LUSTFUL CRAVINGS (EROTIC COLLECTION)

Stacey’s POV Placing my hand on Lucy’s shoulder, I said, "It still feels so unreal that you’re doing this." I smiled at her beautiful reflection in the mirror, taking in every delicate curve, every shimmer of excitement in her eyes. She arched a brow. "Doing what?" I gestured at the entirety of her, swathed in that stunning white gown. "This wedding stuff. You and Vance have been dating since the beginning of college. I was beginning to believe you two were never going to take your relationship to the next phase." Lucy chuckled, her face glistening with soft excitement. "We were taking our time, Stacey. And now, we’re adults." "I know, right." I flashed her a warm smile, feeling the happiness radiate from her. "You know, I’m particularly happy that Stefan is able to make it to my wedding," Lucy said, a bright glint sparking in her eyes. The same sparkle that always appeared when she talked about her brother… my ex. My heart skipped a beat. "Stefan is here?" She grinned. "Hard to believe, right? After a year of ghosting everyone. He said he wouldn’t miss my wedding for the world. He’s so sweet." "Yeah. When is he leaving?" I asked, trying not to sound awkward. Lucy didn’t know that her brother and I had been together before he traveled a year ago. Our relationship had been secret, private… sacred, in its own way. She shrugged. "I don’t know; he didn’t say." She faced me, her expression curious. "But you two are cool, right?" I quickly nodded. "Yeah. We are." A lie that tasted bitter in my mouth. Of course, I couldn’t tell her that I had been the reason Stefan almost spiraled into depression before his trip. That knowledge would break her, maybe even shatter our friendship. And now that he was here, I had no idea how I was supposed to feel. The door pushed open, and Mr. Horatio walked in, a warm, charming smile playing across his face. "Are you ready, princess?" he grinned. "More than ready, Dad," Lucy said, beaming. Mr. Horatio’s expression softened, becoming almost vulnerable. "Well, I’m not ready." He pulled her into a hug that looked like it could hold them both together for eternity. I silently excused myself, giving father and daughter their moment, feeling both touched and heartbroken as I retreated. As I walked back toward the hall, my thoughts inevitably drifted to Stefan. Was he still mad at me? Had he moved on? Because I hadn’t. Not even close. I missed him so desperately it hurt. He still occupied my thoughts, refusing to leave. Breaking up with him had been the hardest decision of my life, one I still regretted daily. I should have fought for us. Trusted in his love. Believed that distance couldn’t break what we had. I shouldn’t have let my fear destroy us. Clutching the bridal bouquet in my hand, I stepped into the small cathedral. All heads turned toward me, and I smiled warmly at everyone. It was a simple wedding, intimate, just family and friends. Exactly how Lucy had envisioned it. I glanced up, and my eyes locked on Stefan’s. Empty and sharp, piercing into my soul My breath caught. My heart thudded painfully against my chest, and I fought to keep my steps steady. His eyes still had the same effect on me. He hadn’t changed much. Still devastatingly handsome in that black tuxedo, still commanding, still mine in the way my body remembered too well. The last memory I had of him was him begging me, desperate, almost broken, to reconsider. And I hadn’t. He probably still hated me. Then he glanced away, and my heart burned sharply. I swallowed, forcing myself to stand straight, planting myself opposite where he was standing beside Vance. My eyes darted everywhere else, anywhere but directly at him. The wedding bells rang. The soft chime of celebration, the awe in everyone’s faces as they turned to see the bride walking down the aisle with her father, it all blurred around me. I smiled, admiring my best friend’s radiance. Her gown hugged her curves perfectly, the subtle makeup enhancing her natural beauty. Her smile lit up the entire room. Vance had truly won the bride lottery. She reached the front, and Vance’s gaze never left her. The two shared a rare, rare love. The kind that grew stronger with every shared year, every laugh, every quiet moment. They began reciting vows, and I couldn’t help but wonder… Would I ever have someone to love me