Chapter 10

"I'm bored," I muttered to Pen. A band had set up at the far end, with a makeshift dance floor in front of them. The music and songs were lovely and sweet - nothing too loud and boisterous. But I'd had enough. I could see that Pen had, too. She'd taken some painkillers earlier and had some sparkling water with lemon and ice.

Nothing had happened. The groom hadn't left the deck. No one had acted suspiciously.

Then...I saw it!

My hand reached out and grabbed Pen's thigh. "Did you see that?"

She slapped my hand, which I quickly snatched back. "I'm sorry. Did you see them?"

"I have no idea what or who you're talking about."

"The groom gave a head signal to the bridesmaid who has the big," I leaned closer and whispered, "boobs."

Pen chuckled. "I wish I had big boobs."

"There's nothing wrong with you, Pen." I jumped to my feet. "I'll follow the groom; you follow the bridesmaid. Wait! They're going to the same place."

"I'll follow Lyle, who keeps watching Marshall and the woman. I bet he follows them."

"Too many cows in the pasture," I muttered.

Pen gaped. "That's a new one."

"I have my phone." I kept an eye on Lyle as I made my way around the deck to leave without him seeing me. I looked around the corner into the hallway and didn't see anyone. Well, I didn't see the groom or the bridesmaid. I hurried down the plush carpeted hallway and peeked around the next corner. Where had they gone? I heard voices and recognized Marshall's, and they were heading toward where I was standing. I turned to go back the way I'd come, but I spotted Lyle. I spun around on my heels, unsure of what to do. Like an apparition, Carlisle stood in front of me. "Where did you come from?"

He grinned and pointed behind him. "Meeting. What are you doing?"

I heard Marshall's voice and my eyes widened. "I need to hide." I whipped around, pushing the door open behind me and grabbed Carlisle's hand.

As the door closed behind us, I heard Carlisle chuckle. "If you wanted me alone in the dark, all you had to do was ask."

"Shush. They'll hear you."

Seconds later, the handle to the storage closet jiggled. My blood roared with nervous energy. Carlisle intertwined his fingers with mine and moved across the large room to the back. I didn't know how he could see in the dark. We hid behind a storage unit that, as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed was piled high with towels and toiletries. This must be the maid's supply closet. Oh, great!

The door suddenly opened, and Marshall and the bridesmaid stumbled in. They were laughing and whispering to each other, completely unaware of our presence. Carlisle squeezed my hand, quietly urging me to stay calm and quiet. I held my breath as they pounced on each other. I gasped, wishing the ground would open and swallow me whole. Carlisle released my hand and quietly turned me so that my back was against his chest. A large hand landed on my stomach as his mouth brushed my earlobe.

The bridesmaid moaned. Marshall hissed. "I've been wanting to see your tits all night."

My face heated.

"Your nipples taste so damn good," the breathless man said.

I felt Carlisle flinch as a soft chuckle reached my ears. I squirmed against Carlisle but froze when I felt his excitement. His hand on my stomach trembled as he held me in place. "Don't move," he whispered before nibbling my lobe. My heart thundered as I pressed against the man. I could feel the tension growing between us, the desire palpable in the air.

The rustle of clothing being removed or pushed out of the way was loud in the dark room. "Oh! God!" Marshall let out a harsh sound. "Nobody sucks me as hard as you do."

I really don't want to hear that, especially while I'm in Carlisle's arms. I could feel the throb of his erection against my bottom.

"I need to fuck you." I wasn't sure who said it. Marshall or Carlisle.

"Yes," the bridesmaid said. I caught a glimpse and saw Marshall's erect penis as it disappeared under the bridesmaid's dress. Then the moaning told me they'd joined forces. I couldn't tear my eyes away.

I'd be lying if I said that Carlisle, standing behind me, rubbing gently against me as I watched the couple make love, didn't make me hot and jittery. The wet slap of skin against skin as things heated up was loud. When they finished, their panting became erratic and harsh. Marshall swore under his breath. "I fucking love you, Bree," he confessed to my surprise.

"I love you too," Bree said before bursting into tears.

Overheated, I could still hear the seriousness beneath the words they exchanged. It sounded like they were more than just sex.

"It won't be long," Marshall said as I heard his pants being zipped. "I promise."

"I hate Crystal and her family. It kills me to be nice to them."

"I should have had the backbone to refuse to be a part of this."

I watched as Marshall helped Bree into the dress. It was the first time I'd seen him show affection for anyone. His actions told me that he truly loved her.

Carlisle planted a kiss on my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. I squeezed my thighs together, hoping to ease the tension that was pulsing there.

Marshall kissed Bree gently and held her close, his hand in her hair. The scene, though embarrassing to me, even more so because Carlisle was with me, made my heart melt. I somehow felt sorry for them. Whatever had forced Marshall's hand might be the reason I saw him dead.

"We better get back."

"I'm going to my room," Bree said. "I can't face them again."

Their voices muffled as they left the closet. I sank into Carlisle. "Well," I said, stepping away from the sexy man, "that was awkward."

He chuckled. "There's nothing embarrassing about having you in my arms."

Even though he couldn't see me, I rolled my eyes. "You know I wasn't talking about us."

"Oh, you mean watching a live sex show?" He stalked closer, his eyes glittering in the dark.

"What are you doing?" I backed away, but he caught me around the waist.

