by A. P. Watson
I lugged my suitcases to the elevator inside Jacks’s apartment building, my anticipation growing with every floor it climbed. Unlocking the door, I rolled both suitcases inside and shut the door behind me.
“Jacks?” I called out.
When there was no answer, I walked back to his room to see if he was still in bed. His room was empty, and there was no sign of Jacks or Ford anywhere. I headed back to the kitchen and found my note on the counter. Jacks must have been taking Ford for a walk. I used his absence to my own advantage and carried the suitcases back to his bedroom. Jacks had a massive closet, and after staring at it for a few minutes, I decided where to put my clothes.
There were extra hangers in the guest bedroom, so I grabbed as many as I could hold and headed back to his bedroom. I began sliding my clothes on hangers and placing them in the closet. Jacks had a ton of suits and dress shirts hanging up, but there was still plenty of room. I placed my skirts, crop tops, and dresses next to his clothes, enjoying the way our things looked together.
I had just finished with the first suitcase when I heard the door close. The scuttle of paws echoed on the wooden floor.
“Hey!” I shouted.
“Wren?”
“I’m in the bedroom.”
Jacks’s tall frame filled the doorway as he pushed the bedroom door open. “Hey.”
I placed another dress on a hanger and glanced at him over my shoulder. “Hi.”
“What is all this?” he asked, pointing to the second suitcase I had lying on the bed.
“Oh, that’s my stuff.”
“Yeah,” he said with a laugh, “I can see that.”
My fingers brushed against the emerald pendant hanging from my neck and rubbed the smooth stone. “I brought all of it here because I’m moving in.”
For a fraction of a second, mischief flickered in his eyes. “You are?”
“Yep. Better get used to it darlin’.”
He breathed deeply, inching closer to me. “You know what your accent does to me.”
I glanced down, slowly raking my eyes over him until I met his gaze once more. “I can help you out with that if you’d like.”
“There’s nothing I want more.” His breath warmed my flesh as he bent to whisper in my ear.
“So, you’re okay with me moving in?”
“I’ve wanted to live with you since last October. Watching you hang your clothes next to mine is a fucking dream come true.”
The sweater I held dropped to the floor as I flung myself at him. Jacks caught me in midair, and my legs instinctively hooked around his waist, cementing our embrace. His lips found mine, kissing me as if he were afraid I’d disappear at any moment. The softness of his mouth was divine, and I longed to have it all over my body.
“I do have one condition,” I said once our kiss finally ended.
“What’s that?”
“Can we put the pole back up in the guest bedroom?”
His mouth curled into the most sinful grin. “Fuck yes.”
Jacks carried me over to the bed, and we crashed on top of the soft mattress. Not to be outdone, Ford hopped up next to us, desperate for attention.
“Hi, baby,” I cooed, scratching the back of his ears.
Jacks petted Ford’s coat as he stared at me, his focus narrowing on the pendant around my neck. “I can’t even begin to describe how happy it makes me to see you wearing my mother’s necklace.”
“I’m glad,” I whispered, my thumb tracing the chain around my neck. “It’s the most beautiful, extravagant piece of jewelry I’ve ever owned, and I’m honored to wear it.”
“That makes me think of something.”
“And what might that be?”
“I was thinking we could go to Vegas instead of Hawaii.”
“Vegas?” I questioned, my brow furrowing.
“Yeah.”
“We could get into a whole lot of trouble in Vegas.”
“Precisely.” The wink he gave me made my skin flush with heat.
“I’ve actually never been to Vegas.”
“You mentioned there was one thing you’ve always wanted to do there . . .”
I gasped, my mind immediately settling on something I’d told him months ago. Hello, sinus tachycardia. My heart pounded furiously, its rate increasing by the second. “Shut up. It’s not funny to tease a girl about shit like that.”
“I’m not kidding.”
“We’ve barely been back together for a day.”
“I knew I wanted to be with you from the moment we met, chipmunk.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, chewing on my lip. “Because you don’t need to feel obligated to say those kinds of things to me.”
“You’re already my best friend and the woman I love more than anything,” he whispered, taking my hands in his. “And now, I want to make you my family.” My breath hitched in my throat as he planted a soft kiss on my knuckles.
“I want to be your family too.” I smiled, placing my forehead against his. “David would be so proud of us.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“It took us a while, but we finally got it figured out.”
The tips of his fingers caressed my cheek as he drew my mouth toward his. “Some pair we are.”
