Ari nods her head and doesn’t argue.
“Trey, you have your piece on you?”
“Yep.” He slides his shirt up to show his gun.
“Can you stay here with the girls for a while? And can you check with your contacts and get me two bodyguards. I want someone on Ari and Davis when they’re not with me, and someone watching Katy.
“Luke, I need you with me the next few hours. I’ve got some things to handle and need your help.”
No one says anything, so I decide to get it all out. “Ari, I’m getting a security system put on my house and we need to go there next week until things calm down. I need you to tell Phillip you’re starting to work from home immediately.”
“That won’t be a problem. I’m not working at all after Monday,” she says softly.
All heads swing to her and she tells us about her meeting with Phillip yesterday and their plan for Monday. I know it’s not the time, but I want to scream how fucking proud I am of her.
She and Sophie decide to lie on the back patio to avoid any people on the beach, and I grab my keys and motion to Luke to follow. Before I leave, I press Ari’s body against mine and capture her mouth. I stroke my tongue against hers delicately trying to erase the pain from earlier and don’t stop until a throat clears behind me.
She smiles faintly and tells me she’ll be alright.
When we get into the car Luke looks at me wanting to know what the hell is going on. “Operation Matthews just took a huge hit and I need to get it back on course. You’re gonna help me.”
He nods and smiles widely. “Fuck yeah. And by the way, I want that bitch Alex to pay.”
Chapter 28
Ari
“Is he already in bed?” Reed asks when he walks through the door.
“Yeah, he fell asleep watching a movie. And it is like nine at night. Where have you been?” I answer annoyed.
“Wow, someone is grouchy.”
“Reed, I love hanging out with my best friend, but today I needed you. You make your demands about bodyguards and us moving next week and then take off to God knows where for over eight hours! And poor Trey. I think he had enough girl talk for a lifetime. You owe him huge.”
He laughs at me and shakes his head. “Yeah, I saw him in the driveway and he told me my fee doubled today.”
“Seriously, Reed! Where have you been?”
He tugs me up from my spot on the sofa and wraps his arms around me with his hands resting on my waist. I try to remain annoyed but the warmth of his breath against the sensitive skin on my neck softens my resolve. I don’t return the embrace even though I want to.
“Sweet Angel, don’t be upset. I had some business to take care of. I hated being gone, but it couldn’t be helped.” He kisses lightly over my collarbone. “I’ll tell you everything, but I want you in the hot tub. Meet me out there in five minutes.”
He steps away and goes outside without waiting for an answer. I change into my suit and grab two towels from the bathroom and a pink note falls to the ground. I pick it up and read ‘more beautiful when naked’ in Reed’s handwriting. It’s been a few days since I’ve found one of his declaration notes and it makes me smile.
When I get to the back patio, I freeze. Most of the decking is covered in lanterns with candles. The area with the hot tub is still bathed in darkness and Reed’s sitting on the edge, waiting for me. I walk to him slowly and wave the post it.
“I figured if you were reaching for a towel you’d be naked. So it seemed like a good place for a note.” He tells me.
“You are very clever, Mr. Matthews.”
“I’ll be right back. Don’t get in yet.” He runs into the house and I watch confused.
A few minutes later, he comes out in his bathing suit. He slides in the water and motions for me to join him. I drop the towels and ease in the warm water. He fidgets a bit and then pulls his shorts out of the water and lays them on the deck. Before I can ask what he is doing, he yanks me to him and removes my bottoms in one swift motion.
“What are you doing?” I hiss trying to get them out of his hands.
“Shhh. Remember when I told you I had plans for you in this hot tub? Well, tonight I’m going to show you those plans.”
“We can’t! Someone will see.”
“Baby, it’s dark and no one can see in the water. I’ll let you keep your top on but only because I don’t want anyone to see what belongs to me.”
