Chapter 18

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

Merrick

My cock throbs from being pressed into the mattress. The thought of being inside Courtney with nothing between us has me leaking with desire, but I need to slow this down. I can't just slam into her and take what I'm craving. No, I need to make this good for both of us, which means I get to eat my favorite meal before experiencing something with her that I'm certain will be life-changing.

If I didn't love her, I wouldn't even consider it, but knowing she holds my heart in the palm of her hands means I can give her this part of me. Share this with her, something I'll never share with anyone else if I have any say about it.

But first, my girl needs to come.

I place a kiss on her inner thigh before turning my head and lavishing the other with the same. I want this to be good for her, because I'm certain the gift she's agreed to give me is going to be one of the greatest of my life.

I place a kiss just above her pussy, right where I know she wants my lips to be. She makes this sound. It's not quite a moan, but it's a sound that comes from deep within her. Needing more of that sound, and any other she's willing to give me, I flick my tongue over her clit.

"Merrick," she breathes out my name like a fucking caress.

I suck gently, stroking her with my tongue. When she tugs on my hair, I know she's in this with me. My cock aches and even though I don't want to rush this, I need to get her there before I explode against the sheets.

Adding one digit, I keep my mouth on her clit as I slowly stroke in and out of her, giving her time to adjust before adding a second. That's when her legs wrap around my neck, and her back arches off the bed.

I grin as I suck her clit into my mouth, loving the way she pulls at my hair, and her legs quiver. I want her to fall to pieces. My fingers curl, and I suck a little harder on her clit, my tongue stroking her.

She grips onto my hair.

Her legs tremble around my head.

Her back arches.

My cock throbs.

I moan because, knowing I'm the one giving her this pleasure, it's a major fucking turn-on.

"Merrick!" she screams as she finds her release. Her pussy pulses around my fingers as she soaks my hand, which is about to be my cock. This woman, she's my future. She's my forever.

I don't pull out or remove my mouth until her body sags into the mattress. Only then do I pull away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I move up her body, my cock nestled over her pussy. Her wetness coats me.

"I'm about to embarrass myself, baby," I admit.

She huffs out a laugh. "You've earned it."

"You're beautiful."

Her eyes soften. She opens her mouth to say something but quickly swallows. "Thank you."

"Look at you, accepting a compliment." I kiss between her breasts.

"I don't want to give you a reason to stop this," she admits.

"I'm not stopping, Court. Not unless you tell me to."

"No." She wraps her legs around my waist, locking them in place at her ankles. "I'm not letting you go."

I'm never letting you go.

I'm in love with you.

I should tell her. The words sit on the tip of my tongue, but I don't want to tell her like this. Not when we're about to have sex. Sure, I'm making love to her, but I don't want her to think it's a confession from the heat of the moment. When I tell her, she'll know without a doubt that my love for her has no bounds and that she's it for me.

"Make love to me, Merrick."

"My pleasure, baby." Reaching between us, I grip my cock and guide myself inside her. I hiss out a breath. "So warm." She lifts her hips, causing me to slide further inside her. "I'm taking this slow. Savoring the moment."

"I want you."

Her words ignite a fire inside me, and I push all the way in until my balls are resting against her ass. "You have me," I tell her. She has no idea how true those words are. She has more than my cock; she has my heart, my soul, and every other piece of me.

"For this to work, you need to move," she teases, her voice raspy and sexy as fuck.

"I don't know what it feels like for you, but you're so fucking warm, and I can feel your pussy gripping my cock. I'm trying to get a handle on myself."

"Don't. I want you wild and uncontrolled."

"You make me feel wild and out of control," I confess.

"Good. We're even. Take what you need, Merrick. I want this. I want you."

Bowing my head, I pull out and push back in. Slowly, I build a steady rhythm, all the while trying to keep from coming too soon. I never want this to end. This feeling of being inside her. I want this connection to last forever.

With each thrust, her pussy grips me tighter. She grows wetter. "There," she moans.

"You gonna come again for me, gorgeous?" I ask the question as I pull out and push back in.

A little harder.

A little faster.

Each thrust grows with intensity. "There. Ri—Right there. Yes. Yes. Yes!" she screams, and the most amazing, incredible out-of-this-world feeling in my life presents itself. The woman I love falls apart on my cock, squeezing me like a vise, and I can't hold back. I call out her name, as I release inside her. Wave after wave of ecstasy rolls through me, and my girl, she takes every drop.

My chest is heaving. My lips find hers, and I try to show her what I'm feeling with my kiss. I try to show her that she's my everything. I need her to understand that this is our forever. More nights like this.

