After pulling her close to me, I kiss the top of her head and wipe away the rest of her tears. We stay like that for a few moments—our gazes fixated on each other, establishing our connection, utterly calm amongst the total chaos of movement and voices around us. When I look back up, I barely have enough time to catch the little whirlwind who’s jumping toward us, still fully clothed in the dance outfit.
“Mommy! Daddy! Did you see me?” Connor’s voice is at least an octave higher than usual, not able to conceal his excitement in the slightest—even though it’s written all over his face anyway. I don’t think I’ve ever seen our boy this happy before in all of his five years.
With his arms around my neck, he squeezes so tight, he might leave marks on me. I lean in closer, so I’m right next to his ear. “You were awesome, buddy. Outstanding. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Daddy. And I wasn’t scared at all either. Well, maybe a little bit, but that’s okay, right? Just like you told me.” He squeezes me one more time before he gets restless, suddenly squirming with his entire body, like I was the one holding him hostage. Instead of wanting to be put down though, he tries to climb out of my arms, over into Monica’s, like a little spider monkey.
Like mother, like son.
I watch them as they whisper in each other’s ears, giggling like there’s no tomorrow. Their relationship has always been like that, the bond between them special and unbreakable. It’s as simple as that. Even after all this time, it’s still fascinating and utterly captivating to watch because there truly is nothing better than watching your children with their mother.
I give them their moment and turn my attention to the little girl still sitting in her chair. Her strawberry-blonde hair is piled up on top of her head—just like Monica’s is so often—and I’m not surprised to see her freckled nose stuck deep in a book.
“Come on, Ellie, your brother’s done. Time to put the book away and come back to reality for a while. I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
She holds up her right index finger, and I have to bite back a grin. I secretly love she’s so obsessed with books, but in situations like these, I have to put down my foot. She needs to know there are other, more important, things in life. This is about family, and there isn’t a lot that comes before your loved ones.
After another moment, she finally closes the book with the exasperation only a seven-year-old can muster. “Do I have to?”
At least she didn’t roll her eyes at me, so that’s something.
I sit down next to her, pulling her into my side. She protests for a moment—or at least pretends to—while simultaneously snuggling closer. “Yes, you do. Connor’s your brother, and you should be proud of him even though dancing isn’t your thing. But he did a great job, and I know you know that too. Remember, we’re a family, and we support each other. So maybe try to say something nice to him?”
This time, she does roll her eyes, but I can also see the corners of her mouth twitch. They always have to act tough. “Okay, okay. On it, Daddy.”
“That’s my girl.”
She slides out of the plushy red chair, the book still held tightly in her hand. With a grin on her face, she tries to walk around me, but I snatch her and tickle her for a moment before setting her back on her feet.
“You’re mean, Dad.” She sticks out her tongue, but she can’t fool me.
This girl is gold in so many ways, and I thank the universe every day for giving me Monica and these precious, goofy, nerdy, and talented kids.
I ruffle her hair, and we walk over to Monica and Connor together.
“Hey, Ellie. Did you see me dance?” Connor pushes out of Monica’s arms and hugs his big sister before telling her every little detail of his performance. Thankfully, Ellie indulges him, and they talk until the rest of the family comes over to congratulate Connor too.
The group is getting so big, it almost seems like half of the academy’s auditorium is filled with our family and friends. Monica has been teaching classes here for several years now but was reluctant to put Connor in one of hers. She said something about keeping things separate and not wanting to ruin their relationship.
Everything turned out perfectly though when she accompanied him to his first few classes. He loved it instantly, so everyone was happy. Now, he can come home from class and share every little detail with her. It took me a while, but I now understand why Monica wanted to do things the way she did. No one needs added stress to their relationships if they can avoid it.
She leans into me as we watch our little boy soak up all the attention around him. “Oh my gosh, he was soooo good. I still can’t believe it.”
I nod and kiss her forehead. “I know, he really was. Not that anyone doubted it, especially with a talented momma like you. Who would have thought our little boy is the one following in your footsteps? And then this one over there”—I nod my head into Ellie’s direction, who’s now hanging on her uncle Hudson’s every word—“we’ve lost her to music. Her obsession with Hudson is something, that’s for sure.”
Monica’s hand hits me in the stomach. “Don’t say it like it’s a bad thing. We didn’t lose her. She loves music, and it makes her happy. That’s all that matters. And if Hudson is kind enough to teach her the ropes, even better. Not to mention, when she’s not focused on music, she’s reading, and you guys fangirl over books together all the time too.”
“I was just joking, you know that. I mean, look at her. Ellie is beautiful like her mom, intelligent like me, of course, musically talented like her uncle, and incredibly stubborn and pig-headed like...you, again. What’s not to love?” I catch Monica’s hands this time before they can hit me, and pull her against me instead. “What a talented wife I have.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she snakes her hands up my chest and leans closer. “Maybe we can talk more about another one of my talents later. It’s a very important one we really shouldn’t forget about.”
“Oh yeah? And what would that be?” My hands go to her waist, squeezing gently as her breasts press into my torso.
