“You start to come, but you have to keep quiet. You’re in public and everyone can hear you. You bite your lip.”
She bites her lip.
“But it’s no use. You’re such a bad girl, letting your boyfriend play in your panties, his fingers between your legs. But you can’t help yourself. You’re going to come and you cry out—”
“Oh, my god, don’t stop, don’t stop, I’m coming!”
I finger fuck her harder, faster. “And all eyes are on you and you know that when this ride ends you’ll have to walk shamefully in front of all those people who watched you get fingered, heard you orgasm but right now, you don’t care. All you care about is that sweet release—”
“I’m coming! Oh, my god.” Her body shudders practically convulsing as she experiences the dirty shameful release. It’s wickedly satisfying, and once the thunder rolls into the distance, she’s left lucid, every muscle in her body relaxed. “That was fantastic.”
“You love a little dirty talk, don’t you?”
She looks up at me, those big brown eyes full of lust. “You’re so good at it. Do it again.”
I laugh, a dark chuckle that sends a shiver through her. I tug at her dress, roughly pulling it up over her head. Unsnap her bra, freeing her beautiful, heavy breasts. I flip her over, bending her over the bed. Wrap my hand around tendrils of her hair, pulling it sharply. “How about we play another little game? One where you’re a hot little minx of a girlfriend who has her boyfriend so turned on right now he has no choice but to bend you over this bed and fuck that wet little pussy he’s just fingered until you’re screaming his name?”
“Yes... yes, let’s play that—” Before her sentence is finished, I’ve got my trousers down, my cock out. She lies flat on the bed, ready, wanting, waiting. I grab her hair once more, pulling it as I slap her ass. Her legs spread, her pussy on full display. Her pink lips are swollen, arousal pooling between her legs. She’s moaning, loving every single second, every tug, every stinging smack. “Fuck me.”
“Your wish is my command.” And with that, I thrust the full length of my cock into her dripping pussy. I’m balls deep and her hot sheath wraps around my shaft, squeezing. Fuck—she’s got the most amazing pussy on this Earth. I pull back, plunging in again, hard. I’m fucking her and spanking her and pulling her hair and she’s screaming my name. Coming again. The climax racks her body, leaving her breathless.
A few more pummeling thrusts and I’m coming too. My balls tighten, the orgasm building in my shaft. Then one more hard push and the seed bursts from within me. Filling her pussy.
As we lie together catching our breath, I know what I must do.
I kiss her lips and vow to myself I will make her mine. Forever.
Chapter Nine
Hannah
Our vacation was exactly what we needed—time together forcing us to admit we’ve fallen in love. We returned to the Village and I immediately postponed my flight, rebooking it further out. From the time we got back from the Mediterranean, I had about three weeks before the job even started and I decided to spend it here with Nick and give myself more time to make the decision of whether I’d be going at all.
Altogether we’ve spent almost six blissful weeks in one another’s arms. Pretending all the while there isn’t a clock hovering over us, ticking down the minutes until I have to leave. But now, the time has run out. My official start date at Prestigious is in just three days. My flight is booked for tomorrow. I’ll have only enough time to fly across the country, get the keys to the furnished apartment that’s waiting for me, and do the minimal amount of settling in before I don my lab coat and march in to give orders.
I must make a decision.
Because though I may have an amazing job waiting for me in LA, there’s nothing else for me there. Here, I have Nick. I have Adrianna. I have the Beauties, who I’m getting to know better every day. The city is familiar. I have my favorite spots that I like to go.
I’m sitting at the bar in the kitchen of Nick’s rowhome, enjoying the fresh coffee he’s left for me while he’s off to work. We have plans to meet for lunch, to discuss my final decision. I know I want to stay. I just need to get up the courage to make it official. I give myself a stern chat. “Hannah. It’s time to decide. You’re choosing Nick and that’s that.” I give myself a nod and I know I’m actually going to go through with this. I just need to tell Nick the good news. Tell Prestigious Labs I won’t be coming.
And figure out what the rest of my life looks like.
My morning is free until lunch with Nick. I call Adrianna ask her over for coffee and to surprise her with the good news.
She tells me she’ll be right over.
Minutes later I open the door and she bustles through without a hello.
“I know you’re staying. Aren’t you? That’s what you called me here to tell me.” She helps herself to an apple from the fridge and takes a seat on a barstool. “Spill it.”
“I am. How’d you know?”
“Of course you’re staying. Everyone knows. Just from the way you two look at each other. It was nice of Nick to give you time to ‘decide,’ but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t going to let you leave again.”
“Let me? This is my decision. I made it of my own accord.”
“Yes, but seriously. That man was not going to let you walk away.”
Her words cause me to bristle. If I’m to stay, I still need to be in control of making my own decisions. Too early in the morning to fight, I brush her comments off and change the subject. “How is Sasha doing?”
“Sasha and Carter are expecting. Isn’t that exciting?” She has a dreamy far-off look in her eyes.
“Yes?” I’d only met the couple a few hours.
“A precious little baby, can you imagine? And it took Sasha so long to get pregnant, she’s just over the moon. It’s almost like a little miracle.”
