Interlude

by D. Kelly

  “Yeah. Better than okay, actually.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  As I look up into his gorgeous eyes, I nod. “I do, but tonight … at home, if that’s okay. I’m still trying to process it all, but things make a lot more sense now.”

  “Fair enough. Your dad and I have been talking, and Sasha is going to run the bar tonight. She’s already called in backups. We’re taking your dad to dinner.”

  “I’m still angry with him, Jordan. Why even bother?”

  “Because he’s here, and you two still have a chance at a relationship. I get the feeling he’s remorseful about a lot of things, Allie, and you’ll only know if it’s worth it if you try.” He leans down and kisses my head.

  “He was awful to you. How can you be so calm?”

  Jordan chuckles, and I love the feeling of his chest rumbling against mine. “People have judged me for my looks my whole life. What surprises me more is how much you know about my business.”

  “Sorry, it’s a bad habit. I always research potential employers, and I like to keep tabs on where Sasha is working too. It helps me make sure she’s okay.”

  “Do you believe what you said? Or were you just spouting BS because you were trying to prove a point? “

  “No way. Everything I said was spot on. I’ll show you my research later if you want. You’ve got something special here, Jordan. And now that you have one of the brightest business minds out there working for you, you should take advantage of that whenever you’d like.”

  He lowers his head and caresses the shell of my ear with his lips. “I’m not sure I can afford you.”

  His husky tone always ignites my sex drive. “Good thing I work on a barter system. You teach me, I’ll teach you.”

  “Deal.”

  Two Years Later

  “Where’s Allie?” Sawyer reaches for his drink.

  “She has the night off tonight. She and Tyler are putting their heads together about some kind of birthday surprise for me.”

  Darren tosses back a shot of tequila and laughs. “Man, how did your girlfriend and your ex-boyfriend end up such close friends?”

  “Don’t ask me, but I feel lucky it happened. Cutting Tyler out of my life to please Allie would have been nearly impossible.”

  “Would you have done it?” Sawyer asks.

  “I’d like to say no because friends don’t treat friends like that, but life without Allie wouldn’t be worth living.”

  Sawyer grins. “I feel you.”

  “You two need to stop bragging about your love life.” Darren points to me. “You’ve settled down from all the freaky sexual encounters we used to get to hear about.” Then he points to Sawyer. “And this fucker right here is getting married. Married! Sawyer fucking Weston, lead singer of Bastards and Dangerous, is finally going to settle down.”

  Darren is pretty drunk tonight but with good reason. He lost the love of his life when we lost Noah, and being a single dad of a beautiful little girl can’t be easy.

  “Someday it will be your turn again, Darren. You just have to wait out the storm.” Sawyer is trying to be a good friend, but the look in Darren’s eyes is a familiar one. I often saw it in my reflection before Allie came along.

  “Nah, hookups are where it’s at these days. Where is Eli? I thought he was going to meet us here.” Darren looks around the room.

  Eli Watts is the one guy Allie and I agreed we can drool over together. He’s a cool dude, totally straight, and is one of those “celebrity fuck allowances.”

  Sawyer looks at Darren. “Eli is hanging out with Mel tonight. You know the two of them are two peas in a pod. Just like Jordan and Ty, they’ve figured out how to be the best of friends, even after a gnarly break up. I don’t know how you guys do it.”

  I refill their shot glasses. “Eh, it’s not that hard when someone is important to you for more reasons than why you used to hook up with them. Tyler has always been one of my best friends, just like Mel and Eli. Grownups can figure shit out. Maybe you should join us sometime, brother.”

  Sawyer cracks a grin. “Touché, brother. Now, can we talk about the bar? We open for business soon. San Francisco seems to be the perfect location. The team up there is on top of things, the talent is set for the first year, and the menu is incredible. It was smart to go a bit more upscale with the food there.”

