His hands grasped her bottom. She gasped as her feet left the ground. Her heart soared. Simon loved her as much as she loved him. She looked down at his face, tears falling from her eyes onto his cheeks. “I love you too, Simon. You’re everything to me.”
He laughed. and walked backward until she straddled him on the bed sprayed with rays from the setting sun. “I won’t let anyone or anything come between us. Do you hear me? I’ll fight day and night if it means we get to be together.”
Regina pulled Simon’s shirt over his head and then her own. She explored his chest and torso with her hands while relishing the wondrous taste of his shoulders. “Every piece of me missed you. Wanted you for so long. Just agony.” She pushed him back and rolled his body on top of hers, wrapping her legs around his hips. Simon’s skin glowed in the light bathing them from the window. “Make love to me, Simon. It’s been forever.”
Both the sun and moon set before they tired.
Chapter 27
Condom Break
Simon opened his weary eyes. The rest of his limbs rebelled against any movement as he rolled and saw his love’s beautiful shoulder and back. He lifted on his elbow, traced down her spine and caught his lips between his teeth as goosebumps spread across her brown skin. So lovely. Nothing was going to keep him from having her always. He braced Regina’s hip and aligned his body near hers. “’morning, babe.” Half-aroused, he nibbled at her shoulder. “Are you awake?” They’d spent the night with their bodies entangled in bouts of erotic frenzy until sheer exhaustion required them to rest. But the little sleep he’d gotten only refueled his desire for her.
He reached around Regina’s stretching body and cupped her breast. His thumb went to work on the nipple. The sensual sigh and snicker escaping her lips fanned the flames of his lust. “Obviously you are, Young.” The warm fingers surrounding him made his stiffness jerk and harden even more. “After all we did last night, what does it take to satiate you?” she asked with ragged breath.
Simon lined his stiffness along the cleft of her plump rump. “You, and it’s a new day.” He stroked her hair down and caught her ear lobe between his lips. It was so satisfying to know that he was the reason for its puffiness, each sweat-shrunken coil testified to the numerous times he made her tremble, moan and cry out. “When do you have to leave for your meeting?”
Regina reached for her phone. “Not for a while. It’s early.”
“See, even time is on our side.” Her stomach shuddered under his touch. He wanted more of her, so much more. Simon reached his hand into his dearest’s soft folds. “I want you, Gina.”
Regina sucked air through her teeth. Her thighs clamped around Simon’s fingers. “I’m a little sore.”
He gently pulled his hand away, fell on his back and exhaled. “It’s okay. I don’t want to hurt you.” The notification chime caught his attention.
Corella: Hi, Simon. I emailed you the itinerary for your flight. You’re scheduled to leave JFK tonight at 11:30 pm.
He put the phone face-down on the bed. I just got Regina back in my arms. How can I tell her that I have to leave? It was insane to think about letting this chance slip through his fingers, but the thought of being a world away from her was unbearable. He hated when the East River separated them, let alone oceans and continents.
“Hey.” Air rushed out of his lungs. Regina dropped her chest on his and glided her fingers along his shoulder. “I said I was a little sore.” She covered his mouth and held him again. Everything hurried out of his mind but her. “I just need you to be gentle.”
“I can do that.” He dashed across the room and rustled through his bag sitting on the hotel dresser. He took out a string of small packages and the silver ring box. Do it now. You have to do it now. He turned and faced Regina, hiding the box behind his back. She was balancing on an elbow, watching him lovingly. We don’t have a whole lot of time, and there is no way I’m crossing the Atlantic without this ring on her finger.
Regina shook her head and laughed. “Damn, Young. How many of those do you have?”
“Enough for the amount of making up I had in mind.” He laid the string across the night stand and slipped in under the blanket she held up for him. Her afro tickled his cheek as she cuddled on his chest. Simon closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath through his teeth. Her hand was already under the blanket touching all the right places. Get a grip and ask her. “Gina?”