Slowly, I pull out of her and climb from the bed. "Come here." She does as I ask and slides toward the end of the bed. I lift her into my arms. "We need a shower, then sleep."

"Shower, then sleep," she agrees.

However, once I get into the bathroom, I decide we need a bath instead. I engage the drain on the tub and run the water. "I don't have anything that I'm sure you use, like bath salts or whatever, but the water will be warm."

"It's fine. I don't need that."

"You should buy some to keep here, or tell me what you like and I'll buy it for you. You probably have something at the boutique, right?"

"This is perfect, Merrick. All I need is you." Her voice is soft, and I know she's tired. I've worn her out.

Stepping into the tub, I settle before offering her my hand, and she steps in. Taking her place between my thighs, her back pressed to my chest, I wrap my arms around her and kiss her neck. I want to tell her what she means to me, but I still hold back.

Soon , I tell myself. I need to tell her soon.

I smooth down my black dress shirt I'm wearing with my jeans and dress shoes. The wedding is casual, and even though I don't mind dressing up, I'm thankful I can wear a nice pair of jeans and a dress shirt. I'm a casual kind of guy as far as my clothing goes. There aren't many chances to wear a suit and tie in a backhoe.

I'm getting ready to head over to Courtney's to pick her up for the wedding at Willow Manor when there's a knock on the door. I pull it open, and my breath hitches when I see my girl standing before me.

"Baby, what are you doing here? I was coming to get you."

She shrugs. "I know, but I was ready, so I thought I'd meet you here instead."

Taking her hand in mine, I motion for her to spin, and she does. "You look beautiful." I drop a kiss on her cheek, not wanting to ruin her lipstick.

"Thank you, handsome." She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"Hey, it's going to be fine. We've got this."

"I know." She nods. "I'm just nervous for Chloe. Are you sure you want to go this early? You'll just be sitting around while I help her get ready."

"I'm sure. I'm familiar with the venue because of Kennedy, and we've had a few events there over the years. I want to help if needed."

"You're a unicorn, Merrick Kincaid."

I laugh. "I'll let my parents know you think so."

"Are you ready?"

"I am." I reach in, turn off the lights, and pull the door closed. I lead her to the SUV in the driveway.

"Did you get a new car?"

"No. This is Mom's. I thought it would be easier for you to get in and out of with your dress."

"We could have taken my car. We didn't have to borrow one."

"It was supposed to be a surprise, but you gave me one of my own." I open the door for her and she smiles softly as she climbs inside.

"Doesn't the bride and her tribe usually get ready together before the wedding?" I ask once we're on the road.

"Normally, but since it's just Chloe and me, we prepped together, and I got dressed at home, and all we'll have to do is get her into her dress once we get there."

I lift her hand to inspect her manicure, I know she got it this morning with her sister. "Pretty," I say, kissing the back of her hand. "I missed you last night." Chloe spent the night with my girl at her place, going with the tradition that the bride and groom can't see each other the night before the wedding.

"It was fun. Made me feel like we were kids again, staying up late and talking. Only this time there was wine involved." She laughs. "We didn't stay up too late because we had early appointments for hair, makeup, and nails, but it was still a fun night."

"So, what you're trying to tell me is that you didn't miss me at all." I chuckle.

"I always miss you, Merrick." Something in her tone, the seriousness, gives me pause. I don't have time to dive too much into it as we pull into the parking lot of the manor.

I help her out of the car and lead her into the building. Kennedy, my sister-in-law, smiles when she sees us. "Oh, you two look great."

"Hey, I didn't know you'd be here today."

"Filling in. Fran needed the day off."

"Well, I'm happy to see you." I kiss her cheek before turning to Courtney. "What do you need from me, babe?"

"Nothing. Just hang out, I guess? I'm going to go start helping Chloe." She leans up and places a kiss under my jaw, and then she's gone.

"I have to say, I was bummed that I was missing out on your surprise, but getting to see the two of you like this, it's worth it."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, Maverick, he called in reinforcements." She giggles.

"Of course he did." I shake my head, but I can't be mad about it. I love my family and I love my brothers and the fact that they're willing to help me pull off my surprise.

"What should I be doing?" I ask her.

"Nothing. Chloe is so laid-back, everything is set just how she wants it, which wasn't much. I guess you'll just have to sit and talk to me until it's time."

"I can handle that." I follow her into her office, which is where we stay until the ceremony starts.

