So that was good, too. Luckily for me, Grandpa Baron was pretty smart and had gone a step further by offering me a job to work for his company as soon as I was up to task. There were other conditions as well. I suspected he was going to get one or both of us back to college at some point, which to be honest, I wasn’t that opposed to. Even if I did like working with my body, that didn’t mean that was all I could do, Bella neither. Not that she couldn’t work her body too.
And judging by the glorious lovemaking I’d just had with Bella, I’d say we were about fully healed.
I tilted my head toward the adjoining room, listening. By now, Rylan would have been awake by all the noises we had made, bawling his eyes out. The fact that he was quiet suggested that he must have been elsewhere.
“Where is Rylan?” I asked Bella curiously.
“He’s downstairs with Grandma Em,” she replied. “She’s getting him ready for tonight.”
With how huge the Livingston estate was, downstairs could mean anywhere.
I raised an eyebrow. “Tonight? What’s happening tonight?”
Bella looked surprised. “Didn’t I tell you? Our parents are flying in for a gathering. Others in the family are coming too, apparently.”
Anxiety twisted my abs. That did not sound good at all. “They are?”
Bella nodded, running a finger over my bare chest, causing electricity to spark where our flesh met. “Everyone already knows about us. They've had time to get over it.”
“I don't know about that,” I said incredulously. “People in our family can be so difficult.”
Bella quirked her lips. “I know. I’m looking at one right now.”
I grabbed her finger that she was using to trace circles on my chest and playfully nipped at it with my teeth. “Hey, I haven’t been so difficult, have I? Especially when it comes to giving you the . . .” I glanced down and twitched my cock several times, causing Bella to burst out laughing.
“No,” she chuckled. “Only when it comes to fucking me harder . . .”
Lust burned through my nether regions. “Trust me, we can remedy that right now,” I said, grabbing her and pulling her close.
To my surprise, Bella tore herself out of my arms and rolled out of the bed, naked, and placed her hands on her hips.
“None of that, now,” she said as I admired her figure. Once she’d been able to walk without trouble, we started to exercise together. In addition to the swims in the pool for my shoulder, we started taking regular jogs around the manor’s huge grounds, slow at first, but increasing in speed as Bella’s body bounced back from her C-section even more beautiful than before.
She’d lost a few pounds but still carried some of her baby weight in all the right places. Her scar from her C-section had all but faded away, leaving a light mark, but I hardly paid attention to it. If I did, it was normally just to wonder over the miracle that had grown inside her body and what she meant to me. Simply put, giving birth took an already ‘ten’ Bella and made her about a ‘fifteen’ or so. I think that helped with my constant desire for her body, too.
“So get up, Mr. Horn Dog. It’s time for me to go figure out what we’re going to wear tonight.” She half-turned as if to go toward the bathroom, giving me a nice wiggle of her butt, and I felt myself twitch again. She opened the door but stopped, turning back to me with a saucy grin. “Oh, and you’re expected to dress up tonight too.”
I let out a groan. “Why?”
Bella stuck out her tongue at me. “Because everyone else is, that’s why!’
I let out a groan louder than the last. “This is bullshit.”
Dammit, I had other plans for tonight. I wanted to make this private. But there’s so much about this date that I can’t put it off. Ah well, guess I’ll be winging shit. I’m good at that, I thought. I rolled out of bed and followed her into the bathroom, where Bella was looking at her scar in the mirror.
“You really don’t mind it?” she asked, taking down the bottle of Vitamin E-infused olive oil that she rubbed on the scar twice a day. “My scar?”
“Not at all,” I said, hugging her from behind, my cock twitching as it nestled in between her pert, bubbly butt cheeks. “You know I think it’s sexy as hell. By the way . . . I was kinda wondering, next time, can we try for a girl?”
Bella laughed, moaning softly as she pushed her hips back against my now fully hard cock. “Well, it’s not like we can control that, but I don’t mind that at all. You ready for me to blow up like an elephant again?”
