“Even though you hate New York and the cold weather?”
“I don’t hate New York. It’s growing on me. I could get used to living there.”
“Are you planning to stay?”
“Yes. I have friends in the city. You met them.”
He snorted. “Three men. I bet they all want to get in your panties.”
“They don’t think like that.”
Austin frowned. “What about Marc. You slept with him.”
“That’s over. We’re just friends.”
“I don’t want to be your friend.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes. “Then, why are you here?”
“Because I want to be your husband. I want you to marry me.”
My eyes flew open. “You had that chance, and you threw it away.”
“Stop reminding me. We can be one again. I traveled all the way here to tell you that.”
“It wouldn’t work. You live in California, and I’m not uprooting myself again. I refuse to give in this time.”
“You don’t have to.”
“What are you talking about? You’d quit your job at USC?”
“I already did. You’re looking at the new professor of the English department at NYU.”
I gaped at Austin. “What! Suppose I said no?”
“I wouldn’t have given in. I would’ve begged and pleaded until you took me back.”
“This is messing with my brain. I can’t even wrap my head around this right now.”
“Then go back to your villa and think about what I said.”
“Suppose I don’t want to get back together?”
“Then I’ll take you to bed until you do.”
Austin seductively licked his lips, and the dull throbbing between my legs started to get worse again.
“You can’t seduce me into saying yes.”
A smile played lips. “Is that a challenge? I can read you, Sammy. You’re dying for me to fuck you right now, admit it.”
“You’re a smug bastard. How could you possibly know that?”
“Because your nipples are hard and you’re squeezing your legs together to find some relief. I bet your pussy is soaking wet and not from the swim you just had.”
“I hate you,” I whispered.
“I highly doubt that. Now go back to your villa and think about what I said before I take you to my bed.”
“Am I dreaming?”
“Do you want me to pinch you or rather pinch something?”
I swallowed noisily. “Not right now.”
Austin chuckled. “Then get up before I take your hesitation as an invitation.”
I rose from the chaise and started down the steps, hearing him gasp again as he viewed my backside.
“You have to stop wearing that bikini.”
“You said I’m a tease.”
I stepped into the water as he came to the edge of the deck.
“Right now, you are, but you’ll pay for it later.”
I swam away to my villa and went inside. It was true, Austin was here, and it wasn’t a dream. I peeked out my slider to make sure it wasn’t. He was lying on one of the chaises with his eyes closed.
I had a choice to make. I could rebuff his charms, which would be a tall feat given how I responded to him or give in to what I wanted. This man made me weak, which was so out of character. From the moment I met him at this very place, I couldn’t help myself.
19
I went back and forth for the better part of two hours. Austin was living in Manhattan now, and we could be a proper couple. I wouldn’t be traveling, and the ice queen melted months ago. I was softer now, but some of the hardness around the edges remained.
I guess Austin got worried my decision was no because he texted me and it was obvious from his tone.
Did you forget me? I thought it would be easier.
I’m debating what to wear when I come back over.
How long has this been going on?
An hour.
I decided not to tell him I’d been going back and forth for almost two hours. I knew the answer before I even started debating with myself. I wouldn’t be right until he was in my life. I wanted him to be my husband forever. I wanted him to be the father of my children if we had any.
A knock on the door surprised me, and I went to answer it. Austin was standing at the door still dressed in his swim trunks. I was my bathing suit, and when he pressed his lips to mine, he cupped the bare circles of my ass, kneading the flesh with his fingers.
“You’re still a fucking tease,” he murmured against my lips.
“But you love it.”
“I love you. I’ve always loved you from the minute I saw you walking to your villa. You ruined me for other women.”
“Too bad for them, you’re mine.”
“Let’s sit out on the deck and get nice and baked by the sun.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
“What’s the problem?”
“I’m dying here.”
“Wait just a little longer. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
I shivered in his arms because I knew what making love with Austin was like. We walked out to the deck, and he dropped to one knee, thrusting his hand in his pocket. He came out with the engagement ring I’d given him back months before.
“Will you marry me?”
“Of course.”
I held out my hand, and he slipped the ring on my finger. The newlywed couple in the villa across from us started clapping and yelled congratulations.
“We have an audience,” Austin said.
“They’re newlyweds. I met the wife a few hours ago.”
“Lucky them. I wish we were.”
“Soon enough.”
“Then we agree? I want to marry you as soon as we get back to New York.”
“We have so much to discuss. I need to tell you something.”
“What’s going on?”
Austin stood up and led me to the chaise, where we sat down together.
“Charge Media is being sued by someone I fired. He claims that I hate men. They interviewed people at Tailwind and Spotlight. That’s the case they’re building.”
“Quit.”
I shook my head. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not? You’ve earned it. I can support us.”
