New Beginnings : A Novella (Men of Whiskey Row Book 2)

by D. A. Young

  “Quite a bit, I’m sure. Even so, the winners were getting those gifts at a steal. Thank you very much for donatin’ to a worthy cause.” The prizes included services from On a Whim and R. R. & S., spa gift certificates, and huge gourmet baskets featuring Romankov wines and liquor.

  “It was my pleasure. I was proud of the three of you and the speech you gave.” Noelle blinked back tears and Jack pulled her tighter. “I’m sorry, it’s these damn hormones.”

  “You are fine. Thank you for my portrait. Tell Theo, he’s welcome to come around, as long as he doesn’t look or touch,” Jack said seriously. Yesterday morning when he walked into his office at Americana Traditions, he’d come to a full stop. Hanging on the back wall behind his desk, was a painting of Noelle. She was wearing exactly what she had on the first time he went to her home, and their wild crazy journey was set in motion. Her eyes were unfocused and she wore the dreamiest expression on her face. It was truly a work of art.

  Jack was riveted by the painting. Then he noticed a white card taped to the bottom. He carefully removed it and opened it.

  Sullivan,

  This portrait is called ‘Look of Love’. I planned to feature it in my new collection, when Noelle called and inquired about it. She asked for it and I was going to refuse, but then I asked her why she wanted it so badly. Noelle said it was because she knew it was a masterpiece. It was, but she had no way of knowing that. I asked her how she knew and she said that it had to be, because it revealed her feelings for you. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what a lucky bastard you are.

  Theo

  No work was done that day. He went home to find Vivienne, Ian, and Noelle playing with Ruby. After greeting them and kissing his daughter, he handed her to Ian and took his wife upstairs, where he spent the entire morning making love to his wife.

  “I will, but I don’t think he’ll be taking me up on that offer anytime soon. Hey, looks like Holt just arrived,” Noelle observed. Jack spun them around in time to watch Holt as he headed for Alexei. “Oh, dear. Should we be worried?”

  “Nah, I think it’ll go okay,” Jack said unconcernedly. “Come on, baby, let’s go take some pictures.”

  Holt found Alexei standing with Kat and her mother. Her eyes lit up with happiness when she saw him. He lost focus as his gaze focused on Katerina, who was a vision in silver. Her dress had a heart-shaped bodice of sparkly sequins with a frothy, tulle floor-length skirt. Her silky curls were pulled atop her head and she wore her signature red lip color.

  “Did you need something, Brammer?” Alexei asked in hostile tone. Could this motherfucker please stop looking at his daughter like he wanted to have relations with her right in front of him???

  “Good evenin’, Mr. and Mrs. Romankov. I hope you’re enjoyin’ yourselves this fine evenin’,” Holt addressed her parents, but his gaze remained on Kat.

  “We are, Holton. How was your trip?” Vivienne asked cautiously, watching how Alexei’s left eye was starting to twitch. She turned to her daughter for assistance, but she would be of no help. Kat looked as determined to be with Holt as Wile E. Coyote was to catch the Road Runner.

  “It was fine. Kat, how’ve you been?” he asked with concern. After he left Jack’s house, he replayed their conversation in his mind over and over again. Doubt kicked in and he was scared he’d frightened her off. Either way he had to know what her answer was.

  “I’ve been good, Holt,” she said with a big smile, still unable to believe that Holton Brammer wanted her. But here he was, looking extremely handsome in his black tux with that shoulder-length blonde hair slicked back into a ponytail, ready to declare himself. She glanced at her mama, and she wore a ‘girl, get your man’ expression; but Kat wasn’t sure if it was because she approved or because her father appeared to be hanging on by the barest of threads. Vivienne gave her a wink and she relaxed. Her mother was saying that she had her back. “I believe you have something to say to my father, is that right?”

  Holt’s eyes turned hotter, and Vivienne had to grab Alexei’s hand and intertwine it with her own. The feeling was like coming home to her, and she could tell he felt the same as he relaxed and his fingers wrapped around hers.

