The Terms Duet

by Rowe, Ruby

  Greyson takes a seat on my sofa, and I pour him a scotch.

  “You didn’t listen to me,” I say as I hand it to him.

  “I swear I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

  “First, I want to know why you didn’t give her the entire ten grand.”

  “I thought I’d ration it so she wouldn’t freak out and give it back to you, but that’s only the partial truth. If I’m honest, it’s because I worried she’d use it to rent her own place.

  “I like her, Ellis. She’s fun and doesn’t have some agenda of how to get ahead. She’s–she’s herself. She doesn’t pretend like everyone else.”

  “Fun? How long will fun last? You’re nothing alike.”

  “You and Camilla came from different worlds, and you’re making it work.”

  “She’s not Sasha. Camilla’s more mature, responsible and older.”

  “I’m younger than you, so I can date a younger woman than Camilla, and I’m not as serious and uptight as you. Sasha and I fit together.”

  I hold my hands up. “Fine, you like her, but that doesn’t change the fact you’re marrying Whitney Peterson.”

  “You’re like everyone else in this family, thinking I belong with someone like her.”

  “That’s bullshit. I’ve been telling you for years to stand up to your father, but you haven’t listened, so what am I supposed to think? Unless you’re ending things with her, you need to leave Sasha alone. She’s been through hell already.”

  “You know about her past.” Downing his drink, Greyson slams his glass on the coffee table. “Tell me what happened to her.”

  “I can’t.”

  “I tell you everything, Ellis. I won’t say anything to her about it. I need to know.”

  I walk over to the window of the family room and watch Sasha push Liam on the swing.

  “Fine, I’ll tell you, but only so you understand why you can’t mess with her head. Her parents were junkies. They traded Sasha for drugs whenever they needed them. Their dealer would take her for days at a time. I guess he and his friends would drug her up and have their way with her.”

  I turn around to face him. “She was a pincushion, Greyson. She was only twelve when it started. Camilla rescued her when Sasha was fourteen, and they’ve been on the run ever since.”

  As he looks to the floor, his hands ball into fists.

  “I’m trying to wipe away any record of Camilla’s kidnapping charges as we speak, but it hasn’t happened yet. That’s why I needed you to be quiet about Sasha’s driver’s license.”

  Getting up, Greyson begins to pace. He holds his head as his skin turns crimson. His breathing is labored, too.

  “Calm down. She’s obviously doing better.”

  The veins bulge in his neck while he pulls at his hair, and before I can stop him, his fist connects to a wall in my family room. I’m not sure which is louder, the punch or his ferocious yell. For fuck’s sake.

  “Greyson, get it together.”

  “She deserves better than how I’ve treated her. I won’t touch her again.”

  “You have the power to end this nonsense with Whitney, but I’m beginning to think you like the safety net.”

  “Fuck you. I have to get out of here, so tell Sasha something came up with work and give her a ride home.”

  Camilla

  “What a day,” I say as I take off my earrings and lay them in a tray on Ellis’s dresser. “Greyson must’ve been angry with me if he’d leave Sasha here like that.” I turn around to face Ellis while he reads in bed.

  “It wasn’t you. I told him what happened to Sasha when she was younger to be certain he wouldn’t string her along. He promised he wouldn’t say anything to her, but the news upset him.”

  “I understand why you told.”

  He removes his reading glasses. “I was surprised over how angry he became. We now have a hole in the wall of the family room, so that’s why I kept you and Liam out of there today. I’m sure our inquisitive child would’ve asked about it.”

  “He punched the wall?”

  “I think he honestly cares for Sasha. I’ve never seen him that enraged.”

  “It doesn’t matter how he feels about her if he’s still going to marry Whitney. Oh, shoot, I forgot to take my pill.” I walk into the bathroom and open the drawer to where I keep my birth control.

  I moved them to Ellis’s bathroom since I’m sleeping in his room now. I rummage through the drawer, but they’re nowhere to be found, so I hurry back into the bedroom.

  “My pills aren’t in the drawer. Do you think Liam found them?”

