by Julia Harlow
“Not good news. We need to wait at least seven more days.”
Isabel couldn’t help her grin. “Only a week? But that’s good news. Why are you frowning?”
His arms hung listless at his sides, but his face was flushed. “Because I want you now, more than I’ve ever wanted you. A week is fucking eons away. I’m in agony here. We haven’t made love since before . . . you know . . . and being near you is giving me a twenty-four-hour-a-day hard-on. I’m going to be irreparably damaged if this goes on much longer.”
Isabel’s mouth turned up, and she struggled not to laugh at that last statement. She patted the bed beside her. “Come over here, Ty.”
“Why? What are you thinking?” His voice suddenly sounded hoarse.
“Just come over here and you’ll find out.” She edged herself up against the feather pillows and slipped the silky robe of the peignoir set off her shoulders.
Hesitating for only a split second, Ty moved to the bed. The mattress dipped as he lowered himself down beside her. She watched his Adam’s apple work as he swallowed. “We can’t do anything for a week, Isabel. Doctor’s orders.”
Isabel touched his chest with her fingertips and purred. “Well, I think what the doctor actually said was we couldn’t make love for a week.” Her fingers slowly trailed down his shirt, lingering to circle his stiff little nipples. She leaned up to his ear and sucked on his earlobe. His big body trembled.
“From my understanding, she didn’t say I couldn’t, you know . . . um . . . pleasure you.” His breath was coming in hard gusts now. She continued her leisurely path down his body until she came to his firm, flat abdomen. Her fingers drew circles around the almost concave surface through his shirt and then inched below his waistband, deliberately running her fingertips back and forth as Ty remained as still as a marble statue.
She giggled. “So that I can save my energy for more, shall we say, pleasurable activities, why don’t you strip off your shirt and slacks for me?”
He captured her hand with one of his. “No, Isabel, we shouldn’t be doing this. We need to wait.”
His words held no conviction, and Isabel firmly repeated her demand, “Clothes off. Now.”
In a flurry of expensive fabrics, Ty’s shirt, slacks, T-shirt, and briefs hit the carpeted floor in a heap. His hard body stretched out next to hers, and Isabel felt her own pulse rate kick up as her eyes flickered over every inch of the Adonis next to her. Especially certain very impressive inches.
“I’m going to touch you and maybe suck you for a little bit, okay?” Her own voice sounded strained as she felt the wetness between her legs.
“No, we can’t do this.” With half-lidded eyes, Ty voiced his objection, but at the same time his body melded into hers, pleading, Oh, hell yes. Touch me; suck me, now!
Her hand grasped the velvety smooth yet iron-hard length of him and he groaned. Loudly. “Oh, Christ, sweet thing.” His head arched back into the pillows as his hands white-knuckled fistfuls of sheets. “It feels so fucking good.”
She rubbed him up and down until the urge to taste him overwhelmed her. Pulling her dark hair over one shoulder, she bent her head to lick the pearl of pre-cum from the tip of his cock. The strangled sound coming from his throat excited her even more. She took half of his length in her mouth and sucked.
“No, Isabel, you shouldn’t be doing this.” He gripped her shoulders to stop her, but the rhythm of her soft mouth sucking him was unrelenting. His shaft hit the back of her throat, almost setting off her gag reflex. One of her hands cupped his heavy balls while the other worked the base of his penis—he was too big for her to completely suck him off.
“Oh, fuck, yes! Like that! Just like . . . that.” His palms clasped her head as she sucked him, continuing to stroke the base of his cock with deft movements. “Oh, fuck, you suck me so good, sweet thing. I’m going to come so hard.”
But after a moment, his hands pushed her head away. “No more, Isabel. You have to stop.” His penis stood erect, dark red and impressive.
Isabel glared up at him. “I’m fine, Ty, really. And I’m doing this whether you want me to or not.” She continued to meet his eyes as she lowered her head and swirled her tongue around him as if it were a big purple lollipop. Finally, he gave in and sank back into the pillows, not able to stop the pleasurable groan coming from deep within.
