A Tangled Web (A Books We Love Erotic Romance) (16 page)

"You mean you still care?" Derek held her away from him and they locked eyes.

She was afraid to answer with so much up in the air.

"
Erin
, please give us another chance. We'll do the traditional things, talk about the past and future and do whatever else you want. I'd love for you to see my home and meet my law partner, Larry. We need to start over."

She raised her eyes and smiled. "Let's just get past the rehearsal and wedding dates and see what happens. If all goes well and you don't end up married to my cousin, then maybe…"

"What about tonight?" he whispered. One hand slid down to caress her ass while the other eased up until it almost—but not quite—brushed her breast.

Looking into the face of the man she loved,
Erin
couldn't send him away. She'd missed him and wanted him…so much. "I'll be waiting for you," she whispered.

His fingers found the curve of her breast and his gentle stroking brought moisture pooling between her legs. He caught her nipple through the thin fabric of her blouse and lace of her bra and rubbed it until it pebbled. He lowered his head to hers in a hard kiss that forced her lips apart. He thrust his tongue between them and began a leisurely fucking of her mouth that drew a moan of longing from her.

A door opened farther down the corridor and he pulled away. "Soon," he promised and dropped a last, light kiss on her lips before she closed the door to her room.

Once again, she'd acted against her better judgement but she wanted to make this…them…him and her…work.

* * *

Erin
sat in the easy chair in her hotel room, staring at a blank TV screen. This was the craziest situation imaginable. Angel still had Derek's engagement ring and she wouldn't be dismissed from the hospital until morning. She'd ordered him out of her room, but no one, not even Derek, knew whether she might still reconsider her decision to call off the wedding. Julia wanted her to go through with it and Angel tried so hard to please her mother that she might still decide it would be best to walk down the aisle with him. He didn't intend to marry her, but what would happen if it came down to the wire? Could Derek refuse?

Erin
craved the feel of his hardness against her soft body, and her nipples peaked as she thought about how his hard cock had thrust repeatedly inside her only hours ago. She wanted him again, and this waiting drove her insane with lust. The days they had been apart had seemed like forever, yet every emotion and every touch had remained so vivid in her mind that her body had reacted as if they were still taking place.

At last a knock sounded at the door and she crossed the room to look out the peephole. It was him, the man she loved, and when she let him in and he took her into his arms, she tried to forget all her doubts. He locked the door behind him and, kissing her hungrily, slid his hands inside her robe. He drew in his breath as his fingers roamed over her bare skin and, loosening the garment, he let it fall to the floor. Backing her towards the bed, he laid her down and, without taking his eyes from her nakedness, tore off his clothes.

He settled beside her and kissed, her, plunging his tongue deep inside her mouth, and she sucked it greedily.

He trailed kisses down over her shoulders, her breasts, her navel and inside her thighs. The brush of his moustache against her bare skin fired the longing inside her. "Derek," she murmured, clutching his biceps.

He raised his head to look at her and she saw the heat in his eyes. Tracing his lips with her finger, she smiled. "I love the brush of your lips and moustache on my skin," she said, running a fingertip over the soft bristles above his lip.

He sucked her fingertip, the hard peaks of her nipples, and brushed his moustache back and forth along the lips of her pussy before pushing his tongue inside. Breathing hard, pulse pounding, she buried her hands in his hair and held his head tightly. "That feels
so
good," she whispered huskily.

He tongue-fucked her until she thought she'd go over the top, and then he moved to her clit where he sucked greedily.
Erin
lost it then. Crying out, she convulsed and her juices ran. "So good. So wonderful," she whispered.

"Now," Derek said, "let's see if you can do that again." He lay on top of her, supporting his weight with his elbows. He slid inside her deliberately and slowly. "Oh, Lord, I love you," he said.

She squirmed against him teasingly and traced his moustache again, thinking about the wetness on it and where that moisture had come from.

