A Drop of Pretty Poison: A Brother’s Best Friend Romance (Pretty Poison Trilogy Book 2)

Laiken’s head rests against my chest as we sway to “Take My Name” by Parmalee. The slow sound of the wedding version is perfect, and the lyrics are so accurate, you’d think it was written about us. Our wedding may have essentially been a sprint down the aisle, but this is one thing I wouldn’t skip.

To have her in my arms, dancing to the song that comes the closest to portraying how I feel about her—nothing can beat this. Her vows replay on a loop inside my head, and a part of me considers tattooing every word on my chest. Right over the heart that will never belong to anyone else.

“I love you, Mrs. Wilder,” I tell her softly.

She lifts her head and looks up at me with a smile. “I love you, too.”

LET ME PREFACE THIS by saying I love my family. The people in this house that watched and supported us as we got married, they’re the best family I could ask for. But they need to get the fuck out.

You see, from the second Laiken came down the stairs in that dress, the only thing I’ve been able to think about is getting her alone. And after spending the last few hours celebrating us, all I want to do is love her in the best way I know how.

“Do I look pregnant or something?” Laiken huffs.

I scratch the back of my neck and squint. “This feels like a trap.”

She glares at me as Mali laughs. “Easy. You have to wait until after the marriage is filed with the court before you kill him. Otherwise, you’re just a homicidal bride.”

My head tilts to the side as I look at Mali. “Do you contemplate my murder often?”

“Are you kidding? That’s my bestfriend,” she scoffs. “I’ve thought of every last angle. Hurt her and everyone will think you’re on a coke binge in Vegas with a couple of hookers.”

“Is that something I would do?”

She smirks and winks at me, while Laiken rolls her eyes.

“Can you two focus? Pastor Todd just told me to make sure I reach out when we’re ready to get the baby baptized!”

Wow. Her mom really is dead set on this pregnancy thing. “Relax, babe. Everyone will realize you’re not pregnant eventually.”

“Great. In the meantime, they all think I’m with child.”

Having a family of my own was never something I imagined being in my future. After all, that requires being with someone for longer than a couple hookups. But for the first time, that thought doesn’t scare the shit out of me.

I wrap my arms around Laiken’s waist and pull her against me. “Get all these people to leave before I drag you upstairs and fuck you anyway.”

“My dad and Cam would literally kill you,” she drawls.

Pressing a light kiss to the back of her shoulder, I hum. “Guess you’re going to be a widow then.”

She leans back and turns her head to smile at me, kissing my forehead. It’s such a simple move, one she probably didn’t think twice about, but it sets me on fire. Because that’s what she does. Everything I am and everything I want to be revolves around her.

WE STAND AT THE front door, with my arm around Laiken as we wave goodbye. The minute the car pulls out of view, I turn and pin her against the doorway—covering her mouth with my own. The kiss we shared when we said I do, along with each one after that, they weren’t enough.

Her hands come around to my back and she drags her nails down it, moaning breathlessly. “Is this where you steal my virtue?”

Grabbing her ass, I pull her into me and grind against her. “This is where I make you feel so good the neighbors will need earplugs.”

“Yes, please,” she says, kissing me again.

I groan into her mouth. “That’s my good girl.”

She squeals as I bend down and lift her up bridal style. I carry her up the stairs and into our bedroom. But when I go to lay her on the bed, she stops me.

“I have a surprise for you,” she says.

I’m thrown by the slight edge of nerves in her voice, but she doesn’t give me a chance to question it before she goes into the bathroom and shuts the door. While I wait, I take off my shirt and toss it into the laundry basket.

Lying on the bed, I let the events of today play through my mind. If someone told me at the beginning of this summer that I would be married by the end of it, I’d ask for some of whatever they were taking. But now that I’m here, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I fell for her so damn fast it makes my head spin. Or maybe the feelings I swore I didn’t have all those years ago just never really went away—they grew in the background instead.

It’s almost funny to think that I actually tried to keep things between us casual. I should’ve known I never stood a chance at that.

“What’s my surprise?” I call out.

She opens the door a crack and sticks her head out. “Don’t be impatient.”

“Know who you married. I don’t have a patient bone in my body when it comes to getting you beneath me.”

Her eyes roll. “Okay, okay. One more minute.”

I grab my phone and respond to a text from my mom, telling me how happy she is for Laiken and me. Just as I hit send, the bathroom door opens once more.