  “He’s never in here alone. You probably moved them. Did you check the other bathroom?” He puts his glasses back on and stares at his book.

  “I’m sure they were in that drawer.” Starting to doubt myself, I go back to the bathroom and search the entire vanity.

  “Maybe I should wake Liam to be certain he didn’t take them. I mean, what if he thought they were candy?” I rub my forehead.

  “Camilla, calm down. I’m sure they’ll turn up.”

  “It’s not like an aspirin for a headache, Ellis. I have to take them every day or they’re pointless. I’m going to search his room. I’ll be right back.”

  Only turning on the bathroom light, I quietly check the drawers of Liam’s vanity and then various spots throughout his bedroom. Thankfully, I don’t find them, but not knowing their whereabouts is driving me crazy. It doesn’t make sense. No one else would touch them.

  Or would they? No, surely not. We swore there’d be no more secrets between us. No deceit of any kind. After turning off Liam’s light and tucking him in better, I head back to our bedroom. I close the door behind me and lean back against it.

  “Ellis, please look at me.” His eyes tilt up from his book. “Did you move my birth control pills?” Blowing out a breath, he removes his readers and tosses them on the bed.

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Answer me. Did you take my pills?” Slamming his book shut, he gets out of bed and stalks over to me. Shit, he’s mad I accused him. His hands press to the door at each side of my head, and I peer up at him as he towers above me.

  “Yes. I took them.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why. I want you to have my babies.” Hearing him say babies is heart-melting, but the fact he hid my birth control or disposed of it is whacked.

  “I want to have your children, but not until we’re married, which we haven’t even discussed. We promised there would be no more secrets between us.”

  “I know, but I was hoping you would say heck with it after all the trouble you’ve had getting birth control, and then I wouldn’t have to tell you what I did.”

  “All the trouble I’ve had… Oh, my god, you’re the reason my appointments were cancelled.” I attempt to push him away, but he grips my waist with his strong hand while his other continues to cage me in.

  His bare torso is right in front of me, all powerful and sexy, and I’m mad that I’m noticing.

  “Yes, that was my doing, but you were keeping secrets then, too.”

  “I think you’re learning from Liam instead of the other way around. Look at you, trying to talk yourself out of trouble.”

  He flashes a devilish smile. “Is it working?”

  “This is a serious matter.” I cross my arms. “I think you’re trying to get me pregnant so I won’t have a career.”

  He scowls. “Please … having kids didn’t stop my mother from working.”

  “I don’t know how many times I need to tell you that I’m not going to abandon you or our children. I would never put a job or dream before my family since having a family was my most desired dream of them all.”

  Kissing my forehead, he clasps my chin.

  “I told you I didn’t want any barriers between us.”

  “That’s not a barrier.”

  “If it’s preventing what would naturally occur, then it’s a barrier.”

  “OK, but we
’re not even married.”

  “We’re not married yet. Once you and Liam filled this house with laughter and a joy I’d never experienced before, I knew I wanted a big family, and I want it with you.”

  “You’re sweet and irresistible, and it’s frustrating at times.”

  “I’m sorry I was dishonest, but after Tony died young, I realized how short life could be. I’m getting closer to forty every day. If we’re having a bunch of babies, we need to get on it.”

  “A bunch? You’re incorrigible, like a spoiled child who always wants his way.”

  He slides his hand in my hair and grips it.

  “Are you looking for a punishment, my Rose?”

  “I think you need the punishment.” Ducking his head, he licks my ear. “OK, my punishment is that I have to eat your pussy.”

  “You enjoy it, so it’s hardly a punishment.” I’m instantly aroused by his dirty talk, so I trail my fingers down his chest. “Besides, we can’t make babies if you’re not inside me, too.” Leaning back, Ellis peers down at me with a pleased gleam in his eyes.

  “I knew you wanted to make more little geniuses with me.”

  “I do, but only as a married woman.”

  He kisses my lips. “That makes two of us.” Strolling over to his dresser, he digs around in the top drawer. He returns with a ring box, and I gasp, inwardly wanting to squeal.