He situates me on his lap where his hard length fits between my ass cheeks. His hands move to my stomach and he holds me in place. Goose bumps cover my skin when he starts to lick, suck, and blow lightly on my neckline.
“Okay, babe, time to fill you in. I went into Jacksonville. I had some stuff to take care of. I want Davis to have his own room, so I picked out a few bedrooms sets for you to look at. Once you choose what you want, it’ll be delivered to the house. Then I went and bought another gun. I used to have a concealed license but let it lapse. Now I’m getting another one.”
I tense against him. No way do I want a gun in the house with Davis.
“Before you freak out, we’ll figure a place for it to be out of his reach.”
“I still don’t think it is necessary, Reed. It goes against what I believe to have a gun in the house with small children.”
“Ari, do you think I would ever allow anything to happen to you two? I’d fucking lay down my life for you. Connor made me realize today that obsessive people get desperate and do evil things. I’m keeping the gun.”
“Okay, but I don’t like it.”
“Noted.” He continues kissing along my exposed skin while his fingers run random patterns on my stomach. I wiggle against his lap and he hisses.
“Almost done baby then you get my dick. While I was out, Connor’s PR lady called me. My statement was simple and to the point. It will go out tomorrow. I’m not sure if it will work, but I did ask for privacy.”
“Eight hours seems like a long time for furniture and gun shopping. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“Luke and I made one more stop and I couldn’t answer. That’s why I sent a text telling you I’d be back soon.”
“What stop?”
“I got a new tat.”
“You did!?” I say a little too loudly. “Where?”
“It’s on my upper shoulder and shouldn’t get wet. I’m not sure I can fuck you in this position and keep it dry.”
I try to respond, but he moves both hands to my thighs and spreads them. The feeling of his fingers rubbing through my slick folds in the warm water cause me to buck into his hand. He teases me by massaging the sensitive area with one hand and playing with my clit with the other. He finally moves one finger inside swirling it around. Desire pools in my stomach and I push my hips forward again. He inserts another finger and picks up the movement.
I turn my head to the side and capture his lips. My fingers thread through his hair and I hold his mouth tight against mine, scared I’ll scream if I move away. He continues to play with me to the point of no return. When he puts a third finger in and flicks my clit, I come undone moaning my release into his mouth.
I pull away trying to catch my breath and let go of his hair.
“Nope, not going to be able to fuck you like this.” Before I can ask what he means, he turns us where my body is against the side and he’s behind me.
“Bend forward, Ari, and hold on. Don’t move your hands.”
I do as he says and feel the tip of him nudging my entrance. I’m still sensitive and moan lightly as he slides in.
He kisses up and down my back while gliding in and out painfully slow. I try to push into him and he pinches my ass.
“No, babe, I’ve got this.”
He moves us slightly to the side and I whimper as the jet forces water right where he is inside me. The sensations take over my body and I feel tingling everywhere. My fingers tighten on the edge and I try my best not to scream.
I throw my head back and arch as much into
him as possible. My nipples strain against the wet fabric and ache to be touched. Both of our heavy breathing fills the quiet night as he moves. The intensity is too much and I clench my muscles trying to prolong.
“Yeah, baby, I feel you tightening around me. Let go.” He pumps harder and presses me against the spray. His grip on my waist in so tight, I’ll have bruises.
I hold on as long as I can, but the orgasm hits me hard and I cry out. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…” It doesn’t stop and I continue coming against the pressure of the water and his pounding from behind.
Pleasure pulses through my body when I feel him explode in me groaning loudly. He doesn’t stop moving as his own release takes control of his body. I shift to the side away from the jet. Reed doesn’t pull out but turns and sits down, holding me flush against his body. Our hearts beat in rhythm as we regain our breath.
“You are incredible.” He whispers in my hair.
“Reed, I think you may have broken me. Seriously, I’m still tingling.”
“Then I did it right.”
I lean into him and let my head fall back onto his chest and listen to the waves in the distance. I feel sleep taking over until he moves us.