“A sexy elephant,” I teased, kissing the swan-like curve of Bella’s neck. She melted back into my body, and I brought my hands up with two thoughts on my mind—the surprise I was going to have to spring in front of everyone, and the beautiful woman I had in my arms who wanted me to make love with her again before that.
Bella
I felt sexy, wearing that red dress again. Stefan had wondered why I’d chosen to wear the exact cocktail dress that I’d worn to the governor’s party, the same one that had ended so horribly, but I knew why. First, it was a great dress, and I was proud of the hard work I’d put in to get myself able to wear it again. If anything, I thought I looked even hotter in it. I certainly filled out the cups and the ass better.
Secondly, and more importantly, I couldn’t let such a great dress only have bad memories attached to it. Sure, it was stupid, but I wanted to ‘redeem’ the dress. Still, I’d added a black shorty jacket to the ensemble, giving the whole thing sort of a Spanish look, and as I came down the stairs, Stefan, who looked amazing in the classic black tux, his hair slightly gelled and his jawline shaved totally clean, gawked a little.
“My God, how am I supposed to behave myself with you looking like that?” he whispered, putting an arm around my waist. “You look ravishing.”
“Why thank you, Mr. Livingston. I feel ravishing too,” I reassure him. “And you look positively dashing.”
“I see you two have been digging around in the estate’s library,” Grandma Em said behind us, holding Rylan in her arms as she approached us. “Guess that’s a better use for those old leather-bound books than just show. Come on. The guests are arriving, and you know they want to see you guys.”
“They want to see Rylan. We’re just accessories,” Stefan joked, and his joke proved correct as our son became the total center of attention. Cousins, aunts, and uncles that I haven’t seen in years all gathered around us, every one of them eager to hold, touch, or at least see the newest member of the family.
Rylan put up with it for a while before he protested, and I stepped in, cutting off the cuddles. “Okay, guys, let’s sit down for dinner. It’s Stefan’s birthday anyway. That’s supposed to be the reason we’re here.”
I glanced over at Mom, who was looking better than she did six months ago, more relieved. The paperwork was done. She and Terry aren’t married anymore, but watching them talk to each other, they were being civil. In fact, I saw Mom smile once at a comment Terry made, which I guess was a good sign. We’ve kept in touch, but I still wasn’t sure what the future holds there.
Grandpa Baron took charge of the dinner, sitting at the head of the long formal dining room table, Grandma Em at his right, with Stefan, Rylan, and me on his left. The conversation was lively, and we were on the second course when Grandpa Baron set his soup spoon down, looking at me and Stefan. “So, enjoying the party?”
“It’s been a blast, Grandpa,” Stefan said. “I’ll admit I was a little worried, but everyone’s been . . . well, at least everyone’s been polite.”
Grandpa Baron chuckled. He’s one of those types of guys that the media likes to call a ‘business mogul,’ which basically means that he owns enough companies, or parts of companies, that he’s got a bunch of money and nobody can really pin him down in one industry. But all that meant was that he was used to being in charge, and he wasn’t a man to mess with. “I should hope so. I made it very clear I would not tolerate any trash talk about you two in my house. By the way, before we get t
o the speeches, I’ve got an early gift for you two. I’m kicking you out.”
“Say what?” Stefan said, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve got a funny definition of a gift, Grandpa.”
I could see Stefan’s hand clench underneath the table, and I reached over, putting my hand on his thigh. “What do you mean, Grandpa?”
Grandpa Baron’s eyes narrowed for a minute before Grandma Em slapped him on the arm, unable to hold back her laughter. “Stop it, Baron. You’re giving your grandson a stroke. See the vein in his forehead throbbing?”
Grandpa Baron’s face broke and he laughed softly. “You’re right, Em. When I say kicking you out, I mean that I’m sending you both back to school. I’ve got a friend at SSU who is holding two slots open for you, and I happen to own an apartment building near campus. Now, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. You’re still both going to have to put in the sweat work, but here’s the deal. I checked with SSU, and they’ll let you keep your credits from your one completed semester at NSU. So, I’m giving you both four and a half years, full ride. Of course, you’ll apply for scholarships and things, but Em and I will cover your living expenses and any gap. If you can both graduate in that time with at least a 3.0 GPA, I’m offering Stefan, and you, Bella, if you want, a position in my company. I’m not getting younger, and it’d be nice to know that Livingston Investments will stay in the family.”
