by E. L. Todd
I loved this man.
Conrad gave it to me good and hard, moving me against the mattress and giving my clitoris some friction. He breathed hard as he pounded into me, and within seconds I felt the sensual burn between my legs. “Come for me.” His lips were pressed to my ear.
I gripped both of his hands on the bed as I spiraled into oblivion. I said Conrad’s name over and over again, knowing he loved hearing it. The moisture streaked down his length and my pussy constricted tighter around him.
“I love it when you come.” Conrad pulled out of me then moved me up the bed. He laid my head on a pillow as he moved between my legs. Then he rocked into me slowly, his eyes locked to mine.
My palms moved up his hard chest and I felt the muscle underneath. When I reached his shoulders I dug my nails deep within.
Conrad dug his hand into my hair and fisted it while he kissed me. His kisses were slow and he breathed hard into my mouth. “I love you like crazy.”
My arms moved around his neck. “I love you too.”
He held my gaze for a few more seconds before he released inside me, filling me with his seed. “Mmm…” It lasted longer than usual, and his warm breath fell on my face. When he was finished he stayed on top of me. “Beautiful.” He kissed my neck then the valley between my breasts.
I was tired and satisfied, and now I didn’t want to move.
Conrad moved off of me then pulled his boxers on. He didn’t wear anything else as he sat down at the table and pulled the lids off the dishes. He was almost too big for the chair with his size and strength. “Time to eat, baby.”
I sighed then pulled on his white collared shirt. It was a zillion sizes too big for me and reached past my knees but it was comfortable. It carried his scent, and it felt like he was constantly surrounding me.
Conrad ate his food while keeping his eyes on me.
“This is romantic.” I pulled my plate toward me and began to eat.
“I always do romantic stuff for you.”
“You do.” Conrad had a good balance. He didn’t go overboard with emotional things to make him look like a sissy, but he wasn’t cold as ice either. He was a man’s man, and that’s how I liked him.
Conrad sipped his wine, his eyes still on me.
“What?”
“I’m wondering how I should take you before we leave.”
Heat flushed through my body all over again. “Do I get a say in this?”
“Depends.”
“Can I be on top?”
His eyes smoldered in approval. “I love it when you’re on top. Your tits look great and you remind me of a sexy cowgirl.”
“Well, it looks like we made our decision.” He finished his wine then moved back to his steak.
“You aren’t going to be late for work?”
“I do what I want.” He wiped his lip with a napkin. “I’m running that damn place so no one can say shit to me—and not even my old man.”
“Well, you aren’t officially the CEO.”
“On paper, at least.”
Conrad was a dream come true. I didn’t care about his wealth, but I loved all the power he possessed. Soon, he would be one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, and the world. He had the ability to move mountains because he contained so much strength. He was confident and slightly arrogant, but he had enough reasons to be that way. He had the qualities of a playboy but he was devoted to me—for now. I trusted him like a best friend. One day he would belong to someone else, but for now he belonged to me. And I would treasure these moments forever.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
I hadn’t realized I was staring. “How much I love you.”
His eyes softened but he didn’t say anything.
I turned my gaze back to my food and tried to eat quickly. I wanted to be on top of him pronto.
Yee-haw.
***
Mom asked me to stop by after work, and of course I couldn’t refuse her even if I wanted to be in Conrad’s bed. She was all alone and I felt so terrible for her. Macy was there, but I wasn’t sure how comforting she was.
I walked through the door. “Mom, I’m here.”
Macy’s voice trailed down the hall. “We’re in the kitchen.”
I set my purse on the table in the entryway before I joined them in the dining room. Mom and Macy were both sitting with teacups in front of them. Cucumber sandwiches were on the table, and they were both grinning like idiots.
“What…?” It was the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Nothing.” Mom stood up and embraced me. “You look so pretty.”
“Thanks…I think.”
Macy hugged me next.
What the hell? Macy hugged me? I was so caught off guard that I didn’t react.
“Would you like some tea, dear?” Mom asked.
For just getting divorced she was awfully cheery. “Sure.”
Mom set the teacup on the table and we all sat down.
They kept staring at me.
“Okay, you’re really freaking me out. Why are you staring at me?”
Mom shrugged. “Just waiting for you to try the tea.”
I took a sip. “It’s good, like always.”
Macy kept squirming in her seat like she couldn’t sit still.
Weird.
“How are things with you?” Mom asked.
“Good. Just work and stuff.”
“How’s Conrad?” Macy asked.
“Good,” I said. “Arrogant and cocky like always.”
“He’s a sweet man,” Mom said. “I really like him.”
“I really like him too,” Macy said.
I grabbed a sandwich and devoured it.
Mom talked about her new knitting class and Macy mentioned her modeling audition. Things started to return to normal and I calmed down. When I first walked in there something was off.
Mom turned to me. “I got you something.”
“Me?” It wasn’t my birthday or Christmas.
