The Wedding Toast

I spotted her across the reception hall before the champagne even hit my glass. Maya. Five years since she'd walked out of my apartment, and there she was, laughing at something the bride said, her hand resting on the stem of a wine glass. She wore a deep green dress that clung to every curve like it remembered her skin better than I did. The neckline dipped low enough to show the freckle I used to trace with my thumb. She looked up, caught me staring, and raised an eyebrow. No smile. Just that look.

The DJ switched to a slow song. I set down my drink and crossed the floor before my brain could talk me out of it.

"You're blocking the buffet," she said.

"Still funny."

"Still staring."

I held out my hand. "Dance with me."

She took it. Her palm was warm, slightly damp. We moved together like no time had passed, her body fitting against mine with an ease that made my chest ache. Her perfume was different — something floral, expensive. But the way she tilted her head to look at me was exactly the same.

"You look good, Jake."

"You look like you're about to say something you'll regret."

She laughed, low and husky. "Maybe I am."

The song ended. Neither of us let go. Her fingers tightened on my shoulder, and she leaned in, her lips brushing my ear.

"Room 214. Ten minutes. Don't keep me waiting."

She walked away without looking back, her hips swaying in that dress, and I stood there like an idiot, my cock already straining against my slacks.

I made it to the room in seven. The door was unlocked. Maya stood by the window, backlit by the parking lot lights, a glass of whiskey in her hand. She didn't turn when I closed the door.

"You're early."

"You didn't lock the door."

"I knew you'd come." She finally faced me, and there was something hungry in her eyes. "I've thought about this, you know. About what I'd do if I ever got you alone again."

"What's that?"

She set the glass down and walked toward me, slow, deliberate. Her hand found my belt buckle, undid it with practiced ease. "I'm going to ride you until you forget every other woman you've ever touched."

I grabbed her waist, pulled her against me. "That's a bold claim."

"Shut up and kiss me."

I did. Her mouth was hot and demanding, her tongue sliding against mine like she was trying to memorize me. I pushed the straps of her dress down her shoulders, and she shimmied out of it, revealing black lace underneath — the kind that cost more than my suit. My hands found her breasts, thumbed her nipples through the fabric, and she moaned into my mouth.

"Fuck, I missed your hands."

"I missed your mouth." I dropped to my knees, pulled her panties down her thighs. She stepped out of them, and I looked up at her, at the way her chest rose and fell, at the wetness glistening between her legs.

"Don't just look at it, Jake."

I buried my face between her thighs, and she gasped, her fingers threading through my hair. I licked her clit slowly, teasing, and she bucked against my mouth, muttering curses. Her taste flooded my senses, and I couldn't get enough. I sucked harder, slipped a finger inside her, and she cried out, her legs trembling.

"God, yes — don't stop —"

I didn't. I pushed a second finger in, curled them, and she came with a shuddering moan, her thighs clamping around my head. I lapped at her until she pushed me away, panting.

"Your turn."

She shoved me onto the bed, climbed on top of me, and freed my cock from my briefs. Her hand wrapped around it, stroking slowly, and I hissed at the contact.

"Still big," she murmured, and then she lowered herself onto me, inch by inch.

I groaned, gripping her hips as she took me all the way in. She rode me slow at first, rolling her hips, her eyes locked on mine. Then she picked up speed, her wet heat gripping me, and I couldn't hold back.

"Fuck, Maya —"

"Say my name like that again."

"Maya."

She leaned forward, her breasts brushing my chest, and whispered, "Look at my face."

I did. Her eyes rolled back, her tongue lolling out, her expression melting into pure, shameless ecstasy. I'd seen that face before — the one she made when she couldn't hold back anymore. It drove me insane.

"Jesus, you're beautiful like this."

She laughed, breathless, and rode me harder. I flipped her onto her back, drove into her deep, and she screamed, nails raking my shoulders. I fucked her fast, rough, the way she always liked it, and she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper.

"Come inside me, Jake. I want to feel it."

That did it. I slammed into her one last time and came with a groan, my release spilling into her as she clenched around me, moaning my name. I collapsed beside her, breathing hard.

She turned her head, hair plastered to her forehead. "That was..."

"Yeah."

We lay there in silence, listening to each other's breathing, the sounds of the wedding drifting up from below. She reached over and laced her fingers through mine.

"Don't disappear this time," she said quietly.

"I won't."