  Noah left me a sizeable inheritance, and I was pissed. It was his wish for me to pay off the bar with it. But Noah knew me well and figured I’d be too stubborn to do that—he was right—so he suggested some backup options. Even though I wasn’t convinced, expanding and opening a new bar with Sawyer was the one that resonated with me most. It took a long time to convince me, but between Allie’s business knowledge and Sawyer’s enthusiasm, I eventually came around. Allie has taken over running the business end of the club, which has freed up a lot of my time. All in all, things are good.

  “Allie and I are set to spend a month up there to be sure it all takes off without a hitch. We leave next week, and Sasha has things under control here. Everything is good, Sawyer, but you can always come with us if you want.”

  “Nah, I know you’ve got it handled.”

  “I’ll go,” Darren pipes up. “I’ll have my parents or Veronica and Mel watch Cadence. I can help the last few days you’re there before the club opens. I’ll fly back with Sawyer after the opening. Besides, it could be fun since the senator is coming. We all know how much he loves us tattooed rock stars.”

  Allie’s dad is proud of her for putting her business degree to use and has agreed to come down for the opening of the club. The two of them have come a long way in the last two years, but I’m happy about it. We even get along, which I wasn’t sure would ever happen.

  “Sure, Darren, I’d love the help. Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet someone special while you’re there.”

  He throws back his shot. “Keep dreaming. I’m telling you two, love is not in the foreseeable future for me.”

  I look at Sawyer and shrug. “I tried, but I’m outta here. Gotta get my sleep for tomorrow.”

  Sawyer’s eyes glimmer mischievously. “Big day for you. You’ll have to call me and tell me all about it. Mom is going to be ecstatic.”

  “I hope so. It’s nice to see her smiling.” My mom puts up a good front, but ever since Noah died, some of the light has dimmed from her eyes. Can’t say I blame her. Losing more family, especially Noah, was difficult for all of us.

  “Jordan, where are we going?” Allie laughs as I blindfold her, and just to be doubly safe, I put a second blindfold over the first.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “But it’s your birthday. I’m the one with the surprise for you.”

  When I got home last night, Allie was grinning like crazy, but even my best sexual moves weren’t incentive enough for her to break down and tell me. Unlike Allie, I hate surprises.

  “My birthday, my rules. I get to go first.”

  “Damn, baby, can’t we just go make love all night instead?” She pokes her bottom lip into a pout, and I tug it between my teeth.

  “That’s part of the plan, but not till later. Come on. The sooner we get there, the sooner you’ll be able to see again.”

  After leading her safely to the car, I drive around the city for a while so she thinks we’re going farther than we are.

  “J, how much longer?”

  I pull up to our destination and park the car. “We’re here, but don’t take off the blindfold yet. Let me help you out of the car.”

  The sun is setting, and it’s almost the perfect recreation of when I brought her here a few years ago. “Keep your eyes closed until I say you can open them. Promise me, Allie. It’s important to me.”

  “I promise,” she replies breathlessly.

  After removing the blindfold, I get down on one knee and pull the ring from my pocket. “Open your eyes, Allie.”

  My heart races as she takes in the painti
ng in front of her. It’s the two of us, with me on bended knee, a ring in hand, and the words “Will you marry me?”

  “Oh my God, Jordan.” She gasps and cries at the same time before slowly turning around. She covers her mouth as tears stream down her cheeks.

  “Allie, when you walked into my bar, I knew my life was about to change. I’ve never met anyone as kind, loving, and thoughtful as you. You’ve embraced my every weakness and made me realize I am stronger than I ever believed. You have comforted me at times of loss, and you’ve held me up when I needed strength. You light up whatever room we’re in and make me believe I can be so much more than I ever gave myself credit for. Without you, I’d be lost, still making irresponsible decisions, and not facing what is real in life. You’re real, Allie, our love is real, and if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife, I promise you will never spend a day wondering if you are loved. I’ll prove it to you with every breath I take.”

  Still crying, she nods excitedly. “Yes, Jordan. Oh my God, yes!”

  As I pull her into my arms, I can’t resist teasing her. “I never thought those words would sound so good outside the bedroom, or the bar, for that matter.”

