Page 50 of Take Me
“Glad it helped.”Mason looks pretty at ease for a guy holding a throw pillow over his junk.
I stand behind him in my towel, hyperaware of how this appears.We look like two lust-drunk lovers caught riding the bony express in the shower, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Mason was justhelpingme.Soothing me.Easing my pain with his lips and his tongue and his huge, solid hands caressing my?—
“Shit, sorry.”Maxine blushes and glances between us.“We didn’t mean to interrupt.We got worried when we saw all the blood.”
“Blood?”I almost forgot in the chaos.Glancing down at the stoop, I gasp.“Whatisthat?”
Rivulets of red streak down the pale gray walkway.They stream from my dress like somebody used it to mop up a murder scene.
“Dye.”Mason bends down and picks up the dress, treating me to a view of his ass in those pasted-on boxer briefs.“Looks like your dress can’t handle the water?”
“Shit.”I stare at the sopping wet garment and yep.“It’s probably dry-clean only.”
“It was such a pretty dress.”Max touches the hem as it drips on the walkway.“Alice and Olivia, right?”
“I think so.”I sometimes forget that Maxine hails from glamorous LA.“If I didn’t ruin it with the mud, I sure as hell wrecked it by leaving it out in the rain.”
“I’m just glad you’re not hurt.”Sam’s visibly relieved.“Sorry to scare you.We saw all the clothing strewn around and then the blood?—”
“We thought one of you fell and got hurt,” Max adds.
“Nope.”Mason smiles and adjusts his throw pillow loincloth.“Just got carried away by how hot my girl looked.”He winks at the brides, and I feel myself blushing.“I’m sure you can relate.”
Both women giggle as Sam hoists the basket she’s holding.“This is for you guys.Just a little something to say thanks.”
She tries to give it to Mason, but he’s busy holding the throw pillow in front of his crotch.I open my arms to accept it, admiring the assortment of wine and crackers and cheeses.“Thank you.You didn’t have to do this.”
“It was a gift from our wedding planner,” Sam says.“We already have so much leftover food.”
“Plus we’re leaving tomorrow for our honeymoon.”Maxine puts an arm around Sam, and the two brides step back from the door.“We’ll let you guys get back to what you were doing.”
Sam giggles and gives me a knowing wave.“Have fun.”
As they head for their car, I hear Max murmur to Sam.“Such a cute couple.”
“Bye, guys.”Mason drops my dress on the bench and waves.“Go make the most of your wedding night.”
The two brides laugh as Max holds open the car door for Sam.“Know what our wedding planner told us about wedding night sex?”
Sam gives the answer before we can ask.“The only thing rarer these days than wedding night sex is a virgin bride.”She laughs.“Between stress and exhaustion, the only thing you want to do at the end of it all is curl up in your PJs and fall asleep together.”
“We’ve got the rest of our lives for the sexy stuff.”Maxine winks as she walks around to the driver's side.“Please do our share of the wedding night wizbang.”
“Way ahead of you,” Mason calls, still waving as they drive out of sight.
As soon as they’re gone, I step back and wait as he closes the door.We stand in the living room, both of us flushed and still damp from the shower.
Mason hikes up his throw pillow.“If they had any doubts that we’re doing it, they don’t anymore.”
“Right.”I guess that’s good news.“That was sweet of them.”Adjusting my grip on the gift, I feel my towel start to slip.
“Let me help.”Mason moves toward me.“That looks heavy.”
“I’m okay.”I twist away and feel my towel slip again.“My knot’s coming loose, and holding this basket is the only thing keeping me decent.”
“Oh.”The look on his face is one I can’t read, so I focus on finding a place for the gift.Turning my back, I anchor my elbows to my sides to keep myself covered.I set down the basket on a small copper table, and the knot at my breasts comes completely unraveled.
