Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers Book 6)

by Crystal Perkins

  I walk into the hall and start with the nearest door. It’s when I open the third door that I hear her sobbing. My heart sinks as I step inside and see her curled up on the bed. “Don’t cry, Xandy. I’m so sorry.”

  “Where’s your date?”

  “Gone. She never set one foot inside. I swear.”

  “Why not? She was practically on top of you. You could’ve had her in our bed.”

  “I only want you in our bed. Or anywhere else. I wasn’t going to sleep with her. I just needed for you to stop. It’s been getting harder to resist you, and I knew I couldn’t have you.”

  “Because of your father?” I look down at my hands and nod. “He did those things, Miles. To hurt both of us. Does it suck? Yeah, big time. But you brought the sunshine back to my life.”

  “You sang in public.”

  “For you.”

  “What if he comes after you again? I wouldn’t survive seeing you hurt again.”

  “Your grandmother has made sure that he can’t come after either of us. Even if he could, would you rather us be alone?”

  “I couldn’t protect you.”

  “With Nick? You weren’t my boyfriend then. We weren’t even friends at that time. And if you mean when those guys surprised us in my apartment, well I may have to punch you myself. There were three of them, plus Nick.”

  “That guy touched you. And kissed you.”

  “Yeah and I won’t lie, it was disgusting. But I could survive anything if I knew you were there on the other side.”

  “I don’t want to be weak.”

  “You’re not. You were betrayed and hurt by someone who should’ve been protecting you. No one expects you to get past that overnight. We all want to help you. Let me be there for you.”

  “I-I want to kiss you.”

  She smiles as she gets up and walks to me. “Please do, King.”

  I pull her close and brush my lips across hers softly. We kiss like that for several minutes, just little brushes of our lips. I really want to carry her down the hall to our bed and do things to make her scream my name, but I know it’s too soon. And there’s a party going on downstairs.

  I groan. “I don’t want to stop, but we should get back to the party.”

  “We should. After?”

  “I’ll stay here, but I’m sleeping on the couch.”

  “You don’t want me?”

  “You know better than that. You’ve just been pressed against me. But I need to earn my way back into our bed. I’ve been an ass.”

  “I couldn’t sleep in there while you were gone. And when I was an ass, you still made love to me.”

  “I could tell that you weren’t sleeping in there. I have to admit I like the fact that you aren’t in there without me, but I meant what I said. What you did was miniscule compared to how I’ve been acting. Let’s go down to the party. But don’t worry; I’ll make you come before sleeping on the couch.”

  “If you’re playing that way, I’m making you come, too. And don’t even try to argue. I miss the taste of you.”

  * * *

  Alex

  The party went really well. The kids were all happy to hang out in the game room, while the parents said they were having fun getting dressed up. Miles didn’t leave my side, except for when he was playing air hockey or in our indoor batting cage. His jacket and tie came off hours ago. With his top two buttons open and sleeves rolled up, it’s been hard not to jump all over him.

  “I’m the last one,” Faith winks at me. “You can finally be alone with your man.”

  “Thank you so much for overseeing the food. It was amazing.”

  “Anytime, Alex.”

  I close the door behind her and start to turn around. Miles comes out of nowhere and presses me back into the wood. He runs a finger along the cutout of my dress above the swell of my breasts.

  “This has been making me crazy all night. I wanted to lick inside this opening so bad.”

  “So do it now.”

  “That’s not where you want me to lick you, baby.”

  “You know the deal. I told you, I’m not coming alone.”

  He removes his fingers and steps back. It takes everything in me not to whimper at the loss. “You sure about that?”

  No. “Yes.”

  “We should probably go to bed, then. Extra blankets and stuff are in the upstairs hall closet?”

  “Yes. But we have guest bedrooms. One of which is pink. You shouldn’t be sleeping on the couch.”

  “I’m hoping to do very dirty things to you in the pink room. Just not tonight.”

  I’m going to have to pull the card I didn’t want to. It’s for his own good, though. “You’ve only been out of the hospital for a few weeks. Please don’t twist yourself up on the couch.”

  “Fine,” he tells me through a clenched jaw. I knew I’d piss him off, but having him comfortable is more important right now. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  I watch him walk upstairs without giving me even a small goodnight kiss. I was close to having him completely. There’s one last thing. I’ve saved the best for last, and I hope it’s enough. We’ll see in the morning.

  * * *

  Miles

  I can’t sleep. Not with Alex in one of the other rooms. I almost gave in to her, but I really want her to see that what we have is more than sex. One night won’t kill me. At least I hope not.

  I decide to go do some work in the home office I’d set up here. Getting a jump on Monday seems like a good idea. I make my feet keep walking as I pass the guest room that Alex is sleeping in. I open my office door and freeze. It’s not how I left it. Baseball memorabilia is all over the walls, including my jersey and baseball card. I notice an album on my desk and walk over to it.

  I lift the cover and when I read the inscription, I have to drop down into the chair since my legs won’t hold me anymore.