“That’s wonderful. It must have been hard for them to wait.”
“Babies are just so wonderful. Don’t you think?” She’s not even looking at me, just staring off into space, a wistful look on her face.
I thought she’d be more surprised by my decision, more excited by my news. But she’s got her mind wrapped around Sasha’s news instead. Something is up. “Adri—do you want a baby?”
She shakes her head, bringing herself from her daydream. Her gaze lands on mine, pensive. “Am I too young to be a mother?”
“Not necessarily. I don’t think it’s about age, more about desire to be a mother. And if you have the capacity to love.”
Her brow narrows at me as if she’s one step ahead of me and trying to put the pieces together. “Are you going to have children?”
As always when faced with that question, I think of my own mother. What my life would have been like, had she not died when she had me. “I... dunno.”
“I don’t mean this minute. But like, maybe in the future? Like, say, in a year or so?”
What is she up to? “I really don’t know.”
“You must want babies. They are so sweet and darling and it’s like you and your man made your love turn into a human being.”
“You read too many romance novels.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “And you too many science journals. Let me put it in Hannah terms,” she clears her throat, putting on her ‘scientist voice,’ “when a man’s sperm meets a woman’s egg and the DNA strands blend together in the most scientific of ways, a lifeform is created and—”
“Stop. You’re butchering it.”
“The embryo grows, the cells doubling—”
“Will you stop if I give you an honest answer?”
“Yes.” She leans in, waiting for my answer as if it will make some great impact on her own life.
“I have thought about having kids but I’m scared.”
“Why? You’d be a wonderful mother. You’re so smart and kind and... oh... oh. I get it.”
“Right.”
She squeezes me in a tight hug.
“I’m so sorry, Hannah. What a goof. I can’t believe I was being so insensitive. Of course, it would be hard for you to think about being a mother when you lost your own. You didn’t inherit her gene, did you?”
“No. But I still have this irrational fear that I’ll be holding this perfect little baby in my arms and I’ll instantly feel all this love for them, and then... I’ll die.”
She smooths my hair back. “I’m sure that’s natural, to feel that way after what’s happened to you. But you’d be fine. You’ll see.” She gazes at me expectantly.
I stare at her face. It looks... different. Fuller somehow, her high cheekbones no longer sharp enough to cut glass. And she has a glow about her.
“Adrianna... are you pregnant?”
She bites her bottom lip, her eyes shining. “Maybe... yes. Yes!”
I’m in shock over her confession. I quickly pull her in a hug to hide my face. I manage to whisper, “Congratulations.”
“Isn’t it wonderful news? I’ve always longed to be a mother. But you can’t tell anyone. Not yet. No one knows but Rockland and Tess and Dante. They are all figuring out who’s going where and who will be in charge.”
The sinking realization takes over me. “But... that means you’ll no longer be here. In the Village?”
She looks at me, apologies written on her face. “No. I’ll have to go to the Hamlet. Or the Parish. I won’t be able to stay with you. Not for now, at least.”
“But... I only really know Nick here. I’m not close with anyone other than you.”
“I’m sorry, Hannah. I know it’s sudden but—”
I can’t believe I’m being this selfish. “No. No. It’s fine. It’s more than fine. It’s wonderful! I’ll visit you and you’ll visit me and who knows what could happen in the future? Let’s celebrate. Champagne?”
Her hand goes to her flat belly. “I can’t drink, sorry.”
“That’s right. How daft of me. Um... how about some coffee?”
Her nose wrinkles. “I’m not having caffeine.”
“Right... err... juice?”
“I really want to watch those sugars. You know—try to prevent gestational diabetes. They say—”
“I’ve got a nice bubbly water. Would you like that?”
“Sure.”
I pour two fizzy waters into fancy cut crystal glasses. We cheers, celebrating the new life growing inside of her.
I want to be happy for her, truly I do. But suddenly, I feel very lost. I’ve turned my life upside down to be with Nick. Given up a job I worked hard to get. And now my best friend is leaving me.
And I really wish this bloody glass of water was champagne.
* * *
When Adrianna goes home, I shower and change. Do my hair and makeup with more care than usual, because at lunch, I’m telling Nick I’m staying, and I want it to be special. The thought of Adrianna not being here weighs heavy in my gut, but I ignore it. I’ve settled on the fact that I’m still making the right decision.
Nick and I are meeting at our favorite little café in the Village, just a block from his house. When I arrive, he’s standing by a table for two, my chair pulled out for me. He greets me with a kiss, asking, “Do you have good news for me, sweetheart?”
I’d planned on teasing him, dragging it out. But his face is so open, so hopeful, I come right out with it. “I’m staying.”
“Best news I’ve had all day.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me. A deep, heady kiss that leaves me breathless. He growls into my ear, “I wouldn’t have been able to let you leave.”
I whisper back, “I wouldn’t have wanted you to.”
We share another kiss. Stare adoringly at one another like those couples in rom-coms. Eventually we sit down. Order food. Chat over the small pieces of our day. I don’t mention Adrianna’s pregnancy as I don’t know if he knows or not. Our meals come and as always, the pasta is tender, the sauce creamy with the perfect amount of garlic. When we finish, he orders us two coffees.
