Erik surged to his feet, hauling me up with him. "Come on," he ordered, pulling me along. I laughed, the wind clutching at my hair as we sprinted through the sand.
"Where are we going?" I asked, laughing at his determined expression.
"The workshop, it's closer than home and there's a bed."
We hurried over the sand, stopping to kiss and touch, laughing as we tumbled and fumbled our way along the beach towards the marina.
Erik pulled a key from his pocket opening the door at the back of a large warehouse. I pressed against him, biting playfully at his shoulder as he pushed it open. He laughed, pulling me inside and kicking the door shut. His body pressed to mine, warm, hard and smelling of salt, sand and man.
I tasted laughter and need on his lips, opening to let him taste me in return.
We stripped in the doorway and on the stairs leading up to the apartment. A trail of clothing marked our path.
Perhaps I should have felt self-conscious or anxious, especially as I'd just seen Erik's ex and she was beautiful.
But I didn't. I felt nothing but desire. Desire for this man, desire for connection, desire for the things we were doing and about to do. In large part, that was thanks to Erik. He murmured deliciously filthy requests as he stripped my clothes from my body. His touch reverent but commanding. He kissed me and looked at me and touched me like I was the only thing in his universe that he wanted.
He lay me on the bed, immediately pulling at the last of my clothes. He discarded my underwear and dropped to his knees.
"Been dreaming of this." He leaned in, hovering for one protracted second, anticipation spiking before he closed his mouth over my pussy.
"Yes," I breathed, eyes closing, hands gripping the headboard above me. "God yes."
Erik licked me with an attention I couldn't help but commend. His talented tongue and lips set my hips wiggling. I groaned encouragement as he worshipped me.
If I were the sacrifice and he the priest, this was an altar on which I would gladly die.
I came in a crescendo of feeling. Every cell in my body exploring the joy and crazy emotion that came with a satisfying orgasm delivered by someone you love.
Love?!
I didn't have time to get stuck on that, Erik commanded all my attention as he surged up the bed. Gloriously naked, I had only a moment to appreciate three things – he was beautifully made, gorgeously proportioned, and he had a huge dick.
Yay me!
My body lit up as he pressed down, his mouth falling to my breasts. He kissed them, pulling first one nipple, then the other into his mouth. He laved them with attention, stroked them, his mouth branding my body, wrecking me one tantalizing touch at a time.
"My turn," I finally told him, flipping us over. I sat up, legs straddling him as I ran fingers down his delectable chest.
Erik grinned up at me, tucking one hand behind his head, his bicep flexing in the most wonderful way. A chunk of hair fell over his forehead, while under me his body relaxed.
"Your wish is my command."
Mm, yes it is.
It was my turn to drive him mad. I tasted my way down his body. With agonizing slowness, I revealed his secrets. Erik had sensitive nipples. There was a spot by his hip that made goosepimples break out across his skin. He had a tattoo over his heart with the names of his boys hidden within.
I loved on his body, enjoying his uneven breathing, loving the grunts and groans as I explored. As I moved lower those groans changed to whispered orders. And like any good girl I completely ignored him.
I lowered my mouth to Erik's cock, positioning myself just so. I looked at him, his eyes darkly intense as he glowered at me hungrily.
"Ready?" I asked, purposefully breathy, knowing the heat of my mouth would heighten his anticipation.
"God help me if you don't—"
I swallowed him, his cock hitting the back of my throat as he broke off with a strangled curse.
"Fuck, Queenie. Laura, suck me. More!" The orders flew thick and fast and, I found that unlike before, now I was powerless to ignore him. I needed to please, needed to give him what he wanted.
I swallowed his cock, my tongue teasing the head, my mouth hot and needy as I tasted, teased and choked on his length.
A dark part of me liked that.
My body hummed with need, my thighs slick with wet when Erik finally broke. His hands hooked under my arms and hauled me up his body. He took a bare second to position me, his gaze meeting mine as he thrust up and in.
A scream ripped from my throat, his cock filling me in the most perfect of ways.
"Fuck," he grunted, thrusting again. "Tight, hot, perfect."
He pinned me in place above him, my tits bouncing as his cock plundered my body. One hand dropped, his thumb finding my clit.
He circled, once, twice, and then I broke. Body arching, hair tumbling, my pussy milked his cock as I came, his name tearing from my lips. Erik followed a moment later, groaning as he emptied inside me.
I collapsed on his chest, and his arms immediately held me tight as we breathed through the aftermath.
"Erik?"
"Mm?"
"I think you broke me."
He chuckled, his body moving mine. "Ditto."
We fell silent. His hands trailed soft strokes up and down my back.
"This is real, isn't it?" I looked up, finding his eyes at half-mast, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Oh, yeah." He pressed a kiss to my forehead, his arms tightening around me. "You got a problem with that?"
"No," I admitted, unable to conjure a single protest. "but that could be the sex talking."
He chuckled again, rolling us so he loomed over me. "Then I better keep you sexually satisfied."
He lowered his head kissing me again, and I had to admit, the man certainly knew how to satisfy.