He kissed her, rubbing the wet whiskers against her lips and pushing his tongue inside her mouth. She sucked it and he caught his breath and began to move faster inside her. Every emotion heightened, she was aware of the coarseness of the hotel sheets against her ass and back. She loved his scent mixed with the smell of sex in the air. The tick of the clock on the bedside table matched those of her heart. Derek's parents slept across the hall. Did they suspect he was in her room fucking her?

As he fell into a rhythm that rocked the bed,
Erin
's loins tightened and her vagina tingled deliciously. She clutched his ass, urging him deeper and harder inside her. He held her just as tightly and she felt as if they became one. His breath came so hard and fast, it rumbled in his throat.
Erin
had never experienced anything more intense. Her breasts were hard against his chest. His cock rubbed her clit as he stroked inside her. She wished this would never end and yet she felt as if she'd fly apart from the intensity if it lasted much longer.

"Ready, sweetie?" Derek whispered, his voice harsh with emotion.

She nodded her head against his face and at that moment, he came, and feeling his penis throb and shoot hot liquid inside her,
Erin
did too. She felt as if she'd been shot from a cannon, over the moon.

"I love you," Derek said, holding her tenderly.

Erin
's head lay against his pounding heart, and she smiled. "I love hearing you say those words."

Everything was going to be all right. It had to be because… "I love you too, Derek."

* * *

Derek didn't know what Angel wanted, but she'd called and asked him to meet her in the park and told him how to get there. He was more than a little nervous driving to the designated location and finding the spot where she'd be waiting. If she'd changed her mind again and now wanted to go through with the wedding after all, she was out of luck. He was sorry, but he had to say 'no'. He loved
Erin
and it wouldn't be fair to anyone involved.

Angel was sitting in a park swing with two bench seats that faced one another. Derek took the seat opposite her. He'd almost forgotten how thin she'd become, but her smile was bright and she looked especially pretty in a yellow dress and sandals. She did have a slight baby bump, he noted. Losing weight probably made it show earlier.

"What's up?" he asked. "Are you feeling better?" he added, thinking that was where he should have started.

"Stronger," she said, nodding. "And happier." She leaned forward and patted his knee.

He was wearing shorts, and her touch startled him. "Why's that?" he asked, afraid to hear her answer.

"First, I want to thank you for trying to go through with marrying me. And maybe even more importantly, for bringing Dior back to me."

"He's back? Here? He didn't tell me what he planned to do." Derek wanted to jump and shout 'yes'.

"Dior had mixed emotions. Anger because I didn't tell him. You know, the whole ball of wax. But he still loves me and is thrilled we're going to have a baby. I acted like a baby not telling him I was pregnant when I first found out, and again when I didn't call him even though you urged me to. I was afraid of rejection and of leaving home. Now, I'm going to act like an adult and move to
Miami
with Dior. But first…" She laughed like a delighted child. "He and I are getting married Saturday."

"You're going through with the same arrangements?" Derek wasn't sure he could act that brazenly, but he couldn't be happier. "Although with a different groom?"

"That's right. People might not even notice the difference. We didn't have bulletins printed, so they won't have the groom's name in front of them, or the best man's." Angel beamed at him. "If you don't mind a demotion from groom, Dior and I would like you to be best man. You saved the day for both of us, and since
Erin
was already scheduled to be my attendant, you can serve as her escort."

"An amazing coincidence since
Erin
planned to invite me to the ceremony before she learned I was the groom."

"I just thought of something." Angel leaned forward, frowning. "Will the person you planned to have as your best man feel left out?"

"My law partner wouldn't want to take part in a ceremony where he doesn't know either member of the bridal couple."

"Of course he wouldn't." Angel burst out laughing. "Everything's set then."

Derek, glad to see her happy, moved to the bench where she sat and gave her a hug. "You've changed, Angel. I can't imagine you doing all this. Marrying Dior, using our arrangements and moving to
Miami
, away from your mother? But I think it's terrific."

