Our waiter returned at that moment with our drinks. While he was serving us, Dave and Jenny meandered over to join us. Conversation moved on, and Jade seemed to relax again. I couldn’t help but wonder about the flicker of tension and fear I’d seen in her eyes when that guy tried to buy her a drink.
Chapter Nine
Jade
When I opened my eyes, nothing more than a glimmer of light was coming through the sheer gray curtains. My mind was hazy with sleep, and I felt strangely warm and safe. As I came more fully awake, for a flash I was confused and almost scrambled out of bed. But then, I remembered where I was. I closed my eyes tightly again.
I was at the wedding with Walker, and we’d piled pillows between us last night. I was surprised I even remembered that because I’d let myself get tipsy, something I rarely did.
The pillows hadn’t done their job. I was pressed against Walker’s side where he lay on his back. His muscled arm was curled around me, his palm cupping my bottom. I even had one of my legs thrown over his. I was as closely tangled up with him as I could possibly be.
Once my sleep muddled confusion cleared, I considered my situation. I should’ve wanted to get out of the bed as fast as possible. But I didn’t want to move. At all. It felt so good to be curled against Walker and held tight.
Opening my eyes for the second time, I let my gaze examine him in the almost darkness. Walker’s profile was strong and clean. With his dark brow, the elegant angle of his cheekbone and the square edge of his jaw, his lips were a sensual tease in contrast. He had full lips that curled slightly at the corners even in sleep. He wasn’t the cheeriest guy by nature, so it was almost funny, as if his mouth was attempting to debate the point with his tendency to be all broody and quiet. Broody wasn’t quite fair. He was more quiet and reserved, as if he only let some people beyond that guard. I wanted to be lucky enough to see behind that exterior. I’d seen hints of it last night in his easy banter with his friends.
Walker’s breathing suddenly changed in rhythm and I tensed, thinking I should move away. After a beat, he opened his eyes, immediately rolling his head to the side. His silver gaze met mine.
“So much for those pillows,” he said, his voice, softened by sleep, curled around me. His soft drawl did funny things to my belly.
I never thought a man’s voice could get to me. I’d always appreciated a Southern accent, but more in an objective way. With Walker, it was downright sexy, bordering on naughty, every time he spoke. And, the way his voice made me feel was the opposite of objective. It sent sparks of heat skittering through me, which left me tingling from head to toe.
“I guess,” I finally managed.
My body had other ideas, but I managed to force myself to move away. I’d fallen asleep in a pair of lightweight cotton pants and a T-shirt. My feet swung to the floor, and I eyed my painted toenails, acutely aware that my nipples were tight and achy.
Considering the state of my body, I was certain Walker had felt them pressed against his side. Of all the things I hadn’t thought through when I offered to do this, I had grossly underestimated the intensity of my response to him.
I did what I usually did when I was uncomfortable. I reasoned I could ignore it, and it would go away. Standing, I rounded the foot of the bed. “Mind if I use the shower first?”
“Nah, go right ahead.”
I made the mistake of glancing in his direction. It was then I noticed the distinct outline of his arousal under the sheets. I also remembered him climbing into bed in his fitted boxer briefs, black of course. My slightly tipsy brain had admired the sight of his tight ass.
Heat blasted through me, and I looked away abruptly, practically running into the bathroom. I started my shower cold, in an effort to douse the arousal burning me up inside. Once I had effectively cooled off, I turned the hot water on and finished my shower. It was only after I stepped out that I realized I didn’t bring any clothes in here. Flustered, I pulled back on what I’d slept in and stepped out to find Walker gone.
I was unaccountably relieved. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand beside the bed, I mentally noted we had an hour and a half before we needed to be downstairs for a breakfast for the wedding party and their respective dates.
That meant I needed to be in my wedding finery a few minutes before that time was up. Uncertain exactly when Walker would return, I scurried over to the closet and pulled out my dress. I was wearing a silk dress that had a soft fit. It was a lavender shade, so it matched my nails.
Snagging my clothes and what little I used as far as makeup and hair products went, I hurried back into the bathroom. Not much later, and I was almost ready. Except for one small detail. I needed help zipping up my dress.
“Fuck,” I muttered to myself just as I heard the door to our room open and close.
“I’ve got coffee,” Walker’s voice called.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I called in return.
I tried to fiddle my zipper up, but there was no way around it. I was going to need Walker’s help with it. Considering I’d woken up tangled like a vine around him, I figured him zipping my dress would be no big deal.
I added a dash of powder on my skin to be prepared for the humidity that was to come, and a hint
