Fall for Me (13 page)

Chapter Twenty

Beth stood in front of her bedroom mirror studying her body. She had tried to laugh off the scales in front of the girls at the mall today, but the number still stung. It had to be the late dinners with Nick, because otherwise she thought she had been eating really well lately. Since he usually stopped at the gym on the way home, it was usually around seven before they ate. Maybe she could start skipping dinner completely. She could just tell Nick that she was too hungry to wait, and he would never know the difference. He had been making comments on her small portions lately and she didn’t want him to know that she planned to miss a meal. It was unreal how when you’re fat the world seems interested in every bite you put in your mouth, and when you lose the weight, they still seem just as interested.

First, her parents wanted to make sure she didn’t eat too much and blow up, and Nick wanted to make sure she ate enough. Would there ever be a time in her life when no one gave a damn what she ate? Why couldn’t she enjoy her pregnancy like other new first-time mothers-to-be?

She was excited and nervous about being a mother. When she could rise above the panic of gaining weight, she thought a lot about the type of mother she wanted to be. One thing she was certain of, she would never be as cold and distant as her mother. Her children would be allowed to have dreams and they would have the childhood that Suzy and she had always dreamed of.

She heard the door slam in the other room and she quickly stepped away from the mirror. It wouldn’t do for Nick to think that she was worrying about her weight. She didn’t want him to be suspicious when he didn’t see her eating.

Beth walked back into the living room as Nick tossed his keys on the table and dropped his gym bag on the floor. She could feel her heart kick into gear as her eyes slid hungrily over his body. Athletic shorts hung low on his lean hips and narrow waist. His biceps glistened with sweat and his tank top outlined his muscular chest.
Oh, girl, you are in trouble. There is no way you can settle for cuddling again tonight with that sitting next to you. When did you become obsessed with sweaty guys? Shouldn’t you want him to shower first?

Cocking a brow at her, Nick asked, “Hey, princess, what do you want for dinner?”

“You,” Beth moaned. “I mean . . .”

With a grin, he asked, “Could you be a little more specific?”

Beth walked over to him and slid a hand across one of his hard butt cheeks, giving it a firm squeeze. “Is that specific enough for you?”

Giving her a sexy grin, he said, “I’m still not clear on your meaning.”

“Hmm, well, let me make myself a little clearer for you.” Leaving one hand on his ass, she brought her other hand in front and found him rock hard against the flimsy material of his shorts. She traced her hand up his shaft, gripping him firmly. “Get the picture now?”

Heat blazed in his eyes as he pushed himself against her hand. “Oh, yeah, I’ve got it, baby, and I would be more than happy to give it to you.”

Nick lifted her suddenly and laid her on the table, knocking his keys to the floor. He jerked up her skirt to her waist and, through her panties, he cupped his hand over her mound. Feeling the moisture on the fabric, he gave her a rakish grin. “Someone has been waiting for me to get home.”

Beth could only moan as he continued to caress her through the fabric. She bucked her hips against him, wanting his fingers on her bare flesh, but he continued to deny her. He stroked along her slit, edging the panty-covered tip of one finger inside her. Beth groaned deeper in frustration. He only chuckled. Then, frustrating her even more, his hand left her completely and wandered up to unbutton her blouse. He pulled her bra down and her breasts spilled from the top of the cups. He moved in tighter between her legs, rubbing his erection against her core as he took one puckered nipple inside his mouth and nipped it lightly with his teeth. Pain and pleasure converged as his teeth and tongue worked her nipples. Each tug on their sensitive peaks caused an answering surge of heat to blaze through her sex.

He lowered his head to her ear and ran the tip of his tongue around the shell. Then he whispered, “Is this what you had in mind?”

“Oh, God, yes,” she moaned. She locked her legs around his waist and bucked against his cock. “Now, Nick, stop teasing me!”

