by Ace Gray
With a gentle nudge from his shoe, I spread my legs wider. Again, he stepped away. I was sure it was to look me over but I caught his back turned in the windows. He was bent over my desk just for the slightest moment. When he turned around, I heard the thwack of something heavy against his hand. I tried to remember what had been laying on my desk. Papers, millions of papers. The marketing slicks and the red pen I'd covered them in. A few portfolios and… I realized what it was just before the hard-backed book landed square across my ass. My breath caught but the resulting tingle sent electricity straight to my belly and racing down to my toes.
"The first time I ever saw you in those glasses you reminded me of this naughty librarian. I wanted to spank you with a book." His voice was already ragged. “And as I would like to remind you not to read me the riot act again, particularly regarding work, I think it's fitting."
Another quick snap rang across my backside. I couldn't help but moan. It spurred him to land three, hard smacks in quick succession. I could picture the vintage, woven cloth pattern from the cover and swore I could feel the small hash marks against my skin. The next time he swatted me with the book everything inside me clenched. He was going to make me come just from the spanking.
Of course, Nick read my body well enough to know.
I stood there breathing heavy, knees trying desperately to stay straight and hold me up as I waited for the next blow. Nick’s gentle touch returned to my body, running his hand up my inner thighs like he had done when my dress was still on. When he hit the slick spots between my legs, he groaned with pleasure.
He stroked me once, like before, but this time much more slowly, purposely trying to tease me. I whimpered against the glass as every inch of my body reacted to his touch. My chest sagged against the window but my hips stayed out hoping he would stroke me again.
Instead, he returned to the book, knowing just how close I was, and paddled me repeatedly until I was so on edge that my body quaked. Nick moved beside me, his hard cock pushed up against me and he wrapped one arm around me. I was only distracted for a moment before the book landed harder and faster, slightly lower, at the apex of my thighs.
I came. My knees shook and the hand he'd wrapped around me caught me as I sagged backwards. He'd known I would come violently. He'd planned for it. And he was more than enjoying the waves that shook my body against his forearm.
My chest thundered in response to Nick, and he bent to listen to the familiar sound as we sank together into my desk chair.
33.
"You can sit differently, Sweets,” Nick purred in my ear as I winced, my ass smarting against his thigh.
"I don't want to ruin your suit." I smirked against his skin.
Nick threaded his hands gently under my backside and shifted me on his lap. It was vastly more comfortable but I could feel the lightweight, soft fabric against every inch of my sensitive slit.
"It's just a suit.” He kissed my head and continued cradling me. After what seemed like forever, he sighed and moved his lips right up against my ear. “You really don't have cold feet?" he whispered and it tickled my ear but I didn’t dare giggle because of the trepidation in his voice.
Oh for fucks sake.
"Nicholas James Bryant, I love you with all that I am, all that I have. I pledge to be your faithful, loving, wife from this day forward." I stared deeply into his eyes as I said it. It was the only way I could think to reassure him.
He tried, and failed, to hold back a big, beaming, childish smile. "It's a little corny but I'll take it."
"Well the real ones are better. Did you finish writing yours?" I moved to wrap my arms around his neck and I winced as I shifted.
"Are you going to be able to sit down tomorrow?" He brushed hair behind my ear.
I laughed, drinking in his serious and sweet, deep blue eyes. I nodded and moved forward to kiss him then jump off his lap. Without looking back, I pulled my dress back on, zipped it, and adjusted my glasses. I combed my hair with my fingers and turned to look at him. I held out my hand and arched an eyebrow. He knew I was asking for my underwear but he stayed cross-armed and shrugged.
Fine.
I shrugged back and turned toward my desk. I made sure to lean far too deeply over the paperwork. He would see almost everything, even some of the color blooming across my ass.
He grumbled behind me but stood, adjusted his belt and picked up his jacket and tie. I could tell he was uncomfortably hard when he came close enough to hand me back the small scrap of lace. I took them just for the briefest second and then shoved them back into his breast pocket. I winked and shuffled the marketing slicks into an envelope with my notes.
