by Brynn Paulin
He rubbed small circles on my lower back. “What if… What if I could get it transferred? I’m filthy rich and getting you into NYU should be pretty easy.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m pretty sure that’s illegal and several people just got arrested for that crap.”
He rolled his eyes. “I promise not to do anything scandalous that could get me arrested. Nothing illegal or shady. You have the grades and obviously the smarts, and I bet they’d be drooling to get you.”
“What?”
“I don’t want you to go to Michigan,” he said baldly.
“I’m not leaving for a month. By then…”
I pressed my lips together, not wanting to remind him I was no one special. I was just a smart, klutzy, plain girl everyone in school had called “Beast.” No need to draw attention to that.
“Finish that sentence,” he demanded, a flare of ire replacing the turmoil that had been in his expression. His whole body had gone stiff against me—and not in a pleasant, let’s fuck again way.
“Well, we just met. You don’t really know me; I don’t really know you. By the time I’m off to MSU, you’ll probably be tired of me and ready to move on.”
He rolled me under him. There was no missing he was pissed.
“Haven’t you listened at all? I won’t be,” he grated. “I never will be. Even if you insist on going away, I’ll be here waiting for you—and I’ll visit you whenever I can. You know I have my own plane, right? I could practically live there and commute here for work.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Just letting you know I’m in this. Fully in this. Apparently more in it than you! Jesus, Cricket, I asked you to marry me.”
“Pretend marry you!”
He smirked. “Whatever it took to get that ring on your finger.” He clasped my left hand over my head. “And don’t you even think of taking it off. My grandfather always said I’d know when I met the one—just like he knew with my grandmother. I never believed him. I mean the rest of the family…” He shook his head. “Their heads are so far up their asses they wouldn’t notice their one walking by. But I knew the second I saw you. Why do you think I keep telling you you’re mine? That’s not sex talk.”
I stared at him. His revelation should terrify me but it didn’t. Still, I was worried. “I have plans…”
“I know, and I’m so fucking proud of you. I won’t stop you. I’ll support you! Whether you’re here—and I hope you’ll consider it—or up in the frozen north, it won’t change things. You’re my one.”
I knew he was right. I hadn’t even seen his face on the dark balcony, and he hadn’t seen mine, but I knew. We knew.
“Now that that’s clear,” he started, playing with one of my nipples. He nudged his cock against me again then sank deep with a groan. “Let me show you all the benefits of being here with me.”
Chapter Ten
~ Brix ~
“This is…overwhelming,” Cricket murmured as she ran her fingers over the stem of the fork lain beside her plate.
She’d been living with me for a week now and hadn’t left the penthouse for more than work. Tonight, when we’d gotten home—I loved that my home was her home now, too—we’d made love, then I’d told her to dress up because I planned to take her out. We could have ordered in again, but I didn’t want her thinking I was keeping our relationship a secret. I wasn’t. Hell, I wanted it announced on one of the Time’s Square marquees. And if we stayed in, I knew I’d end up buried inside her again. Heaven for me, but her poor little pussy could probably use a break.
“Why?” I asked.
“It’s so…fancy. I know what you’re thinking,” she said, catching my brow furrow. “My family has money and all that. I got dragged to more than my share of fancy parties, but not to a place like this. For the most part, no one cared what I did at those. And I could blend in.”
I highly doubted she’d ever blended in. She glowed with this serene quality I couldn’t quite describe, like she was a North Star or a beacon of promise. “No one cares what you do here.”
She let loose the cutest little snort, then her hand flew up to cover her mouth and nose. “Oh my God. Sorry.”
“You’re adorable.”
“You’re crazy. And biased. And also…you’re wrong. Everyone cares what I’m doing here. People have been staring at us since we walked in.”
“Because you’re beautiful, and they never see me with anyone.”
“Can we be for real here?” she interrupted.
“We are.”
“No, you’re in some sort of Picasso-inspired Brix-land.”
“Have I told you how much your brain turns me on?”
She huffed, alerting me to her annoyance. I liked annoying her. Two little flags of color pinkened her cheekbones, and her green eyes flashed fire at me. I loved the burn, but I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. I’d thought Viera’s would be quieter tonight.
When I’d called my friend, Matteo Viera to see if I could get a table, he’d worked out a reservation for me without any problem. Apparently, however, the place was actually booked solid today. Who knew how he’d found this little table for us. I wished it was more secluded, but beggars couldn’t be choosers, and today, I was the beggar, an unusual position for me.
Since arriving, I’d been completely focused on Cricket. I hadn’t noticed any extra attention. “Do you want to leave?” I asked in all seriousness.
She bit her lip and looked down for a moment before giving a quick shake of her head.
“Cricket?”
She met my eyes. I could see her desire to flee. Her shoulders were tense, as if she were poised to jump up and run.
“If you don’t want to be here, we can go.”
“I’ll be okay. I’ve heard the food is amazing. I’m looking forward to trying it. I’m just…” She shrugged. “Nervous, I guess. Ignore me.”
I couldn’t help my laugh. “Like that could ever happen. You’ve had all my attention since the second we met. If I don’t get my cock under control, my company and our future could be in some serious trouble. All I can think about is fucking you.”
