by Rebel Wild
“Correction, I’m marrying a girl, who’s kind, exciting, vibrant, sweet, sexy, funny, and the list goes on. Yes, your hearing impairment is a part of who you are and I love it. I love all of you. I know it’s something we have to deal with. I know it’s what you have to deal with even though you do it so beautifully, but it doesn’t define us, Reagan.”
“I love you for that. I wish this didn’t define us but to the outside world, it does. You know as well as I do that there’s a stigma attached to people with impairments. It’s the reason you started the outreach program in the first place, isn’t it?”
“That was a big part of it, yes.”
“I’m still the same girl who you ran out of your office that day. When you found out I was deaf, how did you feel?”
“Ashamed of myself.”
“Why?”
“Because I was an asshole.”
“You’re always an asshole at work, but why did you feel ashamed when you found out I was deaf?”
“Damnit, Reagan.”
“See, you can’t even admit it. You felt sorry for me because I was deaf.”
“Yes. Okay, yes, I felt sorry for you.”
“Well, that’s the same way your business associates are going to feel. Either sorry for me or they may just completely avoid me and you by association. You’d be surprised at how uncomfortable being different makes people.”
“You’re overreacting and underestimating the people I do business with. Ace Barnes is a good example. If one of them did feel that way, I’d no longer do business with them. Our yachts will be all the more exclusive.”
“I don’t want to be the reason you lose business. I don’t want you to have to choose between a good business deal and me. I don’t want you to resent me.”
“Impossible.”
“Maybe so, but I just think we need to think about our relationship options.”
“How many options do you think we have? Are you saying you don’t want to marry me?”
“I guess that would be one option.”
Chapter Nineteen
This conversation is not what I wanted to spend the night doing, but Reed is being impossibly stubborn. I know he knows what I’m saying is true even if he doesn’t want to admit it.
“That’s not an option, Reagan,” he says. “No way in hell is that ever going to be an option. Ever.”
“Reed, I don’t fit into your world.”
“Good. I don’t want you to.”
“You say that now. But how are you going to feel in a few years being with me when I still don’t fit into your world?”
“Fuck that world. It’s not mine, you are. I started that program in honor of Ryan. He would have loved you. My company loves you. My world loves you. My yachts love having your sexy ass lying on top of them. And as far as belonging, I’ve never belonged anywhere until I found you. I belong with you and you belong with me. Tell me you feel the same way I do.”
“I do. You know I do.”
He lets out a shaky breath when he sees I don’t plan on arguing his point. How could I possibly argue? I’ve come alive since I’ve met him.
“Then what’s the second option?” he asks.
“Well, the second option would be for you to keep me separate from your work.”
“I don’t like that option. You work with me. I want us to share every part of each other’s lives. No more bread crumbs.”
“I figured,” I tell him with a grin. “Well, I guess we’re going for the third option.”
“What’s that?”
I hold up my middle finger to my face to demonstrate it and he frowns in question.
“Apparently, when you do this, it has to be blurred out,” I explain. “It’s okay for tit slips and crotch shot pics but no one can post me giving the finger.”
He laughs.
“I’m loving that option,” he says. “And what about my business dealings?”
“I’ll trust you to know what you’re doing. You’ve done a stand-up job thus far,” I tell him putting my arms around his neck.
“Good,” he says, kissing me.
“As long as you’re aware of all the possibilities.”
“Baby, I’m always aware,” he assures me. “I’m sorry it has to be this way. I know it’s a lot to deal with just being with me.”
“Well, you’re more than worth it.”
“The threats from disgruntled employees, the occasional obsessed fan, the media coming around when they’re having a slow week, TMZ stopping me on the street—”
“You have to deal with all of that?”
“I have a team in place that deals with it, but it’s my reality and now it’s going to be yours.” His face becomes apprehensive and I know he just accidentally talked himself out of our life together. “Jesus, Reagan,” he says. “Your life was so simple and now here I am with all this baggage I’m heaping on you. How can I ask you to put up with it all?”
“Hey,” I kiss him. “This was supposed to be my moment of doubt, so don’t you dare horn in.” He smirks at me. “And we’ll find a way to deal with all this stuff together.” I feel the need to reassure him since I started this ridiculousness. “I mean these are the breaks when you’re in love with the most eligible bachelor on the west coast.”
“Where did you get that?”
“It’s my mom’s description of you.”
“Really?” he says. I raise an eyebrow at the flattered grin on his face. “I guess I have one Montgomery in my corner.”
“It’s not going to be that bad meeting my dad.”
“Reagan, I’m a virtual stranger trying to take away his baby girl. I’m tempted to install metal detectors in the front door.”
I don’t tell him that Dad does have an impressive collection of guns and machetes. I’m almost sure he won’t be bringing them tomorrow. I try not to but I can picture Dad outside checking to see if his gun’s off safety. I better meet them in the foyer first just to be sure he’s not packing.
