“Well, he will be even more thrilled because I’m doing this all by myself, and he won’t have to lift a finger.”
“When you move as often as I have, you find the best. I have a team of great movers and there’s like ten of them, so it will be fast. They will put you in a chair and have you point and direct. If you can do that, you’re good. Have you thought about how to keep him from seeing the moving trucks?” Phyllis had moving down to a gritty science.
“His business partner is helping me with that part.”
“Sounds like you’ve got all the bases covered. I’ll be out completely by the end of the month. Gives you a few extra days.”
“Perfect. Thank you for making his wishes come true.”
It was starting to rain, so I headed home quickly. Back on my sofa, I picked up the photo on my end table, the one I’d taken the first day of our ski trip. I stored the photo after he left me because it brought painful memories. But now that he and Oliver my family again, I wanted to display to the world where we’d been, what we’d survived and how much promise we had.
I was proud of who Ian was and proud to say he was mine. We all have issues, some worse than others but, who’s to judge? What was most important is that he and I focused on staying together as a couple, and healthy in both mind and body. When he went with me to my counseling session on Tuesday, that’s exactly the advice we received from Margie. He took ownership of hurting me and admitted that he was a coward. He felt as though he wasn’t a whole man and because of that, didn’t deserve my love.
Funny, that’s why I was single when I met him. I didn’t feel whole either and didn’t think of myself as desirable.
* * *
It was the weekend before Ian finally touched me. He seemed less stressed with Jason back in town and working alongside him. With the renovation only taking two weeks, it was a mad rush. Plus, he was running the boys to all of their games and practices. With Oliver still living in Plano, at times, traffic could be a time vampire. Needless to say, he was busy. But, I called Denise and the next week she would take over kid duty until I was back on my feet, giving Ian some breathing room.
They hired the contractor I had used on the Bistro to bring back the same old world charm, and they decided to open the wall into the next door space and use part of that for storage until the business grew when it could be used for seating at a second bar well. I suggested the name of Zin Den on 5th and it stuck. With a name, it was time for signage, buying vests for bartenders and servers, acquiring napkins and other business fare. Guess who got stuck at home placing orders? The queen of ordering but that was my specialty and I’d learned over the years how to bargain with vendors.
On Sunday, the boys went to an indoor swim party for one of Oliver’s teammates, which gave us time to go sit in the space and study it. As Ian talked and threw out all of his visions, my heart swooned for him. This was the happiest I’d ever seen him. It was his passion finally coming to fruition.
“What about sconce lighting along the walls rather than drop downs over tables? That way you aren’t committed to table placement, especially for events?”
He ran to me and kissed me chastely on the mouth. “You’re brilliant.”
With a giggle, “I try, but you know—with a blonde, it’s a crapshoot.”
“Dropdowns over the bar or no?” He walked to the vintage counter and measured. “That’s very high and a long way for drop lighting.”
“I got it. Have shelving built down from the ceiling. Since the ceiling is all black, have black storage built for extra glassware or whatever as an extension of it and have the lighting suspended from that.”
“Like I said, brilliant. You really do know your way around design.”
I shrugged with a grin. “I try. But this is your vision.”
“I know, but not my field of expertise.” His face dropped and I saw the pain.
Trying to lighten the change in mood, “How many people get to experience all of their loves? You’ve experienced great sex, yachting, surfing, great sex, fixing broken bodies, opening your dream bar, great sex…”
He walked toward me with swagger. “Are you trying to tell me you’re horny?”
“If I have to spell it out for you, then you’re not feeling what I’m feeling.”
His lips turned in a cocky smile. “You remembered.”
“I remember everything about you.”
With a swift tug on my arm, he pulled me away from the front windows and sat me on the far end of the bar next to the back wall of the room. With plastic sheeting hung from the ceiling between us and the front of the building, no one would be able to see. He didn’t ask for permission, he took what he wanted and there were no complaints from me.
“I’ve been fantasizing about fucking you on this bar all week,” he said against my neck.
“Don’t let me stop you,” I teased.
Clothes flew off and he was in me before I could blink.
“Hmm, perfect height.” His mumble vibrated against my shoulder.
He took me slow and easy at first, but as his virile needs took possession, his penetrations rocked me to my core. A tug on my nipple gave me tingles and completion and when I came, he smiled with satisfaction.
“I love the way you flush. So fucking hot.”
His warm semen spilled deep inside me as he stilled. “I’m yours, forever.”
I know there is no perfection, but please God, don’t let there be a valley…
Chapter Nineteen
Three Weeks Later
Three weeks had passed and we were finally over the construction hump. Waiting for final permits put Ian and Jason both on overdrive with anxiety. All the lighting, decor, and furnishings were in place, but you can’t push legal paperwork, no matter how hard you try. Mr. Impatient was about to lose his mojo.
“Does it really take this long?” Ian grumbled over his coffee.
“Thanksgiving closed things down last week and besides, we had kids, grandparents and friends in and out of here for days as well. We’re going to make Friday’s opening, I promise. And then, you’ll get my surprise after that.”
