“Does this reward include you naked?”
He doesn’t give me a chance to answer but stands with me in his arms and walks us back to my room. With the way his eyes are practically eating me alive, I’m pretty sure I’ll owe Quinn an apology tomorrow morning.
*****
The sound of a soft buzzing wakes me, and I reach over to hit my alarm clock.
Buzz, Buzz, Buzz
What the hell? I twist and notice Bryce’s side of the bed is empty, but the buzzing is coming from that direction. The sound stops, but immediately starts again, and I wake up enough to know it’s the sound of his phone.
I search until I find it on the floor beside his pants from last night. Without looking, I swipe to answer.
“Hello?” I croak.
“Hello?” Liza’s voice wakes me up fully.
“Liza?”
“Who’s this?”
“Devon.” Who does she think it is?
“I’m looking for Bryce.”
My alarm clock glows into the dark room, reading six-forty five. “Isn’t it a little early?” I ask annoyed.
“Not when we start work in half an hour. Now, can I talk to Bryce?”
“Currently, he’s unavailable.”
“Devon, we’ve got a lot of shit going on right now that you don’t know about. Can you get him for me?”
“Actually, I do know about it, and no, I can’t get him. But I can relay a message.”
She gets quiet, but her breathing picks up. “Actually, that’s fine. Tell him I have his watch from the other night, and I’ll bring it to work.” Her tone is condescending. I don’t let her know he’s not going to be at work today.
“I’ll relay the message.” I hang up without another word. Bitch.
I climb out of bed and throw on a sweatshirt then go searching for Bryce.
The smell of coffee hits me as soon as my door opens. I follow the aroma to the kitchen where Bryce is sitting with my computer at the table.
“Hey.” He motions for me to sit on his lap. “What are you doing up so early?”
“Liza called,” I tell him. “She said she has your watch from the other night and she’ll bring it to work.” Irritation drips from my words.
His face twists, and he looks at me with sympathy. “I’m sorry she woke you up. It’s a little early to call.”
“Early to call? She was happy to let me know you two have to be at work soon. Apparently, she doesn’t know you’re here.”
“Why the hell would she know I’m here? It’s none of her business where I am.”
“Maybe you should tell her that.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my annoyance.
“Devon, we work together. That’s it. The other night, before we convinced Shawn to go to rehab, he went on a bender. We found him practically comatose in his place. We stayed until he sobered up. In the process of that, he threw up, mostly on me, several times. I handed her my watch when I was scared he would puke on it.”
Now I feel like an idiot. My anger dissolves instantly. Why do I continuously let her get to me, always thinking the worst? “I’m sorry,” I murmur, lowering my eyes.
He threads his fingers through my hair and pulls me to him, kissing me quickly. “She’s nothing to me. Strictly a peer.”
“I know, but it’s the way she portrays your relationship, like she’s goading me.” I think about telling him more about the conversation in my kitchen that morning but decide against it because he’s already said she means nothing to him.
He watches me a few more seconds before talking. “Want to go back to bed for a few hours before you have class?”
“Sure, but why are you up anyway?”
“I’m trying to figure out our holiday plans. I’ll have seven days off but not both Christmas and New Year’s. I assume you’ll be cheering in a bowl game, so I’m trying to see what is best for both of us.”
“I’d really like to have Christmas together with our families. Can you swing that?”
“If that’s what you want then absolutely. Mom will be thrilled.”
“Okay, I have three weeks off between semesters. Quinn is going to spend some time in Atlanta. I promised my mom we’d finish some wedding stuff, but otherwise, I can stay in Norfolk if you’d like.”
His face brightens at the news, and he kisses me softly. “I’d love that.”
“Really?!? It’s barely daylight, and you two are at it already. I’m declaring the kitchen a safe zone! No more!” Quinn mutters, grabbing a bottle of water and looking barely awake.
“No worries, Quinn. I’m taking her back to bed for at least three hours. Then I’ll drive you both to class. It’s fucking cold outside.”
