Page 118 of Wilder at Heart
So, by the time it comes for speeches, we’re all in a party mood and I’ve relaxed enough to enjoy myself at the top table. My mood is definitely helped by the fact that Theo’s hand has edged consistently higher up my thigh under the tablecloth. His long fingers grip my skin as he nuzzles my neck in a way that’s totally inappropriate, yet remarkably effective at reminding me what that mouth is capable of.
I should shove him off. Theo’s mum, Laura, has already pulled me aside this evening and told me, in a voice full of emotion, that she could never have imagined seeing Theo so happy, and that they’re all so pleased he finally found himself such alovely girl. The wordappropriateis implied.
I really don’t want to disappoint her by moaning at her son’s ministrations under the tablecloth. She doesn’t need to know how inappropriate we get when we’re alone.
The speeches draw to a close. Miles managed to hold it together enough to deliver his, which I’m pretty sure was weighted far less towards gushing thank-yous and far more towards gushing over his bride. But for me, the highlight was watching my sexy AF boyfriend hold the room with his smart jokes, the relentless piss-taking out of his brother, the groom, and his smouldering looks in my direction whenever he brushed on the topic of love.
By the time they wrap up, I’m desperate to get my hands on him. Properly. So once Miles and Saoirse have had their first dance, I drag him onto the dance floor.
I haven’t danced with him since Lotta’s party, and he’s considerably less drunk now than he was that night, but he’s still a fucking great dancer, and moving our bodies slickly togetherfeels exactly like foreplay. I don’t know why I’m surprised by his dance floor skills. I’m well aware the guy has rhythm. In spades.
Despite the upbeat music, he pulls me into him and slows his moves down. His heat is like a drug, as is the unyielding hardness of his body through his shirt and trousers. I can’t get close enough. I can’t get enough, full stop.
‘Didn’t know the wedding planner was allowed to eclipse the bride,’ he murmurs in my ear as we sway, my hands looped lazily around his neck, his hand wandering dangerously close to my ass.
I snigger. ‘Come on.’
‘I’m serious. You are so.Fucking. Beautiful.’ His voice grows rougher in my ear as his hand slides over my ass, his fingers so close to the cleft of my cheeks that I can only hope the surrounding dancers are hiding us from view. ‘The things I’m going to do to you later.’
I shiver. I love love love when he makes his voice low and menacing and delivers words that should be threats but feel like the most decadent promises. He loves me, and he supports me, and he pushes me, in bed and out of it, and it’s the best dynamic ever.
It’s exactly what I needed.
Even if I didn’t know it.
Especially because I didn’t know it.
Epilogue
NORA
‘Theo.’ I try to sound annoyed, but the breathiness in my voice is a dead giveaway of how hopelessly turned on I am. ‘When you said you wanted to be the guy to give me security in life, this was not what I had in mind.’
I stare up at the gorgeously lean, villainous silhouette of my boyfriend against the summer sky and attempt unsuccessfully to free my wrists.
He grins and tuts, his teeth white against his dreamy late-summer tan. We’ve only been in our new place for a couple of weeks, and let’s say we’ve been maximising our pool time.
‘You know the more you fight it, baby, the worse it’s going to be for you.’
‘And can I just check that by worse, you mean better, right?’
I smile up at him and bite down on my lip. The next half an hour is looking up.
He raises his eyebrows approvingly. ‘Exactly.’ He pulls the strings on both sides of my bikini bottoms at the same time and yanks the fabric from between my legs.
I was lying here, sunbathing by the beautiful pool in my bikini and minding my own business, when Mr Mafia here appeared out of nowhere and pulled my string top off beforeusing it to bind my wrists above my head to the top of my lounger. So here I am, trussed up and squirming as he peels off his shorts to reveal a dick so erect and gorgeous that my mouth waters.
Theo has a bit of a complex, you see. He’s confided to me that although he’s intent on providing what I thought I needed Jonathan for—security, stability, love—he’s terrified that means we’ll lose our edge. He’s worried Mr Danger will give way to Mr Safety, and he’ll end up ‘fucking like a carthorse’ (his words, not mine) a few years down the line.
So, he’s on a mission to be the textbook life partner I want while remaining a total animal when it comes to our sex life.
And let’s just say that these efforts are working out very well for me in all aspects of our lives together.
Very well indeed.
I watch the desire flash across his face as he contemplates what to do with me now he’s got me where he wants me, and it’s really fucking hot.
The anticipation.