“You’ve been teasing me with that surprise thing for weeks. I think you know the sex of twenty-percent and you’re just not telling me.” He laughed and put his newspaper down and laid his new glasses on top of it.
“I think Twenty-Percent is a great name and works with either sex, don’t you?” I couldn’t help but giggle.
He pulled me into his lap and I was just about to lay one on him when Oliver walked into the kitchen. He’d been staying with us a hundred percent ever since we’d gotten Denise full time again.
“Chelsie, I’ll move those boxes to the garage when I get home from school. Don’t be lifting them, promise?” He shook his finger at me.
I straightened my back in an obedient manner. “You got it, sir. I’ll be on my very best behavior. Thank you again for doing that for us.”
When he grabbed his backpack and ran out to meet Denise and Ty, Ian gave me a frowny face. “What was that all about?”
“Oh, he’s become, my little helper. His closet is full of financial records that I need to keep. He’s moving them to the garage so we have a place to hang his clothes.”
“I see that. When did that happen?”
“When he overheard you talking to Jason about the risks of losing the baby after our last sonogram. He didn’t even want to go to hockey practice.”
I read worry on Ian’s face. “I need to be more careful.”
I touched his nose. “Relax. Kids react to things differently. Ty’s swooping around here on cloud nine ever since you moved in, and here I thought he’d think of me like a whore for living with someone.”
“That’s a Carson thing. I’m glad he’s locked up because more time with him would have been horrible for Ty and a bad example of how he would treat women in the future.”
“Very true.”
He left to meet Jason at the office, and I dug out
my special notebook from under the couch. Operation Wedding was definitely underway and in less than three weeks, we’d be married and moved into Ian’s house. Since he refused to let me go to the boutique unless an emergency, I’d been going stir crazy, but planning was, at least, keeping me busy.
The wedding was going to be simple, but elegant because I wanted the photos of our family for years to come. A holiday wedding provided the backdrop and the home wouldn’t have to be decorated twice. The staircase in Ian’s home was my muse. The dark stained wood steps, iron spindles and grand curvature extended to a circular foyer that was perfect for a small wedding. A tall Christmas tree would be in front of the large windows at the back of the living area with chairs facing the foyer.
“Knock, knock,” Shawna let herself in.
“Where’s Sam?”
“Jorge’s mom has her on a play date. I love play days because I can get laundry done and groceries bought.” She placed her Starbucks cup on the counter and opened the fridge.
I laughed. “What are you looking for?”
“Cheesecake. Ian had some on a plate the other night when he walked over. Do you still have it? I’m craving sweets?”
“Nope, it’s all gone.”
“Dang.” She sat down on the sofa beside me. “So, you really don’t know the sex, huh?”
“Nope, but the way I’m growing, I’d say it’s going to be a big baby.”
“So, what’s on the agenda with Operation Wedding today?”
“Invitations are ready. Can you mail them for me today? I’ve called everyone and told them to keep the secret.”
“How are you handling the marriage license?”
Anxiety suddenly set in. I couldn’t speak.
“Chelsie, you do know that Texas requires you both to go to the courthouse and apply for a license and then wait for three days to get married?”
“No, I didn’t know; I got married in Arizona.”
Shit!
“Well, then that means I have to tell him, doesn’t it? But, I don’t have to tell him when right?”
“No. It might put him on edge, though.” She laughed.
Better to know ahead of time if he’s going to leave me standing at the altar…
I opened the notebook for her to see the final dress. It was the vintage style gown that Parker had put in the window. I fell in love with the low swoop of the back and, with the way the front fit, I had room for my baby bump. Ian and the boys were going to wear black tuxedos, and that was the extent of the bridal party.
She pulled a photo out of the pocket. “I love this cake. Is this the one?”
“You really are on a sweet kick. I show you the dress and you go for the cake.” We laughed. “Yes, the square layers will be covered in fondant and the edible pearls and jewels will be really festive.”
“So what do you need me to do?”
“If you can mail those invites, I think I’m good. Jorge is still planning to cater, right?”
Her palm went to her forehead. “Gah, yes and you created a monster. He’s been studying tapas menus for days now.” She checked her watch. “Nanna will be back shortly with Samantha, so I need to get to the post office.”
She hugged me. “I’m really happy for all of you. You know that, right?”
Tears came to my eyes. “I do.”
* * *
Later that night while Ian watched the evening news, I measured both boys for the tuxedos, saying I needed it for uniforms. They were the least suspecting. I thought about what to say to Ian about the marriage license and decided to go for it.
We were lying in bed snuggled together, having just made love. As we listened to the new music he found for the bar, I thought of the many ways that we soothed each other, both physically and mentally. He was running his fingers up and down my arm, I was intertwining his other fingers with my own.
“Still want to marry me?”
“Every single day.” His declaration soft.
“Then take me to the courthouse to get a license tomorrow.”
He sat up in bed as if a tornado was looming. “For real?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. He’d put on weight and more muscle from working out and at the moment, looked like the Tarzan of my jungle.