“You’re on… but I’d like to go back to sleep. Think you can keep it down?”
“Not on your life,” he responds.
She gives me the evil eye, but I see right through her. She’s happy he’s here and things are fine.
Chapter 24
Quinn bitches constantly while refreshing her phone and iPad. I’m reminded of last year in the airport while we waited to fly our different ways for Christmas. Some things never change; she’s still neurotic about her grades.
We’re on the way to drop her at the airport, then I’m driving to Norfolk. She’s going to Atlanta for the week before Christmas, and she’s a nervous wreck. This will be the first time she meets Dean’s whole extended family. And to top it off, she’s scheduled for an interview with Bill for the internship position—which we all know she’ll get. Most of us were accepted back with our summer mentors. The interview is only a formality.
“I give up! I swear, they do this on purpose. What’s so hard about punching in a few grades and uploading?” She drops her phone in her purse and slams her head back in frustration.
“You know you aced every class and project. Why do you do this to yourself?”
“Because I’m an idiot. Aren’t you worried at all?”
“Hell yeah, pretty sure that Theories final dropped my grade. But what can I do?”
“Are you high? Look at me.”
I turn to her, and she inspects my face closely.
“Why would I be high?”
“Because you’re so calm… very Zen.”
“I guess I’m trying to keep you calm. This is a big trip for you.”
“Tell me about it. I need a distraction. Tell me your final schedule.”
She’s referring to my whirlwind travel for the next three weeks. I’ll be in Norfolk with the guys until we travel home together for Christmas. Ironically, Virginia was chosen for the Music City Bowl in Nashville, so I have to stay behind while they return. Due to flight schedules, Bryce thinks I’m flying back to him on New Year’s Day, but actually, I plan to surprise him on New Year’s Eve. It’s a top-secret plan. The only person besides Quinn who knows is my mom. I’ll tell Nate closer to time.
I go over the details with Quinn once more, confirming my final flight information.
“What exactly are you going to do this week while the guys work?”
“One day will be shopping with Nicole. Otherwise, I’ll probably be wrapping the gifts that have been shipped to their place. Tuesday afternoon, we have an appointment at Bryce’s bank to get my name on his account. Nate has a few gifts for me to pick up as well. I’m sure it’ll fly by.”
“Okay, so what’s the plan if you see Liza?”
“There is no plan. I’ll be cordial and friendly. No matter how much she gets under my skin, she’s still a member of their team. And Nate said she was a major part of helping with the Shawn situation. For that, I have respect for her.”
“You need me, you call. I don’t care if it’s day or night.”
I go on alert at the tone of her statement. “Is there something on your mind?”
“Yeah, I still don’t trust her. Keep your guard up. She seems sneaky. It’s a gut feeling, nothing more, because we know Bryce is a strai
ght arrow.”
“Oh yeah, she has a long way to go before I trust her. There’s a really good chance I won’t see her. Bryce made it clear that we have no social obligations with her.”
I park in the departure lane and turn to Quinn, grabbing her hand. “You are gonna rock this shit. Dean’s family is going to love you as much as he does. Be yourself, don’t get nervous, and YOU call me anytime. Day or night.”
Her earlier nervousness returns, and she gets slightly pale. “I love you, Dev. See you on Christmas Day.”
“You too, babe. Now, get out before we both start crying like girls.”
This earns a grin and a quick hug. She gets out and drags her suitcase from the trunk. I wave until she disappears in the crowd.
I’m not even on the interstate before my phone dings with a text.
Quinn: Booya, Bitch! Straight A’s. BTW- you too! Theories didn’t kick your ass! Call you later!
I smile to myself with a sense of relief, glad she has my student login. Maybe we can both relax and have a well-deserved break with little stress. Nothing can beat last year in Aspen, but I’m going to try.
