“Did they know?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“Were there others?”
“Not that we know of.” I fluff a pillow and lean it against the headboard and Dylan sits beside me. “Learning about Momma Smith broke my mother’s heart. Dad dying signed her death certificate. The light left her eyes, she was like the living dead. I did everything I could to make her happy but it seemed like her happiness died with him.”
“I’m sorry baby.” He wraps an arm around me.
“By the time I was six, I’d buried my father and my mother and that’s when Momma found me.” I smile as I realize how blessed I am. “She kept me from going to the foster care system. She took me in loving me like her own. Asher did the same. And I thought it was enough until I crawled out of your bedroom.”
I thought I wanted space but the last couple days taught me all I want is him. With him, I feel safe and adored. He’s worth it.
They say confession is good for the soul, I’d agree minus my racing heart and the uncertainty of his response. The darkness masks his face, his arm tightens around me, encouraging me to continue. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember but the thought of actually having you scared me. I’ve never seen love work. Even my brother and Jazz, they are fighting to save their marriage and I couldn’t wrap my brain around having you only to lose you.”
“You’d never lose me, baby.” He kisses me softly on the lips.
“What about now? Did I lose you? Do you still love me?” I turn towards him hopeful, determined to prove that we belong together.
“Always.”
I exhale breathing freely for the first time since leaving his bed.
“Can we please give this a try?” I cup his face in my hands rubbing a thumb over his lips. “Please Dylan.” I kiss him. Again, and again. I straddle his body. “I won’t shut you out again.”
I kiss his neck.
“I know that I can’t control you.” I giggle.
“Are you laughing at me?” The humor in his voice lets me know I’m winning.
“No sir.” I plan to lay it on thick. “I’d never laugh at you.”
“Now I know you’re lying.”
Next thing I know I’m on my back. His face is hovering over mine and I feel his peace all around me. The heat of his thighs on the outside of mine, his familiar scent surrounding me. This is the part of my life that money and deals can’t satisfy. True peace.
“Dylan.”
“Yes, baby.”
“Make love to me.”
He doesn’t hesitate as his mouth finds mine in a heartbeat, his tongue exploring the depths of my mouth filling me with a new happiness. I reach for the hem of his shirt, he releases my mouth as I pull it over his head. I kiss his chest reaching between my legs for the button on his jeans.
Dylan grabs my hands pinning them above my head.
“That is so unfair.” I whine between kisses.
“Are you going to fight me about everything?”
I thought about it. “Only when you’re wrong.”
His robust laughter fills the room and my heart. “I think I have a way to quiet that sassy mouth.”
“Prove it.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
He stands crossing the room, moving around in the dark. I hear a zipper, the rustle of plastic, and he’s back climbing into the bed beside me. My heart pounds at his nearness, anticipating the fill of him inside me. He covers my body with his, I shiver and press myself against him. Skin to skin the sweetness of his breath feathers across my face, I turn my mouth seeking his.
We kiss. I lift from the bed trying to drink him in as his mouth commands and I willingly obey. He pulls away covering the terrain of my body with precision, sucking my neck, nibbling on my shoulder and covering my breast with his warm mouth, like a starved man as he massages the other.
His actions are loud and clear as he stakes his claim over my body. Every touch of his hands feels like a promise. And I know I made the right decision of following him, with him is where I belong.
I cup his firm butt in my hands pulling him closer as an ache, that only he can satisfy, mounts. I rock my hips against him wanting him now. Impatience leads my hand exploring beneath the covers.
“Not yet love.”
“Dylan….” His hands hold my waist and in a single thrust, he fills me. Every inch. The air leaves my lungs. He pulls out and plunges in again. “Ahhh….”
“No…more…running.” I arch my hips meeting him stroke for stroke, the headboard slamming the wall, our tattered breathing fills the air. “Say it Yuki or I’ll pull out.”
“Don’t!” My walls start to quiver and I won’t last much longer. This is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced with any man. I tell him so.
“Say it!” His voice commands thick with passion.
“No more running.” The words tumble out. He could ask me to run across the Brooklyn bridge for cheesecake and I’d ask how many slices. I’m clawing his sweat covered back begging him to not stop.
“You are mine.” His energy is rushing through my body, pushing out my doubts and he’s right, I’m his.
“I’m yours.” He slips an arm beneath my knee opening me wider and he drives deeper before his growl fills the room drowning out my cry of ecstasy.
He kisses me tenderly. “I love you Yuki.”
“I love you too.”
The clock says it’s a little after seven in the morning and I can’t sleep. I am cuddled next to Dylan in a full sized bed and I’ve never been happier. I roll over and snuggle against his chest.
“Baby we have to be in the lobby in an hour.” He sounds exhausted.
“Why?” I want to stay in bed and make love to him all day. We have time to make up for.
“I scheduled a tour guide for the day to visit Blarney Castle.”
My head pops up, “To kiss Blarney’s Stone?”
“If you’d like, I have no plans on kissing a rock that millions of people have kissed. But if that’s what floats your boat.” He chuckles. “We’ll see the old castles, the countryside, visit a few breweries, the works.”