“Let’s get you to bed.” He reaches for the towels and stands us up.
We wrap in the towels and when he turns, the faint light catches the bandage on his upper left shoulder. I run my fingers gently over it and he grins at me.
“Can I look?”
“Here? Now?”
“Well, yeah, what’s wrong with here?”
He looks at me nervously and doesn’t answer.
“Reed, why are you acting funny?” I reach for the tape and he grabs my wrist.
“Let’s go into the light so you can see it better.” He leads me to the other side of the patio and sits me in a lounge chair. Then he gets on his knees beside me and turns.
I peel the bandage back gently, and suck in a breath when it’s fully exposed.
The black ink is elegantly scripted, and it reads Davis Luke Matthews with his birthday etched under it.
Tears spill down my cheeks. I can’t describe the emotions coursing through me. He turns around and takes my hands into his.
“Baby, I should have asked, but it felt right. I need him to have my last name. Please say it’s okay?”
I nod my head and try to pull my hand back so I can wipe my eyes but he holds tighter.
“He’s not the only one Ari. I want you to have my last name too.”
Air leaves my lungs and I start shaking.
“Arianna Rose, I’m serious about forever with you. There’s a reason we saw each other on that beach in April. We are meant to be together. I will work every day of my life on this earth to be the man that deserves you. You are selfless, strong, smart, beautiful, caring and above all, the most loving woman I have ever known. There is no doubt I am not worthy of you, but I would be privileged if you would marry me. Say yes to me and to our forever.”
My mind stops working as I try to process his words. Did he ask? Was this a proposal? It sure seemed like a proposal. Tears continue to fall down my face and my vision is blurred.
“Angel, will you marry me?”
Okay, he definitely asked that time.
“Yes!” I croak and throw myself at him.
Our bodies join together and he holds me so close there’s not an inch of us not touching. I cry softly into his neck with happiness. I feel his tears touching my shoulder and squeeze tighter.
“Reed Matthews, I love you with every breath I take.”
He moves quickly and pulls me with him. One arm goes under my knees and he lifts me up. “I need you in bed. And after tonight, I’m having that hot tub moved to my house.”
I giggle a bit and think of a better place. “Sweetheart, we have your pool, dock, and entire home. Why don’t you move it to my place?”
He grunts but doesn’t say anything as he walks us to the bedroom.
Once again, I gasp as we enter. There are dozens of post-its around the room. In his handwriting is the single phrase ‘say yes’. When he sets me down, I look at him with confusion.
“I had this all planned out—the seduction, the sex, then the romance. You caught me off guard wanting to see the tattoo.” He reaches around to the shorts he was wearing earlier and takes out a box.
“You already said yes, Ari, this is just the icing on the cake.” He is still behind me, holding me close. He doesn’t move but slides his hand down my arm and ends at my ring finger. I feel the cool medal as he slides it over my knuckle and upwards.
“Forever, Ari, that’s what I want—you, me, our children, forever. You have always been it for me.” He kisses my temple and I feel the weight on my hand as he turns me.
I run my hands up his bare chest and finally get a look at the ring he put on my finger. I am paralyzed, it’s beautiful, it’s flawless, and it’s HUGE! My entire lower knuckle is taken up with the diamond encrusted solitaire surrounded by baguettes. My expression must give me away because Reed chuckles.
“It’s you, Ari, every diamond on that band represents the times I thought about you ten-fold when we were apart. I told Luke what I wanted and he helped me with a jeweler in Jacksonville today. And soon, you will have the matching band that will tell you how much I missed you.”
“Reed, I don’t think my hand can handle any more.” I joke.
“Honey, you need to get used to handling more. This is just the beginning.”
I smile up at him and soak in everything in the last hour. “We’re getting married.” I whisper.
“Sure the fuck are. And no one—I mean no one—is stopping us this time.”
