Taking It Slow

by Jordan Marie

  Brad.

  My body tenses and I know Faith feels it because she turns and it causes my cock to slide out of her.

  Yet another reason to hate this Brad.

  “Titan?” she asks worriedly.

  “She got them, but got to tell you, Brad. I’m not real big on you sending presents to my wife.”

  “Who is this?” he asks, his voice controlled and clipped.

  “Faith’s husband.”

  “She’s married?”

  “Very, and I’m a man who is not stupid.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I’m not an idiot who pisses away the best thing in his life. I’m also not a boy trying to be a man and use his fists on something precious. I think you get where I’m going with this,” I tell him.

  “Titan,” Faith says softly, her arm hugging me close as she moves to look at me. I turn to watch her. Her face is anxious, but she’s not upset with me.

  “Let me speak to Faith,” Brad orders.

  “Sorry, Brad. She’s busy right now.”

  “Busy? I want to speak to her.”

  “Yeah, busy. As in she’s spread for me and about to take my cock. So you aren’t speaking to her and while we’re at it, don’t call here anymore. Lose this number.”

  “I—”

  I don’t let the asshole finish. I hang up the phone.

  Faith slides over top of my body and looks down at me, but she does this smiling and throwing the phone on the floor.

  “You think that was necessary?” she asks, her voice betraying her need to laugh.

  “It felt pretty damn good,” I tell her.

  “I bet I know something that will feel better,” she says.

  “What’s that?” I ask, but my question ends with a moan as she wraps her hand around my cock and then shifts so she can slide down on him. She sits up on my lap, my cock filling her and she smiles down at me, like a fucking queen. Her hands brace on my stomach and she begins to ride me.

  “Fuck yeah, Faith. Ride me,” I growl and she does, taking us both to heaven and leaving Brad where he belongs…

  In the past.

  50

  Faith

  “How are you doing?” Hope’s voice comes over my phone as I pull into the drive.

  “I’m getting fat,” I laugh, rubbing my stomach.

  “I doubt that seriously. You’re not that far along,” Hope answers.

  “Yeah, but Titan has been cooking dinner every night for two weeks.”

  “Titan cooks?” she asks, surprised, and I look down at my lap, grinning wide.

  “My man cooks,” I whisper.

  “You’re really happy,” Hope croons, her voice practically gleeful.

  “I really am,” I agree.

  Hope squeals, proving her joy for me and there it is. As much as I dreaded my sisters telling me I was nothing but a screw up again, Hope proves she wants me to be happy. She loves me and I know Charity would be the same.

  “Are you going back to Vegas?”

  “What for?”

  “All night chapels?”

  “Um… no. Not again. I think one Elvis wedding in my life is one too many, sister dear.”

  “It doesn’t have to be Elvis! How about Liberace? Or Gene Simmons?”

  “Um… no, no and hell no,” I laugh, thinking maybe I’m not the only one of my sisters who inherited some of Aunt Ida Sue’s crazy genes.

  “What about the Blues Brothers? Oh my God, Faithy! That could be so fun! You could both wear matching suits with the hats and the shades and—”

  “And gee, Hope, the answer is no again.”

  “Okay, one last suggestion…”

  “I can barely wait,” I laugh.

  “Two words. Jack Sparrow.”

  “What?”

  “Girl! They have a pirate wedding package now! You can literally get married by Jack Sparrow.”

  “Hope—”

  “And instead of saying I do you can say savvy instead!”

  “Hope, seriously—”

  “Faithy, you have to admit, Titan would look hot as hell dressed up like a pirate,” she answers and that makes me stop for a minute as I imagine my man all dressed up in pirate gear. I have to admit that could be very hot.

  “Hope, honey, I got to go.”

  “But we need to discuss this wedding. We could be slutty pirates! I have this costume that Aden would love… and you could get one to match. Titan won’t know what hits him!”

  “Hope, I don’t even know if Titan wants to get married again. We haven’t really talked about it.”

  And we haven’t. If there’s one black spot on the perfection that has been the last two weeks, it’s that I don’t really know where this relationship is going. I mean, I’m not asking for promises of forever, but maybe a sign that he’s not just hanging around for the baby… and the hot sex.

  Definitely the hot sex.

  “Then maybe you ought to talk about it,” she nudges.

  “It’s not that easy, Hope.”

  “It is. You’re just being a wimp.”

  “What if he says he doesn’t want to get married?”

  “Then you live in sin like Aunt Ida Sue. She seems happy enough.”

  “I could, right? By the way, I’m totally ignoring that you actually said the phrase ‘living in sin’.”

  “You totally could. You love him. Right, little sis?”

  “So much it hurts.” I whisper the truth, and even saying it out loud makes my stomach flutter with nerves.

  “Have you tried telling him that?”

  “Well…no.”

  “And why not?”

  “Because—”

  “You do realize we have Lucas blood running through our veins.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means we grab what we want by the horns. We don’t let fear hold us back. Do you think it was easy for me to face Aden after everything I did?”

  “No, I know it wasn’t.”

  “It really wasn’t, but look how that worked out.”

  “But Aden loves you,” I argue.