*****
Bryce’s nakedness taunts me as I quietly climb back in bed. There’s a sliver of moonlight coming through his blinds that allows me to see his body spread out on the bed. His chest rises and falls with each breath, and I refrain from running my fingers over each ripple of muscle. My mouth waters, thinking about different ways to wake him.
For the last few days I’ve been here, we’ve been respectful of Nate. But behind closed doors, Bryce is insatiable. Every morning before he leaves me sleeping, he’s woken me up with gentle kisses that turned heated. My body craved his touch, and he’d slide into me, making love until we both moaned, trying to be quiet.
The nights were a lot less restrained. Thank God Nate had the late shift because we had sex on almost every surface and every room. Bryce said each time he looked at his kitchen counter, his front door, or even his vanity, he wanted to think about being inside me. I had absolutely no problem with this because I thought it was extremely hot.
His cock starts to twitch and grow as I gaze over his body. He’s either waking up or dreaming, which are both total turn-ons. I make a quick decision and scoot quickly between his legs. I blow lightly on the tip and then circle his head with my tongue. He hardens completely against my mouth, and his fingers fist in my hair.
I suck him all the way in and stop when he hits the back of my throat, waiting to see if he’s fully awake. When I don’t move, he thrusts up once, and I know he’s silently begging me to continue. Instead, I retreat, licking him generously, and then nip the sensitive skin on the underside.
Without speaking, I crawl up and position myself on top and glide down slowly, feeling him fill me. When I’m all the way seated, my hands slide to his chest to brace.
“Why are you stopping?” His voice is rough with sleep, and his fingers flex on my hips.
“Shhh.” I put a finger to his lips. He sucks it into his mouth and nibbles.
I swivel my hips a few times and clench, trying to slow the burning desire that’s building inside. A few more movements, and he loses patience, tearing his shirt over my head and cupping my breasts, rolling my nipples with his fingertips. I try to pull away, but my body betrays me by leaning into his touch, losing my control.
I rotate slightly, and he hisses, gripping me harder. My head drops forward as a tingling starts in my spine. My hair falls, covering my view of his hands on me. He sweeps it over a shoulder then tugs me down. Our mouths crash, and I whimper as he takes control. I match his every thrust, slide, and stroke until I have to break our kiss and bury my face in his neck. The orgasm blasts through me, and I bite down on his neck to quiet my cries. He thickens inside of me and then starts to pulse with his own release. There’s no doubt I’ve left a mark on his skin.
We lie together, his hands stroking my back lazily as we both catch our breaths.
“What was that for?” He breaks the silence. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“I couldn’t help it. You were sleeping so peacefully, and your body was shining in the light. I wanted to taste you. Then I wanted to do other things.”
He chuckles and runs his tongue along my jaw line.
“Why is that funny?”
“Because I wasn’t asleep, beautiful. The minute you left the bed for the bathroom, I woke up.”
“You were pretending? Why?”
“I felt the heat of your stare and wanted to see how far you’d take it. Gotta say, I’m happy you went the direction you did.”
“You were testing me?”
“No, I was hoping my hot as shit, sexy as fuck, and unbelievably incredible fiancée would try to seduce me. Which is what happened. Now, all morning at breakfast and the hellacious ten hour drive home, I’ll have the image burned in my brain of you coming hard.”
“Me too,” I agree.
“We’ve got two hours before we need to get up. You think you can sleep?”
“Oh yeah.” I wiggle where we’re still connected and feel him jerk.
“Jesus Christ. Keep doing that and there’s not going to be any sleep.”
“Okay, I’ll be good. Can we stay like this?”
“Yeah.” He reaches down and covers us with the comforter, and my eyes grow heavy.
The last thing I hear is his whispered declaration, “I love you.”
A few hours later, there’s a crowd of us sitting at a local diner eating breakfast. It’s mostly guys, except for Nicole and her sister. Besides Rick and Tommy, there are three other men from Bryce and Nate’s ship.
