by Lulu Pratt
This is it.
I love this woman and I know without a doubt that she loves me too. But for some reason I find myself just as nervous now as I was that day in the art room before I asked her to prom.
Just go out there and do it.
After pouring her a glass of wine, my steps carry me back to the living room where she’s sitting Indian-style on the sofa surfing the channels.
Her hair is piled high on top of her head, and she’s wearing a yellow sundress to combat the Tennessee summer heat.
Her face is makeup free yet still stunning as ever.
When she sees me nearing the couch, she instinctively reaches out for the glass and starts talking away.
“What do you want to watch? There’s a marathon of that game show you like on. But there’s also a marathon of that renovation show that I really love—”
I could listen to her chat all day but I need to say this before I lose my nerve.
“Olivia, I need to ask you something,” my voice is smooth, not betraying the angst I feel.
Noting the seriousness in my voice, she looks at me expectantly and takes a sip of her wine.
“What’s up?”
“I’ve had something on my mind for a while and I wanted to know how you felt about it,” I say stalling.
Shit, this is harder than I thought.
“I’m listening,” Olivia says smiling at me encouragingly.
Without preamble, I take the wine glass from her hand and drop down to one knee in front of her. Once it’s situated on the coffee table, I grasp her hand in mine and watch her eyes fill with tears before I even say a word.
“Olivia, I love you so much. I suspect I did in high school too, but I just didn’t know the words for it at the time. We never got our chance back then, but then you showed up unexpectedly and turned my world upside down.”
“Oh, God,” she whimpers faintly.
“I have never been happier than when I’m with you. You complete me like no one else can and I want to spend the rest of my life learning how to be a man worthy of your unconditional love. I loved you then and I always will, Olivia.”
Reaching into my pocket, I retrieve the ring box and snap it open.
Tears slide down her cheeks at the sight before her then she flings her arms around my neck and cries, “Yes! The answer is yes!”
Chuckling, I pull back slightly and tease her. “But I haven’t even asked you anything yet.”
She shakes her head as if it’s of no consequence. “You don’t have to because the answer is yes. Yes, I’ll spend the rest of my life with you and only you.”
OLIVIA DOWNS
Ten Years Later
Small hands are splayed across my face when I wake up.
Peeking one eye open, I notice my oldest child staring at me anxiously from the side of the bed.
How she got in here is anybody’s guess. That is until I notice that Sebastian’s side of the bed is empty and cool.
Unbelievably exhausted from last night’s extracurricular activities with Sebastian, I grab my daughter and pull her onto the bed with me. Squealing from the unexpected action, she rewards me with one of my favorite sounds in the world: her laughter.
“What are you doing awake at this hour, Ava?”
Her blue eyes are the perfect replica of her father’s when she looks at me with a jovial smile.
“I couldn’t wait to surprise you, Mommy!”
“Oh yeah?”
My five-year-old daughter nods furiously, sending her strawberry blonde locks all over the place.
“What’s the surprise?” I play along, reaching up to restore some normalcy to her headful of hair.
“I can’t tell you! Daddy says it’s a secret!” she says, squirming from the contained excitement and I can’t help but laugh.
She reminds me so much of myself in that regard.
“And where’s Daddy?” I ask with wide eyes, feeding her excitement.
“Downstairs,” she whispers conspiratorially.
“What’s he doing downstairs?”
Ava looks at me, contemplating whether I’m worth spoiling the secret.
I can tell the exact moment she decides that I’m not.
She’s such a daddy’s girl.
Her loyalty will probably never waver. Not that I blame the poor girl. Sebastian can be pretty convincing.
“He’s busy,” she says evasively, making me laugh.
“And your brother? Where’s he?”
“Downstairs with Daddy. We’re waiting on you!” she exclaims.
Feigning surprise, I cover my chest with one hand. “Me?”
“Yes, Mommy!”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” I ask teasingly before tickling her.
Her squirming only intensifies and I’m rewarded with the joyful ripples of her laughter.
“I love you, baby girl,” I tell her as I cradle her in my arms.
She may not be an infant anymore but she’ll always be my baby.
“Love you too, Mommy,” comes her distracted but automatic response. “Can we go downstairs now?”
Snickering, I release her and let her down from the bed. “Tell them I’m coming, I just need to use the little girls’ room first.”
“‘Kay!” she shouts before dashing out of the door like a bolt of lightning.
What I wouldn’t give just to have an ounce of her boundless energy right now. Tired doesn’t begin to cover it, but thankfully I have the next three days off to recover from the brutal hours I’d been putting in at the nursing home.
As the director of nursing, there is never a dull day that passes. Add that to the fact that my house is practically a circus with two kids and my husband roaming around. Needless to say, I stay pretty busy.
Getting out of bed, I walk to the bathroom slowly, amazed that my body still gets sore from the various positions my husband twists and turns me in during our lovemaking.
Every time I think I’ve discovered every possible muscle, I wake up the next morning sore in places that I didn’t know existed.
A good problem to have if you ask me.
