Every Beat of My Heart (New York Sullivans 0.5) - Bella Andre Page 0,19

you?”

“No,” she said with a fervent shake of her head. “I swear I haven’t.”

He laughed and pulled her closer. “Only one more, and then you’re off the hook. At least until tomorrow.”

She burrowed tighter into the circle of his arms. “Go ahead. I think I’m ready now.”

“I don’t know if anyone could ever be ready for this one,” he warned her. “What does the dog magician say when he does his tricks?” He paused a beat for maximum impact. “Labracadabra.”

Though Heather couldn’t help but laugh—okay, maybe it was closer to a groan—Zach knew she was still upset. Which meant it was time to move to distraction technique number two.

“Remember how I made you forget about everything, way back when?”

“How could I ever forget that squirmy, hot night sitting in a restaurant with you teasing me until I thought I was going to lose my mind?” She tightened her arms around him even as she added, “But we’re at our bachelor and bachelorette party with your whole family here, and—”

He cut off her faint protests with a kiss. “All the better. If we’re caught tonight, we’ll be a thing of Sullivan legend.” He nipped at her lip and let the kinky thought sear into her mind, even though he would never let that happen in a million years.

The first time they’d made love, she’d teased him about his legendary bedroom, and he’d never let her forget it. Now, as she laughed and pulled his head down for another kiss, he was glad to know that his plans to make her forget about her parents were finally working.

Heather was the first—the only—woman Zach had ever lost control with. And the truth was that he still lost it every time they were together. Lost it so completely that he soon had her dress up around her waist, his pants unzipped, and then he was inside her.

He closed his eyes and held her tight as they drove each other higher and higher. No teasing tonight. No going slow. Just the two of them reminding each other in the most elemental of ways how deep their love ran.

As she began to come apart over him, he captured her gasp of pleasure with a kiss that barely masked his own groan. For a long while, they simply held on to each other.

When he knew that someone actually might start looking for them soon, Zach gently lifted her from his lap so that they could both set their clothes to rights.

“Do I look okay?” Heather asked.

“You’ve never been more beautiful.” He smoothed her dress down over her hips, then rested his hand over her stomach. He couldn’t wait to be a father and have a little boy or girl with Heather’s flashing eyes and quick wit.

“Just remember,” he told her, “whatever happens, I’ve always got your back.”

She breathed deeply, as if to inhale into her very marrow the same vow he’d made her years ago when they’d first had to get through a night with her parents. “I know. We’ve got this.” She slid her hand into his. “Together.”

* * *

Ryan had always liked Vicki’s parents. She had a great relationship with them, and he was glad that her mother, father, and two brothers had all been able to come to Napa for the wedding on such short notice.

Her family had spent plenty of time in California during the past few years, but they were still clearly bowled over by the star power in the Sullivan family and circle of friends. Especially for Vicki’s brothers, who were both huge baseball fans, getting to meet the Hawks at the party seemed to be a pretty big deal.

Fortunately, Ryan knew Vicki’s family could take care of themselves. It was his fiancée he was most concerned about tonight. Because although she clearly loved getting to spend time with her family, Ryan could tell that something wasn’t quite right. She was quieter than usual. A little less bright.

At the first chance, he took her hand and drew her away from the crowd. “Let’s go for a walk.” She didn’t say anything as he led them out of the castle and into the vineyard that surrounded it. He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders to ward off the slight chill as he brought her farther up the path so that they could only faintly hear the laughter, the music.

The moon was full, and the vines were lit up as if by a romantic spotlight. When they reached a