by Marie James
“Not trying to step on any toes Kaleb,” Ian breaks in. “We just want you guys to focus on each other without having to worry so much about security. Kaleb if you’re wondering about the passports we commissioned your mother on that front.”
Fucking Ian Hale thinks of everything.
“Your rooms should be stocked with appropriate clothes but of course call the front desk if you’re missing anything and they know to send someone out to get it. Focus on yourselves because before long my little niece or nephew will be getting all of your attention. Have fun you guys. We love you!”
The video goes black. They must have filmed this before our gender announcement yesterday.
This next week is going to be incredible. A week on the sand in the sun with the most beautiful woman in the world. I have to be the luckiest man alive.
“Wow,” Josie whispers beside me. “Are you mad?” She crinkles her nose up waiting for me to answer.
“Are you excited?” I raise my eyebrows up at her because as much as she’s trying to keep her face passive her eyes are shining like two of the bluest sapphires I’ve ever seen.
She finally gives in, her face taken over by an incredibly beautiful smile.
“That’s what I thought,” I say and kiss her perfect nose.
Just then the man who carried our bags on appears with two glasses of champagne.
Josie holds her hand up to stop him. “I can’t. I’m pregnant,” she explains.
“Sparkling cider ma’am,” he says and continues to hand her the long stemmed flute.
We sip on the cider as he carries over a tray of pastries, plates and cloth napkins and places it on the table before us. Not that I would ever want to get used to this type of treatment, but I’m sure as hell going to indulge while the opportunity is here.
“Where are we headed, sir?” he asks as he settles a small plate of fruit beside the pastries.
I look over at Josie and grin. “Looks like we’re going to Cabo.” His grin is contagious.
“I’ll let the captain know.” He walks toward the front of the plane and within minutes I hear the rumble of the engines and feel the shudder under my feet. We both buckle up and settle in for takeoff.
The minute the captain comes over the speaker to inform us that we are safely in the air and movement within the plane is allowed we are out of our seats and making our way to the small room in the back.
We have nothing better to do for the next several hours so we utilize our time the best by joining a club. A mile high.
Chapter 18
Alexa
Worst day ever.
If we continue to lose accounts at this rate, I’ll be out of a job before I even have a chance to decide on starting my own spa. We used to be the top of our game. A handful of viral videos later and now our spa services are what people are considering obsolete. It’s not something I want for myself but if fish eating off of your feet, having snails crawl around on your face, or having your hair washed with bull semen is what’s popular, we as a top spa in the Denver area should offer those services.
There are a few spas around town that have jumped on these new innovative fads and they are raking it in. The old money that owns and makes these types of decisions for my spa absolutely refuse to do anything now that may not be popular in a few years.
Normally that would make perfect business sense but right now the regular customers are not only going to these new spas they are cancelling standing future appointments. We are sinking fast and it is all on my head as the manager. There are only so many things you can do to draw in new customers. Not only is that happening, but the existing customers are starting to deplete. It may be time to jump ship to keep from going down with it.
I’m vegged out on the couch in a pair of not so sexy pajamas by the time Garrett gets home at seven. I smile at him and wave him over. A night hanging out on the couch watching TV sounds like perfection to me.
He frowns when he sees me. I immediately bring my hand up and wipe over my face thinking maybe he sees something I don’t realize is there.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Seriously? We have dinner reservations. I told you about it last week and reminded you about it yesterday.” He complains but the tone of his voice is more disappointment than anger.
I frown at him. “I honestly forgot, Garrett. I’d rather just stay home.” His face falls drastically which is a ridiculous reaction to something as benign as cancelling dinner.
“You sure? There’s still time.” He grins slightly and I hate to disappoint him but I’m just not feeling it.
“Can’t we just cuddle on the couch? I’m already in my pajamas.” I smile at him sweetly but honestly I want to kick myself because the next thought that comes into my head should never, ever be thought by a woman in her twenties. I’ve already taken my bra off is what I was going to tell him next. When did I get so lazy and complacent?
“Yeah, Angel. That’s fine. Let me go get changed.” This man is amazing. I know he doesn’t want to be cooped up in this house but he hasn’t complained about my recent morph into a homebody.
“I ordered takeout. Should be here in a half hour or so.” Garrett says twenty minutes later as he walks back into the living room.
He settles on the couch, lifting my legs and placing them in his lap. I know he’s showered because his hair is damp and smells divine. I close my eyes and breathe in the rich manly scent of his body wash. He’s in pajama bottoms and the dips and crevices of his pecs and abs call out to me.
“Bad day?” Ugh why did he even have to ask? He begins to massage my right foot and it feels amazing. So much better than dinner in public.
“It’s getting worse, Garrett. We lost eight more accounts today.” I shake my head because it seems like every time he asks the bad news increases.
He gives me a look of sympathy because he knows how much I used to love my job. The decline hasn’t been gradual. It is like how everything is nowadays. People see something, they want it right then, and there are always people standing around waiting to capitalize on it.
“I think it may be time to seriously start thinking about something else,” I admit to him.