“Mmm-hmm?”
He took the roaming hand in his. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Simon.”
He touched her back with the box. “I want to ask you something.”
She squirmed and wrenched her head to her shoulder. “Wha- What’s that?” Her eyes shined and glistened when he held the box before them. “Oh, Simon.”
“I bought it just before the firm’s party.” He opened the box. “I knew from the moment I saw you that I wanted to share everything with you. It didn’t take long before you became my everything to me, Gina.” The diamonds glistened in the morning light. Simon slipped the ring on her trembling finger and kissed her knuckles. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” She pulled his lips to hers.
He ripped a packet off the string on the night stand and turned to hold his fiancé. He glanced down for a moment then caught her gaze and gently filled her soft folds until her eyes fluttered closed.
Regina bent her head back, allowing Simon to feel the moan echoing through her throat with his lips. One leg hooked his hip and a heel pushed him deeper inside her warmth. “Yes, Simon.” He grazed her lips with his thumb. Regina closed her mouth around it and sucked so hard that it shot down to his toes.
Thinking about her soreness, Simon read cues from Regina’s body to determine how fast and hard he would go. Eventually, slow, determined strokes became harder, and their hips crashed together until they both cried out in ecstasy.
Their limbs entangled, he spiraled back down to reality, holding the woman he loved. Simon closed his eyes and smiled while Regina wiped the sweat off his forehead. Things were the way they should be. His breathing had just steadied when the alarm on his phone chimed. He groaned as he moved from the magnificent embrace that filled his heart with joy. “I’ve got to take my medicine.”
Regina settled under the billowing blankets he flipped over her. “Hurry back.”
He shuddered when the cold tiles prickled his bare feet. Turning on the light, Simon ran the sink and opened his palm. Shit. A chill shot through all his extremities. No, this can’t be happening. Tan skin peeked through the tip of the torn white latex condom. The shocked face staring back at him in the mirror was little help. He looked at the hair and skin care products strewn across the vanity. I’ve gotta tell Gina.
He returned to the side of the bed. Regina was breathing softly, neck-deep in bleached linens. “Gina,” he whispered and sat on the bed, putting a hand on her hip.
She raised her eyebrows and snuggled a little deeper under the blankets. “What’s up, Young?” Her languid tone made him even more hesitant to share his discovery, but she had to know right away.
He took a deep breath. “The condom broke.”
Her lids flew open. Dilated pupils of wide brown eyes stared at him. “Are you sure?” She raised on her elbows and slammed them shut. “Yeah,” she shot through clenched teeth, “it did.”
Her brown bottom jiggling away was the last thing Simon saw before the bathroom door slammed and the hum of shower water drifted into the room. “Is there anything I can do?” Simon leaned against the door jamb and kneaded his tense shoulder muscles. Here was yet another thing for them to contend with as a couple. God was keeping them on their toes.
The air rushed past his naked body. Regina clutched a towel around her “All right.” Wet coils dripped on her shoulders as she paced in front of the hotel window sliding fingers across her phone screen. “I’ll need to find a pharmacy and buy one of those emergency contraception pills.”
Wow, she’s working
damn hard to prevent pregnancy. I wonder if she even wants my baby? Simon shook his head. The irrational thoughts coursing through his mind weren’t helping the situation. He strode into the bathroom. “Okay, let me get ready.”
“Leave the door open.” Regina pulled a pair of black slacks over her hips. “I need to do my hair.”
***
Regina let Simon guide her through the crowd while she studied the arrow on her phone. “We need to make a left,” she announced at the stop light. His arm rested around her shoulders, Simon looked pensive as his head oscillated with the cars whizzing by. It was understandable. The thought of a baby terrified her too. Things were already at lighting speed for them and with a ton of accompanying drama. Where the hell is this pharmacy? My nerves can’t take much more.
