by Catori, Ava
"Barbara," he said. "Who got to you?" I could imagine him making a mental list of all the competitors I could have left him for. "Whatever their offer is, I'm pretty sure we could match it."
"Oh no, you can't." I laughed and looked at Ryder locking the door behind us. "This is a once in a lifetime offer that cannot be refused!"
The grin on Ryder's face as I said those words was worth more than any raise. As a matter-of –fact, it was priceless. Ryder gently took the phone from me, turned it off, and wrapped himself around me.
A devious thought popped up. “Ryder, do you know what else besides a bra you didn’t pack?” Taking my hand, he climbed the stairs pulling me behind him.
Getting my car back would have to wait a little longer.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
As much as the bed called to us, I wanted to hold her in my arms. My normal thoughts would include stripping down as quickly as possible and making love. Only, Barbara had cuts from the glass and was still in recovery from the fire. I needed to cool my jets and move slowly. Tender love was vital as was keeping her comfortable. Hell, I was just assuming she'd want sex. Foolish. She needed security and warmth before she needed me fondling her body.
"It feels good to be home." She looked at me, her eyes full of love.
I wrapped her up in my arms. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I'd be just as happy to hold you."
"I can't think of anything I want more than to make love to you." She spoke her truth.
I leaned into her and kissed her forehead. "I don't know what voodoo magic you've been using, but I'm crazy about you," I said with a laugh.
"It's my secret," she answered with a wink.
I helped her remove her clothing, careful to watch for cuts that might be raw. I loved that her breasts were free and non-restrained. Lifting her shirt off, I bent to suckle on her pebbled nipples. I pulled one between my lips, drinking from it as if it would feed me. No liquid came out, but it didn't stop me from trying to consume her. With each lick and suck, a strong tingle pulsed between my legs. I could feel my cock growing, aching to be released from its cotton and denim dungeon.
She climbed into bed and waited for me to strip down and join her. The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know. I wanted to claim her, to bend her over and plow into her with passionate thrusts, but instead I snuggled in against her, forcing myself to wait.
We'd need to move slowly, carefully, and use delicate caution. I didn't want to end back at the hospital because while she thought she was feeling better, she still had a lot going on inside. I spooned behind her and cupped her hip with my hand. I stroked up over the soft curve and then down her thigh. She was plush, voluptuous, and dangerously sexy. There was no hiding my erection, which was now housed tightly against her ass.
"Somebody is excited," she teased. "I know you think you have to use a very soft touch, but I'm okay. They wouldn't have released me otherwise."
I growled a low whisper against her ear, "There's no hurry. I'm happy to keep you in bed all day long."
"I have work to do later--"
"No work. Not today," I said firmly. "Today you rest."
Barbara sighed and leaned onto her elbow. "I'm thrilled to be here with you, but there are things to be done--"
"That can wait." I finished the sentence for her. "Today, you're mine, and you're resting. Tomorrow, you can do whatever you'd like." There was no room for second guessing.
I cupped the bottom of her ass with my hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Do you remember that first day I was here? You were showing me what you wanted done? You walked up the steps before me, and it took every bit of restraint I had not to reach out and play with your bottom."
Barbara laughed. It was a beautiful sound that filled the bedroom. "I was so self-conscious, walking with my massive rear so close to your face. I was embarrassed."
"Well, there was no need to be. I found it quite, ahem, stimulating," I added with a wicked grin. My fingers traced her curves, as we talked leisurely in the large bed. It was comfortable spending time together, talking, laughing. I could see myself doing this every night. I'd fallen in love with this woman. I wasn't going anywhere. She was mine, I was hers. We belonged together.
She rolled to face me. Her fingers tangled in my hair, and then she slid her hand down my face. I'd skipped shaving this morning, so there was a bit of stubble. She played in the edges of those whiskers, and then traced my jawline. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"I could say the same thing. You know, I didn't expect to like you much after you almost took me out at the stop sign; imagine how surprised I was to fall in love."
"Gee, thanks," she said sarcastically. "It was an accident, you know. I didn't aim to hit you!"
"Well, good thing I've forgiven you," I said softly. I moved my head closer, close enough to feel her breathing. She closed her eyes and parted her lips. I brushed my lips to her and drank in the sweetness.
We broke our kiss only for a second. "You mean, I've forgiven you," she sniped quickly, "for almost running into me."
"You're a naughty one," I said, well aware she was teasing me. "Don't make me spank you and teach you a lesson."
"Is that a threat or a promise," she playfully returned.
We nuzzled into one another and then found our way back to the kisses that were waiting. Each small kiss grew more passionate. I slipped my hands around her head and pulled her tightly to me, as if I was afraid she'd get away. Barbara wrapped her legs around me, bonding us even tighter.
I rolled her on top of me. She winced for a moment and I froze.
"I'm okay," she whispered. "It only stung for a second."
"I don't want to hurt you," I answered, unable to look away from her beautiful eyes.
"You won't. Don't stop," she urged. "I need this as much as you do."