“It’s going to be that bad, huh?” he asks studying my face while I’m lost in thought. “Can I at least have one night in heaven before facing the firing squad?” He tosses me back on the bed and gets between my legs kissing his way up my thigh. I moan at the feel of his tongue running up my skin. “Mmmm, salty,” he says and I laugh, pushing him off so I can get up.
“Maybe, I can arrange a little something to show you what you’ll be working for tomorrow,” I tell him, stripping off his swim shorts and leading him to the shower to wash off the chlorine.
I lay across the bed staring up at the ceiling completely naked and hard, waiting for Reagan. She denied me in the shower saying it would ruin her plans. She’s been in there for ten damn minutes and I’m doing all I can to not go back in there and take her on the damn bathroom floor. My need to be inside her is killing me right now. She clears her throat and I lift on my elbows to look at her.
“Fuck me, baby,” is all I can manage to get out of my mouth at the sight of her. She’s in a bright red spaghetti-strapped baby doll with a split up the thigh, giving me a peek of her tan line. It’s making my dick drip with precum right now.
“Oh, I plan to do just that,” she croons.
I growl at her seduction. She has me feeling like the king of the damn world right now.
“Shit.” I try to catch my breath at the sight of her crawling to me on the bed. She throws her leg over my hips, straddling me.
“Mmm,” she moans when she feels my erection in her hands. She hikes up on her knees and slowly lowers herself down on my dick. I watch him disappear into her, hissing when her juices start sliding down my shaft.
I sit up. Sweeping her hair to one side, I kiss her neck before suckling on the nipples that are pressing hard into the lace of her baby doll. She grinds into me, circling her hips on my groin to hit h
er spot just right. Moaning wildly, she arches her nipple into my mouth while riding me fast. Her hands automatically tangle in my hair like the possession of hers I am. I am so fucking hers, it’s not even funny. But she is mine just as well.
“You. Are. Mine,” I tell her. Her grinding is tipping me dangerously close to the edge.
“No one else’s,” she says. “I will never belong to anyone else.”
“Mmm, good girl.”
I resume my assault on her nipple, making my way back up to her neck.
“I’ll show you a good girl.”
She pushes me back on the bed. Crossing her arms at the hem of her baby doll she pulls it over her head and tosses it to the floor.
“Fuck, baby, you look so damn good.” I watch her as she goes to work on me. Unable to control my hands, they run up her back to feel her. “You’re so fucking good.”
“No one else will ever see me do this,” she moans.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck, baby.” I watch her come undone just for me. Her mouth open, her head thrown back, and her body shaking as it is being ripped apart with orgasm. I grab onto the back of her head and bring her down on top of me, pounding into her hard and fast until I find my release. I yell out her name as my dick nearly kills himself detonating inside of her.
He goes soft, slamming his palms down on the wrestling mat, tapping out of this fuckfest for the rest of the night. Reagan is now collapsed dead on my chest all tapped out as well. I laugh wrapping my arms around her and kissing her hair as I also give up and fall asleep.
The sun is coming through the windows. Morning comes too damn quickly when she’s in my arms. I feel her stir beside me.
“How did we get in this position,” she says laughing at me tightly spooning her back. She’s laying on the arm that I have slid down her belly while my other arm is between her legs cupping her.
“Mine,” I growl in her ear, tickling her. She tries in vain to get away from me but manages to stop me with a kiss.
I want to get a quick one off but I know her family will be here any minute.
I’ve been falling over myself all morning. I haven’t been this damn nervous since I sold my first yacht when I was starting out. I was more of a hothead back then. I still am but right now I have much more to lose than a few million dollars.
“Relax,” I hear Reagan say, penetrating my thoughts. I turn from looking out the window of the living room. “You do know that no matter what he says, I’m going to marry you, right?”
I nod, taking comfort in that, but I know it is important to her that her family likes me. I hear the doorbell ring and me looking in its direction lets Reagan know they’ve arrived.
Ginger escorts them in but before they take a step, Reagan’s already in front of them signing something to her dad. I can make out her telling him to behave, but that’s as far as I know. He doesn’t look pleased as to what the rest of it is but he nods his head affirmatively.
I put my game face on as she leads them the rest of the way in. Ginger, smartly gets the hell out of dodge and runs back to the kitchen.
“Whoa,” her brother says, bypassing all of them and looking around the room. “Look at that view. Man, if I were you two, I’d never leave here.”
Reagan pulls him back. Their mother gives him a look before turning her attention to me.
“His name’s Monty and you’d think he was raised in a barn,” she speaks and signs then holds out her hand to me. “I’m Janine.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Janine. I’ve heard so much about you. You’re as beautiful as I imagined.”
She beams at me almost star-struck and I know I’ve won her over.
“I’ve heard a lot about you too. Reagan speaks very fondly of you.”
“I wish I could say the same,” Banks pipes in and Reagan gives him a look.
He clears his throat before holding out his hand.
“Bankston Montgomery,” he says. “You can call me Banks, I guess.”
“Nice to meet you, Banks.”