“Got everything babe?” I said as I smiled.
He patted his pockets frantically, like something was lost, then landed on his breast pocket, letting out a deep sigh and nodding. I rolled my eyes at his gorgeous crooked smile then strode out in front of him.
I was standing in front of the elevator when Nick wove his hand into mine and pulled me to his office. He grabbed his BlackBerry, his briefcase, and picked up a landline to order a car. I waited patiently, though I couldn't force myself to stand still. The air sneaking under my skirt made sure of that. We walked hand in hand down to Scott's office to deliver the slicks then to the waiting car.
As soon as we stepped out onto the sidewalk he shifted behind me. Most likely concerned about what any sudden gusts of hot air might do. In the car he pulled me to his side and held me there. We both kept our devices tucked away. I traced the scar on the back of his palm and he aimlessly started tracing the one he knew was hidden under my dress on my shoulder. He kept his fingers on my skin all the way to the heliport and then into the darkening night sky.
Fading sunlight on the glass of the city soon gave way to the twinkling floodlights of estates along the coast. Our big gray house still stood, front and center, with the garage and racetrack to one side.
The only thing that looked different this time around was the giant tent that emanated a soft white glow from where it was positioned between the main house and the guest house. I could see the stone path we'd decided to lay for the ceremony, where it wandered from both homes to join together under an arch up against the sand line. I could picture where the chairs would go for the procession. My heart picked up pace and for the first time I was excited.
We landed in the middle of the track as usual and Nick carefully held my skirt down as he helped me from the helicopter. As we walked away from the whirring blades he undid his vest buttons and his collar. We aimlessly chatted as we walked toward the well lit main house but I got the feeling Nick was looking over his shoulder.
The night we’d watched Christopher from out here popped unbidden into my mind. My breath hitched and so did my knees. He looked over to me and he couldn’t hide his darkening eyes. Unease settled in my stomach.
“Nick,” I breathed.
“I know.” He squeezed my hand then yanked me up against his side. The softest crunching of grass came from the right. My body tensed and Nick shoved me, planting himself between me and the sound.
“Oh good, it’s you two.”
“Fucking Christ Brooklyn, you scared the shit out of us,” I swore over Nick’s shoulder while he lunged at Brooklyn.
“I will kill you if you do that again.” Nick added a few uttered profanities before and after.
“Sorry.” Brooklyn chuckled his signature chuckle.
“Why are you slinking around out here?” Nick asked.
“You know why.” There was no chuckle lacing Brooklyn’s voice this time.
“How worried do we have to be?” My voice wavered.
“As of right now?” I saw his dimpled smile in the shadows. “The wedding should go off without a hitch.”
“But?” Nick mellowed.
“There’s that feeling.” I finished the sentence and Brooklyn nodded right along with me.
“And that’s why I’m out here.” He smiled at us. “You guys should get inside.”<
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Nick squeezed my hand and looped it up and around my neck to pin me to his body. He kept that grip as he pulled me into the cacophony of noise that was our home. Wedding planners were scurrying, Jaime was deep in conversation on the phone, Wells was screeching from a crib, and Gemma was ordering every single one of them around.
Nick and I went straight for Wells. Even over the noise we could hear a “mama” and “dada.” I stepped out of my heels in the living room at the same time I bent to pick him up. Nick's hands went to shield my backside but as soon as I stood up, he slyly wrapped them around me. He bent to kiss the crown of Wells’ head and then shifted up to kiss my forehead.
“See teddy?" Wells was picking aimlessly at Nick's shirt buttons when he asked.
"He got a bear from Aunty Laura when she got here." Gemma walked up behind us. "She went to a bar in town." Gemma’s frown was a mirror of mine.
I felt compelled track Laura down and be her company as she drank in silence. Because that’s what she was doing. Some bartender was lining up tequila sodas with muddled lime while she aimlessly swirled the highball glass on its edge.
