Until Now (Not Yet #2)

by Laura Ward

  I inched the red panties down and off her, and then my lips and tongue found her, right where she ached for me. For me. The strongest woman I knew needed something from me. Not football, not my family, not my friends, nothing had ever made me feel like more of a man.

  My body was strung so tight I thought I might snap. But my time would come. I ran my tongue up and down and then around and around in circles. Grace began to chant my name as she thrashed her head back and forth on the pillow. She kept her eyes open, watching me like I liked.

  When her jaw dropped, and she held her breath, I knew she was there. Her low moan almost made me come on my own, but I managed to hold back. I kissed her thighs and belly as I made my way back up to her lips. I moved slowly, allowing her body time to come back down.

  She smiled a lazy, satisfied grin. “My turn.” Grace sat up and moved onto her knees.

  “Nope. No can do.” I pulled her back up to me and nuzzled against her neck. “Been too long, baby. I’ll be finished in two seconds if you put me in that sweet mouth.”

  She laughed. “Okay, later then. I miss the taste of you too.”

  I stilled. “Hell, you can’t talk like that to me, baby.” I sucked on her lower lip again. “It sounds so good it hurts.”

  Her hands ran down, and she grasped me. Okay, she was missing how much power she had over my body. I needed inside of her now. NOW.

  “Where do you want me?” She moved her hand up and down as I reached for the condom, ripping it open. I lay on my back, and she took it from my hand and rolled it on. I practiced deep breathing exercises and recalled my team’s football stats to calm me down.

  “You choose,” I growled, eyes squeezed shut. I kept them closed as she moved.

  “I chose,” she said.

  When I opened my eyes, she was on all fours, perfect ass lifted into the air. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, what did I ever do in my life to deserve this?

  I sat up and moved onto my knees behind her. “Baby.” I ran my hands up the backs of her thighs and circled her ass. “You’re perfect.” Those were the last intelligible words I spoke as I sank into her. I held on to her hips and controlled my strokes as she moaned and cursed in front of me.

  I wasn’t lying—it had been too long. I prayed she was as keyed up as I was. She turned her head back, watching me slam into her, and her eyes fluttered closed. She was close. My hands gripped her tighter, and I increased my speed. She came, tightening around me with a yelp. Her head dropped down, and I let myself go.

  My groan was loud and long. I draped my body over hers, still joined, and rested my weight on my hands. “You are mine, Red. I’ll never get enough of this. Never enough of you.” My words were choppy as I caught my breath, still joined with her.

  When our heartbeats slowed, we moved and lay side by side, fingers entwined. She turned to face me, drawing circles on my chest with her fingertips. “Still thinking about dinner?” Her teasing tone was too damn cute.

  “Baby, I could never eat food again, and I’d die a happy man.” I tweaked her nose, and she giggled.

  “Dean?”

  “Yes, Red?”

  “I like beds. Very much.”

  She licked her lips, and my body revved up for round two. “I like beds, but I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day, Grace.”

  She leaned over and kissed my chest, right over my heart. “This was my favorite one ever. Happy Valentine’s Day, Dean.”

  And it was my favorite one too. Until next year when I’d make sure she had her own big-ass bed to spend it in.

  No matter where I was in the future, she and Finn would be with me. And I knew right then that every damn day with them would be my favorite.

  Epilogue

  Dean

  “AND WITH THE fifth draft pick, the Chicago Bears choose… Dean Goldsmith, Indiana University.”

  This wasn’t a surprise. I had gotten off the phone with the Bear’s Head Coach a few minutes ago. When I was invited to join the draft, I knew right away that I didn’t want to sit in an auditorium, watching the announcements live. That would overwhelm Finn, and besides, I wanted all my friends and family with me. Even Coach K was here, looking as proud as I’d ever seen him.

  When the phone call came in, Andrew only grinned. We both had been told this would happen. I would have loved a spot with the Colts, but their quarterback was tenacious. If I wanted to start, I had to go where I was needed. The best thing about Chicago was that it was close to home.

