by Linzi Basset
Lauren gaped at him; surprised that he knew her preference.
“Why sapphire?” She finally asked.
He tilted her chin back and stared into her eyes. His gaze dropped to watch the tip of her tongue sweep over her bottom lip. He swooped down to capture her mouth in a hot, passionate kiss.
“Because they match your eyes.”
They had just finished their coffee when Mr. Amray returned with a tray sporting six different rings. Keon pushed two out of the way and picked up the one in the center. He looked at it for a long time and then took her hand in his.
Lauren watched in awe as he pushed the ring on her finger. He twirled it to test it for size.
“Perfect fit. And just what I was looking for.” Keon watched the emotions swirl on Lauren’s face. “Do you like it?” He held his breath. He wanted her to be happy with the selection he’d made.
She nodded, too overwhelmed to speak at first. She swallowed. “I love it, Keon but it’ll be too expensive,” she said softly.
“It is a perfect choice for the lady, sir,” Mr. Amray beamed. “It matches her eyes. It’s a blue sapphire, six carats and the two half-moon shaped diamonds are two carats each.” His smile spread from one end of his face to the other. “It’s F in color and VS2 in clarity. This is an original Madagascar sapphire.” He twirled the ring this way and that to demonstrate.
“Thank you, Mr. Amray, we’ll take it.”
Mr. Amray rubbed his hands. “Wonderful. Should I wrap it up for you?”
“No, she’ll wear it. You can just give us the ring box and purchase certificate.”
Mr. Amray called his assistant over and gave her the instructions.
Lauren gathered her courage and looked at him. “Could we also have a look at your platinum wedding bands for men, please?”
“Of course,” he quickly shuffled to the back.
“Lauren, I don’t want a ring.”
Her eyes darkened. “Why not?” She dared to ask.
“I don’t know how I’d feel about wearing one. I sure as hell never intended to get married again.”
Lauren winced and he cursed. His large hands folded around her shoulders. “Look Lauren, let’s not dissect this now. This isn’t the time or the place. I don’t need a ring. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“I’m buying you one. If you don’t want to wear it, fine, but at least it will offer me some sense of . . . of . . . whatever,” she muttered and turned away, unable to articulate the confusion inside her.
Mr. Amray returned with a selection of rings. Lauren spent a long time looking at each ring and in the end picked one.
“Are you going to at least try it on?”
Keon’s jaw squared but he held out his hand and watched her push the band on his finger. It was the one he preferred as well.
It was a classic wedding band but with a beveled design. The contrast between its polished edges and brushed band played with the light to a stunning effect.
Keon was taken aback by how right it felt, hugging his finger and how cold his skin became when she pulled it off.
“Do you like this one?” she asked quietly.
“It’s a beautiful choice, Lauren,” he admitted. She gave him a small smile when she detected the honesty in his expression.
“Ring them up together, Mr. Amray. I’ll—”
“No. I will pay for this one myself, Mr. Amray,” Lauren asserted.
“Lauren—”
“I’m not going to argue with you about this, Keon,” she said with finality as she handed her credit card to Mr. Amray. She placed the ring inside the box he’d given her and dropped it into her handbag.
She noticed his surprise and scoffed, “Don’t give me that look. You said you didn’t want to wear it, so I’ll just hold onto it for now.”
Keon didn’t respond and was quiet, except for telling her that they were picking up Beckie from school on the way home.
Lauren assumed it was thoughts about Adam that kept him occupied.
Beckie was over the moon when they arrived home and Keon told her they’d gotten married. She couldn’t stop hugging them as she blabbered nonstop.
“Enough, Beckie, it’s tiring me out, just watching you,” Keon eventually reprimanded her with a smile of indulgence.
“I can’t help it, Daddy. I’m just so happy! I’ve been wishing so hard that you and Mom would fall in love and get married. And see? It worked.”
She skipped toward the door. “Now, I’m gonna start wishing real hard for a little baby brother.”
“Oh, good lord, now see what you’ve done,” Lauren scolded Keon when Beckie called Baloo’s name.
