Valorous, a Tame Quantum Novel

by Marie Force

  I’m amused by her comments. “Yes, he is and very happily so. I’ll be happier when my wife has access to money. Apparently, she’s been concerned about her lack thereof.”

  Addie’s eyes bug out of her head. “Has she no idea?”

  “No, she doesn’t, but she will.”

  “I’ll take care of that right away.”

  “Thanks. We might need some travel help tomorrow or the next day.”

  “Where to?”

  “Either Mexico or New York, I guess, depending on whether she decides to accept the offer to go back to school.”

  “I’m so glad to hear they’re asking her to come back.”

  “So am I. No matter what happens now, it’s up to her, which is the way it should be.”

  Addie writes a number on a piece of paper and hands it to me.

  “What’s this?”

  “My phone number. It’s been programmed into yours for so long, you probably don’t know it. Call me when you decide where you’re going.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  “And before I forget, Liza sent these over for you.” She puts copies of all the major industry magazines on the desk in front of me.

  We’re on the covers of all of them. People magazine went with the huge headline, “Well, hello, Mrs. Godfrey!” US magazine proclaims “Off the market!” and In Touch has, “Flynn says ‘I do.’”

  “And check this out.” Addie flips open the copy of People to the page where Natalie is named as one of the best-dressed women at the Golden Globes. Inside US, one of the top designers refers to her as an instant fashion icon. I know a moment of pure, unadulterated pride at how beautiful my wife looks in all the pictures. “Pretty cool, huh?”

  “Very cool. I guess our wedding bumped the crap about her past off the front pages.”

  “Looks that way.”

  “Can I take these?”

  “They’re all yours. One other thing… Danielle wants to talk to you.”

  Everyone goes through Addie to get to me, even my manager. “What does she need?”

  “She wants to talk about all the offers that are rolling in for Natalie and how you want her to handle them. It’s been everything from cosmetic companies to designers to modeling agencies to casting agents.”

  “Casting? Seriously?”

  “Yep. She said they’ve been bombed with calls since you guys were on Carolyn’s show.”

  “I told her that would happen. I’ll get in touch with Danielle when I get a chance.”

  Before I leave the office, I call Emmett. After I tell him the latest from Natalie’s school, I say, “And you’re not going to believe what just happened at the office.”

  “What now?”

  “Our friend David Rogers got himself murdered, and the FBI came to talk to me about it.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “Wish I was. They took my phone into evidence and everything.”

  “Flynn… Jesus.”

  “Don’t sweat it. I didn’t do it, so I have nothing to worry about.”

  “The fucking FBI actually talked to you about it.”

  “Yeah, because of what I said on Carolyn’s show the other night, about being capable of murder.”

  “Anyone would say that after what he did to your girlfriend—now wife.”

  “I guess I made it easy for whoever actually killed him to try to pin it on me by spouting off on national TV.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it. You haven’t been anywhere near Nebraska, and we both know you didn’t actually hire someone to bump the guy off.” After a short pause, Emmett says, “You didn’t do that, did you?”

  “No,” I say, laughing, “but I’m not even kinda sad that he’s dead.”

  “People get what’s coming to them. I’m sure you’re not the only enemy he’s made. He owes a lot of people money. They’ve got motive all over the place.”

  “Do you think you ought to call this FBI guy?”

  “No,” he says. “Nothing says ‘I’ve got something to hide’ quite like a call from a lawyer. Let’s wait and see what happens. But I don’t want you talking to him again without me with you. Okay?”

  “Right. Gotcha. Thanks, Emmett.”

  “This whole thing is so fucking unreal, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, especially what Natalie had to endure—alone—at fifteen.”

  “No kidding. Keep me posted.”

  “Will do.”

  A few minutes later, I pull out of the parking lot at the office and head for Malibu, eager to get home to my wife.

  Chapter 18

  My phone chimes with a message from Addie to tell me Flynn is on his way home, which sends a thrill of anticipation rippling through me. I thought I had hours to kill until I’d see him again.

  I run for the shower, and I’m drying my hair when he comes in. I turn off the hair dryer and start to say hello, but he has other ideas. His arms are around me and he’s kissing me before I can get a word out.

  He lifts me onto the countertop and steps between my legs, tugging my robe open.

  Fluff goes crazy barking and circling Flynn’s feet. Fearing she might take another piece out of him, I break the kiss. “Go lie down, Fluff. Mommy’s fine. Go on.”

  Pacified, she slinks out of the bathroom into the bedroom.

  “Missed you,” Flynn whispers. His lips are soft and persuasive against my neck.

  “You were only gone a couple of hours.”

  “Too long.” Recapturing my lips for another heated kiss, he fumbles with the button of his jeans until I push his hands out of the way and take over.

  He’s commando under there and falls into my hand, hot and hard and ready to go.

  Grasping my bottom, he pulls me to the edge of the counter and plunges into me.

  My head falls back in surrender to the overwhelming sensation of being possessed by him.

  “God, Nat… This is gonna be fast.” True to his word, he takes us on a quick, wild ride. He reaches down to where we’re joined and caresses me to an explosive finish.

