the memories.
Finally, the wedding wound down, and the happy couple left the room under a shower of confetti. Avery made sure the cleanup was in progress and helped herself to a last glass of wine. She had just taken off her shoes and sat down when her phone chimed. Who on earth was tweeting her at eleven at night on a Saturday?
“@jandw prblm need u”
jandw? What the hell? Had the happy couple gotten a new cutesy twitter handle? And what were they still doing here? Had they snuck back? They were supposed to be off already to their honeymoon.
“@eventplanner whr r u? whts wrng?”
“@jandw come to ste 312 asap.”
Okay, suite three-twelve was where Janice had dressed for the wedding and left her luggage. Had something happened to it?
“@eventplanner on my way”
Wishing she didn’t have to put her shoes back on, she swallowed a sigh as she rode up in the elevator to the third floor. Please, let this be minor, and I can put this night to bed. Finally.
She knocked on the door of three-twelve, but it wasn’t Janice or Will who opened the door. It was Tanner, still resplendent in his tux and looking so sexy and so handsome she had to fight the urge to throw herself at him. His hair was a little mussed as if he’d been running his fingers through it and he had actually taken off the bow tie.
What on earth?
“Tanner?” She stared at him, dumbfounded.
“In person.” He opened the door wider and gestured her into the suite. “Please. Come in.”
Her legs shook as she entered the suite, and her brain had trouble trying to process what was going on. “Is everything okay? Where are Janice and Will? I thought they…”
“Gone as planned.” His mouth curved in a crooked grin. “They did me a favor and let me borrow their names for a new Twitter account.”
“You’re kidding.” Avery was still having trouble processing the whole thing.
“Not even a little. I was pretty sure after you ran away the other night that you wouldn’t show up if you knew it was me.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, the most adorable hesitant look on his face. “Would you?” he prompted. “Please?”
She was stunned by the uncertainty in his eyes. Tanner Voss, hotshot attorney and ladies’ man, unsure of himself? Her heart turned over, something inside her easing.
Now or never, Avery. Not everyone gets second chances.
She wet her lips. “M-Maybe.”
“Maybe?” His eyes lit up.
“Oh, Tanner.” She sighed. “I was just afraid. I have…history, and I was worried you’d be part of the same chapter.”
He took a step closer, then another and another, until he was close enough to cup her face. “Does that mean I get another chance? Because I really want one.”
Avery closed her eyes and took a leap of faith. “Yes, it does.”
She felt the soft touch of his lips against hers, almost like a butterfly kiss, the warmth of his hands cradling her cheeks. He moved his lips back and forth slowly, as if waiting for her to back away, change her mind. But that wasn’t happening. Not now. She reached up and threaded her hands through his hair, holding him fast to her. He responded by using his tongue to trace the seam of her mouth, pressing gently until she opened for him. Then that clever tongue swept inside and heat consumed her.
She had never been kissed quite like this, a kiss with need and hunger and passion and possession. He licked every inch of her inner surface, coaxing her own tongue to dance with his in a lusty tango. By the time he lifted his head, she was hot and dizzy with erotic hunger.
Tanner took a step back, and she gave a small, involuntary cry. “What—”
He pointed to the window in the suite’s living room.
When he’d opened the door, she’d had eyes only for him. Now, she took in the scene, which he’d obviously staged for her benefit. Her pleasure. Vases of red and white flowers were on every available surface. In the middle of the coffee table in front of the couch was a silver
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley