Ivy
Having lunch with Jarrod on our patio the following day makes my heart lighter. I’m just happy to put last night behind us because when it comes down to it, I’m the one he loves, the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with. No one will ever top that.
He looks amazing in his old jeans and thin T-shirt that I think he’s had since his university days. The scruff on his face gives him a disheveled look and I can’t stop staring at him, or wanting to pinch myself that he’s mine. All mine.
“I can see you watching me,” he drawls, placing the newspaper down onto the chair next to him, but not before I catch the frown on his face.
“What?” I raise a brow.
He sighs. “There is a small story of what happened last night as the award was announced.” He covers my hands. “I had a feeling that something would be printed, I just hate that I’m right on this occasion.”
“Instead of concentrating on the snake,” I grin, “let’s concentrate on the fact that they honored you with the award.” I lean forward and kiss his cheek. “Have I told you lately how proud of you I am?”
“Feel free to tell me anytime you’d like.” His lips twitch before he becomes serious. “The only woman I wanted to be with me last night was you, Ivy. I wish we could go back and do it all again with a different outcome.”
I shake my head, knowing that it happened the way it did for a reason. “I wouldn’t have a do over because it made me realize that the only way to handle people like Ana is to be more assertive, and I wasn’t.” I smile, letting it reach my eyes. “If we ever go to a function again, it’s going to be so different.”
Jarrod tugs me closer and doesn’t stop until I’m settled on his lap. “I want you to know that you don’t need to change for anyone. I love you just the way you are, and by agreeing to marry me, you’ve made me the happiest man alive. I hope you know that.”
“I do.” I snuggle into his chest and rest my face into the crook of his neck. “When are you going to make an honest woman out of me?” I ask knowing that I’ll marry him tomorrow if it could be arranged.
He chuckles and tips my face up to his. “I love you,” he whispers. “Tell me what kind of wedding you’d like, and then we’ll arrange a date.” He softly rubs his nose against mine, his lips touching mine in a whisper of a kiss.
“I’d like something small, with only close friends and family,” I admit.
“She’d like,” we turn at the sound of Gia’s voice, as she continues, “to be married on St. Thomas.”
I laugh as one of my best friends tells my childhood dream.
“Really?” Jarrod looks at me before his eyes turn to his daughter.
“Growing up we’d always talk about where we’d get married, and what we’d wear, what food and the list goes on.”
“Hmm,” Jarrod mumbles. “St. Thomas, huh?”
I smile and after hugging the life out of him, I plant a quick kiss to his lips before I jump up to hug Gia. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m complaining.”
Gia chuckles. “Uncle Colin called Hunter in.” She glances toward the house. “He’s on the phone.” She shrugs. “We’re going away once the case is well and truly closed. He’s told Uncle Colin that he’d resign before he was given another case, if he doesn’t get a long overdue vacation first.” She grins. “He values Hunter too much to say no.”
“And so he should.” Jarrod tugs Gia into his arms. “How are you really doing?”
“As long as I have Hunter then I’m fine.”
The man himself appears behind her, a soft look on his face for his wife. He wraps an arm around her shoulders once Jarrod releases her. “And everything is right in my world when I’m with you, babe.” He kisses her upturned lips. “I think we should have a break in St. Thomas.” He grins.
Jarrod laughs and everyone looks at me. I feel like I’m about to burst with excitement. “Really?”
He nods, laughter and love in his gaze.
I screech and jump into his arms, my legs going around his waist. Tears fall from my eyes with happiness. “I love you so much,” I whisper, hardly able to get the words out.
“I love you too, honey.”
37
Jarrod
It has taken three months to get everyone’s schedules synced so that they could join Ivy and I, here, on the Island of St. Thomas for our wedding.
My beautiful bride to be is currently running around the suite at the Ritz Carlton while I quietly watch her from the balcony. Our space for the next two weeks is utter luxury and the best the hotel has to offer.
I smile now that she’s come to a halt and realizes that I’m watching her. I could watch her all day, every day, and I do sometimes.
“I can’t believe we have this suite,” she gushes. “It’s so beautiful.” Her voice softens as she pads over to me, her hands resting on my chest. “Thank you, for everything.”
My hands rest on her shoulders. “I’d do anything for you.” I pull her against my chest and turn us to face the ocean. “And this is a beautiful setting to marry my beautiful fiancée.”
“Mmm.” She snuggles deeply against me and makes me feel content.
Only Ivy has the ability to settle me and that’s because I consider her home. Wherever she is will always be my home.
“I can’t believe that I’m going to be your wife in a few days,” she mumbles.
“Neither can I.” I kiss the top of her head. “I never imagined that I’d ever have you in my arms, let alone as my wife.”
Ivy lifts her head and smiles. “I’m so excited, Jarrod. I wish we didn’t have to spend the night before our wedding apart. I hate tradition sometimes.”
“Me too, I’m probably going to be awake all of that night wondering whether you’re sleeping, or whether you need me besides you to do that.” I place a kiss to her waiting lips, and hover over them.
“It’s only one night. We can do it.”
I laugh. “Who are you trying to convince, honey?” I stroke my thumb over her knuckles as she stares at me with so much love in her eyes.
“Me… Both of us.” She shrugs and bites her bottom lip before she grins. “We could still sleep together, but no sex, and I could sneak to the girls room before you wake up.”
Shaking my head, I say, “As much as I like that idea, I really want to do the ‘traditional’ with you. I want everything perfect and as is should be. I don’t want anything to bring us bad luck.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “You’re right.”
“Oh, honey.” Pulling her down into my side, I settle us on one of the sun loungers on the balcony. We have an amazing view of the beach and ocean, and it looks like we’re in paradise. There is a light breeze that is enough to keep us comfortable, but not enough that we’re chilled.
“If being apart is upsetting you then we won’t do it. I want you happy.” I caress down her back while watching the yachts at sea.
“I’ll survive one night, and only because I’ll be with Gia and Parker.” She smiles, lifting her face to meet my gaze. “We’re not the only ones who will be spending the night without each other.”
I chuckle. “How’d Gia take that?”
“It was her idea.” She giggles. “You should have seen the look on Hunter’s face.”
“I can imagine. I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for Gia.”
“Even if you do wince every time they get romantic in front of you, and he carries her off.”
I wince now.
“I saw that.”
“Ivy,” I groan, “she’s my daughter. My little girl. I don’t even want to think about the things she does with Hunter.”
“Hmm mmm,” she mumbles, climbing astride me, her lips twitching. “I better not tell you what she told me then, huh?”
My eyes widen and then narrow at the teasing woman who has now started to distract me by rubbing against me. “You’re asking for trouble doing,” my voice catches, “that.” I groan, grabbing hold of her hips.
“The good kind.” She reaches up and holds her long locks on the top of her head while she looks down on me, a wicked look in her eyes. “I like this position.” She grinds down on my length as my hand slips beneath her dress. “I like it because it’s a thrill knowing that I’m in charge of the pace. Knowing that I can tease and tempt you.”
My fingers slip into the front of her panties and I growl and thrust against her when Ivy moans, throwing her head back. Pressing against her clit, I quickly pull my hand free and out from under her dress. “We need to stop,” I whisper, my breaths heavy.
“Ugh!” Ivy collapses on me, her belly pressing against my swollen dick. “I know, but I’m so close.”
I roll us on the double lounger, and grabbing Ivy’s thighs, I encourage her to wrap her legs around my hips as her dress falls to her waist, and then, I press against her panty-clad pussy.
Her breaths catch when I start to move as though I’m making love to her. Her hands search under my shirt and then slip into the back of my pants. The feel of her fingers on my ass is causing my cock to pulse and leak into my shorts.
My intention was to give her the release that she was desperate for without actually making love to her, but as we rock against each other, I’m seconds from yanking her panties down and entering her. I’d come the minute I did.
I bury my face in the curve of her neck and feel her orgasm as it washes over her, while I try to breathe to keep my own release from squirting in my pants.
“I ache,” she moans. “That was good but not as good as having you buried inside me.”
“Ivy,” I growl. “I’m holding on by a thread, honey.”
Using her body, she rolls me to my back and looks at my face before her eyes travel to the hard, thick bulge behind my zipper.
I close my eyes unable to handle her watching me when, knowing that the minute she goes, that I’m going to be stroking myself in the shower.
Just as I have the last thought, my zipper goes down and my cock springs free, jerking and leaking with excitement as my hips arch. “The minute you touch me, I’m going to come,” I admit.
“I can see that,” she whispers against the bulging head, sending shards of pleasure rippling through me.
Before I can even prepare for what she’ll do next, she sucks me into the warmth of her mouth and I explode. It doesn’t stop as her fingers wrap around me, stroking back and forth, and when she rubs my sac, the longest stream of semen leaves my body in one taught, pleasurable mess.
“Wow,” Ivy comments. “Just wow.”
I peel my eyes open and watch as she wipes her mouth on my shirt.
She smiles. “It’s, um, a bit of a mess so figured I’d use that to clean up.”
“It’s fine.” I tug her against me. “You shower first because right now I can’t feel my legs, plus if I shower with you, I’ll be inside of you.”
“I just want to sleep,” Ivy confesses.
“Then sleep. We’re not meeting the others for a couple of hours, so I’ll watch over you.”
She settles down into sleep while I hold her close in my arms. My whole world is right here in my arms.
38
Ivy
Still feeling sleepy, I snuggle into the quilt and watch Jarrod sitting at the small table in our bedroom. He’s reading a newspaper while sipping a steaming cup of coffee.
My heart feels so full as I take in my handsome man. He’s dressed casual, in khaki cotton pants and a white shirt. His dark hair is still damp from his shower and the scruff on his face makes my belly quiver with need.
I’ve wanted to be with Jarrod for so long that I’m bursting with happiness, and in a couple of days, I’ll finally become his wife. Nothing thrills me more than knowing I’m going to have him by my side for the rest of my life.
“I love that little smile you do when you’re lost in thought, and those thoughts are usually about me,” Jarrod observes, winking at me as I blush at being caught.
“Mmm, I was thinking about you…and me.” I stretch and watch as Jarrod’s eyes heat with need. “I was thinking how lucky I am to be able to spend the rest of my life with you.” I grin, happiness consuming us both.
He softly smiles and making his way to the bed, he lies on top before pulling me into his arms. “There’s twenty years between us, but however long we both have left on this earth, I’m so damn lucky to have you by my side.” My eyes fill with tears, as I understand what he’s saying. He thinks that he’ll be gone, long before me, and that’s something I don’t even want to think about.
“Oh, honey.” He places a finger beneath my chin and tilts my face up to his. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” He frowns. “Let’s just agree that we’re both aware of the difference, and leave it at that?”
I nod and snuggle into his neck were the scent of his cologne and the closeness of being pressed against the solid form of Jarrod makes my belly flutter with desire. My lips trace along his neck and up to his mouth, a move that has his breathing heavy and his hand on my back trembling as he holds me closer.
“Ivy,” he hisses in warning.
Rising over him, I let the quilt drop to my waist and smile when I dip my face to his ear and nibble on his lobe.
He growls and in one smooth move, has me flat on my back, my wrists in each of his hands above my head, and his pelvis wedged between my thighs.
“It was your idea to go without sex once we arrived on the Island until after the wedding,” he grumbles. “And yet, you’re doing nothing but tempting me to break your request.” His eyes wander down to my breasts that pucker under his gaze before he snaps his lids closed.
