by Layla Hagen
I drew my thumb over her lower lip before sliding the tip in her mouth.
“You have no idea how many other places I want to defile with you.”
She jerked her head back, pointing at me. “No sexy times in the cottage rehearsal room.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “We’ll see. I have some aces up my sleeve.”
Still laughing, she started dressing. I hadn’t removed the condom, watching her, indulging in the view.
“You going to walk back like this?” she asked once she was finished, a sly grin on her face. “That’s certainly going to get people talking.”
“So damn sassy all the time.”
She shimmied, running a hand through her hair.
“Nah, I’m extra sassy now, courtesy of the delicious orgasm you just gave me.”
“Two orgasms.”
“Oooh, we’re keeping count? Okay.”
I touched her neck, tracing the contour of her jaw with my forefinger.
“Hey, put your clothes on.” Her tone was half warning, half playful.
“Why? Afraid we’re going to get that count up to three?” I teased.
She tilted her head to one side, narrowing her eyes. “No... but we’ll lose our heads and miss the party.”
I could see that happening. I wasn’t one to lose my head, but Isabelle had that effect on me.
I dressed quickly, and we headed back outside.
“I feel like a teenager sneaking back in the house,” she whispered a few minutes later as we approached the house.
“We don’t have to sneak in.”
“Umm... we’re sweaty, and I think anyone can tell it’s not from hot yoga or jogging. So yes, we have to.”
She had a point. Luckily, everyone was in the backyard, so we could go in through the front door without running into anyone.
“Let’s shower together. Will save time,” I said.
She laughed. “What a creative way to say you want to get down and dirty again.”
I pulled her to me, pinching her ass. “Isabelle, I have lots of plans to defile the shower with you. But when I can take my time with you. Now we’re in a hurry. Come on, strip.”
I pinched her ass again, and she rewarded me with a playful giggle.
Watching her take off her clothes gave me a raging hard-on, but I was determined to behave. Only the vixen wasn’t making it easy. Once we were beneath the water, she poured shower gel in her palms, spreading it all over her body, driving me crazy. Whirling her around, I applied shower gel to her back. I took a small detour, soaping her breasts again. She gasped as I twirled my fingers around her nipples and pressed my cock against her ass cheek.
There. Now we were both on the edge.
My need for this woman was insatiable. But we had a party to attend, so I rinsed off the soap without any more shenanigans.
Isabelle pouted. “You’re not playing fair.”
“You’re the one who tempted the hell out of me, soaping up like that.”
Her pout transformed into a grin. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. You’re so sexy when you’re turned on.”
“So you’re not just extra sassy but extra feisty today. Good to know.”
“All your doing.” Rising on her tiptoes, she gave me a quick kiss, then took a huge step back. “Now, let’s get dressed. Without any interruptions.” She attempted to sound stern as she said the last three words, but her smile gave her away.
She dressed in a breezy pink dress that showed no cleavage, but half her back was bare.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I said.
She startled, looking up in the mirror on the dresser door. She was putting on earrings and hadn’t seen me approach.
“Thank you,” she said softly. Her cheeks turned pink.
“Why do you always blush when I say you’re beautiful?”
She shrugged, fumbling with her fingers at her ear.
“Let me do that,” I offered. “You can’t see anything.”
I finished clasping her earrings. It felt so domestic to do this for her, and it seemed so damn right. This whole day had been incredible.
“Come on. Let’s join the party.”
She took my hand, and we headed outside.
A lot of my parents’ friends had already arrived by the time we made it to the backyard. Mom and Dad must have told them I was here, because no one acted surprised to see me, just happy.
I introduced Isabelle to everyone. We had four more cousins from Dad’s side, but they lived in the next town, so I wasn’t as close to them as I was to Donna and Jana. Speaking of which, they were both looking at me with a familiar expression.
I was certain they were going to want to know more about my relationship with Isabelle, but I assumed they’d wait until tomorrow.
I was wrong. They both flanked me when I went to the second grill my dad had especially bought for this occasion, for the sole purpose to keep the food he’d already grilled warm.
“Cousin dearest, we want to know everything about Isabelle,” Jana said.
“Right now, before you return to New York,” Donna added.
“You do have a phone, you know,” I teased.
“Yeah, but we’re so much better at drilling you face-to-face,” Jana said with a grin. She nudged me with her shoulder playfully. “Come on, let’s fill our plates and move away, or we’re going to smell like smoke. And people might realize we’re gossiping.”
“You’re gossiping,” I pointed out, but we did move away from the grill. We’d each put kabobs and grilled veggies on our plates.
Donna put an arm around mine. “No, no. You’re about to as well. You’re out of practice, but we’re going to remind you how things work in this family.”
I glanced around, looking for Isabelle. She’d been talking to Dad last time I checked. Now she was with Mom and my aunt.
“Aww, you know what? You don’t even need to say anything. Look at you, searching around for Isabelle,” Donna said.
“She’s my guest here. I want to make sure she’s having a good time.”
