by Toni Aleo
His lips quirk at the side. “I’ll take the blame, any and every day.” He sets down the dome before taking a step closer to me, reaching his hand out to hold mine. “Grace, I want you to be mine.”
“Yours.”
“Mine.”
My heart is beating out of my chest as his eyes bore into mine. No one has ever talked to me like this without getting in my pants first. I don’t know what to say or even what to do. I swallow hard as I gaze up at him. “Are we talking in a girlfriend/boyfriend kind of way or a BDSM kind of way?”
He tries not to laugh, but his eyes give him away. “I want the first option, but I’m pretty open to the second one too.”
I bite my lip. I don’t know what I am doing. I thought we were just hanging out, getting it on, but this has morphed into something more. Do I even want this? Before I can question myself anymore, my mouth is moving without my brain’s consent. “Okay.”
Damn it, heart! We gotta stay locked down!
James blinks, swallowing hard. “Okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll be yours.”
The most glorious smile comes over his face before he gathers me in his arms and presses his lips to mine. I fall into the kiss, feeling every single inch of him against me as his heart pounds with mine. He holds my face, drinking from my mouth, and I feel consumed by him. When he pulls back, his eyes are glittering with excitement, and I hope mine mirror his.
“James.”
“Yeah, baby?”
Be still, heart. We’re in uncharted waters, and let’s be honest, this won’t last. He’s too good, and you’re too unlovable. He’ll see it. He’ll find your flaws and hate you for them.
I close my eyes as I lean my forehead into his chin. I hate thinking like that, but I know it to be true. No one has ever loved me, outside of my family. When I open my eyes, he’s watching me with that hooded look, his eyes dark and beautiful. “Is everything reheatable?”
His eyes dance. “I didn’t add the biscuits yet. I wasn’t sure how many you wanted.”
“Three is the norm.”
“Come on, Grace. You’re anything but the norm. I guessed you’d want five, but I figured I’d let you decide. I bought an extra bag just in case.”
I gotta lock down my heart, or it will fly out of my chest and into his. “You aren’t wrong.”
“I figured,” he says with a small smile. “Why? What’s wrong?”
My heart is in my throat as I gaze up into his sweet eyes. “I want you to take me to bed.”
Something flashes in his eyes, maybe lust, as a small, slow smile curves his lips. “I would really love that.”
“I would too.”
He moves his hands up my back as he drops his mouth to mine, his lips only a whisper from mine. “But first…”
I’m breathless as I press my body to his. “Yes?”
“What’s the safe word?”
It’s easy to say we don’t make it to bed for a solid five minutes.
Because we can’t stop laughing.
May 3rd
“I cannot believe he brought Jackie or that he is still with her.”
James’s lips move along my ear tantalizingly with each word he says. It makes my skin break out into gooseflesh. He knows my hot spot. He’s a fast learner, so it’s only reasonable that I want nothing more than to find the nearest spot to get him naked. I happen to really, really enjoy sex with him. Since that first night together when we ate chowder between sexcapades, I haven’t stopped wanting him. We spend more time in the bedroom than we do out of it, and I’m not complaining.
As long as we’re doing it, I don’t have to think about any of these feelings that are trying to blossom inside me. I can keep this strictly physical. Now, James, he’s a sweet talker, but I know guys like that. They get what they want and leave. James is very passionate, in and out of bed. But deep down inside, I know it’s not real. It can’t be. Guys like him don’t exist. So my heart has to stay in its box, while my body enjoys everything James does.
I stroke my fingers along the lapels of his tux as I roll my eyes. “I can’t either. I mean, it’s been like two months. That’s so unusual.”
James nods. “You think they’ll stay together?”
I shake my head. “No, but I’m pretty sure she sucks the skin off his dick, which is why he hasn’t dumped her yet.”
“Wow, vivid image.” James shakes his head as if to clear it, and I grin.