  She clutches my shirt with one hand while I slide the ring on her left hand. Without even a glance at it, she pulls me close. “Shut up and kiss me before I take it back.”

  “No takebacks allowed,” I whisper as I lower my lips to hers. She opens immediately and our tongues meet. Allie pours her entire heart into this kiss, and as I wrap my arms around her, I kiss her deeper until the sweet cries she releases into my mouth are longing moans of lust and want. There is nothing better than the taste of her on my lips. I can’t imagine a time I’ll ever think differently.

  Once we part, she rests her head on my chest and listens to my heart pounding against her ear. “Were you nervous?”

  “Yes,” I confess. “No matter how much I hoped you’d say yes, just the thought you could say no was terrifying.”

  She cups my cheeks in her hands. “Baby, why would I say no? You’re everything to me.”

  “Somewhere deep down maybe I think you deserve better than me.”

  That is a fear of mine, but she already knows it. Allie brings more to this relationship financially and educationally than I do.

  “It’s not possible, Jordan. Do you know why? Because I have never been loved as completely as I am by you. You’ve single-handedly eliminated every insecurity I’ve ever had about sex and relationships.”

  We kiss again, and she pulls away with a huge smile. “Can we go home so I can give you my present now?”

  “Not yet. There is one more thing I want for my birthday. It’s inside the bar.”

  She eyes me skeptically but takes my hand to lead the way. We enter through the back door, and she clutches on to me once we’re inside. “Jordan, why is it so quiet in here?”

  “The bar is closed for a private party.”

  “Oh. Whose party?”

  I pull her back to my front so she can feel my arousal. “My party, Allie. It’s been almost three years and I still haven’t had my way with you on the bar. That’s about to change.” She sucks in a breath and trembles beneath my fingers. “Are you okay with that?”

  “Making your birthday wish come true? Hell yeah.”

  Originally, I told her we were going to a nice dinner, so she’s wearing a red dress and black heels that bring her almost to my height. “Have I mentioned how fucking sexy you look tonight?”

  As I turn her toward me, her cheeks flush with color. This is one of my favorite things about her—she can’t hide her emotions, not from me.

  “No, but thank you.”

  “You’re beautiful, Allie … mind, body, and soul. I can’t wait to be your husband.”

  I caress her body as I work my way down her backside, my hands lingering on her ass as I pull her close.

  “Hm, I can tell. How soon do you want to get married?”

  “Whenever you’re ready, but I’m ready right now.”

  “Now, huh?”

  “Well, I’d prefer sex on the bar first, but we could be in Vegas in an hour.”

  Her eyes meet mine as she slides her hands up my arms, “Your family should be there, Jordan. I only have my dad and Sasha, they’ll be pretty easy to arrange, but you have a big family. They should be with you on your big day.”

  “With us on our big day,” I correct.

  “That’s going to take some getting used to.”

  “Are you happy?”

  She kisses me softly. “Happier than I’ve ever been. I love you more than life, Jordan Weston, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of ours together.”

  I lead Allie over to the bar and knock a couple of barstools out of the way. As she leans against it, I cage her in, my front to her back, and drop my lips to her neck. The pulsing of her artery against my lips as she releases a sultry sigh has my dick throbbing.

  “I love you, but I’m going to fuck you until you can’t walk.”

  “How will I get home to give you your surprise?”

  “Baby, I’ll carry you.”

  As I trace her skin with my tongue, she holds on to the bar. Pausing at the base of her neck, I kiss her softly before taking her zipper between my teeth and pulling it down. Allie looks over her shoulder, her eyes widening as she watches.

  “That is so freaking hot, but I don’t even want to think about where and how you learned to do that.”

  Once her dress is completely unzipped, I drop the zipper tab from my mouth. As I lick and suck my way back up to her neck, I whisper in her ear while pulling her dress down her body. “All you need to remember is that everything I’ve learned benefits you. Now I get to spend the rest of my life turning you on.”

