by Thayer King
“Nothing.” She sighed and leaned back against the countertop. “Ella came back.”
“That bitch! What did I tell you? I knew she’d come back. She’s not the type to walk away from a nine figure bank account.”
“Nine?” Sienna choked.
Mika waved that aside. “The two of you should talk finances. Declan and I already have. He makes a good living. So what are you going to do?”
Setting aside her shock at just how wealthy Jakob was, Sienna outlined the possibilities. “Well, she’s definitely here to make another play for him.” She frowned. “But she had her chance. And he’s my husband now in every sense-”
“Ew!”
“Really?” she asked, momentarily sidetracked that after everything Mika had told her about her sex life and after constantly encouraging her to sleep with Jakob, that now she would become squeamish.
Rolling her eyes, Mika waved a hand. “You were saying?”
“I don’t know if he’ll want her back. I mean, only days ago, he intended to spend the rest of his life with her. He has to have some emotions left where she’s concerned. But whatever he feels, he’ll stay with me because we’ve essentially committed to each other.”
“I don’t like where you’re going with this.”
“Mika, I don’t want him out of some sense of obligation.” She took a fortifying breath. “But it won’t come to that.”
Mika groaned. “Oh, hell, what are you planning to do?”
“What I need to do to make Jakob happy.” She took off her apron and hung it by the door. “I’m going home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wait! What are you going to do?”
“Tell you tomorrow when I know how it turns out.”
“Don’t do anything stupid!” Mika called after her.
Sienna wasn’t sure what she would find when she got home. She was almost afraid of what she would walk in on. Would Jakob be packing to leave her? Worse, would she interrupt an intimate moment between the two ex-lovers?
“Jakob!”
He jerked upright on the couch. His initial smile was replaced by a look of worry as she rushed over to him. He put down the remote control for the television. “What’s wrong? Did something happen? And where’s the Chinese food?”
“I forgot the Chinese. We’ll order a pizza. Where’s Ella?”
“She’s gone.”
“Did she come to reconcile with you?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, and I-”
She placed a hand over his mouth. “Please, listen to me before you make a decision. I know you love Ella, but she wasn’t chosen for you. I was. There has to be a reason for that. Ella isn’t right for you. You may love her now, but what we’ve started building together will last for a lifetime. I love you. Please don’t give up on us.”
Jakob kissed her palm before pulling it away from his mouth to reveal a smile. “I love you, too, Sienna and I’m not going anywhere. When I said that you were exactly what I wanted in a wife, I didn’t know how right I was. You’re exactly what I want and what I need. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
The breath had left her lungs at his “I love you.” She felt lightheaded and giddy. Throwing herself in his arms, she pressed her lips to his. Jakob was quick to take over the kiss, tilting her head back with the force of his passion. His tongue tangled with hers even as he rolled her beneath him on the couch. He slipped effortlessly between her thighs. He was already heavily aroused, reminding her that he hadn’t experienced a release when they were together earlier. She gasped as he rotated his hips against hers.
“I’ve never wanted another woman the way I want you,” he murmured against her neck. He took the lobe of her ear between his teeth. “Are you…sore from last night? I want you again, but I can wait if it would make you uncomfortable.”
“No, please, Jakob, I want you, too.”
“Thank God,” he groaned and with a flurry of movements he worked to divest first her and then himself of clothing. He slid between her thighs and fused his mouth to hers once more. His hands coursed her body, causing her skin to catch fire wherever he touched. He tugged her nipples and teased the wetness between her thighs. But even the feel of his wide palm at the base of her spine excited her. She explored him in return, excited by how hot and hard he was all over. Growing bold, she wrapped her fingers around his erection. Jakob’s heartfelt groan into her mouth goaded her into squeezing and stroking his cock. Moisture poured from the tip, making the motion easier. He buried his face in her neck, his labored breathing fanning her ear.
Finally, he stayed her hand. “Can’t take anymore. Have to be inside you now.” Reaching between them, he spread the lips of her pussy and fit his cock to her opening. Sienna placed one foot on the back of the couch and wrapped the other leg around Jakob’s trim waist. He cupped her buttocks with both hands and used a series of thrusts to fill her with his thick shaft. Her gasps of pleasure mingled with his deep groans.
Lifting himself on extended arms, he started with slow experimental strokes designed to help her become accustomed to his invasion. “You feel so good,” he said, circling his hips. Moaning, Sienna responded helplessly, wrapping him up in her thighs and moving with him.
She dug her nails in his buttocks when she wanted more. “Faster, please.”
He didn’t deny her. Grunting, he sped up the pace, pounding into her with enough force to move her up the length of the sofa. His chiseled abdomen rolled against hers as he ground their bodies together. Each movement of his hips placed pressure on the sensitized nub between her thighs. An urgent tightening began at her core and she knew she would not last much longer. She chanted his name like a prayer and wound her legs tighter around his thrusting body. His dark eyes were intense as they bore into hers. His cheeks were ruddy. Sweat ran down his torso and dripped onto her quivering belly.
“Come for me, baby.”