the way Stefan did? Someone I could walk down the aisle to, heart in hand, knowing they’d never leave? I lifted my eyes, and Stefan was staring at me. Not an empty glance, not a fleeting look. This time, he didn’t look away. Someone had loved me with such intensity before. Overwhelming, addictive, obsessive… and that love still throbbed in my chest, waiting for a spark to ignite it again. My body ached for him. Every curve, every nerve, every pulse screamed his name. My lips longed to taste him. My p***y throbbed, hot and needy, aching for his touch. The ceremony passed quickly, the vows and tears and laughter merging into a surreal blur. It was time to move to the reception at the Horatio summer house, just a few kilometers away. My phone rang. I excused myself, walking somewhere private to answer. After the call, I started back toward the hall… and froze. Stefan was standing a short distance away, his back toward me, speaking on the phone. I wanted...no, needed....to walk over, to wrap my arms around him from behind, inhale that crisp minty scent I remembered so well, and whisper just how much I’d missed him. How much I still wanted him. But courage abandoned me, shattered by the weight of the heartbreak I had caused him. I drew a shaky breath and tried to continue toward the hall. But it was empty. I rushed outside, panic rising. Everyone had gone. "f**k. Where did everyone go?" I snapped. I hadn’t even brought my car. Then I heard the roar of an engine, tires screeching slightly. Stefan’s car pulled up and stopped just beside me. Without waiting for an invitation, I slid into the passenger seat. Instantly, his scent wrapped around me, invading every cell, every thought. He didn’t say a word, and neither did I, letting the tension build until it became almost unbearable. Finally, I tried to break the silence. "Are you staying?" "Why do you care? It’s none of your business," he replied coldly, fingers tightening on the wheel. I gulped. Right, he was still angry. But he didn’t have to be so harsh. "Lucy seemed really happy that you’re here," I said cautiously. "Hmm," he hummed. "You should stay a little longer after the wedding. She misses her big brother." I wanted him to stay...not just for Lucy, but for me too. He said nothing. Okay. That was it. He could have left me stranded, abandoned in the empty summer air. But instead, he had taken me in his car, suffocating me with tension and desire. I faced him fully, meeting his intense gaze focused on the road. "I’m sorry," I began, and when he didn’t reply, I continued, voice trembling slightly. "I’m sorry for everything. For the breakup. For not replying to your messages or taking your calls. For being a coward. For not loving you as much as you loved me." I paused, swallowing hard. "But I never stopped thinking about you, Stefan. I miss you. Us. Our kisses, your dirty flirting, your touch, the s*x… everything. I’m not asking you to take me back, but can we please not be strangers? I won’t be—" The car came to a sudden halt, jerking me forward against the seatbelt. "What the fu—" Stefan’s lips crashed onto mine before I could finish. The kiss was rough, angry, desperate, demanding. His mouth moved over mine like he needed it to breathe, to survive. Shock washed over me, but instinctively, I returned the intensity, matching him, meeting tongue with tongue, moaning into the kiss. I tried to wrap my hands around his neck, desperate to pull him closer, but one of his hands pinned my wrists down while the other curled around my neck. Not enough to choke, just enough to dominate, to claim. I was losing my breath, moaning as the memories of him, the ache of him, ignited every nerve ending in my body. Fuck! I had missed this. Missed him. Craved him. Then, abruptly, he broke the kiss, but didn’t move away. He stared at me, unblinking, while I gasped for air. He didn’t even seem winded. He leaned back slightly and resumed driving. My breath steadied, but the tension between us only thickened. "What was that? I thought you were mad at me," I whispered, voice hoarse. By now, we were approaching the summer house. Still focused on the wheel, he replied, "And I still am, Stacey. Now if you don’t shut the f**k up, I’m going to f**k your addictive p***y earlier than I planned." My eyes widened. My pulse thundered. Every nerve in my body screamed his name.