“Then there was the time you said yes to my proposal.”
“In front of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.” He’d had both of our families come and watch as he proposed. I had no idea they were there until after I said yes. It was the sweetest moment of my life.
“Our wedding day.”
“A complete fairytale.” I still looked at our album in awe of how the photographer captured the way Avery gazed at me. When I was with him I was surrounded by love.
“And the day we found out you were pregnant with our princess.”
“Making said fairytale even more complete.”
“Three years ago tonight set a chain in motion.” He kissed my stomach before resting his head on my thigh. “One that I didn’t think possible when you approached me.”
“You were staring at me.”
“Could you blame me?” He looked into my eyes. “You’re irresistible.”
“Even with this big belly?”
“That makes you even sexier.”
“You’re still a smooth talker.”
“I’m romantic,” he said.
“I’m not going to argue with that.”
“I’ve made early dinner reservations at your favorite restaurant.” He ran his fingers along my leg. “I requested one of the tables overlooking Times Square.”
“But we’re going to Posh after, right?” That had become our tradition on this anniversary. Avery would take the night off, we would go to dinner and then we’d stop by the club.
“I was thinking we could skip that tonight given your current state.”
“I’m pregnant.”
“I’ve heard.” He smiled. “I think I’m responsible for it.”
“Tell me why a pregnant woman can’t go to her husband’s club.”
“It’s Friday night and we have a few celebrities on the VIP list. It’s going to be crazy in there. Too crowded for me to make sure you’ll be safe.”
“Safe? What’s going to happen to me?”
“Faith, what if someone bumps into you or knocks you down?”
“When has that ever happened?” He was so protective of me and our baby. It was sweet. “Going there is our tradition.”
“We’ll resume it next year.”
“No.”
“Don’t pout.” He reached up and swiped his thumb over my lip. “Even if it is adorable.”
“Please?” I ran my fingers through his hair. “Just for a little bit. It’s important to me.”
“For a few minutes.” He sighed. “Before it gets insane in there.”
“That’s fine.” I took his hand and rested it on my hip. “Then we’ll go to your office and reminisce about our first time.”
“You mean reenact?” He slithered up to meet me, hooking his fingers in my panties. “That’s tradition too.”
“One of my favorite traditions.” I kissed him. “All part of the fairytale.”
“I love you.” He inched closer to me. “More every day.”
“I feel the same way.” I hitched my leg over his waist. “I love you so much.”
“I’m thinking we need to start our celebration a little earlier than usual.”
“I like the way you think.”
The End
Sexy Surprise
By Marie Tuhart
Chapter One
Marina Landers was grateful her seat was upgraded to first class on the flight back from New York. She rubbed her forehead, hoping to chase away some of her tiredness. Her boss insisted Marina catch the early morning flight back to Seattle.
Under normal circumstances they would have flown back together. Closing her laptop, she slid it back into its case and put it at her feet. They would be landing soon.
Hopefully her best friend, Lisa, got her text. Marina had flown out of JFK at ten this morning, sooner than expected and too early to call Lisa on the west coast. Since boarding the flight she had her phone on airplane mode.
The plane touched down and the announcement came they could turn their phones back on. Marina pulled hers out and flipped off the airplane mode. Within a minute her phone started buzzing.
Five text messages from Lisa. Oh, this didn't bode well. Marina began reading the texts. I'll be there. Oops, sorry, Mark and I are meeting with the caterer at one. Okay, tried to rearrange caterer no go. Mark trying to get a hold of Eric. Success, Eric will meet you at baggage claim. See you soon.
Eric Montgomery. Her heart sped. If Eric hadn't been Mark's best friend and business partner, she might have found a way to avoid him. All six foot one inches of him. With a deep penetrating gaze she swore saw into her soul.
A shiver swept over her body. When Eric arrived in Seattle over a year ago to help Mark with his construction company, Marina never thought anything about it. She was coming off a broken engagement and wasn't interested. Correction. Her heart wasn't interested, her body had other ideas.
And now? Marina couldn't help a shiver of anticipation flowing through her veins. She'd shared one hell of an explosive kiss with Eric before she left on her business trip. She hadn't planned it, but he had looked so delicious that night at the barbeque. She couldn't resist.
Marina shook the memory away as she grabbed her laptop case and purse before walking off the plane. When she hit the baggage area she scanned it for Eric. There he was, standing off to the right of the carousel.
Her inner muscles tightened. At six foot one, he stood above most of the crowd, his dark hair mussed as if he'd just rolled out of bed. He turned his head and his penetrating gaze made her panties wet. A year ago Lisa had warned her Eric was a bit of a playboy. And Marina took the warning to heart.