  Her dress falls to the floor, and I lift her feet one at a time before picking up her dress before tossing it on the table behind us. “Turn around, Allie. Let me see you.”

  She turns around as I step back, and I almost stumble. She looks so good. Her black lace panties barely cover her freshly waxed pussy, and the matching lace bra leaves nothing to the imagination. Her nipples are stiff peaks, and when her heated gaze meets mine, all bets are off.

  “Take off my tie, Allie.”

  She eagerly steps forward at my command and pulls off my tie.

  “Now, unbutton my shirt. Slowly.”

  Her fingers tremble slightly as she works the buttons. I slide my hand into her panties and slip my fingers into her wetness. She fumbles, completely unable to get the buttons undone at the halfway point.

  “Come on, Allie, you can do it. Focus.”

  She throws her head back in ecstasy, and I take a step forward and pull her to me. I lower my mouth to her neck and bite. That’s going to bruise, but she cries out in pure pleasure as I swipe my tongue against her searing skin. I pull my finger from her and bring it to her lips. “Suck, baby.”

  As she swirls her tongue around my finger, I move my free hand down to my cock and squeeze. No one has ever made me come in my pants before Allie. As she sucks me down, I groan with pleasure. Pulling my finger away, I pick her up and set her on the bar and step between her legs. While I finish unbuttoning my shirt, I kick off my shoes. She watches as I remove my undershirt, and she unbuckles my belt. When I’m finally down to my boxers, she shoves her hand inside them and grips me in the way she knows I love.

  My mouth crashes onto hers and I kiss her relentlessly. I’m in control tonight and she’s going to be screaming my name. As I pull away, I meet her lust-filled gaze. “You taste like my favorite flavor.”

  “Hm, what’s that?” she asks lazily.

  I slide my finger inside her again and pull it out quickly before sucking it into my mouth. She watches greedily as I suck her essence from my finger. “Your pussy, Allie. My favorite flavor is most definitely you.”

  That tool Evan gave her a complex unnecessarily. Granted, he had his own shit going on. Grappling with your sexu
ality is never easy, but doing it at someone else’s expense is wrong.

  Allie looks at me coyly and spreads her legs wider. After lifting her and sliding off her panties, I wrap her legs around my shoulders and dive into my favorite spot. As I lick and suck, she grips my hair, pulling me closer to her core. I love how uninhibited she is, how freely she lets me know what she needs, and how badly she needs it. I dip my tongue inside her as she lowers her hand to where my mouth was. My gaze meets hers, and the molten lust reflecting back at me nearly pushes me over the edge. Allie helping me get her off is one of my favorite things, and she’s well aware of it.

  “God, Jordan, oh baby … ahhh!”

  I can’t wait to watch this back on the bar cameras later. No one has access but me, and I’m taking the tape home with us tonight for a repeat performance. Allie’s voyeuristic side is going to love this, almost as much as she loves watching people at the club. Once Allie is completely spent, I reach behind her and unsnap her bra before laying her back on the bar. I know it’s not comfortable, but fucking hell, it’s sexy as sin.

  As I pull off her bra, she catches her breath as I drop my boxers to the floor. We haven’t used condoms since the night before she moved in with me, and I hope there’s never a time we have to go back. The way it feels when she comes around my cock is like an untapped nirvana I’ll never get enough of.

  I hop onto the bar by her feet and climb between her spread legs. She hisses as I enter her, and as I caress her breasts, I whisper against her lips, “I’m never going to love anyone the way I love you.”

  A single tear falls as she closes her eyes. “I love you, Jordan, but never say never.”

  Before I can correct her or question her, she kisses me and wraps her arms around my neck. We move, united as one, and I’ve never felt more complete. Her body trembles beneath mine as she cries out my name against my lips. “Jordan …”

  “I’m with you, Allie, always.”

  The two of us explode together, and the only thing on my mind is that I hope this is how we’ll be for the rest of our lives.

  We don’t stay together long because the bar isn’t the most comfortable place for sex even if it’s hot.