“Okay,” Laiken murmurs.

Glancing up from my phone, the biggest grin immediately spreads across my face when I see her. She’s leaning against the doorway, dressed in a fucking trench coat. It’s been a running joke since the night I finally stopped fighting this, and as my eyes rake over her, I realize there isn’t anything she doesn’t look sinful in.

“Please tell me you have nothing on under that,” I beg.

She bites on her bottom lip. “Why don’t you come find out for yourself?”

I definitely don’t need to be told twice. Standing up, I stalk toward her—keeping my gaze locked with hers. Once I’m close enough, I slowly undo the coat and slide it off her shoulders, but the moment I do, I’m fucking speechless.

She’s wearing white, lacy lingerie. It looks like she tapped into a fantasy I didn’t even realize I had and replicated it perfectly. The bodysuit hugs her in all the right places. And as I slide my hands down over the soft material, she arches into my touch.

“You like it?” she questions, looking up at me through hooded lashes.

I exhale, not even able to make a joke right now. “I love it. God, you’re stunning.” Pulling her closer into me, I put my lips to the shell of her ear. “I am going to worship every last inch of your body.”

“It’s all yours.”

Fuck. “Damn right it is.”

My lips meet the skin between her neck and her shoulders first, kissing it softly. I meant what I said—I’m going to take my time with her tonight. She lets out a breath and arches her neck to give me more space, while I drag my fingertips up the inside of her thigh.

The good thing about these bodysuit things is it’s so simple to slide it right out of the way. And when my fingers brush across her clit, she looks more than pleased with her decision. Her back is against the bathroom doorway, and I lift her right leg just enough to give me the right angle.

It’s so fucking hot to see her like this, instantly starting to come apart on my fingers. But what she doesn’t know is I don’t plan on stopping until she’s begging me. Her head falls back as she gives me the first orgasm of the night and she bites her lip, but never again does she need to be quiet. Not in here. Not with me.

“Nuh-uh,” I tell her. “You’re going to let me hear all of it. I want you screaming until your throat is raw.”

Dropping down to my knees, I move her leg so it’s draped over my shoulder. She watches me as I smirk at her, and dive into something much more delicious than the wedding cake she fed me earlier. A breathy moan leaves her mouth while I suck on her clit and slip two fingers inside.

“Oh my God,” she pants. “Your mouth should be illegal.”

I smirk against her pussy. That’s one thing I love about her—she’s always so damn responsive. Just one flick of my tongue is enough to have her squirming, and she doesn’t even realize how much it turns me on.

“Mali can get you another one of these things, right?” I ask, referring to the bodysuit.

She nods, and that’s all I need to know before I rip the bottom of it in half, freeing her completely to me.

“That’s better.”

A soft laugh leaves her mouth, but the second I’m on her again it turns to a moan. Her fingers come down to lace into my hair, and she arches her hips to grind herself against my face. The taste of her is so addictive I can’t get close enough. I want to fucking suffocate on her.

Gripping her waist, I lift her up. Her other leg goes over my shoulder as I carry her over to the bed and lie back with her on my face. She instantly tries to hover, but when I grip her and pull her down, she gets the point.

“Fuck,” she breathes. “Hayes.”

That’s it, baby.

Her hips start to move as she grinds on my face, until she’s desperately chasing her own high for the second time. And when she lets go, she fills the room with the sound of it as my mouth carries her through it, her whole body trembling from the sensation.

“Look at you. So fucking good for me.”

She climbs off and starts undoing my pants. “Always good for you.”

“You are, baby,” I tell her. “You’re always perfect for me. So perfect.”

Sliding my pants and boxers down in one move, my cock springs free. She wraps her hand around the base and drops down to kiss the tip. Her mouth opens slightly as she licks the precum off and hums. It shouldn’t be nearly as hot as it is, but everything about her is so damn sinful.

“God, Lai. You’re incredible.” My eyes stay focused on her as she kisses and sucks on the shaft. “Such a pretty mouth on my cock.”

Her tongue slides up the underside before she takes me completely into her mouth. I feel myself hit the back of her throat and she chokes on my dick, only to pull back and do it again. It’s so intense, the way she wraps her lips around me, I press my head back into the pillow.

And when she takes my hand and puts it on her head, a silent message to fuck her mouth, I’m in complete awe of her.