  “I was going to do something special and share this moment with Liam, too, but you need to know right now how serious I am about spending my life with you.”

  He opens the box and lowers to one knee. “My Rose, will you marry me, grow old with me, and make more phenomenal babies with me?”

  “Yes, yes, yes!” I jump on top of him, knocking his feet out from under him. Once he falls to his back, I straddle him and pepper his face with kisses. “I love you, and I can’t wait to marry you.”

  He radiates happiness as he grabs my hand.

  “Then let me put the damn ring on your finger.”

  “Oh, yes, please do.” He gets the gorgeous band out of the box and slides it on my wiggling finger. A magnificent round diamond is encircled by smaller ones.

  Rose gold prongs are set between them, giving it a floral design. The band is rose gold, as well, and the details of the ring show the sincere thought Ellis put into selecting it.

  Once I’ve admired its beauty, he pulls me snug against him and hugs me. I’m sure my hair’s covering his face, but he doesn’t care. He holds me tight, kissing me everywhere he can reach.

  “I love you, baby. Thank you for saying yes.”

  Still straddling him, I sit up and grin.

  “Oh, like your spoiled butt would give me a choice.” His eyes widen before he grabs my waist. He tickles me hard, and I squeal loudly.

  “You’re getting a punishment now for sure.” I squeal again, and his laughter warms my heart. Other than the day Liam was born, I’ve never been happier.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Sasha

  I knock on Greyson’s bedroom door and gnaw on my lip while I wait for him to answer. This is the sixth time I’ve approached his room and the first time I’ve gotten the nerve to knock.

  I hear him come to the door, but it remains closed.

  “Greyson, I need to talk to you.”

  Opening his door, he tilts his head to each shoulder, popping his neck. His blond hair is sticking out in different directions, like he’s ran his hands through it, and I have the urge to touch it. He’s avoiding eye contact with me, and I don’t understand what changed between us.

  “What do you need?”

  “That’s what you have to say? We haven’t spoken for three days, so can you at least tell me what I did wrong?”

  “You haven’t done anything wrong, Sasha. I’m trying to sort some shit out.”

  “Maybe I could help. Will you come talk to me in the living room?” I coax him with a smile.

  “All right.” He follows me, and we both sit on the couch. Facing him, I rest my bended leg on the cushion. As he tents his fingers at his stomach, he lets his head fall back.

  “Did my happiness over our time at the cabin scare you off?”

  “That’s not it.” He stares above him, so I use the moment to admire him in the grey athletic shorts and white t-shirt he changed into after he came home from work.

  “Was our kiss bad? I mean, did it make you realize I’m just one of the guys?” I poke his arm, needing to lighten the mood.

  Leaving his head on the cushion, he turns it and looks at me. Reaching his hand out, he hooks a piece of my hair around his finger.

  “If you’re a dude, then I’ve developed a vagina allergy, too, because that kiss was fucking amazing.”

  I snicker. “I knew you were still in there. Where have you been the last few days?”

  “Trying to stay away from you.” Sighing, he lets go of my hair and drops his hand to the couch.

  “My sister told you to leave me alone, didn’t she?”

  “Yes, but she had a right to.”

  “I’m an adult. She needs to butt out of my business.”

  “She cares, Sasha, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

  Grabbing his hand, I thread our fingers.

  “I’ve never felt more alive as I did when you kissed me, and all I’ve thought about since is how I want you to do it again.”

  “I can’t be selfish any longer.”

  “I give you my permission.” Climbing across the couch, I force myself onto his lap. I straddle him and place his hands on my hips. He squeezes them, and a heady sound rumbles from his chest. “I’m asking you to kiss me. That is if you want to.”

  “Fuck, you have no idea how bad I want to.” Grabbing the back of my head, he pulls me to him and kisses me passionately. Our tongues collide, and the exhilarating sensations I’ve craved for days roll over my body.

