by Sandi Lynn
“Congratulations, darling. I am so incredibly happy for the both of you.”
“Thanks. I hated that I couldn’t tell you the second he proposed. I didn’t want to do it over the phone.”
“I totally understand. I wouldn’t have wanted to hear it over the phone.”
He walked over to Wyatt and gave him a hug. The five of us ate, drank, and had a great time. After Wyatt and I cleaned up the last of the dishes, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me up to bed.
“I think we still have some celebrating to do.” He grinned.
Chapter Three
Laurel
“Are you sure you want to stay at the Holloway home?” I asked Wyatt as we rode in the back of the limousine my father sent for us. “It’s not too late to get a hotel.”
“The Holloway home is perfectly fine.” He grinned.
“You do remember what happened the last time you were there, right?” I arched my brow at him.
“Of course. Who the hell wouldn’t remember that. Do you have some secret boyfriend who’s going to come out of the shadows during dinner?”
“No.” My eyebrows knitted.
“Then we’ll be fine.” He kissed my cheek. “Stop worrying.”
I took off my ring and placed it in my purse.
“Why did you do that?” he asked.
“Because we have to wait for the perfect time to spring it on them.” I smirked. “I just can’t walk in with it on my hand. They’ll see it.”
The limo pulled up to the sprawling estate and I took in a deep, long breath. The only thing that concerned me about being here was seeing Alfie. I hooked my arm around Wyatt’s as we walked up to the door. Placing my hand on the handle, I pushed it open.
“Laurel, darling.” My mother smiled as she kissed my cheek. “Wyatt. Looking as handsome as ever.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“And you’re looking as lovely as ever, Adalynn.” Wyatt grinned.
“Laurel, Wyatt,” my father spoke as he hugged me and shook Wyatt’s hand.
We walked into the living room and Bella came flying down the stairs.
“I’m so happy you’re both here!” she screeched.
Alfie walked into the room with a drink in his hand and walked over to Wyatt and shook his hand.
“Nice to see you again, Wyatt.”
“Nice to see you too, Alfie.”
“Laurel.” He nodded and spoke in a cold, flat tone.
“Alfie. How have you been?” I asked to break the ice.
“Fine.” He turned and walked away.
Wyatt glanced over at me and I rolled my eyes.
“Dinner is ready. Everyone into the dining room,” my mother spoke.
We all gathered around the table and took our seats. Alfie made sure he sat as far away from me as possible.
“I don’t bite,” I spoke to him.
“Really? All dogs bite, Laurel,” he snapped.
“Oh, Alfie. That’s enough. It’s time you and Laurel made up,” Bella spoke.
“Never. She ruined my life.”
“I ruined your life?” I laughed. “No, little brother, you ruined your own life because you can’t keep your dick in your pants.” I pointed at him.
“Laurel, please,” Wyatt spoke.
The heated argument between me and my brother escalated.
“And how is it my fault that you got Charlotte pregnant? She’s the one who busted into the party and spilled the beans! Not me, little brother!”
“Maybe you didn’t, but you said some really shit things in front of everyone. You embarrassed Mom and Dad. Hell, you embarrassed the whole fucking family with your little rant. Poor little Laurel. Never felt any love from her parents because she was adopted. You should have stopped there, but no, you had to bring my name into it by telling everyone that I’m not a saint and I take after Dad. Rumors started to spread, Laurel. Rumors about what a cheating bastard I am. You got to run away and never hear any of it, but I had to stay and get the brunt of it all.”
“Oh please, you dumbass. You got called that because you got someone other than your fiancée, whom you loved so much, pregnant. If it’s easier for you to blame me to make yourself feel like less of a dickhead, then so be it.”
“I’ve heard enough out of you two!” My father stood up and banged his fist on the table.
“Your father and I are getting a divorce,” my mother casually spoke as she stabbed her green beans with a fork.
Everyone went silent as my and my siblings’ eyes diverted over to her and my father.
“What? I thought you two were starting over? You’re in therapy, for God sakes,” I spoke.
“Mom. Dad. No,” Bella cried.
“It was mutual,” my father spoke. “Your mother and I realized that we would be better off if we moved on with our lives separately.”
“Mom?” Alfie cocked his head.
“This is why we asked you all here for the weekend. We wanted to tell all of you together. Your father and I love each other, but we aren’t in love anymore. We’ve talked about it like mature adults and we both agreed it’s for the best. And we know that being the adults you are, you will also understand.”
I wasn’t the least bit shocked. I knew this was coming for years. When you play with fire, you eventually get burned. And that was what both of them did.
“We’ve already started the proceedings and your father will be moving out this weekend. He has agreed to let me keep the house, and I’ve agreed to let him keep the beach house in the Hamptons. Everything else will be split 50/50.”
“Where are you going to live, Dad?” I asked.
“I bought a nice penthouse downtown by the office, sweetheart.”
Bella sat at the table and cried while Alfie sat there with an angry look on his face. Suddenly, he got up, shoved his chair into the table, and walked out. My mother went to get up and my father placed his hand on her arm.
