“I didn’t want to believe it. Dammit, Susie. I was blindsided. One second everything was great and the next…”
She slid her arms around his waist and pulled him close so she could feel the heat of his body against her own. Just being close to him soothed her frazzled soul. “And the next it was blown to shit. But it wasn’t. I don’t blame you for being upset. I can only imagine how it looked but let’s put to rest the whole Dane thing. Once and for all, okay? He and I are just friends. If anything I feel a little sorry for him.”
“I probably wouldn’t say that to him. I’m not sure he would appreciate the sentiment.”
“I did say it, actually. I think he’s lonely, Chris. You and Seb have love and Dane doesn’t. I think he’s scared too. Scared that if you and Seb have love you’ll stop spending time with him.”
His arms wound around her tightly and he pressed his lips to hers, the kiss hard and fast. “Do I have love?”
She felt heat flood her face. She’d already said it but now it seemed a heck of a lot more real. “You do. I love you. It seems fast but it’s really not. We’ve been friends for years.”
“I love you too, Susie Q. I shouldn’t have yelled it the first time. You deserve candlelight and roses.”
Susie looked up into the inky black sky where the full moon hung and cast its light over the water. “We do have a romantic beach. Are we okay now?”
“We’re okay.” Chris lifted her off her feet to capture her lips. “I’m sorry, baby. I should have just boarded the yacht and confronted you both, right then and there. Dane must think I’ve lost my mind.”
“Not at all. He understands. You can talk to him in the morning.”
Chris’s eyebrow quirked. “The morning? What about tonight?”
She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the resort. “I have plans for you tonight. I think I need some convincing about this love stuff. It doesn’t quite seem real.”
Chris swept her up into his arms, carrying her over the sand. “It will be a pleasure to show you just how real my love is. And always will be.”
Susie vowed to do the same. He’d know he was always first in her heart.
*
The next morning Chris, Seb, and Dane were in a suite of the resort getting ready for the wedding. Chris helped Seb straighten his tie while Dane poured three shots of single malt whiskey. It was almost time for the ceremony and they were going to have one last toast as three single men. In a few minutes they’d be two single men and a married man.
“Are you nervous?” Chris asked. Seb kept saying that he wasn’t but in the last few minutes he’d begun to look a little pale.
Seb smoothed his hair back for the dozenth time. The photographer had been in and out all morning. “Not about marrying Amanda. Damn, I love her and I know she’s the only woman for me. I just want today to be perfect for her. She had to wait too long for this because of all my shit. I just want her to be happy.”
Dane handed each man a highball glass. “She’s so happy she glows. Relax, will you? You’re so nervous you’re making me nervous, and I’m not even getting married.”
The three men raised their glasses. “To best friends,” Seb said. “Thanks for being here today.”
“To best friends,” Chris and Dane echoed. Chris gulped down the liquid and savored the burn all the way down to his stomach.
“So we’re good?” Dane set his empty glass down on the bar. “She doesn’t give a shit about me, you know.”
Chris and Susie had talked more after making love in Chris’s luxurious bedroom in the mansion. The air was definitely cleared and friendship restored.
“We’re good. And she does care about you. As a friend.” Chris grinned and slapped Dane on the back. “As far as I’m concerned you blew it. But now she’s all mine. Your loss.”
“She never would have fallen for me. Not really. You’re definitely the better man for her. She’d make me crazy with all the jumping from planes and racing cars. I’d go gray twenty years early.”
Dane liked his life well-ordered, that was for sure. Chris still wondered what kind of woman it would take to change his friend’s mind about love.
“You’ll find the lady for you,” Chris encouraged.
“When you least expect it,” added Seb. “That’s when they show up. Mark my words.”
Dane poured himself another shot of whiskey. “I’m not looking for love. I don’t think it’s in the cards. But I’m happy for you two.”
“That’s when you find the one. When you’re not looking for her,” Seb laughed. “You can’t hold out forever, my friend.”
A funny look crossed Dane’s face and Chris knew his friend certainly intended to try to avoid love for as long as he could. Dane would go down fighting before giving in to the emotion. He believed in women. He believed in sex. He didn’t believe in love and forever.
Dane knocked back the shot and set the glass back on the counter. “I think I can and will.” Seb started to speak but Dane shook his head. “Don’t even go there. I’m happy for you but weddings and babies aren’t for me. There’s no happily ever after in my future.”
“Because you don’t really believe in it?” Chris challenged. “Not even for Seb and me?”
Dane’s expression turned unutterably sad, his normally sparkling green eyes bleak. “No, I don’t. I want it for you, but in reality I don’t believe in it. I’m sorry but that’s the truth.”
“We’re going to prove you wrong,” Seb said softly. “Watch closely because Amanda and I are going to break your rules.”
“I hope you do. I sincerely want you to.” Dane reached for the whiskey bottle again but Chris stayed his hand.
“That’s not the answer. Listen, I respect your beliefs even if I don’t understand them. As long as you’re happy…”
“I am happy.” Dane released the bottle but his expression was still dark. Susie might have a point that Dane was afraid of losing his friends to women and love.