"What I can't stop thinking about," he growled as his lips crashed against mine in a hungry kiss. His hands roamed my body with urgency, sending shivers down my spine. My toes curled up from the assault on my senses. I'd only felt this way with Carlisle. I moaned into his mouth and reached up to run my fingers through his dark hair. His hands cupped my bottom and lifted me against his hard body. The heat between us ignited a fire that threatened to consume us both. As he deepened the kiss, his hands found their way under my dress. His hand slipped into my panties as he gripped me tightly, rocking me on his erection.

Breathing heavily, I moaned loudly. Carlisle pulled his mouth away and stared into my eyes, his chest heaving and pressing against my sensitive breast. "You're mine," he growled possessively before capturing my lips again in a fierce kiss. The intensity of his touch had me ready to throw my clothes aside and let him have his way. To tell him to take me. I'm yours. I longed for more of his intoxicating presence, but I knew I had to stop what was about to happen. It couldn't happen. He'd warned me before to stay away.

"No," I muttered.

Carlisle was silent before he helped me to my feet and then backed away. "I can't keep my hands to myself when we're alone."

"I want you too," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "But we have to stop this before it goes too far." With a heavy heart, I turned and walked away, leaving Carlisle standing there with a conflicted look on his face.

The scene in the storage closet was still on my mind when I bumped into Pen in the hallway. She took one look at my face and frowned. "You looked ravished." My eyes widened. "Why do you always notice these things?"

"I'd have to be blind not to." Her eyes wandered over my shoulder before she let out a surprised laugh, her eyebrows wiggling. "That man can't leave you alone."

"Never mind that," I said. "Did you see where Marshall went?" I paused. "Did Lyle follow him?"

Pen took my arm and led me toward the patio and the wedding. "Lyle followed and stood by the room you came out of, listening, and yes, the groom went back to his wedding." She raised an eyebrow, so I quickly filled her in on what had happened in the room, leaving out what Carlisle and I had done in the dark. No doubt she'd fill in the missing details.

"I'm going to the bathroom."

"Hmm." I gave her an absent nod as I caught sight of Marshall and Barry—ginger. I rubbed my temples and walked over to the buffet table. Unlike Penelope, I'd barely eaten.

With a small pastry in my hand, I headed for the large bowl of strawberry daiquiri. I could do with another drink, but I sadly thought it best to abstain at the moment. Nothing wrong with taking a whiff of the stuff. Maybe I'd change my mind.

"How was it?"

The voice startled me. "Marshall, I didn't see you there."

"I'm sure you saw enough of me in the closet," he whispered, a smile on his face.

I blushed to the roots of my hair. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He chuckled. "Tell me, does the guy you were with measure up to me?"

"Stop!" I poked him in the chest. "I admit to being in there, as you obviously already know." I frowned. "How did you know?"

"I saw you and him disappear in there." He grinned. "Thought I'd give you a show."

"What's going on with you and your bride, and of course Bree? Is this some kind of love triangle?"

"There would have to be love involved between the bride and me for it to be a love triangle." He suddenly looked tired.

"I know you don't know me, but if you need to talk, I'm a good listener." I put my hand on his arm. "I'm serious, Marshall. Maybe I can help you."

"It's complicated and involves both our fathers," he admitted, then clarified, "Crystal's and mine." He rubbed his forehead.

A sudden thought popped into my head, so I went with it. "Do you like being choked?"

His eyebrows shot up to his hairline before amusement lit up his face. "You mean during sex?" He gasped and tried to hold back his laughter. "Are you asking me if I like kinky sex?" He leaned in closer. "Why Tallulah, what on earth is going on in your head?"

Embarrassed beyond belief and needing to get away, I jumped back, slammed my hip into the table, lost my balance, and fell into the bowl of daiquiri. Only Marshall's arm around my waist kept me from landing fully on the table. From my waist up, I was covered in red alcohol. At least it smelled nice.

Marshall held me and I felt him shake until I realized he was laughing. I pushed out of his arms, ignoring the others who were giggling. Pen came running over. "I can't leave you alone for a moment." Her eyes danced.

"Don't say a word."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Pen glanced at Marshall, who cleared his throat. "What happened?"

The man held his hands up. "Don't look at me, she started it by asking about kinky sex."

Pen gave me such a look with a raised eyebrow that I felt myself turn as red as the drink I was covered in.

"If you'll excuse me," I said to Marshall, grabbing Penelope's arm. I pushed her away from the patio and into the bathroom. "I asked him if he liked being choked," I said under my breath. "I should have known how that conversation would go sideways."

Grinning, Pen grabbed some paper towels and stood in front of me. "I don't know how to clean you up." She hiccuped and quickly covered her mouth before the laughter came out.

I couldn't help myself and grinned. "I didn't mean to jump into the strawberry daiquiri."

"Oh!" She giggled and fell into one of the chairs in front of the vanity. "I didn't think you did."

I grabbed a handful of paper towels and dabbed at my sticky chest. I winced. "I'm not sure any of this is salvageable."

There was a knock at the door, then a male voice said, "I have a shirt and sweatpants for you."

Relieved to get out of these clothes, I hurried to the door. "These should be fine," Marshall said as he handed me the clothes. "Bree lent them to you."

"Thank you." I started to close the door, but he stopped me.

"When you get changed, can we talk?" He asked quietly. "I told Bree what you said earlier."

"Oh, God!" I moaned.

He laughed. "I meant before all that. About helping."

"Give me a few minutes to clean up."

I closed the door and quickly cleaned up while I told Pen about my earlier conversation with Marshall.