My body wants what only Jarrod can give it, and I wish I’d kept my mouth shut now. I should have known how frustrating it would be to share a room with the man I love without being intimate. “It was a stupid thing to ask of us both.”
He laughs, which pushes his arousal against my aching core. His eyes darken with need…and then he rolls away, getting to his feet. His back faces me, so when I slide out of bed, I pad toward him on bare feet and wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.” I kiss between his shoulder blades.
Intertwining our fingers, Jarrod keeps me close before he turns in my arms and captures my face with his palms. “I love you, Ivy, and I can’t wait to make you my wife.” He kisses my waiting lips, and when his hands caress down my body to my bottom, goose bumps follow. He lifts me into his arms as I wind my arms and legs around him.
“You need to decide on what you want to take with us today, but first…” he deposits me on the vanity in the bathroom, “you need to get ready before I say, fuck it, and make love to you all day.”
I trail a finger down his chest, following it with my eyes. “Mmm, what are we doing again?” I ask, distracted when my eyes land on his swollen arousal that looks thick and painful behind his zipper.
“Baths of Virgin Gora. We leave the hotel’s beach at eight.” He glances at his watch. “In thirty minutes. There’s a continental breakfast served on the boat.”
“That’s perfect.” I smile and watch as he slowly backs out of the room.
“Please close your legs,” he growls, quickly turning away, “and put some clothes on.”
Chuckling to myself, I quickly shower, keeping my hair out of the way, and wrap a towel around my body once I’m done.
I pad softly around the bedroom while I gather up a few belongings for the trip, and then snatching up one of my new bikinis, I quickly slip it on. Jarrod isn’t going to be happy with me for tempting him again, but I couldn’t resist this little thing. It’s on the skimpy side and in a shimmering teal color. Strings on either side of the bikini bottoms hold them up, and the string bra barely contains my large breasts, which is why I have a matching teal cover-up to wear before I’m ready for Jarrod to see me.
I slip on my white, cropped leggings and then my canvas beach shoes. I want to be comfortable because if I remember rightly, the excursion involves a little bit of hiking, which I�
�m hoping may be optional. The snorkeling part of the excursion is something I’m looking forward to, and so is Jarrod. I’m thinking that my no sex on St. Thomas until we’re married might be going out of the window today.
Smiling at that thought, I walk out into the living room with only five minutes to spare.
Jarrod looks me over, and his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles his appreciation. “You look beautiful.” He takes my hand and leads me down to the beach, and on to the boat.
No sooner have we stepped aboard on the luxury boat, than Gia is tugging me into her arms. “You look so happy,” she whispers the observation into my ear before putting me at arms length. “And so does my dad.” She smiles glances between us both.
Jarrod kisses her on the forehead. “Where’s your husband?”
“He’s eating.” She indicates with her head to follow her, and when we do, Hunter, Jarrod, and Parker are sitting at a long table with their breakfast already in front of them.
We’re not the only group on the boat, and the four women who we’ve yet to meet, watch us from the head of the table. As the other three turn back to the food on their plates, I don’t miss the look on the fourth’s face when she looks Jarrod up and down—he of course is oblivious.
When I drop my bag to the floor beside Parker, she whispers, “They’re a pain in the ass and openly eyed, Hunter and Julian, when they went to get some food. Ignore them the best you can.”
I kiss her on the cheek. “I will do.”
Jarrod turns and asks, “Would you like me to go and get you something to eat?”
“I’ll come with you.” I smile and slipping my hand into his, tug him toward the table where I can see the pastries set up.
Jarrod releases his hold on my hand and grabs two plates, passing one to me. “What do you feel like?”
“Croissant and strawberry jelly, I think,” I say, looking over the breakfast selection. “And maybe, one of these pastries.” I choose a small circular Danish with custard filling.
Lawful: Gia ~ Hunter ~ Julian ~ Jarrod Page 20