  “I didn’t know that at the time, now did I? But there’s something you’re forgetting,” she says calmly, like she has no idea of the terror swimming in the pit of my stomach right now.

  “What’s that?”

  “Titan has chased after you since day one. A man doesn’t do that unless he cares.”

  “He wanted an annulment.”

  “Bullshit. If that was it he could have had you served with papers. You weren’t trying to hide. You still used your damn credit cards and you called me almost every day.”

  I take a deep breath and think over her words. I feel hope begin to bubble up inside of me. Titan did tell me he wanted me. He didn’t use the word love, but what he did say was more than I ever hoped to have. It was really good. And if the last two weeks are a sample of what life with Titan would be like, then I definitely want that.

  “I’ll talk to him tonight,” I agree, closing my eyes and praying I’m not making a mistake.

  “Good girl. I’m proud of you. Call me and let me know when I need to get my pirate getup dry cleaned.”

  “You’re a freak, Hope.”

  “Takes one to know one, sister dear.”

  “Love you, freak.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I hang up the phone and stare at the house. Then I grab my stuff, open the door and take a breath. Praying I’m doing the right thing.

  51

  Titan

  I look around the room, wondering if I have everything right. I’m actually freaking nervous, which I’ve never been before. Then again, nothing has ever been this important to me—not even winning the championship. I look down at my championship ring and frown. Before Faith came into my life, football was all I had. That was it. Now it’s not even important. I went to work coaching the D-league players on a team that pretty much stinks. There’s a challenge there and we have some promising guys
. I can build it and it makes me happy and I think in the end a few of these guys may get sent up to the pros. I enjoy it, but in the end it’s a job. I do it and when it’s time to come home I’m more than ready.

  Because I know Faith will be here.

  Fuck me. I gave Gavin and Aden shit and here I am, more twisted around Faith than maybe even they are over their women.

  And I don’t give a damn.

  That thought makes me grin. I check my watch and realize that Faith should be here any minute. I check the linguini one last time, satisfied it’s good. Then I move the non-alcoholic champagne in the ice as I look at the table. That shit probably tastes like shit, but it was the best I could do. I want Faith to feel like everything is perfect.

  I even got that crazy-ass aunt of Faith’s to bring over some linens and it looks stylish even if I do say so myself. I’m relieved. With Ida Sue I wasn’t sure what I’d end up with. I adjust the candles on the table for no other reason than I’m nervous and I want everything to be perfect. With one last look I walk into the bedroom, double checking on things in there. The rose petals are on the new sheets. Candles are all around. This seemed easy in my head, but now I have these thoughts planted there.

  Should I light the candles now? Do I wait and break away to do it after dinner? What happens if she follows and sees what I’m doing before the surprise? If I light them now will I catch the damn house on fire?

  I’ve turned into a damn chick. I shake my head and stalk back into the kitchen, just as Faith opens the door.

  “Titan, I need to talk—” She stops talking once she turns around and sees me. Her eyes go to me, wearing the suit I wore when I got married to her in Vegas. She couldn’t have missed that and probably it’s playing my hand a little early, but it just seemed to feel right. I walk to the table and light the candles—silently kicking my ass because I should have lit those before she showed up. Then, I walk to her and take her bag from her, setting it on the table by the door. “What’s this?” she asks, her voice breathless. I move behind her and help her out of her coat and hang it on the hook on the wall.

  “I made my woman dinner,” I whisper against her ear, placing a kiss against her pulse—which is jumping in her neck. Her body is tense and I’m starting to worry I’ve made a mistake here.

  She tilts her head back to look at me, her blue eyes moving thoughtfully.

  “What are you up to, Big Daddy?”

  “I hope you’re hungry,” I tell her, kissing her forehead. I give her shoulders a squeeze before I move back around her, leading her to the table.

  “I… let me go clean up first,” she says, resisting my hold.

  Damn it! Why didn’t I think about that?

  “You look gorgeous just like this,” I argue, pulling out the chair for her to sit in.

  “I look a mess. I’ve worked all day. Let me just go change.”

  “No! … I mean, you look perfect, babe. Sit down and let me take care of you.”

  “Titan, you’re wearing a fancy suit, for God’s sake. I’m going to go freshen up,” she says and takes off walking toward the bedroom.

  “Faith, I really don’t want—” I end with a groan, because it’s too late and, short of grabbing her and forcing her to sit at the table, there’s nothing I can do.

  It’s official. I suck in the romance department. I stand at the door when she walks into the bedroom.

  “Titan,” she gasps, looking around at the rose petals and all of the unlit candles.

  I should have lit them.

  “What’s going on?” she asks, twirling around. I take the couple of steps it takes to get to her while reaching into my pants pocket. I go down on one knee, thinking at least I’ve managed to get this part right.

  Faith’s hands go to cover her mouth as she gasps again. Her body shakes and I get the feeling she’s resisting the urge to jump up and down—at least I hope that’s it and not her resisting running from the room. I hold out the ring box I took from my pocket and pop the top open, holding it up to her. Inside is her gold band from our wedding in Vegas—all cleaned and shined—and another ring covered in diamonds in a design the jeweler called a pear diamond design with a halo cut. I had no fucking clue what that was. I just know that it was pretty, it was loaded with diamonds and it looked good with Faith’s band. I thought she would like it, but if she doesn’t I’ll take back and let her pick one out. I don’t specifically care—I just want my ring on her hand.

