Better (The Change Series Book 2)

by Melanie Jayne

  “Forde? Are you sure?” She sounded out of breath and a little befuddled. She was still riding the high from the first orgasm I’d given her.

  “I’m buried inside of you, barely holding on, while you keep talking. I’m telling you, I’m sure.” I pumped my hips again. “No more talking, because I want to fuck you.”

  After a moment, I heard her laugh. “Well then, get on with it.”

  I pulled back until the head of my cock was at her entrance, and then pushed back into her heat.

  Again, that sound came from Layla’s throat. She wrapped her arms around my ribs and lightly scored my back with her nails.

  I set a steady rhythm and tried to make it last. I moved my hand to her leg and pushed it higher on my side so I could go deeper.

  “That’s good,” she moaned.

  “Layla, I love being in you. You’re so tight. God, you’re squeezing me.” I growled as I added a twist to my hips.

  She was panting, and I knew she was close.

  I sped up, and I knew it was getting a little rough. I couldn’t slow down. I wanted to make her come, and I wanted that before I did.

  “Oh, God, please,” she whimpered.

  I shortened my strokes and felt her muscles start to milk me.

  She moaned, “Lucien,” as she came.

  God, I loved hearing my name on her lips. My balls exploded as she said the last syllable.

  I knew it was still early when I opened my eyes. I was wrapped around Layla with one arm under her pillow, cradling her head, and my other between her legs. It was a sign of ownership. She was mine.

  I pressed a kiss against her shoulder. I needed to taste her.

  “Hmmm,” she mumbled as she pressed her ass against me.

  “Shh, go back to sleep,” I whispered.

  “What time is it?” She murmured.

  “Sixish.” I didn’t want to move to look at the clock or check my phone. No matter what time I went to bed, I woke up at O-six-hundred.

  She repositioned her body against mine. “Want me to make breakfast?”

  I loved it that she cared about me. “You don’t have to get up yet.”

  “I’ve got stuff to do today, so I should get up.” She rolled onto her back.

  I raised my head up and rested it on my hand. “What stuff?”

  She opened her eyes, and then shifted her gaze in my direction. She flashed the sexiest smile. “Hey.” It came out all breathy.

  I wanted to kiss her. “Hey.” I gave her an answering smile and gave her a light kiss on her lips.

  We continued to look at each other, smiling.

  “So what kind of stuff do you need to do today?” I returned my hand to her stomach.

  “I need to call Zoe. She said something about going shopping. Since we threw away my last bra, I need some things. I can’t walk around like this.” She motioned with her hand in the area of her breasts.

  I tried not to show that shopping was not something I wanted to do, ever. “How much time do you need?”

  “Not very much since I’m scraping the bottom of my checking account.” She frowned. “I guess you’ll have to put up with the clothes I have for your office.”

  “Why don’t you do this? Take my credit card and get what you need.”

  “No.” I felt her body stiffen. Money was definitely a sore spot for my woman.

  I expected that answer. “Then how about this? Take my card, and I’ll take some of your pay out of each paycheck to cover what you spend.”

  I watched her wrestle with that option. She took a deep breath, and then let it out. “That’s really nice of you.”

  “But?” I didn’t move or apply any pressure.

  “I’m used to paying my own way. It’s hard for me to take your money when you’re already doing so much for me.”

  “I respect that, but as your employer, I think there is some rule in the handbook that says you have to wear appropriate clothing in the office. And as your man, I will tell you there is no way in hell I want you around my guys without you wearing a bra.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Maybe two bras and a big sweatshirt and a heavy coat over that.” Now, I was teasing her.

  “All those layers might make it hard for me to do the filing.” She giggled over the final words.

  “That’s probably right. Well then, no low-cut tops and tight skirts that will make them want to look at your ass.” I moved my arm to wrap across her waist, possessively.

  “That’s not really my style.” She ran her hand up and down my arm.

  “Thank Christ.” I leaned in and kissed her again.

  I rolled her to her side facing me. “You okay?”

  She gave me a sweet smile. “Yeah, why?”