I’m deep in a conversation with the girls, telling them about Quinn’s week with Dean’s family when Nicole sits up straight, looking over my shoulder. Her eyes grow wide and dart back to me. I turn to see Liza and Dani walking to our table. My stomach drops when I realize Liza’s gaze is focused directly on Bryce. No one else notices them until they stop at our table.
Dani bends to give me a one-armed hug and greets everyone else.
“Thought I’d find you guys here. Should I be insulted we weren’t invited?” Liza says to no one specific, but her eyes pass over me.
“Having a little breakfast before we hit the road,” Nate answers her.
“Actually, that’s why I’m here. I need to borrow Bryce for a minute.” She lays a hand on his shoulder, and I tense.
Why the hell is she touching him?
“Nope, not going to happen. I’m officially on leave. There is nothing I need to know for the next week. If it’s important, email me,” Bryce says, not acknowledging her hand still on his shoulder.
“Bryce, you’ll want to know before you leave town.”
He finally looks up at her with an irritated expression. “Shawn?”
She nods, and he throws his napkin on the table, standing. She follows him outside while the table goes back to talking. Dani pulls up a chair and starts playing with TJ. Nicole tries to engage me back into the conversation, but I lose interest, wishing I could see Bryce and Liza.
A few minutes later, they return, and Bryce gives me a small smile.
“Is he okay?” I whisper.
“Yes, I’ll go talk to him when we get back. He’s doing great. Sounds like he wants to give me his appreciation, which is totally unnecessary.”
“He wants to show you his gratitude. Let him do that.”
His kisses me briefly then goes back to eating. Liza doesn’t say anything but continues to stand behind me. I close my eyes and swallow hard then turn to her with a smile.
“Liza, I don’t know all the details, but Bryce shared with me what y’all did for Shawn. He’s lucky to have you on his side,” I say quiet enough for no one but her and Bryce to hear.
Her face twists, and she looks between me and the back of Bryce’s head. He doesn’t turn but places a hand on my thigh and squeezes, showing me support.
“It’
s what we do. We stick together, watch out for each other.”
“Yes, but it sounds like you went beyond the call of duty in breaking through to him. For that, surely, he’s grateful.”
“We’ll be there for the long haul. We all want to see him succeed and get back on his feet. He’s not alone.”
“No, I suspect not. And from what Bryce tells me, his wife will be by his side the whole time. It’s amazing what support and love can get us through.”
She visibly pales and looks sick that I know about the wife returning. Bryce told me she’s torn up the separation papers and wants to save her marriage. Once Shawn found out why she left, he vowed to prove how much he loved her and their life together.
Her eyes narrow for a split second, and she gives me an arrogant grin. “Like I said, he has us at his back, no matter what.”
Her implication is clear; she doesn’t believe the wife is reliable.
“Never underestimate the bond of love. It’s a powerful emotion.”
I don’t give her a chance to respond before turning back to the table and pretending to focus on what the girls are saying. In my mind, I hope I got my point across. But something tells me she still has an agenda that includes Bryce.
Chapter 25
I stare at the little Christmas tree with a goofy grin. Similar to last year, Bryce bought me a tree this morning and set it up in the corner of my parents’ living room. It’s much smaller than last year, and it didn’t come decorated, so he also bought bags of decorations. It’s a dwarf compared to my parents’ much larger, elaborately decorated tree, but to me, it’s the cutest thing in the world.
Mom’s face lit up when he explained he wanted to start this as a tradition. My heart threatened to burst while Nate and dad shook their heads. Bryce didn’t seem to care when they questioned his manhood. We decorated in our pajamas while my mom made breakfast.
When I went to shower, he slipped a few presents under it only for me. I did the same when he wasn’t looking. Mid-afternoon, Quinn and her parents dropped in, and she immediately started in on him. He took it easily, mentioning that she needed to take note because, if he was gone next year, she was responsible for getting me a tree. At the mention of his deployment, she shut up and promised. In turn, she made him promise that he’d stop doing what she refers to as ‘cheesy shit’. He refused, which spurred more teasing from her.
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