  “Faith Lucas Marsh, will you marry me?” I ask, making sure to put in my last name. We may have gone through with the annulment, but for a little bit she had my name and I want her to have it again. I need it.

  “Oh my God.”

  “Want my ring on your finger, babe,” I tell her.

  “Oh my God!”

  “I really fucking want to be able to call you my wife again,” I grumble, refusing to get nervous because she hasn’t said yes.

  “Oh my God!!” she says again, adding even more of a squeal at the end. I’m thinking this is good news, but hell, who knows when it comes to a woman? She still hasn’t said yes, though, so I decide to nudge her along.

  “Faith? Is that a yes?”

  “What?” she asks, confused, her gaze traveling back to my face—because it had been glued on the ring.

  “Will you marry me?” I ask the question again, nervous because she’s crying and women do cry when happy, but fuck, I’m a nervous wreck and I’m not sure which these are.

  “Titan, I—” Fuck, she’s going to turn me down. That definitely wasn’t a yes.

  “Faith—”

  “Yes!!!!”

  She screams the word and then lunges at me. I catch her, but I wasn’t prepared so I fall back on my ass, my arms full of my woman, her arms around my neck, her face planted into my chest, her legs kicking happily and I don’t think I’ve ever felt better. I hold her close and I do it laughing.

  “I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you!” she squeals over and over and that makes me laugh harder.

  “Got the message, Faith. Can I put the ring on your hand?”

  She pulls back and looks at me, settling into my lap so she’s straddling me and more comfortable. I like it because even through our clothes I can feel her rub against me in all the right areas. I keep one hand on her hip, holding her steady and she holds out her hand, wiggling her fingers.

  “Give me!” she demands and shit if that don’t make me laugh too. I take out the engagement ring and band together and slide it on her finger.

  “I don’t think I’m supposed to do the band again until we get in front of a preacher, but I want it back on your fucking finger now,” I grumble, feeling emotions rushing through me that I’ve never let myself experience before. But, that’s okay. I’ve got Faith and she’s mine, and everything is new now.

  “We have to go get you a ring! I want you to wear one too, Titan,” she says staring down at her rings.

  I bring my lips down to her hand and kiss just above her ring. Then I look at her and hold out my hand, showing I’m already wearing my band. That makes her tears fall harder and she hugs me close.

  “I love you, Titan,” she whispers. Those words wrap inside of me, around and around my heart in a way that’s both painful and full of joy and even peace at the same time. I want to give her the words back, but I hold back. Not because I don’t feel them, but because before I can she pulls away and looks at me and says something that leaves me speechless.

  “Hope says we need to have a hooker pirate wedding.”

  I don’t say anything. Honestly, I think it takes a bit for my mind to understand what she said and even when I do, I’m not sure I know what it means. It doesn’t matter, though, because in the next minute, Faith’s lips are on mine, my tongue is in her mouth and her hips are grinding down on me. That’s my cue so I make love to my soon to be wife and I do it not giving a fuck about the unlit candles.

  52

  Faith

  “Titan? Are you awa
ke?” I ask. I keep my voice quiet, just in case he is sleeping.

  The room is dark. Sometime between the second time we made love, enjoyed a warmed-up dinner and lit the candles in the bedroom, before going another round, which included Titan using his mouth on me, and then taking me from behind, after which I used my mouth on him—the candles had long since burned out. Marathon lovemaking was something I had never experienced, didn’t know was possible, but definitely want to repeat again.

  The room is pretty dark now, except for the light of the moon shining through the double windows. I’m wrapped in Titan’s arms, my head on his chest and my ear pressed down so I can hear the steady beat of his heart.

  My body is relaxed, sated, and sore in all the right spots. When Titan doesn’t answer right away I figure he must be asleep and I squeeze him a little tighter and burrow deeper into his body heat.

  “I’m awake,” he whispers, and I feel him kiss the top of my head, which makes me smile. “You wore me out, so I’m spent. So, if you want my dick, you’re out of luck. With a little encouragement, I might can give you my mouth again, but you better hurry because I’m wiped,” he mumbles, making me grin.

  “Your dick is safe.”

  “Thank God for that.”

  “At least for now,” I giggle when he groans. He gives me a squeeze and it’s sweet and I close my eyes as that sweetness hits me.

  “What’s on your mind, wife?” he asks and the sweetness in that word is even better.

  Spectacular even.

  “I don’t want a pirate wedding,” I tell him, having told him Hope’s idea over dinner.

  “Anything you want, you get.”

  “You don’t care?”

  “As long as it ends up with your last name Marsh, you waking up in my bed and not running halfway across the world, I’m good.”

  “Good to know.” I grin, biting down on my lip. Titan’s hand is brushing on my thigh and it feels divine.

  “That all before I pass out because my woman just wore my dick out?”

  Again another giggle surges up. I sure hope you can’t die from happiness because if you can—I might be in trouble.