  Miles,

  This is the last thing you’ll get from me if you still say you don’t want me. I don’t know what else I can do to convince you that I love you, or that you deserve to be loved, if this doesn’t work. I know these were the most important things to you when you were 17. Your father took them to hurt you, and now I’m giving them back to show you that he can’t hurt either one of us ever again.

  I love you,

  Alex

  My hand is shaky as I turn the pages. They’re all here. All the baseball cards I collected. The rare ones were gifts from my mom, but the others I bought with the money I earned doing any odd job possible. My dad took them the first time I stood up for my mom. The same day Alex saw me with the black eye. And she remembered. I don’t know how she got these, but I need her. Now.

  I practically run to the room she’s in, and again, I’m stopped in my tracks just by opening a door. Alex kicked off her covers sometime in the night and is stretched out on the bed. In one of my jerseys. From what I can see, that’s all she has on, and I almost come right then and there.

  Instead, I walk over to the bed and pick her up. She stirs and whispers my name, clutching my shoulders as I carry her into our bedroom and place her inside those curtains we both love. She reaches for me, but I hold her arms down. Not hurting her, but letting her know this is my show.

  “I saw the album, Xandy.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes. And while I didn’t know you have a cat burglar for a friend, I’m beyond grateful right now.”

  “I can play, too?”

  “Maybe.”

  “But Miles, I told you what I want.”

  “I know. And my main goal in life is to give you what you want. Most of the time. Right now, I need to be in control.” I see her eyes widen, which is not what I want at all. “I won’t hurt you in any way. I promise. But I need you to listen to me, to let me dominate you this time. It’s my nature, Alex. I’ve let you be in control before because I knew you had to take that back for yourself. If we’re going to be together, though, I need to be myself. ”

  “Okay
. I trust you.”

  “You didn’t hesitate.”

  “Of course not. I love you, Miles. If you need to boss me around, then do it.”

  I kiss her sweetly and then go into her closet for some scarves. I tie one to each of the metal bedposts at the top of the bed. “I want you to hold onto these for me. Okay?”

  “Just hold them?”

  “Yes, but don’t let go unless I give you permission.”

  She nods and gets another sweet kiss from me as she grabs the ends of the scarves. I have to reward her for being such a good girl.

  Next, I unbutton the bottom of the jersey. Just a couple buttons, so I can push the fabric aside and see her pretty pussy. It’s glistening for me, already. I smirk up at her as she bites her lip. “I like this.”

  I run a finger across her slit, which causes her to arch her back and moan. “You love it. Tell me.”

  “I love having you tell me what to do…in bed.”

  I laugh, because I know she means it. Outside of this bed, I’d be slapped for trying to tell her what to do. I spread her legs wide and bend over for a quick taste. Oh yeah, this is going to be fun.

  “What do you want, Xandy?”

  “You. I want you.”

  “Be more specific. What do you want right now?” I ask as I give her another lick.

  “Your mouth. Please, your mouth. And tongue. Please.”

  “Well, since you asked so nicely…”

  I situate myself between her spread legs and get started. I lick into her opening, putting my tongue in as far as it can go. She’s bucking off the bed, and I haven’t even gotten to her clit yet. I play for a few moments as she moans my name, and a few four letter words, before moving to where she really wants me.

  I circle the swollen bud with my tongue, before sucking it into my mouth. I also move my fingers to the front. I let them play with the opening, but don’t put them in. Yet.

  “Miles, please.”

  “What, baby?”

  “Your fingers. Please.”

  “Do you want them in you?”

  “Yes. Please.”

  I push two in as I go back to her clit. She lets go of the scarves to touch my hair. I immediately still my movements. She understands and her hands are gone within seconds. It only takes a few more strokes before she’s coming hard. I don’t stop, letting her build back up into one more orgasm before I withdraw my fingers and mouth. I sit up on my knees and look her in the eye as I lick my fingers.

  “You’re being such a good girl, Alex.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “I know. That’s why you were rewarded.”

  I push my briefs down, letting my cock spring free. I grip it in one hand and start slowly stroking it. She looks down and licks her lips. “Miles.”

  “You jealous of my hand?”

  “Yes.”

  “You want to suck me off?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Let go of the scarves and move to the side.”

  She does, and I lie back on the pillows in the middle of the bed next to her. She reaches out for me, but I lightly push her hands away.

  “Sorry.”

  I stop what I’m doing and look her in the eye. “Never apologize for anything in this bed. Even if you’re saying ‘no’ to something. I’m not done being in control yet, but I never want to hear you apologize. Especially if it’s for wanting me.”

  “Okay. King.” She smiles at me, and I smile back.

  “It’s yours. You can use your hands right now. But only for this.”

  She moves over me and takes me in her mouth. There’s no sweet licking or sucking. I’m going deep as she plays hard. It only takes her squeezing my balls once to make me come. I almost black out, it’s so good.

  I feel her let go of me, but she doesn’t come lie next to me like I expected. I open my eyes to see her still kneeling between my legs; her hands are behind her back.

  “Are you okay, Xandy?”

  “Yes. I’m just waiting for my next instructions.”

  I didn’t think I could love her more, but she just proved me wrong. “Come here.”