“What I’ve done? I’m not the one putting thoughts of wedded bliss and babies in her mind,” Keon grunted.
“Nooooo! Daddy, how could you?” Beckie came charging back into the den, her eyes wide. She slammed her fists on her hips and tapped her foot. She looked so much like Samantha from the day before, both of them burst out laughing. She’d immediately taken to her aunt and loved her to bits.
“What’s so funny?” She frowned at them but waved her own question away. “Mom didn’t get to wear a wedding dress and I didn’t get to be her bridesmaid. That’s not fair, Daddy. How could you?”
Keon’s mouth literally gaped open as he stared at his daughter. He glanced at Lauren and closed his mouth. Her cheeks bloomed with color. It was obviously something they’d been discussing over time.
“Er . . . playing fairytale dress up isn’t really my style, poppet,” Keon tried to console her.
“You did when you married my real mommy,” she continued unperturbed.
“That was ages ago, Beckie and completely different,” Keon responded sternly, hoping his daughter would take the hint and stop complaining.
“How? Getting married is a happy occasion, isn’t it? Daddy, you have to fix this,” Beckie demanded.
Keon rolled his eyes. “Very well, poppet. We’ll invite Uncle Rhone and Aunt Sammy to join us for dinner at the Royal Decadence tonight,” he conceded. It was her favorite restaurant and he hoped it was enough to appease her.
“Well, okay, but when are we having a party to celebrate you getting married?”
Lauren couldn’t help herself; she burst out laughing at the frustrated look on Keon’s face.
“Seeing as you find it so amusing, I’ll leave it in your hands,” he drawled finally.
“What?” Lauren asked, still smiling.
“Arrange the elaborate celebrations in honor of our marriage.”
“Yay!” Beckie shouted excitedly. “I know just what we’re going to do. You need to have that gazebo painted, Daddy. White. It’ll be perfect for the ceremony.”
“Ceremony? Beckie, I said party. We’re not—”
“Yes, we are,” Beckie interjected firmly. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him down her nose, which was quite an accomplishment, considering her size.
She waved her hands around. “The whole enchilada, Daddy. The vows, saying I do, and the kiss . . . ohh, it’s going to be soo romantic,” she said twirling around. “Oh, there you are, Baloo,” she cooed when Baloo walked into the den. “Come, let’s go for a walk. I need to check out the pool area.”
She waved at them and disappeared outside, her chirpy voice as she continued the discussion with the big dog by her side, floated back to them.
Beckie’s happiness affected everyone and the dinner at the restaurant turned into an evening filled with fun and laughter.
Keon told Rhone what had happened and the reason for taking such a drastic step while they waited for the women to return from the ladies room.
“And that’s the only reason for marrying her?” Rhone enquired.
“It certainly was the driving force behind the decision. You’ve seen how shrewd and cruel that bastard is, Chuck. I don’t want her to be left out in the cold, should something happen to me. And this way, I’ll know Beckie will always have someone to take care of her.”
/> “Nothing is going to happen to you, Keon. Adam Baxter is going down for good.”
“When? We can’t wait much longer, Rhone. Not with him becoming cocky and coming after Lauren.”
“Tomorrow. We’ll get together early and finalize our plan of action. He’s become complacent, thinking we’re letting him off the hook, which is why he’s suddenly full of confidence again.”
“How sure are you about that, Rhone? Whoever he got to kill Vitale was good. How do we know he’s not setting us up too?”
“He’s not. I know the real Adam Baxter. How he thinks, how he strategizes. Or, let me rephrase that, manipulates. That’s what he’s good at but this time, he’s not going to have the time to put anything into play. His time is up and playtime is over.”
* * * * * * * *
Keon finally got Beckie to go to sleep. She probably won’t be able to get up the next morning for school. The excitement of the day had been too much for her.
He walked into his bedroom, expecting to find his new wife waiting for him. The room was dark. He muttered as he walked to his side of the bed and flicked on the lamp on the bedside table.
