in air, then moaned. “Oh, Evan. You’re making me…” She gasped again.
“I’m making you what, love? Tell me.” His intense gaze held hers as he continued to plunge into her.
Pleasure quivered through her, tickling her senses. She could barely think straight.
“Come. Oh, God, you’re making me…” Joy swelled through her. “Ah … come!” The last word broke into a long moan as an orgasm erupted through her.
Evan groaned and drove deep into her. She could feel him pulse inside her. They clung to each other, riding the waves of bliss together.
Finally, his body relaxed and she sighed in contentment. He nuzzled her neck, then rolled to her side, gazing at her with glittering eyes. She smiled, then he captured her lips in a sweet, lingering kiss.
She snuggled against him and lay in silence, not willing to threaten their afterglow with words that might drag them abruptly back to reality.
* * *
Evan couldn’t believe it. Crystal’s soft body was pressed tightly against him, both of them still hot and slick from their passionate lovemaking. He didn’t want this moment to end. He drew his arm tighter around her, reveling in her warmth and the delicate scent of vanilla in her hair.
The sound of a cell phone ring tone—the “Wedding March”—broke the silence. Crystal tensed in his arms, probably at the reminder that this was her wedding day and her groom had abandoned her.
He snatched up the pink cell phone from the bedside table.
“Hello, Renee,” he said.
“How’s she doing?” Renee asked.
“Okay, considering.”
He glanced down at Crystal, and she nodded and reached for the phone.
“Hi, Renee.” Crystal drew away from him and sat up, tucking the sheet around her body. “Uh, no, not here.” She paused. “No, really, I’m fine going out somewhere.” She glanced at Evan. “Yeah, we’ll find it.”
Crystal hung up. “She wants to meet with us. She suggested coffee at a bistro a couple of streets over. Is that okay with you?”
“Of course.” Except that it meant they both had to leave this bed.
She stood up, pulling the sheet with her, and shuffled to one of the suitcases on a stand against the wall. She pulled out some clothes, then headed into the bathroom. Just before she closed the door, she stuck her head into the room again.
“Go ahead and grab some clothes from Brent’s suitcase.”
Once she closed the door, Evan stood up and approached the dark gray suitcase. He rifled through it and pulled out a pair of jeans and a striped blue cotton shirt. He didn’t like the idea of wearing Brent’s clothes, but he couldn’t go out in his tuxedo.
Ten minutes later, they walked along the street in the late afternoon sunlight.
“There it is,” Crystal said, pointing to the blue-and-white sign indicating the Blue Heron Bistro.
He opened the door for her, and she stepped inside. Renee waved at them from a table by the window. They sat down and Crystal took a sip of the iced tea Renee had waiting for her.
“How are you doing, honey?” Renee asked, gazing at her with concern.
Crystal shrugged. She couldn’t lie and say she was fine. Even if she could, Renee would see right through her. Renee patted Crystal’s hand. It was amazing how such a small gesture from her big sister made her feel so cared for.
Renee glanced at Evan. “So, have you been keeping our girl entertained?”
Crystal felt Evan stiffen beside her, and she stifled a giggle. “He’s been wonderful.”
Renee glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Their gazes locked, and Crystal knew Renee had figured out exactly what had happened between them.
“That’s great,” Renee continued. “So listen, about the trip.”
Crystal’s chest constricted. She didn’t want to think about her honeymoon. The one she was supposed to go on with the man who loved her, but who obviously didn’t love her or he wouldn’t have betrayed her. But at the same time, the thought of losing her dream