“You think that’s what I want? You to support me?”
“I don’t think it’s what you want, but it’s what you deserve. You’ve worked so hard over the past few years. Why not take a break. Suppose you get pregnant?”
“I would work until I gave birth.”
“Then what? Take two weeks off and head back to the office?”
“For fuck’s sake, we’re not even married, and you’re already barking out orders.”
“It’s not an order. I want you to rest. You look exhausted.”
“I am exhausted. I haven’t slept in weeks.”
“We’re here for the next week and a half. We can discuss everything. I want to be equal partners, and I would never order you around.”
“Neither would I. I don’t want to fight.”
Austin nuzzled me and whispered into my ear. “I like a little fight in bed.”
“You have to stop that if you’re not going to deliver.”
“Oh, I’m going to deliver sweetheart. You know I can deliver all night.”
Austin teased me most of the day, planting soft kisses on my lips and stroking my body nonstop. He couldn’t keep his hands off me, but he was controlled and measured, whereas I was ready to beg for him to take me to bed. The constant ache in my belly was almost too much to bear.
“Shall we order dinner?” he asked.
“Whose place are we eating at?”
“Your villa. It’s a shame mine will be vacant.”
“You’re there.”
“I’m not because I’ll be here. I’m not sleeping alone any longer. This is forever, baby.”
“I
need a bath. I feel icky from the saltwater.”
“I have to get my things. I should be back shortly.”
Austin planted a bruising kiss on my lips as we stood up, then jumped into the water to swim back to his villa since he locked the front door. I know he hated baths, but I desperately wanted to take one in the oversized tub that overlooked the ocean. I turned on the water and let it fill the tub, throwing in a generous amount of vanilla bath beads. The sun was starting to set as I removed my bikini and slipped into the water.
Austin came back a little while later with his suitcases. He placed them in the bedroom and came into the bathroom.
“Mmm, Sammy in the tub.”
I blew bubbles at him from my hand. “I wish you would join me. You never want to bathe with me.”
“I bathe with you, but it’s not in the tub.”
“Can you do this for me now? Please?”
He shoved his swim trunks over his hips and stepped into the generous sized tub, leaning against the opposite side. He touched his foot against mine and grazed his toes against my leg.
“Come here, baby. I want to feel you in my arms.”
I moved toward him, sitting between his legs. Austin pushed my wet hair away from my neck so he could plant kisses there. I moaned my approval as his hand traveled lower, and he flicked my nipples.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” I murmured.
He flipped my body around so quickly that some of the water sloshed out over the edge of the tub and landed on the floor.
“You’ve been begging for it all day. You’re a naughty girl.”
I reached between us and stroked his thick erection. He sawed his bottom lip before he moved in to bite mine and take it into his mouth.
“I want you,” I whispered.
“You know I don’t work that way.”
“Austin, the hell with how you work. I want you to fuck me. Enough with your chivalrous bullshit,” I growled.
He stared at me, then burst out laughing. “There’s the CEO I know.”
I grasped his cock and maneuvered so that I was poised over his head. I was certainly slick enough and had been for hours. Austin steadied me with his hands on my hips and pushed down, so his penis entered my swollen tunnel.
“Oh God, yes,” I cried.
I put my arms around his neck and rocked against him as he cupped my ass with his large hands. Our lips locked and tongues tangled as we made love. He pulsed inside me when I tensed and began to come.
“That’s it, baby, milk my dick.”
He thrust up hard, and I felt his hot cum erupt deep inside me, spurt after heated spurt until he was spent. When it was over, I nuzzled his ear.
“We didn’t use protection,” I said.
“Do you care? I got you pregnant before, and I’ll do it again no matter how many times it takes.”
“I hope it takes many times.”
“Even if it doesn’t, and you’re pregnant tomorrow, I’ll never stop making love to you.”
Austin and I spent most of our vacation inside. Several times I woke up, making sure it wasn’t just a dream. We were together and engaged. When we got back to New York, we would be married. We’d discussed it and decided to have a ceremony at my apartment, followed by a reception for our closest family and friends.
I changed my flight so we could travel home together. Austin was two seats away from mine, but we spent time sitting with each other. I wished the fold down beds were big enough so we could sleep in the same one. We arrived at JFK airport at 11:53 PM, exhausted but insanely happy.
“I need to get home and take a shower,” I said.
“Whose home?” Austin asked.
“Mine. You don’t have a home yet.”
He put his arm around my shoulders. “I was hoping you would invite me to share yours.”
“It won’t be mine very much longer.”
He frowned at me. “What do you mean by that?”
“It will be ours. You’re going to live with me, aren’t you?”
“Or we could buy a new place together.”
“I want to stay in my apartment. It has enough bedrooms and an office.”
Austin shrugged. “We could get something with a garden, maybe a penthouse.”
