“Stella.” I let the word linger on my tongue for a moment. “That’s a pretty name,” I tell her, staring at her cherry-colored lips before I meet her eyes. She tugs on the corner of her lip with her perfectly straight teeth, and when I turn to walk away, she sighs. Realizing she’s not following, I stop and cross my arms over my chest with an eyebrow raised. She gives me a huff and a cute smile, then I grab her hand as we snake our way through the crowd. The attraction between us is hot like fire, and it might actually burn us both.

Just as I get to the middle of the room with all the other bachelors, the DJ plays a sexy song that makes everyone laugh while Alex takes his time lifting River’s skirt. He climbs up her body, placing his head under her dress, and when he pops back out, he has the garter in his teeth. Standing in the front, I crack my fingers, wanting—for the first time in my life—to catch the garter. Alex twirls it around his finger before he turns his back and flicks it toward the group of us. Most of the guys take a step back, trying to dodge it as the garter flies through the air, and I simply lift my hand and catch it. Alex walks over to me and gives me a big hug, and of course, the photographer has us stand together for a photo. River wraps her arms around me too, and I can hear Courtney in the background yelling over everyone.

“Get married and have some kids too!”

Laughter fills the room, and soon the DJ lowers the lights and turns on the slow music that’s made just for dancing. I move across the room toward Stella who’s wearing a smile.

“That’s not fair. Hair extensions and nails get ripped off for the bouquet, and the guys basically gave the garter to you. Not a fair exchange.”

I open my mouth to say something just as the photographer asks if she can take our picture together. Stella goes and grabs the bouquet that looks like it’s been through a war. Wrapping my arm around her, we hold our treasures and pose for a photograph that I hope doesn’t haunt me later on.

“I need another drink,” Stella says, the sweetness of the wine she was drinking on her breath.

Before we make it to the bar, we’re inundated by family as the slow song ends. I try to quickly introduce everyone before the guys flood me with questions. “This is Alex, John, and Drew. Then there’s Dylan, Jacob, Mason, and William. That over there is Jackson. You’re never going to remember any of this,” I say with a laugh when I realize she’s already lost.

“Howdy.”

“Hey.”

“Hello.”

They all greet her, and I can tell they’re dying to ask who she is. I’m not usually accompanied to family events, but after getting shit from everyone for not having a date to the wedding, I figured I’d take a page from my brother’s book tonight and have a good time. It certainly helps that no one here knows who she is, so I won’t be pressured into inviting her to have dinner with the family. It can’t be anything more than what it is right now, but the guys are giving me side-eyes, and I just hope they keep their mouths shut for once.

“I’m Stella.” She smiles sweetly at the crowd surrounding us.

“Now let’s see if you can name us all.” Dylan laughs, and Stella shakes her head.

“There’s no way. I blame the alcohol.”

“Speaking of.” I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her over to the bar.

All the couples dance together, and Stella and I find seats at the bar and drink like we’re anti-relationship, and in a roundabout way, maybe we are. We turn around to people watch, and we’re laughing at nothing.

“So where are you from?” I ask her, knowing she’s not from around here.

“East Texas. But honestly, I don’t want to get all personal. Not trying to be an ass; I just don’t want all that.”

I clink my glass against hers. “Deal.”

“Look at all the happy couples,” she says, lifting her drink toward the dance floor.

“Fuck relationships,” I tell her with a grin.

She tilts her body and sets her glass down. “Exactly. That’s my motto at least. Relationships are overrated.”

It feels amazing to let loose with someone who knows nothing about me or my past or anything. Right now, at this moment, I’m a man, and she’s a beautiful woman, and that’s it. Nothing personal. Nothing too deep. However, something about her makes me feel like I’ve known her for a lifetime.

I narrow my eyes at her as I finish off my whiskey and tonic. “You seem so familiar. I can’t place it though.”

She throws her head back and lets out a big laugh. “Maybe it’s because we’re both so goddamn cynical about relationships. Because honestly, most weddings make me want to vomit. Not this one though. But others. I usually try to wiggle my way out of them, but I didn’t really have a choice today.”

Tilting my head at her, I set my drink down next to hers. “Dance with me.”

“No way. We’d just be giving in to the normalcy.” Stella smiles.

I stand and hold out my hand. “Please?”

Shaking her head, she laughs. “I suck at dancing.”

“You just haven’t had a great teacher. That’s all.” I drop down to one knee and hold out my hand. “Please?” And just like that, I’m begging. Damn whiskey has turned against me.

She playfully rolls her eyes but stands and grabs my hand. Once we’re on the dance floor, “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran comes on. It’s such a cliché wedding dance song, but I walk out to the middle of the floor, and she stops at the edge. I curl my finger, demanding she come to me, and after a moment, she hesitantly walks toward me. Placing one hand on the small of her back, I grab her hand with my other one and interlock our fingers together before pulling her close. Her breath hitches, and when I look into her eyes, it’s only then I realize our faces are only inches apart.

“I knew you couldn’t deny me,” I tell her. She pretends as if she’s going to walk away, and I pull her hand, making her spin toward me right before I dip her.

“Who the hell are you?” she whispers when I bring her back to her feet.

“Just another cynical human dancing with a beautiful woman.”

I twirl her around again, and she can’t stop smiling.

“You’re not a bad dancer,” I say against the crook of her neck.

“It’s you. I swear I usually have two left feet.” When Stella looks up at me with so much fire and passion in her eyes, I’m tempted to ask her a dozen personal questions, but I know I can’t go there.