Intimate. That's how I would describe this wedding. With just close friends and family, it's small and perfect. I used to tease Maverick that my wedding would top his, but seeing this one, the simplicity, and the no-stress environment, it's what I want. Of course, I'll have to talk to Courtney because at our wedding, our day will be about her, and making her dreams come true. The fact that she even agrees to marry me is my dream. It's only fair, I give her hers as well.

Honestly, I want simple, just like this, but I won't say no to anything she wants. As long as at the end of the day, she's my wife.

My wife.

Damn, Courtney Kincaid has a nice ring to it.

Thinking back to that day all those months ago when she confessed she'd told her mother we were dating, I didn't expect to end up here. I didn't expect to love this woman with everything I am. I damn sure didn't suspect I'd be thinking about my own wedding to the dark-haired beauty. It's funny how life changes, and how it takes one chance encounter, or one small white lie to change the course of your life.

This change is a good one. I want forever with her.

Courtney is dancing with her uncle, but as soon as the song changes, I'm out of my seat and stalking toward her. The ceremony is over, which means I don't have to worry about messing up her makeup.

"My turn," I say, sliding my arm around her waist as she's walking toward where I was just sitting. I turn us so we're dancing in a dark corner. "I need to kiss you." I do just that, taking her lips with mine. Her hands that are resting against my chest dig into the fabric of my shirt as I kiss the breath from her lungs.

Knowing we can't hide in this corner forever, I break the kiss and spin her, moving us back to the crowd before wrapping my arms around her, letting my hands sit at the small of her back, holding her close.

"Been waiting all damn day to do that," I confess, whispering in her ear.

She giggles and rests her cheek against my chest. I couldn't tell you what song is playing, or who is out on this dance floor with us. Nothing matters but the woman in my arms. I open my mouth to tell her what she means to me, but I have a plan. I'm going to stick to the plan.

"All right, we need all the single ladies in the center," the DJ announces.

Courtney turns in my arms, putting her back to my chest, but makes no move to go to the center of the dance floor.

"Court! Get your cute butt out here," Chloe calls out to her.

"You better get out there, baby. The bride has spoken."

I can't see her face, but I'm certain she's rolling her eyes as she grudgingly makes her way to the center of the dance floor with a couple of Chloe's friends and two of their cousins. There are six of them in total. The DJ plays a little jig, and then we count down from five. Chloe launches her bouquet into the air over her back and turns to watch where it lands.

As if she was aiming directly for her, the bouquet lands in Courtney's hands. Chloe rushes to her and the sisters hug. I wait for the panic to set in. We're dating, regardless of how this started. Her catching the bouquet means she's next.

We're next.

I wonder how long until I can convince her that marrying me is the best idea I've ever had?

Eventually, Chloe releases her sister. Her eyes find mine and she winks. Courtney walks off the dance floor, her cheeks pink with the bouquet in her hands.

"My lucky girl," I say, pulling her into my chest and kissing the corner of her mouth.

"Oh, sweetheart." We hear and turn to see her mom standing beside us with tears in her eyes. "I can't believe you caught it." Her eyes flash to mine and I smile. I never would have dreamed I'd be encouraging her mother that we should be next, but my smile says it all.

"My lucky day," Courtney replies with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

I don't know what's going on with her, but I vow to make sure that for the rest of this wedding she enjoys herself.

"I know I'm hard on you, and it's because I want this for you. A happy life to a man who adores you." Her eyes flash to me again, and I nod.

I do adore Courtney. She's my everything, and I can't wait to tell her so. I don't want to steal from the wedding and take the memories of Chloe's day, but after the wedding, all bets are off.

"Thanks, Mom."

"You two kids enjoy yourselves. I'm going to go find your father and have him spin me around this dance floor a few times. You two should take notes. We've still got it." She winks and walks off. My laughter and even Courtney's trails off with her.

"I love your family, baby." Not as much as I love her, but they'll be mine too soon enough, and I feel like she needs to know that I accept that.

"They're great," she agrees.

"Dance with me?"

"I thought we were already dancing."

The song changes to a fast sexy beat. "We're about to." Taking the bouquet, I move us a few steps to place it on the table and pull her body into mine as I start to grind. She responds, just as she always does. Her body knows mine, and I fucking love it. She gifts me with a smile, one that I know is a true happy Courtney smile. I'll do everything I can to make her smile like this every day for the rest of our lives.

A few more dances follow, where I not only get to grind on my girl, but there are just as many slow ones where I get to hold her. When the guests start to leave, we help clean up, and with Courtney's bouquet in one hand, and her palm encased in my other, I lead her out to the SUV to take her home.

My home.

A home I hope to share with her one day soon.