Page 41 of Gamble (Black Light #38)
REAGAN
R eagan had never seen Meena look more beautiful.
Standing in front of the minister in her flowing ivory gown, her best friend was practically glowing as she exchanged vows with Asher.
The joy radiating from both of them was infectious, and Reagan found herself tearing up despite having promised herself she wouldn’t cry and ruin her makeup.
From her position in the bridal party at the altar, she caught sight of Elijah sitting in the fifth row, looking devastatingly handsome in his charcoal gray suit. Even from this distance, she could see he was watching her more than the ceremony, and the heat in his gaze made her pulse quicken.
The past two weeks had been a delicate dance of rebuilding their relationship while navigating new routines.
She’d gone back to work, splitting her time between her own apartment and Elijah’s house, depending on her schedule.
On her days off, she’d drive him to physical therapy appointments when Nalani wasn’t available, and they’d fallen back into the comfortable domesticity that had marked his recovery week.
They’d also had sex twice, despite Dr. Jennings not officially clearing his patient for sexual activity yet. As a nurse, Reagan felt guilty about ignoring medical advice, but as a woman who’d been starved for Elijah’s touch, she didn’t feel guilty enough to say no when he’d seduced her.
But despite their growing intimacy, there was still a massive elephant in the room that neither of them had addressed.
Elijah still had not returned to work, and more importantly, they still hadn’t talked about what his job entailed.
Reagan had been looking for the right moment to bring up Black Light, but every time she’d started to broach the subject, it had felt awkward and presumptuous.
How did you casually mention to a dungeon master that you’d been researching BDSM for weeks?
Tonight felt like it might be her last chance.
Elijah was scheduled to return to work the following Wednesday night, and that milestone felt like an expiration date on their current arrangement.
Once he went back to working nights and weekends while she worked days, their time together would be severely limited.
Not to mention the even more practical problem she was avoiding.
Meena and Asher had graciously invited her to stay in their apartment after the wedding, but Reagan knew newlyweds needed their space.
She’d halfheartedly started apartment hunting online, but everything she could afford on her own was depressing, and the thought of living with strangers felt like a huge step backward.
If only her and Elijah’s relationship was on firmer ground, she might consider discussing moving in together. But they hadn’t even tackled the Black Light conversation yet, let alone talked about a long-term future. No, it was way too soon for that.
“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant announced, pulling Reagan from her spiraling thoughts.
As Asher dipped Meena for a dramatic kiss, the congregation erupted in cheers and applause. Reagan felt her heart swell with happiness for her best friend, even as a tiny voice in her head wondered if she’d ever have a moment like this with Elijah.
Stop borrowing trouble. One hard conversation at a time .
The reception was held in the same venue, and after the cocktail hour filled with photos and receiving lines meant for hugs and congratulations, Reagan found herself at the head table next to the groom while Elijah was seated with the other wedding party plus-ones at table six.
She’d worried about him being stuck with strangers, but when she glanced over during dinner, he was deep in animated conversation with the other men at his table, gesturing with his hands as he told what appeared to be an entertaining story.
Her chest warmed at the sight. Everyone had simply accepted him as her boyfriend, and the ease with which he’d integrated into her social circle was yet another sign that they were compatible in all the ways that mattered.
“Earth to Reagan,” Meena’s voice broke through her observations, leaning forward to talk around her new husband. “You’re staring at your man pretty intensely over there.”
Reagan felt her cheeks warm. “Sorry. I was just checking to make sure he was okay. I was worried about him being stuck with people he didn’t know.”
“He looks like he’s holding his own just fine,” Asher commented with a grin. “I can hear him laughing from here.What’s he do for work again?”
The question she hated receiving. “He manages a club,” Reagan said carefully, taking a bite to avoid saying more. It wasn’t technically a lie.
“Cool. Restaurant, workout, or entertainment-type club?” Asher tacked on, taking a bite of his potatoes.
“Entertainment,” she replied, then quickly changed the subject. “This salmon is incredible. Where did you guys find your caterer?”
If her friends noticed her rush to divert their attention away from Elijah’s career, they didn’t call her out. Instead they turned the conversation back to other wedding guests.