She laid her head on Derek's shoulder for just a moment. "It's time I became more assertive. I owe it to him and our child and now, for the first time, I'm excited about becoming a mother. Dior offered to move back here and try harder to like this area, but I wanted to give
Florida
and us
a chance. It will be a better start for us there."

"What about the marriage license?"

"He and I will get one when he arrives. He's on his way now, and the recorder's office will be the first place we'll go."

Derek laughed, wondering if they'd think she was a flake changing her mind and grooms. Or would they realise she was a woman who finally knew what she wanted and was willing to do what it took to get it?

"Mama thinks this is crazy and she's all worried about how things will work out, but Daddy says it's a brilliant plan. Everything's set, so why go through all of the preparations for this folderol again?' was his comment. He is certain cancelling and starting over would mean more money coming out of his pocket. He's tight-fisted and that's why he never drank scotch before. You might have guessed that."

"I'm glad everything's working out for you," Derek said. Standing, he extended his hand and helped her out of the swing.

"Me too." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Derek, for going through all this with me and bringing it to a happy ending." Angel slipped off the diamond he'd bought her and pressed it into his hand. "You might want to use this again, or trade it in on a different one—for
Erin
."

Chapter Fourteen

"Happy is the bride the sun shines on,"
Erin
said as she adjusted Angel's veil. She'd been helping her cousin dress for the ceremony and they were in the restroom of the church, a dozen yards from the door to the sanctuary. "And after talking to Dior at the rehearsal dinner last night, I'm convinced you'll be ecstatic. He's charming and quite handsome."

"I think he may even be able to win over my mother—after she gets past fretting about the groom switcheroo," Angel said, smiling.

"I'm glad you're wearing a train and didn't let Aunt Julia talk you out of it,"
Erin
added, spreading the lace-edged trail of chiffon out behind Angel, and slightly to the side so she could see it. "There. Look at yourself."

"I'm a new woman in more ways than one." Angel beamed into the full-length mirror. "Mama tries to avoid the subject but I can tell she's already excited about…" Angel patted her tummy.

A knock sounded at the door and a woman peeked in. Another little face appeared below hers. "We're here."

"My flower girl," Angel exclaimed as a child entered the room in a frilly blue dress. "You look beautiful, Britney. This is my cousin, Erin, and Erin, Britney is one of my most promising young ballerinas."

After acknowledging the introduction,
Erin
confided, "I didn't even know you were teaching dance, Angel. Of course, I knew you studied ballet while growing up."

"I've been an instructor ever since I left college, and planned to continue at Estelle's
School
of
Dance
. But I'll have to resign since I'm moving. Maybe I'll open my own studio in
Florida
someday…when the baby is a little older."

"You can do anything you want, Angel. I don't know why you ever doubted it. You're beautiful and talented and you have a bright future ahead of you."
Erin
hugged her cousin. "We've been out of touch far too long but we'll remedy that even if you are moving away."

"The music is starting," Britney's mother said. "I'll take her out to await her cue."

"Her basket of rose petals is on the table inside the sanctuary door," Angel said.

When they'd left, she grabbed
Erin
's wrist. "What if people know I changed grooms?"

"Relax. Everything's going to be all right,"
Erin
said, crossing her fingers for luck for the couple. "Whoops. They're playing my song. It's time for me to walk down the aisle. It will be your turn soon. Chin up and smile."

Erin
hurried down the hall. When she'd almost reached the double doors for entering and saw Derek waiting just out of sight of the wedding guests, Erin slowed her steps. He looked so devastating and so virile that her heartbeats tripped over one another. He winked just as he had that first night they saw one another, and she nearly melted into a puddle of love and desire. Derek offered his arm and she took it. Walking down the aisle with him, she felt as if she was the bride and he was the groom.

"You look good enough to eat," he whispered out of the side of his mouth.

"Naughty man. Don't excite me more than I already am," she returned.

"Don't you want my tongue tasting that sweet pussy of yours? Thrusting in and out, in and out—"

"Quiet!" She shot him a glare, mostly to disguise the fact that her breasts now tingled with yearning for his mouth to cover them and her cleft dampened at his words.