Her last real boyfriend was Dr. Malik Waters. Something had shifted in the universe the day I met Bryant. For as long as I could remember, she’d been the relationship girl, and I’d been prone to one night stands but we’d completely flipped roles. She said she was having fun but the darkening bags under her eyes told me she was distraught and filling a gaping hole too.
“Who’s she with?" Nick’s fingers flexed into me and pulled me from my thoughts.
“I think Aribella, her friend, and Frank went.” I let out a deep breath grateful she wasn’t wallowing alone.
“You can go meet them or we can cook here. Though if you choose here, Kate, know I haven't had a chance to prepare."
"I'll cook.” I bent to set Wells down and Nick moved awkwardly behind me again. “What would everyone like?"
I turned, still attached to my son. Wells was still saying, "Mama teddy" over and over and yanking on my neck even with his feet on the carpet. I looked into his pale blue eyes, realizing they were starting to churn like his father’s. I couldn’t help but smile widely.
"Think about dinner guys, I have a teddy to meet." I didn’t pull my eyes from Wells. "Sweet pea, you have to let go so I can follow."
"Daddy teddy.”
"Yes, I'll come meet your teddy too."
I stood and Wells grabbed each of our hands and started barreling down the hallway toward the bedrooms. Nick leaned in close and whispered, "Be careful about bending down like that again.” He arched his eyebrow and let a mischievous smirk spread across his face.
“Do you think we need to be worried?” I asked without thinking of what it would do to his mood.
“About exposing your naked ass to the house? Yes. Apparently, very worried.” He managed a crooked smirk.
“Bryant,” I scolded and cocked my head at him.
“I hope not.” He couldn’t meet my eyes though, his gaze fixed on our son where he barreled between us.
We went about our evening like we weren’t worried; like there wasn’t anxiety churning collectively in our stomachs. Gemma started pulling us in opposite directions as soon as we ate, Ari making it far worse when she got back from the bar.
I was awake in bed staring at the ceiling of the buzzing house, tracing shadows across the paint when Nick shuffled back into my arms. I let out a deep breath and wove myself into him but there was still tension in our bodies. I didn’t melt as we lay there, silent and awake, staring into the wee hours of the morning.
The next day was much of the same. I didn't get to see Nick much besides catching glimpses across the grounds or through the windows. Something about it didn’t sit right. Ari and Gemma helped me with bridal things, while Laura was more inclined to attend to Wells. It wasn't until I put the little man down to bed and dropped into the chair next to the crib that I had a chance to breathe.
A world weary sigh slipped from my lips. Any lesser prize than Nicholas Bryant and I wouldn't make it through a wedding.
I was singing my favorite lullaby when the telltale ripple of Nick nearby rolled across my skin. He moved silently into the room, bent and kissed Wells on the forehead, then held out a hand to me. I sighed as I reached for it and let him pull me from the room. That weight that had settled in the pit of my stomach when we arrived hadn’t gone away but he made it better.
The house seemed quieter, almost empty. Gemma and Jaime were the only ones I saw in the house. They were sitting on the couch, Gemma with her legs up over Jaime's, reading. Nick nodded to Jaime, and Jaime wordlessly waved a room monitor in return.
We walked out onto the patio that overlooked the beach and the ocean. The guest house was lit up and I could hear the faint sounds of music and glasses clinking traveling on the breeze. My face fell when I thought about spending the first quiet moment we’d had in a crowded room.
That’s when Nick pulled me in the opposite direction. I should have known we were heading to the garage. I smiled as Nick kept a firm grasp on me, helping me navigate the dips and swells in the grass of the side yard in my heels.
My eyes started to travel over the landscape, taking in the moonlit grounds I tried to tell myself I was watching the beach grass dance in the warm breeze but really, I was looking for silhouettes tucked amongst the shadows.
“Don’t worry.” Nick’s fingers skated against my skin. “Brooklyn’s earning the exorbitant amount of money we pay him. And the contribution to his uncle’s campaign for that matter.”