The teasing light was gone from his eyes as the friction of their bodies rubbing together finally pushed him into the same frantic mode that she was in. He pulled back enough to lower his shorts and briefs. His erection sprang forward in all of its glory. Beth could feel her body moisten further in anticipation. He pulled her legs loose and raised them into the air. He slid her panties off quickly and lowered her legs over his shoulders. Her bottom was elevated in the air as he positioned his large cock at her entrance. He rubbed the head back and forth, lubricating himself with her moisture. “Oh, princess, you are so wet.” Without warning, he plunged forward and buried his cock deep inside her.

“Agh! Oh, that feels so good,” Beth shouted. He set a fast, relentless pace. The sound of their bodies slapping together as she rose to meet his thrusts filled the room. She felt like she would explode if she didn’t reach the peak that she was driving toward. Without warning, he pulled out of her body and flipped her over onto her knees. As she started to protest the loss of his heat, he slammed back into her from behind. Her head fell forward as he drove deeper than she’d ever thought possible. He grabbed her hips as his cock surged into her again and again. Just when she thought she couldn’t take the unbearable ache any longer, she felt his fingers between her slick folds rubbing against her sensitive clit. Stars exploded behind her eyes as the first waves of her orgasm started to rush through her. Her body clenched around his cock, seeming to pull him deeper inside her.

From behind her, she heard Nick’s hoarse shout as his powerful body started to jerk. Her orgasm seemed to set off his and soon they were both moaning and shaking in ecstasy. She felt him rest his forehead on her back as he fought to regain control. “Shit,” he muttered shakily. “That was freaking off the charts, princess.”

A tired laugh escaped her at his statement. “Not too shabby, Mr. Merimon. All of that working out that you do is really paying off. If all the guys at the gym have that much stamina, I might have to start spending more time there.”

Nick playfully swatted her exposed behind. “Ha-ha. I think I can take care of everything you need. Now, let’s go shower off and have dinner.”

Beth tried to look nonchalant as they walked toward the bathroom. “The shower sounds good, but I’ve already eaten.”

“Really? What did you have? Are there any leftovers for me?”

“Um, no. I just made a sandwich when I got home. I think I’m going to start eating earlier. Maybe these late meals are causing me to get sick in the night.”

“Hmm, well, maybe. I’ll start grabbing something before I hit the gym, then. I usually just wait so we can eat together, but if you think it will help you to eat earlier, then you should.”

Beth couldn’t help but feel guilty when he admitted that he waited to eat with her. What else could she do, though? No one understood the struggle she faced every day. Those who knew her when she was heavy were just waiting for her to fail, and those who only knew the thin Beth couldn’t understand why she was so careful about what she ate. If she let it happen, she could gain a huge amount of weight with her pregnancy and, after the babies were born, she would never go back to the way she was now. All of her hard work would be over and Nick would be gone. No way would someone like him stay with the person she had been.

There was no one she could talk to. She would eat small amounts when people were around, but when she was alone, she wouldn’t eat. She would drink a lot of water instead to feel full. Surely, that would slow down the weight gain. If the babies averaged seven or less pounds at their birth, there was no reason that she had to gain more than fifteen or twenty pounds at the most. Everyone would be impressed at how soon she was back to her normal weight after the babies were born.

She walked into the bathroom just as Nick was stepping out of the shower. “Hey, slowpoke, what took you so long?” he asked.

With a chuckle, she said, “I was just taking a break. For some reason, I’m completely worn out. Oh, by the way, Suzy and Gray are having a barbecue Saturday night.”

Nick swung around to look at her. “Please tell me your parents aren’t going to be there. I don’t think I can stomach that two weekends in a row.” Then, lowering his voice in a perfect imitation of her father’s, he said, “Oh, Gray, you better move before a huge cyclone hits your house and knocks the blocks right out from under it. Suzy, where did you get that trampy-looking shirt that you’re wearing? It looks like a sheer tablecloth. Beth, how could you get with child? You know we raised you to believe that people should never, ever have sex. You mother and I conceived you in a test tube on our lunch break.”