“And if we get a 2.9?” Stefan asked, and Grandpa Baron’s smile grew slightly hard.
“Then you’ll have to find your own jobs. And if you drop out, you get nothing, of course. Don’t give me an answer tonight if you don’t want. SSU’s application deadline isn’t for another few weeks.”
I looked at Stefan, who was still looking a little stunned by the generosity of Grandpa’s offer. He turned to me and whispered in my ear, “Well?”
“I want to take it,” I whispered back. “I’m yours forever, Stefan, but I’d like to have my degree too.”
“It’ll be hard, taking care of Rylan and being students,” he said. “But I’ll be there for you.”
“I know,” I replied, patting his thigh. I looked up at Grandpa Baron and Grandma Em, giving them my best smile. “Thank you, both of you. We don’t need to wait. We’ll take it. We can talk details later.”
“Thank you,” Stefan echoed. “It’s almost the best birthday gift I could have.”
“What could be better?” Grandma Em asks, and Stefan clears his throat, standing up. “Stefan?”
Stefan held his hand up, getting everyone’s attention. “Excuse me, everyone? I have a few things I’d like to say. First, thank you all for coming. I know Rylan was the superstar, but it feels good having you all here. Second, I’d like to extend special thanks to Grandpa Baron and Grandma Emily. They’ve opened their home to us, and their generosity seems to know no bounds. Grandpa Baron offered, and Bella and I just accepted—we’re going to go back to school. So Dad, Evelyn, you guys can relax on that front.”
Terry and Mom, seated across from each other, raised their glasses in a toast, and Terry wished us both good luck there in a hearty voice. After we all toasted, Stefan continued. “Now, I just told Grandpa that it was just about the best birthday present that I could get, which of course confused the hell out of Grandma. She wondered what could be better. Well, I’ll tell you.”
Stefan turned to me, his eyes burning, and I felt my heart catch in my throat as I realized what he was doing. “Bella, we’ve loved each other for years. And while what brought us together was traumatic, I’d go through it all again to have you by my side. If I’d change anything, it would be to learn from my mistakes and not be so damn hard-headed. Bella, you’re the love of my life, the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. So . . .”
Stefan got down on a knee after moving his chair, and reached into the pocket of his tuxedo jacket, taking out a small diamond ring. He took my hand, his eyes locked on mine. “Bella, would you marry me?”
We’d checked once, casually. Of course, there was nothing against it. We’re not blood. Family, but not blood, is just fine. I nodded, tears coming to my eyes. “Of course I will. I love you.”
Stefan put the ring on my finger, and of course, it was a perfect fit. We embraced, and his kiss was sweet. Before the applause starts and the family gathers to congratulate us, I whispered in his ear. “You said birthday gift. But I’m the one getting the gift, so what are you getting?”
Stefan chuckled and hugged me tighter. “Every minute with you is a gift. But if you want to give me a special gift, we can talk about that after the party, upstairs.”
I laughed and kissed him again. Oh, he didn’t know just how much I’d be helping him celebrate his birthday that night. In every way he could ever want.
Actually, it was everything we could ever want.
Racing Hearts
Shayanne
“You ready for this, Shayannie?” my dad asks. Paul Tannen, with his big personality and bigger belly paunch in his middle age, is not a man I can lie to, but in this case, I don’t need to.
I’m ready, though I wish he hadn’t used that nickname.
Is it still a nickname if it’s actually longer than your given name? I’m not sure on the rules of that, but it’s what he’s called me since I went through a curly hair phase as a toddler, even though my light brown hair has zero red and my tanned skin has no freckles like the famous orphan.
“Yes, sir. I’ve got this,” I say confidently.