~~~
Afterward, Ty sprawled on the king-size bed, unable to move. Isabel covered them both with the sheet and nestled into him, her head on his chest, listening to the sound of his heart beating frantically at first until it eventually calmed.
Minutes passed. From the rise and fall of his deep, steady breathing, Isabel assumed Ty had fallen asleep, but just then he spoke, his voice tight with emotion. “I love you so much, Isabel. If I were ever to lose you . . . what happened with Daniels almost took you from me forever. I . . . I couldn’t stand it.”
She snuggled more closely into his side, breathing in his delicious sexy male scent. Draping her arm over his chest, she planted a kiss above his nipple. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, Ty. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. And Pilot.”
She felt his hand gently stroking her hair. “That dog is a hero. He deserves a medal in my opinion, at the very least.” His shaky voice trailed off at the end, once again overcome with emotion.
Isabel raised her head from his chest to meet his clear blue eyes. “You do know that Pilot only followed my command. He didn’t make the decision to attack Willard on his own.”
Ty’s eyes gleamed as he stroked her cheek with his knuckles. “But he obeyed your command. And thank God he did. He must have attacked in a split second, because that psycho fucker had the gun right there, loaded and ready to pull the trigger. Pilot is a hero, no matter what you say. I’ve already bought a dozen sleeves of tennis balls for him. Oh, and this morning I ordered a leather textured microfiber Sherpa bolster bed for him. From now on, he’s sleeping in our room right next to us.”
She hiked up on one elbow to peer down at him. “You ordered a Sherpa what? Oh, never mind. Whatever you ordered for him is fine with me.” She reached up and kissed the corner of his full, sensual mouth.
His hand traveled down the slinky fabric of her negligée. “Listen, Isabel. I can’t wait any longer to announce our marriage. We’ve told your mother and Vicky, and only my parents are left. Let’s video chat with them tomorrow and break the news. Then we can set our wedding date.”
~~~
The following morning, Isabel slept in, while Ty worked out with his trainer in the penthouse gym then caught up on calls, emails, texts, and reviewing contracts in his home office. Pilot had slept next to Isabel’s side of the bed all night, but he’d gotten up early with Ty to go for a run. When they’d returned, her dog had come back to crouch by Isabel’s side of the bed.
~*~
Ty and Isabel met at noon on the balcony for a brunch of omelets filled with generous pieces of lobster, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese, along with pommes frites, fresh squeezed orange juice, and cappuccinos. The morning fog had lifted, leaving the promise of a glorious day. A light breeze carried a hint of salty sea air. From the top of The Admiralty building, next to the man she loved so much she thought her heart might burst, Isabel felt as if she were on top of the world.
After brunch, she changed into a classic linen dress, styled her hair in a tidy chignon, and applied mascara, blush, and pale raspberry lipstick, all in an effort to make the best possible first impression on Ty’s parents. As she took one last glance in the mirror to smooth down her dress, she realized she felt physically stronger than she had in days.
Ty wore faded jeans ripped at one knee and a faded black T-shirt. He hadn’t shaved or combed his hair after his shower, and it stuck up on one side. When Isabel attempted to smooth his hair down, he caught her wrist. “It’s okay. I promise no one will be looking at me. They won’t be able to keep their eyes off you, sweet thing. You look absolutely beautiful.” He leaned down and kissed the tip
of her nose.
The video chat had been set up in the living room. Ty and Isabel nestled together on the buttery damask upholstered sofa. At the first sight of Thomas and Katherine Griffin seated on a terrace overlooking a cerulean blue Mediterranean Sea with vibrant pink and yellow flowers in terra cotta pots all around them, Isabel thought them far too young to be Ty’s parents. His mother, blond and relaxed, with the same blue eyes as her son’s, wore a silky turquoise blouse and white capris. His father, as handsome as Ty, could have passed for his older brother.
