by Layla Hagen
I laughed, taking that as a sign that he was okay since he was shooing me away. Dad wasn’t a man of many words.
I kissed his forehead before grabbing my bag and leaving the house. I wasn't sure what to say or do. Should I go to Dylan’s office? Was he even at the office, or was he at home? It was late, but then again, he was dealing with a crisis.
I played with the phone in my hand all the way back into the city. I didn't want to call him when I was riding the train because what I had to tell him was intimate, and I didn't like everyone overhearing. But by the time I arrived at the station, I lost my nerve, so instead of calling Dylan, I called Isabelle.
"Hey, Isabelle," I greeted when she picked up.
"Hey, I was just going to call you."
“Oh? Why?”
"First, you tell me why you're calling."
I laughed nervously. "Well, I've been wondering if you've been talking to Dylan."
"I have," Isabelle said without giving any other detail.
"You're going to make me pull the words out of you, aren't you?"
“Yes, I will. I'm enjoying that everyone calls me for advice."
"Everyone? That includes Dylan?"
"Obviously."
"How is he?" I asked.
"Well, he and Ian are going to Seattle for a few days. I think he just boarded the last plane available today."
I stopped walking, bringing a hand to my chest. Oh my God. He had to be very hurt and upset with me if he left without even talking to me first. I teared up.
"Was he that mad?" I whispered.
"No, silly. That's not why I’m playing intermediary. I think you might not be the only one who doesn't know exactly what to say.”
I sat on a bench outside the station, listening intently. "So, about those tips?" I prompted.
Isabelle chuckled. "First, I need some answers from you."
"O-okay." I hadn't expected this.
"Do you miss him?"
"A lot."
"And you do know he cares so much about you that he has been bending over backward for you the past few weeks?"
I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. “Yes.”
"So you understand that pushing him away is never, ever an option, okay? Don't. It crushes his spirit."
"I know."
She let out a loud yelp that made my ear ring. “Okay. You've passed the test."
I laughed despite feeling down. "What?"
"I wanted to make sure you're head over heels."
"Okay, so you had to rake me over the coals first for that?"
"That was not raking you over the coals. That was me asking a few questions."
"Right." I fiddled with my thumbs, wondering how it felt when she really raked someone over coals. “You were much more understanding earlier today.”
“That’s because I wanted to be the shoulder you cried on. Now I’m the devil’s advocate. So about that advice. I suggest you pick up the phone, tell him everything you told me."
I frowned, waiting for her to continue. When she didn't, I asked, "That simple?"
"Yes. People always think feelings are complicated, but they are not. Just saying them out loud is enough most of the time, and it's the most important thing."
I knew she was right, but gathering the courage to make the call was another thing.
“When is he landing in Seattle?” I asked.
“Umm, not sure, but I’ll message you the flight details.”
“Thanks.”
Isabelle messaged me almost immediately after finishing the call. He was landing about now. My heart somersaulted. I was not ready for this. I decided to wait until I was in my apartment. By then, he’d probably also be settled at his hotel.
On the way home, I worked up the courage. Not wanting to risk losing it, I called Dylan’s number as soon as I was out on my balcony. My hands were a little shaky. I had to tell him how I felt, that was all. And I was hoping he wouldn't shut me down. He couldn't. He'd asked Isabelle to be here for me today, for God's sake. That had to mean something.
Biting my lip, I brought the phone to my ear. The call connected after two rings.
“Hey, I hope everything's working out in Seattle. Listen, I've been talking to Isabelle, and she said some smart things. I love you, Dylan. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I want to make this right, but I don't know how. Isabelle said that telling you how I feel is enough, but I don't know.” I bit my lip again, then decided to add some humor because I didn't know what else to do. “So I'm thinking of buying this nightgown that—”
“Hold it,” Ian said.
Oh my God, I'd been talking to Ian. I was so mortified. I didn't know what to say.
“Why didn't you tell me before it was you?” I sputtered after a few seconds.
“You didn't even pause to breathe, woman, but my brother will not forgive me if I hear more about your nightgown.” He emphasized the last word, so I was sure Dylan was next to him. “He's already giving me the evil eye. I thought you should know.”
“How is it my fault?” I asked.
“It's not, but I wanted to share it.”
“Give me the phone,” Dylan said from the background. Even though he sounded a bit far away, his voice was still commanding.
I put a hand on my stomach. It twisted with nerves, but I was also feeling some butterflies.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Dylan
A vein popped in my temple. Ian was flashing me a stupid grin, wiggling his eyebrows as he handed me the phone.
"You and I will talk later," I told him through gritted teeth.
"I can't wait," he said before leaving my hotel room. We’d scheduled a meeting with the committee tomorrow morning, and we wanted to go through our plan tonight. I brought the phone to my ear as soon as I was alone. "Hey, it's me."
"Hi." It was more of a squeak. She sounded nervous.
"Sorry about Ian. He was in my room, and he was just being Ian."
"I'm mortified," she whispered.
“Why? What did you tell him?"
"How I feel about you." She groaned. "Took me so much courage to call, and now I lost it all."