  “Sore?” I moved my hand to brush over the dark curls on her mound.

  “A little. It’s been a while so…”

  “So, no pre-breakfast sex,” I rolled onto my back.

  “I’m sure I can think of something.” She flashed an evil grin and pulled the sheet down, exposing my rock-hard cock. “Let’s see what I can do about that.” She shimmied lower in the bed and leaned over me.

  I tried not to jam my fingers into her hair, but God her mouth felt so good.

  * * *

  I was in a huge dressing room at Nordstrom’s. It was my first time shopping there, but Zoe had insisted. Since Tony listened to her, we were shopping at Keystone at the Crossing on the north side of the city. Zoe swore they had some bra-ologist, who was an expert at making you look amazing with the perfect fit. I had several styles to try on, and after checking out the price of one of them, I decided not to look at any more tags. Forde had given me and Zoe explicit instructions to buy enough new things for seven days. I didn’t even want to think about how much money I was going to have to work off to pay his credit card bill.

  “Layla.” Zoe knocked on the door. “Found some panties I want you to look at.”

  I was still in my sports bra, so I opened the door, and Zoe pushed through.

  “I need to sit for a minute. Tony is hanging at the entrance, and he’ll cut this short if he thinks I’m wearing out.” Zoe smiled sweetly and moved to the bench in the room’s corner.

  “If you’re getting tired, maybe we should stop?” I looked her up and down.

  “I think it has more to do with all of the excitement. It’s not often I have two hot men in my kitchen.” She fanned herself with the panties. “All of that testosterone made me a little dizzy.”

  She was right, Tony and Forde together in a small enclosed space was overwhelming in the best way. “Give me those.” I grabbed the silk and lace from her hands. “You’re a nut.”

  “So I figure three bras, eight panties, and then onto clothes for work. I had our sales associate call over to get them to start pulling out things for you to look at for the office.” Zoe stretched her legs out in front of her.

  “You’re enjoying this?” Her eyes had been full of mischief since Forde dropped me off at their house.

  “It’s fun to do girlfriend-type things. I’ve never done it before, except with my sister-in-law, and with her, well, she’s the boss.”

  “So now you can boss me?” I had stripped and was twisting the bra around my chest and adjusting the girls into the cups. I kept my back to Zoe, trying to be modest. I didn’t think that we were that close.

  “No, Layla, I like having a friend of my own. Somebody that likes me for me, not because we’re related.”

  I turned to look at her. Something in her voice pulled at my heart. “I’m glad we’re friends, too.”

  “Good.” She kicked off her ballet flats. “I’m also happy to see you with your man. Girl, you are in so deep.” She started to giggle.

  I looked in the mirror at the pretty cream-colored bra. “I know.” I pulled down the straps and turned it around and unhooked. “He’s way ahead of me, Zoe.”

  I folded my new bra on the
nearby chair and started to put on the next one.

  “It has to be something about that type of man. You know? Maybe it’s working a dangerous job. They are decisive.” Zoe shrugged.

  “I don’t want to make another mistake.” I checked out bra number two, which was white lace. “I don’t think I can live through a break-up with Forde.” I felt my eyes start to burn.

  “I get that. Right after my marriage fell apart, my dad was given weeks to live.” Zoe’s voice was quiet. “I broke down after he died, couldn’t get out of bed, didn’t eat unless someone stopped by and made me.” She held out her hand to me.

  I moved to her without thinking and took her hand.

  “I know the thought of loving another man is scary.” Her hand gripped mine hard. “But I watched Forde with you for twenty minutes, and you are his world. He looks at you like he wants to wrap his arms around you and never let go. He’s in love with you, and I think he’s smart enough to give you time.” She gave me a knowing look. “But when he’s waited long enough, well, he will get more imaginative in convincing you.”

  I let out a sigh. “I think he’s already started.”

  “Well, good for you. But make him work a little for it. Make him show you what he can do.” She made a sexual hand gesture then laughed so hard tears came into her eyes.

  “I just might do that tonight.” I joined her in laughter.