Chapter Nine
Laura
I'd woken Erik up with a blow job, he'd reciprocated by kicking me until I came. Twice.
A girl could get used to this.
We'd spent the rest of Sunday hanging out with his sons, making out while they napped, and generally relaxing and getting to know each other. When we'd picked them up, Rune had silently handed me three books. Two were parenting guides geared towards step-parents, the last a novel I'd been wanting to read but hadn't had time to pick up.
Erik had explained this was Rune's way of showing approval. His super power was knowing the exact book you wanted, and he showed approval by giving it to you.
He'd never gifted a book to Erik's ex, and I couldn't help but feel slightly smug about that.
Monday dawned far too early, with the crew arriving for the final week of filming.
It took less than ten minutes for Liv to realize the dynamic between Erik and I had changed. She pulled me aside, crossing her arms over her chest, her eyebrows raised in question.
"What?" I asked, trying not to grin.
"Don't what me, missy. Spill."
I zipped my smiling lips, pretending to throw away the key.
"Hussy," Liv rolled her eyes, zero heat in her words. "Fine, just promise me you'll be gentle with him."
"I promise."
She sighed. "Guess it was too good to be true. Are you going to at least see this season out?"
I tilted my head to one side. "Liv, why would you think I'd be quitting?"
She blinked. "You're not?"
"No," I scoffed. "And Erik would kill me if I did. We talked about it. We're gonna make it work. It'll mean that we'll have to restructure the show. I don't want to do more than two weeks away from the boys at a time, but I think we could make it work."
Liv blinked at me rapidly. "Laura."
"Mm?"
"My brother is an idiot if he doesn't marry you."
I laughed; tension I hadn't realized I was carrying easing from my shoulders.
***
The rest of the week was a flurry of activity as we wrapped up filming. In between takes, Erik had done his best
to manage his business, meet our filming requirements, and juggle his daddy responsibilities.
I found myself falling more in love with the man who seemed bound and determined not to let anyone down.
Love.
That was a word that hadn't passed through either of our lips yet. But it hovered on the tip of my tongue like a secret waiting to be shared.
Maybe today.
I'd woken up early, finding the house strangely quiet. Yesterday had been our final day of filming. After I'd returned home to pack up my life, I'd be returning in a few weeks for the recap and to move in with Erik.
A terrifying thought.
I couldn't wait.
I'd slipped out of the bedroom, leaving Erik passed out on the bed. He'd immediately shifted, pulling my pillow into him and burrowing deep. The man was a shameless snuggler.
I took a cup of coffee out to the jetty, dangling my feet over the side of the dock, sipping coffee as I watched the rising sun twinkle across the water.
"Last day today," Erik remarked, settling down beside me some time later. He handed me a fresh cup of coffee; a donut balanced on the lid.
I grinned, taking a bite.
He placed his own cup and donut beside him, pulling the baby monitor from his sweat pants pocket and setting it down behind us.
We sat in companionable silence, enjoying the morning light.
"Once upon a time," Erik said. "I dreamed of something like this. Kids in bed, sleeping peacefully. Sharing an early morning with my woman." He glanced at me, his heart stopping grin in place. "This is better than any dream."
I sighed, relaxing into him. "I didn't see you coming, Erik Larsson."
"Is that a bad thing?"
I chuckled. "No, definitely not."
"I love you, Laura."
The words registered and my heart expanded, warmth washing over me as his declaration settled in my soul.
"I love you, too."
We sealed our declaration with a kiss then pressed our heads together, grinning.
Applause interrupted our moment. Heads still pressed together, we turned, finding Erik's family – his entire family – as well as the crew watching us.
Correction, filming us.
Erik sighed. "Sure you want to join this madhouse? There's still time to bail out."
With all the love in my heart I answered, "nope, you're stuck with me now."
"Thank fuc- er, fudge." And with that Erik kissed me.
Epilogue One
Laura
Three months later
"It's live!" Liv yelled from the lounge. Her announcement was followed by a stampeded as all the Larsson's ran to get in place.
I exchanged a glance with Ella, Erik's newly minted sister-in-law. She rolled her eyes, letting out a little laugh.
"Welcome to the family," she picked up a massive bowl of popcorn. "get used to the stampeded of marauders. It doesn't get any less loud."
I grabbed two giant packets of chips and followed her into the lounge. Gunnar, seated in the arm chair, had grabbed his wife and was lifting her onto his lap, pressing kisses to her neck as she giggled and wiggled, trying to keep the popcorn upright.
I looked to Erik, finding him grinning at his brother.
"You wanna keep the PDA to a minimum?" He asked, reaching over and removing the bowl from Ella's hands.
"Nah, I'm good," Gunnar replied, immediately taking advantage of Ella's free hands to pull her into him and kiss her.
I laughed, tossing the chips on the table and making a leap for Erik. "Come on, I think we can take them in the obnoxiously adorable couple stakes."
He pulled me in, murmuring, "I'm up to the challenge."