They'd reached the altar, and after separating so they would be standing on the outside of Dior and Angel, they faced the aisle as the wedding march began. The bride, looking radiant, held the groom's arm, and
Erin
ordered herself to focus on her cousin and not on the sensations Derek had set surging through every erogenous zone she possessed. Angel, her head high, exuded joy and self-confidence. Erin had the feeling that without her mother hovering, and with a loving husband at her side, she'd reach out and make lots of friends in
Florida
.

The congregation oohed and aahed as Angel walked down the aisle with her tall, blond love. She looked like an angel in the off-white satin gown with chiffon overlaying the skirt that she'd picked herself. No one would guess she was expecting, and
Erin
would wager the guests were just as unaware that the groom's name wasn't the one on the wedding invitation.

And thinking of the man whose name
had
been there…
Erin
's gaze slid to him and found him watching her with an expression that left her knees weak and her nipples pebbling.

Their vows were traditional, but modern so they didn't include the word 'obey'. 'Love' and 'cherish' rolled off their tongues with ardour. The mother of the bride dabbed away tears with a lace-trimmed hanky. Barbara O'Brien sat next to Julia who was flanked by Walt on the other side. Dior's parents weren't able to make the wedding on such short notice.
Erin
's partners, though, had come with their husbands—saying they had to see this wedding to believe it.

The ceremony ended and the minister smilingly introduced the newlyweds to those present. "May I present… Mr. and Mrs. Dior Halvorson?"

Everyone stood and applauded, and as far as
Erin
could tell, no one's mouth fell open when a different name was announced than appeared on the wedding invitation.

As the recessional began, she took Derek's arm and forgot everything besides the thrills of red hot desire that raced through her at the contact…until they were hustled into a reception line in the front vestibule. "Here we go," she whispered to him. He looked puzzled, and
Erin
added, "Just wait."

"Congratulations, Angel," Mrs. Satterby said, raising the bride's hand closer to her eyes to peer at the gorgeous set of rings Dior had bought her. "My, they're outstanding." she said, peering at her diamond. She patted the groom's arm. "You have excellent taste in jewels and brides."

He kissed her hand and she turned a dozen shades of red.

She next turned to
Erin
and examined her ring as well. "I'd forgotten you were also engaged. It's very nice."

"You and I are dog meat," Derek whispered in
Erin
's ear. "I'll have to buy you a more impressive rock."

She met Angel's gaze as the nosey old biddy moved away, and they were still stifling giggles when it was time to leave the church.

* * * *

Photos were taken of the wedding party running down the steps in a shower of birdseed, after which everyone traipsed across to the reception hall for cake and punch.

"It's stuffy in here, despite the air conditioner,"
Erin
murmured as she sat next to Derek at the head table. "July is off to a hot start and the room is filled to capacity."

"Plus these folding chairs are hard," Derek mumbled. "Why don't we go find a nice soft bed?" His cock grew hard just at the prospect of getting
Erin
alone…and naked.

Cameras snapped again and again. The photographer wasn't missing a move and the guests were overzealous as well. "Are wedding receptions always this boring?" he asked as the bride and groom cut the cake and stuffed pieces in one another's mouths. It wasn't cake he'd like to be slipping between
Erin
's warm, moist lips.

"Ones with champagne and a buffet or sit-down dinner, accompanied by music and dancing, are more fun but way more costly,"
Erin
replied. Looking at her watch, she turned up her nose. "Plus they last even longer. Haven't you ever attended a wedding and reception before?"

"Larrison, my partner, tied the knot in Vegas in one of those chapels where they furnish everything including the bouquet. His bride's sister was her attendant and I stood up with Larry. Afterwards we all went out for a steak dinner and everyone except the matron-of-honour, who was pregnant, drank a lot of champagne. It was simple and fun."

He took
Erin
's hand under the table. "What kind of wedding and reception did you have," Derek squeezed her hand with each of his next words, "the first time?"

