Serena's POV
"Serena…" Valerie's voice was low, rough, and carried the unmistakable slur of someone who had indulged in one too many glasses of wine. Her fingers tightened around my wrist, her grip firm but not painful, as she pinned me down onto the bed. I sighed, letting my head fall back against the pillows, my wedding gown pooling around me like a cloud of satin and lace.
Her tuxedo was still immaculate, save for the tie that hung loose around her neck, and her eyes—those bright, piercing eyes—were locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"Valerie," my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. "You're drunk." I tried to reason again with her.
She grinned, that devilish, lopsided grin that had always been her trademark. "And you're beautiful," she shot back, her words slightly slurred but no less sincere. Her free hand reached up, fingers brushing against the delicate fabric of my gown, tracing the neckline with a teasing lightness that sent shivers down my spine. "But this… this has to go."
Before I could protest—not that I really wanted to—she leaned down, her lips capturing mine in a kiss that was equal parts rough and tender. Her tongue slipped past my lips, and I groaned softly, my hands instinctively reaching up to tangle in her hair. She tasted of Mirthwine and something infinitely more intoxicating, and I found myself reciprocating with a fervor that surprised even me.
When she finally pulled away, we were both breathing heavily, our chests rising and falling in sync. Valerie's eyes gleamed with a mischievous light as she sat back, her hands moving to the buttons of my gown. "Where the hell is the zipper on this thing?" she muttered, fumbling with the intricate clasps and layers of fabric.
I couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and airy despite the growing heat between us. "It's a wedding gown, Valerie. It's not exactly designed for a quick getaway."
She shot me a glare, but there was no real venom behind it. "Well, it's coming off. Now."
Her determination was both endearing and exasperating, and I watched with a mix of amusement and arousal as she struggled to undo the gown. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she managed to peel it off, leaving me in nothing but my lingerie. Her eyes roamed over my body, and I felt a flush of heat spread across my skin under her gaze.
"Perfect," she murmured, her voice husky. She leaned down again, her lips finding the sensitive spot just below my ear, and I gasped, my hands gripping her shoulders as she began to trail kisses down my neck. Her hands were everywhere, exploring every inch of my body with a fervent urgency that left me breathless.
When her fingers finally slipped beneath the waistband of my panties, I let out a strangled moan, my hips arching off the bed. "Valerie," I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper.
She looked up at me, her eyes dark with desire. "We're going to go at it all night," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.
I gulped, my stomach flipping at the intensity in her gaze. "We'll see about that," I managed to say, though my voice was shaky at best.
Her grin returned, wider this time, and she leaned down to capture my lips once more. Her hands moved with purpose, and I soon found myself lost in a haze of pleasure and need. Valerie was relentless, her every touch and kiss driving me closer to the edge, and I could do little more than hold on and let her take the lead.
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Hours later, as the first rays of dawn began to creep through the curtains, I lay in Valerie's arms, utterly spent. "You weren't lying," I mumbled, my voice hoarse from crying out her name more times than I could count.
She chuckled, the sound low and satisfied. "I never lie," she replied, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Get some sleep, hon. You're going to need it."
I groaned, already dreading the soreness I knew I'd feel in the morning. But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but smile. It had been a night to remember, and I had a feeling it was only the beginning of many more to come.