by Holly Jaymes
“How could she tell?” He ran his fingers through my hair, like he was reacquainting himself with me again.
“She said it was clear we loved each other.”
He quirked a brow. “That was probably booze.”
“Sometimes alcohol brings out the truth though, right? Less inhibition.” I pressed my hands to his cheeks. “I loved you then. I may not have realized it yet, but I did.”
He grabbed my hips and turned me until I was laying on the couch underneath him. “I loved you first.”
I looked into his face, feeling so lucky to have this wonderful man in my life. “How do you know?”
“Because I loved you three years ago. I didn’t know it at the time, but it’s clear as day to me now.”
“We’re such dopes.”
He grinned. “Is that a step up from uptight and dullard?”
“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
His fingers deftly undid the buttons of my blouse. “I’m going to spend every moment from now on convincing you that I’m interesting.”
“I look forward to that.”
His lips wrapped around my bra-covered nipple. “How am I doing so far?”
“That’s definitely interesting.” He did it again, but before I let him take me away to pleasureland, I pushed him back until he was looking at me. “From now on, we tell each other everything, okay?”
“Like when you’re going to confess?” he quirked a brow at me.
“Yes. And if there are challenges or problems. And most importantly, how we feel. I wish I told you sooner that I loved you. I hated that I was going to leave and have never said it to you.”
He dropped his forehead to mine. “Me too. I do love you, Adalyn. More than I ever thought it was possible to love anyone.”
I was sure my smile was wide and goofy, but I didn’t care. I was so filled with love for this man. “So, what other interesting things can you do?”
His smile turned wicked. “Let’s get naked and I’ll show you.”
We kissed and undressed and laughed. He started to push me under him, but this time I wanted to take charge. I wanted to show my man how much I loved him. I wanted to be in control of his pleasure.
He sat on the couch and I straddled his thighs, bringing my hands to his cheeks.
“First things first, Will Sloane.”
“I love it when you take charge.”
“Then you’ll love this. First,” I kissed him hard but fast. “You’re never to refer to yourself as dullard or boring again. Your new descriptions are incredibly sexy and wonderfully kind.”
His smile was so beautiful that I made a vow to see it every day. “Incredibly sexy and wonderfully kind. Check. What’s next?”
I stared into his eyes. “Next, you let me show you how much I love you.”
“I’m all yours, honey.”
I ran my hands over his pecs, squeezing them. “Incredibly sexy. Was all this beefcake here three years ago?”
“Yep.”
“You’re like Superman, hiding all that sexy strength underneath a strait-laced persona.”
“Superman, huh?” His hands caressed my thighs.
I leaned in to suck his nipple, loving how his fingers gripped my thighs and his breath hitched. I ran my hands over him, and kissed him, loving him with my mouth. I gripped his dick, stroking it, using my tongue in his mouth to mimic things to come.
“Fuck me, Adalyn. I need to be in you, sweetheart.”
“I love it when you say that.” I whispered against his lips.
“Fuck me?”
“That. And my name.” I brushed his tip through my pussy lips, sighing at the feel of the velvety softness of him.
“Adalyn.” His hands held my hips. “My lovely Adalyn.”
“Only you call me that. I love that about you. Should I call you William?”
“You can call me whatever you want, baby.” His hands slid up to my breasts, squeezing and kneading them.
“My love. I’m going to call you my love.”
He nodded his head. “Kiss me, Adalyn.”
I kissed him fully, while I slid down over his hard length, savoring the feel of him filling me, becoming a part of me.
“Mine,” he said when I broke the kiss to gasp. “My Adalyn.”
“I love you,” I said as I held his gaze and began to rock over him. I watched as his eyes darkened, and pleasure grew. Together we rode up and up, and just when I thought I might fly over, I stopped, holding us both suspended between torture and sweet ecstasy.
I did it again and again until Will said, “Make me come … fuck, I need to come.”
I gripped his shoulders, and started riding him. His hips rose to meet mine, and together we chased pleasure. When I reached the top, I cried out, my body bursting with explosive sensation. Will growled, thrusting up, releasing his essence inside of me.
“Welcome home, baby,” Will said pulling me into another kiss.
I was home, I realized. I’d been home since Will first saved me from Robert at the conference. I’d nearly lost him, and I felt like a part of me had died. Now that I knew love and loss, I’d work harder to appreciate love, and let Will know just how much he was my home, my life.
Book 4: Chapter 34—Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Will
Three days later, I pulled up to my mother’s home with Adalyn to celebrate Thanksgiving. Boy, did I have so much to be thankful for.
When Adalyn appeared at my door on Monday as I prepared to fly to Canada, I thought I was hallucinating. When I touched her, feeling her warm skin, and inhaling the sweet scent of her, I realized she was there. In the flesh. I pulled her to me and held her tight, vowing that I’d never let her go again.
For the rest of the night, I didn’t let her out of my sight. Not even when I sent texts to my family telling them Adalyn was home. They all texted back their congratulations. Nate started asking questions, but I told him he’d have to wait, because I was going to be giving my wife all my attention.