Ironically or luckily, the pharmacy was on the same block where she had to be to sign her contracts. Cool air washed over her as she stepped through the automatic doors. She had a little over a half hour to meet Elliott, and the summer heat already had her crisp, white blouse with black trim wilting. “Can you get me some water, Simon?”
“Sure.” His lips formed a tense smile. He disappeared down an aisle. What’s eating him?
Regina bit her lip and scanned her surroundings. “Where’s that pharmacist?” Big red letters at the back of the store led her way. She approached the counter and a tall, young redhead in a lab coat. “Hi,” She tried to sound as matter-of-fact as possible, “I’m looking for emergency contraception.”
The technician offered a friendly smile and bent slightly over the counter. “Sure, they’re right over there.”
“Thanks.” Regina was already skimming the package directions when she met Simon at the front of the store.
“Hey, why didn’t you wait for me to go with you?”
She continued to squint at the tiny print on the thin slip of paper. “Because, I prefer that we not look like two guilty teenagers the morning after prom.”
His laughter bloomed around them. “I can respect that.” He took the package and paid for it.
Regina shoved the paper in her pocket and retrieved her phone.
Elliott: You almost here?
Regina: I’m in the pharmacy across the street. Don’t ask.
Elliott: Oh, but you know I will.
It was going to be good to talk to Elliott and Bree about it. They’d be able to put a light spin on one of the most harrowing experiences of her life. A bunch of internet trolls pale in comparison to trying not to get knocked up by my boyfriend. She gazed at the sparkling diamonds on her finger. Fiancée.
Regina continued to drink the cool water long after the pill washed down and their feet hit the sidewalk. She waved back at Elliott, who stood across the street. “There’s Elliott.” She hugged Simon’s waist. “This shouldn’t take long. Do you want to meet back at the hotel and then do something?”
“Actually, Gina.” Simon caressed her cheeks and kissed her. “I have to head back to New York.”
“What? Why so soon?”
“You remember me talking about Rameez Baig? He asked me to join him on another case.”
“So, of course, you accepted.” She smiled brightly despite the pain gripping her heart. Stupid Rameez Baig. “It sounds like a great opportunity. I’m happy for you.” She hugged him tighter.
“It is, and I’m sorry to just drop this on you.”
“It’s okay.” She leaned back. “I’ll just see you when I get back.”
He stared down at the pavement. “The thing is, I have to get back to catch a flight to Singapore.”
“Excuse me? Did you say Singapore?”
“Yeah. I have to be there by Sunday.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and squeezed harder. It’s important to be mature and supportive. She resisted the urge to kick and scream and demand he stay with her. “I understand. How long will you be gone?”
“Eight weeks.”
Eight weeks? Oh, hell no, Young. I’ll miss you way too much. How can you just leave me? You just said you loved me, and now you’re flying off to the other side of the world? This is bullshit. “That’s such a long time.” She splayed her hands on his back. “But, we’ll make it work.” Please, don’t go.
“Excuse me,” Elliot’s voice came from behind. “I hate to break up you two love birds, but Gina and I have business to settle.”
She lifted her head and claimed her fiancé’s lips. Salty tears mixed with the sweetness of his mouth. It was too soon to say goodbye. She ripped her lips and turned towards her friend’s voice, but Simon drew her back in his arms.
Yearning sprung inside her from his kiss and plunged her heart into an abyss. How was she expected to live or even breathe without him? His forehead touched hers. “I’ll be back as soon as possible. I won’t let a moment pass that’ll keep you from me.”
Air and sunlight swept over Regina. Heartbreak wrapped her in a cocoon of sadness. She stared at the throngs of people hurrying past her sides. She jumped at a hand touching her shoulder and spun. A confused Elliot towered over her. She caught his gaze. The crinkle in his nose softened. She let him wrap his long arms around her and laid her head on his massive chest. She needed her friend now more than ever.
