Gracie bit her bottom lip. When her shoulders slumped, I knew Brayden and I had won the battle. “Okay,” she submitted. “Thank you.”
“Don’t even mention it,” Brayden said. “When you have a chance, email me your home address in California. I’ll have movers there to pack everything for you and get it on the plane. You just let me know a date and time, and we’ll make it happen.”
“I’ll have to find a place to rent in Valdez first. Then I’ll let you know.” Gracie reached for her coffee.
“If you could, would you leave Cali tomorrow?”
Gracie smiled into her mug before taking a sip. “If I could, I wouldn’t go back to California at all.”
“Then it’s done,” Brayden said. “Enjoy the rest of your vacation here with us. We’ll all fly back to Valdez together, and you can stay with us until you find a place you like. Don’t protest. We have plenty of space. You’ll just owe us one more night of babysitting. Sound fair?”
Gracie’s mouth fell open, and she looked at me.
I couldn’t hide my smile. “It sounds fair to me.”
Gracie looked sharply back and forth between us. “This is too much, you guys. I don’t deserve it.”
“Yes, you do,” Brayden and I said together.
She blushed and looked at the table. When she looked back up to us, there were tears in her eyes. “Thank you. That would be lovely. I was already dreading going back to California. So much so that thinking about it made me feel sick.”
“Oh, Gracie,” I said, standing up and walking around the table to give her a hug. I squeezed her shoulders and rested my chin on her head. “I’m sorry you’ve been so miserable. But I’m glad you told us, and I’m glad we can help. I’m so happy we get to spend the rest of the week together.”
Gracie hugged me back around my waist. “Me too. I’ve really fucking missed you.”
“Language,” Brayden muttered, shaking his head at us.
I giggled and so did Gracie, and then Bella shot us a knowing smile. “I missed you too, Gracie.”
Gracie laughed—well, sort of laughed. It was partially a sob. Then she grabbed Bella and hugged her too. “I don’t even like kids, but you,” she cupped Bella’s cheeks in her hands and stared in her eyes, “are just too special not to love.”
Bella giggled, and Gracie kissed the tip of her nose. “I hear you like building sand castles?” Gracie asked.
Bella nodded enthusiastically.
“Better get ready, kid, because tomorrow, you and I are going to make the best darn sand castle you’ve ever seen.”
The rest of the night carried on like that. There was plenty of laughter, lots of playful teasing, and several moments where I was able to just sit back and watch the people I loved goof around with one another.
I was the luckiest woman on the planet, and I was going to make sure I showed Brayden how grateful I was for him when I finally got that alone time with him tomorrow night.
Brayden
Rein had been in our bedroom of the hotel suite for the last hour getting ready. She had popped her head out when Gracie arrived to babysit and shouted a cheerful hello. Then she promptly closed the door behind her to finish. In that short glimpse I had of her, I found myself wanting more.
She had been wearing one of the white hotel robes, so the only skin I could see was her calves and wrists. She had a lovely tan from the time we had been spending in the sun. Her hair had been all gathered up in rollers on top of her head, which some men may find humorous, but I found it completely endearing. I wanted to go to her and pull out each one to watch every individual curl fall over her shoulders and down her back.
I stood from the sofa and left Gracie with the kids in the living room. She watched me walk toward the bedroom, a knowing glint in her eye.
“Better make her hurry up, or you’ll be late for your reservation,” Gracie called after me.
I looked over my shoulder and gave her a wry smile. “I lied and told her the reservation was half an hour earlier than it is.” I tapped my temple with one finger. “I know things.”
“Of course, you did,” she mused. “When you guys leave, the three of us will head back to my room. I have an evening of room service and cartoons planned. And if they’re good, maybe we’ll go down to the indoor pool for a swim before bed.”
“Sounds like a great night,” I said, nodding at Bella. “Don’t give your Auntie Gracie a hard time.”
“I won’t.” Bella grinned.
“And be nice to your brother.”
“I will.”
I stopped in front of the bedroom door and knocked. “It’s me,” I called.
Rein called for me to come in seconds later.
When I opened the door, I spotted her standing in the far corner of the room in front of the full-length mirror. She had her back to me and was wearing an emerald green dress that cut off at her knees. It hugged her breasts and waist, then flowed gently outward at her hips, creating an alluring hourglass shape that had my heart pumping fast.
I braced myself against the doorframe and crossed my arms.
“Damn.” I whistled.
Rein looked over her shoulder at me. She had taken the curlers out of her hair, and it swished across her back. “Is it too much?” she asked, her eyebrows drawn together.
“Hell no,” I said. “You look stunning. Almost too good to take you anywhere.”
Rein smiled and turned back to her reflection. “I don’t know,” she said softly. “It feels like too much. Too much for a mom, at least.”
“What?” I asked incredulously.
She shrugged one shoulder and began flattening the skirt out with her hands.
I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me. Then I stood behind her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my chin on her shoulder, pressing my cheek to hers. She leaned into me and sighed contently, but her eyes remained on her image in the mirror.
“You are the most magnificent creature on this planet,” I told her. “And I’m not saying that because I’m biased. I mean it. The fact that you’re a mother only makes you more beautiful. Don’t think anything otherwise.”