A knock on the door sounded and they all three turned to find the wedding coordinator peering around the doorway, a harried expression on her face.
“It’s time to take your places. Are you ready?”
Chris turned to Seb. “Are you ready?”
“Brother, I’ve been ready for thirteen years. I can’t wait to get married.”
Dane snorted and Chris laughed as they followed Seb downstairs and to the flower garden for the ceremony. Chris couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of his friend. He had the woman he loved and the whole future ahead of them. They’d made so many plans and now it was time to make them happen.
Chris had that chance with Susie. Their love was brand new but it was already strong. Nurtured and tended, there was no telling what it could become.
It could become their future. Filled with love. Living life to its fullest.
Chapter Eleven
‡
One year later…
Chris rolled his shoulders as he parked his car in the garage after a long day at the office. He’d managed to make it home before sunset despite a full roster of demanding clients. The law firm was booming and they were doing some good work for the community. But it made for long hours and he’d barely seen Susie all week. Luckily tonight was Friday and he’d planned on making her the focus of the next two days.
His hand automatically went to his pocket where the ring box waited for just the right moment. He and Susie had talked about marriage and the future several times in the last six months but always in sort of an abstract, vague way without making any concrete plans. It had been enough for them to know that their future was each other, but now Chris wanted to take it to the next level and he was sure Susie did too. She was going to make a wonderful wife and mother. Hell, she was already the center of his world.
Twisting the doorknob, he entered the kitchen and tossed his briefcase and phone onto the breakfast bar. He walked to the refrigerator and pulled open the door, a smile blooming on his face and his fatigue
falling away. Nestled on the shelf where he kept his favorite brand of beer was a loaded Nerf gun and a note.
Welcome home, you big stud. I’ve missed you this week. You’ve been working too hard and you need to unwind and have fun. Let’s kick off the weekend right. I’m hiding somewhere in the house or backyard, locked and loaded. Whoever shoots the other first gets anything they want tonight. Good luck. You’re going to need it.
Chuckling, he grabbedthe bright yellow plastic weapon that was pre-loaded with six orange foam “bullets.” The last time she’d challenged him she’d been hiding in the shower and they’d ended up having sex up against the tile. Afterward he’d made dinner. The sneaky girl had shot him right in the kidneys as he’d been checking the linen closet. He had to win this time or hand over his man card.
“I’m coming to get you,” Chris called out, a grin on his face as he began opening closet doors and looking behind furniture. “Your ass is mine when I win, Susie Q.”
He listened closely but didn’t hear the usual tell-tale giggle when he threatened to spank her. It wasn’t really much of a threat as she loved it and always came good and hard right after.
Exiting the master bath, he made a beeline for the den only to come up empty. He peered out the window overlooking the back yard, which was really a deck that spilled onto the beach and smiled.
Susie was behind the large deck storage unit.
He’d only glimpsed a small scrap of her bright red shorts for a millisecond but she was definitely there, crouched behind the box that was easily five feet by three feet. Pushing open the French doors, he used them for protection as he surveyed his options. He could try and lure her from her hiding place but the direct approach might be even better. He could simply jump from behind the door, roll across the deck, and come up firing.
“I wonder if Susie is outside?” he said loudly. “If I find her first she’s in big trouble.”
He had to give her props; there wasn’t even a tiny whisper of a move on her part despite knowing he was now outside. Waiting, he stood there trying to push her patience as far as he could or at least rattle her confidence. Winning wasn’t all physical. There was always a mental component.
Exhaling slowly, his gaze darted to where she was hiding and then to the set of table and chairs mid-deck. With one more look at the storage unit he sprung from his protected spot and did a roll on the decking boards just as a foam bullet whistled past his ear. He landed behind the table and stood quickly to get off a round as Susie peeked her head out. His own shot barely missed her shoulder but she ducked down at the same time he did.
Laughing and catching his breath, he checked his weapon. Five bullets left. A cursory glance around the deck behind him showed two spent foam bullets. That meant Susie had four left.
“Do you give up?” she called out. “I’ve got you pinned down. There’s no way you can win.”
“I’ve got you pinned down, Susie Q. There’s no way you can win.”
Once again self-control was his friend. He’d learned in the last year that Susie wasn’t the most patient of people. When she wanted something she went after it. Just like she was going to do now.
Time stretched and what felt like minutes was probably only seconds. He stayed crouched down behind the table, his gaze firmly on where she was huddled, ready to wait her out. His adrenaline was pouring through him, his heart pounding but not just from the merry chase she was leading him on. He was anticipating the carnal pleasures that would accompany his victory.
Finally Susie tired of waiting and began to inch out from behind the storage unit, clearly headed for the flower box about four feet away. He lifted his toy weapon and aimed at where she was going to be, not where she was at the moment. When she darted he quickly pulled the trigger and the foam bullet bounced off her arm.
“Shit!” Susie stumbled and a few more dirty words came out and it only made Chris love her more. Damn if she wasn’t one feisty woman who hated to lose more than he did. He stood and emptied the remaining bullets on her legs and arms, easily finding his target now that she sat defeated on the decking.
