"So are you."
He kissed me again. Harder this time, urgent, like he couldn't get enough.
"I wanna marry you," he murmured against my mouth, his words slurred but serious in that hazy way alcohol makes everything feel.
I froze for a second. Then laughed again, breathless. "You're insane. We just met."
"Come on." He stood, pulled me up with him. The world spun, lights blurring. "Bathroom. Now. Need you."
We stumbled down a dim hall, past closed doors and muffled music. Found an empty one. Locked it behind us. Inside...marble counters, dim lights casting long shadows, bass still thumping through the walls like a heartbeat.
He kissed me against the sink, rough and hungry. Hands under my shirt, skimming my skin, sending sparks everywhere. Then down, unzipping, kneeling in front of me. Mouth on me. Slow. Worshipful, his tongue exploring, teasing.
"Fuck, you taste good," he groaned against me, voice vibrating. "So fucking perfect. Like you were made for this."
I gripped the counter hard, knuckles white. Legs shaking, knees weak. Head spinning from the drinks, from him.
He stood after, kissed me again. Deep. I tasted myself on his tongue, salty and intimate.
"I wanna take you somewhere," he said, breath ragged.
"Where?"
"Somewhere we can make this real. You and me."
I didn't think. Just nodded, the alcohol buzzing in my veins, making everything feel possible.
We left the club, slipping out a back door. Limo waiting curbside. Driver didn't blink, just opened the door like this was normal.
Chapel next. Some cheesy place with a neon sign flickering "24/7 Weddings," hearts and rings glowing pink. Elvis impersonator inside, sequined jumpsuit and all, crooning a half-assed "Can't Help Falling in Love."
Cheap rings from a vending machine, thin gold bands, tiny fake diamonds that caught the fluorescent light.
We laughed the whole time, giggles turning to hiccups.
Said yes in slurred vows.
Signed papers with shaky hands.
Rings on fingers, cold metal sliding into place.
Married.
Just like that.
Chapter 6
Hadley
My head felt like someone had taken a hammer to it. Throbbing behind my eyes, mouth cotton-dry, stomach rolling in that sick way that only comes after too much tequila and zero water. I groaned, tried to roll over, and froze.
I was naked.
Completely naked under sheets that weren’t mine.
The room smelled like hotel shampoo, whiskey, and sex.
A man was next to me, broad shoulders, dark hair messy across the pillow, breathing slow and deep. Cal. Cal fucking Ember.