“Let him go, Adalynn. He needs time to process it.”
“Maybe I should go talk to him,” Wyatt spoke.
“No. Leave him alone. My dad is right.”
I reached into my purse, pulled out my engagement ring, and slipped it on my finger.
“Wyatt and I are getting married,” I blurted out as I held up my hand.
“What wonderful news!” My mother smiled. “And for the record, it’s about time.”
“Congratulations,” my father spoke with a smile.
“I’m so happy for you.” Bella managed a smile as she leaned over and hugged me.
“Have the two of you set a date yet?” my mother asked.
“Not yet. We wanted to tell everyone first.”
“Looks like there’s going to be a Holloway wedding after all.” My mother grinned. “I’m going to have to get started on the engagement party. Oh my gosh, there’s so much to do.”
“Mom, we don’t want an engagement party if that’s all right with you.”
“What? Why not? This is something that needs to be celebrated in the proper way.”
“You know I’m not into all that and neither is Wyatt.”
“Oh,” she spoke with disappointment.
“Plus, all of our friends are in New York.”
She didn’t say another word after that and we finished eating dinner the only way we could. In the most awkward way after our parents told us they were divorcing.
Chapter Four
Wyatt
We returned from Boston Sunday afternoon, and as soon as we stepped inside the penthouse, Laurel went upstairs to change. It was an exhausting weekend, and not one that I had planned on. Laurel was right, there was never a dull moment at a Holloway gathering.
I went into my office, checked my emails, and made a few phone calls. After looking at my watch, I noticed an hour had passed and Laurel never came downstairs. I shut my computer down and headed up to the bedroom to see what she was doing. When I entered, I found her curled up on the bed sound asleep. Grabbing the throw that dr
aped over the back of the chair near the window, I lightly laid it over her and kissed her head. Even though she told me time and time again that she wasn’t shocked, and she expected her parents’ divorce, I could see that it bothered her.
About three hours had passed when Laurel walked downstairs and found me in my office.
“You’re up.” I smiled.
She walked over to me and took a seat on my lap as my arms wrapped around her.
“Why did you let me sleep so long?”
“Obviously, you needed it. Feeling better?” I asked.
“Yeah.” She smiled.
I gently brushed my lips against hers.
“How about we go grab some dinner and start talking about a wedding date?” I grinned.
“I’d love to. Where do you want to go?”
“How about Marea?” I replied.
“You know that’s my favorite.” Her mouth gave way to a bright smile.
“I know it is.” I kissed her beautiful lips.
I called the restaurant and reserved a private corner booth. As soon as we both changed clothes, we hailed a cab since Ryan had the night off.
“Did you have a date in mind?” I asked as I sipped my scotch.
The corners of her mouth curved up into a beautiful smile.
“I was thinking of June 8th.”
“That’s my mother’s birthday.”
“I know, and it falls on a Saturday.”
I didn’t think I could fall in love with her any more than I already had, but at that moment, I did.
“I think June 8th would be a wonderful day to marry you.”
I reached over and took hold of her hand from across the table and softly stroked the flesh of her skin with my thumb.
“Then it’s set. On June 8th, we will become Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt Coleman. Because it’s in nine months, we need to get moving on this ASAP, and I want you involved every step of the way.” She smiled.
“Just tell me what you want and it’s yours. Money is no object, sweetheart.”
“So what you’re saying is if I want a million-dollar wedding, I can have one?” A smirk crossed her face as her eyes lit up.
“You can have a two-million-dollar wedding. I want our wedding day to be perfect.” I gently squeezed her hand.
“Just like the two of us?” she asked.
“Just like the two of us.”
“We need to finish our dinner so we can get the hell out of this restaurant. Just saying.” Her brow raised.
I stared into her beautiful eyes from across the table as my cock started to rise. I held up my finger to alert our waiter that we needed boxes and our check.
As soon as we arrived back to our apartment building and stepped inside the elevator, I swooped her up in my arms and passionately kissed her as we rode up to the penthouse. The doors opened, and I carried her up the stairs as she kicked off her heels. Laying her on the bed, I bent down, removed her panties, and pressed my mouth against her. She moaned and arched her back, pressing harder against my mouth. My tongue slid up her slick and silky area while my finger dipped inside her, hitting the spot that drove her to orgasm. My cock was throbbing, and I needed to be inside her. After making her come, I stood up and quickly undressed, kicking my clothes and shoes to the side. Laurel sat up, took off her dress and bra, and tossed them across the room with a sexy smile across her face. God, she was so fucking beautiful. She scooted to the edge of the bed before I had a chance to get on top of her and fuck her like she deserved to be fucked.
Licking her lips, she softly took my hard cock in the palm of her hand and seductively wrapped her fingers around it, giving it a couple of tugs before wrapping her lips around me. I closed my eyes as a moan escaped my lips and my hands planted themselves on each side of her head. I pulled out of her mouth, for I didn’t want to come yet, and God knows I was so close.