Mom pulled a long box from under the table then set it in front of me. The box was silver and the bow on top was pink. Saks Fifth Avenue was written along the side. It was obvious there was a dress or a cute outfit inside.
“What’s this for?”
“I just wanted you to have something nice next time you go out to dinner…or a party. Whatever.”
I untied the ribbon then opened the box. Inside was a black dress. It was strapless but there was a thin amount of black lace that went over the shoulders. It had a small waistline and then flared out before it stopped just above the knees.
“It’s beautiful…” I pulled it out of the box and felt it in my fingertips.
“It’ll look so cute on you,” Macy said. “I tried it on first so we know it’ll look amazing on you.”
I turned it around and examined the back. “Mom, you didn’t have to…”
“I wanted you to have it. Please wear it next time you go out.”
“I never go anywhere fancy enough to wear this.”
“Well, wear it next time Conrad takes you out. You’ll blow his mind, honey.”
I already blew his mind. “Thank you, Mom. That was very nice of you.” I gently placed the dress back inside and folded the tissue over it.
“Wait, there’s something more.” Macy handed me a smaller bag.
“Seriously, what did I do to deserve this?” I pulled the tissue out then saw the cute black Armani shoes. “These must have cost a fortune.”
“I got them cheap,” Macy said. “I know a guy.”
I held them up. “Wow…they are gorgeous.”
“It’ll look great with your dress,” Mom said.
“This outfit is the most expensive thing I own,” I argued.
“Still not expensive enough for such a classy lady.” Mom patted my hand.
I returned the shoes to the bag. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything at all,” Mom said. “Seeing you happy is all we
want.”
I felt them stare at me and I averted my gaze. It was such a nice gift and it came out of nowhere. “I appreciate it. I love you both.”
Macy smiled. “We love you too.”
Chapter Seventeen
Conrad
You’d think I’d be nervous.
But I wasn’t.
Getting down on one knee was something I’d never done before. It was an action I didn’t put a lot of thought into. After Beatrice and I broke up, marriage was the last thing on my mind.
But now it was the first thing on my mind.
Roland sat across from me, his beer untouched. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” That was the truth.
“Nervous?”
“Actually, no.” I held his gaze as I said it. “I don’t feel nervous at all…” Was that weird? This was the biggest moment of my life. It had to go perfectly. I should be stressed out and flustered.
Only I wasn’t.
“That’s good,” Roland said. He clanked his beer against mine. “It’s your last night as a single man.”
“I’m not getting married tomorrow. Just engaged.”
“It’s still a big deal. Things will never be the same.”
I guess they wouldn’t.
“It’s going to be you and Lexie all the time. Now you’ll be one person.”
“It won’t be that different.”
“Do you ever see Slade and Cayson without their wives one step behind them?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “No, you never do. They’re stuck at the hip.”
“That’s not a bad thing. It’s what I want.”
“I’m not trying to talk you out of it,” he said. “I like Lexie. She’s a nice girl and having her in our family will be great. But cherish the moment you’re in because this time of your life is about to disappear.”
“What’s there to cherish?” I asked. “I was pretty messed up when Beatrice left me. It wasn’t until Lexie came into the picture that I felt whole again. Having her as my wife means I’ll always be whole. I can’t wait.”
Roland gave me a small smile. “I guess that’s a good way of looking at it.”
“What about you and Heath?”
“What about us?” he asked.
“Do you think about marriage and stuff?”
“Sometimes,” he said. “I know it’s something I want.”
“With Heath?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t mind coming home to him every day. I wouldn’t mind raising kids with him.”
“Let’s not try to have our kids at the same time like Skye and Trinity,” I said with a laugh. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Roland rolled his eyes. “Women.”
I chuckled. “Well, Heath is a man so the amount of drama should be at a minimum.”
“Oh, he’s dramatic,” Roland said with a laugh. “At least he can be sometimes.”
“Lexie isn’t. She’s pretty mellow.”
“Marry her,” Roland blurted. “I know Skye drives Cayson up the wall.”
“Skye is pretty cool, actually.” I worked with her every day and had come to know her in a way I never did before. The bond between us strengthened, and I knew she felt it too. It was obvious she liked having me around. I naturally intimidated visitors, engineers, and investors. No one thought twice about giving Skye a hard time when I was there, looming over them like a mountain.
“So, how are you going to do it?”
“I made reservations for this fancy place she likes. I made sure it was a five star restaurant so she would wear the dress her mother bought her.”
“You asked her permission?”
I nodded. “I spoke to her sister too. They were both really excited for her.”
“They should be. Their daughter is marrying a future billionaire.”
“I don’t think that’s why they like me,” I said coolly.
“Are you going to put the ring in the food?”
“No,” I said. “There’s too much liability there. How shitty would it be if she accidently swallowed it?”
“If she can swallow it then it’s too small…”
I ignored the jab.
“Before dinner? After dinner?”
