Page 20 of Aisle Be The Groom (Bristlecone Springs #1)

OZZIE

G ray and I arrived late at the old grange hall, where the play was being held. The whole community seemed to have moved into the town’s oldest building. Gray had to park a long way off down the street, but I didn’t mind. It gave us an excuse to walk sneakily hand in hand along the lonely road under the silver glow of the moon.

“I didn’t expect to see this long procession of cars.”

“That’s because Jessamine’s plays are usually a big hit,” Gray said. “She was once a Broadway actress, you know. She has won several prestigious awards. I’m always avoiding her, but the truth is she’s brought the arts back to this town. We’ve even had a couple of kids accepted into Juilliard.”

“Juilliard?” I gasped. “But how did they afford it? Isn’t it awfully expensive?”

“They received scholarships.”

“Ah, this is all so exciting.”

“It might not be as well executed as the plays you usually watch.”

I smiled at the caution in his voice, as if he didn’t want me to get my hopes up and be disappointed. “That’s impossible, since I’ve never watched a play.”

“Never?”

“Never.”

“Then I’m honored this will be your first.”

As we continued our walk, my footsteps felt lighter, and the excitement of my first social outing in town bubbled within me. The old grange hall rose from the scattered town like a beacon, calling us with its rustic charm. Age pockmarked its stout stone walls, and its brown windows stared back at us like a wise old man’s eyes.

Before entering, Gray squeezed my hand reassuringly, his calloused fingers warm against mine. Then he let go. Cautiously, we navigated our way through the sea of people, and he took my hand again but this time to guide me toward a couple of vacant seats jutting out awkwardly near the front row. I didn’t want to sit so close, but all the seats in the back were already taken.

Our late entry made for an awkward trip to the chairs while the play was going on. A few curious eyes flicked our way as we tiptoed along, squeezing past tightly packed knees and whispering apologies.

Gray navigated us through the maze of people, his squared jaw set in deep concentration. His hair was tousled from our little adventure outside, and even under the dim lighting of the hall, his gray eyes sparkled with an energy that made my heart flutter.

We finally reached our seats and sat gingerly, trying not to interrupt the performance.

The play was a classic: a tragic love story. The actors, local talents all dressed in period costumes, emoted with such fervor it was easy to forget we were in a grange hall in a small town instead of a grand theatre in the big city. Jessamine played the leading lady, her elegant movements and expressive eyes captivating everyone in the room.

Gray had been right. There was something incredibly special about this place, something that blended rural simplicity with artistic sophistication. Despite it being a close-knit and small-scale community, dedication and passion radiated from every person taking part.

When intermission came, Gray leaned to whisper in my ear. “Do you need anything?”

“Like what?”

“How about refreshments? I’ll get us something to drink. Sounds good?”

I nodded. He touched my face briefly, then seemed to remember we were in public and dropped his hand. I watched him go, my heart fluttering. Oh gosh. Did I really plan to break an engagement with one man and continue seeing his father? The right thing to do would be to end what I had with Gray so I could properly call off my engagement, but I couldn’t. What difference did it make anyway? Ending things with Gray would only be for appearances’ sake. What was the sense of losing the best thing to ever happen to me to please others?

I chewed on my bottom lip. My only worry was Gray’s relationship with Carter. That I didn’t care whether Carter would hate me was the final nail in that coffin.

Thank god I’d met Gray, or I might have made the horrible mistake of marrying the wrong man.

Gray returned with his arms laden with food: a bucket of popcorn, sodas, and what he called a full-house hot dog. They were traditional hot dogs topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cheese, mustard, mayo, and ketchup.

“I wasn’t sure if you would want it, so I only bought one.”

It looked delicious. “That’s probably best.”

“We can share. Take a bite.”

“You’re sure?”

He held the hot dog to my mouth, and I bit into the bun. I chewed slowly, widening my eyes as the combination of toppings provided an interesting flavor in my mouth. “That’s so good.”

“Yeah? Have another bite. In fact, take the whole thing. I’ll go get another.”

“That’s not necessary, Gray. I’ll have the popcorn.”

“If my boy wants a hot dog, then he’ll have a hot dog,” he whispered in my ear.

A shiver ran down my spine. “But if you continue feeding me like this, I’ll—”

“Be happy?” He raised an eyebrow as if challenging me to disagree.

I gulped and nodded.

“There’s a good boy.”

My heart pounded excitedly, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Gray found a puddle next to him where I should have been sitting. I loved the way he talked to me and looked at me and sexed me up.

Oh lord, but what a man. Everything about him was so grounded and natural. So accepting and sweet. Yet rough and dirty. My face burned as an image flashed through my mind of the last time he’d been on top of me.

I wanted more of that man who seemed so crazy about me.

Gray returned, and I assumed what I hoped was a normal expression. He handed me another hot dog and sat. He had bought himself two as well.

“What’s with you?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“Hmm.”

He wolfed down his two hot dogs. It made me less self-conscious about stuffing my face with another, so I shrugged and enjoyed the food. Then we shared the popcorn, though he ate most of it.

The intermission ended, and the play resumed. I was even happier in the second half. Gray held my hand. In the dark hall, no one would be able to see us.

Hmm.

I released his hand and tested him by placing it high on his thigh. The muscles stiffened, but he kept his gaze straight ahead. I inched closer and rested my hand on his junk. His cock twitched, but Gray remained stoic, his eyes focused on the stage as though nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

Amused by his reaction, I gave him a sly grin and whispered in his ear, “Are you enjoying the play, Gray?”