“Have you given any more thought to my offer?” He asks casually even though I know the question is anything but casual. He’s wanted to back me for several months and I’ve always remained elusive.
“I have,” I tell him. His grin is from ear to ear. “But,” I hold my finger up to keep him from responding. “I don’t need you to back me completely. I have a decent amount in savings. Maybe we could go in as partners.”
He frowns again. He’s been doing that a lot lately.
“After the business begins to turn a profit and I’m able, I’ll buy you out.” To me that makes the endeavor win, win.
“I have no expectation of being paid back, Alexa.” He says, finally releasing my foot and angling his body more towards mine.
“That’s not a very sound business practice, Garrett.” He raises his eyebrow at my chastisement.
“Is that what you think I’m doing? That I’d offer to help get your business up and running as a business decision?” Usually Garrett would turn something like this argument that I’m certain is about to start into a way to punish me and make me come at the same time, but right now he just seems hurt and surprised I would think he wanted to be my business partner.
“You’re a business man, Garrett. Why would I think otherwise?” He’s been acting so weird lately and it’s throwing me off.
He closes his eyes and bites his bottom lip, almost like he’s trying to get his thoughts together before he says something he’ll regret. I wait him out because mildly upset Garrett is one sexy man and I could use a little of the aggressive side of him after the horrible day I’ve had.
I’m not going to purposefully push him because that’s just not my style, but I don’t back down or concede to him just because he thinks I should. Lately though he’s been more calm, more af
fectionate, and leaning more towards passion than the haste and aggression that he used to come at me with.
I love it, don’t get me wrong. Almost since the beginning of our relationship he would go back and forth between what I consider his different sexual personalities. The past month? Nothing but soft and sensual, well except for that time he caught me masturbating. That was a fun day.
“I love you, Alexa. You are not business. What I offer to you is from me personally not as part of some business maneuver.” He leans forward and sweeps me into his lap until I’m straddling him.
“That’s a huge offer. You should benefit from it as well.” I stroke my finger down his cheek lovingly.
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll benefit from your gratefulness. Often I hope.” He squeezes my ass cheeks and uses his grip to rub me up and down his growing erection.
“So essentially, I’m buying a new spa with my pussy,” I smirk at him but his ability to concentrate on my words left the minute my covered cleft put pressure on his cock.
“You know?” He says more to himself than to me. “I hate it when you cover my pussy.” He tugs on the inside of each leg of my pajama pants and rips it up the seam at the crotch, exposing my bare flesh. “Much better,” he praises.
“Ah,” I moan as his thumbs sweep upward on either side of my clit. Just the promise of his touch sends a shiver over my entire body.
He keeps his fingers dangerously close, yet so far away from where I need him. I know better than to swivel my hips. Nothing keeps him away from me faster than trying to take his power and control of the situation away from him.
He edges closer to my body and strikes at one of my nipples with his mouth. My sensitive bud, which is easy to find in my tank top since it puckered the second I straddled his lap, stiffens further as he pulls his mouth away leaving a ring of wetness on the front of my shirt.
I hum my approval and jut my breast closer to his mouth. He doesn’t take the bait but rather reaches inside my torn pajamas and rips them the rest of the way so they now hang separately on each leg.
“Shirt off, Angel,” he instructs as he begins to slide his hands under my hips.
I obey immediately and while I’m busy lifting the fabric over my head he begins to lift me up so I’m almost standing over him.
“Pussy in my mouth,” he urges and who am I to deny him?
He sweeps his hands inside of my legs and around the back of my hips. This has me almost sitting on his shoulders, my cleft against his hot, talented mouth. I do my best to hold some of my weight on my feet but a handful of licks and prods with his tongue and he’s managing all of my weight. He’s moaning against my tender flesh, so he doesn’t seem too put out by it.
I have to put my hands on the back of the sofa to keep myself from leaning all the way over him. I want to come not smother him. One hand instinctively comes up to grip a handful of his messy hair.
“So good,” I praise on a whimper as he nips at my clit with his teeth. I love his teeth. I love his tongue and the way his mouth is working over my body like his sole job is to bring me pleasure.
A hand leaves my hip and I feel his finger skate over the forbidden pucker he loves to tease so much. I gasp at the sensation, loving that too. A delicate touch is all he gives but the hand remains close, the dark promise still a possibility.
My hips begin to buck against him and his hands grip and move me, encouraging the motion.
“Garrett,” I pant. “Fuuuccckkk,” I moan and my body gives into him, convulsing and clenching; seeking out and not finding something to grip a hold of.
The orgasm was so powerful it exhausted me. Combine that with a rough, long day and I’m very near falling asleep.
“Stay with me, Angel. This won’t take long.” He kisses up my body as he lowers me back to his lap. “The taste of your sweet pussy always gets me half there.”
I don’t realize he’s pulled his pajama bottoms down his thighs until he lowers me straight on to his waiting cock. I’m filled from tip to root and suddenly much more awake than I was seconds before.
“So tight,” he says as I try to shift my hips to alleviate some of the mild discomfort at being filled without warning or preparation. “Fuck, Alexa. Hold still. I don’t want to come that fast.”