  Before Holt could speak, Alexei spoke the words everyone was waiting on. As if in pain, he ground out, “Treat her right. Or there will be hell to pay.”

  “Yes, sir.” Holt spoke respectfully, holding his hand out to Kat. She turned to hug her mother tightly and then her father.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, before grabbing Holt’s hand and allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.

  Vivienne tried to release her grip on Alexei’s hand, but his tightened. She glanced up to find him watching her with eyes the color of indigo. He was asking her for more, but she wasn’t sure she could give it. “Alexei...”

  He was adamant, “Not tonight, Vivi. Tonight you are my wife, and I am your Lex. Now let’s dance.”

  She smiled slowly. “Okay, Lex.”

  ***

  “There aren’t enough ways for me to say how proud I am of you guys,” Sidra declared and was rewarded with a nuzzle to her neck. “I really am. You guys are the real deal MVP’s.”

  Casey started to reply but something caught his attention.

  “Well I’ll be,” Casey whispered as he watched Vivienne step into Alexei’s arms. “Would you look at that?”

  “It’s about time something happened,” Sidra said cheerfully. “I hope she gets some tonight.”

  “Ewwwww!” Casey replied with a grimace, and Sidra laughed uncontrollably. He noticed men trying to check her out on the sly, so he allowed his hand to drift down to cup her bottom. Mine.

  Sidra gave him a look that said she was aware of what he was doing. “Why don’t you just pee in a circle around me, Sullivan?”

  “I’m hearin’ lots of sass outta you tonight,” Casey leaned down to whisper into her ear. “Keep it up and I’m gonna have to spank that pretty, lil’ pussy tonight, baby.” He enjoyed the way her nipples hardened under her emerald green satin dress. “Have I told you how amazing you look tonight?”

  Eyes heavy-lidded with desire, Sidra said, “Nope, it’s all you. You were born to wear a tux. I’ve been watching little Ms. Dayton checking you out. I have to admit; she’s got a mean side-eye game.”

  “Oh yeah? Well can we talk about Dominick Harris and why he follows your every move?” Casey’s eyes were full of irritation as he glared over her shoulder and Sidra knew he was staring at her boss.

  Sidra pouted sexily, “Baby, are we really going to spend the last hour of this year fighting?”

  Irritation turned to interest as Casey leaned down to nibble on her lower lip. “What’d you have in mind, darlin’?”

  “You, me, champagne, and a bed,” she said seductively, licking the corner of his mouth, loving the way his grip tightened on her bottom.

  “What about the fireworks?” he asked lifting his head to look down at the dazzling beauty who’d given him the chase of his life. Casey was thankful that she was giving them a chance. It seemed between the two of them, they had a lot of baggage, but as long as they were willing to help each other unpack, they would be just fine.

  “Silly man,” she whispered lovingly, reaching up for another kiss. “We’ll make our own.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Can I have your attention everyone?” Avery asked as she spoke into the microphone. “The fireworks will begin in five minutes. If everyone could please make their way to the side doors in a nice, orderly fashion, they’ll begin shortly. Thank you.”

  After watching everyone walk out of the ballroom, she carefully set the microphone down and stepped down from the stage. Tonight’s event was a raging success, and she was so proud of the work she and Noelle had accomplished. Maybe when she got back to New York she would take a break, before springtime madness started. No, she’d go to a tropical island. Yeah, that sounded good, a nice getaway where she could reconnect with herself.

  For the past thre
e years Avery had placed her eggs of love, joy and happiness, in a basket, and then given it to someone else to carry instead of watching carefully over the basket herself. It was time to carry her own basket, put her big girl boy shorts on, and start on her own journey. She was tired of worrying about when she was going to find someone to love her. She needed to love herself first. Yep, that’s what she would do. She was walking by the photo booth when a hand shot out, grabbed her, and dragged her into the small booth.

  Terrified, she opened her mouth to scream as she swung wildly at her attacker in the confined space. But he quickly covered her mouth at the same time that she registered the familiar scent.

