Blueprints of Desire: AFTER US

The Night After the Wedding

STELLAN

It was nearly midnight, and I still couldn’t sleep.

Firstly, because after everything that happened tonight.

Scarlett and I holding hands during the reception, bantering and teasing non stop, dancing together in the ballroom… it all felt like a dream I was supposed to wake up from.

Secondly, the bed felt cold without her. Even after another week apart, knowing Scarlett was now mine, being separated from her, was torture.

The wedding was over. The lights were dimmed. The guests were gone.

And Scarlett… was still there.

Of course she was. She’d insisted on staying behind to help Ruby break down decorations and double-check vendor pickups—because she was the wedding planner, and the world would apparently crumble if she didn’t personally take responsibility for it.

I left her only because she told me to.

“I need to take Tristan home,” I said as Scar and I stepped hand in hand outside the threshold of the venue. “You can come along and spend the night at my apartment if you want.”

“Mm, tempting,” she smiled. “But sadly, I need to stay and help clean up. But you go. Tristan needs you, and you need rest.”

“Scar,”

Reaching up, she stroked her fingers along my cheek.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she promised. “Then we’ll get to spend the day together.”

The thought made my heart race.

“I love you,” I whispered, taking her hand in mine.

She smiled, leaning closer. “And I love you.”

Her lips met mine, but my mouth opened against hers, unwilling to let her go just yet.

The honk of my car jolted us apart.

“Fuck, Tristan!” I snapped, turning toward the lot.

Tristan was seated in the passenger seat, one hand on the steering wheel, smirking at us through the windshield. One too many drinks had left him drunk—but not wasted enough to pass out yet.

“I hate to break your moment, but either you get in this fucking car and drive, or I’m gonna puke on your seats!” he barked through the open window.

So, I left with Tristan and went home—without her.

I’d been staring at the bedroom ceiling for two hours.

Every time I closed my eyes, all I could think about was her—hair pinned up from the ceremony, a few blonde curls falling loose from running around, those red heels clicking across the ballroom floor like a fucking metronome for my sanity.

Just as I was about to get up for water, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Scarlett.

I snatched it up immediately. “Hey.”

Her voice came through low, warm, teasing.

“Hi,” she giggled. “I’m not surprised you’re still awake.”

“Is that why you didn’t hesitate to call at midnight?” I smirked.

“No,” she said. “I called because there’s someone outside your apartment. And I don’t trust her.” She whispered.

My heart beat faster.

I jumped up from the bed, phone still at my ear.

“Mainly, because she looks like trouble,” Scarlett continued.

I strode into the living room, flicking on the lights and headed for the front door.

“Maybe she’s a psychopath or serial killer,” she grinned.

I swing the door open, and my breath caught in my throat.

Leaning against the wall, smirking at me with that fucking short red bridesmaids dress and heels, was Scarlett. Her beautiful blonde hair was loose now, curling down her shoulders, her blue eyes bright and playful.

My pulse kicked up speed.

She titled her head aside, those blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “Do you find me attractive, Mr. Cross?”

It hit me like a punch—the memory of our first ridiculous night, her standing in front of my door asking the exact same question, looking just as unsure, just as daring.

Only now, the fear was gone.

Now she knew exactly what she was doing to me.

And I wasn’t running from it.

I stepped forward, hooking my hand around her waist, tugging her inside with a slow, deliberate pull.

“Fuck, yes,” I murmured, leaning down until my breath brushed her lips.

The door clicked shut behind her.

She gasped when her back touched the wall, though her smile never faltered.

I kissed her—slow first, savoring the taste of champagne still on her mouth.

Then harder, deeper, everything I’d been holding back since the final toast at the reception.

Her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer, like she’d been waiting all night for this exact moment.

Between kisses she whispered, breathless, “So… you couldn’t sleep?”

“Couldn’t,” I admitted against her throat. “Not without you, sweetheart.”

Her breath shivered. “Good.”

I slid my fingers through her hair, tilting her head up.

“Scarlett,” I murmured, voice low, rough with the kind of honesty that only came out because of her, “I’ve missed you.”

She looked up at me, eyes soft, shining. Her fingers toyed with the dark hairs at the back of my head.

I held back a groan at the feeling.