  Not that I wouldn’t be bringing my home with me.

  They just didn’t know it yet.

  Sitting on the couch as I accepted the offer to play professional football for the Chicago Bears, I held Grace’s hand. Finn sat on my lap. My parents stood off to the side, wobbly grins on their faces. Ricky was there, and so were Landon and Emma. They surprised me by flying in for the day. Jon was across the room, sitting way too fucking close to Daisy. We’d need to talk about that real soon. Amy sat with the rest of my siblings, eating snacks and enjoying the excitement.

  Even Marty and Corrine, Grace’s parents, came. The road to forgiveness was still bumpy for my girl, but her parents were trying. Anyone who knew Finn loved him, and he could smooth over any rough patches. Unfortunately for them, Josh’s parents didn’t feel the same. Grace and her parents reached out to them, asking if they would like to meet Finn, but they refused. I thought Grace would be hurt, but my girl squared her shoulders and moved on. She had tried, for Josh and for Finn, and that was all she could do. The rest of us would make sure that those two had enough love to fill a football stadium.

  The Bear’s football stadium—Soldier Field.

  And then some.

  As soon as I hung up, screaming ensued. We hugged and slapped backs. I kissed my girl. And then we waited to hear it live and for it to be official.

  All my life I thought this was the moment that would define me.

  Until her. Until him. Until now.

  They were my home. They were what defined me.

  “Congratulations, baby,” Grace whispered in my ear. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Andrew handed me a Bears cap and tossed one to Finn as well. “Bears?” Finn asked, taking in the hysteria around him. “Bears are my favorite animal ever!”

  Grace and I laughed. Finn was the levity that I would always need in my life.

  “Hey, pipe down!” I called out to the room. Everyone got quiet, and I moved to the center. “Thank you all for being here. This room is filled with all my favorite people. But two people are the most special.” I held out my hands and Grace took one, Finn grabbing onto the other. “They are my newest favorites.” I reached down and picked Finn up, holding him against my hip. “And I know I want them by my side for the rest of my life.” Grace covered her mouth with her hand, and I felt like the entire room held its collective breath.

  Releasing my hold on Finn, I knelt on one knee and pulled the black velvet box from my pocket. Snapping it open, I held out the diamond solitaire I had chosen for my girl. “Grace Yeates, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you stay the strong, independent, mother and woman you are, but will you allow me to stand next to you? I want to be your partner, your best friend, and your love. Will you marry me?”

  Grace fell to her knees and held my face with both of her hands. “Yes. I’m honored to marry you, Dean.”

  I removed her left hand from my cheek, kissed her fingers, and then slid on her ring. She mouthed “wow,” and I chuckled. She had no idea what was in store for her in the future. I had a fat signing bonus to spoil her and Finn with now. First thing I was doing was buying her the most expensive bed she’d ever seen. Grace would never sleep on a couch again. Instead of saying any of this, I kissed her. Unfortunately it was a chaste kiss because Finn was right next to me. Everyone clapped and cheered some more, but I held up a finger. “Just Finn? Do I have your permission to marry your mama?”

  Still kneeling, Grace and I were eye level with the little dude. His chin trembled, and
he looked at us.

  “Will you be my daddy now or just my Dean that loves me?” He sucked his lower lip into his mouth, and my own eyes got watery. Landon was going to ride me about my tears for the rest of my damn life.

  “Since the first day I saw you on campus, running around as super-Finn, I’ve thought you were special.” I heard sniffling around me. “I would be honored to be your daddy on earth since you already have a daddy in heaven.” I looked at Grace, and she didn’t attempt to wipe away her tears. They ran down her face in streams even as she smiled as big and bright as I’d ever seen.

  Finn kissed the “angel kiss” on his hand and grinned. “I have two daddies! And,” he looked around the room, “four grandparents! And three aunts! And two uncles!” Finn pulled Grace’s and my heads close to his. “I asked Santa for a big family,” he whispered, but the room was so quiet I knew they could hear him. “It took him awhile to find you all, but that guy did it. Santa is the best.”