“Austin, exactly how much money do you have?”
“Something we can discuss another day. Let’s get home and get to bed.”
20
We got married at the end of January in a short ceremony in our apartment. Afterward, we had a catered affair for our closest family and friends. My parents once again didn’t bother to come to one of the most important events in my life. They were vacationing in Tasmania, Australia.
I guess I should’ve expected it since they didn’t care much for Austin and weren’t very happy we’d gotten back together. It didn’t matter to me because the ones I cared about were with us. Austin became good friends with Kurt, Ryan, and Marc, thanking them for taking care of me while we were apart. I finally got to meet Kat and Gavin.
It turned out Kat was very much like me, a driven woman who didn’t have much luck with men until Gavin. She started a software company and sold it for millions. Now her life is a little more subdued if you can call being the mother of three children subdued. I liked her instantly.
We chatted for a long time about her mastermind program, which matched those in the same profession with each other so they could collaborate. I liked the idea very much. Her company was in the midst of expansion, and she asked if I would be interested in leaving Charge Media. I told her I appreciated the offer and would think about it.
Austin got me pregnant some time on our vacation. I’m due in the early part of October and will be a first-time mother at the age of thirty-five. Austin will be thirty-seven soon. In this day and age, that’s not old for first-time parents.
On the night of our wedding, after all our guests left, Austin put on some soft music and whirled me around the room. Unfortunately, I had to run to the bathroom to throw up due to my pregnancy. When I came out, he read me a note his grandmother had written him before she died.
Austin found it among her things when he and Roman were cleaning out her apartment. There was one for Roman and one for him. His grandmother was a wise woman and knew her grandson well. Tears welled in my eyes as he read the letter to me.
Austin,
I’m so proud of what you’ve become. You and your brother were always a bright spot on my life. If you’re reading this letter, it’s because I’m no longer with you to say to live your life to the fullest.
Always be happy and try to make the best decisions to take you there.
I know you have a tendency to be stubborn, but put aside your pride when you know you’re wrong, even if you think you’re right.
Treat the woman in your life like gold, just like grandpa treated me. Teach your babies how to survive and thrive. And most of all, be kind to everyone.
All my love,
Grandmother
I blinked back the tears and went to him. “She knew you so well.”
Austin sniffled. “Yeah, she did. Funny that I put aside my pride and ended it with Jessie before she gave me this note.”
“Because you knew she wasn’t the right one for you.”
He kissed my forehead. “How did you like the wedding?”
“It was wonderful though I would’ve preferred not to give up what I consumed.”
Austin looked at me with concern. “Is it dangerous to throw up so much?”
“I could get dehydrated, but I’m drinking as much fluid as I can.”
“Was this a problem when you were last pregnant?”
“Yes. I couldn’t wait for my first trimester to be over.”
“Did you feel better after it was?”
I looked down at the floor. “I didn’t make it past. I lost almond before it was over, so I don’t know.”
He knitted his eyebrows together. “Should we worry about you losing this pregnancy
?”
“The doctor will keep an eye on me, and I’m to report anything that doesn’t feel right. I’ll be fine. Kat told me she almost died after she gave birth to Zachary.”
Austin nodded. “Yes, she had a urinary tract infection that got worse. I want you to be careful.”
“She gave birth when she was my age or near it. I can always speak to her.”
“She likes you. Both she and Gavin say you’re good for me.”
“I am good for you,” I chuckled.
He put his hand on my belly and rubbed it softly. “I can’t wait to see this little guy.”
“How do you know it’s a boy?”
“I just do. I can tell.”
“Well, don’t be disappointed when you get a daughter.”
“I would never. Anything that’s part of you is a gift.”
“As long as the baby isn’t as stubborn as its father, I’m happy.”
Austin chuckled. “Me? Look who’s talking. My wife…” he stopped talking and stared at me. “You’re my wife.”
“You just figured that out?”
“It sounds so good to say it. You’re my wife.”
He looked at the thick gold band on his ring finger and pulled up my hand to look at the diamond encrusted one on mine. “We’re married.”
“Austin, it took this long to sink in?”
“I just didn’t say it out loud before now. You’re my wife, and we’re married.”
“And I’m exhausted. I need to go to bed.”
“I’m sorry, but this is our wedding night. I can’t let you do that.”
“I don’t think you have a choice because the minute my head hits the pillow, I’ll be asleep.”
“Then I’ll need to make love to you in positions that don’t require your head to be on a pillow.”
I turned, and Austin scooped me up in his arms to take me to the bedroom. There he took his time making love to me, and I didn’t fall asleep the minute my head hit the pillow, he made sure of it. I woke the next morning in a state of bliss as my husband nuzzled my ear, which turned into another hour of lovemaking.
Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology Page 187
