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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
IVY
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Istared out the windowof the Horseshoe Bay Beach Club dining room into the water below. The view took my breath away with all the vivid reds and oranges of the countless fall leaves covering the trees along the shore.
“Pretty place for a rehearsal dinner, isn’t it?” Ethan stepped up beside me, sliding his arm around my waist.
“It’s gorgeous. What an incredible place this is.”
“Yeah. Our family has been members here forever, so Tim and Tami wanted to have their wedding here. The reception will be up in the big dining building since this room isn’t large enough for their two-hundred guests.”
I glanced around the small, intimate dining room that hosted about forty for the rehearsal dinner. “Yeah. It would be a bit hard for dancing with over two hundred people in here.”
“Although, that would mean an excuse to dance even closer.” He edged his body up against mine, sending shivers traveling through every inch of my skin.
Just a fling,I reminded myself as I did every time he touched me. It was completely against my nature to allow a man I wasn’t in a committed relationship with to have free access to my space. And my body. And oh God, did he do wonders with his free access to my body.
Heat flushed my face as I remembered all the intimate and uninhibited things I’d done with him last night and today. I felt like a dirty sex addict with the way I kept begging him for more and more, but I knew with only a few days left together, I wanted to enjoy him as much as I possibly could. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t worried about how I looked during sex or what he could see. I just allowed my body and mind free rein to enjoy every single second of him without worrying about consequences. And it was unbelievably liberating.
“Your mother is watching,” I whispered as I caught the stylish blonde woman staring at us, grinning from ear to ear.
“Good. Then this will get her off my back about getting a girlfriend for a while. Just go with it.”
He kissed my cheek, and I didn’t have to pretend to enjoy it for his mother’s sake. I closed my eyes and leaned into him. “I feel kinda bad we’re lying to her. I mean, all your friends know we aren’t dating for real, but your mother and the rest of your family think we are. And I’m not gonna lie. Your mom really likes me. She’s gonna be hella pissed when we ‘break up’ after the wedding.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I’m sure she’s gonna read me the riot act for screwing things up with you, but at least tonight and tomorrow night, I can relax without hearing, ‘When are you going to be more like Tim and meet a nice girl’ from my mother and everyone else. It’s exhausting trying to explain that it isn’t my defining goal in life to get married and settle down.”
“And I suppose you don’t exactly tell your mom you only have one-night stands to ensure you don’t go getting trapped in some boring relationship, huh?”
He chuckled. “Ah, no. I definitely leave that part out when I’m talking to my mother.”
Someone clinked a glass, and the small crowd quieted down. We all turned to see Tim and Tami standing in the center of the room.
“Thank you all so much for being here for us,” Tim started. “We can’t wait to celebrate with you all tomorrow as Tami and I take the plunge and become husband and wife.”
Everyone clapped, and then Tim went on with his speech, thanking his family, friends, and everyone who had supported them throughout their relationship. A server came around with trays of champagne flutes as he talked, and when he finished, we all lifted them in cheers.
“Thank you all so much for coming. Tami and I are heading out to get our rest before the big day, but you all stay and enjoy the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as long as you’d like. And we’ll see you all tomorrow!”
Everyone applauded again and bid them goodnight.
“Hold up. I gotta catch Tim before he goes,” Ethan said quickly, then planted a brief peck on my cheek.
I watched him hurry over to his brother, appreciating how incredible he looked in his nice dress pants and button-down shirt.
“You need a napkin to wipe away that drool?” A voice startled me, and I spun around to see Jenna smiling.
“Shut up.” I bumped her with my shoulder.
Her sister Jo came up beside her. “So? How’d it go last night? You eat the pizza or what?”
Heat flooded my cheeks as an uncontrollable grin split my face.
“Oh!” Jo covered her mouth and pointed. “You ate the pizza!”
“Atta girl!” Jenna lifted her hand, and I gave it an awkward tap.