  I arch into him as he goes with me, crying out as he comes.

  I’m still recovering when he lifts me right off the counter and carries me to the bed I haven’t made yet.

  “I want to do something new,” he says, looking down at me. “Is that okay?”

  “Yes.” I’m onboard for anything he wants right about now.

  He helps me remove the robe and pulls off the rest of his clothes. “Turn over on your belly.”

  I experience a twinge of apprehension but do as he asks because I’m dying of curiosity.

  “I won’t be able to see your face in this position, so I’m counting on you to remember your safe word, okay?”

  I read about safe words this morning, and how they’re an essential element of the BDSM lifestyle. Does his use of that term indicate that he’s familiar with the lifestyle?

  “Nat?”

  “I remember.”

  He puts a couple of pillows under my hips, which leaves my bottom on full display. Before I can be embarrassed, his hands are coasting over my cheeks, squeezing and spreading them. “You have the sexiest ass I’ve ever seen. I can’t get enough of it.” Then his tongue is between my legs, and he leaves nothing untouched. I’m shocked and aroused by how much I like everything he’s doing. Until him, until us, I didn’t even know people did these things to each other. He has me on the verge of another orgasm within minutes, but then he pulls away, leaving me bereft.

  “Flynn!”

  “Hang on, sweetheart.” He takes hold of my hips and gently pulls me back toward him, pushing into me and triggering the release he had started with his talented tongue. “Is this okay?”

  I can’t believe he expects me to talk right now. “Mmm.”

  “I need words, Nat.”

  “Yes! Don’t stop!”

  “Those are good words.”

  I feel like I’m being split in two—in a good way—as he pounds into me, deeper th
an he’s been before. It’s already the best thing I’ve ever felt, and then he makes it better by tweaking my nipples.

  “Ahh, fuck, yes…” His hoarse whisper raises goose bumps on my back. “Do that again.”

  I tighten my internal muscles, drawing another long groan from him.

  “Tell me you’re okay.”

  “So okay. Don’t stop.”

  He picks up the pace, his fingers digging into my hips and then one of them is sliding through the dampness between my legs and teasing my back entrance.

  Dear God… He’s done this before, and I loved it, and this time is no different. I never would’ve imagined I’d like that.

  “Still okay?”

  “Mmm. Do it, Flynn.”

  Growling, he drives his finger into my ass, and I come immediately.

  “Holy Christ,” he whispers before he surges into me one more time, filling me with the heat of his release. “Nat… God, I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  He withdraws from me slowly, carefully, and then removes the pillows that are propping me up. Kissing my shoulder, he says, “I’ll be right back.”

  I hear water running in the bathroom before he returns with a towel that he uses to clean me up. Then he crawls back into bed with me, molding his body to my back. His hand comes around to land between my breasts. “So good, baby. So, so good.”

  “Mmm, sure is.” I want to tell him about Hayden’s room upstairs and ask him the million questions I have, but he’s sexed me into a stupor. “If that’s what happens after a few hours apart, what’s going to happen when we’re apart for weeks at a time?”

  “We are not going to be apart for weeks at a time.”

  “We will be at some point.”

  “No, we won’t.”

  “Flynn, you’re not being realistic.”

  “Yes, I am. I want to be wherever you are, and I want you wherever I am.”

  “So what does that mean for my job in New York?”

  “If you want to go back, I’ll go with you.”

  “Your life is here.”

  “My life is wherever you are.”

  “What about when you have to go on location to film?”

  “I’ll set up my schedule so I only film in the summer so you can go with me.”

  I turn over to face him, my hand flat against his chest. “You’re talking crazy now.”

  “No, I’m not. At this point in my career, I can do whatever I want to. I don’t need to shoot three films a year anymore. One is plenty, and I can do it in the summer so you can teach.”

  “What’ll you do the rest of the time?”

  “Produce other projects. Maybe check out the theater. There’s lots I can do from New York.”

  “You’d be bored out of your mind.”

  He nuzzles my neck and sets off another attack of goose bumps. “Not if I have you in my bed every night. I could never be bored.”

  My cell phone rings, and I reach for it on the table. The display shows a 212 number I don’t recognize. “This could be it.”

  “Take the call, sweetheart. Do whatever you want to. We’ll make it work.”

  I draw in a deep breath and accept the call. “This is Natalie.”

  “Natalie, this is James Poole, chairman of the board at the Emerson School in New York.”

  “Hi, Mr. Poole. How are you?”

  “I’m doing fine, and hope you’re well?”

  I squeeze Flynn’s hand. “Yes, I am.”

  “Very good. I’m calling with what I hope you will think is good news. The board of directors has voted to reinstate your position, effective immediately, with back pay, of course. And to address your next question, Mrs. Heffernan has decided to retire.”

  I find it interesting, in light of what Leah told me earlier, that they are spinning Mrs. Heffernan’s departure as retirement rather than dismissal.