“Obviously my excellent bedroom skills.” Her voice is a whisper now. We definitely don’t need anyone listening in on this part of the conversation.
Monica brings out my playful side like no other. She totally knows that and loves having that effect on me.
But I enjoy playing too. “Hmm, I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about. You might need to remind me tonight exactly what that skill involves.”
Monica opens her mouth—in protest, I’m sure—and I can’t help myself and kiss her. I try to keep it light but fail miserably. Marriage hasn’t slowed down my desire for her, quite the opposite, actually—mostly to the displeasure of our children.
“See, Grandma, they’re doing it again. So embarrassing. Please make them stop.” As if on cue, Ellie’s voice carries over to us.
My mom chuckles from a few feet away. “One day you’ll understand, Ellie. Trust me. Plus, it’s their anniversary today, so cut them some slack.”
Ellie grumbles, and I reluctantly let go of Monica but hold on to one of her hands. Her skin is soft and warm under my fingers, and I give it a squeeze. “I suppose we have to save that for tonight.”
“Oh, believe me, I have so much saved for tonight, I can’t even tell you. I might even get out my old costume—you know, special occasion, an empty house, and all that.” She goes up on her toes and plants a kiss on my cheek.
Her strawberry scent surrounds me as my brain stays stuck on the costume she mentioned, old memories flashing through my mind, getting me all riled up just from the thought of it.
One thing is clear. These next few hours will be absolute torture until I can finally get her alone.
After all, we have lots of things to celebrate. Ten years of marriage and a beautiful family.
Monica chuckles and pulls on my hand. “For now, let’s celebrate Connor’s amazing performance. He more than deserves it for all of his hard work. And later, once Huds
on and Charlie take our little monsters home with them, I’m all yours, Charming. Fully and completely. All night long.”
Heck yes, she’s all mine.
Tonight.
Tomorrow.
Forever.
Bonus Chapter
Celebrations
Monica
I level Gabe with a look in the hotel bathroom mirror. “If you stare at me like this any longer, we’ll never make it out of here on time.” He lifts an eyebrow and opens his mouth, but I point my mascara wand at him. “Save all of these hot glances for later, because believe me, I’ll put them to good use. Every single one of them.”
He shakes his head at me and laughs before closing the distance between us. “I’ll hold you to it, Princess.”
“You better, because I meant every single word I said.” I lean back and look at him, pulling him in for a smoldering kiss because we both know I can’t refuse him. I’m absolutely and utterly incapable of saying no to his luscious lips—unless I want to push his buttons, of course.
But then the make-up sex is also extra crazy good.
Gabe pulls back and looks at me. “I feel like I should be the one telling you not to look at me like this. Going to my own movie premiere with a hard-on might be a bit too awkward.”
Now it’s my turn to shake my head and laugh. “Oh my gosh. Go away. Let me get ready so we can talk to the others quickly before the car gets here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” After one more kiss on the cheek, he swats my ass and leaves.
When I’m done, I find him at the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. The panoramic view of the ocean and California mountains is breathtaking. Not that I’d want to live in a city like Los Angeles—not anymore, at least—but I definitely appreciate the beauty of the view and this marvelous executive hotel suite the movie company has put us in for the night.
I walk up behind Gabe and slide my arms around his torso. “Are you nervous?”
His chest rises and falls under my hands before he places his warm fingers on mine and gently squeezes. “A little.”
I sigh, wishing I didn’t have my makeup on or that the limousine wouldn’t be here any moment so I could hug him properly. Instead, I squeeze his fingers back and pull on them until he turns around and faces me.
“From all the footage we’ve seen at the film sets, you know the movie will be spectacular.”
He nods.
Before he can reply, the computer makes a ping sound on the coffee table, and we sit down on the couch, accepting Charlie’s video call. The image is blurry for a moment before it comes into focus, showing everyone squished together to fit in the camera frame.
They all wave, and Charlie grins in the front. “Hey, guys.”
We all wave and smile like lunatics, everyone talking over each other as I look at our friends and family. Charlie and Hudson, of course. Hannah and Paul. Hudson and Gabe’s parents. Dahlia with her billionaire painter boyfriend, Jack. Rose and her girlfriend, Sarah. And our friends, Max and Claire. Just to name a few.
They’re surrounded by what looks like half of Brooksville—or at least as many of them as they could fit in the local movie theater to watch the premiere. It definitely pays off to have connections like Hudson and Gabe have to pull this off. They also talked the movie people into streaming the red-carpet event so they can get the whole experience.
Charlie gestures with her hand. “Go back a bit so I can see you better in that dress.”
I comply, slowly twirling around until she’s had her fill of my spaghetti-strap dress, a sparkly black number with a sequin bodice and a chiffon skirt. At first glance, it almost looks modest, until you see the slit that goes all the way up my right thigh.
There’s no denying that I thought about wearing a warrior-like dress tonight, similar to the main star in the movie—and Gabe’s successful fantasy book series—but then I decided to keep that for our bedroom role-play only. It’s not like I’d want Gabe to walk around in his costume for the world to see either. That’s for my eyes only.