She gave a little chuckle. It wasn't like sparks didn't fly every time she and Eric were in the same room. They were always bantering with each other. The flame of attraction she had from day one meeting Eric never went away.
The shrill bell and flashing red light of the baggage carousel starting shook Marina out of her thoughts. She walked over to Eric.
Her breath hiccupped in her throat. Damn the man. He looked like he'd been poured into his jeans and t-shirt. Woman after woman gave him an admiring glance as they walked by. His grin widened as she approached.
"Hey Marina." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I take it you got Lisa's messages."
"Yes." Her skin warm from where his firm lips touched. A whiff of his musky scent thrust her heart into overdrive. "Thanks for picking me up."
"Not a problem." His gaze swept her from head to toe. "You look tired."
"It's a long flight." She worked as an executive assistant for the CEO of a small media company. She'd had a very early morning meeting with the boss, so she dressed in her pant suit complete with jacket.
"It is." Luggage began sliding down the chute to fill the carousel. "Which bag is yours?"
"I can get it."
His firm hand on her arm stopped her from moving. "Let me, please."
His please did her in. "Gray, hard sided, coming down now."
Eric grinned, then moved over to the carousel. Marina enjoyed the play of his muscles as he pulled her bag off the silver contraption. Would Eric play rough in bed? Her cheeks heated. These were not things she should be thinking, especially not in public.
When he returned to her side, he gave her a pointed look. "What were you thinking?"
"Nothing." She swallowed.
"I'll get it out of you." He grinned and cupped her elbow. "I'm in short term parking."
Heat from his touch soared through her veins. What was it about him? Yes, he was very good looking, yes, he made her blood sing, and yes, he made her wet. But that didn't mean she needed to act on those urges. Yet, lust gnawed at her stomach. Eric used his remote and unlocked his SUV. As he put her luggage in the back, she climbed in, having to use the running board to give her a boost up. She was tall, but his vehicle was huge. Within minutes they were out of the airport and on their way to her house.
"Why don't you put the seat back a
nd catch a cat nap while I drive?" He glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the traffic.
"You don't mind?" She was tired, a short nap would help perk her up for the rest of the day. Eric's subtle woodsy cologne enveloped her in a pleasant heady aroma.
"Rest. We've got dinner tonight to discuss our duties this next week as best man and maid of honor."
"Oh joy." She smiled to take the sting out of her words. After finding the right button, she reclined the seat, adjusted her seat belt and closed her eyes. It would take about forty-five minutes to get to her house. He was a smooth driver. She closed her eyes and let the hum of the engine wash over her.
Eric looked over at Marina. Her face was relaxed, her lips parted. She trusted him enough she could fall asleep while he was driving. He swelled with pride. When Lisa had texted him this morning asking him if he could pick Marina up, he answered immediately with yes.
He'd been in Seattle over a year now, and in all that time, he never made a move on Marina. Oh, yes, they flirted and danced around each other, but all in friendly fun. He was tired of the friendly, he wanted to get to the relationship fun. Mark, Eric's best friend, had warned him Marina was coming off a bad relationship and not to push her. He'd understood that, and kept his distance. But dang if his dick didn't take notice every time she was in the room. He wanted more than just friendship and the occasional flirting. He wanted Marina.
After the explosive kiss they shared before she left for New York, he wondered if she was ready for more from him. Her flirting had gone from casual to a more serious nature. More touches and glances than before. And today at the airport, he was still curious what made her blush as he returned to her side from getting her luggage.
She made a soft noise and he looked at her from the corner of his eyes. Still asleep. Good. Her red hair was spread out against the black leather of his SUV. He wanted to see her hair against his pillow, spread over his body, teasing his cock.
His groin tightened. This next week was going to be torture. As best man he would be spending lots of time with the maid of honor. Not that he minded being around Marina, he only wondered how he was going to keep his libido in check.
He pulled off the freeway and hit the back roads to Marina's house. She had this cute little cottage tucked out in the country. When he'd first seen it, he wondered why she picked being away from a bigger city, but then after seeing how much she loved being able to sit in her backyard without worry about noise, he understood.
There was something so peaceful about this area. So much, he'd commissioned a house to be built. The land had been up for sale, and he bought it.
It was nice he and Mark co-owned a construction company. Eric had contacted one of the architects they worked with and together they drew up plans. After getting a permit, the land had been cleared, water, power and sewer all put in, and now they could begin building the house.
Eric turned his vehicle into Marina's driveway and switched off the engine. He slipped off his seatbelt and turned in his seat. His gut clenched. Marina was so beautiful.