She did not deny her husband. As though her body belonged to him, her pussy convulsed over his length as he slammed into her to the hilt. Groaning her name, he froze over her. His penis swelled and jerked inside her, filling her with liquid heat. His orgasm extended hers. Sienna moaned and hugged him with her arms and legs.
He buried his face in her neck and laughed. “Well, I guess we’ve thoroughly christened our couch.”
Sienna savored the weight of him pressing her into the cushions. She ran her fingers through his hair and caressed her way down his back. He was unbelievably fit.
“I’m sorry. I’ve got to be crushing you.”
He started to lift himself off her but she hugged him tighter. “No. Stay.”
He grunted and rolled over so that she rested on his chest. She listened to his heartbeat in silence for a moment. Dipping a fingertip into his navel, she asked, “What do you do all day? Do you still work out?”
“Habits are hard to break. I’ve been hitting the tennis courts and continuing my regular workouts.”
“I love your body,” she said, honestly. She admired the contrast of her cinnamon hand on his tanned abdomen.
Jakob laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you. The admiration is mutual. You’re so beautiful, Sienna.” He gave her a squeeze. “Let’s clean up and order pizza.”
An hour later they’d both showered and were sitting down in front of a hot pizza with extra cheese. “This must be a change for you,” she said as she watched him catch a string of cheese on his tongue. His answering grin was almost boyish.
“Yeah, I didn’t get to consume too many pizzas over the last few years.”
“You’ll have to come to the bakery and treat yourself.”
“Oh, no, I’d buy one of everything.”
She laughed.
“So are you going to ask me what happened with Ella?”
“I thought you would tell me if you wanted to.”
He ran a hand over his hair and sighed. “Well, I a
“What?” She was flattered that of all his accomplishments that he could consider her the best thing to happen to him. But she was distracted by the news that Ella wasn’t in love with him. Was the woman insane?
“Yeah, she more or less admitted to wanting to marry me for my money.”
Sienna cleared her throat at the reminder of his financial status. “I didn’t know you were so well off until I talked with Mika today.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been fortunate with my investments. I’ve been a big earner each year. I’ve signed some lucrative endorsement deals.”
“If it makes you feel better, I don’t care about the money.”
He smiled and she was struck anew by how sexy he was. And he was all hers.
Chapter Nine
Day 5 of Cohabitation
“Do I look okay?” Sienna nervously patted her hair and smoothed her ankle-length floral print skirt. She’d paired it with a sleeveless black blouse. She had dressed carefully as though they were going to a job interview. Her long hair was styled into a tidy knot at the back of her head. Though she wore no makeup, her skin was flawless and creamy.
In comparison he was dressed casually in jeans and a short-sleeved dress shirt. “You’re beautiful. As always.” He folded her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “You have no reason to be this nervous. What do you think she’s going to say? That our marriage was a mistake?”
“She might!”
“She will not. That’s not her job. The counselor’s job is to make sure our marriage succeeds.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on her temple. “Not that we need any help.”
The small waiting room they sat in had the capacity to hold about two or three couples. They were currently alone, the receptionist having announced their arrival and then left to go to the restroom.
The door separating the waiting room and the doctor’s office opened and a smiling couple walked out. A moment later an attractive woman with very blue eyes filled the frame. Her dark brown hair was in a severe bun much like the one Sienna was sporting today but her expression was kind. She glanced at them and then conferred with a tablet. “You must be…Jakob and Sienna House.” She smiled. “Come on in. I’m Dr. Alana Roberts.”
They followed Dr. Roberts into her office where she sat behind a large glass desk. She put the tablet aside then ran a fingertip over the glossy surface. Jakob assumed she was opening files. Opposite her desk was a loveseat. He waited for Sienna to sit and then joined her.
“So,” Dr. Roberts said with a faint smile, “I see that the two of you have already begun your cohabitation period.”
Sienna frowned. “How did you-”
“The rings,” Jakob reminded her. The white stripe of light signified to anyone who cared to look that the two of them were paired through Bioexpa and had joined as one.
“Oh,” Sienna replied and he could have sworn that her cheeks grew rosy.
He laughed and kissed her temple. “Get used to it.”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Dr. Roberts added. “Chemistry plays a large part in how pairs are matched at Bioexpa. If you could have kept your hands off each other, then you wouldn’t have likely been paired with each other. I generally see couples around their fourth or fifth day of cohabitation. I’m more worried when I see couples who have been able to share a bedroom for five days and not become intimate. I actually recommend intimacy early in these situations as it is a bonding experience. You must remember that this will be a lasting relationship so there is advantage in waiting.” She glanced down at her desk. “My information indicates that the two of you knew each other prior to being matched. Is that correct?”
Jakob nodded. “We were neighbors in high school. She’s best friends and business partners with my sister.”
“I see. The two of you seem so comfortable with each other. Though they may seem unnecessary to the two of you since you were already friends, the three meetings with me are mandatory. They’re to guide you through possibly rough waters at the beginning as you get to know one another. However, you may find that even friends come across some difficult situations as you transition from a platonic relationship to a romantic one.”