“Sure, that’s why you look at her like this. You care about her,” Jana added.
“I do. Very much,” I replied.
Jana and Donna exchanged a knowing look.
“Why are you two so coy?” I asked.
“Nothing...well, we got the impression that Isabelle cares about you a lot too when we were out today. Just in case you’re interested.”
“I am interested.”
Donna grinned. “See? You do remember how to gossip. Thank God.”
“What did she say?” I prompted when neither of them volunteered more information.
“It’s not just what she said,” Jana informed me. “The way she said it is important too. With dreamy eyes and a lot of... heart? I can’t explain it.”
“Well, you’re not being a lot of help to our broody and fortress-loving cousin here.”
I stopped in the act of plunking my fork in a grilled bell pepper. “I’m neither of those things.”
“Ummm, yes you are,” Jana insisted. “You’ve always been like that, but even more so after what happened last time you were here.”
Frowning, I considered her words. “I did what I had to do.”
Donna smiled sympathetically. “You haven’t been home in years, Brayden. You think keeping everyone at arm’s length somehow protects us.”
“It does,” I insisted.
“The security measures you have in place do the job just fine,” she went on. “Last time took us by surprise. But we miss you, and I think I speak for everyone when I say we don’t mind taking extra precautions if it means spending more time with you.”
“But you all visit me in New York,” I countered, remembering the incident all those years ago when a group of fans followed me here. They vandalized my parents’ house while we were out on a walk. I’d never seen my folks so scared.
“Which is fine for us,” Jana said. “You know we love the city. But Esther an
d Mark don’t like leaving their home as much. They don’t feel comfortable in New York. Esther especially loves having you here, in her home.”
I said nothing. Honestly, I was so taken aback by this conversation that I didn’t know what to reply.
“But Isabelle’s definitely on your case. I like her. Don’t push her away, or I’ll fly to New York and give you a piece of my mind. You know how mean I can get.”
“Oh, I know,” I said with a grin.
Instinctively, I looked around the yard for her. She was at the drinks table, filling her glass with lemonade. She glanced over her shoulder, as if feeling I was watching her. I winked. She made a “come here” motion with her finger.
“Awww, look at him,” Jana said in a fake whisper.
I gave them the side-eye before heading to Isabelle. I set my empty plate on the corner with side dishes so I could wrap an arm around her waist from behind and kiss the side of her neck.
“How is it going?” I asked. “Anyone drive you crazy yet?”
“Not at all. I got so much intel from everyone. It’s amazing.”
“Define intel.”
“Ha! No I won’t.”
“Isabelle...”
“Don’t use that sexy voice,” she chastised in a whisper. “We’re in public.”
“But it’ll get me what I want.”
She turned around slowly, tilting her head playfully. “Hmmm... no it won’t. Just because you’re too self-assured.”
I laughed, kissing her neck again. “So you’re having fun?”
“Oh yes. The crowd is a blast.”
Right then Mom announced we were starting a game of charades, something we always did on her birthday. We’d given her the gifts before. I gave her a special spa gift card—she could order all their services to be performed at the house.
“That’s a very unusual tradition. How did it start?” Isabelle asked me.
Everyone moved toward the left side of the yard, where the game would be taking place. Isabelle and I were the only ones left at the table.
“You really want to know?”
She grinned. “Yeah, why not?”
I’d never met anyone so interested in that sort of detail.
“When Jana was seven, she wouldn’t stop playing even when Mom wanted to bring out the cake. So Mom suggested we all play one game together before the cake. Everyone had so much fun that we did it again next year, and eventually it became a habit.”
She chuckled, rubbing her palms together in excitement.
“Okay, well, I suck at charades. Will you be on my team and save my ass?”
I tilted forward until the tips of our noses almost touched. “I don’t think so, Miss You’re Too Self-Assured.”
“Are you saying my ass isn’t worth saving?” She wiggled it, taunting me.
A deep sound reverberated from my throat.
She stilled her movement. “Holy shit! That got me a growl? You’re so easy tonight, Mr. Clarke.”
I blinked, confused. “How does a growl equal easy?”
“Well, I have a scale. A groan means you’re on edge. A growl means you’re very close to finding an excuse to pull me in a dark, secluded corner and have your way with me.”
I burst out laughing, but before I had a chance to reply, Jana called us all to the section of the yard where we were playing.
“Come here, you little vixen. I’ll be on your team and save your ass.” I winked at Isabelle.
Taking her hand, I didn’t miss her smug smile as we joined everyone else. My cousins’ words were still ringing in my mind. Had I really been keeping everyone away? Built a fortress, as they called it? It hadn’t been my intention. But this feisty woman I was crazy for had somehow seen right through me. I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to have her in my life.
“Hey, Mr. Clarke, I like that smile.” She pointed at my mouth. “And I want to hear all about it later. But right now, I need you to focus.”
She was only going to hear about it in New York. Because I’d decided I would do anything in my power to keep Isabelle in my life. I just needed a good plan.