  “Good for you, Layla.” She wiped her cheeks. “I think he’s right; the name suits you better.”

  I moved onto the next bra. “He is sooo—I don’t know what to call it—so in charge. He told me that my real name is shit so he changes it. He introduces me to everyone as Layla. I swear to God, I’m going to look for my car one day, and he’ll have replaced it, too.” Christ, I needed to check on my poor car. It was parked behind the rental. I wondered if it had survived the fire.

  “Just wait until you’re having his baby. You won’t be able to move without him asking where you’re going.” Zoe gave a tiny frown, but she had a satisfied look in her eyes.

  I was happy with the style of the first bra, so I started to sift through the panties I’d hung on the wall hooks. “He wants kids.” I mentioned casually.

  “And you?”

  “I’ve always wanted a family.” I pulled out the more demure pastel colors.

  “You need a pair of black,” she instructed. “So the family thing is settled. That’s good, right?”

  I counted eight pairs of panties, and my hand hovered, ready to dig in and lose one, but then I thought, What the hell? Forde wasn’t going to have a problem with an eighth pair. “He wants to start soon.” I glanced at Zoe to see her reaction.

  Her eyes went big, and then she smiled and shook her head. “Boy, he doesn’t mess around.”

  “Again, he’s so sure.” I started to take the panties off the hangars and fold them.

  “He’ll be a good dad. Even if something happened between the two of you, he’d stick around to be in your kid’s life.” Zoe answered cautiously. “Is that what worries you?”

  Suddenly it was hard to breathe, I could feel my chest start to heave. “Last night, after we, uhm, were finished. I thought to myself, ‘Well if we don’t work out, I’ll still have a piece of him.’ Is that wrong?” I looked at Zoe.

  She blinked a few times, her forehead furrowed in thought. “It isn’t the happiest after sex thought, but I get that you’re in protective mode.”

  “I’ve always had to look out for myself. My mom, well, she didn’t.” My voice faded.

  “I’m the opposite. My dad, and then my ex were always there, telling me what to do. With Tony…” she smiled. “He can get bossy, but it’s different, I get to have my say too.”

  “I’ve always been responsible for me. Even when I was married Brian was around, but he was rarely present. Do you know what I mean? His work, and then his addiction, just made him kind of inactive.” I shrugged again.

  “It’s a change for the better. Not that you aren’t going to have to set boundaries and have discussions, lots of them, but that man wants to make things work with you. I know it.” Zoe started to bend forward to put her shoes on.

  “Here, let me help.” I moved in front of her and bent over to help her slip her feet into the flats.

  “When it’s your turn, I’ll do the same for you,” she said as she stood.

  I rolled my eyes as I followed her to the register.

  * * *

  “So is there any room left on the card?” Forde pointed to the stack of bags sitting in the corner of Limited’s reception area.

  “Zoe insisted on sticking to Nordstrom’s since walking tires her. And I tried to shop the sale racks. I’ll pay you back, I promise.”

  “Don’t care about that.” He grinned at me. “Is she doing all right? I mean, with the baby and all?” He was lounging in a chair across from me at my workstation.

  “She goes to the doctor on Tuesday, and I know she’s worried they’re going to put her on bed rest. She’s taking it easy, sitting with her feet up. It’s one thing to choose to rest and another when you’re ordered to. Plus, Tony might cuff her to the bed.” I opened the desk drawer, checking the supplies.

  “Not a bad idea.”

  I looked at him, and he was smiling. Zoe was right. He was totally fine with having a baby. “Zoe said she was sorry about missing lunch, but she was wiped out.”

  “No problem, I made other plans for us. We’re supposed to meet Tye, and then grab some food. So do you have a handle on things here?” Forde remained in the chair.

  “Uh, no. I can read the calendar and make entries, but you still need to teach me about who works when. Do your investigators do different types of work? Plus, I’ll probably screw up the phones when they get busy.” Forde was the type of teacher who told you things once and didn’t give a lot of details. Thankfully, I’d taken notes.