He lowers his mouth and kisses me with determination and desire. I tug both our towels free and urge him back to the bed.
Even with all the shit that happened this morning, he made this the best day of my life.
Reed
Reed Matthews responded publically today about the accusations made against him regarding infidelity. While he prefers to keep his personal life private, he vehemently denies he was in a relationship with another woman. Reed confirms he has a son with fiancée, Ariana Williams. Any claims regarding him fathering another child are completely false and unfounded. He asks for privacy and respect.
—Online Reporter
I read the statement out loud for everyone at the breakfast table. We invited Jack, Katy, and Sophie for a celebration breakfast. Ari’s eyes bulge when she realizes I made the statement before I asked her to marry me.
“Reed, honey, how’d you know she’d say yes?” Grandma Katy asks.
She’s a sly one. I went to her first, well after Luke, and asked her permission. She encouraged me but gave me a stern warning. I called my mom on the way to Jacksonville yesterday and told her my plans. She cried with excitement.
“Katy, I was taking a big chance. But I had several alternate plans if she said no. I would have convinced her eventually. Even if it took all night.” I wink and Katy laughs.
“Can I finish my food without vomiting? I already had to deal with your pussy ass yesterday. I don’t want to hear about your sexual antics, ever.” Luke grumbles.
Ari’s face is so red I worry if she’ll remember to breath. “Angel, deep breaths.”
“I’m going to kill you both.” She points between Luke and me. “First of all, don’t discuss our sex life with my grandmother! And Luke, if I hear Davis use the p-u-s-s-y word, I will personally strangle you.”
We all laugh at her, which pisses her off more until the tornado known as Sophie rushes through the door screaming. “Let me see!” She reaches for Ari’s hand.
“Jesus Christ! Reed, did you pick this out on your own? Have you seen how small Ari’s hands are? This thing swallows her finger.”
“I tried for a larger diamond, but they didn’t have one in stock. I wasn’t waiting.”
“Yeah, being in a jewelry store with him was torture. He whined like a little bitch until he got his way
, then nerves of steel when a man holds a needle to his shoulder for an hour.” Luke tells everyone.
Ari’s eyes get misty at the mention of the tattoo and she smiles at me.
“So yesterday was complete shit. What do we do today?” Sophie asks.
“Yesterday wasn’t complete shit.” Ari corrects her and looks at me with a face full of love.
“Jack is coming up and we’re going to celebrate our last day here. I’m going to pack up tomorrow and go ahead and give up the beach house a week early. I’m not going to practice tomorrow but the rest of the week will be hell.” I answer.
Ari and Katy are done cleaning the kitchen when Jack walks in. He and Sophie share a look that tells me they are both glad he is here. Davis runs up to him and plows into his legs and they go to the floor wrestling.
“Congrats, man! Heard you’re getting hitched,” he yells from under a pile of arms and legs.
I nod my confirmation and tug Ari into my lap. She leans down and kisses me briefly, which causes a stir in my shorts. I can’t get enough of this woman. She knows it too because she wiggles a few times before jumping up and running to the bedroom to change. It takes two whole minutes before I can stand up and not embarrass myself in front of Katy. I don’t give a shit about Sophie.
All the guys carry the stuff to the beach and I try to set us up away from everyone else. Unfortunately, there are people everywhere but I put us close to a family with a boy about Davis’s age.
Ari and Sophie join us, and the conversation turns to wedding planning. Shit! This could go either way. When I tell her, she may be pissed or excited.
“Do you have a date in mind?” Sophie asks.
“I’m thinking—”
“Labor Day weekend.” I interrupt and answer for her.
All heads swing to me and Luke falls back in the sand howling.
“Smooth, Matthews. Thought you had this thing in the bag. Did you forget to tell her?”
“Shut up, dickhead. I was preoccupied. If you were doing what I was doing, talking wouldn’t be on your mind either.” I throw a shell at Luke’s head.
Reed's Reckoning Page 24
