If she knew at what hour I’d slipped back into my bed this morning from spending the night in her husband’s, she would have known why I needed a few more hours to recuperate. My eyes stung, and I felt like a zombie as I sat up, digging into my sockets with the heels of my hands.
“Ozzie, darling, it’s almost ten! Don’t tell me you’ve been taking your time here as a vacation.” She tutted and fluttered around the bed. “Honestly, no wonder you are behind with the planning, but never fear. That’s why I am here. To ensure everything goes according to plan.”
“Carter was supposed to help,” I mumbled. “Does he even still want to get married?”
“Of course he does, silly goose. He asked me to come here and help you get everything together.”
“Does that excuse him for not returning my calls?”
“He’s just a little caught up in his vacation, is all. Once you are married, you two will put all of this behind you.”
My grunt ended with a yawn I tried to stifle as I lazily shuffled off the bed. I pushed up on my tippy toes and stretched. Ugh, that was good. I felt like Gray had folded me in half last night. My thighs were sore from being spread wide, and I still had a throbbing ache in my ass.
“Oh, my.”
I cracked an eye open to see why Mrs. Magnuson sounded so startled. She was staring at the burgundy lace cami and short set I’d gone to bed in. When I’d dropped the robe and climbed onto the bed last night, Gray had instantly thrown aside the newspaper he’d been reading. I would never forget the look in his eyes for as long as I lived. And if Mrs. Magnuson got any closer, she could probably still smell Gray on me.
She arched her brows like the Golden Gate Bridge. “Well, aren’t we feeling… daring?”
I reached for the sheet. This was my bedroom. I loved what I had on, and so did Gray. Why should I be made to feel less than because I wasn’t reed thin? I dropped the sheet and smiled.
“I like it.”
And I really did. I enjoyed the way the silk fell against my skin, making me feel beautiful.
“I suppose only that matters. Go to the bathroom, then. I’ll have Gertie arrange breakfast so we can chat over your meal. And, Ozzie, don’t keep me waiting for long. It’s quite impolite, and when you’re a guest, sleeping in at this ungodly hour is unacceptable.”
The rebuke hung in the air, even after she’d drifted out of the room, her lithe movements so graceful I was envious. I rolledmy eyes and went to the bathroom, taking my time despite her admonishment. She wasn’t one of my mothers, and there was no way I was going to bow down to her demands just because I was marrying her son.
Well, well, well. Look who finally found his backbone.
When I emerged from the shower, steam curling around me like a comforting shroud, I felt much better. The hot water had washed away the fatigue and lingering aches from all the exertion of last night. I wrapped myself in a plush towel and rubbed my hair dry with another in front of the full-length mirror.
Bare skin, dotted with the telltale signs of last night’s passion, greeted me. I traced a finger over the hickie Gray had enjoyed making on my collarbone. My lips curled up into a smile as I remembered his lips against my skin, his hands exploring every inch of me.
If his wife was going to barge into my room uninvited, we would have to be more careful about where he put his mouth. Such a shame. I loved his mouth on me.
I got dressed quickly, brushed my hair, and added some lip balm. Only then did I pick up my phone and scroll through my messages.
Hudson: Took the day off work, so won’t bring baby girl by until tomorrow. If you still want to keep her. I’ll understand if you’re too busy planning the wedding.
I quickly replied I still wanted to mind his daughter for him. Not that that was the reason I’d volunteered, but she could be a good excuse for why I couldn’t do everything Mrs. Magnuson wanted from me for the wedding.
Carter: Baby, I’m coming home in a few days. I swear I’ll make it up to you.
Not knowing how to respond, I sent him a thumbs-up. Damn, I shouldn’t have acknowledged the text message. He never calledme and had been dodging my calls since that photo of him in the hot tub.
MomD: Your mother and I won’t be able to make it for the dress rehearsal, sweetie, but we can’t wait to give you away.
Oh shit, I should at least update them on the wedding. I FaceTimed Mom, and she answered with a smile that made me feel like a little boy again. Both she and Mother were sitting in a hammock, each with a book in their hands and wine glasses by their sides.
“Hey, baby,” Mom said, her voice soft and warm and familiar. She pushed down her glasses as she studied me over the screen. “How’s the wedding planning going? I hope you’re not too disappointed we’ll miss the dress rehearsal.”
“But if you’re upset, we can hop on the first flight and be back home by tomorrow,” Mother said. Both women were so different, but they had played a crucial part in me growing up. Mom with her warm, loving smile, which always left me feeling fuzzy inside, and Mother, quieter, sterner but with a cool confidence that made me believe everything would be all right. Even when they’d divorced. I loved seeing them like this, so in love and rekindling their passion. I never wanted to burden them with my problems. Not when they’d already been through so much and done so much.
“Hey, Moms,” I said. “Don’t worry about the dress rehearsal. I’m not upset, honest.”
“Not even a little?” Mom asked.
