by Lara Norman
“You love it when I fuck you, Alex, don’t you?”
“Yes, fuck me, Grant.”
She wiggled her ass as he pulled back to slam in once more. He let go of her breasts to gather all of her hair behind her head and held onto it, tilting her head back as he pounded into her harder and harder. She cried out, her arms shaking.
“Again. I’m gonna—” she cut herself off with a long cry.
Grant came, falling forward as he lost all feeling in his legs. He barely held himself away from Alex with his arms and then rolled back to his side of the bed.
She snickered. “And a merry Christmas to you.”
“I had every intention of making a pot of coffee,” he said. His breath wheezed.
“That’s okay, honestly.” He felt her hand brush his arm, and then she rolled over to her back. “Wake-up sex is better than coffee any day.”
“Sure is.”
He didn’t move when she got up, or when he heard the shower running. He stared at the white ceiling and thought about the years to come. Alex startled him when she leaned into his field of vision.
“Are you showering, babe?” She’d wrapped her hair in a large towel and had another one wrapped around her body.
“Yeah. I zoned out, I guess.”
He went through the motions of showering and dressing. When he came back out of the bathroom, he smelled coffee and food.
“I ordered breakfast,” Alex said.
Grant zeroed in on her seated at the small table by the window. “That’s thoughtful of you.”
He kissed the top of her head. She smelled different, like the hotel soap instead of what she normally used. She wore leggings that resembled a patterned sweater and a long black top.
“What time do you want to go over?” she asked as she scooped up eggs.
“After we eat is fine by me. There wasn’t any other place you wanted to visit, right?”
She shook her head and swallowed. “No, we covered it all.”
Grant nodded and tried to eat to bide his time. He was ready for the last bit of gift-giving before they left for the day. He watched Alex, trying not to stare too hard. She’d applied a bit of makeup, as far as he could tell. Something to change her eyes. She hadn’t put on her signature red lipstick yet, and even as a guy he could understand it was because she was eating. Over the last six months, his thoughts had shifted. In total honesty, it had changed and then reverted back. He’d gone in a complete circle. He briefly thought he didn’t want a relationship, but that brought him nothing but unhappiness and doubt. Alex made him see what he really wanted.
“Why are you staring at me instead of eating?”
He blinked. “I didn’t realize I was.”
“For the past five minutes instead of eating,” she said.
He grinned at her. “You’re beautiful. I can’t help staring.”
“You’re corny as hell.” She finished her eggs, and he ate faster to catch up with her.
He stood from the table while she was in the bathroom. He saw her through the open door brushing her teeth. He felt that surge of love for her that had almost become second nature. It didn’t freak him out as it did in the beginning.
“Alex, we’re doing gifts now, aren’t we?”
She put her toothbrush away and answered him. “Before we leave, yeah.”
“You can go first,” he said with a grin. He leaned against the doorframe as she put on her lipstick.
“Why, you want to see what I got you?”
“Of course.”
She laughed and patted his chest on her way past him. “Okay, let me get them from the closet.”
Grant sat at the table while she dug for the large box and the smaller gift bag. He turned the chair to face her and she handed the items over.
“I hope you like them.”
He heard the nervousness in her voice. He went for the smaller one first, pulling out a box with a picture of a silver gadget. “It’s a disc lock.”
“It’s saw-proof and has a built-in alarm in case anyone tries to remove it.”
“Wow, Alex. These are the best on the market.” He rotated the box in his hand to look at the specs on the side before setting it down and pulling her toward him. She leaned down to kiss him.
“Next,” she said when she pulled back.
He opened the large wrapped box, but it was plain brown and he had no clue what it was. He pried open the flap and pulled out a sleek black helmet.
“It has bluetooth and a few other things, like a high safety rating.” She kissed the top of his head. “So that nothing happens to your precious skull.”
Grant put his hands on her hips and gently moved her back while he stood up. He wrapped her in his arms and held on tight. “They’re both perfect. Did you know I was looking for that type of lock?”
Alex tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “I overheard you telling Brent.”
“Good thing I didn’t try to buy one.”
“That close to Christmas? It would have been a sin.” She kissed his chin. “Are we ready to go, then?”
“No, I have something else for you.”
Her brows went up. “What? No.”