  “I understand that you may feel less than inclined to accept our offer in light of what’s happened, but we all hope that you’ll consider returning to your class and serving out the remainder of your contract as planned. We’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you from the parents of your students. You’ve made a big impression on them.”

  “That’s nice to hear.”

  “I’d just like to say… I’m very sorry for the way this was handled. Mrs. Heffernan’s actions do not, in any way, reflect the feelings of the board of directors. We believe she acted far too hastily and before she had all the information. I hope that no matter what you decide to do, you’ll accept our heartfelt apology that this happened in the first place.”

  “I do. I accept your apology. Thank you.”

  “And how do you feel about returning to your class?”

  “I’d love to return to my class, but before I decide anything, I need a few days to talk it over with my husband and figure out our plans. I hope you understand.”

  “Of course. Please, take your time and let us know your decision when you’re ready. Again, my sincere apologies and best wishes to you no matter what you decide. On a personal note, you have my admiration for what you’ve endured and how you’ve persevered.”

  “Thank you,” I say softly, moved by his kind words even if part of me suspects he’s far more concerned about dodging lawsuits than he is about me. “One question…” I figure I’ll never be in a better position to bargain, so why not go for it?

  “Of course.”

  “I have an elderly twenty-pound dog named Fluff who sleeps all day. I wondered if I come back, if the board would permit her to sleep under my desk. No one will know she’s there, and she’s great with children. She loves them.”

  After a hesitant pause, he says, “I’m sure some accommodation could be made.”

  “Wonderful. Thank you so much. I’ll be in touch.”

  “I look forward to hearing from you.”

  We say our good-byes, and I return the phone to the table. “Could you hear all that?” I ask Flynn.

  “Yep, and I’m very happy for you that they have realized the error of their ways.”

  “I think you and your lawyers helped them to see the error of their ways.”

  “However it happened, as long as it happened. I’m sure it has much more to do with the outrage of the parents and the staff than it did with lawyers.”

  I’m not as convinced, but I let him believe what he wants to.

  “Great move with Fluff, too. Way to work your advantage.”

  Smiling at his praise, I say, “You didn’t give me a chance to ask what you were doing home so early. I thought you’d be gone all day.”

  “Are you complaining?” he asks with a sexy smile.

  “Not at all. Just wondering what’s up.”

  His smile fades, and he looks away from me.

  “Did you have another fight with Hayden?” I hate that I’ve come between lifelong friends.

  “No, we actually had a really good talk. I think we’ve reached an understanding of sorts.”

  “That’s a relief. So what’s wrong, then?”

  He twirls a strand of my hair around his finger. “While I was at the office, I had a visit from an FBI agent who told me that David Rogers was found murdered in his office this morning.”

  The news hits me like a fist to the gut, and I sit up. “What? Why did they want to talk to you? Oh God, what you said on Carolyn’s show! Are you a suspect?”

  “Take it easy, sweetheart. It was a formality. They needed to rule me out, and they did. He took my phone, though.”

  “The pictures…”

  “Were removed from the phone, but they are still safely stored in the cloud where no one but me can see them.”

  “Oh, good. Okay.” I relax into the pillow once again. “Did you talk to Emmett?”

  “Yes, before I left the office. He says it’s bullshit and we have nothing to worry about because I only said I wanted to kill him. I didn’t actually do it.”

  “I can’t believe he’s dead. Did the FBI
agent say what happened?”

  “No, and I didn’t ask.”

  “I guess it doesn’t matter.”

  “Emmett said Rogers owed a lot of people money. There’s plenty of motive to go around, and they probably needed to rule me out. He said we shouldn’t worry about it.”

  “Okay.”

  “Why do you still look worried?”

  “I just hate that something from my past has caused you trouble.”

  “Now you know how I felt when my fame caused you trouble.”

  “It sucks.”

  “Yes, it does, but we’re fine, sweetheart. There’s nothing to worry about. We’re together and we have each other and everything else is just…noise. Speaking of noise… What do you say we get away from it all for a little while and go on an actual honeymoon?”

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “How about Mexico? Unless you want to go back to New York right away, and I’ll totally understand if you do.”

  “Jeez, what a decision. Sunny Mexico or freezing New York.”

  “You love New York in the winter.”

  “Yes, I do.” I love New York in the winter, but I’m not sure I can go back to who and what I was before I met Flynn. Don’t I belong wherever my husband is?

  “It’s completely up to you. Just say the word on what you want to do, and I’ll make it happen.”

  “You’d be okay with going back to New York?”

  “If that’s where you want to be, that’s where I want to be.”

  “What about Hayden and the movie and work and everything?”

  “He and I have come to an understanding. He knows I want and need to be with you right now. I’ll work some part of every day from wherever we are, and he was cool with that.”

  “Can I think about it a little?”

  “Take all the time you need.” He lets out a huge yawn that tells me he’s as tired as I am from staying up half the night before. “What do you want to do today?”

  He’s given me the perfect opening to ask the questions I have about the room I discovered upstairs. He runs a finger over the furrow between my brows. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Come on, Nat. Whatever it is, just tell me.”