We stand awkwardly for a few moments.
“Why don’t we all sit down.” No sooner than Reagan signs it than our asses hit a seat.
Her father looks on as she sits next to me and holds my hand. He doesn’t seem pleased by our closeness. If he wouldn’t catch hell from his wife and daughter, I’m sure he’d rip her hand out of mine. Monty’s texting until Janine taps his hand to make him stop.
“This is a wonderful place you have here,” Janine says.
I’m sure she’s trying to cut through the thick awkwardness of the room. I wonder if it’s hot in here to anyone else besides me.
“Thank you. Reagan’s added a lot to it.” I boast at the little touches she’s brought in to make it more like home.
“She’s always had good taste,” Banks says looking around proudly.
“Excuse me, everyone, but breakfast is ready,” Ginger comes in to tell us.
Reagan wanted to do the cooking but I didn’t want her to bother with any of that shit while her parents were here to see her. I look at the spread that Ginger laid out exactly as I instructed. I kept it simple. The last thing I want is for her dad to think I’m trying to show off or buy him off.
The murderous expression finally leaves his face when he sits down so I’m assuming I’ve made the right call. I just hope I don’t choke to death as dry as my throat is right now.
Thank God breakfast went smoothly. Her dad seemed to relax once he had coffee. He was almost pleasant. Reagan would whisper in my ear words of encouragement about the big talk I need to have with her dad and every time she did, he and Janine would look at me. They would look at me again when I would sign as I talked.
We linger at the table as I answer questions Janine has about me and my family. I tell her that Mom’s into gardening and she’s excited that she has something in common with her.
In turn, she tells me embarrassing stories about Reagan as a baby that makes her face turn pink and I’m loving every one of them. I can just picture her as a chubby little baby running naked down the hall not wanting to take her bath.
Reagan brags to Janine about the guitar room and she asks to see it. Reagan kisses me goodbye like I’ll never see her again before she goes. She signs to her brother and he nods reassuringly to her.
“Banks, I would like to ask you something,” I say.
He looks up acknowledging me before he takes a sip of coffee.
“I figured you did when Janine mentioned you to me a few days ago. Reagan told her you meant business. I wasn’t so sure about it then and I’m still not.”
“I understand your concern. But I need you to know that your daughter’s extremely important to me and I can’t imagine living a day without her. I know we haven’t known each other for very long. I can only imagine how this must look and how you must feel about it. I would feel the same way if the shoe was on the other foot, but I can assure you I have only the best intentions where Reagan’s concerned. I very much want to make her my wife and I would like your blessing in asking her. I know I have to prove myself worthy of her. I give you my word that I’ll spend the rest of my life doing just that.”
He sips his coffee contemplating my words. I’m sure on the outside I look calm and in control but on the inside, I’m shitting bricks waiting to hear what he has to say. I’ve already made up my mind that I’ll get his blessing for Reagan if I need to walk over hot coals to do it. I’m a man who gets what he wants and I’ve never wanted anything more than this. The stakes have never been this high and I will not lose. I never lose. I cannot lose.
“He seems like a wonderful man,” Mom says, as we sit in the guitar room. “Monty almost fainted when I told him who he was. He promised to act like he has sense and I made him keep his autograph book at home.”
“Thanks for the save,” I sign to her. My brother doesn’t s
ee too many actors but when he does, he goes nuts. “Reed’s the best man I know, next to Dad.”
“He adores you. I can tell by how he is around you and you talk to him.”
“Mom, that started out of frustration. I hated not being able to communicate with him. He just makes it okay. Not that you didn’t—”
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to explain. I’m happy that he makes you feel that way. I’ve been so afraid that you’d keep yourself closed off. That you’d never let anyone in. I know it hasn’t been an easy adjustment for you.” She motions at the instruments around us. “You’ve had to give up so much of what you love or modify it in so many ways. It was hard for me to watch.”
“You have to stop blaming yourself. I got sick. There was nothing you could do. There was nothing anyone could do. I’m okay now, really.”
“I know. You and Reed seem very happy.”
“I almost told him I wouldn’t marry him last night.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I’m a fool,” I sign to her. “I was being stupid. I just ended up hurting his feelings and that brought sense back into me. I never wanted him to feel like I didn’t want to be with him. I just wanted him to be prepared for the crap that may come our way. I’ve had six years to deal with it. For him, it’ll be a new experience. You know how people can be.”
“I’ll never get over your so-called friends for treating you that way. And that boyfriend. I should have let your father deal with him the way he wanted to.”
“I just wanted to get away from all of that,” I sign to her. “And I’m glad because I probably never would have met Reed.”
“He doesn’t make you feel helpless, does he? I know it was hard for me not to want to take care of every little thing for you. Your father had to get on me so I’d stop.”
“He’s very attentive and he likes taking care of me, but he never makes me feel like I can’t do things myself. It’s the opposite. He has so much faith in me— it’s scary.”
“Well, I like him. He’s a good man. I could tell that right off.”