by Maggie Cole
"Colton's nice."
"Mm-hmm."
"Is he rich?"
I pause for a moment. Debating how to answer her question. "Yes. But he grew up in our neighborhood."
"He did?"
"Yep."
She yawns.
I kiss her forehead. "Close your eyes, sweetie."
She obeys, and within a few minutes, falls asleep. I creep out of her room and go back into the kitchen.
"She asleep?" Cee Cee asks.
"Yep. Where is Maribel?"
"The theater. We're going to watch a marathon."
"Of what?"
"Some new reality show that's streaming. Don't ask." Cee Cee rolls her eyes.
I chuckle. "Have fun with that."
"You, too." She wiggles her eyebrows.
My stomach flips. "Stop it," I whisper. Cee Cee's been making comments all day whenever she gets a chance.
"Did you wear the red outfit?"
I groan. "Since you conveniently didn't pack any bras or underwear for me, yes, I'm wearing the red set."
"And a very merry Christmas it'll be," she teases.
I swat her on the arm. "Stop. And I haven't had sex in over six years. You're making me nervous."
"So you are going to do it?" she chirps.
My face gets red. "I didn't say that."
She tilts her head and raises her eyebrows.
"What?"
She smirks. "I think you're a bit overdue. Don't you think?"
My insides quiver. I look around and whisper, "What if I don't remember what to do?"
Cee Cee grunts. "It's like riding a bike. Get on and pedal, girl."
I put my face in my hands. "You're not helping."
"Stop overthinking it. You like him, right?"
"Yeah."
She rises and rubs my back. She leans in and mutters, "Sometimes you pedal fast, sometimes you pedal slow. The point is to keep going until you get a flat tire. Well, or someone else does."
I elbow her. "You're killing me."
She laughs, kisses me on the cheek, and waves. "I'm taking Abby duty all night. See you tomorrow." She leaves.
I go into the living room, stand at the window, and stare out at the blinking lights of the New York City skyline. So much has happened in a matter of days. I don't have financial worries anymore. I'm still scared about Abby's outcome, but I have hope for the first time in what feels like forever.
I don't hear Colton come up behind me. His arms slide around my waist, and I close my eyes, inhaling his scent.
"Abby asleep?" he murmurs and licks behind my ear.
"Mm-hmm," I reply, my body already humming against his.
"Where's Cee Cee and Maribel?"
"Watching some marathon for the rest of the night."
His lips trail down my neck. He moves my shirt aside and kisses my collarbone. "So, we're finally alone?"
My stomach flutters, and I spin. I put my hands on his chest.
His cocky expression appears. "Did you decide if you're staying in my room?"
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.
His face falls. "It's okay. There's no—"
"No. I didn't mean... I...well..." I bite my lip and look at his chest.
He takes his finger and tilts my chin. "Tell me what you're trying to say."
I try to gather my thoughts.
He strokes my cheek. "You're stressed."
"I haven't been with anyone since my ex-husband."
His eyebrows arch. "If you want me to stop at any time, tell me to stop, and I will."
"No. I don't want you to stop."
His lips twitch. "Then why are we out here?"
I shrug.
He reaches down and grabs my ass cheeks and picks me up.
"What are you doing?" I nervously laugh.
He kisses me, and I wrap my legs around his waist. Between kisses, he says, "Getting us out of this room. I don't think it would be appropriate for me to do all the things I've been dying to do to you out here when we have company."
Is this really going to happen?
What is he going to do to me?
He deepens his kiss, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders, sliding my hand into his hair. We get in the bedroom, he shuts the door, and turns me so my back is against it.
His lips travel to my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
"Oh God," I whimper, my sex pushing against his growing erection. "You feel so good."
He grunts. "I'm going to make you feel really good."
"Yeah?" I breathe.
He sucks on my pulse.
"Oh God." I moan.
Did it feel this electric before?
He pulls my top over my head and groans.
I forgot about my bra, which pretty much covers my nipples, and that's it. The material is thin and delicate.