I close my eyes and will my body to calm. Eventually after what seems like ages he begins to slowly lower me up and down his length, his strong arms doing all the work. The feeling is exquisite and I curve my back enough so I can kiss his mouth. I sweep my tongue against his and circle my hips on a downward glide. I swallow his moans as he does mine.
“God, I love you,” he whispers against my mouth.
I’m amazed at how far he’s come. Once he was able accept that he loved me and spoke those words the first time, they suddenly became a part of his daily vocabulary. I’m a ridiculously lucky woman to have his heart.
“Shit.” He says pulling his mouth from mine so he can look in my eyes. “Can you come again?”
I nod my head yes and begin to take over, increasing the speed and rhythm of my ride. I can hear his teeth grinding as he does his best to hold off on his own orgasm so I can come again. I wonder absently what he’s thinking about to take the attention away from his cock which is buried over nine inches deep.
I’m very close and working hard to get there but it’s just out of my grasp. That is until that lone finger skates back over my back entrance. The effect is cataclysmic.
“Now,” I moan, giving him permission to let go, and man does he ever.
My orgasm begins to seize him in pulses as his begins; my name on his lips as he reaches the apex. I collapse against his chest. If I thought I was drained of energy before, I was wrong. Now I can barely hold my eyes open.
“Bed,” I beg against his chest.
He chuckles under my body, the action shaking me. “Give me a minute woman. You can’t treat me to amazing sex and then expect me to walk again within ten minutes.” I smile against his warm skin. “Go ahead and go to sleep, Angel. I’ll carry you to bed in a bit.”
The doorbell chime rings faintly in my head and I feel him lay me down on the couch as he goes to get dinner from the delivery person. I figure he just puts it directly in the fridge because he settles back on the couch and lifts me back into his arms.
I don’t know how long we stay on the couch tangled around each other but Garrett, true to his word, eventually stands with me in his arms and carries me to bed. The jostling of his actions only waking me partially.
He places me gently on the bed and stretches out behind me, wiggling until he’s flush against my back and his arm is draped over my stomach. Once again we are going to go to bed with no concern for the sheets and the mess we’ll have to deal with in the morning.
“At this rate, Angel I’ll never get to ask you.” He whispers against my head and I’m certain he thinks I’m sleeping and he’s said something he didn’t intend for me to hear.
So much for getting any sleep tonight.
Chapter 19
Lorali
“This is not what I had in mind when you said you wanted to go shopping for the nursery,” Alexa complains beside me.
We’re sitting in the lounge area in Macy’s and I’m thumbing through their catalogue while looking at the pictures on Josie’s baby board on Pinterest.
“They don’t keep much in stock as far as baby furniture is concerned,” I explain and turn the page in the thick book.
Alexa watches over my shoulder and points out the things she thinks Josie will like. I know she’s not super excited to be picking out baby things but she’s a good friend to Josie and will do anything to make her happy.
“Their wedding was kind of perfect, right?” I say somewhat dreamily.
“I was thinking the same thing,” she admits.
“The way he looked at her when she came out of the door.” I sigh. “Perfect. I can’t wait for October.”
I look over at Alexa and see her face fall. “I’m sorry. I know wed
dings and babies aren’t your thing.”
She shrugs and I go back to flipping through the catalogue. Now that we know she is having a boy we can select furniture that leans a little more masculine than gender neutral. I talked with Ian about the baby we hope to conceive soon. He’s adamant that he has no preference on gender but I couldn’t ignore the shine in his eyes when Josie and Kaleb announced they were having a boy.
I of course just want a healthy baby, isn’t that the wish of every mother, but I have no problem letting him know I want a boy first. A big brother to the second child is always a plus. Neither Ian nor I had one. Ian, as an only child, wants to have at least two children. He said his childhood was great but it would have been better if he had a sibling to spend it with.
Alexa stays quiet for some time and even her minimal involvement with the selections have stopped. I close the book and turn towards her.
“Spill it,” I say.
“What?” She says feigning confusion.
“Don’t do that. Don’t shut me out when something is obviously bothering you.” I press her. “Are you and Garrett having problems?”
She huffs, like that is the most ridiculous suggestion. “No,” she answers. “Just the opposite in fact.”
“So what’s wrong? Work?” I sit quietly while she debates whether or not to answer me honestly. The time delay hurts; she’s usually so open about what’s going on.
“Work is shit, but that’s not my issue currently.” She frowns. “I think Garrett is gearing up to ask me to marry him.” She scrunches her nose in mild distaste, as if saying the words leave a bad taste in her mouth.
“Shit,” I whisper.
“Yeah, shit,” she agrees.
“You’re going to tell him no if he asks?” I know she loves him and I seriously don’t understand her aversion to marriage.
Alexa has lost just about everyone she’s ever loved, her parents, her grandmother. She’s suffered so much loss it’s what turned her into the party girl she was until months ago when she and Garrett decided to make it official. She’s always been afraid of getting hurt because she feels like she loses everyone she loves.