Isabel felt a drop of perspiration trickle between her breasts when Ty began the introductions. Whereas before she’d felt up to this, now her energy seemed to be sapped from her. How was she ever going to get through this? Ty was their only son, and they surely had the highest of expectations for him, especially when it came to his choice of a wife. He was ultra-successful, smart, and incredibly handsome. What did she have to recommend herself other than a whacko stepfather who’d just tried to murder her?
Ty’s hand reached for hers and enclosed it in his grasp. The warmth and strength of that big hand enfolding hers gave her a jolt of assurance. He smiled down at her and that was all she needed. This was her man and he would stand beside her no matter what. Even if his parents didn’t like her, she knew Ty wouldn’t care a whit. The tight knots in her shoulders eased, and she smiled back at this man she loved with every fiber of her being.
As it turned out, his parents welcomed her with open arms, even if it was from clear across the Atlantic Ocean. They both gushed their approval and said they couldn’t wait to meet Isabel in person. Ty grinned his “I told you so” expression with that irresistible, sensual mouth. Isabel breathed a huge sigh of relief.
After they’d said goodbye to Ty’s parents, Isabel stepped out on the balcony to call Ellen, eager to share the news with her. Unlike Ty’s parents, Ellen took her time warming to the idea.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to make this kind of major decision so soon after what happened with my dad? Could this just be a knee-jerk reaction because you almost died?”
“Ty and I had decided to marry even before that happened, Ells. I already know he told you. Just tell me you’re happy for me and that you’ll be my maid of honor.”
Ear-shattering squeals came from the other end of the phone, leaving no doubt that her stepsister had given her blessing.
Next, Isabel called Quvadus. Among the former Baycrest group, she felt the closest to her. Isabel gave an abbreviated version of what had happened with Willard. Because of her relationship with Ty and his high profile in San Francisco and beyond, the story was bound to make news headlines, so there was no point in trying to conceal it.
When she told her about the engagement to Ty, Quvadus’s reaction to the news sounded less than enthusiastic.
“Wow, Isabel, I’m in shock. First you’re almost murdered by your stepfather and now you’re engaged to the CEO of Grandin Financial? How long have you even known him?”
“I know. I know. We’ve only known each other for about two months, but I can tell you I love him, Quvadus. He’s my soul mate. And he loves me. Please say you’ll be a bridesmaid.”
From the sniffles coming from the other end of the line, Isabel guessed her friend was on board even before she uttered in between sobs, “Sure, Isabel, I’m so happy for you.”
“Wonderful! Will you let the rest of the team know—just a brief explanation of what happened? I don’t have the energy to call each of them, but I also don’t want them hearing it first from the media.”
“Of course. You know I’d do anything for you, Isabel. I’ll let them know right away.”
~*~
Once they’d set their wedding date, Ty felt more joyous, more contented, more fulfilled than he had ever felt in his life. The one-dimensional high-finance, deal-brokering path his career had led him down had morphed into a colorless drain on his soul.
Now thoughts of his future with Isabel, a panoply of the rainbow, put a constant smile on his face. His step was lighter, his shoulders relaxed, and his mind overflowed with plans for their future. He could hardly wait to take her to all his favorite cities around the world—Paris, London, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Sydney, among others—so he could share them with her.
Next, he envisioned traveling to brand new places so they could experience them together and start building their own special trove of memories.
In order to have time to do this, he’d made a major decision to step down as CEO of Grandin Financial. Thanks to Ty’s careful mentoring and grooming, Dominic was perfectly positioned to take over, and he deserved it.
As soon as word spread that Ty was leaving Grandin Financial, he began to receive offers from several companies for his consulting services. If he decided he wanted to keep his hand in the game, consulting would allow him and Isabel to be together as much as possible with limited demands on his time and attention. He didn’t want to miss a moment with the incredible woman who made him feel as if his eyes had just been opened to all the delights life had to offer. His only worry was that she’d get tired of him.
He found himself thinking non-stop about starting a family. And soon. The thought of Isabel carrying his babies filled him with masculine pride. He’d been concerned that she may not be ready to start a family, but when they’d talked about it, he found she was as enthusiastic as he was. She would be the best mother ever; he had no doubt of that.