“Holy wow, Mo. The photographers will go nuts over you.” Rose has pushed her face in between Hudson and Charlie, loudly whistling under her breath.
I wave them all off and sit back down. “Oh, stop it.”
Hannah smiles at the camera, and I feel her grandmotherly love all the way to my toes. “They’re right, Monica. You look stunning.”
“Thank you.”
Then, she looks at Gabe. “As do you.”
“Thanks, Grandma.”
Rebecca nods next to her. “Very handsome.”
The tips of Gabe’s ears turn pink. “Thanks, Mom.”
Everyone chimes in until Gabe’s phone rings, and the chatter quiets to background noise.
He takes the call and nods at me before addressing the crowd on the screen. “That was the front desk. Our car’s here.”
More cheers and squeals and lots of excited well-wishes as we say goodbye to everyone and end the video call.
Time for my husband to shine at his movie premiere.
GABE
“What a night.” I pull Monica into the hotel elevator to take us back to our suite.
The doors close behind us as she steps closer, placing a hand over my erratic heartbeat.
Her beautiful green eyes gaze up at me. “It was so awesome.” Her hand brushes over my right pec. “You were absolutely amazing. Everyone looooooved you.”
If it was possible, warmth would seep out of every single one of my pores—along with excitement—because Monica is right. Tonight was spectacular, beyond anything I could have wished for.
Except for one thing. “I’m sure that one reporter didn’t love me.”
She chuckles. “Yeah, you might be right about that.”
I shake my head and push my hands into her soft waves. “He was basically drooling over you. Not that I can blame him, I suppose. I had a hard time taking my eyes off you all night long too. You look so damn hot.”
The corner of her mouth quirks up as she pushes against my body. “Oh yeah?”
“Uh-huh. I was contemplating dragging you to the bathroom more than once.”
Her eyes flare, heat shining bright in them. “Ooooh, tell me more.”
I’m hard, so incredibly hard. I know my dick is trying to poke a hole through her stomach—after escaping my pants, that is.
Just then, the elevator pings, reminding us that we’re not safely behind closed doors, and we’re about to give the security team a show they aren’t expecting.
Monica interlaces her fingers with mine and practically runs toward our door where I shove the keycard into the slot with a precision that makes me want to groan in frustration.
“Easy there, Charming. You don’t want to break the poor card.” She pries it out of my fingers with a chuckle, and we’re inside the suite in less than five seconds.
Another two seconds later, and I’ve got her pressed against the door. “You are so sexy, and I want you so badly I feel like I’m going to explode at any second.”
“What are you waiting for, then, Charming?” Monica’s gaze is unwavering and so full of heat. It must match my own.
Without wasting another moment, I smash my lips onto hers and devour her mouth like I haven’t had it in years. Monica moans, her fingers pressing against my chest where I’ve trapped them between us. I trail my hand down her body, over her breasts and stomach, down to the dress slit that has been tantalizing me all evening.
Her skin is soft under my fingers as I push the material high enough up her body that it exposes her black panties to me. I trace the outline of it, enjoying the way her eyes flutter closed when I brush over the right spot.
“Do that again.” Her words are a mere whisper as I do what she says, eliciting a moan out of her that has me so turned on I throw all caution to the wind. Screw doing things slowly. That’s what second times are for. Right now, I just want her. Need her.
Without preamble, I rip the panties off her and pl
unge two fingers inside her.
We both groan at the contact, and her fingers move between us, trying to open my pants. When she succeeds, she echoes me and goes straight for the grand prize, wrapping her hand around my length and squeezing.
I pull her lower lip into my mouth with my teeth before releasing it with a soft pop. “Put your hands around my neck and hold on, Princess.”
She does as I say, and I don’t waste another second. Trusting her to hold on to me, I shove my hands under her dress to palm her round ass cheeks before plunging straight into her.
“Oh my gosh.” Her back arches as she presses her chest against me, moving her hips as much as she can in this position while I pound into her with a relentlessness that’s a little foreign to me. It’s desperate and raw and addictive.
Maybe I left tonight’s event with an extra dose of adrenaline or something. Whatever it is, I want more of it.
With my gaze settled on the spot between us where we’re joined, I pull out almost all the way, just to push back in again. It’s mesmerizing—and hot. “You feel so good.”
Instead of replying, she pulls me closer and smashes her swollen lips against mine. We devour each other before we’re forced to come up for air. Our heavy breathing fills the air as I continue my almost out-of-control pace, making sure to hit just the right place.
I’m rewarded when she throws her head back against the door with a thump, and a moan escapes her throat that’s so sexy I want it to continue forever.
“Right there, Charming. Right there.”
Her legs tighten around me, and that’s all the incentive I need. I double my effort, a bead of sweat running down my back when she clamps around me. I follow her over the edge, my knees almost giving out under me.
I’m also sure the other guests on the floor got an earful of our ecstasy, but I’m too spent to care.
With a steadying hand on the doorframe, I look at my wife, who looks my favorite kind of disheveled. “So damn perfect.”
The Mitchell Brothers Collection: A Feel-Good Romance Box Set Page 57