  Emma had been busy filling up glasses of champagne. We passed them around, and my dad held his high. “Dean, I know I’m not up on all the cool lingo you kids use, but I’d say this is hashtag winning.”

  My siblings shouted out boos and laughter. I groaned. “Dad, no. Just… no.”

  He grinned, no doubt thrilled that he could still embarrass me. “Alrighty then, to Santa!”

  Laughter filled the room again as the sound of “cheers” and “to Santa” officially made this my favorite night of all time.

  Epilogue

  Grace

  Landon caught my eye and motioned with a tilt of his head to the hallway leading into the kitchen. The celebration in the family room was rowdy, and the quiet of the empty room immediately relaxed me.

  “Congratulations, darlin’. Let me see that rock.”

  I pressed my back against the wall to the kitchen and held my hand out in front of us. Holy crap. This ring was unreal. It was official. After I graduated next month, Finn and I were moving to Chicago.

  Landon whistled. “Gorgeous. That tool beat me to it, proposing so soon. I have another year of school, so my Em’s gotta wait until I graduate.” He paused and then cleared his throat, looking right into my eyes. “I always knew a special girl would settle that wild man. I’m glad it was you. Just… take care of him, okay? The pros and the Bears… He has a lot of changes coming. He’s gonna need you.” Landon’s eyebrows pulled together, and the smile fell from his face.

  But my smile grew bigger. His best friend loved him too. “I’ll watch out for him for the rest of my life, Landon. He’s my blessing. I’ll never forget that.”

  He grinned again. “I know that too. Girls like you and Em are different. In the best way.” He laughed softly. “Hey, how are things going with your parents? I was surprised but happy for you to see them here.”

  Dean had filled me in on all the details about Landon’s parents’ estrangement from him after Christmas. I didn’t think he’d reached out to them yet.

  “They’re…” I looked around the corner into the family room. Finn stood in front of my parents, animatedly telling them a story with his hands. Their faces reflected back pure joy. “Things are going well. They’ve apologized over and over again. We’ve talked over and over again. Things are still awkward. There’s still pain in the words we said and the time we lost, but we’re trying. They get to know Finn and Dean and… me. I realize now that they were missing out not knowing me. I’m worth knowing.” I paused and looked into Landon’s warm brown eyes. “You are too, Landon.”

  Silence filled the air between us, and then Landon wrapped his arms around me in a strong hug. “Dean’s been a pain in my ass since we were six. Nothing better than knowing he has you though, Grace.”

  “Thanks, Landon. I’m so glad he has you too.” We pulled apart, and Landon went into the family room, slipping his hand around Emma’s.

  I stood still, looking at my family, old and new, in the room. I had never known a love that could bring me to my knees, but also fill me with peace.

  Until him.

  Until Now.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading UNTIL NOW. If you enjoyed Dean and Grace’s story, please leave a review! Reviews mean so much to an author.

  Thank you,

  Laura

  Turn the page to check out Chapter One of

  Someday Soon

  Book 3 in the Not Yet Series

  **This chapter is unedited and subject to change.

  Chapter One

  Daisy

  “WHAT A SURPRISE. The fat cow’s eating again.” Belinda and Marley snickered behind me in line. I stiffened, squaring my shoulders, but kept my mouth shut. Five more days. I had five more days to go. I placed an apple next to my turkey sandwich and handed the cashier my card.

  A hand shoved me forward and I whipped my head around. “Oops.” Belinda’s smirk was so mean, I shrank backwards a little.

  “Move, you oaf. You think you’re hot stuff, Daisy? You think your shit don’t stink ‘cause you got a hot-shot big brother playing football for the NFL?” Marley’s face was pinched, her voice low. “Well you’re not. You have always been and will always be a loser.”