She smiled softly, her bronzed cheeks catching the light of the setting sun through the windows. I kissed her neck.
“I have something for you,” I said, reaching into my pants pocket. I withdrew a small box, and Rein watched me lift it in the mirror.
“You didn’t need to do that,” she whispered.
“I know. I wanted to.” I popped the box open to reveal a diamond necklace with matching earrings. Rein gasped.
I lifted the necklace out of its setting and placed it on her neck. I did it up for her, then passed her the earrings. She slid them into her ears and stood in awe of her own reflection. “They’re beautiful, Brayden. Thank you.”
“They’re nothing compared to you.”
She giggled. “Stop being so sweet.”
“I can’t. You turn me into putty.”
She turned to face me and rested her hands on my chest. I stared down into her big, beautiful eyes and cupped my hand under her chin. I kissed her softly. “Come on, my beautiful wife. Let’s go enjoy our date.”
Her smile brightened and she nodded. “Let’s.”
***
Rein was surprised when I didn’t take her out of the hotel for our date. I led her down the halls toward the spa and tried to ignore all the looks she received from other men passing us by. She was gorgeous; the kind of beauty other people could not look away from. Her smile was radiant as she held my hand and pleaded with me to tell her where we were going.
“Patience, my love,” I said, unable not to smile as I looked at her. “We’re close.”
I pulled her through the spa doors moments later and stepped into a crystal-themed oasis. A chandelier, much like the dazzling crystal one in the hotel lobby, glittered above an elegant table set for two. The backdrop was the hot spring pools, which whirred gently from the jets and were filled by sm
all waterfalls.
Rein froze beside me and gasped. “We have this all to ourselves?”
I walked to the table and pulled out a chair for her. “Yes.”
She looked around as pink, green, and blue lights lit up the pools in a synchronized pattern. Then she joined me at the table and sat.
“Brayden, this is incredible.”
“I wanted to spoil you this week. You deserve it. And I didn’t want to share you at a busy restaurant. I wanted time with just you and me, no distractions.”
“It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
I shook my head. “No, I just know how lucky I am.”
Rein’s smile made my heart flutter.
The doors to the spa opened, and a man pushing a silver food cart walked in. All the food was covered with silver gourmet lids, and he set all the platters down on the table between us. He left the lids on as he presented a bottle of red wine and poured an ounce in Rein’s glass for her to taste. She gave it her stamp of approval, and the server filled our glasses. Then he lifted the lids, put them on his tray, and left the room.
Rein and I were left staring down at a meal worthy of royalty. Bright red lobster sat on one platter, while others hosted colorful vegetables, baked white fish, brie and pepper jelly, bread, and a creamy white pasta.
I set to cracking Rein’s lobster for her.
We savored every bite of our meal to the gentle splashing of the waterfalls around us. When we were done, Rein stood and kicked off her shoes.
“What are you doing?” I asked as she walked away from the table.
She sat down on the edge of one of the pools and lowered her feet into it slowly until the water was halfway up her calves. She looked back at me. “Come on.”
I joined her and rolled up my pant legs before kicking off my shoes and pulling my socks off. I sat down beside her and let the water engulf my lower legs.
“This is so nice,” Rein whispered, closing her eyes and tilting her head back.
“I thought you would like it.”
She opened one eye and peered at me. “Do you have any other grand plans for the rest of the evening?”
I leaned back on my hands and kicked my legs gently in the water. “Perhaps.”
“Perhaps?” she asked, arching an eyebrow and copying my position. She braced herself on her hands, and I couldn’t help but stare at the way it made her collarbones show. Her breasts rose and fell at the top of her strapless dress. I wanted to tear it off her.
“Yes. Perhaps.”
“Care to share?”
I looked up at the ceiling. “Well, I was thinking we should try to make another baby.”
Rein’s giggle echoed across the water, and she slapped her hand over her mouth. I laughed right along with her and felt like a kid again.
“Is that not a plan you want to get on board with?” I asked.
“Oh,” she said coyly. “I’m on board with it. I think I need a break from all the sparkly things and the fine dining anyway. It might go to my head.”
I laughed. “So, we’ll trade in the luxury for a night of some old-fashioned lovemaking?”
“Lovemaking?” she teased, drawing circles in the water with her feet. “Who said anything about lovemaking?”
I grinned. “You’re a naughty girl, Rein Hennie.”
“I’m your naughty girl,” she whispered.
Then she was up and out of the water, swinging one leg over me to straddle me. Her knees were on the tiles on either side of my thighs, and she was hovering above me, her lips slightly parted.
“This is all I’ve been able to think about all day,” she whispered.
I took my weight off my hands and sat up straighter. She held herself to me by wrapping her hands around my neck. I rested my hands on her knees and slowly pushed them up her thighs. Her skin was soft and smooth, and the feeling of her on top of me had me growing hard and thick already.
“Me too,” I said, my voice hoarse.
She kissed me then, and it was a kiss that set my veins on fire. I grabbed her hips and discovered that she wasn’t wearing any panties. My mind raced as my cock swelled, pushing at the front of my pants like a wild beast desperate for release.
