We do fine.
There are a few employees I’d fire today, but my current contract prohibits that.
Those people are still here because Lloyd is in their corner.
“I call this meeting adjourned.” Lloyd laughs as he bangs his fist against the table. “It’s time for a scotch.”
Seeing as how we’re nearing the end of the workday, I’m inclined to agree with him, but I have to opt-out.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Hank pushes back from the table. “Are you joining us, Mr. and Mrs. Locke?”
“I can’t.” I stand. “I have something to take care of.”
That perks my wife’s brows. “You do?”
Nodding, I reach out a hand as she glides to her feet. “I’ll see you at home in a couple of hours.”
“Where are you off to, Bull?” Lloyd asks as he rounds the table headed toward the door with Hank on his heel.
“I want to surprise my wife with something special.”
Trina squeezes my hand, luring my gaze to her face. “You don’t have to do that, Graham.”
As tempted as I am to take her in my arms and kiss her, I resist that in favor of a soft brush of my lips against her cheek. “I do have to do it. I promise you’ll like it, dear.”
She catches my chin in her hand. Holding it there, she stares into my eyes. “I know I will, darling.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Graham
I fist my hand around the box containing the diamond earrings I just purchased for my wife.
I made a return visit to the same jewelry store I went to when I bought the engagement ring for Trina and my wedding band.
The woman who helped me that day was eager to lend a hand today. She set me up with a pair of earrings that will look beautiful on my wife.
I explained that they were a belated wedding gift, and after the store clerk sighed and commented on how lucky my wife is, she covered the box in wrapping paper and topped that with a glossy white ribbon.
Tucking the box into the inner pocket of my suit jacket, I swing open the door to a bakery.
I’m in Brooklyn at a place called Dobb’s Bakery.
I’ve never been here before, but judging by the T-shirt Trina was wearing last night, she has been.
Normally, I’d stop by the bakery in the West Village that sells the over-baked cheesecakes that Lloyd thinks are the best thing in the world, but tonight I’m planning on putting a smile on my wife’s face.
As soon as I step inside Dobb’s, I’m greeted with the smell of vanilla and cinnamon.
I look around the eclectic space.
There are glass display cases filled with cakes, cookies, and dozens of other sugary concoctions.
A few tables sit in a corner surrounded by mismatched wooden chairs. The walls are lined with framed photographs. Some are of the bakery’s interior, but many are of people.
I step closer to them to get a better look since there’s a line of people five deep waiting to be served.
“Can you imagine having thirteen kids?” A deep voice comes at me from the left. “The Shaws are amazing people, aren’t they?”
I glance over to see a man with graying temples. “The Shaws have thirteen kids?”
How the fuck did I not know that?
“And a few grandkids.” He huffs out a laugh. “I’ve been coming here weekly for years. I know them all by name.”
Without any urging on my part, he decides to prove that point. He starts rambling off names beginning with Elijah, then Gary, and Shirley. I can’t keep up, but still, I listen intently until he says it. He says the name I’ve been waiting to hear, “and there’s Trina and…”
Trina. Trina Shaw.
She’s one of thirteen kids.
I turn back to the photo I had my eye on before this guy interrupted me. It’s of a bunch of people, but the one who stood out to me when I first glanced at it is the same person I get to go home to tonight.
Trina, my wife and the woman I’m falling hard and fast for is front and center in a picture surrounded by people who resemble her. They all have smiles on their faces as they gaze at whoever was behind the camera.
It looks like the picture was taken in front of this place, judging by the red brick in the background.
“Every one of them took a turn working in the kitchen and behind the counter,” he goes on, oblivious to the fact that I’m focused solely on my wife’s image in the picture. “It must have been a hell of an experience growing up in this place surrounded by all that love. Herbert and Hermina Shaw are saints. They raised a group of amazing people and built up this bakery to what it is today.”
Normally, envy would charge through me when hearing about someone’s idyllic childhood and caring parents, but this time I’m grateful.
I’m grateful that Trina grew up in a home with people who loved her.
“Do yourself a favor and get a slice of the chocolate cake.” The guy standing next to me laughs. “You’ll be glad you did.”
I turn to face him again. “Thanks for the tip.”
My gaze trails to a woman standing behind the counter. I spot her resemblance to my wife right away. That has to be her sister.
I wandered in here looking for a dessert to surprise my wife with. I’m going to leave here with the knowledge that she’s part of a loving family.
Our pasts couldn’t be more different.
“You went to Dobb’s?” Trina’s voice cracks as she looks down at the pastry box on the kitchen island.
“I did.”
I don’t add anything, and she doesn’t respond, so I reach for her hand.
I wrap it in mine and draw it up to my chest. Holding it there, I lower my voice. “I saw pictures of you on the walls. You have a big family.”
Her blue eyes sear into me. “Did you meet anyone?”
“I saw Clara,” I say the name of the woman behind the counter.