She glanced around to make sure no one had heard me then smirked. “Good thing I’ll be a doctor since it looks like I’ll have to support us. Even so, you may have to downgrade your lifestyle a little.”
“Speaking of which… I talked to my friend at the university.”
“Brix…”
“They looked over your information and—”
“How did they get that?”
“I sent it to them.”
“How did you get it?”
Adorable. She had no idea what I could get my hands on. Dirt, secrets, extensive background checks few others could access… I barely needed to snap my fingers, and I got it.
Before I could answer, a shadow fell over our table, and I looked up to find none other than my neighbor from across the hall.
“Booker,” I greeted, standing to shake his hand.
“Hello, Brix,” he replied, giving my hand a firm shake before his gaze strayed to Cricket. “And who’s this with you?”
“My fiancée.” That was all he needed to know.
Cricket started to stand.
“No, no, don’t stand,” he said, motioning for her to stay seated. He offered his hand to my woman, and I wanted to punch him, especially when she took gave him hers, looking flustered. “Prince Booker of Zenterland.”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Usually, he introduced himself as Dr. Grammer, eschewing the title.
“Cricket Markawicz,” she replied.
“My fiancée,” I repeated.
His glance flashed over to me, and he smiled. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. You might see Cricket around the place. She lives with me. You know, Cricket… Booker is a doctor. Maybe, one night we can all get together, and you two can talk. I’m sure he can give you some insights on school.”
“You are?” she ask
ed him.
“Not highly publicized,” he murmured. “The palace PR office works hard to keep my work outside of royal duty private. But yes, I’m a pediatrician.”
“That’s the specialty I’m hoping for.”
“Then we should definitely talk, love.” He smirked when I growled. “And now, I should head back to my table. Dreadful dull networking for a hospital fundraiser. Saw you over here and excused myself for a moment. Thank you for the reprieve.”
Cricket giggled. “I could fake a medical emergency.”
He looked horrified, and I almost wished she would.
“God, no,” he exclaimed. “Not only would the media have a field day, but half of the people in my party are doctors. They’d all be over here fighting over you, and I’d have to bail Brix out of jail. Total mess. No, it’s better that I go back. Just think of me while I suffer.”
He was gone before we could say another word.
“He’s dramatic,” Cricket commented, grinning. “You two are a pair.”
“Are you ready to order?” the waiter interrupted, having likely waited to come over until Booker walked away.
“Mind if I order for you?” I asked Cricket. Her relief said everything.
“Please,” she breathed.
A moment later, the waiter was gone, and we were alone again—well, as alone as we could be in the packed restaurant.
Cricket glanced sideways, and I saw her get tense again, worse than before. Following her line of vision, I saw two women about her age staring at us, their expressions bordering on nasty.
I took her hand, lacing our fingers. “You know them?”
She nodded. “We went to school together. They’re Ella’s friends.”
“Ignore them. If they’re anything like your stepsister, they’re not worth the worry.”
She released an amused but scoffing sound. “You don’t even know her.”
My thumb traced over her knuckles. “I know hundreds of women like her. Avaricious to the core. Trust me, they hold no interest for me. And those two… Ignore them.”
“Okay.”
“After dinner, what do you feel like doing? A show, dancing, something touristy that we’d never do because we live here?”
“Aldan…”
She laughed when I growled.
“The best friend.”
“Yes, the best friend. He’s working To Kill a Mockingbird at the Shubert. He’s about to leave for college in Michigan, too, and I’ve never been to one of his shows.”
“Michigan?” I asked. I scowled, my possessive streak rising again and making itself known.
“He’s going to an arts college on the other side of the state from MSU. Stop being so cranky.”
“I don’t like that you’ll be in the same state with this guy while I’m here.”
“Trust me, Aldan would laugh his ass off if he knew what you’re thinking.”
Or he’d know it was true, because he was into her, too. Too bad. She’s mine, asshole.
“So, he’s an actor and an artist?”
“No, he’s a crew guy. Got lucky and landed the job because of family connections, but I know he works his rear off. Anyway, I should see the show before he’s gone. He could probably get us tickets.”
I grinned. “I think I can handle it, Princess.” Pulling out my phone, I tapped out a message to Charlotte.
Brix: Need tix for To Kill a Mockingbird. For tonight.
Charlotte: You know I’m on maternity leave, right?
Brix: I know you’re the best. Want an extra month, paid?
Charlotte: I’ll send you the confirmation in a few minutes.
Smiling, I shoved my phone back in my pocket and took Cricket’s hand again. “All set. Now…”
“Who was that? Diana?”
“Hell, no. Charlotte. She’s my publicist but pretty much a genius at getting, investigating or finding anything I need.”
She looked dubious. “Your publicist gets you Broadway tickets?”
“She used to be my assistant, remember.” I pinned Cricket with an amused stare and smirked. “But you’re doing a lot of that stuff now. Of course, I can’t ask you to order tickets for our dates. That would be pretty rude of me.”
“I’m sure she’s thrilled to get your random calls,” Cricket said dryly.
“Well, there are big perks. I just gave her an extra month of maternity leave.”
