Man of Honor (Battle Scars #3) - Diana Gardin Page 0,53
I can’t quite understand. But when he speaks, I know I’m home.
“I got you, baby.”
At the peak of pleasure and the brink of something unknown, I crash down under the weight of waves of ecstasy. I lean forward, collapsing onto Drake’s chest. His hands smooth up my back as his body shudders beneath mine and my name slips from his lips.
When he’s still, except for the heaving of his chest, he moves me so that I’m lying beside him. Then he slides off the bed and into the adjoining bathroom. When he returns, he’s carrying a wet washcloth. With steady and gentle hands, he flips me onto my back and proceeds to clean me up. When he’s finished, he returns the towel to the bathroom and slips back into bed.
Pulling the comforter over us, he pulls me against his chest. His lips brush against my head.
We don’t speak, because at the moment nothing more needs to be said. He just told me more with his body than any man has ever said to me with words. He showed me how he feels and what he thinks with his caramel eyes as I broke apart above him, and that was more than enough.
Snuggling in close to his side, drawing in the warmth from his body, I sleep.
“A pub crawl?” The excitement in Berkeley’s voice is matched by the rosy flush in her cheeks, and I know my idea for my best friend’s last girls’ night out before she gets hitched is a good one.
“With ghosts,” adds Greta. “It’s Savannah; don’t forget the ghosts.”
Berkeley claps her hands together, glee apparent on her gorgeously perky features. “Oh, my God.”
Rolling my eyes, I guide her toward the limo waiting for us. It idles on the curb in front of the house with suited driver standing in wait. It meant taking money out of my savings, contributing with the other girls for this special night, but when it comes to Berkeley and Greta, every cent I spend is worth it. Their friendship is invaluable to me.
“And if you’re worried about your man, don’t be. He’s taking the crawl starting at the other end of the tour. We arranged this especially for you two with the tour company. So you’ll get to kiss at the bar in the middle, and then keep on truckin’.”
She squeals in delight as she ducks into the limo. Grinning wickedly at Greta, I accept the white-and-pink “Bachelorette” sash she hands me, along with the tiara. Berkeley’s been sort of a princess her whole life, but tonight we’ll be turning her into a whole different sort of royalty.
“Put these on!” I thrust the dress-up items in her lap as I climb in beside her. The driver closes the door behind Olive as she brings up the rear, and she takes it upon herself to pull a bottle of champagne out of the automobile’s mini-fridge.
“Well, girls…should we get this party started right?”
Handing us each a flute, she pours the bubbly liquid into our waiting glasses. “Thank you for letting me come on this trip with you. I’m having so much fun getting to know you all. Cheers to new friends, new beginnings, and a new chapter for Berkeley!”
Raising our glasses, we all yell, “Cheers!”
“So,” Berkeley begins, leaning back and making herself comfy in the leather seat. “Mea.”
Her whiskey-colored gaze lands on me and I know I’m in trouble. I’ve given Berkeley that look myself so many times before I can read it like my favorite book. She’s out for information, and if she doesn’t get it she’ll only settle for blood.
“Hmm?” My nervousness at whatever she’s about to ask is only amped up by the vibration of my phone in my clutch.
I realize only then that it’s the first time today that I’ve thought about Mikah’s call last night.
My stomach muscles harden into a wall of coiled steel, and I have trouble catching my breath. Spending the afternoon with Drake kept the fear and the dread at bay, but now it’s back full force. I’m left reeling from the ferocity of it and I wish so badly that Drake was here to be my escape again.
“Mea?” Berkeley’s face changes expression as soon as she notices my impending panic. “What’s wrong?”
Shaking my head, I gather myself along with a deep cleansing breath. I can’t allow this to ruin Berkeley’s night. Whatever Mikah has to tell me can wait until her special occasion is over.
“Nothing. Everything is fine. Are you ready to get your drink