I grip her hair and arch my hips, pulling her down and feeling her gag on me. Her eyes find mine and she looks just as turned on as I am right now. Because that’s how we are—not only does our own pleasure get us going, but so does the other’s.

As I thrust up into her mouth, I keep my gaze locked with hers. She’s so fucking hot like this, with tears in her eyes from gagging on my cock as I slide deep into her throat. But if I keep going, I’m not going to be able to stop myself, and I’m not done with her yet.

I pull her off me and go to move, but she places a hand on my chest and pushes me back down. Throwing one leg over me, she holds my dick in place and lowers herself onto me. And holy shit, I get so deep like this.

She starts to bounce on my cock, still wearing the lingerie, but it’s getting in the way of my view. My hands slide up her side, pulling it with me until she takes it off and discards it on the floor.

“You’re so beautiful,” I tell her as I tweak one nipple between my fingers. Then I sit up and take the other into my mouth. “So goddamn gorgeous.”

Her head falls back as she starts to move her hips in circles. Between the fact that her pussy is taking all of me and that I’m in her bare, it all makes it that much more intense. I can’t wait for the day I can empty myself inside her. To come with her, feeling her clench around me while my cock pulses. That is what I imagine heaven feels like.

Falling back onto the bed, I watch as she rides me with such skill. And the hottest part is that she’s not even trying to get me off—she’s doing this for herself. I grip her hips, pulling her down a little harder as I thrust up into her. She’s so close, and her nails are digging into the skin on my chest. Her hair falls in front of her, outlining her face and blocking anything else from view.

“Do it, baby,” I order her. “Come all over my cock like a good girl. You feel so good like this. Can only imagine how you’ll feel when you come.”

Her movements get sloppy as my words push her that much closer to the edge. She rocks back and forth frantically until she finally explodes, falling forward on top of me as I feel her pussy clench around me, and I fuck her through it.

She’s completely boneless, spent from three orgasms, but I want more. I want every last ounce of pleasure she has tonight.

Lifting her off me, she rolls on her back. I flip over and bend down to taste her some more. The sensitivity is so overwhelming that she screams out when I suck on her clit.

“I can’t,” she says through heavy breaths. “It’s too much.”

I straighten up and take my cock, rubbing it against her. “You can.”

It looks like she wants to fight it, but a bigger part of her is excited by the idea of coming again. To let me take everything she has to give.

As I slip back inside of her, she lets her eyes fall closed and she sighs blissfully. This is right where we belong, just like this.

Bringing my hand down, I press my thumb against her clit and start rubbing it in circles. And as I lean forward, using my body to apply more pressure, her eyes shoot open and I know I’ve got the right spot. My cock rubs against her g-spot while my thumb takes care of her clit, and it’s enough to have her screaming—loudly.

I fuck into her as I watch her come over and over again. Every time I think she’s done, another one rips through her. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, but she’s always been one to surprise me at every turn.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” she screams.

I know if I don’t pull out soon, I’m going to fill her up, but seeing her like this, I don’t want to stop. I can’t stop. My jaw locks as I hold it back and feel her go through the seventh orgasm of the night. And when she finally pulls my hand off her, I pull out at the last second and cover her stomach in my cum.

Her chest rises and falls as she tries to catch her breath, and I crash on the bed beside her. I never understood why guys find it hot when a girl is covered in cum—until now. Seeing me all over her, it makes me want her all over again, but I’m thinking she might castrate me if I try.

“Holy shit,” she breathes, her head slumping to the side to look at me. “Holy fucking shit.”

I bite my lip to conceal my smile, thoroughly pleased with myself, and I kiss the tip of her nose before I go to get her a warm washcloth.

And they say that married life is when the sex stops.

Something tells me we won’t have that issue.

THE NEEDLES PIERCE MY skin repeatedly as they drill ink beneath it. All you can hear is the sound of the two tattoo guns going at once. Typical couples may decide to go the traditional route, using rings to show they’re married, but I’m not interested in anything removable.

“I still can’t believe you’re married now,” Zack tells me. He’s the only one I’ve ever let tattoo me. “I didn’t even know you were dating anyone.”

Looking over at Laiken, she smiles and winks at me.

The fact that she is currently getting an H inked onto her ring finger speaks to the possessive side of me. The side of me that wants to knock a guy out just for looking at her too long. She will forever be marked with my initial, and so will I—with the L on my ring finger to match.

“It surprised me, too,” I admit. “But fuck, man. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

He chuckles. “I can tell. You’re different with her.”