“I’ve seen you naked before, Lauren, why the devil are you suddenly—”
She wasn’t there. He glanced around the room, like he was expecting her to jump out and say, boo!
Jaw rigid and teeth clenching, he stomped to her room. He walked in without knocking, startling her just as she was reaching out to switch off the light.
“What are you doing here?” She asked breathlessly.
“Exactly the question I have to ask,” he cut back, glaring at her.
“Stop talking in riddles, Keon. I’m tired and want to go to sleep. This is my room, where else would I be?”
“Not anymore. You’re my wife. You will sleep with me in my bed. Every night.”
“Look, LeLuc, we both know this is nothing but a farce. This is a marriage of convenience and I know it’s not what you want. I’m okay with it and I understand. Honestly, I do. Now, go to sleep.”
“Yeah, but with you, in my bed.” He picked her up without further ado. Her breath whooshed out of her lungs when her stomach connected with his hard shoulder.
“Put me down! I’m not a sack of potatoes. LeLuc! I said, put me down!” She protested, kicking her legs and smiling in satisfaction at his painful grunt when her foot connected with something soft.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
“Ooow! You . . . you caveman!” she shouted as he landed burning slaps on her ass. She bit her lip to keep her mouth shut, lest she woke up Beckie.
“I have many more where those came from, baby, so please . . . do continue,” Keon drawled with a twinge of amusement in his voice.
“Oomph!” Lauren puffed when he threw her on the bed. She scrambled back and pulled the hem of the oversized t-shirt down. Her cheeks were flushed when she caught Keon’s gaze taking in the tantalizing view.
“Well, now, it seems you were expecting me, wife,” he smiled when she huffed and taunted her by drawing his finger upward between her legs.
Lauren slapped his hand away. “I always sleep like this, so don’t flatter yourself.” She sat up and moved her feet over the side of the bed.
“Don’t move.”
She lifted her eyes. His demeanor had shifted. He seemed taller, compelling and as Dominant as she’d ever seen him.
“Get back on the bed.” He waited until she settled on her back and stared at him. Her eyes had darkened but glimmered with excitement.
“Pull up the shirt; all the way above your tits.”
“Keon . . .” she protested but obeyed his order nevertheless.
“Spread your legs.”
“What are you—”
“Enough talking, Lauren. Do as I say.” His voice deepened more and reached the part inside her that only wanted to please him.
Her legs opened.
“Wider.”
Lauren kept her eyes on his face. She stared in amazement at the flush darkening his cheeks when she pulled her knees up.
“Now, play with your clit.”
“Keon, I—”
The look in his eyes silenced her.
Her chest moved up and down in a wave as she breathed in. She could feel the blush deepening her cheeks. He had never asked her to touch herself before. Masturbating when she was alone was one thing, but doing it with someone watching was quite another altogether.
She trailed her fingers over her stomach, watching his eyes flare when she began to draw circles around the little nub. With supple fingers she rubbed up and down the sides of her clit, feeling the heat gathering in her loins.
“Faster, baby.”
Lauren followed his instruction blindly. Tiny puffs escaped her lips.
“Dip your finger inside your pussy and tell me what you feel.”
Lauren groaned but pushed her finger deep inside her slit.
“I feel the soft silkiness pulling at my finger and it’s warm, no, it’s hot, very hot inside.”
“Only hot?” Keon asked in a strangled voice. He’d removed his shirt and shoes while he stood watching. His jeans were open and teased her with the seductive view of what lay beneath.
“And wet. I’m very wet,” she lilted.
“Now, use the other hand to rub your clit while you fuck yourself. Add another finger. Good girl,” he praised when she immediately did as instructed.
Her hips twitched in reaction to her own ministrations and tiny moans of arousal escaped her lips.
Keon pushed two fingers inside her and caught hers when she tried to pull them out.
“Oh no, my love. We’re going to fuck this pussy together. Deeper, come on wife, show your husband what you want,” he urged even as she took the lead and pumped their fingers inside her.