“Stella…”

“Yes?” she mutters.

“All we have is tonight. And that’s it.”

She runs her fingers through my hair. “I know.”

“Come to my room with me.”

Laughing, she pretends to have to think about it. “I have rules though.”

Now I laugh. “I do too. Nothing personal. Just one night. The attraction is undeniable, and I know I don’t want to wake up tomorrow with regret. Whaddaya say?”

“Me either,” she tells me. “Just one night.”

I cross my heart and tap her nose with my finger.

“Wait, did you just dare me?” she jokes because we both know this time I didn’t.

“Uh,” I hesitate, somewhat confused.

“I can never pass up a dare,” she states confidently with a wink before licking her lips.

I run my fingers through her hair, and she leans into it. “Then hell yes, it was a dare.”

“Can we go now?” she asks just as the song ends.

“Absolutely.” I lead her outside where a few of the ranch hands are driving people to the B&B in the side by side utility vehicles.

“Seriously?” she says over the rumble of the engine. “Where are we going?”

“I’m staying up the road at the bed and breakfast. And don’t you know, buzzed driving is drunk driving,” I say seriously, witnessing many aftermath situations of drunk drivers. Charlie rolls his eyes but remains silent. It doesn’t take any time at all before the front porch of the B&B comes into view. The warm glow of the lights on in the house beams like beacons in the night.

“Thanks, Charlie,” I say, patting him on the back. Stella gives me a curious look, probably wondering how I know his name, and when I don’t offer an explanation, she opens but quickly closes her mouth. Nothing personal. She doesn’t need to know who I am or that this is my family’s ranch. For tonight, I’m just a guy, and she’s just a girl.

As we walk up the steps, I turn around and look at Charlie, placing my finger on my lips. He gives me a head nod and backs out of the driveway. Stella is my secret—one that I don’t want to get around.

We left the wedding before everyone else, so I know the B&B will be empty minus a couple of workers. I decide I’m not going to worry about it, though because sneaking away with Stella has my adrenaline pumping with more desire than I’ve felt in a long time.

Opening the front door, I rest my palm on her back and ease her inside. It’s eerily quiet, just as I’d hoped. She takes a moment to look around, but I quickly grab her hand and lead her upstairs to my room. I could’ve stayed at John and Jackson’s house, which is within walking distance from here, but I know my brothers well enough to know the party wouldn’t have ended when the reception was over.

“It’s very rustic in here,” she states as we make our way down the hallway.

“And floral,” I add with a chuckle. I unlock the door and push it open. Before she can step inside, I grab her elbow and pull her back until my lips hover over her ear. “You sure about this?”

Her breath hitches before she exhales and turns her head to the side. “Are you backing out of the dare?”

I run my hand down her bare arm, my fingertips feeling the goose bumps forming over her skin. “I have no reason to, but I just want you to be certain. I know you’ve been drinking and maybe the thought of a one-night stand was exciting, and now that we’re here, you’re second-guessing yourself.”

I don’t know why the fuck I’m rambling, but I need to hear her say the words. I respect women too much to take advantage of the fact that she’s had alcohol, and the last thing I need is a scandal with my entire family involved.

Instead of answering me, she steps farther into the room and turns around with her arms reaching behind her back. I slam the door shut behind me, and when I look at her, my cock presses against the fabric of my dress pants, begging to be released.

She’s eye fucking me as she slowly and torturously undoes the belt that’s nothing more than decoration around her waist, then unzips the dress that's hugged her body all night long.

Standing frozen with my legs parted and my arms crossed, I wait, anticipating her next move. When the fabric pools at her feet, I’m completely mesmerized by the sight of her. I shouldn’t be shocked she’s not wearing a bra, but her lacy black panties send a thrilling shock through my body.

“Does this answer your question?” she asks. The confidence radiating off her makes me hard as fuck.

I take two long strides before I’m standing in front of her, and when she lowers her eyes and sees the aching bulge, she bites down on her lower lip.

“Fuck, Stella. You’re so goddamn beautiful.” I lower my body, cupping her breast and wrapping my mouth around her nipple, swirling my tongue around the tall peak. A moan vibrates off her lips as she runs her fingers through my hair, and when she pulls roughly, it drives me fucking crazy.

After thoroughly sucking and alternating between her breasts, I straighten and watch as she tries to calm her breathing. I grasp the back of her neck, pulling her body flush against mine as I claim her mouth and sink my tongue between her full lips. She tastes sweet, and when she moans against my mouth, I don’t know how much longer I can hold back. Her fingers tug harder in my hair as she angles her neck, so I take the opportunity to deepen the kiss.

Stepping back, I take a mental snapshot of how fucking gorgeous she is in red high heels and black panties. “I always heard a woman wore black panties because she wanted someone to see them.” I take off my tux jacket and drop it to the floor.

“Then I guess tonight’s your lucky night.” She teases me by placing her thumbs in the waistband of her lace panties.

I smirk and watch as she slides out of them. Fuck, I want her so bad. “Any preferences, darlin’?” I ask, gripping her hips and inhaling the fresh scent of her shampoo.

She wraps a hand around my neck, pulling my head closer to hers, and then she says just above a whisper, “I want to be fucked so hard I feel you for days.” Her words are meant to shock, but they don’t. Instead, they flow directly to my cock.

With a popped eyebrow, I begin undoing the cuff links. “You have no idea what you just asked for, sweetheart,” I warn her in a promising tone.

“I think I do,” she quips, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip.

Goddamn, this woman just might be my undoing.