I laughed at how adorable she sounded. I was on edge, but I didn't want that to come through. She was nervous enough as it was.
"I heard something about Isabelle and a nightgown." I paced the room, listening.
She laughed nervously. "Well, basically I told him—I mean you—that I love you and.... Yesterday morning I got a bit into panic mode, and I don't know where all that stuff came from. But you're the best thing that's happened to me, Dylan. I love you, and I don't want to push you away. I don't want to be away from you. I want to make things right, but I'm not sure how. Isabelle said that getting my feelings out there by talking is the best thing to do, but I..." Her words faded.
I felt like I could breathe again. I wasn't sure why she'd called at the start. Part of me feared that she wanted to say more of the same. I was not too proud to admit when I was afraid.
“I’m not Elliot, Mel. You’re the most important person in my life. And I want us to go through everything together.”
“So do I,” she whispered.
"Where does the nightgown come in?" I asked playfully.
"Oh. Well, I was trying to lighten up the mood.”
"I want to see you, Mel. I need to stay here for at least two days, maybe more, but I want you with me. I don't like that I left without seeing you. And I want you."
“Shucks, you ruined my surprise.”
“You were planning to fly to Seattle?” I asked.
“I literally just thought about it while we were talking.”
“When are you landing?”
"Like I'll tell you. I need to have one element of surprise at least."
I groaned. "You're spending too much time with my sister."
"Hey, she has great ideas. Oh, and by the way, I do have one request."
"I’m listening."
"Ke
ep Ian out of your room."
“Done.”
***
The next day, Ian and I met with the committee's head in an office along Puget Sound. He didn’t have any good news for us.
“I spoke to the entire committee yesterday, and I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do. I’m sorry you wasted your time flying here,” Gary said. “And it’s a pity because your software would revolutionize the industry.”
Ian and I exchanged a glance—a silent understanding not to press this issue anymore. We knew when to push and when to conserve our energy and put our efforts elsewhere.
Standing up, I said, “Gary, thanks for meeting with us. We understand, of course. We’re going to move forward on our own and strike distribution contracts for the software. It would be faster with all the resources that the competition partners have, but we’re going to pursue it anyway.”
Ian and I talked until late into the night about this, and we concluded that there was no reason not to strike out on our own.
“That’s excellent news,” Gary said, shaking Ian’s hand and then mine. “I’m sure you’ll do well.”
We exchanged a few more pleasantries before leaving.
“That could’ve gone better,” Ian said once we were out of the building. “But I have a great feeling about doing this anyway.”
“So do I.”
The advantage of winning the competition would’ve been having access to all distribution partners right away, which would’ve meant a nationwide rollout from the get-go. Finding partners on our own just meant it would take longer, not that it wasn’t doable. I thought I was failing everyone, but my brother reminded me of the crucial fact that we’d already developed the product. We had the hardest part behind us. We’d find the right partners for the rollout eventually.
“Thanks for bringing that up last night. I didn’t even think about pursuing this independent of the competition,” I said honestly.
He clapped my shoulder. “That’s why I’m here. Our brains balance each other out. Yin and yang and all that shit. But I’ve got to be honest. It didn’t occur to me until last night either.”
Ian and I were different in that regard. I typically decided on a goal, set on a path, and wouldn’t stop until I reached the end. Ian was more flexible. He always kept the end goal in mind but was open to changing the path it took to get there.
We walked to the hotel, discussing our next steps. His phone kept vibrating with messages.
“Who’s texting you?” I asked.
“Henry. His sister Ellie is moving to New York. He asked me to look after her.”
Henry was Ian’s best friend back in D.C. I didn’t really know Ellie, since she was younger than us.
“When is she moving?” I asked.
“In a couple weeks.”
We talked about Ellie until we entered the hotel. Once we reached the floor where our rooms were, we walked to mine, intending to drop off our laptops before going out for celebratory drinks.
I swiped the card to unlock the door to my room, cracking it open. I glimpsed long legs and a black nightgown. Fuck. Mel was here. I was expecting her in the evening. I abruptly closed the door, turning to my brother, who was fighting laughter.
"Mel in there?" he asked.
"Whatever you saw—"
"I didn't see anything," he interrupted. "But your reaction’s priceless." Taking a few steps back, he said, "Okay, I'll go to my room, and you can forget that I'm here. I'll take myself out to celebrate alone."
I waited for him to take a few steps away so he wouldn't get an eyeful if I opened the door before going inside the room. I put the laptop on the floor, propped against the wall. Mel peeked from behind the wall before stepping out. I kept my hands wide apart, inviting her to jump in. Sprinting toward me, she put her hands on my shoulders and jumped in my arms. Oh, fuck. She wasn't wearing anything under her nightgown. I had her bare ass in my hands while kissing her. That mouth. Damn, how I missed it.
I explored her while walking with her into the room, then sitting down on the bed with her in my lap, her legs bent at the sides.
"I thought you might come later this evening," I said when we paused.
She shrugged one shoulder playfully, "I figured you did. So I took an earlier flight to surprise you."