"The
first?
Very big and traditional." She smiled and squeezed back. "I don't want to do that again."

"How about Vegas?" Derek asked, and she smiled—mysteriously, he thought.

"We—" She broke off. "Oh no,"
Erin
said as Dior stood with his stemmed glass of punch and Angel followed suit. "They're starting the toasts, and you're up first."

"Damn, why didn't someone warn me?"

Dior introduced Derek as the 'best man' and he nervously rose.
What in hell do I say?

He lifted his plastic glass and wished it held Scotch instead of some fruity pink liquid with a puddle of ice cream melting in it. He cleared his throat and tried to think fast. "Here's to
the best man
…for Angel, and to his bride,
the best woman
…for Dior. May you have all the happiness you both deserve."

Erin
rose. "To my lovely cousin, Angel, and her new husband, Dior. Best wishes for a long and wonderful life together."

"How lame was my toast?"
Erin
asked Derek as they snuck away a little while later.

They were standing by his Jag and he opened the door for her. "It was fine. What else is there to say?" he added as he eased away from the kerb. "Everything was fine."

They'd spoken with Angel's mother and dad before leaving. Julia didn't have much to say to Derek and he thought she was probably still pissed at him, but he hoped she'd get over it enough to accept him as a nephew-in-law.

"Derek, you're going the wrong way. The hotel is—"

"I know. We're not headed for the hotel. I want to take you somewhere else."

"We're awfully dressed up. Shouldn't we change first?"

"Don't worry about it," he said, resting his hand on her knee as they pulled onto the highway. Feeling nylon instead of bare skin, he spoke again. "Hm, we could do without these hose."

"Nothing's easy wearing seat belts but…" Chuckling,
Erin
slid her skirt up around her waist and edged her pantyhose down. Humming a stripper song, she kicked off her shoes to roll them the rest of the way off. "How's that?" she asked as she eased her skirt into place again.

"Much better." Derek stroked her bare leg above her knee. "Except your skirt is too tight for me to reach higher."

She hiked it back up a little. "How's that?"

"Mm," he said, hooking a finger in the leg opening of her thong. "Someone's horny. These are damp."

Erin
squeezed his erection through his pants. "So is someone else."

"You can unzip them if you'd like."

"Not unless you tell me where we're going."

"Then we'll have to wait. But not long."

Erin
sighed and Derek returned his hand to the steering wheel. They were in traffic now and he had to keep his mind on his driving. It wasn't easy, with her sitting there, her skirt so high he could catch glimpses of the tiny thong covering her pussy. He wished she would take them off—but that distraction probably wouldn't be safe.

After he'd exited the freeway and turned onto a boulevard in a residential area of downtown
Indianapolis
,
Erin
sat up straight and looked around. He stopped at a gatehouse where the attendant gave a half-salute and buzzed him through.

"You don't mean you…"

"Live here? Yes." Grinning, he turned up a driveway that led uphill to his sprawling stone house and pushed a button that opened the door to his garage.

Leading her through a door into his great room, Derek swept a hand. "Welcome to my world."

* * * *

Erin
gasped as she stepped inside Derek's home. In an exclusive section of Indy where most of the houses were equally large but older, he'd snagged a location with a view.

Apparently guessing what she was thinking, he explained. "I was fortunate. The couple who bought this lot years ago decided not to build their dream home here but to retire to
Arizona
instead."

"It's wonderful,"
Erin
breathed.

Sunlight poured through a wall of windows onto deeply cushioned furniture and hardwood floors with Oriental rugs setting off conversation areas. A stone fireplace towered towards the vaulted ceiling at one end of the room. A flat-screen TV was built into the wall at the other. Walls and drapes were creamy neutrals, but modern art with bright splashes of red, gold and green reflected tones found in the sectionals and armchairs.

The décor was like nothing
Erin
had ever seen. Nothing like she expected. She thought bachelors typically furnished their houses in brown and black, leather and wood or maybe glass and chrome. A stereotyped notion, she realised now. "Margo should see this," was all she could say.