“I’ll show you once we get home,” I say against his lips.
He presses his nose to mine, running his hands down the sparkly black evening gown I’m wearing. My hair is in a side bun with little tendrils falling around my face. My makeup is dark with winged eyeliner that James has said he likes a lot on me. My lips are glossed—well, they were until James got ahold of me. “I am counting down the seconds,” he whispers.
I smile against his lips before he kisses me thoroughly and sweetly. When we part, he holds me close as we dance to slow country music.
“Thanks for coming to this with me,” he says as we sway. “I know these charity things can be a little boring. With all the stuck-up rich people—”
“You’re rich—”
“I’m not stuck-up.”
“You aren’t. Continue.”
He gives me a dry look, but he’s holding back his laughter. “As I was saying until I was interrupted—”
“You aren’t surprised.”
“I’m not,” he chuckles, nipping at my chin. He grins as he moves a tendril behind my ear. “Last time, I came alone, and I was so bored.”
“Please. I don’t believe for a second you came alone. All the girls want a piece of you.”
He scoffs. “No. Remember, I’m awkward? Girls don’t dig it.”
I do. “I think it’s charming.”
“That’s why you’re so special.”
He kisses my nose, and my eyes fall shut as we sway. I try to shut out his sweet words and love affirmations. They are just too good to be true. He’s too good to be true, and to be honest, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. He saw Shea and me get into a fight the other day, and I fully expected him to hightail it out of there. Instead, he played the neutral party. He talked us through the problem—Shea ate my last box of KitKats. Shea apologized, and then James made us hug it out. Afterward, James took me to buy a bulk supply of KitKats. When I told him I was going to get fat, he told me he didn’t care as long as I was happy.
Who the hell says that?
“I love this song,” I say as Tricia Yearwood sings “To Make You Feel My Love.” I sigh dreamily. “I love the movie too.”
“What movie?”
“Hope Floats.”
I feel his brows pull together. “This wasn’t in that.”
“Yes, it was. The Garth Brooks one, though.”
“Oh, you’re right. I think I dig this version better.”
“Me too,” I agree, moving my nose along his jaw. He tightens his grip on me as we sway. I love the strong beat of his heart.
“You make this party, and this place, ten times better. Pretty sure you are the most gorgeous person here.”
I flash him a wide smile as I shrug. “I don’t know. Jackie is giving me a run for my money in that two-piece evening gown. I didn’t even know they made those.”
He doesn’t look away, even though Jackie is near us. He could turn and drink in her beauty, but his eyes stay on me. “She doesn’t come even remotely close to you.”
I slide my hands up his arms, wrapping them around the back of his neck. “Awkward, my ass.”
“I don’t feel awkward with you,” he admits softly. “I feel good.”
He leaves me breathless, and it makes me so mad that I can’t control it. Again, my heart speaks from inside its box before my brain can stop it. “Me too.”
We stare into each other’s eyes for what seems like forever. When his hand comes up, cupping my cheek, I lean into it, a contented grin on my face. He draws in a deep breath and then whi
spers, “Grace, I—”
“James Justice!”
I jump at the interruption as James looks to the left to see an older man coming toward us.
“Boy, you owe me a drink.”
I watch as recognition fills James’s eyes and a wide grin takes up his face. “Bryan! How are you?”
He lets me go to hug Bryan tightly.
“Good, boy. Man, you look great. You’ve been hitting the gym?”
James laughs. “A bit. You’ve lost weight.”
“A bit. That niece of mine told me I can’t die.”
“Well, she’s onto something. We’d all miss you.”
Bryan’s loud laugh makes me jump once more. He’s so full of life, and it matches his wide stature. He isn’t overweight by any means; he’s just jacked up. Pretty sure he could bench-press me. With one hand. “She’s back from New York where she sang on Broadway. Crazy, huh?”
“I never have gotten to meet her, but you’ve always told me she’s amazing.”