Beth fell against the counter, laughing hysterically. “God, please stop! I’m going to pee my pants if you don’t shut up and leave this bathroom now!”

They continued to laugh, but Nick took the threat seriously and made a hasty retreat. Suddenly, the door opened again and he had a questioning look on his handsome face. Shaking her head, she said, “No, they aren’t coming.”

Giving her a devilish grin, he said, “Sweet!” and slammed the door.

* * *

The remainder of the week passed in a blur of work and sex. How had she ever believed she could deny herself the pleasure of sex with Nick? If the man had one specialty, it had to be in the bedroom—or the kitchen, living room, bathroom, hell, pretty much everywhere. She couldn’t seem to get enough of him.

He was also on his best behavior outside the bedroom. As she continued to get sick almost every morning, he was right there holding her hair back, and cleaning her up after it was over. They had also settled into a new routine for their meals. He ate most days before he got home and she continued to let him think that she was eating earlier. The few times he had brought her something sweet, she had nibbled on it until she could discreetly throw it away. Her new diligence seemed to be paying off because she had actually been down a pound that morning for the first time.

Even though her weight seemed to have stabilized, her clothes were still getting tighter and tighter. She was wearing more dresses because the waistbands of her slacks were no longer buttoning. She had resorted to holding the last pair that she had worn to the office together with a rubber band. Due to her pregnancy she could now see the faint outline of a tummy that hadn’t been there a month ago. She was waiting for Nick to say something stupid like “More woman to love.” If he did, she would probably sit down and cry for an hour since her hormones were out of control. Luckily, he seemed to have good self-preservation instincts and had been unusually sweet and supportive.

Nick’s mother had called her yesterday and they had talked for a long time. She was so different from her own mother. If Beth combined all of her phone conversations with her mother in the last ten years, they probably wouldn’t add up to the length of this one call with Nick’s mom. Vicky was so funny and excited about the baby, and she didn’t mention Beth’s relationship with Nick or ask if they were getting married at all. Vicky wanted to give her a baby shower when she was further along because, as she put it, “We have a lot of friends with money who love nothing better than to spend it.” Vicky also made it clear that she and Nick’s father were completely supportive and were there if she and Nick needed anything. Beth had promised that they would go to Charleston for a weekend soon to spend some time with his parents. She had a feeling that she was going to like them immensely.

Beth decided she should probably start lining up replacement parents anyway because her own weren’t likely to ever speak to her again. Vicky and John were going to be at Gray and Suzy’s this evening and Beth was looking forward to spending some time with them without her own parents ruining the evening.

Chapter Twenty-one

Suzy was nowhere to be seen when Beth and Nick arrived for the barbecue. Gray answered the door and ushered them into the living room. Due to a last-minute “meeting” with Nick on the sofa, they were the last ones to arrive. Nick’s mother and father hugged her warmly and then Nick and Beth walked over to talk with Jason, Declan, and Claire.

“Well, Declan and Ella are both here, but things look a bit tense,” Claire whispered.

Nick was talking to Jason and Declan and Beth motioned Ella over to where she was standing with Claire. “I love the dress we picked out. You look wonderful.”

Blushing with pleasure at the compliment, Ella said, “Thanks, but I don’t think anyone else has noticed.”

“Oh, I think he noticed all right. I just saw him checking you out,” Claire said. “Just play it casual and let him come to you. I’m betting that before the evening is over he won’t be able to resist at least talking to you. He might not drag you behind a bush, but conversation is a starting point, right?”

Beth looked around the room and asked, “Where is Suzy? We know she isn’t in the kitchen cooking.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Claire said, “I don’t know. She’s usually the center of attention. I asked Gray and he just said that she had a few calls to return.”

“That’s weird. I don’t know of anything major that we have going on at work so I can’t imagine what it could be,” Beth replied.

