Page 76 of When the Smoke Clears

“Whyyy?” I asked slowly.

“I need a game plan so I don’t destroy your dress later when I take it off.”

Gulp.

I knew the answer to the question, but his official confirmation made my insides turn into molten lava. Victoria’s instructions replayed in my head. Five . . . ten minutes, tops. Pop the cherry. Cordial goodbye. The end.

But I didn’t want wham, bam, thank you, ma’am. I wanted yearning, foreplay, and unbridled passion. Making love for hours. Refuel. Repeat.

Could my vagina handle a marathon with no formal training? I didn’t know.

“I think your attire is far more complicated than mine,” I said.

“Stand up.” He helped me scoot back in my chair.

When I stood and faced him, he slid a hand around my waist and walked us backward a few steps until the dim light and a tall planter hid us.

“Map me out,” he said.

I wrinkled my nose. “Huh?”

“If my attire is complicated, then map everything out. My buttons. My zipper.”

With a nervous laugh, I shook my head. “I think I’ll be just fine.”

“Are you too chicken?” He gave me a challenging look, eyes narrowed.

I swallowed and touched his tie, tracing it around his neck. Will’s hooded eyes studied me like we were already naked, and the temperature in the room rose ten degrees. My fingers found every shirt button, including his cuff links.

“Easy peasy,” I said.

“What about my pants?”

My heart drummed until all I could hear was a deafening whoosh pulsing in my ears.

“I’m sure it’s a standard button and zipper.”

“That’s just a guess.”

We had a brief stare-off before I surveyed our surroundings for curious onlookers. Then I touched his belt and the button behind it. My thumb found the tip of his zipper.

“Keep going,” he murmured.

Again, I swallowed, hands shaking as I slid my index finger along his zipper. I felt something else too.

“There you are,” Mel, one of the other bridesmaids, said.

I jumped so fast my heart lodged in my throat and nearly suffocated me.

“Victoria needs to pee, and her personal assistant is MIA. Come on, we have to help her.” She pulled at my arm.

I looked back at Will, and he winked again.

Jesus.

I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Did Mel see me? Did anyone else?

“Where were you?” Victoria asked when we reached the bathroom. “I’m dying here.”