"You're so fucking beautiful." He mumbles and slides his tongue between the lace and my skin, over my nipple.
Heat consumes every inch of my flesh. "Holy shit... I...oh..." I grind my body against his erection. "Pants...off...oh..."
Did I just say that out loud?
He softly chuckles, spins me, and sets me on the bed. His long fingers curl under my waistband, and he removes my pants in one swift motion.
He stands at the end of the bed, chest heaving, eyes flaring with blue heat. "You're going shopping more often."
I bite my smile.
He slithers up my legs, kissing my inner leg from my ankle, then lingering on my thigh.
Sweat pops out on my skin. I slide my hands in his hair and widen my legs.
He slides a finger under my panties, stroking my slit.
I moan. It's loud, uncontrollable, and desperate for him to give me more.
He arches an arrogant eyebrow and puts his mouth over my barely there panties. His hot breath penetrates, and he gently bites me.
I lurch up, and he splays his hand on my stomach, then starts eating me through my panties.
"Holy...oh...ohhhhhh!"
His hand reaches for my bra, yanking it off with a quick motion, then plays with my nipple with his thumb before pinching it.
Zings race through my body, buzzing, vibrating, bringing me back to life.
His mouth tugs on the delicate lace, ripping it. Then his tongue ferociously flicks, sending me higher and higher until I'm gripping his hair and screaming.
Tremors take hold. He grabs my hips and pulls my lower body closer to his mouth, sucking and gnawing on me until I see stars.
I'm breathing harder than I ever have. He glances up, wipes his face on his arm, then removes his shirt and drops his pants.
I gape at his erection and abs and pecs and thighs, not knowing what part of his body I love the most.
He fists his cock. "Like what you see?"
"Yes," comes out in my raspy voice.
You'd have to be a blind nun not to appreciate his ripped body.
He smirks.
I crawl back on my elbows until I hit the headboard, and he shimmies up my body, nibbling, licking, and sucking on the way.
The flicking of his tongue against mine is potent heroin for an addict. I want more and can't get enough. I hungrily kiss him back, tasting my orgasm, ready to overdose on his every touch.
I slide my hands over his rock-hard abs and to his cock, palming his shaft, and he groans.
"I can't get over how sexy you are," he murmurs, fists my hair, and drags his teeth down my neck.
"Oh God," I moan, wondering how he knows exactly what to do with my body.
He flips over to his ass, grabs a condom off the dresser, and rips it open. He puts it on and straddles me over him.
The tip of his erection teases me, pushing into my sex, and flames lick my skin.
He holds my head firm to his lips. His eyes twinkle. "Do you want me?"
"Yes," I whimper and slowly sink more on his erection.
"Good. I want all of you." He grips my hips, moving me up and down, inching me ont
o him until our skin meets.
I can't stop moaning. My walls pulse against him, full, needy, buzzing from his sweet friction.
"Just like that, Jasmine. Fuuuuuck," he growls, thrusting his hips into me.
I put my elbows on his shoulders, pushing my breasts in his face.
He moves his thumb to my clit, making quick circles, and adrenaline flies to all my cells. "Don't stop moving," he mumbles then sucks on my nipple so hard, a bolt of pleasure goes straight to my sex.
I'm quivering, humming like never before. Fireworks of pleasure burst over and over in all my cells.
And then he pushes me farther over the edge. He climaxes, stretching my walls, hitting something in me I didn't know existed.
I scream out his name as he groans mine then hang limp over his body. He circles his arms around me tightly. When I finally catch my breath, I lift my head out of the curve of his neck.
He kisses me and pushes a lock of my sweaty hair behind my ear. "You okay?"
I smile. "Yes. The best I've been in a long time."
"Me, too," he admits.
"Really?"
"Mm-hmm." He scoots down and kisses me then pulls me into his arms.
I curl into his chest, and for the first time ever, I feel safe and happy. As if things might just be okay.