When my turn came to order, she was chatting with a man who wanted to order a birthday cake, so a younger guy stepped up to help me. He wasn’t wearing a nametag and explained that he was a new hire. He dove deeper into that by sharing that he’s a senior in high school, and his mom has been a regular customer at the bakery for years.
Since he wasn’t related to my wife I didn’t stand around making small talk with him after I ordered an array of sugary treats to bring home to her, even though she likely sampled them all at some point in the past.
“My sister,” she whispers. “You didn’t tell her that I’m your wife, did you?”
If I didn’t care for her as much as I do, I might be pissed that she’s so deeply concerned about her family catching wind of our marriage, but I doubt that she’s told a soul outside the people we work with.
“She was busy with someone else, so a red-headed kid with freckles helped me.”
That brings a small smile to her lips. “He must be new. Did he do a good job? Was he friendly and polite?”
I huff out a laugh. “He was nervous as hell, but he got the order right. I see no need for him to be fired yet.”
“Clara never fires anyone.” She chuckles. “Her heart is too soft for that.”
I glance around to make sure Lloyd isn’t lurking around the corner, peering into the kitchen at us. When I’m confident the coast is clear, I place my hand on Trina’s chest between her breasts. “You have a soft heart too.”
She glances down. “Are you trying to cop a feel right now?”
I inch my hand to the left to cup her tit in my palm. I squeeze it through the silk of her blouse. “I am now.”
She drops her hand to grip my cock through my pants. It feels possessive in a way that makes me harden even more.
She leans forward to brush her lips against my neck. “I’ll race you to the bedroom for a quickie before dinner.”
Before she can say another word, I haul her over my shoulder and slap her round ass. “Quickies don’t exist in this marriage. Dinner can wait. I’m taking all the time I
need.”
Chapter Forty
Trina
Graham touches his forehead to mine as he slowly undresses me. “You’re a wonder to me, Mrs. Locke.”
I don’t correct him.
There are moments, this one included when I want to be Mrs. Locke. I want to have the name, the bond, and a future with him that will last for eternity, but we have an agreement.
There is an end date to all of this.
The fake marriage, the very real sex, and the feelings that have been blossoming inside me since we exchanged vows have an expiry date.
I let my arms fall to my side after he’s stripped me of my blouse and bra. “How so?”
His hands move behind me to draw the zipper of my skirt down. “There’s so little that I know about you.”
I smile at that. “It works both ways. I don’t know anything about you.”
My skirt is on the floor now, a red puddle of fabric at my feet. I move to kick off my heels as he drops to his knees.
He skims his lips over the silk of my panties, stopping to breathe in. “Here’s a secret about me. I love the way you smell. I crave your taste.”
My eyelids flutter shut as he pulls the fabric of the panties to the side to slide his tongue over my slick folds.
“It hurts to move.” I cup a hand over my sex. “You were rough.”
Graham glances at me as he tugs on the bottom hem of the T-shirt he just put on. “You’re not complaining.”
He’s right. I’m not.
After he ate me to orgasm, he took me on the bed. I climbed on top of him, straddling him as I rode him through another orgasm.
He told me then that it was his turn.
That’s when he pushed me onto my stomach, grabbed my hips, and fucked me harder than he ever had before.
I buried my screams in the bed coverings as he grunted my name out again and again.
It was everything I wanted in that moment and more.
“I have something for you,” he says as he stalks toward me.
I slip my panties on. “If it’s your cock I appreciate it. I do, but my pussy needs a break.”
That stops him mid-step. His head roars back in laughter.
It’s a beautiful sight. The sound is joyful.
It makes me realize that I’ve rarely heard it.
“It’s not funny,” I fake protest. “You were so deep.”
“Again, you’re not complaining,” he states as he stops in front of me.
I drop my hands to my hips, not caring that I’m only wearing a pair of panties and he’s fully dressed. “I like it.”
“I know.” He brushes his lips over mine. “Close your eyes and give me your hand.”
I do without a second thought.
My breath hitches when I feel the weight of something in my palm. “Can I look, please?”
Before he agrees, he kisses me again. This time it’s demanding and meant to steal my breath.
“Wow,” I whisper when he pulls back. “That was a gift in itself.”
He laughs, his breath trailing over my neck. “Open your eyes, Mrs. Locke.”
I take a second to savor the sound of that. When my eyes pop open, I glance down to find a small box wrapped in silver paper bound with a white ribbon. “What is it?”
“A belated wedding gift,” he says. “See for yourself.”
I hurriedly rip the wrapping paper free, tossing it on the floor. I steal a glance at my husband before I open the lid of a small white box. Inside is a pair of stunning earrings. There is no doubt in my mind that these are real diamonds. They are princess cut and have to be at least a carat each.
I gaze at Graham’s face. “This is too generous.”
His eyes search mine. “It’s not nearly enough, Trina. It’s a small token of my…”
I step in when his voice trails. I want to fill in the blank with the word love, but that’s far-fetched. Graham doesn’t love me. He appreciates me for helping him to make Mr. Abdon’s dying wish a reality.
“Appreciation,” I whisper.