“Can I show you how much I’ve missed you?” She smirked, cockily.

I breathed a single chuckle.

And then, my mouth claimed hers, my hands finding hers and pinning them above her head, against the wall. She moaned into my mouth, her body arching against mine.

I grasped her outer thighs, lifting her up and her legs hooked automatically around my waist, her arms locking around my neck. My mouth licked and sucked down her neck, to her bare shoulder as I carried her towards the bedroom.

There, I stopped at the edge of the unmade bed, sliding her to her feet. Our eyes locked, my heart pounding in my heavy chest.

“Turn around,” I told her.

She obeyed, turning to the bed, her back facing me.

Slowly, I reached for the zipper at her back, and dragged it down, my free hand already tracing the revealing smooth skin I’ve craved for too long to taste again.

Scarlett’s breath hitched when my hand slid lower down her spine, her dress pooling around her feet in a heartbeat.

She wasn’t wearing a bra, but only panties. Red ones.

My cock twitched beneath my sweats.

I stepped forward, my fingers stroking her blonde curls over her shoulder and down her back. My lips brushed her skin, open and wet as I neared her neck.

Scarlett leaned into me, a soft sound escaping her as my hands explored her body.

One hand slid up to cup her breast, the other drifting south, teasing the waistband of those fucking sexy panties.

Her hips shifted when my fingers dipped lower, a moan breaking from her mouth. Her hand clutched my hair as my finger slipped between her folds, finding her clit—wet and ready for me.

“Stellan,” she breathed, rocking against my hand. “Please…”

“Always greedy for me,” I muttered against her ear, grinning.

She gasped when I caught her earlobe between my teeth, her knees softening. Then, she pushed out of my hold, spinning around—her fingers already fisting the waistband of my sweats.

I grabbed her by the arms and tossed her back onto the bed, her giggles spilling into the room. My fingers hooked into her panties and slid them down her legs.

Sitting up, she yanked my pants off, my cock hard and desperate for her.

I caught her chin between my fingers, tilting her face to mine before claiming her mouth. I groaned into her when her hand wrapped around me, squeezing.

“Fuck, Scar,” I breathed, curling my fingers into her blonde hair.

She stroked me again, her thighs parting, ready for me to climb back over her—but something in the way she leaned forward, bracing her hands on the mattress, made my breath catch.

I swallowed hard.

“Turn around for me,” I rasped, my hands guiding her gently.

She obeyed—knees sinking into the bed, spine curving, hair spilling over her shoulder as she looked back at me with blown pupils.

“Like this?” she whispered.

My hands slid down her waist, gripping her hips.

“Exactly like that,” I growled, positioning myself behind her.

She gasped when I guided my cock between her thighs.

I leaned down, kissing her spine, brushing my lips across her back.

“Tell me if it hurts,” I whispered against her skin. “And I’ll stop.”

Scarlett’s breathing increased, and she swallowed.

“Okay,” she heaved.

My grip on her hips tightened before I rocked my hips forward, thrusting into her.

Wet, hot and tight. Just for me.

I groaned at the feeling, and forced myself still, waiting for her to adjust to this new position.

Scarlett’s breathing was heavier now.

I pulled back and thrust forward again, earning a loud moan from her. Her hands gripped the sheets and she ached back into me.

My head titled back as I increased my speed.

“Stellan,” she nearly gasped when I buried myself deep inside her.

“That’s it, sweetheart,” I rasped, tightening my grip on her. “Scream my name. Let everyone know you belong to me.”

She moaned, aching into me.

My hand slipped under her, finding her clit. And once I circled it, Scarlett’s legs nearly gave in, and my last bit control snapped when she squeezed around me.

“Fuck, Scarlett!” I exclaimed, slamming into her when I fund my own release.

Scarlett collapsed forward, and I chuckled, breathless before I fell down beside her. She was just as breathless, peeking at me with that single smile.

“And you tease that I’ll be the death of you someday,” she smirked at me.

I chuckled, leaning closer and brush a kiss across her cheek.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face as she caught her breath, her skin still flushed and glowing.

“I’ve missed you,” I whispered.

Her smile softened, all teasing fading into something real.

“Then don’t let me go again,” she murmured, curling into my chest.

I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close.

“Never.” I promised.