At the other side of the room Nick clapped his brother on the shoulder and asked, “So, are we eating tonight? If not, you might want to pass the drink tray around.”

Gray laughed. “Yeah, I’m just waiting for Suzy.”

Beth had to admit that Gray looked the best she had ever seen him. Contentment seemed to radiate from him. It was obvious that he was very happy with Suzy. All was right in their world, and Beth couldn’t think of anyone who deserved it more than her sister.

Suddenly, Gray looked at his watch and cleared his throat. “Okay, everyone, why don’t we head outside. We decided to do something a little different this evening, so we set up everything on the beach in back of the house. It’s a mild evening, so we might as well enjoy it. Suzy will meet us there when she’s ready.”

Does anyone else think this is weird? If I didn’t know Gray better, I’d be in the kitchen checking the freezer for Suzy’s body. What could possibly be keeping her from being here with everyone? Was she even at home? Maybe she’d had a fight with Gray before the party. But if that were so, surely Gray wouldn’t look so happy.

Beth was glad to know that it wasn’t just her when Claire leaned over and asked, “Does this seem a little strange to you?”

“Yeah, it sure does. But you know Suzy. It could be anything. Maybe her leather pants had a run and she’s in the bathroom cussing up a blue streak.”

Claire chuckled as they walked onto the patio and started down the stairs. When they turned the corner, and the beach came into sight, everyone froze. Beth heard Nick mutter, “Either someone’s getting baptized or married.”

“Oh, my,” Claire breathed. “They’re getting married! I can’t believe it. Hey, she picked out a dress without us.”

Everyone slowly made their way forward. Beth could see tears rolling down Gray’s mother’s cheeks as she clasped her husband’s hand tightly.

Suzy stood next to a white arbor with white tulle woven through it. She was simply breathtaking. Her long red hair was loose and the wind made it look like a halo around her. She was wearing a white lace gown with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline. A long train flowed behind the fitted dress and the detailed beadwork glistened in the early evening sunset. Beth smiled as she saw Suzy’s bare feet peeping from beneath the hem of the dress. She had never seen her beautiful sister more radiant.

A man whom Beth didn’t recognize stood beside Suzy, smiling as they all came forward.

“Since Suzy and I have never done anything in our relationship in the normal way, why start now?” Gray said, and laughed. “You are our dearest friends and family and we want to share this moment with you and no one else. Suzy’s parents had a previous engagement and we regret that they couldn’t be here to round out the circle.”

Nick choked. “I can’t believe he got that last part out with a straight face.”

Beth elbowed him in the ribs and continued to listen to Gray. “We apologize that we sprung this on you, but I think you know that Suzy loves surprises and, truthfully, I love her and this idea. I hope that the men in the group will be my unofficial groomsmen, and I know Suzy wants the women to be her bridesmaids.”

Beth ran forward and gave her sister a hug. “I’m going to kill you for not telling me.”

“Me, too,” Claire chimed in. “How could you deny us the torture . . . um, I mean pleasure of planning your wedding?”

Ella stepped forward and gave Suzy a tentative hug next. “You look so beautiful. Your dress is so—”

“Not me?” Suzy asked.

Ella stammered, “No, I mean, it’s just so . . . soft.”

Claire stepped in to bail out Ella. “I believe Ella means that the dress is different from your usual style, but I love it. You make a beautiful bride and I’m so happy for you.”

Suzy did a twirl in the dress, saying, “I don’t know why, but I loved this dress as soon as I saw it. I wanted to look different for my wedding day and this is drastic for me. Ella was right, the dress is soft and that’s why I liked it so much. Gray makes me a softer version of myself, so it’s fitting.”

Gray’s parents stepped forward to hug Suzy, and they all lined up for the informal ceremony.

Mr. Maxwell, the justice of the peace and the man Beth hadn’t recognized, had agreed to perform the private ceremony. He started with the standard wedding passages, and then said, “Grayson and Suzanna have written their own vows and will be exchanging them now.”