Her tongue slid between my teeth as my hands wandered over her hips to grip her ass. I squeezed firmly, and she moaned into my mouth. I spread my fingers so I could feel her wetness. She was slick and hot, and when I grazed her opening, she arched her back, pushing against my fingers.
I obliged her by sliding one into her.
She smiled into our kiss, and her fingers slipped into my hair. “We should go back to the room,” she whispered.
I played with her pussy, sliding my finger in and out of her only to my middle knuckle. “Why?” I asked, making her work for it.
She lifted off of me, trying to escape my teasing. I followed her and eased my finger deeper inside her.
She moaned and tightened her grip in my hair. “So I can scream your name when I come.”
Rein
Brayden stood with me in his arms. Water dripped off our legs onto the tiles at our feet as we bent to pick up our shoes. As I bent over, he slapped my ass then lifted my skirt up. He groaned with desire and ran his fingers over my sloppy wet pussy.
I stayed where I was for him as he eased a finger inside me. I bit my lip and looked over my shoulder at him. His eyes were fixed on his finger moving in and out of me. I could hear how wet I was. I pressed back against him, encouraging him to go deeper. I was so turned on, I could barely stand it. I couldn’t wait to get him back to the room and rip his clothes off. I wanted to feel his bare skin against mine. I wanted to taste him and feel him fill me up.
I moaned when he stretched me with another finger. He pushed in deep and curled his fingers inside me. He began an exquisite rhythm of flicking his fingers until my knees nearly buckled. He wrapped his other arm under me and held me up as he worked harder and faster, until I gave in to the pleasure and let it crash over me.
I was a breathless mess when he pulled his fingers out of me. He licked them off and slapped my ass. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go. I want to get that fucking dress off you.”
I straightened, and my legs wobbled.
Brayden offered me his arm, which I took thankfully, and the two of us left the spa with our shoes in our hands.
My cheeks were bright pink as we walked down the hall to the elevator. A few couples passed us, and I turned my face away in embarrassment. They must have all known what Brayden and I had been up to.
Brayden wasn’t as bashful as me. He walked with his head held high until we reached the elevators. He had me pushed up against the back wall before the doors even closed behind us.
He ravaged my neck and chest with kisses and then plunged his tongue deep into my mouth. I could taste myself on him as I hooked one leg around his to hold myself to him. His hands wandered up the backs of my legs, and I nearly melted in the strength of his grip.
When he pulled his tongue out of my mouth and began kissing my neck again, I found my voice. “Camera,” I whispered, trying to suggest that all of this was probably going to be caught on film.
“Don’t care,” he whispered against my skin. I shivered.
He had my ass in his hands again. He kissed the tops of my breasts as he pulled my cheeks apart and found my pussy with his fingers. He slid inside me, working them in and out, and I was powerless against his efforts. I clung desperately to him as euphoric sighs left my lips.
Then the bell chimed to announce we were on our floor. Brayden groaned with frustration and straightened. My pussy ached for him to return to me, but I stood beside him and we both faced the doors as they opened.
I was relieved that no one was on the other side, waiting.
Brayden grabbed my hand, and we practically ran down the hallway together. He pulled his key card out of his pocket and let us into our room.
He pushed me in ahead of him, and I stopped in my tracks.
A candle-lined
path of red rose petals led through the living room to our bedroom. I looked back at him, unable to stop myself from smiling, and he nodded for me to go forward.
I followed the path, and the petals tickled my toes all the way to the bedroom. The bed was decorated in petals, as well. A platter of chocolate-dipped strawberries sat at the foot of the bed, along with an ice bucket of champagne. Candles flickered on nearly every surface.
I spun to face my husband. “You did all this, too?”
He nodded. I could see how tight his jaw was in the candlelight. He was restraining himself from ripping my clothes off and bending me over. I could see it in every taut muscle shifting beneath his white dress shirt.
I backed up toward the bed and ran my fingers over the top of my breasts. “Do you want to fuck me, Brayden?” I asked playfully.
He nodded and grinned as he followed my retreat.
“What are you going to do to me?”
“I’m going to put a baby in you,” he said, grabbing my waist and spinning me around. He yanked the zipper of my dress down and pulled it down my legs. I stepped out of it, and he twisted me back around to face him. “And I’m going to fuck you so good, you see stars.”
I laughed and stretched up to kiss his jaw. “Enough talking,” I cooed. “I need you.”
Brayden gritted his teeth as he worked to undo his belt and pants. I undid the buttons of his shirt and ripped it off him. I ran my hands up his muscled arms as his pants fell around his ankles.
He wrapped his arms around my lower back and lifted me off the floor. He walked me the rest of the way to the bed and tossed me onto it. The rose petals leapt a couple inches into the air before falling silently back to the bed.
Brayden kissed his way up my body, from my hips to my lips, and his tongue once again slipped between my teeth as his fingers slid into my pussy. I spread my legs for him as he pressed his thumb down on my clit. I moaned and dug my nails into his shoulders.
I came within seconds.
My Last First Kiss Page 23