After nearly a decade of marriage, Sebastian and I still can’t get enough of one another. Through the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, one thing remains the same — we are crazy for each other and nothing will ever change it.
Not long hours at work or screaming kids at home. Nothing can get in the way of our passion for one another.
As I wash my face, I reminisce over the circumstances leading up to this very moment.
We had a short engagement before getting married on Christmas Eve only five months after Sebastian popped the question.
Upon graduating nursing school, Sebastian gifted me a trip to France and I can almost guarantee that Ava was conceived in the air on our way there. We’d been all over each other in the private jet and thankfully the flight attendant had stayed put near the front of the plane.
As soon as we found out I was pregnant, Sebastian bought a house that could easily double as a museum. It’s huge and over the top but our family is fitting in well.
Ava’s birth was the highlight of my life. I’d always secretly feared motherhood but she made it feel like the most natural thing on earth. A year and a half later, our small family grew when we welcomed baby Lucas to the fold.
I’d never felt more content in my life. I had the man of my dreams, the job of my dreams and now the family I never knew I craved so deeply.
Sebastian and I figured out the whole parenting thing one day at a time. And I swear to God, there was nothing sexier than watching that man transform into the best father he could be for our children.
He gave our kids everything they needed and more.
I fell in love with him more every chance I got to witness his love for our babies.
Once I brush my teeth, I run my hands through my sleep-matted hair and head downstairs.
The downstairs area is eerily quiet as I approach the kitchen and then I
hear Ava whispering.
“She’s coming. She’s coming!”
“On the count of three,” Sebastian coaches them, his patient tone warming my heart.
“Surprise!” they erupt as soon as I enter the state-of-the-art kitchen.
There, right before my eyes, sits my whole world.
Ava is clinging to her daddy’s leg, while Lucas stands on the countertop with Sebastian’s firm hand in place to ensure he doesn’t fall.
My husband is smiling at me with that gaze that always makes my panties evaporate but I have to remind myself that now isn’t the time.
Especially since there are presents scattered along the countertop as well as breakfast.
Happy Mother’s Day! is printed in bold letters across some of the balloons while others read, Happy Birthday!
This year my birthday happened to fall on Mother’s Day and leave it to these three not to exclude anything.
“Happy Mother’s Day, baby,” Sebastian’s deep voice reaches me and I want to purr.
God, this man is so sexy. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the fact that he’s my husband and I get to have him for the rest of our lives.
“Happy birthday, Mommy!” Ava is beaming while Lucas’ sole focus is trying to unwrap one of the gifts.
I scoop him up in my arms and blow a raspberry against his chubby cheek.
“Hi, handsome boy,” I say walking around the center island with him on my hip.
Lucas’ eyes light up and I smile because he inherited my green orbs.
Finally, I reach my husband and grin from ear to ear. “You’re incredible. Thank you, honey,” I whisper earnestly.
Not only am I thanking him for today’s sweet surprise, but also for the happiness that is never too far out of reach when he’s near. I wouldn’t have any of this without him and sometimes it overwhelms me when I consider just how lucky I am.
“You haven’t even opened your gifts yet,” he smiles at me.
“Open mine first, Mommy! It’s a necklace,” Ava reveals, not caring that she ruined her own surprise.
Laughing, I tear into the gifts while my little team anxiously awaits my reaction.
SEBASTIAN DOWNS
“Can I get you two anything?” the flight attendant asks hovering over us.
“No, we’re good for the remainder of the trip. Why don’t you have a seat and enjoy the flight?” I ask, dismissing her as smoothly as I know how.
There are other things I have in mind for this trip and no one should witness them.
The woman smiles politely before making her way to the front of the private jet.
“Nice job buying us some time,” my wife speaks up beside me.
When I turn my eyes on her, a radiant smile greets me along with desire burning in her jade eyes.
For her birthday, I’d surprised her with a trip back to the island where it all started. The kids are staying with their Aunt Winnie for a week, allowing us some much-needed grownup time.
“I’m still amazed that you pulled this off. Everything from requesting extra days off for me at the nursing home to locking in Winnie for the babysitting. You never cease to amaze me with your thoughtfulness.”
Olivia brushes her fingers over the stubble present at my jaw and smiles at me fondly. “I love you.”
There isn’t a second of hesitation with my response. “I love you, too.”
With everything I have.
More than ten years together and my love for her only grows with each passing day. So does my desire.
My erection is tightening the crotch of my pants, eager for release.
Which reminds me…
“I want you,” I tell her bluntly.
Cute pretenses have no place in our marriage. We always say what’s on our mind. And right now, I have a one-track mind because all I can think about it is pulling her down on my cock as she rides me forty-thousand feet in the air.
Smirking, Olivia meets my gaze and raises the armrest between our seats. “Looks like we’re on the same wavelength because I want you too.”
“Take off your panties,” I make my first command.
A daring gleam enters her eyes before she reveals, “I’m not wearing any.”
“Fuck,” I say raggedly.
Olivia’s face reflects satisfaction for rattling me.
“Come here,” I demand pulling her onto my lap in one swift motion.
