. Ready?”

My body reacts to his sweet greeting with a low swoop in my belly. I smile and hook my arm into the crook of his awaiting elbow. He doesn’t look too bad himself. He’s dressed in a black suit, and it conforms to his body as if it was tailored for him. Even though I know that’s not the case. All the groomsmen got their suits from the discount store in town. His dandelion-yellow tie matches my dress. And suddenly, the color doesn’t look as hideous as it once did.

Leo escorts me from the foyer and into the church, where the guests look on in full adoration awaiting the arrival of Nettie.

I lean in closer to Leo and whisper, “Did Pete and Nettie finally do it?”

He passes me a mischievous grin that sets fire skimming across my bare arms. My body heats and suddenly feels sticky with sweat.

“If you’re referring to sex, then yes. They finally did it .”

“When? How?” I shriek.

We’ve reached the platform, and before he releases my arm and we part, he says, “Last night. And let’s just say, his argument that she still looked beautiful despite the sunburn must’ve been very convincing.”

I snort a laugh and quickly recover after a stern look from Nettie’s father. Taking my place on the platform, I glance at Leo just as the procession plays and the guests stand. And instead of looking at Nettie as she begins her march down the aisle, he’s gazing at me. A lazy smile spreads on his lips, and he gives me a wink. Warmth pools between my thighs, and I squeeze them together mindlessly.

Worried he knows exactly what he’s doing to my body, I dip my chin and suck in a deep breath before I peer up at my best friend. I agree with Pete—she does look beautiful, despite the sunburn. The wide toothy grin stretched across her face has me bubbling with joy for her.

When I glance at Pete and find the unadulterated euphoria radiating on his face at the sight of his stunning bride, my joy turns to complete elation. These two are the definition of love. And I find myself hoping to be as lucky as Pete and Nettie one day.

T he reception isn’t the party Nettie and Pete wanted. Even if Nettie’s father could’ve afforded alcohol, her mother would’ve put a stop to it. Because what would the reverend and the church ladies think? At least there’s dancing. And the music is mediocre.

It’s a surprise to no one when Pete and Nettie sneak away early. She gives me a tight squeeze before they hop into Pete’s father’s Impala, decorated with plastic pom-poms and beer cans tied to the bumper. They’re spending the night in a hotel in Denver and, in the morning, taking the train to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon.

My chest feels compressed as I wave and watch my best friend drive away. While I’m happy for her, my heart aches with the thought of not seeing her for almost two weeks. I can’t remember the last time we’ve been apart for that long. And there was no time to get the details out of her about her first time with Pete. It kills me to think I’ll have to wait for two weeks.

Leo covers my bare shoulders with his suit jacket, and I blink past watery eyes.

“Thanks,” I say, sniffing.

“What do ya say, we get outta here?” He smiles sweetly, his amber eyes softening under the moonlight.

Relief fills my lungs at his suggestion. I smile weakly and nod. “I’ve got my mama’s car tonight.”

“Perfect.” He holds an open palm to me, and I slide my hand into it.

His warm fingers tether through mine, and we stroll to the old station wagon.

Leo tosses a bag into the backseat, which has me curious. He insists he drives and holds open the passenger door for me while I climb inside.

After he slides into the driver’s seat, he says, “I know it’s not officially ours, but I thought it might help take your mind off missing Nettie if we drive up to the cabin tonight.”

“If you’re waiting for me to disagree, you’re gonna be waiting a while.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

By the time we reach the cabin, it’s late. The sky is filled to the brim with sparkling stars, and there’s a brilliant full moon out tonight. Whenever the moon is that full and low, I know something magical is about to happen .

I clutch at the hem of my dress while Leo braces me underneath the elbow, and he helps me up the rickety porch steps. He lets me off the hook from having to sneak in through the broken window.

Once he’s inside, he opens the door for me, and I step into the glowing cabin. Lit candles placed sporadically throughout the main room flicker about. Leo shuts the door and locks it, and I breathe out a light laugh. As if locking the door to this place will keep anything out. But the sentiment is sweet.

I spin and find him leaning against the door, brown eyes so dark they’re nearly black. One corner of his lips lifts, and a shudder racks my body. We’ve been in this space alone before. But tonight, it feels different. There’s hope. And possibilities. And lust buzzing between us.

“You look insanely stunning in that dress,” he says, his low voice skimming across my bare skin.

It’s unfair what his simple looks and compliments do to my body. I swallow. “Thank you. The color wouldn’t be my first choice, but it’s one of Nettie’s favorites.”

He advances toward me with purpose in his fixed stare. When he reaches for my waist, giving it a squeeze, I inhale a sharp breath. His hand goes underneath my chin, and he draws my face close to his.

“Well, I think you’d look pretty in jus’ about anything,” he growls.

His twangy voice has my stomach clenching. It’s sexy as hell. And it’s quickly becoming an aphrodisiac.

I want him.

Our lips are close. So fucking close. It’s making me feel insane.

“You know just what to say to set me off,” I say so quietly that it comes out sounding breathless.

His lips brush my own as he says, “Is that all it takes? And here I thought I’d have to work a bit harder.”

I tether my trembling fingers around the back of his neck and shrug. “I mean, you wouldn’t hear me complaining if you worked a little hard.”

Leo chuckled. “Sugar, I plan to put in the work…all night, if you’ll let me.”

Oh, I plan to let him.

Warmth floods through my limbs, and my fingers ache to touch him everywhere. I sweep my tongue out to lick my lips, and he tracks the movement.