She lay on her back and spread her legs, begging me to give her what she wanted. I hovered over her and took her hardened nipple in my mouth, sucking and teasing it with my tongue. Bringing my lips up to hers, I guided myself inside her, gasping noises falling from both of us at the same time. Warmth enveloped me as my cock pulsated inside her. I thrust in and out of her a few times before she placed her hand on my chest.
“My turn.” She smiled.
“By all means. Do whatever you want to me.” I grinned as I rolled on my back and she climbed on top and slowly pushed herself down on my cock.
I thrust my hips as she rocked back and forth. Her breasts bounced up and down and my hands cupped them, rubbing her hard peaks with my thumbs. She let out moans of sexual pleasure while my toes curled, and we were both on the verge of coming at the same time.
“Fuck, Laurel,” I whimpered as I was ready to explode.
All it took was her tight pussy to contract around me and the high-pitched voice of her screaming “Yes. Yes”, to cause me to explode inside her while I pressed her hips down on mine.
She collapsed on top of me, but not before pressing her lips against mine. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, holding her in place, never wanting to let go. We lay there, tangled around each other while our breathing slowed, and our heart rates returned to normal. She lifted her head and smiled.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.” I pushed one side of her hair behind her ear and softly kissed her.
Chapter Five
Laurel
“Laurel get in here,” Eric shouted as I walked past his office.
I stopped dead in my tracks and then slowly backed up until I was standing outside his door.
“Is there something I can help you with?” I arched my brow at him.
“Close the door and sit down,” he spoke in an irritated tone.
“Who has your panties in a bunch today?” I asked as I took a seat across from his desk.
“Eh.” He waved his hand in front of his face. “I went on a date a couple of nights ago.”
“Well, well, Eric. You sly dog. Why didn’t you tell me?” I leaned back in my chair.
“I don’t know, Laurel. I just didn’t tell anyone.”
“So, am I to assume that it didn’t go well?”
“I thought it went great. She’s beautiful, smart, funny, and we had a really good time.”
“Okay. Then what’s the problem?”
“I sent her a text message after we parted ways to tell her that I had a really good time and asked her if she would like to go out again. I haven’t heard from her. I think I’ve been ghosted.”
“It’s been what? Two days?”
“Yeah. She should have texted me back that night or at least yesterday.”
“You really like this woman, don’t you?” I smirked.
“I do. For the first time in a long time, I felt a connection to someone.”
“I can relate to that.” A smile crossed my lips. “Don’t assume she didn’t like you or didn’t have a good time just yet. She’s probably busy or something came up. Text her again. But only once. If she doesn’t respond, then you can safely assume you’ve been ghosted.”
“I don’t want to bother her, Laurel.”
“Sending her one last text message isn’t bothering her. Go ahead.” I pointed to his phone.
“What? You mean now?”
“Yes, now!”
He sighed as he picked up his phone. “What should I say?”
“Just say that you’re hoping she’s having a good day and you’re thinking about her.”
He typed away on his phone while I sat there thinking about the killer headache I had.
“Done.” He set his phone down.
“Good boy. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Oh, that’s right. Where’s Everything Laurel?”
“What do you mean? I sent it to you last night.”
“No. You didn’t. I have nothing in my inbox.”
“That’s strange. Let me go double check.”
As I got up from my chair,
Eric’s phone dinged.
“Oh my God, Laurel. It’s from her.”
“Read it.” I smiled.
He picked up his phone and a smile crossed his face.
“She wondered why I hadn’t been in touch. She said she responded to my last text message the other night but never hit send and she didn’t realize it. She said she’s been thinking about me too.”
“Aw, see. I told you.”
“Thanks, kid.” He grinned.
“You’re welcome. I’ll go double check my email.”
I took a seat behind my desk and rubbed my forehead. Reaching into my purse, I shook three Motrin into my hand and downed them with a bottle of water. Turning to my computer, I opened my sent folder and noticed that, in fact, I didn’t send Everything Laurel to Eric last night like I thought I did. Weird. I attached the file to an email and sent it over.
“Hey you.” George smiled as he stepped into my office. “Are you okay?”
“Ugh. I have a killer headache and I’m tired.”
“What? Up all night having sex like rabbits with Wyatt?” He chuckled.
“No. Well, we did, but not like rabbits. I slept pretty good.”
“Maybe it’s the weather. We are approaching fall season.”
“Maybe. I need your opinion on something.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“Do you think I should hire a wedding planner?”
“Actually, I think you should. One, you’re so busy here that if you try to plan a wedding yourself, you’re going to get too stressed out. And two, your mother will try to take over and stress you out even more.”
“True.” I laughed.
“See if you can get Rori LeMay. She’s supposedly the best wedding planner in New York, but I hear she books at least two years out. So, you might want to call her now. Throw Wyatt’s name at her if you have to.”
“Good idea. But I’ll have to do it later. I need to go home and lie down.”
“Your headache is that bad?”
“Yeah. It is.” I frowned as I rubbed my aching head.
George walked over to me and kissed the top of my head.
“Go home and get some rest. I’ll call you later.”