“She is, and you should have gotten with her when you had the chance. Now her heart’s all cut up from some douche who didn’t deserve her. Hated that guy.”
James laughs softly. “While I’m sure sorry that happened to her, I have to say I’m glad I didn’t take you up on your offer. Then I wouldn’t have met this lovely lady.” He reaches for me, pressing me into his side. “Bryan Fisher, my girlfriend, Grace Adler.”
Bryan holds out his hand to me, but then his brows draw in. “Adler? Any relation to Shea Adler?”
I nod, grinning. “He’s my twin.”
He slaps his leg dramatically, his loud country accent spreading over me like honey. “Well, hot damn, she has to be a good one, then. Shea is the best man I know. Aside from James, of course.”
James chuckles as I nod. “They’re both pretty great.”
“They are, and boy, are you gorgeous. I wish y’all nothing but happiness.”
“Thank you,” James says, but I don’t say anything.
Usually, when someone cheats on me, it’s anything but happiness. I want what Bryan speaks of, but it just isn’t in the cards for me.
“Well, I’ll let y’all get back to it. Want to make a tee time for Wednesday?”
James nods. “I’ll email you the details.”
“You’re the best. See you. Nice to meet you, Grace.”
“You too,” I say as Bryan walks away. “He’s nice.”
“He’s a hoot. Great guy. He begged me to date his niece for years,” he says with a laugh.
“Why didn’t you?”
He shrugs. “Don’t get me wrong… She’s stunning. I’ve seen her in passing, very pretty, but I didn’t see her as mine. You know when you know.”
I blink. “But you see me that way?”
“Every time I close my eyes,” he says, pressing his nose to mine, his bottom lip touching my top. My heart does a flip, smacks into my ribs, and then falls flat on its back.
Okay, heart, get back in your box and stay there.
No.
Damn it.
“I want to leave.”
He raises his brow, his eyes filling with worry. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” I say, trailing my hand down his chest before cupping his junk between us. “I just want you more than I can even fathom right now.”
He swallows hard and then nods. “Then, we need to go.”
May 18th
“So you need me Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday?”
James nibbles at my ear as he surfs the channels. We’re sitting together in my recliner even though Shea’s is open. James said he wanted to be near me, and I don’t hate sitting in his lap. “I need you every day.”
I roll my eyes with a dramatic sigh. “James.”
“Yes, baby. Put on a pretty dress and be ready for really boring charity events.”
I close my planner. “You do a lot of these?”
“I do. I love supporting kids and their families with cancer, and then MADD. Since, you know, that’s how my family died.”
I press my lips together. Every time he brings up his family, it hurts. I can’t imagine not having my mom and dad. Or Shea. “I hear you, and I’m there.”
“Pretty dress?”
“Always. Something tight on my boobs.”
“Awesome. Good looking out,” he says, nipping at my neck.
I giggle as I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his chest in a tight hug. He holds me just as tightly, resting his head on mine as he continues to flip through the channels.
“I feel we should watch SportsCenter or at least this week’s Survivor.”
I shake my head against his. “We have to wait for Shea for Survivor, and I don’t want to watch SportsCenter ’cause he’ll make me watch it later.”
He lets out an annoyed breath. “Fine, how about SVU?”
“Well, see… Usually, I’d say yes. But I started an episode, and Shea got invested, so I need to wait for him.”
I can almost hear him grit his teeth. “Fine, let’s watch 24.”
I press my lips together. “Yeah, I don’t like that show. It’s Shea’s.”
“Well, please tell me what we can watch without Shea, or is Shea’s, or anything that deals with Shea.”
I side-eye him. “Do I hear a bit of frustration in your voice?”
“Yes, I want to watch TV with my girl. But everything is off-limits until Shea gets here.”