Chapter 28
Boardroom
“Right, I think we can settle everything this evening.” Balancing his weight on one leg and hands on his hips, light from the window behind filtered around Rameez’s tall frame and brightened his pale blue dress shirt. “Simon ran some great ideas by me last night that I think just might satisfy all with a vested interest in finalizing this deal.”
Simon inhaled. He’d spent over two months working to show the junior partner that he had what it took to be one of the firm’s top attorneys, and it was paying off. Rameez asked his advice more and allowed him to lead some of the meetings. He walked to his boss, who then sat further down the long boardroom table. “Thanks, Rameez.” Simon sat and flipped open the black folder in front of him, cuing everyone else to do the same with theirs. “There’re just a few sticking points that’s keeping us from closing this deal. Let’s start with page 127.”
All heads sprang up and eyes fell on Simon. “Sorry.” He leaned back into the soft leather and reached into his pant pocket to stop the familiar ringtone. “It’s my fiancée in New York. We’d planned to talk at this time.” Heat rushed through his neck and face. His gaze landed on Rameez, who nodded and slowly blinked. Simon held his finger up and flashed a sheepish smile at the parallel rows of suits. “Excuse me for one moment.” He bent his head. “Hi, Gina.”
“Simon. It’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve missed it.”
Her honeyed drawl awoke parts of him inappropriate for the present setting. “Yeah, me too. Can I call you back?”
“What? Why? Isn’t this the time I was supposed to call?”
“Yes, but I’m in a meeting that’s running a late.” He looked to confirm his suspicion that he had everyone’s attention. “We should be done in about an hour.”
“Oh, I understand. You finish your meeting. I’ll just lay here in your bed and wait for you to call back.”
Clearing his throat, he turned the chair away from his audience and rose. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” he asked in the most professional tone he could muster.
“Your bed. I missed you so much that I came to your place. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of, course.” Brilliant rays streamed between tall buildings and bounced across the skyline. It was beautiful, but he longed to be in a different city—the one where the woman he loved was lying in his bed.
“Good. I didn’t think you’d mind. I also put on one of your shirts so I could have your scent near me.”
“That’s fine.”
“Wanna see? I sent you a picture.”
The phone buzzed into his ear. A warm sensation ran down his body. Regina’s slightly-parted lips and dazzling eyes made him need air. She’d rolled the sleeves of his white dress shirt to her elbows and
left the front unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of her breasts and torso before puddling at her long, crossed legs. Damn. She was spectacular. He had to have her soon. He closed his eyes and brought the phone back to his ear. “That’s good. Thank you.”
“You like it?”
“Very much.” He glanced back at the table. All eyes were still on him. “I gotta go.”
“Yeah. You’re busy. I’ve distracted you too much.” The sound of Regina stretching and yawning drifted from the phone. “Maybe I should just get dressed. Being in this bed, thinking about you, just makes me hot and bothered. I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“No, no need to do that. Just wait until I call back.”
“If you think that’s best, Simon. I want to make you happy.”
He stretched his neck. She was using her “obedient woman” tone to drive him crazy with desire. She wasn’t making it easy to hang up, something she’d become skillful at doing over their extended time apart. “I do. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Simon returned to his seat. “Again, I’m sorry for the interruption.” He set his phone on the table. Heart racing, Regina’s sensual image dominated his mind while he flipped through the papers. “Let’s return to page, umm—”
“127.” Rameez caught his gaze and then looked down with a smirk. “Are you sure you don’t want some water, Simon?”
Simon continued to turn the pages. “No, I’m good. Now, page 127.” His phone buzzed and another suggestive image appeared.
A small grunt emitted from the man sitting to his right, who’d caught sight of Regina lying on her back with the shirt fallen to her sides, barely covering her nipples. His eyes opened into spheres, and he grabbed the phone before Simon had a chance. “That’s your fiancée?” He lifted his glasses to his forehead and held the phone close.
My Way to You (Brothers in Law Book 1) Page 20