“Some pair.”
epilogue
six months later
MY FINGERS TOYED WITH the strings of my satin robe. “Are you sure you’re ready?” I asked through the door.
“If you make me wait any longer, I’m literally going to combust.”
I laughed at Jacks’s reply and slowly opened the door. “Poor baby.”
“Do you even know how long I’ve been waiting for this night?”
“How long?” I stepped toward him, my fingers tugging on the white ribbon fastened around my waist. Instantly, the sides of my robe drifted open, revealing the beautiful lingerie I’d chosen. White lace covered my curves, while a matching garter belt kept my sheer stockings in place.
“Way too fucking long.” I smiled at his reply, desire simmering in my veins. He appraised me hungrily, his own yearning radiating from his body. “God, you’re breathtaking.”
“Why thank you, Mr. Carmichael.”
“As always, it’s my pleasure, Mrs. Carmichael.” His hand snagged my wrist, jerking me forward. “Although, very soon, it will be your pleasure.”
“Not so fast mister,” I scolded. “Tonight is special, and we should take our time.”
“You realize exactly what you’re doing to me, don’t you?”
I took a few steps back and dropped the white robe to the floor. “Little ‘ol me?”
“Fuck,” he groaned. “Just to warn you, I’m going to rip through everything you have on.”
“It’ll cost you.” I chewed on my bottom lip, thinking about how wonderful his words sounded. “Because this is bridal lingerie and I ordered it for our special occasion.”
His fingers grazed the garter belt leisurely before eventually freeing one side of my stocking. Then, without warning, he bent forward and ripped the delicate netting all the way down to my ankle. “Well, I’m sure whatever store you purchased it from won’t mind ordering you another.”
Slowly, he tore the stocking from my other leg. Warm hands traced a series of circles on the inside of my thigh. His touch felt so good, I moaned with delight. “That’s nice.” I eased the tuxedo jacket from his shoulders, dropping it to the floor. Then I slid the tie from around his neck, my hands playing with the silky fabric. “So, I was thinking . . .”
“Okay.”
“Since this is our wedding night, I think it’s only proper we celebrate it right.”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” he asked seductively. Those brown eyes surveyed every inch of my body. The lust saturating his gaze was so overwhelming, it nearly crumbled my composure.
“Yes, but I wanted to make sure you were excited.”
For a brief second, his attention dropped to his lap. “You mean you can’t tell
?”
I shimmied the garter belt over my hips and tossed it at him. “Maybe I want you to show me.”
Mischief flickered in the features of his face. “Oh, I can do that.”
I unfastened the bra I wore and discarded it on the floor. My hands caressed the curves of my body as I stepped toward my husband. With every movement I made, Jacks adjusted anxiously in the chair he occupied. I could tell he was dying to touch me, but I wanted him to wait just another moment. Playing with the edges of my panties, I swayed my hips back and forth in the pattern of a figure eight. “I thought you were going to show me,” I teased.
He gripped my waist, his hands yanking me into his lap. I rolled my hips in slow circles just above his crotch. “I’ll gladly show you, but for now, will you keep dancing for me?” he questioned as I continued gyrating on him.
I undulated over his lap for a long time while his hands stroked my skin. “How is that?”
“Really good.”
I tossed my hair out of my face, each inch of my body moving slowly, deliberately. Ripping his shirt open, I watched as buttons flew through the air in every direction. Once his bare skin was on full display, I turned around, still rubbing my ass against him. Heat from his chest transferred to my back as he leaned forward to nibble on my ear lobe.
“Keep dancing,” he ordered.
“Whatever you say, Mr. Carmichael.” I parted his knees and dipped in between them to the floor. Then, I straightened my legs, slowly rolling my spine upward until I was standing in front of him.
“Damn, I’m loving this view, Mrs. Carmichael.”
I folded in half at my waist once more, my hands skating over the backs of my thighs. “Maybe you should come and get a little taste,” I said with a smile.
“Fuck yes.”
He removed his shirt and threw it on the floor, his gaze never leaving mine. I swayed my hips back and forth while my fingers slid over the delicate lace of my panties. Jacks reached for me and I gasped as the white lace was torn from my flesh. He grinned at me victoriously, the remnants of my panties hanging from the tips of his fingers.
“So, you are excited.”
“I’m watching my beautiful wife dance for me. Of course I’m excited.” His palm trailed down my front, over each breast, and my back arched in response to his touch. “But I’ll keep showing you how excited I am.” His tongue replaced his hand as he licked my flesh.