One she couldn’t say no to.
Chapter Eighteen
Isabelle
We returned to New York on Monday morning. Brayden dropped me off at my office, because I insisted a lot. Sasha had also monitored the place and said there didn’t seem to be reporters around anymore. Even though I’d told all my clients we’d have online sessions today, I still wanted to check out the area. There were no reporters in front of my building.
“See? Sasha was right. I’m yesterday’s news,” I said.
Brayden was still glowering, looking around outside.
“Oh, why are you so grumpy?” I gave him a quick peck on the lips, cupping his jaw. I made eye contact with him until he smiled. Mission accomplished.
After getting out of the car, I headed straight inside the building. I met a few neighbors in the elevator and greeted them a little too enthusiastically. What can I say? After a weekend like the one I had, I was on cloud nine.
Once inside my office, I made myself a coffee. As I sipped from it, my phone buzzed with a message from Josie.
Josie: You’ve been silent all weekend. I can’t take the suspense any longer. HOW WAS IT?
Laughing, I put down my coffee cup and typed with both hands.
Isabelle: How about I tell you in person?
Josie: Awesome!
Josie: No, wait. I still want some details NOW.
Isabelle: What’s with the caps lock?
Josie: Sophie hasn’t slept well this last week... so neither have I.
Aww, my poor sister. I was going to drop by her house tonight with her favorite takeout food. I was certain Hunter was pampering her a lot, but sister time never hurt.
Isabelle: My first session starts in five minutes. I’ll text you during the next break.
Josie: You’re mean :-(
Isabelle: I love you.
I logged on my computer for the first session, happy I could do it from the comfy chair at my desk. The client I was talking to was going through a rough divorce, and my heart was breaking for her.
“Lilly, is the journaling helping you at all?”
“When I do it, yes. But some mornings, I forget to.”
“Why don’t you put it on your nightstand so it’s the first thing you see every morning?”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”
“Try to fill out every section. When you get to the one where it asks what things bring you joy, try not to just jot things down, but imagine yourself already doing them. It will put you in a good mood.”
“Okay. I hope I don’t forget.”
The concern etched on her face prompted me to ask, “Would you like me to send you a message each morning, reminding you?”
“Oh, you can do that? I hate to ask that of you, but maybe for a few days until it becomes second nature. Thank you!”
“No problem. It’s on my calendar.”
“I’m so happy I found you, Isabelle. You help me focus on myself, you know? Most of the time, I worry about how this impacts the kids, and I don’t pay attention to my feelings. I bottle everything up, and whenever I see my ex, I explode in a rant.”
“All this is normal, Lilly. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s painful, and you’re doing the best you can. Give yourself time. Be kind to yourself.”
By the end of the session, Lilly was in a slightly more optimistic mindset. I knew she still had a long way to go until she would feel happy more often than desperately sad. Each client was different. Some didn’t need my help after only a few sessions, though many continued their therapy for years. I had three online sessions a week with clients I’d started seeing years ago in Philadelphia. Nothing gave me more satisfaction than when one of them said they didn’t need any more sessions. It meant I’d done my job and they were in a happier place now than when they’d sought me out.
Glancing at the clock, I realized
Lilly and I had gone over time and my next session was about to begin. I quickly glanced out the window. There were still no reporters outside. I messaged the clients I had in the afternoon, asking them if they preferred to come to the office for their appointment. Four out of five said they wanted to come in.
This was going to be a long day, one that would be difficult to emotionally unwind from. I used to have tours on Monday evenings; they were the easiest way I could put everything my clients shared out of my mind. They were fun, and I loved meeting new people. I already missed them.
But as I always told my clients, it was all a matter of perspective. I just needed to find something else that gave me that rush and captivated me completely.
Brayden.
In the few minutes I had between sessions, I checked my phone. The new message from Josie made me laugh.
Josie: TELL ME. I can’t take the suspense any longer.
I also had one from Brayden.
Brayden: How is your day going? Still tired from the flight?
I loved that he checked in on me.
A third message popped up. My next client said she was going to be a few minutes late. I replied to Josie first.
Isabelle: It was amazing in Oregon. And it made me like Brayden even more.
Brayden: I like what I’m reading. Tell me more.
I frowned, wondering what he meant.
Oh no. I accidentally sent the last message to Brayden instead of Josie.
Isabelle: That was meant for my sister.
Brayden: I want to know too.
Smiling, I tapped my fingers on the phone, deciding on the best way to tease him.
Isabelle: And you think I’ll just volunteer the information? No, sir. You have to work for it.
Brayden: Oh, I will.
Yum... In my mind, I read it in his delicious voice.
Licking my lips, I shook my head. This was work time. I couldn’t let thoughts of this sexy man distract me.
I replied to my sister, giving her a rundown of the weekend, making sure I actually sent it to her this time.
Brayden: When are your sessions over today?
Isabelle: Probably not until nine.