I nodded. I understood. After everything we'd been through, every hurdle we'd overcome to make it back to this bed alive and into each other's arms – we needed to reconnect intimately. A moment to say everything was right in the world, once again. We treasured each second as if it were the last.
"Sit up and lean back," I directed. "I want to look at you."
She tried, she really did, but her insecurities had her scrambling to pull her arms over her torso, wanting to hide from my loving gaze. I gently moved them.
"I want to see all of you," I said, encouraging her.
Barbara looked down, suddenly feeling shy, and tried to stay put on display. The exposure left her vulnerable.
I reassured her she was exactly who and what I wanted. I admired her openly. "You are gorgeous. Do you see this? This erection is for you."
She lifted her chin, examining my eyes for the truth. I stroked her hand and held it. I pulled her forward until she was lying on top of me. I wanted to feel every bit of her skin against me. She was soft and warm. I wrapped my arms around her back, keeping her against me. We listened to each other breathing, barely saying a word. I needed to hold her, to let her feel safe. After a few moments, I felt her body give in, relaxing into me.
Barbara slid off of my body and sat beside me on the bed.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"You said this was for me," she said with a small smile, before wrapping her hand around the shaft of my cock. She moved her hand up and down the length, and then over the head. Her other hand gently fondled my balls. I watched her play with my erection and quietly groaned as the wonderful sensations drifted through my body.
I stopped her before I came. Normally, I would have been happy to see it to the end, but I wanted to change course. I wanted her to have an orgasm first. I took control of the situation and guided her to lean back. It was my turn to make her feel good. I'd hold out and wait until she was taken care of.
My fingers drifted across her breasts and down her stomach until I circled my fingers in the small bit of hair. Barbara arched her back and sighed deeply as my fingers gently slid up a
nd down the length of her opening. Her eyes closed and she parted her legs, giving me better access to her sweet nectar, the honey that waited for me. Only I wasn't in a hurry to get there. I wanted to bring her close to orgasm, let her body be soaked in wetness, and then take her over the edge with my lips wrapped around her clit. Just the thought pushed my desire higher. I wanted to breathe in her scent and taste the dew that escaped.
Her moans were music to my ears, and when she lashed her thighs tightly around me, her hips tilting higher, I held on. I wasn't letting her go. She rode the wave of the orgasm as it washed over her, only I teased and flicked her clit, forcing her to stay in place as her most sensitive nub sent her reeling once again. She yelled out my name and bucked. I finally released my lips from her clit. Her body twitched and then the pleasure flooded her softly. I kissed her inner thighs, enjoying the show. As she came back to herself, I moved beside her to stroke her face and look into her eyes. I whispered my love to her one more time.
My cock felt like it might explode if I didn't get my rocks off soon. I was desperate to penetrate my lover. I had her slide to the edge of the bed and drop her feet to the floor. I wanted a good long look at her ass cheeks. I'd watch them jiggle as I thrust from behind her. She moved to the position I requested and parted her legs. I held my cock in my hand and slid it against her opening and pushed into her entrance. There was no stopping the loud groan coming from my belly. She felt so good. Amazing. Warm. Wet.
I grabbed hold of her hips and plunged into her. Barbara moaned and grunted each time I pushed farther inside. I tried to remember to be careful, tender, delicate in my touch, but I got carried away. I was dazed, watching her ass jiggle, plunging deep into her, and moment after moment, I inched toward an orgasm.
I felt the surge coming from my balls. I held fast, pushing one last final time. The jolt hit me as I came. A loud grunt, and then I collapsed onto her back. I caught my breath, and nudged her onto the bed. Climbing beside her, I snuggled in to my love.
It wasn't until I rolled on my side and faced her that I realized what had just happened. I reached down to my naked cock; there was no sheath over it, no condom protecting us. Panic washed over me for about ten seconds, before I found the words to mention it. Once the panic passed, the strangest sensation coursed through my veins. It didn't matter either way; I was going to ask her to be my wife soon enough.
CHAPTER FORTY
Morning, my love," Ryder whispered in my ear as he nuzzled next to me.
"Hey, morning glory," I answered not yet awake completely but enough to feel his erection in my back. I stretched and snuggled under the cover. The window was wide open and above my light quilt, the temperature was a little chilly, just the way I liked it.
After the brutal heat of summer, fall was as welcome as spring would be after the bitter cold of winter. Except this year, on my Jersey shore, there would be no bitter cold. The warm glow of our passion would keep us warm. Gosh, this sounded so corny but amazingly our hunger for each other grew with each passing day.
"No morning glory today," Ryder chuckled. "You have to be at the attorney's office for the closing and I have to be at the shop to check on the supply delivery. I want to make sure they deliver the proper tiles this time."
"Just one more minute," I pleaded while I turned around to face him and soak in his body heat.
Our morning closing wouldn't be the only landmark event of the day, but he had no way of knowing that. My doctor would also fit me in between two other patients to check on me and confirm what I thought. I just wanted to make sure, but I was pretty certain of what was causing my morning sickness.