Suzy looked into Gray’s eyes while holding on to his hands and said, “I, Suzanna Denton, take thee, Grayson Merimon, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise that from this day forward, your life will never be predictable or boring. I promise to limit our family dinners and rescue you anytime my parents have you cornered, and I promise to tell you when you are being uptight, and forgive you when you apologize. You are every fairy tale that I dreamed of and the forever after that I never dared to hope for. My heart is finally at home with yours, and it will remain there as long as we both shall live and into the beyond.”

Gray brushed a tear from Suzy’s cheek with his thumb as he looked into her eyes. “I, Grayson Merimon, take thee, Suzanna Denton, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise never to use starch in my underwear again. I promise to attend all the Gamecock football games with you, and I promise to learn all of the words to every Bon Jovi song. You are my soul mate, the love of my life, and the woman of my dreams. Never will there be another woman for me. Our hearts and our paths will forever be intertwined.”

Beth sobbed quietly as she watched her sister marry the man of her dreams and was relieved to feel Nick gently slip in behind her and pull her back into his arms. “Shhh, it’s okay, princess,” he whispered into her ear as his lips gently grazed her neck.

When the couple were pronounced husband and wife, Gray swept Suzy into his arms in an elaborate dip and kissed her until Mr. Maxwell cleared his throat and said, “I am pleased to present Mr. and Mrs. Grayson Merimon. May every happiness in life be bestowed upon your union.”

Tears and hugs flowed freely as everyone rushed to congratulate the happy couple. Beth threw her arms around her sister, whispering in her ear, “I’m so happy for you, sis, and I’m sorry that Mom and Dad didn’t come.”

Suzy looked at her with a smile. “Hey, it doesn’t matter. If we had parents like Gray’s, then I would have been upset, but our parents would have ruined the day and you know it. Besides,” she joked, “they gave me some funny lines for my vows, so it’s all good.”

Leave it to Suzy to see the bright side of anything. Gray had mellowed her wild-child sister and it was amazing. She was still the same outspoken, edgy person, but Gray had softened those edges to where they were no longer razor sharp. He had finally shown her the unconditional love that Beth had come to think was a myth. Looking at them now, so deeply in love and so at peace with each other, caused a pang of emptiness in Beth’s heart. Would that ever happen to her? Her relationship with Nick was both exciting and comfortable, but would it ever grow to be love?

* * *

Nick made it a point to be the first in line to kiss the bride at any wedding he attended, but the bride’s sister beat him today. But if he had to lose, then who better to prevail over him? Beth’s eyes were still misty from the ceremony. She was a lot more emotional these days than when they had first met. He found that he secretly liked this softer side she had started to show him. She had never been jarring like Suzy, but she could cut you off at the knees when she wanted to.

Nick still worried about the situation with her parents. There had been no contact since he had blown up at them at the last dinner, and although he didn’t miss them, he wasn’t so sure about Beth. She usually changed the subject when he brought them up. She assured him that she wasn’t bothered by their ugly words about her, but he wasn’t sure about that. Her eating habits had changed since then and he suspected that her parents were the reason. He never saw her eat anymore. She seemed to avoid meals with him altogether, and the few times they did eat together, he couldn’t recall anything actually going in her mouth.

Maybe he was worrying over nothing. Her parents may have made her too self-conscious to eat in front of him now, which was a damn shame. She said she was just trying to lessen her morning sickness and he hoped that was all it was, although something about it gave him a feeling of unease. This was a tough time for a woman and she probably needed more support and compliments from him. He could definitely step things up in that area. He would ask Suzy to keep an eye on her as well. There was no way he was going to allow the poisonous words of her parents to shed a single doubt on what a beautiful woman she was.

* * *

The women finally had a moment to themselves. A catering service had arrived a few moments after the wedding and, by the time they reached the patio, a buffet and tables had been set up for the guests. Beth wanted to groan when she saw the array of mouthwatering food.