  I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. She runs her nails over my chest as I kiss her, over and over again. I whisper thank-you, along with some dirty things, as she scratches me lightly.

  “What else do you need?”

  “Just you. Thank you for that.”

  I’m hard again already, of course. There’s no down time with her. I shift us, so that I’m over her, and enter her slowly. We both moan as I fit perfectly inside of her.

  “We can be like that any time you need it, but I’m not calling you ‘Sir.’ I mean it.”

  “Duly noted. ‘King’ is more than good enough.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  I see all the love I feel for her reflected back at me in her eyes. I don’t know why I ever tried to walk away. I’m not going to be that stupid again. I move a little faster because I want us both to come again. Then we can talk.

  * * *

  Alex

  I want to stay in bed, but Miles has other plans. “Let’s talk before I lose the little bit of control I currently have and ravish you again.”

  “I think I want Option B.”

  “Talk first. Then ravaging.”

  “Fine.”

  I start to get off the bed, but he stops me. “Where did you get the jersey? And the hat?”

  I look away as I answer. “I bought it all the day it went on sale. I have a bunch of jerseys, t-shirts, hats, key chains. Anything with your name and number on it, I have it.”

  “Why?”

  “I was so proud of you. Even if you didn’t want to see me, to be my friend ever again, I was going to support you. I-I was there when you played your one game.”

  “You were?”

  “Yeah. I waited outside to see you, but you were…umm…occupied.”

  “Fuck. I’m so sorry, Alex. If I’d seen you, I…well, I don’t know what I would’ve done, but I know I would’ve been so happy. Even if I didn’t show it.”

  He turns me around to face him. We’re both on our knees as he looks into my eyes. “I love you, Miles.

  “I love you, too. You were wrong about something you wrote in the baseball card album. Those cards weren’t the most important thing to me, then or now. You are. I’m going to show you that for the rest of my life if you’ll let me.”

  “Are you asking me to marry you?”

  “Would you say yes? Even after everything?”

  “Yes. I would.”

  “I’ll remember that for when I do ask you. Today’s not the day—although, I hope you know that I’m committed to you in every way possible. I’m yours.”

  “I’m yours too, King. I think that’s enough talking for now. Show me your crown.”

  He laughs, but things turn serious rather quickly. We spend the rest of the day, and night, showing each other our love.

  * * *

  Miles

  Alex and I have been back together for a month now. Things couldn’t be going any better. I love waking up to her every morning and falling asleep with her in my arms at night. Actually, passing out at night is probably a more accurate way to describe it. We still can’t get enough of each other. She lets me be in control most nights, but I let her boss me around from time to time.

  The times away from the bedroom are great, too. We watch movies, go to restaurants and shows, and have taken a few weekend trips to Disneyland. Disney will always be rooted in our history, and we both wanted to keep it in our present as well.

  Today, I’m headed to the foundation for a meeting with my gram. She scheduled it with my secretary. Yes, I have the same one. She’s grown on me, especially since she seems to really like Alex. I don’t know what the meeting’s about, but I’ll get an extra few minutes with my girl, so it’s all good.

  I walk into the foundation lobby and Alex smiles at me before getting up from her seat. “Are you ready for the meeting?”


  “I guess so. It’s just with Gram.”

  “I’ll be there, too.”

  “You will?”

  “Yeah. Let me just set up my phones, and we’ll head back.”

  “Okay. Is this bad? We’re not in trouble for dating, are we?”

  “It’s good. I promise. She loves that we’re together.”

  That’s a relief. I thought she did, I mean we have dinner with her and Matt once a week, but I was worried that someone had complained. Alex doesn’t work for me, or even the company itself, but you never know.

  We walk down the hall, hand in hand. Alex stops at the door to a room I’ve never been in. She smiles at me as she uses a hand scanner and an eye scanner to open the door. I step inside after her and see a room full of people. Everyone is smiling at me. Alex pulls me to the two open seats at the bottom of the star shaped table. I sit next to her and look to my Gram.

  “Things aren’t always as they seem, Miles,” she tells me. For the next ten minutes I sit in shock as she tells me what the foundation and girls really do. She explains that I’m only being told because Alex has chosen for me to know. I squeeze her hand and kiss her temple when I hear that. After she speaks, they let me ask questions.

  “Wow. That’s just…wow.”

  “I wanted you to know for two reasons, Miles,” Alex tells me. “One, you need to know that your father can’t hurt me, or you, again.”

  “Is he…umm…dead?”

  “No. He’s somewhere remote and can’t leave there.”

  “Oh. Umm, cool, I think. Can I ask you something? I’ve been wondering about this for a while.”

  “Sure. You know I’ll tell you anything.”

  “Who got my baseball cards?”

  “That was Darcy.”

  I look over to the orange haired pin-up girl. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. It was fun.”

  “You said there were two reasons?”

  “Yeah. We have a ton of connections, obviously. I talked to the owner of the Blaze the other day. We helped him with a little problem he had with one of the people in his headquarters. He would love to have you back for the last couple months of the season, Miles.”