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Tealey

Rad’s magnetism puts women under a spell, and his charisma causes men to envy him. I’ve seen it firsthand. Rad Wellington is a gifted man when it comes to who he is on the inside, but my goodness, my heart and other parts are enjoying the full package.

Rolled-up shirtsleeves. A black and chrome watch on his wrist. That Adam’s apple that dips down to tease me. His jaw that ticks when he’s deep in thought . . . or greedily taking me in like he is now. Gah! It’s too much!

I’m a lucky woman indeed because he came home to me.

His keys jingle around the hook, and he never breaks his stride on his way to me. A man on a mission. “Are you hungry?” I ask the giant of a man coming toward me. He takes hold of my head and sweeps my hair to the opposite shoulder.

I open myself up, my neck begging to be kissed, and Rad never disappoints. With warm lips against my rapidly heating skin, he breathes, “I don’t want to eat food. I don’t need anything to drink. I only want you. All I’ve thought about all day is being buried deep inside you.”

“Um . . .” I start, my throat thickening under the intensity. “We should do that. Get right on it. Now’s good for me.”

His eyes darken in the dim lights of the living room as his pupils widen, devouring me as if I’m dinner instead of the treats I baked him today. The scrape of his tongue along the corner of his mouth mesmerizes me, but when his mouth presses to mine, he breathes life into me again.

Giving and taking, we share our feelings through our caresses without saying a word.

The passion in his eyes pierces my skin as he takes in my rising and falling chest with each breath I can’t contain.

“Looking this good is dangerous for my career. I may never go back to work if you’re here waiting. ”

I point my toe. “They’re new leggings. Camo. I’m surprised you could even see me.”

Victory is mine. I finally get him to smile.

“The Friends shirt gave you away.”

“Ah, yes. Ross shouting ‘pivot’ is always a crowd-pleaser, but I have a feeling it’s not my wardrobe you’re referring to.”

“No.”

He dips and takes hold of the back of my legs, carrying me over his shoulder. My ass is squeezed, and then he gives me a good, hard smack. Launching up, I squeal through a fit of giggles. “I take it you won your cases?”

“Damn right, I did.” It all makes sense now. I promised we’d celebrate his victories.

“Are you claiming your prize?”

Setting me on the bed, he’s already tugging my socks off. “I’m claiming you. Hope your schedule is clear for the next few hours.”

“Hours? Oh goodness.” Starfishing on the mattress, I’m more than ready. “And here I baked cupcakes to celebrate.”

Sliding my leggings down, he licks his lips. “Don’t worry. We won’t let them go to waste.” He reaches down and unabashedly drags a fingertip through my lower lips. I suck in a harsh breath, holding it when he raises his finger and slides it into his mouth. “As a matter of fact?—”

“I’m not putting a cupcake in my vagina.”

He chuckles and then drags me by the legs until I’m wrapped around him. His hands drop to either side of my head, and he hovers over me. “Why eat a cupcake when I can eat you instead?”

Holy hell. I like the way this man thinks.

Standing back up, he kicks off his shoes and strips down until he’s naked. He climbs onto the bed and lies down. “C’mere, baby.”

I straddle him and then lift my top off. Being naked with him is becoming my favorite part of the day. And I’m pretty sure that’s because Rad is incredible in bed.

Taking hold of my breasts, he kisses the tips and then sucks them until they’re deep pink, ripe, and ready.

He seems to have a plan, but I’m already rubbing against him, too turned on to wait for direction. But then he says, “I want you on your hands and knees.”

I’m scrambling to get into position.

My hair is gathered into one hand, and my hip is held with his other. The anticipation has me squeezing my middle and my eyes closing. The ripping of the packet and the sound of his moan blend. Tilting back, I want him so badly that I don’t think I can wait.

Rad still takes his time to leisurely kiss my spine before his tip finds my entrance. I slide back again, this time being rewarded and filled. “Always in a hurry, faster, harder,” he says, reminding me of my usual demands.

“I thought you were hungry.”

“Oh baby, be careful what you wish for.” He slams into me.

By the time I’m lying on the bed again, boneless with no energy and a smirk on my face, I say, “Sometimes wishes do come true.”

~ Five Days Later ~

“Tealey?”

I come out of my daydream only to be greeted by an empty room, except for Cammie waiting at the door. Turning around, I discover everyone else has already left the bridal shower.

“How long has it been?” I jump up and grab my purse.

“Long enough for the others to leave.”

Her arm wraps with mine, and she asks, “Was it that boring?”

“No.” Yes. “The party was perfect.” I just can’t believe I’m living a fairy tale. Every minute away from Rad has me happily reliving every detail. “Do you love the gifts?”

