family did.
I told him about my job, how much I loved making a difference in the lives of the kids I worked with, and all the places I wanted to show him once we made it through the wedding.
Friday we carved out a little time together, and he stopped by to pick up the three dozen moonshine kiss cookies I’d whipped up to satisfy my end of our deal. He couldn’t stay long since he had to get to the wake, but he stuck around long enough for me to find out just how his beard felt skimming the inside of my thighs.
In the short time we’d spent together, Deacon had given me more orgasms than I’d had in my entire last relationship. I wasn’t sure whether that was more a reflection of his undisputed talent or a reminder of just how sorry my love life had become. Either way, I was happy to be on the receiving end and couldn’t wait to find out what else he could do with his tongue.
Saturday afternoon, I arrived at the distillery with plenty of time to spare. Not even Mother Nature would dare mess with Bailey’s plans, so the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Wispy clouds hung low in a bright-blue sky while a warm breeze ensured we’d all be comfortable for the outdoor event.
Though I felt like twelve bridesmaids were a bit of an overkill, I was determined to keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself. It was her day, and I was going to enjoy myself. All the hard work we’d put in over the past twelve months would be worth it.
I was especially looking forward to the moment when I’d get to introduce Deacon as my date. That would keep my mom and her gossiping friends, a group I’d nicknamed The Biddy Squad, off my case for a while.
My commitment to being cheery lasted right up until the vows were exchanged and the bride and groom joined the wedding party for pictures. The champagne had been flowing freely for over an hour by then and talk turned to my mom’s favorite topic: how to find me a husband.
I’d heard it from her friends before… “you’re such a nice girl, Tori. Let me fix you up with my niece’s best friend’s stepdad.” Or… “my brother’s newly single. He’s only a few years older than you”—that usually meant at least a decade. Tired of hearing everyone’s unsolicited advice, I cracked under the pressure. I’d been planning on waiting until the reception to introduce Deacon as my date, but I couldn’t stand it one more instant.
I walked away from the wedding party while they were discussing whether I’d make more beautiful babies with Sherman’s cousin Toby or one of Sawyer’s brothers. I’d already ruled out dating any of the Stewarts since my sisters had gone out with all of them at one point or another.
I caught sight of Deacon sitting by himself in the very last row of chairs. He had on a dark gray suit that made the color of his eyes stray more toward blue than green. He looked like he could have been getting ready for a photo shoot for the sexiest man alive instead of being my date for hire for the small price of a homemade pie.
His lips quirked into a sexy smile when he caught me heading his direction. Made me want to grab onto his arm and make a beeline for the parking lot. I’d been daydreaming, and night dreaming, about our time together at the swimming hole. I couldn’t seem to get the super sexy, semi-stranger out of my mind.
“Hey, can you come with me for a few minutes?” I whispered.
“Sure.” He stood, buttoned his suit coat, and took my hand. “You look beautiful, Tori.”
I didn’t have time to bask in the glow his compliment elicited. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“Thanks.” His fingers twined with mine. It felt natural, like my hand was meant to be held in his… like we fit together. But that was ridiculous. He’d be on a plane back to LA in less than a week. All I could do was enjoy him while he was here. Oh, and take advantage of showing him off to my family and hopefully shutting them up once and for all about my inability to find my own dates.
“Do you mind if I introduce you to my mom and sister real quick? The Biddy Squad is giving me grief and