He nods. “Right. It’s a small token of my appreciation.”
“I’ll wear them tonight.” I set to work removing the simple small gold hoops that I put in my ears this morning.
Graham reaches to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “The earrings will be all you wear when we fall back into bed later.”
I fasten the clasp on one of the diamond earrings before I tug the other from the box. “Is that an order or a request?”
He laughs as he watches my every move. “It’s your choice.”
I adjust the earrings before I push up my chin. “How do they look?”
“They pale in comparison to your beauty,” he says in a low tone. “But, I have to admit, they’re perfect.”
I move forward to kiss him softly on the corner of the mouth. “Thank you again, Graham.”
“You’re welcome.” He reaches up to cup his hand over my cheek. “You need to get dressed. I’ll order something in tonight. Then we’ll feast on what I picked up at your family’s bakery.”
It’ll be a taste of nostalgia in the midst of my complicated fake married life.
“You can tell me more about your siblings while you eat cookies, tarts, and cake.” He pulls back. “I’ll find Lloyd. You finish getting dressed.”
“Graham.” I grab his hand to stop him as he moves to leave the room. “Will you tell me about your siblings too? I don’t know anything about your family.”
I feel his hand tense in mine. “There’s nothing to tell. I don’t have any siblings. I don’t have a family. I never have.”
With that, he pulls away and leaves without another word.
Chapter Forty-One
Graham
This marriage will be a part of me forever. The scent of my wife’s skin, the vibrancy of her eyes when she stares into mine, and her touch – the way she touches me – will never leave me.
If all I get with her is the promised three months, I will live the rest of my days coasting through on the memories of moments like this.
I’ll never want another woman the way I want Trina.
She sighs as she takes another small bite of the lemon tart that we’re sharing.
I watch her carefully, taking note of the way her tongue slicks her bottom lip and the soft smile that settles on her mouth as she swallows the sweet treat.
“This cake is out of this world,” Lloyd says from next to me as he devours the single slice of chocolate cake I bought.
He was in the library when I went to seek him out.
Neither of us mentioned that it was nearing nine by then. I’d spent hours in bed with my wife as an appetizer to what I plan to do to her later.
I’m going to plant kisses over every inch of her body before I take her slowly.
I want the fuck tonight to last until daybreak.
Sleep is becoming a nuisance. It’s time lost with Trina. Time I’ll never be able to recover once she files for divorce.
“It’s my mom’s recipe,” Trina states proudly. “She once told me it took her years to perfect it.”
“It was worth it.” Lloyd chuckles. “It’s by far the best I’ve tasted in my entire life.”
His entire life.
Those words draw Trina’s gaze to mine. I see the sorrow that has settled in her eyes. I know what she’s thinking. His life is nearing its end.
I want to change that, but I can’t fix what ails Lloyd. I wish to hell I could.
“Graham bought samples of lots of different treats. I’ll put the rest in the fridge for us to taste test tomorrow.” Trina tries to lighten the mood. “Does anyone want coffee or tea?”
Lloyd shakes off the suggestion with a wave of his hand in the air. “Nothing for me. I’m going to find a book and get ready for bed.”
I push back to lend him a hand as he stands. “I’ll go with you to the library.”
Trina stands too. “I’ll put the dishes in the sink.”
The T-s
hirt she’s wearing inches up to reveal a sliver of the smooth skin of her stomach above the waistband of her jeans.
That’s going to be the starting point for my kiss-fueled journey of her body tonight.
“You can load the dishwasher later, can’t you, darling?”
I fight off a smile. “You bet, dear.”
Trina bats her long lashes at me. “I’ll clear the table and then take a bath.”
I want in on that bath, so I place a hand on Lloyd’s back to move him along.
He turns to face Trina. “Have I thanked you today for making Bull the happiest man alive?”
His words catch my breath in my throat because they’re the truth.
“He makes me happy too,” Trina responds. “He’s a pretty great husband.”
I glance at her. “I’ll find you in a bit.”
“You will.” She wiggles both brows before her attention shifts to Lloyd. “Goodnight. Sleep well and dream good dreams.”
“You too.” He moves to kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
I pray he does.
I want him to live forever, and it’s not only because life will be hard without him.
When he’s gone, this marriage is over, and I’m not ready for that.
I doubt like hell I ever will be.
“You gave her those earrings today, didn’t you?” Lloyd asks as soon as we round the corner and enter the library.
I let out a light chuckle. “How did you know?”
His hand darts to his ear. “Trina kept touching them. She was checking to see if they were still there. That’s a sure sign that a woman has just received new jewelry.”
Shaking my head, I follow him into the room. “That’s a hell of a lot more insight into women than I’ll ever have.”
He turns to face me. “You’re learning, Bull. It’s one step at a time.”
I scan the shelves of books before my gaze settles back on him. “How are you feeling, Lloyd?”
“Good.” He nods before he repeats the word with more exuberance. “Good.”
BULL (The Buck Boys Heroes Book 1) Page 15