It’s not the first time I’ve heard that, and I’m sure it won’t be the last, because I am different with her. She makes me want to be a better person. Someone deserving of her. Someone worth spending a life with. And I don’t know if I’m ever going to fully get there, but I do know that I’ll never stop trying.

“You doing okay?” I call across the room.

Laiken nods. “Yep, but you might not be when Mali sees that you branded me.”

Yeah, maybe I should’ve thought of that beforehand.

THEORETICALLY, I SHOULD BE somewhere tropical right now. With Laiken in my lap and a drink in my hand, living the good life of being on a honeymoon. But when you’re in the process of turning a former surf shop into a bar, and you all but sprinted down the aisle, there isn’t much time for that.

The place is finally coming along, though. We found a guy who could build the bar exactly how I want it, and while it may have cost me more than I would have liked, it’ll be worth it. Cam and I have the same vision when it comes to this place, and we’re not willing to sacrifice that because the price is a little higher.

We’re going through which kinds of beer we want to carry when Laiken storms in, clearly frustrated. She throws her bag down and crosses her arms while she glares at Cam.

“Dude, what did you do?” I ask him.

He’s just as clueless as I am. “Fuck if I know.”

She’s not saying anything, but she looks pissed. Livid, even. Like she’s ready to burn the whole world to the ground. Meanwhile, neither one of us seem to want to poke the bear.

“You ask her,” I say, nudging him.

He shakes his head. “Fuck that. She’s your wife.”

Hell yeah she is, but I prefer calm and happy Laiken—this demon version he can keep. “It’s not me she’s murdering with her eyes.” She glances at me and I wince. “Or at least it wasn’t.”

Cam sighs and gives in before she paints the walls red. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Your mother is a crazy person, that’s what,” she snaps.

He purses his lips, looking even more confused. “That’s funny. I always thought we had the same mother.”noveldrama

“Nuh-uh. No.” She shakes her head. “I’m not taking ownership for this woman.”

Grabbing the laptop from us, she slams her fingers on a few keys and then spins it back around. Cam tries not to laugh as his mom’s picture sits above a plethora of nursery images.

“She has a whole Pinterest board! And it’s public!” she shrieks. “All throughout today’s lessons, the parents were congratulating me on my bundle of joy. One even told me I shouldn’t be ice skating in my condition.”

Cam snorts, going back to beer selections, while I walk around the table. I gently place my hands on her waist, and she melts into me. Pouting, she rests her head on my chest.

“I had to run out of there when Mrs. Timmons started telling me how her vagina ripped all the way to her asshole.”

I freeze for a moment. That’s…disturbing. My fingers lace into her hair as I kiss the top of her head, and once again, the thought of her all big and pregnant with my baby doesn’t make me want to run for the hills. Hell, the idea of having a family is even a little appealing.

“Would it really be the worst idea?” I ask softly. “Having a baby?”

She backs away and raises her brows at me. “Did you not hear me? Her vagina ripped to her asshole. What part of that doesn’t sound like the worst idea of all time?”

Chuckling, I shrug. “I don’t know. I kind of like the idea of you all cute and knocked up with my baby.”

I step closer and rest my hand on her belly, and she leaves it there for a second, until she doesn’t. “You don’t want a baby.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re too selfish to share me,” she says simply. “And a baby is almost a constant cockblock.”

Shit. Yep, definitely didn’t think of that. I look around, finding my keys on the counter and grabbing them before heading to the door.

“Where are you going?” she calls.

“We need more condoms.”

JUST WHEN YOU THINK everything is going perfectly, it goes wrong. It’s practically a law. We should’ve known it would happen with the bar. But as Cam and I stand here, looking at the mold the inspector found inside one of the upstairs walls, neither one of us saw it coming.

“We’re going to have to tear out all the drywall up here,” Cam says. “We’ll get it all cleared out and then have someone come to take care of the mold.”

“May as well insulate it after,” I add.

He nods. “It’ll tack on some time, but you’re right. It’ll help keep it warm downstairs in the winter.”

Sighing, I take out my phone and send a text to Laiken. We had planned to go out later, but it looks like I’m going to be here for the rest of the day. And every day this week, for that matter.

Enjoy lunch with Mali, babe. Looks like I’m going to be stuck at the bar. We have to rip out the upstairs walls. Feel free to join us if you want. 😉

So much for almost being done with this place.