  My eyes widened at the sight of my fifteen-year-old sister, Delilah, holding a large cup of soda over the back of Belinda’s head. My older brother Damian moved next to her, with a matching cup of pop. In unison they poured the cups on top of Belinda and Marley. Both girls jumped away, clawing at their over-made-up faces as mascara and sticky soda streamed down their cheeks.

  I slapped my hand across my face to hide my grin. My siblings loved to tease each other, but watch out if someone hurt one of us. Nothing bonded the Goldsmith clan like the need to protect our own.

  “Let’s go.” Damian motioned with his chin and Delilah and I followed him out of the cafeteria and onto the outdoor patio. We sat at a picnic bench, the bright May sunlight warming our skin.

  My brother and I were called Irish twins. My poor mother got pregnant with me when Damian was only a month old. Coupled with the fact that she was already saddled with a four-year-old terror named Dean and actual twins, two-year-old Devin and Dianna, I’m shocked she’s still with us today.

  Mom hung tough, in large part because all she and my Dad have ever wanted was to raise a family together. I was born nine months later and from the start, Damian and I had been tight. He looked out for me, his weird younger sister who never quite fit in. The Goldsmiths were loud, athletic, loud, and full of personality. Did I mention loud?

  Regardless, Damian got me in a way the others didn’t. But he was graduating in five days, too. He didn’t need to spend his last days at Zionsville Academy watching out for me.

  “Are you okay, Dais?” Delilah asked, her eyebrows furrowed with concern. “I heard a rumor that they were going to,” she used her fingers to make air quotes, “take you down at lunch. I texted Damian and we took care of the bitches.”

  My stomach tightened. This was bullshit. I was her older sister and she shouldn’t have to take care of me. I could handle my own problems. I’d been dealing with mean girls since middle school. But these days, I was just over it. I didn’t have it left in me to care.

  I shrugged. “I’m fine. You both shouldn’t have done that. You’re gonna get in trouble. It’s not even your lunch shift, Delilah.”

  Damian picked up my apple and took a large bite. He chewed and then swallowed before speaking. “This is all the thanks I need.” He waved at a group of girls that giggled as they walked by our table.

  Damian was eighteen and pretty much a carbon copy of our oldest brother, Dean. Both played football their whole lives and both had scholarships to Indiana University to continue playing ball for the Hoosiers. They were both tall, fit, blond, and had egos the size of Mount Rushmore. But they also were the most protective guys I knew, other than my dad. I loved them like crazy. I adored all my family.

  Which was why none of them understood why I needed to move away. But I did. I had to leav
e Indiana for a while. Find myself, perhaps? Years of dealing with girls like Belinda and Marley had me doubting myself and that pissed me off. I knew a few things with confidence and one of them was that I was smart. I finished all my required courses in three years and spoke to my parents about graduating high school early.

  They protested at first. What about the dances I’d miss? The parties? Fact was, I was the lone Goldsmith who didn’t do those things. High school social activity revolved around drinking and hooking up. Acting stupid and reckless. None of those things were me. I liked to read and I loved to cook.

  Over the years, I’d lost friends who didn’t understand that. Belinda and Marley were two of them. We’d been best friends when we were younger, but we’d changed. They wanted to hang out at my house, sneaking my college-aged sibling’s beers and hooking up with my brothers. I had no interest in helping them achieve any of that. So while I spent my Saturdays perfecting my key lime pie recipe, they decided I was too weird to even be kind to.

  In the end, my parents and I had compromised. I would get to graduate a year early, alongside Damian. I wanted to go to culinary school, preferably in an exotic, foreign location, but they wanted me to take a year off and work here in Indianapolis. I gave in when I realized that delaying my travels for one year was infinitely better than staying in high school.

  “Crap, there’s Principal Mahoney! I’ve gotta sneak back into Trigonometry class.” Delilah ducked under the table and crawled to the side door. She slipped in before our Principal caught sight of her.

  Damian laughed at her, but when he turned back to me, his face was sober. “Daisy, why do you let them treat you like that? The shit that comes out of their mouths is so rude. You know they’re just jealous, right?”