We spend the rest of the night talking, laughing, and unable to keep our hands off each other.
I'm almost asleep when Colton murmurs, "Let's have a big Christmas."
I open my eyes and tilt my head up. "What do you mean?"
"It'll be a week after Abby's first treatment. Let's have a really big, outrageous Christmas."
My heart beats faster. "What does that mean?"
He grins. "Family, food, and lots of presents. And I get to keep you in my bed."
I smile.
"I know you don't like extravagance, but—"
"No. It's perfect. Let's do it."
He kisses me and pulls me tighter to him. He murmurs, "And I thought I was going to have to convince you."
I snort. "How would you do that?"
He flips me onto my back. His eyes smolder into mine. "Do you want to sleep, or should I show you?"
"Ummm...you can show me if you insist…"
Epilogue
Colton
One Year Later
"All of Abby's tests are clear, just like the last time," Dr. Plax informs us.
Jasmine lets out a big breath of relief. No matter how many times we get the good news, she's still always nervous about getting test results.
I pull her tighter to me and peck her on the lips. "Great news."
"She's doing great. We'll do her next checkup in three months. Then we'll move to six-month intervals." Dr. Plax shuts the folder and smiles.
"Thank you again. For everything," Jasmine says.
Dr. Plax points to me. "Thank Colton. Getting the board to change the start date may have saved other children as well. And the additional threat your mother made if they didn't increase the number of children who could receive it this past year made a huge impact. Every one of the children who have had this treatment is doing well."
I rise and pick up Jasmine's coat and hold it out. "I'm happy to hear it."
Jasmine slides into her jacket, and I shake Dr. Plax's hand. Jasmine hugs him, and we leave the hospital.
"I'm so relieved," Jasmine admits when we get into the car.
I pull her onto my lap. "We have another reason to celebrate, too."
"Oh?" She arches an eyebrow.
"Janelle texted confirmation. He signed off. The papers arrived before she left."
She opens her mouth and then shuts it. I wait for her to process it, and she says, "How much did he demand?"
"Ten thousand."
She takes a deep breath, and in it, I see her anger.
"We already know he's a moron," I remind her.
She smiles. "Right. Besides, this is good. It's what we want. I just..."
"Abby's worth way more."
"He shouldn't have gotten a penny," Jasmine seethes.
"No, he shouldn't have. But it was worth it to get him out of the picture."
"You're right."
I lean into her ear. "Can you say that louder, my sexy wife?"
She playfully pushes my chest. "Don't push it."
I fist her hair and kiss her. "Should we let Abby open my present tonight, then? I know you like to wait until Christmas morning, but it is Christmas Eve. And everyone will be there."
"Okay. You can give her that one only. No more. Last year you snuck gifts while I was making dinner with Cee Cee."
I shrug my shoulders. "Don't take all my fun away. Besides, I might have one for you tonight."
"Oh?" She bites her lip.
"It's in your closet." I push my fingers between her thighs. "I've been waiting for two weeks to give it to you."
"Two whole weeks! Wow! A record!" She laughs.
"You know I don't like to wait. Especially when it involves this." I slide my fingers and stroke her through her panties.
She squirms on my lap.
"Did you wear this skirt because you wanted something on the way home? Hmm?" I lick my lips, ready to taste her and be fed, but there's limited time. I like to take my time and savor her pussy when I tongue fuck her. But we've got a house full of people waiting for us, and it's Christmas Eve.
She opens her mouth, but then shuts it, flushing slightly, which is what she always does. It turns me on like a dog in heat. I know what she wants, but she's too shy to admit it even though she's my wife.
I unzip my pants, release my cock, then turn her so she's sitting on me backward. I push her thin panties to the side and slide my cock into her in one thrust.
Thank God for La Perla.
Once she got over the cost and realized she could buy the entire store and our bank account still wouldn't feel it, she admitted she loved them. The sales manager calls her whenever there is anything new, which is good since I rip most of them off of her anyway.
