“Let’s get to the car, so we can check in at the hotel and then go to the bridal store. I’ll fill you in on what my parents said, I promise.”
By the time we got all the luggage into the car and entered the hotel address into the GPS, I was sweating bullets. Whisking Court off to Lake Tahoe and marrying her was not a good way to make an impression on her parents.
Driving to the hotel, I was the only one not talking. All I kept thinking of was how we had disappointed her parents. What is my own mother going to think? Shit! I need to call her.
When Courtney placed her hand on my leg, I instantly felt a warmth there before it spread throughout my whole body. I looked over into her sparkling eyes, and I immediately felt better. I didn’t care what her parents thought. I wanted to marry her, and she wanted to marry me, and this was how we were going to do it.
I’ll deal with the parents later. Right now, it is all about my beautiful bride-to-be and our wedding.
She moved her hand up to the side of my face and began brushing the back of her hand on my cheek. “So, what do you want to hear first—my father’s threat to you or my mother’s?”
I tried so desperately to hold in my laughter when Reed’s head snapped over and looked at me. His mouth had dropped open, and he couldn’t even talk. Layton and Whitley were laughing in the backseat, and I wanted to just hug myself for freaking Reed out.
I might love him more than life itself…but I love fucking with him, too!
“I think I should go with my mother’s first¸” I said in a nonchalant manner.
Reed slowly looked back to the road, and the light turned green. We were not very far from the hotel, and my nerves had been getting the better of me.
I can’t believe I’m getting married tomorrow.
To calm myself down, I’d thought I would jack around with Reed’s nerves.
Reed cleared his throat and said, “Wait, your parents threatened me? How? Why?”
I took in a deep breath and quickly let it out. “It’s pretty simple. They feel like you’re depriving them of seeing their daughter get married. So, they’re flying out tonight, and they will be here for the wedding tomorrow.”
Reed pulled into a parking lot and slammed on the brakes. “What?” he yelled out as he looked at me with nothing but panic in his eyes. “Your parents are coming here? For the wedding?”
I slowly nodded, and the next thing I knew, Reed sprang out of the car and began pacing. Layton jumped out, and Whitley hit me on the back of the head.
“Stop it, Courtney. He is a bundle of nerves as it is. Why are you doing this to him?”
I let out a laugh. “’Cause it calms my nerves!” I looked out the car window and saw Reed leaning over with his hands on his knees.
“Is he…” I started to ask as Whitley said, “Oh my God, you made him sick.”
Oh shit. I got out of the car and ran over to Reed. “Are you okay?”
He looked up at me. “No. I’m not okay. Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this.”
I took a step back, and now, I was the one feeling sick. “What?” I barely got out as I took another step away from him.
“Reed…” Layton said in a warning tone.
Oh my God. What if he’s changed his mind? What if he isn’t sure he wants to marry me? I looked around and saw The Ritz-Carlton across the street.
“Reed, just take a few deep breaths. Everything is going to be okay,” Whitley said as she walked over to Reed.
I turned and walked to the car. I grabbed my purse and made my way across the street to the hotel.
“Courtney!” Whitley called after me.
I turned and gave her a weak smile. “I’ll meet y’all at the hotel.”
I picked up my pace as I heard Reed call out after me. There was no way I could talk to him right now. By the time I got halfway across the street, I began running toward the hotel until I came to a stop in the massive lobby. All I could hear was Noah’s voice in my head, saying over and over that no one would ever want me like he wanted me.
One quick look around, and I found the ladies’ restroom. I barely made it in time before I began throwing up. When I finally couldn’t throw up anymore, I stood up and leaned against the stall. When I closed my eyes, I saw Reed, and I bent over and panicked.
No. I’m not okay. Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this.
Then, I saw Noah again. This time, he was on top of me, saying how much he wanted to be inside me, how only he belonged there, and how no man would ever want me.
My eyes snapped open, and I began crying as I placed my hands over my ears. I whispered, “Please go away. Please just go away.”
I began reciting my favorite quotes from The Marriage Bargain over and over until all thoughts of Noah were gone.
I banged my head against the stall and whispered, “I’m so stupid. I rushed Reed. He said he would marry me tomorrow, but maybe he didn’t really mean tomorrow.”
I wasn’t sure how long I had been in the stall before I walked out. I rinsed out my mouth and washed my hands. One quick look in the mirror revealed a mess staring back at me. My eyes were red and swollen, my face was flushed, and my hair was a mess. I reached into my purse, pulled out a hair band, and threw my hair up into a ponytail.
I swallowed and took in a deep breath. How stupid of me to think how romantic it was for Reed to just whisk me away and marry me on a moment’s notice.
I looked at myself in the mirror again and whispered, “Life is not like the books you read, Courtney.”
I closed my eyes, and Noah’s face appeared.
He smiled and said, No one will ever want you like I want you.
I snapped my eyes open and quickly wiped away my tears. I pulled out my phone and saw I had six missed calls from Reed and three from Whitley. I also had one text message from Reed.
Reed: Courtney…baby, please call me. I’m really worried about you. I didn’t mean that the way you thought. It’s just that you freaked me out by telling me your parents are coming and that they are really pissed. I just want to make you happy. Please call me. I love you so much, Court.