  He gets hard beneath me, and I start to freeze up, but I manage to stop the knee-jerk reaction. No, I want Greyson. I want to feel his touch and taste his mouth.

  Coming up for air, he nips at my bottom lip and groans. I move his hand over the top of my shirt, but he doesn’t respond. He’s staring at my breasts, growing even harder beneath me.

  He glances up. “Are you sure?”

  “I trust you, and I want you to touch me.” Without further hesitation, he squeezes my breast and buries his face against my neck. Sucking and nipping, he trails kisses around to the front of my throat. My head falls back, giving him room to explore.

  Grabbing the bottom of my top, he pulls it over my head and unhooks my bra in only a second. He tosses it aside and palms both my breasts, causing me to whimper.

  “Your tits are sensational.” He holds them as if he’s feeling the weight of them. His tongue swirls around my nipple before he sucks on it, and experiencing a new depth of pleasure, I rub against his erection, the act uncontrollable and spine-tingling.

  His pelvis lifts to meet mine, too, and I believe I may come from the friction alone.

  “I need more,” I mutter. In a swift move, he loops an arm around my waist and lays me over on my back. He grips the arm of the couch as he sucks on my nipple and grazes his fingers down my stomach.

  I flinch, so he tilts his eyes up at me. “Are you OK?”

  “Yes.”

  Out of breath, he looks down at my body, and the corner of his mouth lifts.

  “I still don’t see your other tattoo. Does that mean it’s farther south?” Biting my lip, I lower one side of my leggings to show him the outlined tiny heart on my pelvis. “I like it, but I expected something more colorful from you.”

  “Once I’ve … you know, reached that point of trust again, I’ll finish it. It will mean I’m healing. My hope is that I can add one man’s name inside it and feel confident that he’s the only man who will ever see it.”

  He traces the heart as he faintly kisses my lips, and I’m ready to take another step with him. I’m desperate to feel his fingers inside me.

 
; “Please, touch me.” Dipping his hand into my leggings and panties, he sinks his fingers inside me. His eyes snap shut as he exhales a hiss.

  “So fucking perfect.” My first reaction is to resist, so my muscles squeeze, and as if he senses my tension, he presses gentle kisses to my chest. My breathing is strangled as I attempt to calm myself. You trust him, Sasha. You can handle this.

  As his fingers move in and out of me gingerly, the tingling sensations dance along my nerve endings, the feeling more intense than I’ve ever experienced. I abandon all fear and allow the pleasure to take hold.

  “You’re dripping wet. I can’t take it, Ladybug. Come on my fingers.”

  The pumping of his hand and his naughty words push me over the cusp, and I dive head first into a pool of pleasure. My nails dig into his bicep and waist as my body spasms beneath his. The colors behind my eyes are a psychedelic trip, an unparalleled high.

  Dropping onto me, he buries his face at my neck, and I jerk my head back to find room for more breaths. His hand skims along my curves and back up again.

  “Make love to me,” I whisper.

  “Now that you’re sober, that’s sacred, Sasha. Save it for someone special.”

  Grabbing his shoulders, I push him upward to lift his head and chest.

  “You’re special to me.”

  “Don’t forget weird.” Climbing off me, he sits on the couch.

  “I’m being serious. I couldn’t give my body to anyone else, and I don’t want to leave you sexually frustrated,” I add.

  “It won’t be the first or last time.”

  Self-conscious that I’m partly naked, I cross my arms and sit up to grab my shirt.

  “That was amazing. The colors I saw were like a bag of Skittles.”

  He shakes his head and drags his gaze away from my breasts before I pull my shirt over my head.

  “I’m surprised you have teeth left after all the sugar you consume.”

  “Speaking of sugar, do you want some tea? I made more today. We could junk out and watch our show. That always makes me feel better.”

  “Sure.”

  I brush the side of his hair with my fingers.

  “If you’re upset about Camilla, please don’t be. She forgets I’m an adult. I’m often naïve, but not about what’s happening between us. Remember, I’m Podunk and you’re Fiji. We’re not of the same caliber, and I can accept that.”