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All around us, people are laughing, shouting, and playfully splashing each other under the bright moon. My dress is soaked, clinging to my skin, but I barely feel the chill. Not when Drew’s hands find my hips, his strong arms wrapping securely around my waist and pulling me flush against his chest.

I am violently shivering as the cool air of the suite hits my soaking wet body when we finally stumble back into our room. Drew rushes to the bathroom and turns the shower dial to hot.

“Get in the shower, Cami.” He says, laughing.

“What about you?” I say through my chattering teeth.

“Cami, your lips are turning purple. I’m going to be just fine.”

I slip into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I reach around to the back of my dress, in search of the zipper, but the wet fabric is clinging tightly to my skin. Come on, I wrestle with it, trying to pull it down, but it refuses to budge. Shit. I slowly open the bathroom door, desperate for help, and find a half-naked Drew searching his suitcase for dry clothes. He turns to me when he hears the door creak open. My eyes immediately fall to his bare, broad chest, and his boxers clinging tightly around his waist.

“Um…My dress is stuck.” I swallow, the numbing chill in my body is replaced by a rush of heat. “Do you mind unzipping me?”

Without a word, he slowly gets up and walks over to me as I turn my back to him, moving my hair out of the way. With gentle, deliberate movements, he takes his time pulling the zipper down to where it ends just below my waist. My eyes flutter closed as my bare back is revealed to him. He carefully runs his fingertips up my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He loops his fingers around the straps of my dress, pulling them down. I draw in a deep breath as my dress falls to the floor, leaving me in only my underwear. He gently removes his hands from my arms, pressing his lips to my shoulders, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses all the way up my neck. My body tightens beneath his touch, and a small whimper escapes from me. I turn to face him, watching him take in my body. Our lips go crashing together. He grabs me by the waist, slowly leading us deeper into the bathroom without breaking our kiss. The tiny room is filled with steam from the hot water running behind the shower curtain. He pulls us both into the shower, still half naked, the thin fabric between us is the only remaining barrier. The scorch of the hot water drums heavily on my shoulders, vibrating my body with heat. My heart pounds against my ribs, and I'm sure he can feel it against his. Drew deepens our kiss, opening his mouth to mine, savoring the way our lips move together. My fingers lightly trail the skin around his waistband, gliding around to his lower back. I squeeze, pulling him even closer to me. He draws in a sharp inhale against my lips at the movement, and I feel every hard ridge of his body pressed to mine, sending a pulse to my lower belly.

The water eventually turns cold, signaling the end of our moment. We slowly draw back from each other. He smiles down at me, wraps his arms around me, and pulls me close to his chest. I laugh into his shoulder, in disbelief that this is actually happening.

I quickly dry off, my skin flushed red from the hot water, and pull on my pajamas. I open the bathroom door to find Drew already crawling into his bed. I walk over to where he’s lying down, eyeing the spot next to him, biting my lip as I hope for an invitation. He smiles, grabbing my waist and pulling me down next to him. I snuggle into the covers, scooting in close to him. His smoky vanilla and musk scent clings to the bedding, putting my mind and body at ease. He pulls me into his bare chest, placing a kiss on my forehead. “Goodnight.” He whispers.

“The best night,” I say, just as sleep begins to take over.

CHAPTER 17

Camille

DAY 6: “I DO”

Beep, beep, beep. I’m getting really sick of these alarms waking me up before I'm ready. I slowly blink my eyes open, the memories of last night coming to the forefront of my mind. I smile, still wrapped in Drew’s arms. I reach over to grab my phone from the nightstand, turning off my 7:00 AM alarm. We are all supposed to meet in the bridesmaids' suite at eight to start getting ready. Ivy hired hair and makeup artists that have us on a strict timeline.

“Mhmm… I don't want you to go.” Drew mumbles, still half asleep. He grabs me by the waist, pulling me back into his warm arms. The sudden movement makes me giggle against his muscles.

“Trust me, I would much rather stay in this bed all day with you,” I say.

He smiles, tangling his hands through my hair, pulling me right to his lips as if no time has passed between us. As if this is what we do every morning. So simple, so effortless. I hike my leg around his waist, the movement pushing him flat on the mattress. I climb on top of him without breaking the kiss. A satisfied hum escapes his lips as his body hardens beneath me. His hands carefully trail up the back of my thighs, sending a warm pulse to my core. My shorts have ridden up, giving him direct access to grab me from behind. I rock my hips into him, the friction sending us both over the edge with pure need. His hands cup my ass, rocking me even deeper against him.

“Drew.” I whimper.

“Mm… I love the way my name sounds coming off your lips.”

I drive my mouth harder into his, hungry with desire as his hands start to move up, exploring up the bare skin under my tank top. A dose of reality dulls the raging desire coursing through my veins. I have to leave. Our first time being intimate shouldn't be rushed; I've waited eight damn years to finally have him and I want to savor every moment.

“I have to leave.” I cry with regret, slowing my rocking hips to a stop. Finding the willpower to pull away from him is agonizing.

He sighs, rubbing his hands down his face. “I know, I know.”

“I can't upset Ivy on her wedding day.”

“I know, it's okay,” he says with dark wanting in his eyes, leaning in to give me one last smoldering kiss.

“Rain check?”

He smiles, “Am I dreaming?”

I laugh through flushed cheeks, climbing off of him and quickly adjusting my shorts and tank top.

“No, really, can you pinch me just in case?” He adds.

“I’ll pinch you later, if you want?” I joke as I quickly pack up the things I need for the day. I walk over to the closet and pull out the garment bag containing my bridesmaids dress.