“Please do,” I moaned.
Just as I was about to unfasten his belt, Jacks’s mouth claimed mine.
Our lips moved together, tasting and sucking in a crazed frenzy. His tongue massaged mine, prompting me to open to him even more. My hands caught in his hair as I deepened our embrace. At the moment, there was no such thing as too close. Jacks and I had promised to spend the rest of our lives together earlier tonight. We pledged to love one another body and soul. I never really knew what it meant to be cherished until he showed me. But now that I knew, I was never letting go.
Jacks’s lips trailed the length of my neck causing me to sigh. “You’re my wife.”
I chuckled at his statement. “That I am, and I have the huge diamond to prove it too.”
His hands moved to cradle my face. “That diamond was made for you.”
I looked into his eyes, losing myself in the dark depths. “No, my wonderful husband, you were made for me,” I breathed, pressing my mouth to his.
End Book Two.
Playlist for You Deserve Better
We Hit A Wall by Chelsea Wolfe
I’m Not Lonesome by 10 String Symphony
Flickers by London Grammar
The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
Closer by Kings of Leon
Bloodstream by Stateless
Hurricane by Fleurie
The Scientist by Coldplay
Sirens by Fleurie
Got It by Marian Hill
Exxus by Glass Animals
Sunset by The XX
Gravity by Sara Bareilles
If I Didn’t Know Better by The Civil Wars
When You Say Nothing At All by Alison Krauss
Interlude by London Grammar
Volcano by Damien Rice
Sit Next To Me by Foster The People
Don’t Forget About Me by CLOVES
I Gave You All by Mumford and Sons
Work Song by Hozier
Touch by Shura
Acknowledgements
As always, I want to start out by thanking my wonderful parents. Mom and Dad, your support and love mean the world to me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without either of you. I love you both so much! Steph, you have always been such an inspiration to me. You are a beautiful force of nature, and I’m so blessed to call you my sister! Tamara, you are the best editor I could ever ask for! Your advice and guidance have helped mold the stories we have worked on into books that I am so proud of. Thank you for understanding my characters and my voice as a writer! Brittany, I want to thank you for the unwavering support and input you gave me while I wrote I Know Better and You Deserve Better! You are the ultimate sass queen, and I’m so glad to call you one of my best friends. Bri, thank you for answering any questions I had and allowing me to draw inspiration from your stories. You’re amazing! I also want to thank my beautiful pole momma, Natasha, and all my wonderful pole sisters for their endless love and support. I’m so glad to be a part of your tribe! Tiffany, I sincerely appreciate you always being willing to read whatever I send you, no matter what time it is! You pushed me to pursue writing from the very beginning and your love, encouragement, and friendship mean the world to me. I love you! Jeff, I’m always thankful to have such a wonderful writing companion and friend in you! Your creativity is unmatched and I can’t wait to read more of your work! Suzy, Miranda, Mychal, and Kendall, you guys are the best! I am so thankful to have you guys as my beta readers! Your opinions are absolutely invaluable, and I’m glad to have all of you in my corner! I also want to give a huge shout out to Lindsey, who has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders! I know you’ll always have my back no matter what. Scott, thank you so much for your support, kindness, and the beautiful pictures you’ve made me! I truly appreciate all of it! I also want to thank my boyfriend, Will for being there for me whenever I need him. Thank you for helping me recover lost words and for believing in me. Your love and encouragement mean everything to me! I love you!
Coming Soon
Read the story of how Terayn and Ryan first met in the next book in the By Your Side Series: Not Without You
Other Titles
Seeds of Eden (The Concilium Series: Book One)
I Know Better (By Your Side Series: Book One)
About the Author
A.P. Watson grew up in the small town of Estill Springs, Tennessee. Growing up in a rural town allowed her imagination to run wild, and she soon began making up stories in her head at a young age. This storytelling eventually transformed into a love of writing. She is an avid reader, enjoying a variety of genres and authors from Jane Austen to Charlaine Harris.
When she isn’t reading or writing, A.P. spends the majority of her time dancing. She has been taking pole dancing for the last four years and couldn’t be more in love with the sport. A.P. has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from East Tennessee State University and is currently working on obtaining a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing. She has over six years of experience as a critical care nurse. She currently resides in Johnson City, Tennessee with her adorable pup, Elle.
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