After dinner, Reagan was ready to excuse herself to go check in on Elijah’s table when the DJ announced it was time for the first dance.
Reagan dutifully joined the other bridesmaids and groomsmen on the dance floor to surround the newlyweds as they shared their first dance as a married couple.
Her heart swelled with joy at how happy her best friend was.
Reagan swayed to the romantic ballad with Asher’s brother loosely holding her as they shared how happy they both were for the new couple. When the song was in its final notes, she felt familiar hands on her waist, grasping her hips from behind and pulling her away from her dance partner.
“Mind if I cut in?” Elijah’s voice was low, with an edge of possessiveness. “I want to dance with my girl.”
The best man she’d been paired with good-naturedly stepped aside with a slight bow as Elijah spun her around, pulling her into his arms just as one of her favorite love songs started playing next.
The solid warmth of his chest against hers, the scent of his cologne mixing with the faint smell of his masculine shampoo, made her feel instantly more centered as the dance floor filled with couples.
Unlike her dance with Anthony, their bodies molded together, leaving no space between them as Elijah held her right hand in his while letting his left slip low against her back.
It was a possessive move, and she loved it.
Placing her cheek against his shoulder, the lovers enjoyed a few moments of intimacy despite being surrounded by swaying dancers.
After a moment, Reagan broke the silence, “How’s your hip feel?” She’d already noted that he was moving more freely than she’d seen him since before the surgery but she didn’t want him to overextend and set his recovery back.
“Like new,” he said with satisfaction. Pulling back slightly so they could look into each other’s eyes, Elijah added, “Don’t tell Jennings, but he was right. I wish I’d done this replacement years ago. I feel like a new man.”
“That’s wonderful. You’ve been a very good patient.”
Elijah’s eyes darkened with familiar heat. “I’m hoping that when we get home tonight, I can be a very naughty patient. I have a few exercises I’d like to try that aren’t on my approved doctor’s orders.” His grey eyes glowed with heated sexuality.
Reagan felt her pulse quicken at the promise in his voice. “Oh, anything I might approve of?”
“I sure as hell hope so.” He pulled her even tighter against him so she could feel the evidence of his arousal through his dress pants. “Watching you in this sexy dress all day has me hot and bothered. I can’t wait to take my frustration out on this luscious body of yours.”
The admission sent heat spiraling through her core, but it also reminded her of all the things they still hadn’t discussed. Maybe this was her opening.
“I’ve been thinking...” she stuttered, hoping she would find the right words.
“Oh?” His eyebrows rose with interest. “I have been too.”
“Do tell...” she said, heart pounding, relieved for a bit more time to decide how she would try to steer the conversation.
“You first,” he insisted, and she could see something nervous in his expression, surely matching her own nerves.
Reagan’s courage faltered. “No, you said it first. You go.”
She could tell he was nervous too, which only made her more anxious. Please let him bring up Black Light, she thought desperately.
“Well, I’ve been thinking that this time off—spending it with you—it’s the happiest I’ve been in I don’t remember how long.
” Her heart leaped, hoping he was about to confess his real job.
Instead, he said, “I’ve decided to put in my resignation.
I don’t want to go back to working nights and weekends again. ”
Reagan felt her stomach drop. Of all the things she’d been expecting him to say, that wasn’t one of them.
While the practical part of her brain acknowledged that his having regular hours would be better for their relationship, she realized with stunning clarity just how much she’d been looking forward to him introducing her to Black Light and his secret lifestyle. The revelation was telling.
Her expression must have registered her surprise because he quickly added, “I thought you’d be happy. This will give me more time to spend with you after you get off work.”
“Oh, that part is fine—great even. It’s just...” She struggled to find the right words to express her disappointment without sounding crazy.
“Don’t worry about my financial situation,” he said, misreading her hesitation. “The house is paid off, and I have a lot socked away for a rainy day.”
“It’s not the money,” she replied, more sharply than she’d intended. This conversation was going completely off the rails.
“Okay, I’ll bite,” Elijah said, searching her face with concern. “Why do you look upset?”