“Oh, yeah.” Simply because he could, Grant kissed her. When she closed her eyes and parted her lips, he ran his tongue along hers. She tasted like toothpaste. The urge to cup her breasts tempted him, to take things further and bring her back to bed. He never could get enough of her. Her gift might as well have burned a hole in his pocket straight through to his leg. It was time to give it to her.
He pulled back from the kiss but didn’t let her go. “Alex, I’ve waited for many years to find someone I cared enough about to introduce them to my sister. I never thought I’d find a woman I wanted to take a vacation with, or to want to devote all my time to. It’s because I was waiting for you.” He watched a tear leak out of the corner of one of her eyes, and he kissed her once more. “I don’t want to wait anymore. I love you, and I want to love you for the rest of my life.”
Grant stepped away from her, then, and Alex cried in earnest when he dropped to one knee. He pulled a box out of his pocket and held it out to her.
“Grant!”
“Alexandra Banks, will you marry me?”
She stood there frozen while he looked up expectantly. “I . . .”
“Alex?” He shifted on his knee, suddenly terrified that she would turn him down.
“Grant, I . . .” She dropped to her knees and launched herself at him, knocking them both over. The ring box fell under the bed as Alex rained kisses over his face. “You silly, amazing man.”
“Does that mean you’ll marry me?” he asked. He was flat on his back and Alex was straddling him.
She wiped her lipstick off his face. “I would love to!”
“Thank God.”
“I’m sorry! You stunned me.” She kissed him a few more times. “You take my breath away.”
“I want to live with you, Alex.” He pushed her hair over her shoulder. “My place, your place, somewhere new. I don’t care where. I don’t care how long you want to be engaged, either. I just want you to be mine.”
She shifted her hips, feeling his erection as it grew underneath her. It felt amazing through her leggings. “I am yours, Grant.”
She’d gone breathless. He gripped her hips to press her harder against him. “We’re going to be late if we continue this.”
“That’s okay.” She pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it, then unhooked her bra and sent it sailing. Grant immediately cupped her the way he’d longed to do earlier. He flicked her nipples and watched her head fall back, her long hair reaching his legs. He lifted his pelvis to press into her but needed more direct contact.
“Alex, take off your pants.”
She got up and stripped them and her underwear off. Grant took the opportunity to get up and undress, too. Alex pushed on his chest until he sat on the bed.
“I liked being on top. Lay down, babe.”
Grant scooted to the middle of the bed. He squeezed the base of his cock to keep from coming at the sight of her pussy as she spread her legs to straddle him. He could see how wet she was, and when she sank onto his cock, he felt it.
“God, woman.”
Alex pinched her nipples and moved up and down on his rigid cock. He felt so good inside her, filling her up the way only he could.
He’d never felt such feelings of possession before. He needed her in his life, not just once in a while, but all the time. He sat up, holding her close and kissing her. Alex rearranged her legs and rocked her pelvis with his. They kissed and held each other as they neared their release. She moaned his name.
“All mine, Alex. You’re all mine.”
“Yours,” she agreed, moving faster. “I belong to you.”
The friction of his pelvis against her clit was intense. His cock was so deep, her pussy stretched around him, and he was all she knew. Her muscles locked down, and she gripped his shoulders as her orgasm took over. Two more pushes into her sweet pussy was all it took for him to empty everything inside her.
“I love you so much.” His breathing came in choppy gasps.
“I love you.”
“You knocked the ring under the bed,” he pointed out.
She sighed and rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Chapter 23
Reagan opened the door to her grinning brother and a blushing Alex. She wasn’t surprised when Grant threw his arms around her; he’d always been affectionate with her. He did seem extra jovial, though, and that left her wondering. She hugged Alex and ushered them past the foyer.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” Grant called.
“Someone got lucky,” Davis said not-very-quietly.
If possible, Alex blushed darker.
Grant could not be deterred in his excitement. “Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my fiancée, Alexandra,” he said with a game-show wave of his arm in her direction.
Reagan gasped, and Luna stood from her spot on the couch. “Oh wow,” Luna said.
“That’s fantastic!” Davis said, getting up and hurrying over to hug Alex and slap Grant on the back while shaking his hand.
“What made you want to propose?” Reagan asked. She made her way over to the small group and hugged Alex again, followed by Grant.
Grant looked at Alex. “I can’t imagine my life without her.”
Her answering smile was huge. “I’m ready to spend it with you.”
“Well, congratulations,” Hudson said from the other side of the room. He took a few steps closer. “Any of us can see you’ll be happy together.”