  “Don’t stress over it. Jenn and I are in the office most mornings, and the others show around one or two. Arrival time is casual unless we have in office appointments. That’s your biggest responsibility, keeping us apprised of them, and then being at your desk when they show. Everything else you can figure out and do your way.” He shrugged like he wasn’t concerned that I was going to play a part in his business. From what I could see from the spreadsheets that he’d shown me, it was a very profitable business. They billed for a lot of hours.

  “So, what’s going on with Tye?” I’d heard a lot about the attorney but hadn’t met him.

  Forde glanced at his wrist and stood. “He should be ready for us. It won’t take too long, but I wanted us to talk and get some things settled.” He motioned for me to stand and took my hand as soon as I came around the desk.

  It didn’t escape my notice that he’d totally ignored my question. I considered that as I followed Forde into the hallway, and we headed to Tye’s office door. The elevator chimed, and a tall man exited. I think he had been running because he was in shorts and was pulling a T-shirt over his head. Plus, he was sweaty with his hair was plastered to his skull, and he had a towel wrapped around his neck.

  “Hey, perfect timing.” His head popped through the opening, smiling wide.

  I couldn’t help admiring the blonde man. He looked like he should be carrying a surf board instead of a briefcase. His hair was golden and long enough for the ends to curl, and he was long and lean. I think I heard the Beach Boys singing in the background as I checked him out.

  “Layla, this is Tye.” Forde nodded at his friend.

  I smiled and said, “Hello.”

  His gaze traveled over my body from top to bottom and returned to my boobs. “Hello,” he said, his voice was low and a little scratchy.

  Forde made a growling sound. “Stop checking her out.”

  Tye shrugged and laughed, not looking at all apologetic. “But she’s gorgeous.”

  I fought to keep my smile neutral when I wanted to up it to flirty. I mean I had two gorgeou
s men snarling over me. The growling went no farther, and by their teasing manner, I could tell the two of them had been friends a long time. There was love and respect there.

  We waited as Tye input the code and opened the door to his office suite. I couldn’t help comparing the two men. Tye was taller by an inch or two and much leaner. He had a huge tribal tattoo that covered his chest, shoulders and upper arms. He had an easy going vibe that I bet had lulled many opponents into thinking he would be an easy opponent. I knew a little about his reputation as an attorney from my paralegal classes. He was relentless and tireless. He hand-picked his cases and those of his firm, and he won far more than he lost. Students begged to intern in his office. The word was that he only hired the best, and it was a tight knit group. If you were a part of his team, you didn’t leave.

  Forde was much more broad in the chest. He carried more muscle on his frame. He’d pulled his dark hair back into a stubby tail, and he was wearing a collared white, knit shirt and faded blue jeans. He left the shirt untucked, because his gun was at the back of his spine, and there was another strapped to one ankle, and a knife to the other.

  “Make yourselves comfortable. Want anything to drink?” Tye asked as he led us into his office.

  The place was, well, a disaster. Files on every surface, yellow legal pads on the floor or marking places in books, and I saw several shoes in the corner, like he kicked them off as soon as he shut the door.

  “Sorry about the mess.” He looked sheepish as he apologized and shifted some books from the sofa. “Layla, you can sit there.”

  I did as told, while Forde cleared the space next to me.

  Tye grabbed his laptop and after shifting files from a chair, he sat. “Typically, I see all my clients in the conference room.” He gave me a guilty look.

  Forde took my hand. “I wanted Tye to set up an account for you. In case something happened, you’d be fine.”

  I turned to him. “What?” I stumbled over the word. I was totally blindsided. “I don’t understand.” I turned my head to look at Tye for clarification.

  He chuckled and slumped back in the wing chair, propping his feet up on the coffee table in front of him. He balanced his laptop on his knees. “Don’t feel bad. He called me earlier and demanded I set this up today. Forde’s a man of action when he wants something. Over the years, I’ve found it’s easier in the long run to give in immediately or he’s a pain. I honestly can’t handle the whining.” Tye smiled and started tapping on his computer.