Page 49 of Moonlight & Matrimony (Oak Ridge #2)

Luca

? Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande

T he bar hums with a vibrant energy, neon lights flickering overhead as the lively chatter and laughter are swallowed up by the pounding beats of the jukebox.

Ivy walks in beside me, her hand brushing against mine in a way that feels both natural and heated.

I don’t hesitate to take her hand in mine, intertwining our fingers in a familiar way that sends sparks shooting up my arm.

I’ll never get used to the way her touch affects me, and the desire in her eyes tells me I affect her in much the same way.

I spot Paige and Cade as they wave us over to the usual cluster of tables.

Dean and Cara are deep in conversation with Liam, who’s grinning uncharacteristically, and nursing a beer.

I spot Miles leaning against the bar, chatting animatedly with a woman I don’t recognize.

Her hand brushes against his forearm, and he flinches away from the touch.

That's strange. From everything I've heard about Miles, he's never been one to shy away from borderline public indecency.

His reaction feels completely out of character, but I don't have time to dwell on it as Ivy pulls me toward our group of friends.

“Happy Birthday, old man!” Paige says, throwing her arms around my shoulders.

I give her a squeeze, appreciating the fact that just a year ago we were barely speaking, and now we have this ease within our relationship that I’ve been missing out on.

I don’t have a lot of regrets, but pushing Paige away is at the top of the list.

“35 isn’t that old,” I say, releasing her back to her husband. Just then, Miles joins us at the table, an amused grin spreading across his features.

“Old enough to start forgetting where you’ve left your tools,” Miles jokes.

“Mmmm, I haven’t noticed any problems with his memory or his tools,” Ivy says with a wink. Paige fakes a gagging noise while the rest of the table chuckles as Miles holds up his hand for a high five and Ivy meets him halfway.

“Ok, time for presents!” Paige declares, handing over a small box tied with a delicate blue ribbon. I pop open the lid, finding a card tucked inside the box.

Happy birthday to the only person who truly understands why we’re so fucked up. Things haven’t always been easy, but I’ve always looked up to you.

Love,

Paige

Underneath the card is a small keychain with a photo of Rylin atop my shoulders as I smile down at Ivy on our wedding day. The sun is setting along Main Street, and she’s looking at me like I hung the moon. It has a knot forming in my throat. “Thank you, Sis” is all I can choke out.

“Ok, my turn!” Miles says, handing over an envelope. Inside is a pair of tickets to a hockey game in Nashville.

“Hell yes! Thanks, man!” He holds up his beer in salute.

Next, Ivy reaches under the table to pull out a gift bag, sliding it across the table. “This is from me, and there’s something from Rylin in there, too.”

I remove the top layer of tissue, pulling out a large frame.

Tucked beneath the glass is a hand drawn portrait in bright crayon of me, Ivy, and Ry standing under the big tree in the backyard with Sage at our feet.

It might be the best gift I’ve ever received.

“Rylin drew that at daycare and she insisted I had to give it to you tonight.”

“This is perfect. I love it so much,” I say, setting it to the side to dig further into the bag. The first thing I find is a bag of ketchup chips.

“NO WAY!” Paige squeals. “I’m so fucking jealous!”

Next is a bottle of 100% Canadian Maple Syrup, followed by salt and vinegar crispers, Tim Horton’s coffee pods, and last but not least, a bag of All-Dressed chips.

Paige is staring at Ivy, mouth hanging wide open as she watches me pull out all of our favorite Canadian snacks.

“Close your mouth, Sis. You’ll catch a fly. ”

“I’m totally revoking your bestie card if I don’t get that kind of treatment for my birthday next year,” she teases.

I carefully pack everything back in the bag, then cup Ivy’s cheek and bring my lips to her forehead. “Thank you. This is perfect.” She’s fucking perfect.

After another round of drinks, Ivy tugs me onto the dance floor. Her hips brush against mine as we grind to the rhythm, an unmistakable heat building between us. From the sidelines, Miles shouts, “Come on, Luca! You can do better than that!”

With a playful smirk, I seize Ivy’s waist and dip her low, our noses brushing and breaths mingling for a beat too long.

Ivy’s eyes lock on mine before momentarily dipping to my lips, and I don’t waste a moment, stealing her breath in a passionate kiss, tasting the liquor on her tongue mixed with something that’s all Ivy.

The crowd erupts into whoops and cheers, breaking us out of the heated moment as I pull her back to standing.