  “Cryin’ all night, Ms. Avery!” Darby groaned in a loud whisper, rubbing his shin. “I think you broke my ankle.”

  Avery was so mad, she punched him again as he started laughing. “You scared the shit out of me! I thought you were some wack job…Why would you do that?!”

  ‘Because, I’ve been tryin’ to get your attention all night!” he whispered furiously. He sat down on the bench. “I knew you were busy, but I didn’t get a chance to tell you how beautiful you look and to thank you again for the wonderful job you and Noelle did.” His voice turned husky as he continued, “That tonight was perfect, and that I wish you understood what I was tryin’ to say to you on Christmas.”

  The air in the little booth was charged with electricity as they surveyed each other. It was now or never, Darby thought looking into her big wide eyes. “C’mere, Ms. Avery. You’ve been drivin’ me crazy all night long in this dress.”

  Avery took the three steps that would change her life forever. “How am I driving you crazy, Darby?”

  He leaned back against the wall to look up at her, his big hands gripping the fabric of her dress and bunching it around her thighs. Avery felt the delicious, cool air hit her overheated lady parts and moaned softly. Darby’s hands touched her skin, and Avery placed her hands in his red locks, running her hands through them over his ears and his jaw. His eyes closed in pleasure as her soft hands caressed him. He sat up and was eye level with her breasts. “Come closer, and I’ll tell you.”

  Without hesitation, Avery stepped forward again and Darby’s long legs caged her in. She shivered as his warm, peppermint breath caressed the swells of her breasts. One hand slid underneath her dress to cup her bottom, and the other started the slow unzip of her strapless dress. The bodice fell forward and she attempted to catch it, but he slowly shook his head no. Trapped in his emerald gaze, she let her hands drop, allowing her large breasts to be revealed.

  “This is what’s been driving me crazy, wondering if your breasts would be everything that I imagined? So full and luscious topped with Hershey kisses, coated in beautiful, brown skin that’s so smooth and flawless? They are. Now my next question was if you would like and say the things I would do to you? There’s only one way to find out. Slide your panties off, and then place your leg right here. Hurry up, we don’t have much time.”

  Outside the crowd counted down. Ten, nine, eight, seven,….

  Avery was shaking under his verbal seduction as she quickly obeyed him. The way he was looking at her made her feel incredibly sexy. Darby watched her like she was everything he’d ever wanted. Her breath caught as his thick fingers brushed her wet center, and his eyes glittered with approval. “You’re very wet. Do you like being this wet?”

  “I do.” She grew bolder, “I like the way you’re looking at me. It makes me feel…”

  “Tell me how it makes you feel.” His fingers gently touched her swollen nub and she shuddered. “I think I know how it makes you feel. Do you trust me to help you express yourself?” His expression was intent as he watched Avery bite her lip nervously, and then nod her head resolutely. “Good, before we start, I want you to feed me.”

  Avery eagerly cupped her breasts and offered them to him pressing them tightly together. She purred as his warm mouth laved her nipples, before suctioning them into his mouth. “Sooooo, good, Darby. Please. God yessss. More.”

  Darby was in heaven as he suckled harder on Avery’s breasts, loving her throaty moans of ecstasy. It was more than he ever imagined it would be and then some. He damn near bust a nut just from sucking on them. Her sensual perfume and arousal filled the booth, and he wanted to unbuckle his pants and pull her onto his cock. All night long, he watched her smiling and chatting with guests as she mingled, just doing her job, completely oblivious to the numerous looks of admiration she was receiving. He knew what the problem was. She didn’t feel attractive like a woman should. She wasn’t embracing her inner goddess, and while Darby couldn’t make her love herself, he could certainly help her get her groove back.