Her nightgown was downright sinful, all black with thin straps. I could still see that her nipples had turned to pebbles. I grabbed the hem, intending to pull it over her head, but I realized the fabric was stretchy, so instead of taking it off, I just freed her breast. I tugged down at the part of the fabric covering the peak, twirling my tongue around the nipple. She gasped.
I liked exploring her like this while she still had her nightgown on. I traced the sides of her neck with my fingers and moved to her shoulders, pushing her hair out of the way. I trailed my mouth along her neck next.
"I'm so happy you're here," I said against her skin. I’d only freed one nipple, so I teased the other over the nightgown. She shivered, gripping my shirt. "You're important to me, Mel," I said while she took off my shirt and belt. Her fingers moved fast. She was desperate.
"And you to me. I'm here to show you just how important," she said.
I laid her back on my thighs, kissing down her neck. Reaching her chest, I took one hand away to free her breasts again, and she nearly fell from my lap. I caught her quickly, pulling her on top of me again. She laughed throatily.
"Why don't we move farther up on the bed?" she suggested. "To avoid any accidents."
"Best thing I've heard all day."
After repositioning us, I took off all my remaining clothes. She trailed her hand on my chest, moving to my abs and then even lower to my cock. I groaned when she teased her fingers around it. She wasn't gripping me, just moving them slowly, driving me insane. I needed more.
"Mel," I gritted out.
She smiled wickedly before lowering herself on me and wrapping her mouth around my cock, taking me in deeper and deeper. The feeling of her mouth on me was exquisite, but before long, I was insatiable, and I needed even more. I rolled my hips back and forth, enjoying the friction. When I heard her groan, I opened my eyes and saw she was touching her clit. Holy fuck. I nearly exploded right then and there at the sight.
"Mel," I groaned.
She looked up at me. She was driving me crazy. She kissed back up my body, still touching herself. I flipped her on her back, wanting to be in control, needing it. I kissed her shoulder and moved down to her breasts, tasting them first before moving even lower. I slowed my descent as I approached her pussy. She winced slightly, moving her hips slowly, determined to guide me down. I smiled against her navel before trailing my mouth back up.
“Dylan," she said, her voice full of urgency. I knew what she needed, but I wanted to draw it out a little more.
Reaching her breasts again, I lowered the part of her gown covering her nipples, taking one in my mouth, twirling my tongue around it while bringing my fingers to her pussy, rubbing down her clit. She was already so wet and ready. She shuddered at the contact, gritting out my name. And then she rolled her hips back and forth, taking her pleasure the way she wanted it.
I wanted to oblige her in everything and make her come like that, but I couldn't wait anymore. I needed to own her completely and utterly. I was lucky that the hotel kit had a condom. I slid one on and positioned myself at her entrance. She widened her legs, lifting her feet off the bed, changing the angle. I slid inside her and nearly blacked out at how intense this was. She was so damn tight. I held her legs bent at the knees over my elbows and moved in and out, watching her roll her hips too. I lowered one of her legs, wanting a free hand to work her clit, but she beat me to it, watching me with her wicked smile while she touched herself. This woman! She was so glorious, indulging in her pleasure, showing me exactly what she wanted.
I took off the nightgown, finally wanting her completely naked, and then sealed my mouth over her nipple, teasing it in circles with my tongue as I would do with h
er clit. Her reaction was instantaneous. She pulsed around me faster and faster, then suddenly grew so damn tight that I lost all control. She thrashed around, crying out my name.
"Fuuuuuck!" I exclaimed, and I thrust in and out through her orgasm, pounding and pounding until I was only aware of her and the pleasure. I couldn’t even feel my own body anymore.
I moved over, lying down on one side, holding a palm on her stomach.
"You have no idea about all the things I'd like to do to you," I said.
"Oh, I have a pretty good idea. That seductive look in your eyes said it all." She smiled saucily, tracing my lips with her finger.
“Thank you for coming to me.”
She turned on one side too, looking straight at me. “I’m sorry I made you think I wasn’t in your corner. I’m here for you, no matter what you need.”
I pulled her closer, kissing her forehead. I trusted her completely. I didn’t think I had it in me, but she proved to me otherwise.
She shimmied back on the bed, looking up at me.
“How did your meeting go?” she asked.
“They aren’t budging on their decision, but that’s okay. Ian and I decided we’re going to pursue it anyway, on our own.”
“Wow! That’s amazing.”
“It was Ian’s idea. He’s still congratulating himself on it.”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she hid half her face in the pillow. “Did he see anything when you opened the door?”
“No.”
“I’m already so mortified from the phone call.”
“Don’t be. There are no secrets in my family. And that’s more literal than I want it to be.”
She laughed nervously, still hiding her face. “So what does this mean? Are we going back to New York today? I took off a few days from work anyway, so I’m flexible.”
“We could go back, but Ian’s hell-bent on getting drunk.”
“It’s a good thing the two of us are here. We can look after him.”
“I owe him a ton of drinks. I think he’s already got a head start on us.”
She was looking at me with a huge smile, and I knew I wasn't feeling this inner balance because Ian and I had figured out a solution. It was because of her. She was my better half. She was everything—and all mine.