I looked at the time on my phone. “Oh shit!” I’d been in the restroom for almost an hour.
I splashed some cold water on my face before I walked out of the restroom and to the lobby. I walked up to the counter, gave the woman standing behind the front desk my name, and asked for my room. I smiled when she told me I was in one of the presidential suites, and then she gave me a key.
Oh, Daddy, I’m going to owe you a big kiss and hug.
I sent Whit a text message, saying that I was on my way to the elevator.
Courtney: Hey, I’m heading up to our room. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know how much time had passed.
Whitley: Oh my God, Courtney. Reed is a complete mess. We are in the room with him. I let him know that you’re on your way up. What in the hell happened? Why did you run away? We have an appointment in an hour for your dress. I’m so pissed at you right now.
Courtney: Duly noted. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you guys. I’m almost there.
When the elevator opened, I turned to the right and started making my way to our suite. My heart was pounding, and I wasn’t sure how Reed would take it that I had only been kidding with him about my parents. I hadn’t realized how nervous he was.
I stopped outside our door and sucked in a breath of air, preparing myself to hear Reed say that we were no longer getting married. I slid the key in and opened the door. When I saw Reed sitting there, looking completely destroyed, my heart dropped to my stomach, and I dropped my purse.
He jumped up and made his way over to me so fast that I didn’t even have time to say anything before he pulled me into his arms.
“Please don’t ever leave me like that again. Please. I’m so sorry, Courtney. I didn’t mean for you to think that I don’t want to get married. I just want everything to be perfect for you, and if you’d rather have your parents here…”
I pulled back some
and looked into his eyes. Has he been…crying?
I quickly looked behind Reed and saw Layton and Whitley. Whitley was standing there with her hands on her hips, looking ready to rip me a new one. I looked back into Reed’s eyes, and my heart actually began hurting, knowing that I had hurt him so much by foolishly running away like that.
“I, um…I felt sick, so I went to the restroom. I felt so guilty for making you feel that way, and then, um…” I looked away and whispered, “Old memories came back, and I just…lost track of time.”
Reed placed his finger on my chin and turned my face up to his. The love in his eyes warmed my heart and filled my soul with peace.
“I just freaked, angel, that’s all. I was worried that I was rushing you, and then you said your parents were upset and all. I’m so sorry I said anything to hurt you.”
My breathing picked up, and I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I had been a bitch and purposely made him worry, and here he was, saying such wonderful things to me.
“You lost track of time?” Whitley said from behind Reed. “Really? That’s the best you can come up with, Court? You deliberately said that bullshit to Reed to make him upset, and then you take off when he freaks out. I just—”
Reed turned and held up his hand. “Whitley, it’s okay.”
Whitley started shaking her head as she walked over toward Reed and me. “No, it’s not okay, Reed. So, because you had some stupid old memories come up, you caused all of us to worry?”
I sucked in a breath of air, and Reed grabbed on to me tighter.
He turned and gave me a questioning look. “You haven’t told her yet?”
I felt the tears burning my eyes. The last thing I wanted was for Noah to invade my world, especially these next few days when I should be the happiest I’d ever been. The moment I felt a tear roll down my cheek, I quickly wiped it away.
I looked down and whispered, “Not yet.”
“Courtney…” Reed said as he pulled me closer to him. “Baby, I love you so much.”
I pulled back and looked at Whitley. Her anger had turned to concern.
“Told me what? Is this what you were supposed to tell me but kept putting off?” Whitley asked.
Layton came walking over. “I hate to be the one to say this, but if we want a wedding dress and tuxes, we need to get going.”
I tried to give Layton a smile, but I was afraid it came off fake as all get-out. I should have been excited to get my wedding dress. Instead, I was filled with panic, guilt, anger, and love. All the emotions were beginning to build up, and I was afraid they would break the dam at any moment.
“Whitley, Layton, can y’all give us just a few minutes? Then, we will head out to the bridal store,” I said.
They both nodded their heads.
Whitley walked up to me and brought me in for a hug. She whispered in my ear, “I’m so sorry. I was angry, and these pregnancy hormones make me crazy with my emotions. Please, Court, please talk to me, okay?”
When she stepped back, I cleared my throat and said, “I will. After we get our dresses, okay?”
She nodded, and then she turned and followed Layton out of the room.
Before Layton shut the door, he said, “We’ll meet y’all down in the lobby in ten minutes.”
Once the door shut, I lost it and fell into Reed’s arms, crying hysterically. I started to just spit everything out, like I only had moments to say it all. “Why? Why is he invading my thoughts now, Reed? I want him gone. I need him gone. I’m so sorry. I was kidding. My parents never threatened you. Okay, that’s a lie. My father did threaten to hurt you if you hurt me, but they’re not coming here. They were never coming here. I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you so upset. I’m so, so very sorry.”
He pulled me in tighter and began moving his hand up and down my back. “Shh…angel, please don’t cry. It’s okay. I promise, it’s all going to be okay. I’m here for you, Courtney, and I will never leave you. I’ll never let him hurt you. I swear to God…I’ll never let him hurt you again, Courtney.”