“Yes. I think a Christmas wedding is appropriate since that is when we met.”
“It was. Over a cookie swap, no doubt.” He leaned in and kissed me. “I love you—and cookies.”
“Yeah, one you orchestrated.” I rubbed noses with him.
“And I’d do it all over again.” He sat back on the bed. “So when and how do you want to do this?”
“Hadn’t worked all that out yet, but something extremely simple. Let’s get the license, then I’ll get the details figured out.”
“Was this the surprise you promised?”
“Nope,” I teased.
“You know, if you weren’t pregnant, I’d—”
I squirmed until I was straddling his lap. “You’d what?” I whispered in his ear.
“Fuck you until you told me the secret.”
He claimed my mouth, hard.
Breathless … “I. Think. I’d. Like. That.”
Seconds later, he was claiming me as his again.
And I prayed there was no end to our passion…
Chapter Twenty
Friday’s opening of the Zin Den was everything we expected it to be and more. We expected hiccups and we got ’em—one right after the other. I sat in my office at the boutique wiping glassware after the dishwasher flooded the bar. Jason and Ian pulled it out and discovered the installer hadn’t connected the plumbing correctly. They were lucky the water could be swept right out the back door, but all of the towels were used to dry the floor, so Ian ran to the closest store and bought every dishtowel he could find.
Next, one of the bartenders broke a vintage bottle of chardonnay that Ian was saving for the opening, and he was standing right next to the opened ice machine, which meant all of the ice had to be dumped. Ian was livid, but he held his tongue. We hoped it had time to recover before the opening. Wine usually isn’t iced, but ice is needed for some specialty drinks, and for those who want ice water. Not the end of the world, but definitely another issue.
On top of that, two of the new hires decided to take jobs elsewhere, which meant Ian and Jason would be serving and not free to visit with people as much. They didn’t know how to use the Aloha point-of-sale system that bars use to ring up drinks, so they were learning it last minute.
“Today is one damn thing after another,” Ian griped as he changed clothes in my office. “Can you run back to the house and get my other black shoes. These are killing me and I won’t make it all night. Make sure Oliver has his mouth guard in his bag. I saw it laying on the bar this morning.”
“Got it, anything else you can think of?”
He leaned up from slipping his shoes on. “I can think of plenty and it starts with that certain spot on the bar.”
I swatted him with one of the new towels sitting on my desk. “It was nice, wasn’t it?”
He was backing out the door. “Keeps getting better.”
* * *
After we had closed up the boutique, Isabella, Mick, Sabrina and Parker joined me for the opening. I sat in a corner booth and sipped on tea that Sabrina had brought with her. She looked beautiful in a red, silk cocktail dress with a halter neck. Her olive skin glowed.
“You’re stunning. Go show off that beautiful body next to Jason.”
She looked shy. “I can’t. He and Ian are talking with the Mayor.”
“Sweetheart, you want your own business someday. So you need to schmooze. Come with me.”
I introduced her to the Mayor as she joined Jason’s side. They were a gorgeous couple and seemed very much in love. I hoped it lasted because they were both so deserving. I overheard him tell her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. I’d also noticed he was practically living with her in the apartment, but they never talk
ed about it. In fact, they pretty much kept the relationship part quiet.
Ian pulled me close and moved me towards the booth again. “I want you to go home early. You look tired.”
“I’m doing okay, the baby is just really active and heavy.” I laughed.
Ian placed his hand on my belly. “She’s moving a bunch.”
“I know. So much activity, I wonder if it’s two.”
His eyes got big. “Tell me that is not the surprise.” He didn’t smile. “I don’t think I could handle twins right now.”
I giggled. “No, just one. You saw the ultrasound. Next week they’ll look again, so rest easy, Cowboy.”
“Whew. Okay, please go home. It’s late. We’re closing in an hour anyway.”
“Okay, you win. I’ll go.”
The boys had long been asleep by the time I got home. Denise was watching TV.
“How did it go?”
“Really well, they had a great turn out. It was standing room only. They booked several parties for the holidays and will be hiring more help next week. It’s a busy process, but he’s happy and fulfilling his bucket list.”
“I’ve been curious how you two are going to work opposite shifts and get any time together.”
I sat down in the recliner across from her. “I know. It isn’t going to be easy, but with both Parker and Izzy at the store, it’s no longer full-time for me. Ian’s goal is to have the same at the bar. He or Jason will always be in town, but they will rotate who’s on management duty. His goal is to have a manager by the time the baby gets here.”
“You look tired, honey. Get some sleep. I’m going home and will see you on Monday.”
The next thing I remember, Ian was waking me at three in the morning—and he smelled like perfume…
Chapter Twenty-One
Saturday was busy with a hockey game, a birthday party and a soccer tournament. Ian and I had to divide and conquer, each spending the bulk of the day with our own son. Later that afternoon, we all met up for an early dinner at Chili’s. The same place we had our first family date. Ian remembered it as well because he asked for us to be seated at that very same table.
Captivated On 5th Avenue: Book 3 (5th Avenue Romance Series) Page 11