  “Turn around, love. Bend over and touch the wall. You’ll have to stay quiet,” he urged, scooting forward and lifting her skirts. She did as he requested and it brought her big, round, plump gorgeous ass level with his face. His eyes rolled back in his head with pleasure and he bit one cheek. Darby pressed the camera button and went to work. Locking his arm around her waist and one around her thighs, he plunged his tongue into her wet goodness and wiggled it around. Avery jerked and covered her mouth to muffle a scream. He rotated between slow strokes from her clit to her rosette, to deep thrusts with his tongue. Avery trembled and whimpered as she tried to be quiet, and Darby felt sorry for her because he was completely relentless in achieving his goal that she find absolute pleasure in his arms. And she tasted soooo good.

  He could tell she was close as her legs started to shake, and she was backing that big ass up. Darby had to resist the urge to smack it, as he didn’t want to draw attention to them. He reached under her and pinched her magic button. Avery came with a scream as the fireworks outside reached a crescendo. He slurped up the flood of juices that she released, before turning her around pulling her down on his lap and plunging three fingers into her hot tight pussy. He kissed her hard, allowing her to taste herself on his tongue as he swallowed her moans and gasps. Then he gentled the kiss to enjoy the softness of her full lips and eager tongue, as she gave back as good as she got. Avery took control; riding his fingers that were fucking her mercilessly, and the student became the teacher as she yanked on his hair and explored his mouth thoroughly. Darby pressed his fingers against her g-spot and sensually rubbed, smiling into her mouth as her pussy clamped down hard on his fingers, and she came apart all over again.

  Gasping into his mouth, she leaned against him, stiffening when she felt that thick log against her bottom. She looked at him with stricken eyes, “But you didn’t come.”

  “Ssssh, baby, this was just for you.” He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips again as he slowly withdrew his fingers. “Happy New Year, Ms. Avery.”

  With a laugh, she kissed him again. “Happy New Year, Darby. Don’t you think we’re past the point of no return? You should probably, just call me Avery?”

  His grip on her tightened. “Nope, you’ll always be my ‘Ms. Avery’.” He thought to himself, until I can make you my Mrs. Sullivan.

  ***

  Darby checked to make sure the coast was clear before helping Avery out of the booth.

  “You didn’t give me back my panties, sir,” Avery reminded him, blushing as she remembered the way he licked his fingers clean with a look of enjoyment, before helping her off of his lap.

  “And I don’t plan on doing so,” he replied with a cheeky grin. “But I am going to give you this.” He reached into his tux pocket and pulled out the strip of photos for her to see. He watched her face change from curiosity, to chagrin, and then finally admiration. “Looks like you like her as much as I do. I knew she was in there; you just needed the right motivation to bring her out,” he said gently and she shook her head no in disagreement.

  “No, take credit where it’s due, Mr. Sullivan. I just needed the right person. So what now, Darby?” Avery asked, keeping her eyes focused on the pictures. The camera had captured every one of her facial expressions as Darby appreciated her body. She looked
like a woman in the throes of passion, one in tune with her body, and the pleasure it could give and receive. And Darby was the one who finally brought it out of her. The way he worked his tongue and fingers… his beard brushing sensuously against her ass…Avery shivered, and he quickly removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders, and then wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to him.

  “Now we find out who you are. I know what I want, but I need you to find out who you are and what you want. Take your time,” he said, holding her closer. Darby told himself he was doing the right thing, giving her this time; and he prayed to God he was right and that she would come back to him.

  Avery wrapped her harms around his waist and prayed that he would wait for her and like what she found out about herself.

  So lost in their own thoughts, they didn’t notice the small group sitting by the entrance doors.

  “Hi, Ms. Avery,” Jenny called; and startled, Avery looked up to see Jenny, Odell, and a small boy sitting there. It seemed like they were waiting for someone or something.

  Darby watched them, careful to place himself slightly in front of Avery. The woman’s face held desperation. The man’s face held something like remorse, but also relief. The little boy’s face held anger and hatred as he stared at the man and then at him and Avery.

  “Uh…I saw you stay behind after everybody went outside and thought this might be the best time to talk to you.” Jenny’s face turned tomato red. “Then I realized you were busy, so we watched the fireworks from over by the doors.” At Avery’s horrified expression, she hastened to reassure her, “Don’t worry, you weren’t that loud….”