Her footing is a little unsteady, so I grip her hips.

The feel of her beneath my palms sends a jolt of electricity straight to my cock.

Ivy snakes her arms around my shoulders as the song changes to something slower, her fingertips playing with the hair at the nape of my neck.

Maybe it’s the buzz of the alcohol in my veins, or the woman in my arms, but I can’t help but pull her a little closer, bringing her hips flush with mine as I whisper the lyrics into her ear.

She rests her head on my chest, her flowery scent permeating the air around us as she whispers, “Tell me you’re real. ”

“As real as it gets, sweetheart.”

My mouth goes dry, taking in the vision before me.

Ivy leans in the doorway to the bathroom, bathed in the dim light from the vanity.

She’s wrapped up like a goddamn present in a deep red strappy bodysuit with a bow tied between her tits.

It has ribbons that criss-cross around her torso and over her nipples, and two more clipped to thigh high red stockings.

I follow the path down to the sexy studded black heels and my jaw goes slack.

I’m definitely going to fuck her in nothing but those heels. More than once.

“Fuuuuuck. Are you trying to kill me?” I shift in my spot at the foot of my king-size bed.

“Mmmm. No, I have other plans for you,” she says as she struts into the room, her hips swaying suggestively, making my mouth water. She stops between my spread thighs and I can’t resist the urge to slide my hands over her hips.

“You look like sin.”

“Maybe. But I’m going to show you heaven before I take us both to hell.”

She cups my face in her palms and kisses me, softly at first, but it quickly grows more frantic when she plants her knees on either side of my hips and straddles me, grinding her ass against my lap.

Her tongue tangles with mine and she tastes so fucking sweet, I want to memorize her flavor, but it’s over too soon as she pulls back to standing.

“Are you trying to torture me, Trouble?”

Instead of a response, she plants one foot on the bed between my legs, way too close to my rock hard cock straining beneath my jeans.

“Touch me,” she commands, and fuck this role reversal is hot as hell.

I slide my hand along her leg, pulling down her stocking to trail kisses along every inch of exposed skin. My lips rest at the juncture of her thighs, where her matching thong shows the evidence of her arousal. “Are you wet for me, Ivy?”

“Maybe.”

I glide one hand along the center of her panties before tugging them to the side to run my fingers over her pussy, and she sighs.

“I have a better idea.” I remove her foot from between my legs and stand, holding onto her hips as I lead her a few paces backwards, creating just enough space for me to remove my clothing.

Ivy’s eyes are glued to my every movement, and once I’m fully undressed, there’s nothing but pure lust in her gaze.

“Come here, Trouble.” She takes my outstretched hand as I lead her over to the bed and bend her over.

I don’t know what made me think I was going to take control, but every ounce of restraint I have flies out the window when my girl bends over, giving me a stunning view of her luscious ass, and the jewel peeking out between her cheeks.

“Ivy.” I choke out her name as she turns her head and gives me a sly grin.

“What’s wrong?” she teases, her eyes fixed on the hand fisting my cock. She reaches into her meager bra and pulls out a small remote. Jesus fuck, it vibrates.

“Tell me what you want,” I say, relinquishing control back to the goddess before me.

“First, I want you to fuck me here,” she says, pulling her thong to the side to give me another peek at her soaked pussy. “Then here,” she adds, sliding a hand over the plug in her ass, letting out a sultry moan.

In an attempt to prolong what I have no doubt is going to be the hottest night of my fucking life, I walk over to the bed, placing my cock near her lips. “Get me ready for you,” I command.

Ivy wastes no time taking me into her mouth, damn near sucking the life out of me.

I fist my hand in her hair and gently tug as she takes me to the back of her throat over and over.

It takes every ounce of my willpower not to come in her mouth.

Her tongue swirls and flicks, and she gently rakes her teeth along my flesh with expert precision, sending shivers along my spine.

“Fuck. You’re too good at that,” I say, pulling out. She licks her lips and smirks.

“Brat.”

“Stop talking,” she says.

“I think you need a reminder of who’s in charge here, Trouble.”

“Mmmmm. I was starting to think you were going to make me take care of myself,” she teases, reaching a hand between her thighs to circle her clit before plunging two fingers inside.

For a moment I just stand there, listening to her moans, taking in the view as I stroke my cock, pre-cum beading at the tip.

“Mine,” I growl, something primal taking over as I slap her hand away from her center.