“Immensely,” he replied with a strained smile. His eyes were glued to the stage, but his knuckles whitening from their grip on the armrest, gave his tension away.

“What’s your favorite part so far?”

“The boy who’s about to get his ass spanked if he keeps up with the current storyline.”

Oh gosh, a spanking from Gray. Did he think that would stop me? Carefully I unbuckled his belt, painstakingly slow, but his cock grew until it was rock hard. I peeled down the zipper and slipped my hand into what I thought would be his underwear. Except there was no underwear. Gray was going commando.

Oh my god, am I really being this naughty in public?

Carter hadn’t even allowed me to kiss him in public. He’d said showing affection in the open was tacky, that we knew how we felt about each other, so why put on a performance for the world?

I stroked Gray’s cock, watching his attempts to control his facial expression. His jaw was set, but a thin sheen of sweat formed on his forehead.

“Gray,” I murmured, giving him another gentle squeeze. “Are you okay?”

He shot me a glance, his dark eyes filled with desire and warning. “You’re playing with fire.”

For once, I didn’t mind being burned.

The play onstage had become a dull background noise as I focused solely on Gray. He was my audience now, and I was putting on quite the performance for him.

I continued my ministrations slowly, enjoying the power I had over him. He shifted forward in his seat as an actor belted out a soliloquy. No one was watching us. The attention of the audience was fully captivated by the performance happening in front of them.

I stroked Gray harder, jacking him off until he exploded in my hand. His chest rose and fell as he fought to catch his breath. He grabbed a few napkins left over from our refreshments, but I didn’t need them. I removed my hand and discreetly licked it like I’d done moments earlier to the popcorn butter that had clung to my fingers.

Gray fixed his pants just as the crowd surged to its feet and clapped and cheered. The show was over. I scrambled to stand, as did Gray, both of us applauding as if we knew anything that took place in the last quarter or so of the play.

“You have no idea how sexy I find you right now,” Gray whispered. “I can’t wait to get you home to return the favor.”

The hall erupted into loud chatter and laughs. It was time to go.

“Let’s sit and wait for the back to leave first so we don’t get stuck in the crowd.”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

Gray turned as if he was looking behind him but brought his mouth close to my ear. “I want to suck on your tongue and taste me in your mouth.”

I swallowed. If he kept this up, we would be sitting in the hall until everyone filed out.

“Ozzie!”

Huh? Who knew me in town?

“Ozzie!”

Ah! Rowan, the wedding planner. He hurried toward us with a big grin. Damn, he looked fabulous in a pair of leggings and a silk cream long-sleeve shirt with several buttons undone. One side was tucked into the waistband of the leggings and the other casually hung loose.

“It’s so great seeing you again.” Rowan stopped in front of us. “Although you both played a prank on me.”

Oh shit. We were busted. I’d forgotten our lie.

My face flamed. “I’m so sorry. I—”

“It’s okay. Gray came back and explained, so I forgave him. And he was right too. I would have definitely asked him out. I mean, do you blame me? Look at him standing there looking like a stallion ready to meet his new owner.” He winked at Gray and bit his bottom lip.

I choked, and Gray rubbed my back. “Cut it out, Rowan. You’re making Ozzie blush.”

“I can’t help it when you’re this hot.” Rowan sighed. “But I should, since you’re already in love, Gray. Pity.” He clicked his tongue. “But from what I see, this town is full of hot, single ranch hands I wouldn’t mind getting under. And there goes one right now. Excuse me! Yoohoo!”

Rowan made a beeline for—Hudson.

“I guess I should have told him Hudson’s not single,” Gray said. “But he doesn’t give you a word in edgewise, does he?”

“He is chatty but nice. When did you talk to him?”

“Yesterday, when I drove into town. Figured I should straighten things out with him and Jessamine so I didn’t ruin your reputation.”

I snorted. “What reputation? Once this comes out, I’ll be the whore of Bristlecone Springs. I’ll have to leave town or forever be known as the one who slept with his fiancé’s father.”

“I knew it!”

We both jumped. Opie and Lawson were staring at us, Opie grinning while Lawson looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. I scrambled to my feet, blood rushing into my ears.

“Opie. What are you doing here?”

He rolled his eyes. “You mean at a public gathering where everyone in town is?”

Oh, right. He wasn’t out of place. I was the one who’d blurted out something that was meant to be said only in private.

“You and Gray actually—”

Lawson clamped a hand over Opie’s big mouth. “Sorry about that.” He nodded toward Gray. “I’ll ensure he says nothing. This is obviously something you two will have to work out.”

Opie protested against Lawson’s hand, but his husband led him away from us, whispering into his ear. I went to go after them, but Gray touched my shoulder. “They won’t say anything.”

“Are you sure? Because Opie’s not much better than Rowan.”

“He gets a little excited, but he can be trusted.”

“I don’t know, Gray.” I fiddled with my fingers. “Words have a way of spreading like wildfire.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“I do, but—”

“They won’t say anything.”

I let out a deep breath that eased the tension in my shoulders, but my stomach was still tied up in knots. “Okay. We should get going. At this rate, the whole town will know by tomorrow that we’re sleeping together.”

Gray groaned. “Not if you stop mentioning it every second.”

I covered my mouth with my hands and peered around. No one else had heard, right? Luckily, no one else was paying us any mind.

“We should go now before I say something else.”

“Never knew you would be the one to out us.” Gray grinned. “You’re so cute when you blush.”

Ducking my head, I walked ahead of him, my face burning even more when he whispered, “Someone’s still due a spanking.”