The next morning, I lay in bed and watched her after texting my office to tell them I wouldn’t be in until after the Thanksgiving break. Being the boss rocked sometimes. I didn’t want to take my eyes off her. She was so beautiful. So sweet and funny. She kept me on my toes. And she was mine, forever. Being me was fucking awesome.
Later, during breakfast, I called Ms. Slater, one to thank her for sending Adalyn back to me and two, to find out if I still had to go in for the interview. She’d told me no, and to enjoy my life with my wife. There was a great deal of relief in hearing that Adalyn could stay here directly from her.
Adalyn and I got lost in each other for the next few days. We both knew now what life would be like without the other, and we agreed that we needed to savor every moment. So, we did. We spent a lot of time naked, but we also went back to the Torpedo Factory to get more tulip art. We walked on the path along the river and she worked with me to improve my grilling.
Now, I was bringing her home again.
“I hope they’re not upset at me for leaving,” she said as she looked up at the house. All my brothers’ cars were already there.
“No.” I took her hand as I led her up the brick walkway to the door. “They understand.”
I opened the door. “Happy Thanksgiving,” I called out.
“Oh, they’re here,” my mother rushed out to greet us. When she saw us, tears formed in her eyes. She hugged me and then Adalyn. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” Adalyn said. “I’m sorry I hurt him, and you all —”
“Forgotten. And we understand. But next time, give us a warning.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I said, putting my arm around her. One thing I hadn’t been able to stop doing was touch her any chance I got. A shrink might interpret that as paranoia about losing her again. There was probably some truth to that, but I wanted to know she was here. Really here.
“So, you can stay?�
�� Sam asked as she wove her way through the crowd to us for a hug.
“Yes,” Adalyn said.
Being here on a green card wasn’t as good as being a citizen, but we could at least feel sure that she had two years conditional stay since we hadn’t been married long when she applied, and after that she could stay another eight years. Of course, after three years, she could apply to be a citizen, which would alleviate all worry. I knew now, though, that whatever happened, we’d find a way to stay together.
“I was glad you decided you didn’t need the plane,” Nate said, giving me a quick hug and then hugging Adalyn. “It’s cold up in Canada this time of year.”
“I’m just glad I don’t have to work again,” Mitch said.
“Oh, stop. He works plenty following the kids all day,” Hope said, giving Adalyn a hug.
“How long before you’re going to buy a house?” Gabe said. “You might consider putting some smart features in. You’ll need them when you’re wondering where your kid walked off with your keys.”
I looked at Adalyn. “I guess we need to talk about that.”
My mother pressed her hands over her mouth. “Is there news?”
I laughed. “Not yet, Mom. But Adalyn and I are in this for the long haul.”
“I still want four kids,” Adalyn said, looping her arm through mine. She touched me a lot too, making me think she needed to know I was really here as well.
I blanched a little, which I guess was noticeable, because everyone laughed.
“Come, everyone. We have so much to celebrate this year.” My mother led us back to the dining room.
At the table, I moved to let Nate sit at the head. I’d passed the torch to him and it didn’t seem like it was something I needed to take back. My brothers were completely capable of being there for the family. And as my mother said, she wasn’t decrepit. She didn’t want one of us hovering over her all the time.
“Nah man, that’s your spot,” Nate said, helping Hallie into her chair and brushing a soft kiss on his son’s head as Nate Jr. sat in a high chair.
“Yes, Will. Take your spot, and Adalyn, you’re next to him.” My mother looked around the table. “Oh goodness, I’m going to need a bigger table soon.”
“We can fit, Mom,” Gabe said, putting Annabelle in her booster seat.
“A bigger table won’t fit in here, unless you take out that wall,” Sam said pointing behind her to the wall that divided the dining room and unused, mostly, formal living room.
My mom looked over at Gabe. “Could you?”
“I’ll need to check if it’s load bearing. But maybe.”
“Mom, sit down and eat,” Mitch said checking that Mia was secure in her high chair. Pax was on the other side of Mia next to Hope. “There’s time to add room for more grandkids later.”
“Does that mean you have news?” she asked Mitch.
He barked out a laugh. “Not yet. We’re still trying to keep track of these two little munchkins.”
“Why doesn’t she ask us?” Sam asked Gabe.
Gabe shrugged. “I dunno.”
We all looked at Sam and Gabe. They looked at each other and then smiled.
“I’ll check that wall tonight, Mom,” Gabe said. “You’ll need more space next year.”
The room erupted with congratulations and happiness for Gabe and Sam.
“Your family is so lovely, Will,” Adalyn whispered next to me.
“They’re your family too.” I took her hand. “Maybe next year your dad and brother could come. If Gabe makes a big enough room.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
I carved the turkey, as my father had done before me. Thinking of him missing all this was bittersweet. When he’d died, he’d had four sons are successful in their careers, but a bit wild or lost in their personal lives. As each found love and started a family, I knew my father would be proud of them. What I hadn’t counted on was finding the same happiness for myself.
“Now we each need to say what we’re thankful for,” my mother announced at her end of the table. “You start, Will.”