“I suppose I’m going to hear about this forever,” she grumbled as he walked over and offered her a hand up.
“You’ll hear it for about as long as I did when I lost.” Chris pulled her to her feet and dropped a kiss on her indignant lips, love making his chest tight. Would he ever get over how beautiful she was? And she was all his. “Are you okay? You tripped when I shot you. Do we need an ice pack or anything?”
“The only thing hurt is my pride.” She brushed off her bare legs, golden from the sun and showed off to perfection by a pair of scarlet shorts. Today she’d paired them with a black tank top. “I got impatient, dammit.”
“I think even when you lose you win. I have some plans for you and me that involve relaxation. Are you game?”
She was always game and that was just one of the things he loved about her.
“Aren’t you hungry? I figured you’d want dinner.” She held out the plastic weapon and he plucked it from her fingers, stowing both under his arm. They’d save these for another day.
“I am hungry but mostly for you. I win so I get whatever I want, right? I want you naked, Susie Q.”
Turning on her heel, she sashayed toward the open French doors but turned back and smirked. “You could have had that without winning. I thought you’d want me to take out the garbage or do the dishes for a week. You know, something good.”
Neither one of them was much of a maid so they employed a service to keep the house clean, but he did take out the trash and she cooked the meals. They both did the dishes. So far it was working fine.
“This is something good. Get in the bedroom and get naked. If you’re not bare assed by the time I get in there your bottom is going to be bright red.”
He gave her a smack on her ass cheek just as an appetizer and she jumped, yelping and throwing her hands over the sore spot dramatically before taking off toward the bedroom with a giggle and a knowing smile.
He stalked right behind her, occasionally getting a pair of shorts or a bra flung in his face which he impatiently flicked away. They could clean up later; now was the time for…rest and relaxation.
“I don’t see a bare bottom yet,” he warned as she frantically tried to hop out of her panties, almost getting her legs tangled and landing on the bedroom rug. She managed to right herself but not before he laid a palm on her bottom, still covered with the silky fabric of her undies.
“Too late,” he pronounced, his cock already hardening behind his fly. “You forfeit a spanking for not obeying. Off with those and over my knees.”
Susie stuck out her lip and pouted prettily. “You’re a mean Dom. I hurried as fast as I could.”
Regarding his little actress solemnly, Chris stroked his chin. “Perhaps you’re right. I don’t want to be unfair. I should let you off the hook.” He turned toward the bedroom door with a smug smile. “I think there’s a Rays game on television tonight.”
He didn’t make it two steps before she shrieked playfully and grabbed his arm to tug him back. Laughing, he lifted her into his arms and took possession of those soft, full lips that made it hard to think in client meetings and other inconvenient moments. Savoring the kiss he tasted chocolate and coffee, her usual go-to combination when she was busy. He would always associate those flavors with her.
He finally lifted his head and took in her flushed appearance and swollen lips. “Am I to assume that you want that spanking then?”
Her eyes dropped, knowing that in the bedroom he was in charge. “You know I do,” she said softly.
He sat on the mattress and arranged her bare bottom over his lap, patting the creamy flesh of an ass cheek. “Now what was this spanking for? Ah yes, not obeying in a timely fashion. I think we’ll go until this bottom is good and hot and you’re squirming for mercy. Just in case, what’s your safeword?”
“Stoplight,” she answered immediately, not that she’d need to u
se it. After a year together he was getting adept at noticing her cues as to when she’d had enough. Besides, he was too horny to go too long. He’d have her flat on her back and be balls deep very soon.
“Good girl,” he praised, rubbing circles on her ass to warm up the skin. “We’ll start out soft.”
Raising his arm, he brought his hand down smartly on a pillowy cheek, leaving a pink handprint behind. Susie jumped at the impact but then relaxed, a soft sigh escaping her lips.
His woman needed this as much as he needed to give it to her. She was perfect.
*
Chris did as he promised, starting slow and then building until the heat on her bottom cheeks was white hot. She squirmed and wriggled but his superior strength held her in place, pausing every now and then to let her catch her breath. By the time he was finished she was hot, wet, and ready to be fucked.
“What do we have here?” His fingers trailed through her drenched slit. “I think someone liked her spanking more than a little bit.”
“Yes,” she hissed as his fingers circled her clit around and around, sending her right to the edge immediately.
“Don’t hold back,” his soft voice urged. “Come for me.”
Already primed from her spanking, it only took a few more circles on and around the swollen button and she was flying. Her orgasm ran through her like water over the falls, crashing and relentless. She rode it until it ebbed and she was able to catch her breath. At some point Chris had lifted her up and cradled her to his large frame, cuddling her in the aftermath.
“I love you,” she said, pressing a kiss to his jaw, the tang of citrus and salt on his skin. “More than I ever thought possible.”
He tilted her chin up so she was looking into his soft brown eyes. “I love you too, Susie Q. So much. I was thinking we should make this official. Tie the knot. You know what I mean.”
Diamonds and Revolvers Page 9
