Cold Feet

VIOLA

He offers his arm and I link my arm through his. We wander away from the party into the gardens. There is still some time before the reception begins. I’m sure whatever he wishes to discuss will be over by then.

“It’s a lovely evening,” he says sounding as if he is observing something working exactly the way it should.

“I think it’s perfect,” I reply.

“Nearly perfect.” His remark tells me that he thinks something is missing.

“And what would make it perfect if I may ask?” I say looking up at him as we walk towards the beach.

“Getting to know you better,” he replies confidently.

I blush, thankful that it is night and there is little light for him to see how red my face is. My skin is a golden brown but despite its color, I’m sure he could see me blushing if there was enough light. Despite the cool breeze, I feel warmer than expected and I know it’s Rick’s remark and his closeness that is having this effect on me. What is wrong with you? No man has ever had this effect on me this quickly. I know I’m feeling like a little girl who has just been spoken to by her first high school crush. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I haven’t had someone in my life for a long time.

“Do you gatecrash weddings looking for women that you can charm and flirt with? Is that your strategy to find a girlfriend?” I tease.

He chuckles. “Not at all. I just happened to be invited to this wedding as a friend of a friend.”

“I had no idea that people were in the habit of inviting friends of friends to wedding receptions these days.”

Rick laughs. “Well, I’m glad I was invited otherwise I would never have met you.”

“Oh really?” I smile. “Tell me, does the hard sell really work with women for you?” I’m guessing it does. He’s so damn gorgeous. And while he’s straightforward and confident, he doesn’t come across as being arrogant.

“Is that what you call it?”

“Mm-hmm,” I reply.

but tonight when I saw you, I thought I probably don’t have much time. You’re very busy with coordinating the wedding and, I might add, you’re doing an absolutely stellar job of it but I’m guessing that you walking with me right now is a

me well,” I

saw us, they would easily think we were a couple. I am amazed at how he does not seem to think it might be considered creepy or think it might be crossing a

soft, and his touch gentle. His touch is setting my skin on fire and I don’t think a fire extinguisher can put out the

I had to get to know you better. I just felt … something.

then. You might get

time and I don’t know how long we have so I’ll just come

“Say what?”

to know you better. Will you give me your number?” As he asks, he releases my hand and he places his hand on my cheek. I lean into

Our noses touch. He is asking permission without saying a word.

for entry before we acknowledge we both want the same thing and they start to dance with our passion. Our breathing quickens as he pulls me close. He wraps his arms around me and I feel so safe and warm as if I am in a cocoon. I wrap my arms around him but my

I feel his desire pressing against me. I drop my hands to his waist and then to his ass and

settle

us. I am beginning to feel guilty at being gone

a surprised squeal and he quickly hushes me with his lips

me through a gap in the trees on the left. A bigger tree stands behind the trees lining the path and he sets me down behind it out of sight of the path. Pressing me against the tree, he kisses me hungrily again. His hands are

aback by my sudden recklessness. I don’t normally do this. No, wait. I never do this, have never done this. I’m living a little, I answer my inner voice. Now shut

as they settle between my thighs. He ends our

tart,” he

a lie,” I whisper with

all it takes. He lifts my skirt over my ass and I feel the tree’s bark press against my ass briefly. His fingers find

getting back to the reception but dammit, I can’t help myself right now. I have never been this hot for

is so passionate. We hardly know each other but we want each other. There’s nothing to make us overthink this. It’s just a man

panties down and I step out of them as I rest my hands on his back. He straightens and holds up