“I think it’s obvious what I’m thankful for. I’m thankful that Bigalow didn’t deport the love of my life.”
“Boo hiss Bigalow,” Gabe said.
“I’m grateful to my brothers for being there during my darkest moments. And to you, mom, for … well, everything.”
“Here, here, to Mom,” Mitch said holding up his wine glass.
“Yeah, Grammy,” Annabelle clapped.
“And I’ll be forever, eternally —”
“That’s redundant,” Nate quipped.
“— Grateful, that my beautiful Adalyn convinced me to go on an adventure in Vegas. And that she has chosen me to continue the adventure in life. I’ve never been happier.”
Her eyes misted with tears as she leaned forward and kissed me.
“No kissing at the table,” Nate said.
“Really?” Hallie asked. “That’s unfortunate.”
He grinned and kissed her. Gabe kissed Sam.
“Sorry baby, my lips can’t reach that far,” Mitch said to Hope over the twins
“Probably just as well. We’re not ready for another addition,” she responded.
Later that night, as I took Adalyn to bed, ready to love and worship her again, she looped her arms around my neck. “I’ve never been happier either, Will.”
“I hope to always make you happy.” I trailed kisses along her jaw.
“Did you mean what you said about getting a house?”
I lifted my head. “Yes. Why? Tired of the view?” I nipped at her lip.
“No. I just … well … it’s silly.”
“What is?”
“The idea of having what your mom has. A stable home, filled with love and children and grandchildren. I know it’s a very traditional dream, but I want that.”
“Then you shall have it. As soon as you want it. The home, that is. We have time for the kids.”
She nodded. “You’re thinking we should wait the three years?”
“Right now, I want you to myself. But I’ll admit, after dealing with Bigalow, I’m nervous still. I know I’m being uptight about it —”
“So, we’ll spend our time practicing the art of baby making.”
I grinned. “We could get really good.”
“We’re already really good.” She opened her arms to me, took me inside them, and held me there.
“Really good.” I kissed her and got practicing.
Book 4: Epilogue—One Year Later
Epilogue: One Year Later
Epilogue: One Year Later
Adalyn
“Adalyn. Wake up, honey.”
I snuggled deep in the sheets. “I’m not ready to get up.”
“We’ve got places to go,” Will said, as he pulled the sheet off me. “Did you forget what day it is?”
“No. I just thought when you said we’d be busy today that you meant we’d spend our anniversary in bed.” I reached my hands out to him. “Come celebrate.”
He laughed as he bent over to kiss me. “We gotta go, baby. Get up.”
I frowned, but did as he asked. As I made my way to the shower, I noticed several packed bags. “We really are going somewhere?”
“Yep. Now scoot.” He gave my butt a slap.
I stepped into the shower of the home we had moved into six months ago. We’d considered moving out closer to the country, but I didn’t want Will spending too much time commuting to his office when he could be home with me. So, we found a gorgeous Georgian brick home on the Potomac River in Alexandria. It had four bedrooms, which he argued meant we could only have three children, but there were plenty of other rooms that could be converted to a bedroom. I’d already discussed it with Gabe.
It had a large office overlooking the river that I used to run my own consulting business. Plus, it had a large open indoor-outdoor space that was perfect for entertaining the family. It even had a boat house, and Will had bough
t us a little boat. Life was perfect.
When I was out of the shower and dressed, Will ushered me to a waiting car he ordered to take us to the airport.
“Where are we going?”
“On an adventure.” He waggled his brows. Soon, I was on a private plane hurtling across the sky and heading west. I had a sense now of where we were going, but I kept it to myself. I loved watching Will’s enjoyment in surprising me.
Several hours later, we touched down in the desert.
“Welcome to Vegas, baby.”
“Where it all began,” I said following him out of the plane.
He gave me a quick kiss. “Come on. We don’t have much time.”
“Time for what?”
“Come on,” he said taking my hand and leading me to where another car waited. He brought me to the same hotel where he booked the same suite we were in a year ago.
“Can we celebrate now?” I asked, wondering why I didn’t strip him naked on the plane. Joining the mile-high club would have been a great adventure. Maybe on the way home.
“I’m sorry, you’ll have to wait for all this,” he said gesturing to his dick.
“You like to tease me.”
He pulled me into his arms. “I promise, it will be worth the wait. Let’s get cleaned up.”
We showered and changed again. He’d set out a filmy pale seafoam green dress for me.
“How’d you choose this?” I asked as I put it on.
“It’s my favorite of yours. You’re so beautiful, Adalyn.”
I smiled, feeling so filled with love. He could dress me as a clown, and I’d be perfectly happy as long as he was looking at me like that. He wore a dark suit that made him look powerful and sexy. I wondered how long the ride would be to our next stop. Would I have time to ravage his body?
A few minutes later, we were back in a car and driving up the strip. Before I could get my hands on him, the car pulled up to the same little chapel we’d been accidentally married in.
“Will.” I gasped as he helped me from the car. I looked up into his sexy dark eyes.
He smiled at me. “This time, we do it right.”