Breathless

CHAPTER 1

The cliché was right, Amanda mused as she watched her best friend Lucy recite her vows. Brides did glow on their wedding day. She clutched her bouquet a little tighter and blinked back the tears as Lucy slid the ring on to Jason’s finger.

Jason grinned at Lucy before wiping away the tear sliding down her cheek. As Jason recited his vows, Amanda glanced at the people sitting in the folding chairs. There weren’t many. Putting a wedding together in two months didn’t leave much time for out-of-town guests to be there, but the people Jason and Lucy loved most were there.

She smiled at Lucy’s mom, who gave her a quick wink before patting her husband’s hand and handing him a tissue. Lucy’s dad was weeping shamelessly, and Amanda hid her grin as the man’s tear-filled gaze shifted to her. She gave him a subtle thumbs-up, and he nodded before wiping at the tears streaming down his face.

She swept her gaze over the other guests. Jason’s family sat in the front row, and the sight of Lenny sitting on Jason’s mother’s lap almost made her giggle. The large black cat looked supremely pissed off, probably thanks to the white satin bow tied around his neck. She wondered how long it would take before he simply clawed free of Rita’s lap and bolted for the house.

The breeze picked up a little, blowing a strand of curly blonde hair across her face. It stuck to her lip gloss, and she tugged it away as a bit of sand stung her eye. Getting married on the beach was romantic, but holy hell, did the sand get everywhere. She had no idea how, but she was certain she already had sand in her underwear. She shifted, sinking her bare toes into the warm sand and silently thanking Lucy again for insisting the wedding party be barefoot. High heels in the sand would have been a nightmare.

Her stomach did a lazy flip-flop when she caught the stare of the giant sitting in the back row. Like the other guests, he was dressed casually. The beige pants and white dress shirt looked damn good on him, though. He needed a haircut, she thought. His blond hair was almost past his collar. She blushed when he cocked his head and grinned at her. She returned his smile before averting her gaze. Staring at Lucy’s coworker, Max, was a bad idea.

Not that bad of an idea.

Yes, it most definitely was. Max had already asked her out once, and she’d turned him down. Her feelings for her ex, Jamie, hadn’t changed, and it wouldn’t do to encourage Max in any way. Even if she did find him smoking hot and had, more than once over the last two months, wondered if his dick was as big as the rest of him.

Jesus, Amanda! You’re at your best friend’s wedding. Get it together, you sex-starved pervert!

I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, the minister said.

The wedding guests cheered as Jason tugged Lucy into his embrace and kissed her. After a minute or two, Alex, Jason’s best friend and best man, nudged him in the back.

Come up for air, buddy.

Jason released Lucy and grinned at her as she waved her hand in front of her flushed face. Holding Jason’s hand, she smiled at their friends and family as the minister cleared his throat.

May I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Jason Young.

Their family and friends cheered again as Jason and Lucy walked past them. Alex held out his arm, and Amanda tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow as they followed Jason and Lucy. Her best friend looked breathtaking in her wedding dress. The dress's bodice had spaghetti straps and hugged Lucy’s upper body in a classic empire style while the bottom half flowed gracefully over her bottom and hips. It was white satin with only a bit of lace trimming on the gown's hem, and the simplicity suited Lucy and their casual beach wedding perfectly.

They were moving past the last row now, and she deliberately kept her gaze on Lucy’s cascade of long dark hair even though a dismayingly large part of her wanted to glance over at Max. They followed Lucy and Jason to the large canvas tent erected on the beach only a few feet away. She ducked inside and squeezed Alex’s arm before letting go and hurrying toward Lucy. She could hear the other guests laughing and talking as they headed to the tent, and she wanted to hug Lucy before they swamped her.

Lucy?

Lucy turned, and Amanda wrapped her in a warm hug. Congratulations, honey. I’m so happy for you.

Lucy beamed at her. Thank you, Amanda. This moment might never have happened if it hadn’t been for you and your intervention, slapping, and horrible cookies.

Amanda laughed. Nope, you and Jason were meant to be. You would have gotten back together eventually. I just hurried the process along with my meddling.

Well, I am extremely grateful for your meddling. Jason grinned at her.

You’re welcome, handsome, she said. Now, plant one on me before the rest of your guests swarm in here.

She turned her cheek toward him, and he kissed it before taking Lucy’s hand again. I’m starving. When do we eat?

Lucy whacked him gently on the back. We still have to say hi to everyone and take photographs. Then you can eat, Mr. Young.

He reached behind her and squeezed her ass as the wedding guests entered the tent. Whatever you say, Mrs. Young.

Amanda, what do you say we hit the bar while waiting for the two newlyweds to finish talking to their guests? Alex drawled at her.

You are required to stay sober until after the pictures are done, Alex, Lucy said.

He saluted her solemnly. Your wish is my command, Mrs. Young. C’mon, Amanda, let’s have a toast to the newlyweds while the wedding guests take bets on whether we end up in bed together tonight.

Amanda laughed and took his offered arm. Well, how can I resist when you put it like that?

So, are we taking bets on whether Alex and Alex sleep together? Jason asked as he joined Lucy and Amanda at the head table. The party was in full swing, with most guests dancing in the middle of the tent.

Lucy laughed. They make a cute couple.

Amanda followed her gaze to where Alex, the best man, sat at one of the tables. Lucy and Jason’s coworker, Alex, sat on his lap, and Amanda watched as male Alex cupped her head and pulled her down for a long kiss.

They’re definitely having sex tonight, Jason said. Although, I thought the best man and maid of honour were supposed to hook up at these things.