Grant stuck out his hand, and Hudson accepted the gesture. Reagan warmed on the inside at them getting along.
“Let me see,” Reagan said to Alex, and held out her hand. Alex responded by showing her the engagement ring. It was simple, but beautiful.
“It’s exactly what I would have chosen,” Alex said. She didn’t mention that they were naked when Grant fished it out from under the bed and gave it to her.
“There’s no way anyone can top that gift,” Davis grumbled. “The rest of the presents will look paltry in comparison.”
“Well, we can always try.” Reagan winked at Grant.
“Gifts first or lunch?” Luna asked.
“I think we can eat first.” Reagan looked at Grant. “These two being late and all.”
They pulled together the folding tables and set them up in the living room. Regan and Hudson had made all the traditional foods; turkey, sides, and a few desserts. Everyone gathered around the tables and passed around the platters. They ate, they talked, and no one felt awkward for once. There was no tension, and Alex realized that this was what she had to look forward to for years to come. Hopefully, Luna and Davis would continue to join them when they were in Maryland, because Alex liked them so much.
“Did you set a date?” Hudson asked Alex.
“God, no,” she replied. “He just sprung it on me this morning. We haven’t talked about it more than that.”
“We want to live together, though,” Grant said.
“Are you going to give up the apartment?” Reagan asked, surprised.
“I might.”
“It would be weird to come visit and not be in the same space anymore,” she mused.
“It’s held a lot of memories, but we can afford something nicer together,” Grant pointed out.
“I hadn’t even thought about that,” Alex said. “There are some things we have to talk about.”
“Needs to be close to both of your jobs,” Luna pointed out.
“That would be helpful for the high school. There are so many nights when I have to go back and forth.” Alex frowned. They’d agreed to live together, but that was as far as it had gone. They would have to have an in-depth discussion about things like location.
“You’re right, we do have to talk it out, but it won’t be a problem.” Grant smiled at Alex.
“That’s been our address for eight, almost nine years,” Reagan said thoughtfully. “It’s sad to think of letting it go.”
“You haven’t lived there in some time,” Grant reminded her.
“I picture you there, though. When we’re on the phone or I’m thinking of you, I like that I can be sure you’re on the saggy couch.”
“Do you remember the foster home we were in for a few months?” he asked.
Reagan groaned. “I blocked it out.”
“You were in foster care?” Davis asked. “I thought Grant had custody of you.”
“Our parents died a few months shy of my birthday,” Grant answered him. “Between the selling of the house, the debts I had to settle, and my age, we weren’t immediately together.”
“That’s just so sad,” Luna said.
“Being separated was the worst. We’d just lost our parents, after all. We saw each other, but not often. Grant busted his ass to get that apartment so he could pull me out of the system when he turned eighteen.”
Hudson took Reagan’s hand on the table. “No wonder you blocked it out.”
“I have so many good memories of that apartment, though.”
“I can’t hold on to it forever, sweetie,” Grant reminded her.
“I know.” Reagan looked down at the table for several moments.
“Anybody else ready to move on and open gifts?” Davis asked.
It worked to break the tension in the room. The tables were cleaned off and put away, and Reagan insisted Hudson stop hiding in the kitchen. They could do the dishes later.
Everyone had a gift for everyone else. Alex looked around the room as they exchanged gifts and ripped off paper. These people were part of her extended family now. It didn’t matter than none of them were related to her by blood, or that only one of them was directly related to her fiancé. She loved him, and he loved her. That made them family. Alex had decided during the meal that she would get Luna’s phone number. She had a way of quietly encouraging and supporting others that Alex enjoyed. She had Reagan’s number and made a promise to herself to use it on occasion.
“What are you thinking about?” Grant whispered in her ear.
She turned her head, finding him leaning toward her. “Family.”
“I haven’t met yours.”
“No, I guess not.” She bit her lip. “We need to make that happen now.”
“I think we do. It would be nice to tell them we’re getting married.”
“Oh, my aunt is going to flip. She’ll want to feed you until you burst.” She laughed at the thought.
“I can’t wait.”
“She’s a great cook, so you’ll be happy.” She looked down at the gift in her lap. It was from Reagan. “We’ll have to arrange to visit my parents, too.”
“Do you think they’ll be able to come here?” Grant asked.
“With all the time you’ve taken off lately? I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thanks.” He kissed her che
ek, and she turned again to kiss his mouth. “I love you.”