It was our getting careless the day after the fire. It had taken a few days to replace my pills that had roasted in my handbag and when I started again it was too late. I was anxious to find out how he would feel about it. We had never talked about kids. We'd never talked about the future except where our new business was concerned, but then Hunter was the talker in the family.
"Where will you be working today?" I asked. Usually I didn't keep tabs on him but if the doctor confirmed my suspicions I wanted to come and tell him face to face.
"The yellow house," he said. "I want to make sure the roof is okay before winter arrives. The summer storms have been brutal and that place has been empty for as long as I can remember."
"Your dad told me but I can't remember. I'm so happy he’s onboard with us." The old man was a living encyclopedia about the town. He knew everything about everyone and he had been great to figure out who to reach out to when we decided to get our hands on all the cottages on my street that were abandoned or simply unoccupied.
The initial plan was to flip a few to grow my initial capital and then keep others as rental property. Given the size of the town, I realized we would soon run out of houses to flip, but then Hunter moved back and his expertise allowed us to become more ambitious.
Today we were purchasing the factory ruins for a song. DCD was happy to get it off its hands and this would be a huge project. There was more land than I realized and we were deciding what to do with it.
Crazy Annabelle who had twice tried to burn down the building was safely locked away.
Of course, now most people in town understood I had just been the messenger, but others were still mad at me. With time, I was certain it would pass. The good news was that no one had tagged my car since Ryder cleaned it up.
I was hoping somehow we could still get Brad onboard, if not for his initial project then for about anything that would create local jobs. He’d been looking into some new age businesses and they were all about the positive energy of nature. Well, we had the energy of the ocean to offer, maybe they could bottle that up right here and find a way to sell it.
City hall was so happy with us investing in the town, Hunter joked we could get the building permit even if we decided to build the ugliest bunker and paint it red and green. As long as there was a possibility of reviving the economy they would play along.
We had grand plans for this property. To get the best project for our budget, I prepared a tender offer which I planned to send to the best architectural schools in the country. Whoever won, we would hire to come work with us on the project. We were offering a gifted student an opportunity to whip up with something innovative and make a name for him or herself while, in exchange, we would get an original construction for an affordable price.
The closing went smoothly. The person DCD sent couldn't have been more uninvested in the transaction, and didn’t negotiate anything; he was content to sign on all the dotted lines. Hunter and I were the only ones excited about the entire process and when we were done, he hugged me and said, “I’m so glad I came back from California. It’s a good change of pace, and who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky like my brother and meet a nice girl.”
He smirked and nudged me. This was his way of showing he approved of me. One down, one to go, I still had to win over Ryder’s father. Though to be honest he was no longer as hostile as he used to be. Seeing his son happy might have had something to do with it.
Hunter wanted to talk longer but after a short exchange, I needed to leave. I had other plans.
"We'll discuss it tonight," I said. "You remember, you and your father are still on for dinner at our house tonight?"
"How could I ever forget," he said. "It's the only time I get a decent burger. My father likes them so cooked, it's like eating cardboard."
"Then we're good 'cause I have huge rib roasts in my fridge already." There was something about Bishop men and red meat. Having three of them for a meal was like inviting three tigers to the table.
"We're going to rock this town!" he yelled as he drove away on Ryder's bike.
One hour later I knew. Climbing back in my car, I wondered if Ryder would be half as excited about the news as Hunter was about our new project. There was only one way to find out and that was to tell him.
Driving my car, I fought with my insecurities attempting to chase away all negative tho
ughts. He would be delighted, he had to be. He said he loved me and when my brain was functioning properly, I knew he meant it. Our future looked good. Our business was starting to grow and we were developing in Ocean Crest where Ryder's loyalties ran deep. There were no reasons for him not to want a baby.
I parked my car at home and passed three bungalows that were ours already. I waved at a neighbor as I walked by her house. On a chair in her front yard she was soaking up the last of the sun. She had been the one checking on my place since my mother had died. I had no idea of her age, but Marge looked about one hundred years old.
Unlike an old grouch down the street opposed to any type of change, Marge was delighted to see us renovate the houses. She was happy we would be getting fresh blood in town. She'd actually helped us located some of the owners. "Nothing would make me happier than having youngsters running and bicycling up and down the street again," she said when we came to tell her about our plans. And then looking at Ryder, she added, "Of course, I will probably live to regret those words when teenagers start making noise in the middle of the night, but that's another story."
Ryder blushed a little and later explained that he and Tony may have played some practical jokes on Marge's nieces when they spent the summer with her.
My practical joker was coming out of the house just as I arrived. I pushed the battered gate and walked up to him. He opened his arms and hugged me.
"What's up, baby?" he asked. "How did it go?"
"The closing?" I answered. "It went fine."
He frowned. "Was there something else besides the closing?"
"Yeah." I looked up to him and said, "I had a doctor's appointment."
I watched him blanch. "Are you sick?" Ryder was terrified by the very thought of anyone he cared for being sick. The memory of his mother’s slow death was still vivid in his mind.
I shook my head and watched the color return to his face.