“Keep rubbing your clit, baby. Faster, yes, that’s good. Now, make sure you keep up with me and let’s pound this little eager pussy of yours, shall we?”
He began to pump and twist his hand until he found the spongy flesh on the front wall of her vagina. Lauren cried out as he brushed his fingers over it.
She twisted and thrashed against him, whimpering and pleading, yet couldn’t tip over the edge. It was there—right there, but every time she felt herself toppling over, Keon would pull back, go slower and stop her crazed fingers that were by now, almost slapping her clit.
“Please. Keon, I need to come,” she almost cried, desperate for a climax.
“Not yet,” he rumbled in a deep voice, watching her mouth fall open as he brushed and caressed her sweet spot; pushing and tapping against it. Her hips danced a wild dance as she subconsciously thrust her hips into their imbedded fingers.
“I’m begging, please. I need to . . . mmmm, ple-ase,” she stammered. “Noo,” she protested when he pulled their fingers from her pussy.
Keon tore off his jeans and with utmost gentleness, settled between her legs and leaned on his elbows next to her head. She tilted her hips and moaned when she felt his hard cock press against her sensitive clit.
He kissed her, nibbling on her lips at first, until she groaned and then he bit into her bottom lip. Before the cry of pain escaped her lips, he gently sucked the sting away. He repeated it until her lip was swollen and throbbing. But it wasn’t enough for Lauren. She craved to feel his lips take possession of hers completely.
He kept denying her until her desire to taste him spurred her aggression. With a husky growl, she clamped her hands around his head and forced his mouth hard against hers, thrusting her tongue inside, twirling and sucking like he was the tastiest piece of juicy fruit she’d ever encountered.
Keon rumbled low in his throat but allowed her the momentary show of domination. She was unaware of what he’d achieved but he was secretly elated. He’d done what he had set out to do. Forced her to acknowledge her desire for his taste. And she took full advantage of it, sipping from his lips like she’s been parched for days.
“Ooooohhhmmmm,” she stretched out the moan w
hen she felt Keon slowly push his cock inside her pussy.
Keon didn’t rush, stroking and angling against the silky, warm sheath that gave way to his intruding cock like hot knife through butter. He lifted his head, wanting to look into her deep blue eyes while he fucked her. His wife.
He pulled back and noticed her eyes flare, her mouth widened as he plunged back in and then his own resistance broke like a dam giving way to gushing water. He pounded into her, watching in amazement as she writhed and twisted against his pillaging cock.
Lauren dug her nails into his back as she arched her head into the pillow. His hand closed around her waist to tilt her hips higher, angling her just right for deeper penetration. He guided her into the rhythm while he reached for her taut nipples. He tugged on them, pinching and rolling until Lauren was soaked in a sheen of moisture that glistened in the soft glow of the bedside lamp.
“Please let me come, Keon. Please, please,” she begged brokenly, her breathing came in harsh gasps.
“Rub your clit for me, baby,” he ordered and she didn’t hesitate, desperate for that final push.
Keon’s hunger burned through him in a flush of volcanic heat and still, he refused to be rushed.
“Almost there, baby. This is our wedding night. I want you to remember and treasure this night.”
Lauren felt like bursting into tears when he slowed his movements to set a slow, deep rhythm. He brushed her hand away and swiped his thumb over her clitoris.
“Ooh, fuck!” She cried as hips jerked upward wanting more.
“Look at me, Lauren. I want to see your eyes when you come.”
Lauren forced her eyes open. They had fallen shut due to the euphoric cadence that was in charge of her body.
“You are so fucking beautiful, baby,” Keon whispered as he lost himself in her eyes.
His cock grew even harder inside her silky walls, forcing her into a superfluity of lust. Her eyes started to twitch as a groan welled to the surface from deep within her throat.
“Keep them open, baby,” he warned, his hips now driving with hard slaps against hers.
“I can’t anymore,” she whimpered. Her breath raced through her lips as her feverish gaze caught his. “Keon?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Thank you. For giving me this night. For giving me you and for . . . mmmooh, for marrying me.”
