“Me? I’m not the troublemaker between us.”
“Don’t let him fool you, Maevyn.” Rachel smiles. “Those two could wreak havoc if they put their minds to it.”
“I’d believe that.” The look in West’s eyes, burning with heat, says he’d love to prove me wrong. Or maybe he’s thinking of proving me right? My thighs clench at the mere thought.
“Here you go, buddy.” Phil comes back with two shots, handing one to Westley.
“Seriously, you didn’t get one for us?” Rachel scoffs, looking at me with disbelief.
Phil wraps an arm around her back and pulls her into him. “Don’t worry, you’ll get a taste.”
Rachel bobs her eyebrows at me, then Westley copies Phil’s move, holding my body tight against his.
“Cheers, bud.” The guys clink their glasses together, then hold them over mine and Rachel’s mouths.
“Open up, Trickster.”
I comply with his request, heart in my throat as I do, and Westley pours a hint of gin in my mouth. Before I can swallow it down, he snatches the strawberry flavour straight from my tongue.
My limbs turn to jelly, and my brain has left the building. But it’s over all too soon. I lean forward, intent on stealing another kiss, but Westley pulls back, eyes bright with victory.
“There it is.” He points an accusing finger at me, and I’m left wondering what the fuck he’s talking about. “That was you wanting it.”
Well, fuck me.Please.
For the rest of the night, the four of us continue to dance, drink, and flirt. I love getting to know Phil and Rachel, and seeing how spirited and fiery their relationship is. It comforts me, ina way, to witness the kind of love that exists with respect and safety. Growing up, all I knew was toxicity and negligence.
But here, tonight, I get to enjoy a sweeter side. I don’t think it ever would have happened if it weren’t for the need to act on this charade with Westley. I never would have given him a chance otherwise. I would’ve stayed intent on my path, focusing only on Aurora and being everything she needs. Convincing myself it was not only safer, but a connection I wasn’t missing out on. Could have gone my whole life without.
Turns out, I was wrong. Everyone should feel this, at least once. Even if it’s not forever, I feel lucky to have it right now.
It’s after midnight when we stumble back to our rooms. Westley and I wave goodbye to Rachel, who hangs over her husband’s shoulder, on the verge of passing out, but still laughing her head off as he leads them into their room. The second our door opens, I slide past Westley, kick my heels off, and rifle through my bag for my pyjamas.
“Did you have fun tonight?” West asks.
“I did, actually,” I say with a smile as I cross to the bathroom and start washing off my makeup.
“It didn’t go too far for you?” He stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame.
His suit jacket was lost shortly after the gin-gasm he gave me, followed by the act of him rolling up his shirt sleeves and exposing his thick, veined forearms, which I shamelessly stared at for the rest of the night. There’s just something about forearms.
“Do I look like a girl who wouldn’t speak up if it was too much?” I smirk as I pat my face dry, then turn to give him my back. “Could you unzip me, please?”
“It would be my pleasure.” I feel the zipper roll down with ease, and I hold one hand to the bust to stop it from falling to the ground and leaving me totally naked. On second thought, maybe that’s a good idea?
“I’m glad you’re someone who feels strong enough to stand up for yourself. But I still want to make sure you’re alright with everything we did tonight.”
I turn around, bringing a hand up to the door. “I enjoyed every second.” I smile and slowly close it, locking myself in the bathroom and Westley on the other side, so I can change.
I hear him chuckle, and it makes my smile grow even bigger. I’ve never felt like this. Didn’t even know it was remotely possible. The way West makes my heart race is exciting; it makes me feel like I’m floating.
I let my dress fall to the floor and lean over to turn on the shower so I can quickly freshen up. I’m exhausted from the drive and the wedding, but I can’t sleep unless I’ve had a shower. I need the warmth to relax my muscles and clear my mind. I wash and rinse in under five minutes, then I throw on my oversized T-shirt and a pair of loose cotton shorts. I run some cocoa butter over my legs and arms, then I’m taking deep breaths with my hand frozen on the doorknob, ready to go back into the bedroom with Westley and the one tiny bed.
He’s sitting on the bed, with just the sidelamp lighting the room, his nose buried in a book.
“You brought your book with you?” I ask, walking over to the cupboard to hang up my dress.
“I always bring a book with me,” he says, placing a small card between the pages before he sets it on the bedside table.