“We actually didn’t have the smoothest start,” Jakob confessed. Opening up about his life to a stranger wasn’t high on his wish list, but he did have one concern where he might need the doctor’s help. “When Sienna and I were matched I was dating someone else. I was even planning to marry her.”
Dr. Roberts’ brow furrowed. “I can assume you ended this relationship upon your marriage?”
Barely resisting the urge to squirm under the doctor’s penetrating stare, Jakob shook his head. “I couldn’t back out of the promises I’d made to her. The other woman broke things off.”
“I see,” she said slowly. “Sienna, how did you feel about this?”
Sienna’s fingers closed over his and he squeezed back. “Do we really have to discuss this?” she asked in a small voice.
“As it was a threat to your union, it’s of utmost priority.”
Sienna’s gaze dropped to their intertwined hands. “I was…disappointed, angry, and very hurt.” She inhaled deeply, unintentionally drawing his attention to her chest. He admonished himself to concentrate. This wasn’t the time to get all hot and bothered. He forced himself to listen to Sienna as she spoke. “When Jakob told me that he wanted a real marriage, I was afraid that he would change his mind. I didn’t want to be his second choice even if I was Bioexpa’s first choice for him.”
“I take it that somehow he convinced you?”
“Yes.” Sienna smiled up at him, love shining in the depths of her brown eyes. Jakob felt as though a weight had been lifted from his chest. He’d been so worried that she’d have lingering resentment toward him or that she would doubt his feelings for her. In that moment, he was overwhelmed with amazement at what a wonderful woman he was blessed to call his wife. Never one for displays of public affection, he couldn’t stop himself from leaning over and sealing her lips with his.
“I love you,” he murmured against her mouth.
“It’s a good sign that the two of you managed to resolve this on your own. But I want to extract a promise from both of you. Sienna, if you ever feel insecure about your marriage, you will let Jakob know. Jakob, if she comes to you with concerns about your level of commitment, you will truly listen to her and address those concerns.” As they each gave their promise, she nodded. “Good. Hopefully we will be able to drop this topic, but either of you are free to revive it if necessary.
“Now, let’s turn our attention to something that new couples rarely discuss—the scintillating topic of careers and finances.”
“Well, that was thorough,” Sienna said as he slid in behind the wheel of his car. From her relieved sigh when they’d walked out of the doctor’s office, he could tell she was relieved their session was over.
Jakob chuckled. “Yeah, it was. And I thought the probing was over after the registration process.” He placed his palm on the scanner on the dash and the car started. Seatbelts came down to fasten them in securely. “Would you like to go to lunch before returning to the bakery?”
She smiled. “I’d love to.”
They decided on seafood. They were seated and had placed their orders when Sienna leaned forward with a teasing glint lighting her warm brown eyes. “Your favorite color is blue. Your favorite meal is steak and potatoes. You keep your hair short because it has a tendency to curl…” Her eyes flicked up at his hair. “Well, it tends to curl even more when it grows longer. And…you love playing tennis. You’re competitive. You walk out onto the court with a plan A, B, and C of how to defeat your opponent. You like to win, but when you lose, you see it as an opportunity to learn.”
He laughed, instantly understanding what she was doing. Dr. Roberts had suggested that they get to know each other better by telling the other what they knew about them. He had to say Sienna’s knowledge of him was pretty accurate. “How did you know it was blue?”
“Your car is blue.” She shrugged. “Isn’t it everyone’s favorite?”
He shook his head. “No. Yours is purple. Your favorite food is your mother’s baked ziti. You like coming up with new dessert recipes. You like all types of music, but you don’t have a favorite artist. You’re not a big fan of any sport.” He stopped with a grin. “But you watch my tennis matches anyway. Your favorite season is fall. Romantic films are your favorite with science fiction coming in at a close second. You like to kiss and your mouth is the sweetest I’ve ever tasted.” His voice lowered and he couldn’t resist adding, “You come home from work smelling more delicious than any woman should and I have a hell of a time keeping my hands off you.”
She visibly swallowed. The waiter arrived with their lunch orders and she sat back. When next her eyes met his, they were smoldering with passion. She picked up her fork but placed it back on her plate without touching her food. “Before I return to work, would you like to-”
“Yes,” he replied eagerly.
“You don’t know what I was going to ask.”
“You were going to ask if I wanted to take you home and make love. The answer is an emphatic hell yes.”
Sienna stacked her hands in the middle of his chest and then rested her chin on them. She stared down at him and he was struck anew by her beauty. They had barely made it to the bedroom before making love. A trail of clothing marked their passage through the apartment. Despite their recent passionate encounter, he could already feel himself responding the feel of her full breast and flat belly pressed against him. Before he could get distracted, she spoke. “Tell me something about you that I don’t know.”
He grinned. “You’re really taking this seriously, huh?” At her nod, he pondered it for a moment. “Well, I’m guessing you don’t mean career stuff since anyone can research me on the internet. Um…” The only thing he could think of was too embarrassing. “You’ve probably heard it all from Mika.”
-->