She loaded a small plate with a piece of fish and some green beans. Beside her, Suzy was on her second plate of food. Oh, how she envied her sister’s ability to eat anything and never worry about it.

Like Beth, Ella seemed barely to be nibbling at her food, but for altogether different reasons. Declan had yet to seek her out and she was starting to despair that it would ever happen. Beth hated to think it, but maybe it was for the best. She didn’t like imagining how badly he could hurt her friend, if given the chance. Ella was a very special person but Beth still felt like she would be out of her league with someone as worldly wise as Declan. He wasn’t the right man for her.

“So I made sure Gray got Declan here just for you, Ella. I made a special effort, despite all the wedding planning, to get that man here, and you’re still sitting in the corner. You’re wearing the dress and he’s looked at the merchandise, so what the hell are you waiting on, an engraved invitation?” Suzy asked.

“Every time I get near him, he goes the other way. I don’t know what else to do. He doesn’t want anything to do with me and I might as well accept it.”

“Oh, horseshit! Do I have to do everything around here? I’m going to set up some dancing and you are going to dance with him. Leave the details to me. I will make sure it happens. You just push those girls up there in his face and give it all you’ve got.”

Claire burst out laughing. “Only you could be at your own wedding, Suzy, and be trying to hook up your friend. Shouldn’t you be basking in the moment with your groom and not worrying about Ella’s girls being on display?”

“It might be my wedding, but when someone is so obviously in need of my expert services, I can’t turn them away. Just hang on, Ella, and I’ll take care of it as soon as we cut that big-ass cake that Gray ordered. There are only a few of us; what does he think we’re going to do with the rest of it?”

“Hey, Beth,” Claire said. “How are things working out with Operation Clinger? Has Nick resorted to begging yet?”

Beth turned a shade of red usually reserved for Ella. “Um . . . I couldn’t make it past the second day. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I want sex all the time. I don’t want to cuddle with him; I want to jump his bones . . . all the time.”

“Ugh,” Suzy interjected. “That’s wrong. Shouldn’t you be nesting or something and not doing our boss nine ways ’til Sunday?”

“I knew you would never make it.” Claire laughed. “I was the same way when I was pregnant. Jason refers to it as the glory days. I didn’t even need him around to get off.”

Looking from Claire to Beth, Suzy asked, “When did you both turn into me? If Ella suddenly starts talking about sex and orgasms, I will know the world is on the verge of collapse.”

Suddenly, Beth had a thought. “Hey, where are you two going on your honeymoon? Since we didn’t know anything about the wedding, I think we at least deserve to know where you’re going ahead of time.”

“Well, I really hate to admit this, but I don’t know. Gray wanted to surprise me. I just hope it doesn’t horrify me instead. It had better not be some hiking trip somewhere. I like to chill in my downtime and put forth very little effort.” Then, giving a saucy grin, she added, “Well, unless it’s between the sheets, and then it’s my pleasure.”

Beth and Claire laughed and Ella turned her usual shade of crimson, but gave a shy smile. The poor girl would probably be high-fiving them soon if she continued to spend so much time around Suzy.

Gray walked over at that moment and leaned down to kiss Suzy on the top of her head. “I don’t even want to know what you three are laughing about. I think it’s time for our dance, Mrs. Merimon.” Suzy took the hand that Gray extended and pulled him aside. Beth saw Gray shake his head and give her an indulgent smile. They walked to the center of the patio and Gray said, “Excuse me for a moment, everyone.” When all eyes were on him, he continued. “As you all know, my wife is very shy and doesn’t like to be the center of attention.” As the hoots of laughter finally died down, Gray continued. “Since my wife is so shy, we would both love it if everyone would join us in our first dance as a married couple. So Mom and Dad, Jason and Claire, Nick and Beth, and Declan and Ella, we would consider this the perfect wedding if you would join in as well.”