He grinned at Amanda as Lucy elbowed him in the stomach. Jason, behave. But, she glanced meaningfully at Amanda, if you and Alex started dating, think of how much fun the four of us could have together.

No, thank you, Amanda said with a grin. Alex is a nice guy, but he’s not my type.

Yeah, because he’s a nice guy. You only fall in love with the guys who treat you like shit.

She tried to ignore her inner voice. Not that it wasn’t right – every guy she’d ever dated had been the quintessential bad boy. She had a type, unfortunately, and she wondered what was wrong with her that made her crave unconditional love from men who weren’t capable of it.

Oh God, Lucy suddenly said. Dad’s breakdancing.

She covered her eyes with her hand as Jason laughed. That guy is going to have so much sand in his underwear. Lesson one at a beach wedding – never breakdance.

I can’t look – is it over? Lucy asked as the music ended.

Yes, Jason replied. Although it looks like he might show my dad how to breakdance.

The music started again, a song with a slow, soft beat, and Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God, saved by the music.

Jason stood and held out his hand. Mrs. Young, will you dance with me?

I’d love to, Mr. Young, Lucy said.

They joined the other couples dancing in the soft sand, and, after a furtive glance around, Amanda slipped her phone out of her purse and checked her messages. There was a text from Jamie telling her to have fun at the wedding, and she smiled a little. She hadn’t told Lucy this, but three weeks ago, after a month of Jamie texting and begging for forgiveness, she flew out to New York for the weekend. Jamie paid for the plane ticket and her hotel room and wasn’t even upset when she refused to sleep with him. Hell, she hadn’t even let him kiss her. She was still pissed about the fact that he had been sleeping with other women even though they were technically no longer dating.

They’d gone to a Broadway show, walked through Central Park, and did a few other touristy things. Since that weekend, he had sent her flowers and daily texts, and she was more than a little impressed by his attempts. He had never been like this, not even when they were dating. She was slowly starting to believe that he had changed and that it might be a good idea to date him again.

May I have this dance?

She jammed her phone back into her purse and smiled at the man beside her. Hi, Max.

Hello, Amanda. Would you like to dance?

She hesitated before nodding and taking his hand. A small ribbon of heat unfurled in her belly, and she gave him a tentative smile as they joined the other couples. He slid his arm around her waist and held her hand loosely. His large hand swallowed her small one, sending another ribbon of heat through her. He was so tall she couldn’t reach to place her hand on his shoulder, so she settled for resting it on his upper arm.

How are you?

I’m good, thanks. How are you? she said as he moved her in a slow circle.

Good. Finally finished unpacking, Max said.

You must be happy about that.

I am. It was a prolonged and excruciating process that I have no one to blame but myself for, he replied with a grin.

She smiled and tried to ignore the shiver down her spine when his big hand gripped her hip a little more firmly. You’re looking lovely, by the way.

Thanks, she said. You need a haircut.

Um, thanks? he said.

I’m sorry, I just meant you should make an appointment at the salon, she said, then winced. I mean – you look really lovely too, just long-haired and lovely.

He laughed so loudly that Lucy and Jason, dancing near them, glanced over. Amanda flushed as Lucy gave her a slight grin. She looked hastily away from her best friend. Sorry, Max.

It’s fine, he said. I do need a haircut. Maybe I’ll make an appointment for next week.

That sounds good, she said. You have great hair. It’s fun to cut it.

Idiot!

You know you’re not the first hair stylist to tell me that, he said. It’s the little comments like these that I’m going to hold onto when I start going bald.

She laughed and studied his thick hair. I doubt that’s something you have to worry about.

You haven’t met my Uncle Todd. I’m exactly like him – right down to the height and thick hair. I saw pictures of him in the sixties, and he had hair down to his waist. Now he’s bald as a cue ball, as the saying goes. My aunt says it’s just migrated from his head to his back.

Amanda snorted laughter, and Max grinned at her. Someday, I’ll tell you the story about when he got my aunt to wax his back. We turned it into a family affair. Ate popcorn and made bets on when he’d start crying and how much wax my aunt would have to use.

Your poor uncle, Amanda said.

Poor uncle? He’s the one who invited us to watch. He even made my dad record it.

What? Why?

He glanced around before leaning down. Just between us, he said in a low voice, I’m pretty sure they recorded it so that in the bedroom that night, they could watch my uncle writhing in pain. My aunt was only a little over five feet, and my uncle towered over her. But when my cousin was a teenager, he came home from school early one day and found my uncle strapped to the bed and my aunt in full Dominatrix mode, spanking him with a leather crop.

No! Amanda said.

Hand to God, Max said. My cousin is still in therapy over it.

She couldn’t help laughing, and Max said, At least now we know why my uncle used to wince every time he sat down.

"So, you’re exactly like your uncle?" she said teasingly.

Are you asking me if I like to be spanked?

Do you? She had never spanked a boyfriend and never even had the urge to. So why exactly was this conversation bringing forth an image of Max stretched out in her bed, her small body straddling his while she pinned his arms down and took what she wanted from him? It was a ridiculous illusion – Max was so large he could easily overpower her.

Not if you tied him to your bed. Then you could do whatever you wanted to the big guy.

The thought brought an embarrassing amount of wetness between her thighs.

Are you offering to spank me? Max asked.

If I were, would you let me? Her voice was breathless, and even she could hear the need in it.

She could barely bite back her moan when his big hand dipped lower until it was resting against the top of her ass, and he tugged her up against his hard body.

Butterfly, he said in a low and deliciously sexy voice, you can do whatever you want to me in your bed.

She shivered all over, her hand tightening