I looked into his eyes that were filled with so much love, and I instantly felt a warm sensation run through my whole body. I wanted him inside me so badly. I needed to feel him close to me. I needed him to love me.
“Make love to me,” I whispered.
He smiled and kissed the tip of my nose. “We don’t have time, Court.”
I pushed myself into him and felt his growing erection. “We can be fast…please.” I batted my eyelashes at him.
He stepped back and held up his hands. “As much as I want to bury myself inside you and make you feel nothing but love, we can’t.”
I attempted to give him my best pouty face, but it didn’t work.
I reached down and grabbed my purse. “Fine, but if you think I’m putting out for you the night before our wedding, you’re crazy.”
I turned and started for the door. Reed walked up and spun me around, and then he slammed me against the door. Before I could even register what was happening, he had my pants down, and he was finger-fucking the hell out of me. I couldn’t believe how fast my orgasm was building. I was beginning to think that all this man had to do was touch me, and I’d have an orgasm.
“Oh God, Reed…”
“Does that feel good, baby?” he asked as he pulled my leg up and pinned it against him.
I dropped my head back and began thrusting into his hand. “Yes! Oh…faster, Reed…please go faster.”
Then, it hit me. The feeling washed over my body so fast and so hard that it took everything out of me not to start screaming out. I bit down on my lower lip and let out whimper after whimper while his fingers moved in and out of me, bringing me to such an incredible high. Then, he slowly brought me down as he whispered how much he loved me.
Once I was able to start breathing normally again, he looked into my eyes as he pushed a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “I love when you call out my name when you’re coming.”
I smiled as I brought my arms up, and I wrapped them around his neck, pulling him closer to me. He brushed his lips back and forth against mine before sucking in my bottom lip and biting down on it gently.
“I guess since you’re being old-fashioned and not putting out later, I’ll just have to wait until tomorrow night to feel how warm and wet you are for me.”
I let out a chuckle. “Being old-fashioned is overrated.”
He threw his head back and laughed, and then he reached down and helped me put my pants back on. “You ready, Miss Will?”
I nodded my head. “Yes, I am, Mr. Moore. Yes, I am.”
Layton and I were about to try on tuxes when Courtney decided we should just wear jeans and white shirts with a charcoal tie. Whitley’s dress was charcoal, and I had to admit that she looked beautiful in it. I was amazed that they would only have to make one minor adjustment to her dress. Courtney wouldn’t let me watch as she tried on her dress, but Layton and I both heard the girls let out a gasp as Courtney tried it on.
Then, I heard Court yell out, “Motherfucker, it’s the perfect dress!”
I glanced around the store and just shrugged my shoulders. “That’s my future wife. She’s a little excited.”
I got one smile and three dirty looks.
Fifteen minutes later, Courtney and Whitley came walking out, holding dress bags and smiling from ear to ear.
Courtney came walking up to me, and she kissed me so hard and fast on the lips that I let out a laugh afterward.
“Are you sure you’re happy with this, Court?”
She smiled that adorable crooked smile of hers as she placed her hand on my chest. “I’ve never been so happy in my entire life. I cannot wait to be Mrs. Reed Nickolas Moore.”
My heart almost burst with love when I heard her say Mrs. Reed Nickolas Moore.
“Say that again,” I whispered.
She tilted her head. “Which part?”
“Your name.”
She let out a giggle. “Mrs. Reed Nickol
as Moore.”
I smiled bigger and placed my hands on the sides of her face. I brought her lips up to mine, and I kissed her. I wanted to pour as much love into this kiss as I possibly could.
When I pulled back, she whispered, “Wow.”
I took a step back to put space between us. The heat coming from both our bodies was driving me insane, and I was pretty sure she felt the same way.
“Layton and I are going to go watch some football for a bit while y’all take the dresses back to the rooms. I made y’all appointments at the spa and then dinner reservations at Manzanita. I figured you needed some girl time,” I said.
The look in her eyes caused my stomach to do a few flips and flops and one big dive.
“Reed, you’re making all my dreams come true.”
“I hope so, angel. I really hope so.”
After we got back to the hotel, Layton and I made our way to the hotel bar to give the girls some time to talk. Courtney had promised me that she would tell Whitley everything about Noah, and I knew she would this time. She needed to in order to help her move on.
“You’re lost in thought, dude,” Layton said as he set a beer down in front of me.
I tried to smile. I swore nothing ever got past Layton.
“Talk to me, Reed. What happened to Court today? Since I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her so upset and lost.”
I took a deep breath and let it out as I looked around. “When y’all were on your honeymoon and Courtney and I…well, when we finally got together, she told me something that night, something she had been carrying around with her since she was sixteen years old. She’d never told anyone, not even Whit.”
Layton sat up and appeared to be holding his breath. “Okay, so it’s something serious. You know you can trust me to keep it between us, but if it is something really big, I won’t hide it from Whitley.”
I gave him a smile. “I wouldn’t ask you to, and that’s why I haven’t said anything. I wasn’t even sure that Court had told Whitley yet. I figured she hadn’t since you never said anything to me about it. Courtney is telling Whit tonight.”