Today is a big day. I’m finalizing a deal to stock my goat milk soap line in the gift shop at the mountain resort just outside town. This country girl is going big time! Well, as big as I can right now since my business is a one-woman operation and I plan to keep it that way.
It’s my baby, and no one else’s.
He eyes me critically, his judgement heavy. “Maybe I should come with you? Help smooth it over.” He pulls his hat off, running a handkerchief over his greying but still full head of hair before putting his hat back in place.
I’m rough around the edges, but I don’t need his cowboy slick style mucking up the business meeting that I set up. I know refusing is bad manners and will likely set off a domino effect I don’t want to deal with, but I’m adept in my own way, and I know my dad’s weak spot. He doesn’t want to be at a disadvantage... ever.
“Daddy, this is a done deal. I’m going in to answer questions they might have so they can represent the brand appropriately. Do you know about goat milk benefits for skin care? What scents I create? Can you tell the cute story about the logo I drew by hand?”
I eye him back just as harshly, having learned at his knee and knowing he can’t answer any of those questions.
“Okay, Shayanne. I’m trusting you with this. We need this to go well.”
The words hit like stones, weighing me down because if anyone knows how much the family needs me to succeed with this venture, it’s me. I’m the one that does the books for the family farm, sees every penny going in and out, has to pinch those pennies till they scream to feed my dad, three hard working brothers, and myself.
We’ve had years where it was lean and times when it was easier, and after my mom passed six years ago and I took over her household duties, I’ve successfully financially guided us through them all.
Things aren’t tight now, but a little more income is always a welcome padding to the bottom line.
“I know, Daddy. I’ve got this.” I inject hard assurance into the words, making them a vow I can’t, and won’t, go back on.
He dips his chin once, giving a stamp of approval that I don’t need, and then spins on his booted heel to walk out the front door towards his truck.
I don’t know where he’s off to today, which is worrying because I almost always know exactly where he is and what he’s doing. Even when he’s gambling.
Yeah, that cat’s out of the bag. No Schrodinger’s cat question of ‘is he or isn’t he’. Dad’s alive and therefore betting, for sure. He keeps it separate from our h
ousehold budget, maybe because he’s responsible, or maybe because he doesn’t want me to see how much he’s winning and losing, but most likely it’s a mix of both.
I watch him leave, mentally checking the family calendar and decide he’s probably going to lunch with the boys in town since he didn’t ask for anything to eat.
From behind me, I hear heavy bootsteps. “He’s right, you know. But I trust you,” my oldest brother, Brody, says softly in his deep timbre.
“I know, Brody,” I tell him for the millionth time since I first got serious about this idea. “I’ve got this under control just like I always do.”
He nods, then studiously ignores the fact that he’s repeating back to me damn-near verbatim what I’ve told him my plan for the day is. But I recognize that it’s more for him than for me. He’s excited, understandably so, and I am too.
“So, take the batch of soaps into the resort, double check the order and set them up, make sure to touch bases with the manager and give them the purchase order so we get paid. If you run into any problems, call me.”
As he talks, he makes a thick sandwich with the supplies from the fridge and then he sits down at the kitchen table, mouth already full and sandwich already half gone.
I take two steps his direction, closing the gap between us physically even as I know the other gap between us will likely never be bridged. We’re on the same team, a part of the same family, but we both know the roles we play. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I growl out, “I can handle this.” I squeeze the thick muscle a little harder than I should, but it seems to drive home my point.
Brody has the graciousness to look the slightest bit sheepish, “I know, Shayanne. This is just a big deal and I don’t want anything to mess it up. Especially Dad.”
This is my goat’s milk soap business.
My baby, that I started from the ground up with the help of Google, a lot of trial and error, and a small but growing herd of goats. Those first batches were barely good enough to wash our hands with before dinner, and I’d felt bad about wasting my precious goats’ milk that way, but I’d learned. And for almost a year now, I’ve been selling soap like hotcakes at the farmer’s market.
Baby Fever Page 64