They’d talked into the wee hours about her goals and dreams for the future, and he discovered they meshed perfectly with his: time together, traveling, babies, maybe some consulting of her own to keep up with trends in the app-design business. He’d been surprised when she told him she wanted to learn ballroom dancing before their wedding so they would look graceful on the dance floor. She also wanted to take cooking lessons. God, she was the absolute ideal woman for him.
But what made him love her even more, if that were even possible, was her dream to help young women with body image issues so they wouldn’t suffer as she had growing up. She’d started to explore graduate schools that offered degrees in therapy with online and part-time course work. In the meantime, she planned to use some of her contacts to write articles about positive body image on sites that reached girls, teens, and young women. She’d always loved writing and had been on the staff of both her high school and college newspapers.
Their future seemed to be haloed in shiny ribbons of gold. The exquisite pleasure of each moment they spent together was magnified because of what had happened with Willard. The life that madman had almost taken demanded to be appreciated, no, more than that, worshipped every day that passed.
But just like a deliciously sweet dream that is cruelly snatched away by the harsh light of day, it all seemed to vanish in a puff of black smoke with one phone call at exactly nine o’clock the next morning.
When his cell phone beeped and he saw from the readout that the call was from Corey, the IT guru at Soter.com and one of his Saturday basketball buddies, Ty merely wondered why he’d be calling.
“Hey, Ty, sorry to bother you at home, but there’s something you should know about that’s just been sent to everyone’s inbox at Soter. It involves Isabel.” An icy chill slithered down Ty’s spine. He grabbed his keys and headed for the elevator, the phone plastered to his ear.
“Isabel? What about her?” He knew he sounded like a growling bear whose leg had just been caught in the sharp jaws of a steel trap, but he couldn’t help it.
“You really need to see it for yourself.”
“Fuck that, Corey! Tell me right now what the fuck is going on!”
“Okay, Ty, but you’re not going to like it. It’s a video of her naked in the shower along with a message that says: ‘Isabel Beachwood might be engaged to that big-shot asshole Ty Griffin, but she’s been fucking my brains out. Here she is in my shower after she got herself all sweaty from sucking my big dick.’”
A surge of rage threatened to overtake Ty, and he snarled, “Wi
pe the video now. Then find out who the fuck posted it. I expect a name by the time I get there. You have ten minutes.” He ended the call with a ferocious jab at the off button.
Chapter 29
Barely noticing the heads swiveling as he strode past desks on his way to Soter.com’s IT department, Ty assumed it was because of his casual attire. He still wore jeans ripped at the knee and one of his T-shirts that must have shrunk a bit in the dryer but was one of Isabel’s favorites. He hoped to hell they weren’t staring at him because they’d all seen the video of Isabel naked in the shower and the repulsive message that accompanied it.
Once inside IT, he stalked to Corey’s cubicle, his fists clenched at his sides. “Well?”
Corey, a lanky twenty-something whose long brown hair was pulled back in a man-bun, and who had one of the most incredible jump shots Ty had ever witnessed outside of professional basketball, sat with his eyes zeroed in on the computer screen in front of him while his nimble fingers flew over the keyboard so fast they were almost a blur.
“Hold on. I’ve almost got it.”
Even while Ty gnashed his teeth in fury, he had to marvel at the kid’s concentration.
“Did you wipe the video from the server?” Ty asked, tunneling his fingers through his hair and causing it to stand up in dark blond tufts.
“Yeah. The minute you told me to. I did, however, load a copy onto this flash drive in case you wanted to see it, you know, for evidence.” He handed the shiny silver-colored flash drive to Ty over his shoulder.
“How many people have seen it?”
“It’s hard to say.” Corey continued tapping on the keyboard, his eyes not leaving the screen even for a moment to glance at Ty.
“Well, take a fucking guess!” Ty caught the waft of some pretty pungent body odor. Hadn’t this kid ever heard of taking a shower? Or deodorant?