“Hey, he was here before you,” I snap, and I imagine he’ll snap back. This is destined for a fight, and when he throws the remote down toward the end of the recliner next to our feet, I’m ready. I turn to face him, and his eyes burn into mine. Then he reaches out, taking my face in his hands before kissing me hard on the lips. I try to resist—I’m supposed to be mad here—but it’s hard when he kisses me like this. I fall into the kiss in seconds, our tongues moving together and causing my body to burn up with lust.
When he pulls back, he runs his thumb along my bottom lip. “You are absolutely right. He was here before me, and I love your relationship with Shea. I’m jealous, not because you two are so close but because I don’t have that with a sibling. It’s special what y’all have. I would never ask you to choose me over your brother. Don’t think that.”
A silence falls between us as we stare into each other’s eyes. My earlier conversation with Shea comes back to me like a lightbulb over my head, but I quickly shut off that light and stuff it back into the lockbox where it belongs. I don’t want to feel what my heart keeps making me want to feel. That will only mean total and utter heartbreak in the end.
James moves my lip with his thumb as he whispers, “The thing is, baby, I want to watch a show with you. So pick something before I give up and take you to bed, where I ravish you for endless hours.”
I just blink. I want to pinch James to make sure he is real, but that would be silly. He is. I know he is, which is a problem. Go with what you know. “I feel like if I choose a show, I’ll miss out on ravishing sex.”
He shrugs. “This is true.”
“So, I think I’m gonna pick the ravishing.”
His lips curve before he nips at my nose. “I figured you would.”
“But instead of the bed, I think this is a nice spot.” Before he can comment, I climb into his lap, straddling him and taking his mouth with mine. His lips move with mine as his hands squeeze my ass firmly. Heat gathers between my legs, and I rock into his thick bulge. But to my dismay, the front door flies open and in stomps Shea.
“Dammit,” I say as Shea’s eyes meet mine.
“Hey! Bedroom only!”
“Eh, shut up. Passion happened,” I say as James chuckles, turning me around and pulling me down into his lap.
“Well, throw some cold water on your boyfriend ’cause I need to talk,” he sneers, and I groan. His Boston accent comes out full force when he is upset. He falls into his recliner as James wraps his arms around me.
“Later.”
“You bet
your sweet ass,” I mutter, and then Shea glares at us.
James looks at me and then Shea. “Wait. Do you want me to leave?”
Shea shakes his head. “No, you’re fine,” he grumbles, shaking his head. “Get this shit. I’m at the rink, and I’m talking with my buddy Anderson. He’s screwing one of Jackie’s friends. We actually met them together at a club.”
“Yes, unfortunately, I wasn’t there,” I say dryly. “I would have stopped that.”
His look shuts me up. Man, he’s mad. “Apparently, Jackie is telling her friend that we’re practically engaged.”
“And here we go,” James whispers in my ear, and I have to hold in my laughter.
“How in the hell does she confuse fucking with marriage? Two totally different scenarios. Option one is where I fuck and leave—and hello, we’re fucking. Option two is where I don’t ever want to leave her side because I love her and I want to make love to her. Jackie is not option two.”
Shea widens his eyes in horror, and I’m trying really hard to pay attention, but all I can think is, Heart, stay in your box and don’t get any bright ideas.
“I’ve been completely honest with her, and she’s going around telling people I love her and we’re gonna be together forever and all this other shit. Can you believe that?”
“Well, you guys have been dating for over two months,” I supply, but he shakes his head.
“I knew from the rip she wasn’t the one, and I told her that. She knew.”
“Well, has something changed?”
“No. Nothing, sis. It’s the same dance. I call, we fuck, I leave. Or she comes here, sucks me off, and leaves. We don’t text, we don’t cuddle, nada. Fuck and done.”
“You took her to the charity event,” James mentions. And boy, if looks could kill…
“Because I needed a date and she said she’d suck me off in the limo.”
“You sound like a total asswipe right now,” I say, glaring at my brother. “I get that she’s just a fuck buddy, but at least treat her with some respect.”