“Promise?” I finally ask.

But he doesn’t answer. Instead, he slides his hand against the satiny fabric of my dress, gliding it from my waist to my back, and I shiver. When he skims his palm over the curve of my ass, my heart beats hard and fast. It feels like tiny punches against my ribcage.

He lowers his lips to mine at last, releasing a craving that’s been buried deep within me. As the kiss escalates and our tongues find each other, he steals my breath. I wind my fingers through his dark locks of hair, and this simple movement elicits a moan from his throat. It ignites an eager throbbing between my thighs.

It’s not a new feeling, but it’s never been this intense before. This erotic. I’ve never wanted to give in to the pleasure more than I do right now. From the first night I met Leo, I knew I wanted him to be my first. And this moment shared between us concretes that assumption.

“Leo?” I whisper after breaking the kiss.

“Mhmm?” He mumbles the incoherent word while he slides the strap of my dress down and presses his warm lips to my bare shoulder. It sends goose bumps skittering over my skin.

“I’ve never done this before,” I pant the confession quietly .

I’m not sure why I feel mildly embarrassed by this. It’s not that unheard of for a woman my age who isn’t married or engaged to still be a virgin.

Leo lifts his head, and his dark eyes are like liquid as they peer into mine. “That makes two of us.”

I blink back my shock. Why had I assumed? Because he’s handsome? A smooth talker? An exceptionally skilled kisser? Twenty?

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Really?”

“We’ll figure it out together.” He plants a trail of kisses from my shoulder to my collarbone.

Together .

I like the sound of that.

My eyes flutter closed, and my head lolls back as his lips glide to my neck. The sensation causes me to feel light-headed. I’m delirious for him to continue and absentmindedly massage my fingers against his scalp.

“Are your parents expecting you home tonight?” he asks, and the mention of parents and home brings me out of my daze.

My eyes flutter open, and I shake my head.

“Good. C’mon,” he says, backing up and taking my hand in his. He guides me to the primary bedroom, taking a lit candle with us on our way. “I brought some blankets and more candles.”

“Why, Mr. Moretti, did you have this planned all along?” I tease, grinning at him.

He shrugs sheepishly, letting go of my hand. “Not planned. Jus’ hoping, I guess.”

I snort a light laugh.

“But there is somethin’ I didn’t plan…and we should probably talk about.” He rubs at the back of his neck while a nervousness twitches in his eye contact .

My gut pinches with apprehension. Is he suddenly changing his mind? On the cabin? On me?

“What’s that?”

“Uhh…I’m assuming you’re not on the pill. So…I do have somethin’. But I’ve had it for a while,” he admits as he runs a shaky hand through his hair.

I close my eyes and exhale through my nose. This topic is awkward, but it’s not a deal breaker. “Leo,” I interrupt, wanting to ease his anxieties. “It’s okay. Neither of us has been with anyone else. And I trust you’ll pull out in time.”

Relief shimmers in his eyes, and he releases a shaky breath.

I may be a virgin, but it’s not like I haven’t talked about all of this with Nettie. And as unfortunate as it sounds, my mama. The pill isn’t commonly given out to unmarried women, so it’s important to have a plan, even if I don’t understand the mechanics of it all.

Based on his reaction, Leo at least knows.

I help him lay the blankets out on the floor. We light more candles and set them around the perimeters of the room. The cabin takes on a cozy and romantic aura. The air is thick with sexual tension that has my skin sweltering.

Surrounded by the flickering lights, I stand before Leo in the dandelion-yellow bridesmaid dress, heart racing wildly in my chest. I bite my lip, and he smiles. It sends a calmness washing over me that I now realize I needed.

Exhaling a shallow breath, I gather my hair and pull it over one shoulder, spinning around in front of him. “Will you unzip me?” I whisper.

As his warm fingers glide the zipper of my dress down, my heart rate accelerates again. But it’s not from anxiety over what we’re about to do. It’s anticipation. I have no doubt in my mind that Leo was always meant to be my first.

My stomach clenches when his hand skims my skin and caresses my bare back. I take a step away from him before turning to face him again. Letting go of my hair, I slowly shove the straps of my dress over each shoulder, one at a time. Leo stares at me with dark, hooded eyes. And when I shimmy the satiny fabric over my hips, I hear him gasp.

I step out of the dress and the slip and stand before him to admire the view. My breasts are nearly exposed in the bra’s thin, sheer fabric. And my pussy is only covered with a pair of white, satin panties.

“Holy hell,” he breathes out, and it makes me giggle. “How are you so pretty?”

“Well, I feel a little silly,” I admit, crossing my arms.

“Sorry. That’s probably my fault.” Leo quickly tugs at the tie around his neck, loosening it and yanking it over his head. “You shouldn’t be the only one naked.”

He shrugs his suit jacket down his shoulders, struggling for a few moments to get it off, and it has me giggling again. Next, his pants and the white dress shirt come off. After he tosses all his clothes into a pile on the floor, it’s his turn to be on display for my viewing pleasure.

Leo’s chest is beautiful with firm muscular pecs. His forearms are roped with veiny strength. As my gaze drifts below his belly button, I pull my lip between my teeth. Beneath the cotton fabric of his underwear is an impressive erection that would be impossible to hide. I suck in a breath.

It only propels my craving for him more.

Leo steps closer to me and lifts my chin with a single finger, guiding my face up to his, and he kisses me. We kiss like this is our only chance to be together. We kiss like our lives depend on it. And then he guides me to the blanket and lowers me onto it.