“After,” I answered. “Then the waiter will bring out the champagne. Afterwards, we’ll go to the engagement party at the house.”
Roland started dancing in his seat. “I’m going to get my freak on.”
I chuckled as I took a drink of my beer.
“I’m excited for you. She’s the one.”
“She is the one,” I said in agreement. “I don’t like to compare them but…”
“I’ll keep your secrets, Conrad.”
“I loved Beatrice. We had an intense relationship. But she and I…we didn’t joke around like Lexie and I do. We didn’t have fun the way Lexie and I do. Lexie is more…laid back and not prissy. She’s not judgmental. She’s just—”
“Cool,” Roland finished.
“And she really understands me. When she’s not around, I don’t know what to do with myself. I want her to move in with me. I want to give her everything I have…”
Roland nodded and didn’t make fun of me for getting emotional. “What about kids?”
“I want to have kids.”
“Does she?”
“She got her tubes tied. At the time, she was just upset. But I know she wants to have kids.”
Roland shifted his weight in his seat like he was uncomfortable. “I don’t want to rain on your parade or anything but…isn’t that a problem?”
“There are medical procedures we can do to make it happen.”
“But what if she doesn’t want kids?”
“She will,” I answered. “And I can’t live without her anyway so it doesn’t matter.”
It looked like Roland wanted to argue but he kept his words back.
“There’s no turning back now anyway.” He took a long drink then clanked it against mine. “Congratulations, Conrad.”
“It’s a little early for celebrations.”
“It’s never too early for a celebration.”
***
At the end of the workday, everyone came into my office. They’d been acting weird around me all day, staring at me and giving me looks full of excitement and energy.
I knew why.
Dad came in with Sean and Skye.
Skye was smiling broadly. It was the first time I’d seen her in such a good mood for weeks. Most of the time she was pale as a ghost and exhausted from her pregnancy. But she bounced out of that instantly.
Sean wasn’t smiling but he was staring at me fondly. He looked at me that way every once in a while, like he was proud of me and loved me like his own.
Dad was another story. He was cheery and upbeat. The pride glowed in his eyes, and the happiness leaked out of every pore in his body. It looked like he wanted to hug me and never let go.
I rose from my desk and grabbed my phone and keys. “Are you guys just going to stare?”
Skye moved into my arms and hugged me. “Good luck tonight. Even though I know you won’t need it.” She turned to the side so her stomach wouldn’t press against me. But she tightened her arms around me with unfounded strength.
“Thanks.” I patted her back.
“Are you nervous?”
“Nope.” I pulled away. “She’s the one.”
Her eyes softened. “Awe…”
Sean moved in next. “We’ll be waiting at the house. We can’t wait to see that enormous ring on her finger.”
“I can’t wait for every guy in the world to see it.”
Sean chuckled then patted my shoulder. “Spoken like a true man deeply in love.”
“It sounds just like you, Sean,” Mike teased.
“That’s definitely not a bad thing.” Sean hugged me then patted my back. “Scarlet and I are very happy for you. We can’t wait to make Lexie a member of our family.”
“Thanks, Uncle Sean
.” Sometimes I felt like I had two dads.
I moved to Dad next. “Just get it over with.”
“What?” he asked.
“Fatherly advice…or whatever you want to say.”
He chuckled then gripped my shoulders. “So proud of you, Conrad. That’s all I want to say.”
I held his gaze and felt my heart ache.
“All I’ve ever wanted is for my two kids to be happy. Trinity is already there and now you’re next. It’s a dream come true for your mother and I.” He squeezed my shoulders. “You’ve made us very happy.”
I averted my gaze because the emotion was becoming too much.
“Now put a ring on her finger before someone else does.” Dad pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly.
“Watch out,” Sean teased. “Your father might beat you to the punch.”
“I do love that girl,” Dad said as he pulled away. “And I’m glad she’s becoming a Preston. You chose well.”
I stepped away and cleared my throat. “Thanks…I guess I’ll see you guys at the party.”
“We want to hear every little detail,” Skye said. “So you better come prepared.”
I chuckled as I walked out. “I’ll let Lexie tell you. I’m sure it’s all she’ll talk about for weeks.”
“Atta boy.” Dad said with a clap.
I nodded before I walked out. “See you guys later.” The last thing I heard before I shut the door was Skye’s voice.
“Go get her, Conrad.”
***
I patted my thigh for the fifth time before I reached her door.
The square box was felt in my slacks, and I sighed in relief when I realized it was still there. It would be my worst nightmare if I prepared to pop the question and realized I lost the ring.
When my heart slowed down, I knocked.
“Coming!” Lexie called from inside the apartment. The sound of running feet was heard through the door. Then she started talking to herself. “Dang shoes, just get on already.” She finally opened the door wearing a black dress tight around her waist. It had a sweetheart shaped top, and black lace covered her chest and her shoulders. Her blonde hair was in curls.
She looked stunning.
“Hey.” She leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.