“Yay. Mind if I use the bathroom first.”
“Not at all.” I hop up and run towards the bathroom. I back peddle and kiss him nice and slow. “Good morning to you too.”
I laugh slipping into the bathroom. My life feels perfect. Super perfect. Better than perfect. I had this week scheduled off for my birthday but I need to check my emails before we head out. And to think I’ll be in Dublin for my 27th birthday.
“Thank you, Momma,” I squeal under the hot running water. She talked some sense into me.
“Time’s ticking baby," Dylan yells through the door.
“I’m coming," I yell back. I check my reflection and decide, forget it. I’ll go with no makeup. I step out, “It’s all yours.” He smacks my bare bottom and enters in on my heels.
I dress in jeans and a shirt with sneakers. I search my bag for a hat then I plait my hair in a single braid—my Lara Croft style. Pleased with the outcome, I move to the little kitchen area putting on a pot of coffee, adding a little gloss to my lips while I wait.
Dylan walks out of the bathroom, stopping with his arms full of clothes. “You look beautiful.”
I search his eyes for humor and see none. “And no, I’m not joking, I never understood why you wear all that makeup in the first place.” He kisses me then moves on to his luggage on the other bed.
Ten minutes after a cup of coffee we are headed to the elevator hand in hand. Dublin here we come.
9
Gerald, the tour guide is giving us the rundown. He opens a map and spreads it across the hood. “Now here we are here,” he turns the map and says we’re at the bottom. “Blarney Castle is here.”
“What about Cliffs of Moher?” I recall from speaking with Art yesterday.
“Beautiful spot,” he says, “it is over here.” His fingers are pointing to locations in opposite direction
s.
“Is it possible to see both today?” Dylan asks.
Gerald shrugs. “Anything is possible.”
“What would you recommend?” Dylan says as the old man flattens his hands on the map to keep it from blowing away.
“I’d make it an overnight trip. It will give us a leisurely pace. We can stop at various locations between our destinations. But I need to verify that I don’t have a tour booked tomorrow. If not, I’d love to give you a world class tour of my country.”
“That cool with you Yuki?”
“Yes.” I smile eager to get rolling.
“We’d love that too. How long will it take for you to confirm everything?” Dylan turns helping Gerald fuss with folding the map closed.
“Give me an hour. Actually, have you had breakfast?”
“No.” Dylan says reaching for me.
“I’ll take you over to spot to get a traditional Irish breakfast and while you eat, I’ll talk with the office.”
“Work in time for us to pack a bag and you got yourself a deal.” They shake hands and we hop into the car.
Riding through town Gerald points out historical buildings and parks. “Back in that area is the Temple Bar area.”
“Is Impose Brew in Temple Bar too?” Dylan looks to the right of the car.
“Yes.” Gerald glances in the rearview mirror at us. “You have Dubh Linn Gardens, Dublin Castle, and Saint Stephens Green. Finally, many of our guests love visiting Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, which is a famous medieval manuscript of the Gospels of Jesus Christ.”
“I think I need to plan a longer stay next time," I whisper to Dylan and he agrees.
In record time, we are eating breakfast of eggs, sausage, a ham-like meat, tomatoes, toast and black pudding. Gerald confirms his schedule and after stopping by the hotel to pack we are on the road heading to Blarney Castle.
The adventure ahead has me jumping out of my skin.
Traffic moves slowly for a while then the highway opens up. With Gerald behind the wheel, I lean into Dylan watching the clouds. I am in a car riding through Ireland with Dylan Jameson. Crazy.
“Has this sunk in yet? I look up and he scratches my scalp pulling his eyes away from his iPad.
“What’s that baby?”
“You and I. Like official.”
“When you say it like that, I guess so. But I always knew it would happen, it was all a matter of when.” He kisses me with a smack then goes back to reading.
“How could you be so sure?” This was the funny part of love that’s over my head. I don’t doubt my love for him. It just is. But the words elude me.
“How can you not?” He lowers his iPad to his lap and I sit up facing him. “We are devoted to our families. High achievers. Career driven but not obsessed. We balance each other. You are a bull in the China shop, I’m more, why argue, I’ll buy you out?”
I laugh. “And I’m the bull?”
His forehead wrinkles as if in thought. “Okay, so I’m a bull too. I guess as I think about it those are important qualities. I know part of my love is rooted in who you were and getting to know the woman now makes it feel like a forever love.” He wraps his hand around my neck and pulls me closer. “We’re made for each other and for me, this is the one thing that doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you.”
His confidence in me is astounding.
“It makes sense.” I smile knowing for sure this man is it for me. Nothing about my legs or my accomplishments. He truly loves me, for me.
“I see us old and gray with grandkids, traveling the world, doing everything or nothing. As long as I can do it with you.” He turns back to read and glances back over at me. “What changed your mind?
“Momma.”
“Momma?”
“Yes, she helped me see that I am the sum of my parents but her too. And she is heart and courage and love.” I search for another word. “And resilient.” I lay back against his chest. “And we made a pact.”
“A Smith Pact? Oh goodness.” He laughs, never taking things or himself too seriously.