“What are you doing, Mr. Downs?” she asks feigning surprise.
“I’m going to fuck you now, Mrs. Downs.”
No matter how many times I say it, I’m still in awe that this incredible woman is my wife. She’s perfect in every way and for some reason she loves me.
I move her short skirt up and out of the way, baring her to the cool air on the plane. Her slit is already glistening and ready for me but I want to test her first anyway.
With two of my fingers buried deep inside of her, she rises and falls against my hand to chase her orgasm. When she comes, it’s with a sigh and bliss washes over her perfect features.
I can’t wait any longer to be inside of her.
Putting her back on the seat beside me, I rip open my zipper and push my jeans down my legs as fast as humanly possible. My insatiable cock springs free and slaps my abdomen as Olivia’s eyes take in my girth as if it’s the first time she’s ever seen me.
She stands and moves over me without me having to ask, her curvy thighs straddling my lap as she sinks down lower to take all of me inside of her soaked tunnel.
Once she’s fully lowered herself, she pauses with her mouth forming a perfect “O” and grabs onto my shoulders to steady herself.
“Sebastian,” she groans throatily.
Her hips are fuller now, thanks to carrying my children, and so damn sexy. I grab on to her and start moving her body up and down. The pace is torturously slow at first, but I refrain from increasing the pace too fast.
Olivia’s head falls back as she rides me slowly, lost in our lustful bubble.
She feels amazing, her pussy clamped snugly around my length. We’re the perfect fit. Her unique scent is starting to permeate the air around us as her soft thighs collide with mine every time she moves on me.
I could spend the rest of my life buried inside of this woman and it still wouldn’t be enough.
She drives me crazy but in the best way. There is no other woman on this earth who could do for me what she does so effortlessly.
“Harder,” Olivia pleads, her body leaning against the chair in front of me.
My grip around her waist tightens as soon as she gives her command and then I’m pumping into her. The momentum of my strokes matches the intensity of my need for her and I pull her tight body down faster and harder.
“Yes!” she moans, grinding her hips into the thrusts.
That’s the last straw for me. I need to be deeper, closer to her.
From my seated position, I begin pounding upward, my hips moving with piston-like precision to drive into her wetness. Her tight walls contract around me, sapping me of my energy but I keep at it with fervor as need courses through me.
Olivia is barely able to catch her breath as she rocks up and down on me, but from the way she’s biting her lip I can tell she’s nearing another orgasm. Ever the overachiever, I steady her with one hand and my fingertips seek out her engorged clit.
Her movements turn jerky with the added stimulation and I know it won’t be long. But I want to come with her so I increase the tempo of our rocking motion once again.
“Olivia, you’re so fucking good, baby,” I grind out between thrusts. She feels so damn good and she’s milking me for everything I have.
“God, you’re going to make me come so hard, Bash,” she whines, reaching down to cover the hand that’s fondling her clit. “Don’t stop. I love it too much.”
Those words spur me on, making my movements frenzied and desperate. I need to come inside of her and mark her as mine as I always do.
“I want anothe
r baby,” I blurt spontaneously.
My wife’s movements slow but she doesn’t stop moving, not daring to suspend our lovemaking.
“What did you say?”
“A baby,” I breathe harshly. “I want you pregnant with another one of my kids.”
Her eyes darken at my clarification and out of nowhere, Olivia’s thighs begin trembling as she surrenders to her orgasm. I watch pleasure consume her and the ecstasy on her face pushes me over the edge in conjunction with the spasms tightening her pussy around my dick in a vice grip.
I come hard, grunting into her mouth as she leans down to kiss me. Fingertips digging into the flesh of her thighs, I continue shooting my seed inside of her until there’s nothing left to give.
Spent, I fall back against the cushion of the seat and pull her with me.
“I love you,” she sighs and the words tumble out of her mouth as easily as the breath filling her lungs.
“Does that mean the answer is yes?” I ask dropping a lazy kiss against her nose as our foreheads meet.
Still heaving, Olivia simply nods, moving both of our heads with the action.
“I can’t say no to you,” she confesses. “Especially not when making babies is so fun with you.”
Arrogant Chef
You come to work in my restuarant and I’ll fuck you.
Hard againt the freezer, hot against the ovens.
Bent over the tables.
Until Maddie shows up.
The naïve virgin had never even been out of her small town before.
She’s almost too sweet to be a pastry chef.
Suddenly I can’t get her heart-shaped ass out of my head.
All I can think about is punching her V-card.
But my business partner laid down the law — no more screwing the staff or I’ll lose my restaurant.
Unless we can keep it a secret…
*** A steamy STANDALONE contemporary romance with a smoking hot hero. No cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.***
Chapter 1
MADDIE
“You don’t have to do this, ya know.” My best friend for the past four years seems to have a soft side after all.
“I know I don’t have to, but why would I not? I mean, yes, it is a huge city. How bad can it be?”
“New York? Are you kidding, Maddie? You have never lived anywhere that didn’t consist of a pasture full of animals at least a few miles from you.”