His eyes lock on mine and I know he’s ready to further discuss my decision to stay. “I want you to be happy here.”
“I am going to be happy here. I mean, I am happy here, now.”
“You’re going to be lonely without Adrianna.”
“So you’ve heard the good news?”
“Yes. I’m happy for them but it came as a shock. The Village won’t be the same without Dante. And I can’t imagine how much you’ll miss Adrianna.”
“But I’m with you. And that’s enough.” I sit up straighter in my chair. Try to look stronger than I feel.
He raises a brow. “What have I told you about the British politeness brigade?”
“That it doesn’t work on you.”
“And?”
I lower my voice so no one else can hear. “That you’ll plug my bottom if I’m not completely honest with you about my feelings.”
“Right.”
I say nothing.
He rises from his chair. “Shall we go home to get the plug?”
I reach out, batting a hand at him. “No, no need. Sit down.”
He sits, a satisfied grin on his face. “Spill it.”
“I know I’m going to miss Adrianna terribly. And I’m loving it here and I’m one hundred percent happy that I’ve chosen to stay with you but without that fabulous job in LA and Adrianna to keep me busy, I’ll become bored during the day. I won’t know what to do with myself. You know I don’t do shopping or big crowds of girls. I’ve been to every bookshop and library and I just...”
“Need something to make you feel fulfilled?”
“You understand, don’t you? Your feelings aren’t hurt that...”
“That I’m not enough?”
I nod.
“No. Not at all. You’re a brilliant woman with a big brain. And if you aren’t able to exercise that muscle, well, I’m sure it would make you depressed.”
“Exactly.” He understands. I breathe a sigh of relief but it catches in my throat at his next words.
He leans in, grinning. “Which is why I’ve created a job for you at Bachman Enterprises.”
I feel as if I’ve misunderstood him. I study his face for a moment. It’s open and honest. “You have?”
“Yes. Last week when Dante told me that he and Adrianna were expecting I knew it was time to find you something more, here. Just in case you decided to stay. I know you’ve always loved your work.”
Instantly, I imagine myself teetering about in stilettos, delivering coffee to the Brothers. God, I hope that’s not what he has planned. “Tell me...what do you have in mind?”
“Doing what you already do... being a scientist.”
“Okay, you’ve got my attention. Tell me more.”
“The Bachman family needs a geneticist. It seems like the medical field is moving toward preventing and treating disease by using genetics. You know way more than me but even simple things like allergies, or the best diet for an individual can all be addressed through someone’s genes, right?”
“Yes. So, you’re thinking of making me like a genetic counselor? For the family?”
“Exactly. And when you’re getting a little stir crazy or missing Adrianna, you can travel. To the Hamlet and the Parish and help the family members there.”
“Helping people... I like the idea. Would I have a lab?”
“It’s already being built.”
“Without my approval?” We’ve had discussions since I found out about him sending two Brothers to Columbia to trail me. Lengthy talks about how I will not have him making big decisions about my life without my involvement. One of which may have gotten a little heated, which may have made me a bit sassy, which may have ended with my bare bottom over his knee.
He lifts his hands in the air, palms out in a gesture of surrender. “Rockland ordered it two weeks ago after I brought the idea to him. He liked it so much he’s moving forward with it. Of course, you’re our first choice but if you don’t want it—”
“Nich
olas Bachman. You know for a fact if there is going to be anyone testing this family’s DNA, it’s going to be me.”
His dark brow shoots toward the sky. “What have I told you about using my full name?”
I gulp. “Sorry.”
He softens. “I promise, Hannah Burns, I only brought the idea to him because I needed his approval before I brought it to you. I would never have ordered the building of a lab on my own to try and force your hand. And I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about Adrianna, earlier. We were told to wait.”
“I know you couldn’t.” The idea of the work begins to dance in my mind. Hope and ambition fill my chest. And my heart feels full. That this man would know me so well and go to such great lengths to ensure my happiness. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
He flashes me a wicked grin. “Walk away from me on the street that first day so I could take you over my knee. Hooked me right there with that beautiful bouncing bottom—”
“Nick!” I bat at his shoulder.
He feigns injury. “That really stings.”
We laugh but moments later his face becomes quite serious. “Sweetheart, one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“There’s one thing you have to do before you can work for the family.”
“What is that?”
“Become one of us.” Before I can respond, he’s down on the floor, kneeling on a single knee before me. From his pocket he slips a small red box, the gold words Bachman’s Jewelers scrolled across the top. He snaps open the lid and my hands go to my mouth, covering my gaping jaw. Set inside the soft cushion is a square cut diamond. Not big or flashy, but just perfect. The sight of it makes my breath catch in my chest. Then he says the words, “Hannah, will you marry me?”
And for the second time in my life, the world goes black.
Chapter Ten
Hannah
I wake to a voice saying, “For goodness’ sake, you’ve got to stop fainting! You’re worse than the women in my historical romances. At least they had an excuse wearing those ridiculous corsets.”
Surrender: A Mafia Billionaire Romance Page 14