“Hush. We promised to open our hearts to love.”
“And just like that, you board a plane to Ireland?”
“No, just like that I decided to tell you how I really feel. To love you and accept your love in return. So I boarded the plane for you.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“No more than I, I promise you.”
We kiss. Not the first kiss, not the last. But it feels like crazy glue connecting my heart to his. “Now before I jump your bones in the back seat tell me about Impose Brew.”
“Honey, don’t tempt me.” I elbow him and lean back snuggling into his side. He turns his iPad back on and passes it to me. “Impose Brew is the reason I’m here. It’s the last brewery I want to complete our lineup. I’m hoping Asher sending his good luck charm will make this deal happen.”
“Oh, the pressure.” He chuckles and I feel lucky. How can I not with Dylan by my side? I turn my focus to reading through the website. Any help I give Dylan helps my brother, and they are the most important men in my life. I start at the About Us page. They are 100% Irish owned offering seasonal and one-off brews. “Impressive.”
“Tell me what you see. I trust your eye and brains.” He kisses my forehead and I scan the page as if this was a potential client. I click through the pages and visit each of their social media pages. I’d change their verbiage and website color scheme but all-in-all they are an attractive brand.
“I like the branding, the label is unique, catchy yet not a cliche. It reads having a good time, Gen X, which should definitely blend with S&J.”
“S&J?”
“Yes, I’ve meant to talk with you guys. Smith & Jameson sounds lush, high end. Which is accurate. But you should have niche events under S&J. Sleek, fresh, young vibes targeting young professionals. They have more discretionary income and more time to hang out in the garden eating international truck food.”
He nods. “I like that. What else do you see with Impose? They’ve declined every offer. I need to find an edge to get the owner to see me before we leave. I figure doing it in person will make my offer more appealing.”
“I’m sure it will help. They have the food industry buzz words too. Natural ingredients. Unique and bold flavors. Authentic.” Not bad for a family-owned business. I read through some of the reviews. “Did they give you a reason for declining?”
“They all boil down to wanting to keep the company a family operation.”
“Do you have your last offer on here?” I hold up the iPad.
“I should have it in the cloud. Let me find it.”
I sit up to give him use of both hands. Thinking about offers, I open my mail app and scroll through my emails. “Oh no.” My stomach drops.
“What?” He glances over.
“I have an email from Jack.” I close my eyes and say a quick prayer. I don’t expect an offer by email. But why else would he email me knowing I’m on vacation?
“Want me to open it?”
“Would you?” He reaches for my phone and I shake off the nervous energy. I control my destiny. I’ve done the work. The promotion is mine. He looks over his shoulder offering a supportive squeeze on my thigh. “I’m ready.”
“Yuki, you and Eric have made the selection process the hardest we’ve experienced since opening the doors of BrandShare. Congratulations on being a standout VP and for the way you represent our brand. To aid in making our selection, I’m running an ad hoc competition between you and Eric. The winner will be our next partner.”
“Competition?” I shout. Gerald’s eyes are bouncing between the road and the rearview mirror. Apparently, he’s getting a kick out of this too.
“Calm down baby.” He reaches over, lacing his fingers with mine. “Ready?”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
“The person to close the highest, new account by July 7th will be our new partner.”
“Highest, new, July 7th.” I say the words aloud to cement them in my mind.
“Do they know that’s your birthday?”
“And technically while I’m out on vacation.” I chew my lip and scan my mind for clients. New clients mean they can be past clients. Last count, I have the highest gross for new business in the firm outside the partners. But I never underestimate my competition.
“I can make some calls.” His eyes are trained on me.
Dylan works purely because it's what he enjoys. He could never work another day in his life and still be abundantly wealthy. His parents invested in a tech start-up in Texas and pulled out before things bottomed out. Then they move on to Silicon Valley. S&J is his first solo venture in entrepreneurship. It’s a passion project for him and Asher, neither are worried about turning a profit. Sound business is what fuels them and that is where we are alike.
“No, I’ll figure it out.”
“I’ll let it go under one condition.”
“And that is?”
“You let me know if there is any way I can help. What’s mine is yours.”
“I got it.”
“I’m serious. I’ll call Jack, Eric and whoever else is needed.” A stubborn crease deepened between his brows.
“Dylan! This is not my first rodeo, or apparent setup.” I whisper the last of the sentence. I don’t need Dylan running to my rescue. I’m my own rescue. I sit back and a lightbulb the size of Texas turns on. I lean close to the driver’s seat. “Excuse me, yesterday my driver told me about an area that has authentic Irish crafts.”
Gerald looks over his shoulder, seemingly shocked to see my head between the seats. “There are several areas you can visit. There’s Drury Street. One my wife enjoys is Irish Design.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Drury is more classics and Irish Design is a modern take on the classics. Equally as beautiful. They have soaps, clothes, jewelry. You can get carried away and spend your entire savings.” He smiles, as ideas collide in my head. “And if you love jewelry there is Irish Celtic jewelry, candlestick holders, the options are endless.”
Yuki's Luck (Smith Pact Duo Book 1) Page 5