Her breathy gasps make my cock ache. I fist her hair, kissing her neck, and mumble, "I can't wait to see you in your present and eat your pussy tonight."
She shudders.
"Do you want that, Mrs. Ash?"
"Yes," she breathes.
"And I love my cock in you."
"Oh God, yes," she moans, closing her eyes and leaning back on me.
I slide my hand to her clit and create a pattern of fast, then slow, then fast again until she's shaking and begging me.
"You're the best wife on earth," I murmur and suck on her lobe while I send her over the edge. And she is. She's more than I ever anticipated.
I move her faster on me while her walls tighten then spasm on my shaft. Right before I release in her, she cries out my name, going into another orgasm.
I pull her tight against my chest, both of us breathing hard. I kiss her cheek. "I love you."
She turns. Her hazel eyes sparkle. "I love you. So much." She pecks me on the lips then grabs a tissue and cleans herself up. I do the same, and the car stops. I hit the lock to signal to the driver not to get out. Once we're presentable, I get out and reach in for her.
She takes my hand. I escort her into the building. We wait for the elevator, and I turn to her. I slide my hands along her cheeks and tilt her head. "Hey."
"What?"
"Merry Christmas."
She smiles. "Merry Christmas."
I kiss her, and I'm so wrapped up in her, we miss the elevator. It dings shut, and she laughs. "We have to get on."
I press the button, and the doors open. "Is Cee Cee at our place with the girls or hers?"
"She's cooking at ours."
"Okay." I bought a condo a few floors below the penthouse for Cee Cee and Maribel when I asked Jasmine to move in with me. It was only after Christmas when Jasmine suggested she should go back to her place and not overstay her welcome. I didn't want Jasmine and Cee Cee to be far from each other, and frankly, I didn't like
Cee Cee living in their dangerous neighborhood.
"Your mom should be here, too. I think she was coming over at three," Jasmine says.
"Can we tell Abby right away, or are you going to make me wait until after dinner?"
Jasmine reaches up and strokes the side of my head. "Let's tell her when we get inside."
I can't help my grin. I remind her again, "Good. I hate waiting."
"Yes, I know. You have zero patience," she teases.
I step in front of her so she's against the wall. "I'm a man who knows what I want."
Her lips twitch. "Glad that's me."
"Yes, it is."
The elevator dings, and I kiss her on the lips, then grab her hand. We go into the kitchen. It's full of our family, and I can't help smiling. I love all of them. Since Jasmine entered my life, it feels warm and full.
Abby sees us, and her eyes light up. She runs up and throws her arms around both of us. Her hair started to grow back and is brown, silky, and curly like Jasmine's. Abby likes to wear bows in her hair. Today she has a red-and-green plaid one on.
I pick her up, throw her over my shoulder, and tickle her until she's screeching. "Daddy, stop!"
She started calling me daddy six months ago. It was after I proposed to Jasmine.
I reposition her so she's on my hip. "I have something for you. Your mommy said you could open it."
Her eyes light up. "What is it?"
Jasmine laughs. "You have to open it." She pats my ass. "I swear your impatience is rubbing off on her."
I carry her to the couch, and the three of us sit down, Abby on my knee and Jasmine next to me. I pull a box out of my inside coat pocket. It has a pink ribbon, which is her favorite color.
Abby smiles so big, my heart swells. "Pink isn't for Christmas."
"This isn't a Christmas present. It's an every day present."
Abby nervously glances at Jasmine then holds her hand to my ear. She whispers, "Mommy said no more every day presents."
I chuckle. "It's okay. Mommy approved this one."
Abby claps, takes the box, and opens it. Her mouth falls open, and she traces the rose gold pendant. I had it specially designed. It's two interweaving words, Abby Ash.
When I proposed to Jasmine, she started asking a lot of questions. She was done with her treatments and wasn't sick anymore. We explained to Abby the best we could why she couldn't change her name to Ash until I could adopt her, but it was hard for her to understand.