He leaned over. "Marina," he said softly.
"Humm."
He grinned. "Marina, sweetheart, you're home."
"Yes, Eric, touch me. I want to feel your skin on mine."
Her words went straight to his dick. He grew hard. "Wake up, Marina." He stroked his fingers down her cheek.
"Don't want to. Nice dream about Eric. Go away."
He couldn't prevent the small chuckle at her words. How often did she dream of him? And were her dreams as sexy as his about her? He leaned closer to her, his lips right next to her ear.
"Come on sweetheart, you wake up and I'll make it worth your while."
"Really?" She turned her head toward him. "But you never so much as show you're interested."
Eric tilted his head. Her eyes were still closed, her breathing even. She was having a conversation with him in her sleep. He needed to wake her. Not because the conversation wasn't interesting, it was, but she'd be embarrassed to know she’d talked in her sleep.
He slid his hand to her shoulder and gave her a little shake. "We're home."
She jerked beneath his hold, her lashes fluttered up.
"You were sound asleep."
"Oh sorry." Her breath caressed his chin.
"Don't be." He slid back into his seat willing his dick to settle down. "Give me your keys and I'll go check the house out." He held out his hand.
"There's no need." She undid her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
"There's every need." He put his hand on her arm. "You've been gone all week. Just give me your keys." She let out a sigh, opened her purse and then dropped her keys into his palm. "Thank you. Stay put."
Eric slipped out of the vehicle and marched up to her front door. Didn't she understand she'd been gone a week, anyone could have broken in? He opened the door, a beep went off. He turned to the alarm panel and turned it off. He knew the code because he helped Mark install it. At least she set it before she left.
It was one of the things Mark and Lisa insisted she have when she moved out here. It was isolated for a woman alone. Marina confessed that sometimes she forgot to set it. He did a quick sweep before going back outside.
"All clear," he told her as she slipped out of the SUV.
"I could have told you that." She strode to the back of the SUV where he stood.
"I don't take your safety for granted." He opened the hatch, pulled her suitcase out.
"You overreact. I can take it from here." She put out her hand for her luggage.
"I'll carry it inside."
Those baby blue eyes of hers glared at him. "Fine. Thanks."
Why was she so riled up? Because he insisted on checking she was safe before allowing her inside? She'd better get used to it. His head jerked in surprise at his thoughts.
Marina stood at the threshold of her family room and took a deep breath. She was home. The tension from traveling seeped out of her bones. Home did that to her. It was her sanctuary.
The sound of her suitcase on the hardwood floor reminded her she wasn't alone. Eric. Heat flashed through her veins. She'd had the most delicious dream about him on the drive to her house. Him becoming all dominant, ordering her into the bedroom, then telling her to strip, before he did delicious, decadent things to her body. She sighed.
"Glad to be home?" Eric asked.
"Yes." She set her purse on the sofa then turned to him. "I'll go put the suitcase in my bedroom." She reached for the handle. For once Eric didn't argue with her. She rolled the luggage into the room, then sauntered back. "Would you like something to drink before you go?"
She didn't wait for him to answer. Instead she went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Damn, she'd have to go shopping. Good thing she was going out to dinner tonight.
"I'm fine."
Marina glanced up as she shut the fridge to see him lounging against the door jamb watching her. "That's good. I don't have much to offer."
"Make a list."
"What?" She shook her head thinking she misheard him.
"I said make a list. I'll grab groceries for you and bring them here when I pick you up for dinner."
"You're picking me up for dinner?" She raised her hand to cover her yawn. Okay, this was unusual. She normally drove her own car to any dinners with Mark and Lisa.
"No sense in taking two cars. Besides you need groceries, and a nap. I can take care of one of those needs." His hazel eyes sparkled with mischief. "If I went to nap with you, sleeping would be the last thing on my mind."
Heat swept its way through her veins. "Tease."
"That's what you think." He pushed away from the door frame, strode over to the counter, then handed her the pen and pad he'd picked up. "List. Now."
"You sure like ordering me around." Her skin tingled at his command. Damn if she wasn't getting all riled up and excited at the same time.
"You have no idea."
She took the pad and pen
from his hand and scribbled out a list. Just some basics to get her through the next couple of days. When she finished she tore the paper from the pad and handed it to him.
He stared at the list for a moment before his gaze rose to meet hers. His lips twitched but he didn't say anything. She placed the pad and pen back on the counter.
"Dinner is at six," he said following her out of the kitchen. "I'll be here at five, so that gives you about three hours to nap and get ready."
We Love Kink - Erotic Romance Anthology #1 Page 16