He punched in the code to the garage door and it lifted to reveal the stunning fleet. We'd added only one vehicle recently, a LaFerrari and its sleek black frame fit in nicely with the other exceptional cars.
"Pick one.” Nick squeezed my hip as he flipped on the museum-like flood lamps. I bit my lip and pointed to the Hennessey. We shared a knowing smile, both thinking of the illicit photos that had been taken on the hood of that car. "I had rather hoped that would be the one,” he murmured.
Only then did he leave my side and walk over to the sleek black car. He opened it and pulled out a few items. Most were black boxes wrapped with delicate silver ribbons but on top was the very camera he'd taken all our risqué shots with.
"A few gifts for my wife.” He arched an eyebrow, grabbed the camera, and then started to walk away. He was striding purposefully toward a stool resting against the far wall. "Open them. You'll know what to do." Blood rushed through my veins, my body already excited.
I opened the largest box first to find a gorgeous, supple white leather vest. It was matte leather but had a smooth finish. The zipper was hidden under the perfect piping and contours of the fabric.
There was no way I was naive enough to think it was just a beautiful gift. It was part of a grander scheme for the evening. The second box confirmed my hunch. The white lace briefs were delicate, beautiful, and definitely sexy. I couldn't wait to stand before Nick in leather and lace.
"Put those on before you open the third one," his voice was a delectable purr from his seat on a stool.
I turned to face him, my gaze becoming hungry as I drank in his V-neck T-shirt, fitted jeans, and sleek tennis shoes. Everything in my body was telling me to walk over and kiss him but I went to let my hair down instead. The snap of a camera told me he appreciated my restraint and it helped me settle into the game.
My fingers danced on the hem of my cream chiffon tank and pulled it slowly up and over my head. The shutter clicked a few times as I stretched out of the fabric. My hands went to the zipper of my gauzy snakeskin printed skirt and I let it flutter to the floor. Nick flat out growled when he realized I hadn't been wearing any underwear. My playful smirk stretched across my face as I stood in only cream pointy toe Tom Ford stilettos. The gold lock on their straps wiggled as my body trembled in anticipation.
Nick raised his eyebrows toward the gifts laying on the hood of the car then tucked back behind the lens of the camera, snapping phot
os of my naked body next to his gorgeous car. I turned and winked over my shoulder, forcing him to stop and clear his throat. I laughed lightly to myself and my hair tickled my shoulder blades.
"Sweets," he managed. "You're killing me. Please." His voice was choked as he tried to keep his composure.
Obediently I pulled on the lace briefs and adjusted the straps into place. They were thick bands of lace, one that rose above my hip bone and one that dipped below, leaving a cutout of bare skin on each hip that wrapped from below my bellybutton all the way around to above my tailbone.
I exaggerated my reach across the hood for my new vest and let my nipples brush across the polished metal. Nick had been taking photos the whole time but when my nipples got hard and my body goose bumped, he sucked in a deep breath, snapped a quick photo, then stood. I swung the vest over my shoulders just before he reached me.
Nick’s lips took mine violently. He bit hard and pushed me up against the car. I could feel the heat of his skin against mine even through his clothes. My fingers scrambled against his soft shirt, desperate to get him naked.
If I was honest, I’d wanted his skin since he spanked me yesterday. The man could make me come in all sorts of different ways but it was never as good as it was with him inside me. I moved my hands to snake up his shirt but he grabbed my wrists to stop me. He shoved my hands down to my sides and kept nibbling at my mouth, alternating between lips and tongue. They burned, swollen, before he pulled away.
I let out a breathless moan when he left my skin. His chest was rising and falling harshly but he gathered his composure far quicker than me.
"Last one," he said as he picked up the final black box from the hood of the car.
I had to ball my fingers twice before they were steady enough to take the box from him. I gasped when I finally got it open. There was a large black diamond on the end of a delicate gold chain. It was simple and classic but unique at the same time. It was breathtaking and oh-so perfect for me.
