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.

the hard sell 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

to know me well,” I say glancing at

my hand in his with ease. If anyone 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

he holds my hand, I make no move to withdraw it from his. His hands are 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

knew I had to get to know you better. I just felt … something. When our eyes met, I was drawn to you like

then. You might get burned,”

I don’t know how long we have

“Say what?”

your number?” As he asks, he releases my hand and he places his hand on my cheek. I lean into

leans into me bringing his face to my level. Our noses touch. He is asking permission without saying a word. I don’t reply and he

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 hands can’t join behind him. I let them roam up and

I drop my hands to his waist and then to his ass and pull him closer increasing the pressure of him against

escapes me. When I grab his ass, he quickly follows and his hands settle on my

I am beginning to feel guilty at being gone so long. He

squeal and he quickly

he carries 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

inner voice is talking non-stop, taken aback by my sudden recklessness. I don’t normally do this. No, wait.

I feel his hands as they settle between my

he whispers. “You’re

a lie,” I whisper with a

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

dammit, I can’t help myself right now. I have never been this hot for anyone in my life.

he wants but he wants me. This 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 and a woman giving

of them as I rest my hands on his back. He straightens and holds up my white lace thong. It’s my favorite. It