“That you’re making her work during.”
“I’d feel guilty, but she likes it. Her husband told me she’s bored to death—he’s a real estate guy. Helped me get my place.”
“And a friend, I’m guessing, if you’re discussing his wife.”
I shrugged. Actually, I’d been calling for Char, but Doug was an okay guy. “Yeah, I guess. Anyway, I think she’s probably a lot like you. Driven. Brilliant. She’s loving her time with the baby, but she wants something else to do, too.”
“How long has she been on leave? She should probably be resting since she has a newborn.”
“Well, Dr. Markawicz, I just gave her month eleven of leave.”
“She’s been on maternity leave for ten months? How are you a billionaire if you throw away money?”
I shrugged again. “Some countries give a couple years. And I don’t throw away money. I make it work for me.”
Our dinner arrived then, saving me from explaining the twisted ins and outs of my work relationship with Charlotte. To Cricket, my habits might appear far from frugal, but for her, I would always be extravagant. She was everything, and I’d do anything for her.
Including figuring out how to get her to stay here with me rather than going away to school.
I guess that gift would be more for me than for her, but whatever kept her in my bed at night. I’d go with it.
Chapter Eleven
~ Cricket ~
“I have a surprise for you.” With his fingers laced through mine, Brix led me upstairs and toward his—our—bedroom suite. It was late since we’d gone directly from dinner to the theater. Charlotte had even managed to get us backstage access, which left me in seven shades of fangirl. Brix had gotten to meet Aldan, as well. The two of them had hit it off, Brix seeing for himself that Aldan did not have secret lust for me and Aldan making it clear to my fiancé/boyfriend that if he hurt me, his balls were on the line. No joke, I think my bestie would find a way to do it, too.
“You have a surprise for me in the bedroom? I have to say, I’m not really surprised,” I laughed. It might not be a surprise, but I sure wanted it.
“No, smartass. Not in the bedroom, though I’m certainly giving you something big in there later while you thank me enthusiastically.”
He led me into the vestibule of the large suite and flicked on the lights. To the left was the archway into the spacious master bedroom. Straight ahead was the dressing room/closet that was larger than my old bedroom at my dad’s. Walking through that led to the equally large bathroom. And to the right was a sitting room, about the same dimensions of Brix’s office downstairs. I guess the space was intended to serve as a spot to get away from visitors or family. Otherwise, I didn’t really see the purpose of another sitting room. Seriously, though… The suite was bigger than most family-sized apartments in Manhattan.
Aside from the spacious layout of the bedroom, I loved skylights throughout. Literally, I could spend all my time in here—and not because of the great sex.
“What do you think?” Brix asked.
“About what?”
Grasping my shoulders, he turned me to face the sitting room. I gasped. Where once there had been a sofa and a couple chairs over an oriental carpet, now there was a desk on a fluffy, white area rug, a tall bookshelf and a nice desk chair. A couple lamps brightly lit the area, and if I wasn’t mistaken, that was my laptop on the surface of the workspace and the books I’d brought with me on the shelves.
“Elijah,” I breathed, taking a step toward it.
“I figured you’d need a place of your own to study
if you stay here—or when you come home from MSU. Though, you know I’m leaning for the former. Later, after you’re working, Dr. Brixton, you’ll still need a home office.”
“Maybe I’ll want to keep my maiden name. I liked when you called me Dr. Markawicz earlier,” I teased him.
“I like you having my last name.”
Truly, that idea was growing on me.
“Anyway,” he continued, “even though I want you with me all the time, I know you have goals, and I know there are times when you’ll need total focus. So I’m giving you this space. You can go in there, shut the door, ignore me. For a while, anyway.”
I shook my head, stunned by his gift. Tears burned my eyes, blurring my vision. No one—no one!—had ever done anything so thoughtful for me. And the way he talked…he meant for us to be forever. Us together forever. He’d been saying it all along, but more and more, I believed him. It wasn’t just words. He was showing me his plans for us.
Turning, I buried my face in his chest.
“Princess,” he breathed. “If you don’t like it—”
“It’s perfect,” I sobbed. “Thank you.”
He lifted my chin and kissed me, a gentle brush of lips over mine, tender, adoring.
“I love you,” I whispered, staring into his eyes and hoping I wasn’t saying it too soon, that it was okay to reveal my feelings.
He groaned and buried both hands in my hair. “Fuck, I love you. So damn much. Thank you.”
He covered my mouth with his, this kiss the opposite of the one a moment ago. This one consumed me.
We were moving toward the bedroom, then the back of my knees hit the mattress. I toppled backward, Brix following. We landed in a tangle, but neither of us broke our lip lock.
Brix pushed at my clothes, quickly stripping me while I tore at his shirt. He’d dropped his suit coat when we’d gotten home. Once I was naked beneath him, he reached back and yanked off the shirt I’d partially unbuttoned, taking his undershirt with it. Still kissing me, he shimmied out to his pants. Then his full focus was on me.
His mouth traveled over my shoulder and down to my breast. I arched beneath him, his caresses igniting sparks through me. Our lovemaking was rough, yet tender as we anxiously touched anywhere we could reach.