“I do. I never thought I’d be excited over tumblers, but here I am, unwrapping each present, hoping to complete the set.”

I’m not usually one for spoilers, but now I need to know. “Did you get them all?”

She holds up two fingers. “Missing two.”

“I’ll buy them for you.”

She smiles. “Don’t worry about it. Ten should be enough. When will I ever have ten people at my house anyway?”

“Well,” I start, thinking about how to say this. “Marlow and her date. Jackson and his. Me and?—”

“Your date,” she says, then bites the inside of her cheek so hard I worry she’s going to draw blood. “Well, you get what I mean. So? Have you been seeing anyone lately?”

“Oh. Um, you know. . .” I stop just inside the restaurant and toe the floor. I can see Marlow outside, and I don’t want her to hear this conversation with Cammie. “I’m sticking close to home these days.”

When I turn back, she’s smiling like a Cheshire cat. “You called Rad’s place home.”

“Temporary home. Honest mistake.” I try my best to shrug her off.

Her smile faltering, she sighs. “Well, as long as home is fulfilling, then things are all good.”

I don’t even understand what she’s getting at.

I wish I could tell her everything from how wonderful Rad is to me, kind and attentive when we’re living like any other couple in the evenings, and then sweet to intense in the bedroom.

I usually share everything with her, so it’s hard to keep this a secret.

Rad and I agreed not to tell them, so I need to stick with the plan.

She says, “Then if you have kids?—”

“Me and Rad?” I jab my finger into my chest.

“No. Me and Cade. We might need twelve goblets for when we have kids.”

My shoulders sag in relief. “I swear you said you, as in me .”

Laughing as though I’m not in on the joke, she says, “I mean the general you. You ready? That question is aimed at you, though.”

“Yeah, definitely ready.”

We push out the door and find Marlow standing there. “There you are, Teals. Want to share a cab?” When I hesitate, she adds, “I’m paying.”

“I’m happy to share then.” I’m about to hug Cammie when I notice the corners of her mouth turned down. Reactionary crier here. Tears spring to my eyes. “Oh, Cam.” I hug her, not sure why I’m feeling emotional all of a sudden. “Why are we crying?”

“I’m scared to enter a new phase in life. Am I losing my best friends?”

Marlow grins at her, sympathy resonating in her eyes. She wraps one arm around Cammie and one around me. “No,” she says, “you’re gaining a husband and a soul mate. We’ll always be there when you need us.”

“I’ve become such a sap,” Cammie replies, sniffling along with a smile. Dabbing her eyes with a tissue she pulls from her pocket, she laughs. “Remind me to wear waterproof mascara for the wedding.”

Huddling in again, I not only adore my friends but also love my sisters by choice. I say, “We have your back.”

I lied. I do know why I’m on the verge of crying. With Cammie getting married, her priorities will shift, as they should, and we might not see each other as much. Then if she starts a family, things will be totally different.

I suspect we’ve all had similar thoughts. We’re smack dab in the middle of major life changes that are personal and unique to each of us.

Although both of them appear to be in a hurry, I ask, “Has anything been decided about the venue?”

Cammie touches my arm. “You know, I’m really thinking about taking Amanda up on her offer.”

“You should,” I say. “It’s so beautiful there, and she’s thrown a million parties. She’d have this planned in a week.”

Marlow primps her hair. “Prepare for the wind, but nothing a great hairspray can’t handle.”

Nodding, Cammie says, “So I should do it?”

Excited for my friend, I take her hand. “You should. It’s going to be perfect in the Hamptons.”

“Yeah, maybe this is meant to be. And since we had to use the hotel for our vendors, we lost everything from the caterer to the florist. They’ve returned our money, which frees it up to spend again.” Her phone rings. “Speaking of, it’s Amanda. Gotta run. Thank you for everything and the gifts.”

Marlow says, “Enjoy the gravy boat.”

I’m not sure if Marlow’s being sarcastic, but Cammie laughs as she walks away. Turning back to face us, she says, “I will. Gravy for every occasion.”

“I can’t wait,” I reply, laughing.

Marlow says, “I don’t like gravy.”

“We’ve had this discussion before. It’s gelatinous to you, but I could eat a vat of cream gravy. So good.”

“And so Southern of you.”

I shrug unapologetically. Now that I’m thinking about it, I should cook chicken fried steak with cream gravy for dinner. I bet Rad would love it.

When we start for the curb, Marlow checks her phone. From where I stand at her side, I can read the message on the screen: Wear the red.

“Wear the red? Sounds sexy,” I say, pursing my lips to the side, trying to figure out who she’s going to see. “Hot date?”