I peppered his face with kisses then squealed when he fell onto the couch, pulling me down and across him.
"Boys!" Jemma, Erik's mother, snapped. "Leave the girls alone. I want to watch this before the children wake."
I laughed, rolling off Erik and settling in beside him. He draped an arm around my shoulders, immediately pulling me into him. Ella made a move but Gunnar kept her tight against him keeping her on his lap.
It's almost like they're related.
I hid my amused smile, waiting for Liv, Astrid, and Rune to find their seats. Suen, Erik's dad, handed me a beer.
"You ready for this?" He asked, settling beside me on the couch.
"Definitely."
"I'm not," Erik grumbled. "You sure we have to do this?"
"Yes!" came the resounding answer from around the room.
I chuckled, patting Erik's leg. "Sorry, Babe. Looks like you're out numbered."
He sighed heavily, "fine. Get on with it then."
Suen hit play and the episode started.
"Oh, Erik," Jemma whispered when they showed the mold in his bathroom. "Really?"
"Sorry, Ma. It's gone now."
She shook her head, shoving a mouthful of popcorn in her mouth.
Suen leaned over, "she's been singing your praises to the extended family."
"She has nothing to thank me for," I replied as the footage moved to our cleaning Erik's kitchen. "He did all the hard work."
The episode continued with his family ribbing him when they showed the storage container footage, and sorting through his mess. It showed me educating him on stain removal for the boys, and discussing the fifteen minute a night rule for cleaning – the one I used so I didn't let mess pile up and waste my weekend.
The footage rolled, showing the final day of filming before I left. It was me talking about my experience and what I hoped for Erik and his twins.
"I hope that he finds a little piece of peace in what I've taught him. It's not easy being a single parent, and I have nothing but love and admiration for him."
The final footage showed me hanging the St Louis jersey I'd had framed in his office before leaving.
"Why don't you do something like that for me?" Suen asked Jemma.
"Because you support the Bruins." She returned, not even offering him a glance.
I sniggered.
"Is that it?" Astrid asked as the screen went dark. She leaned forward, snatching the final handful of popcorn from the bowl.
"No, there's the recap where Laura returns a few weeks later for a visit," Liv replied, rubbing her hands together. "It's always the part where people cry."
I glanced at Erik, raising an eyebrow in question. He shook his head, rolling his eyes.
"Don't get your hopes up."
I laughed, snuggling into his side.
The footage began and I frowned, glancing up at Erik. "This isn't the recap."
"Isn't it?" He asked, giving me a surprised look. "It's what I remember filming."
"Hey, I'm Erik," said the image of Erik on the TV. "And I'm a recovering mess-a-holic."
I laughed delighted.
"Thanks for watching this episode where the Queen of Clean comes in and bails out my dorky daddy butt. Laura, you've changed my life. Completely."
The footage cut to a montage of him and his boys with… me. The images and video were taken from the weeks we'd cleaned his house, and ended with Erik and I kissing on the deck, the morning sun behind us.
"Erik," I whispered looking up.
He grinned but nodded at the screen. "Keep watching, Queenie."
"Just to be perfectly transparent, Laura's moved herself in." Screen Erik said. "And thank god for that because I love her."
There was a photo of us, holding the boys, laughing over hamburgers the night I'd moved in. It cut back to Erik.
"Laura, you may have cleaned out my house, but you've filled my heart." Screen Erik got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
I looked up, finding Erik watching me. "Are you serious?"
"Completely." He pulled a ring out of the gap between the sofa seat cushion and arm, holding it up. "Laura Sweep, Queen of Clean, my Queenie. Will you marry me?"
I may have stuttered the word. Or maybe I shouted it. Or maybe I didn't say anything. I couldn't remember. Just l
ike the day we'd first met, my mind went blank and all I could see, taste, smell, feel was him.
Erik. My Erik.
He slid the ring on my finger as he kissed me, tasting just as wonderful today as the first time we'd kissed. Tears of joy ran down my cheeks as his family squealed and leapt about, showering us with congratulations and slowly pulling us apart.
Someone retrieved the twins, and they were passed around, making their way to Erik and I as his mother squished us together for a photo.
I held Leif, Erik holding Ulf as we gazed at each other, happiness in our every line.
"You're stuck with us now." He told me, pulling me close to press a kiss to my forehead.
"Guess you better get used to a clean house then."
"Queenie, nothing turns me on more than watching you clean my pipes."
"Overshare!" Gunnar yelled, making a face. "Jesus brother!"
We laughed as his mother took the picture. It was the image I'd use on Instagram to announce our engagement. The image that the papers would publish and the fans would gush over.
And it was the image that would hang in our bedroom beside our wedding photo.
Epilogue Two
Erik
Three years later
"Want Momma!" Leif yelled, stamping his little foot in protest.
"Buddy, I've already told you, Momma's on an airplane, remember?"
"Swoosh!" Ulf said from beside me, his arms shooting straight out as he swayed from side to side.
"Got it in one, Bud," I praised. I lifted the shirt once more, prepared to bargain with my stubborn son.
"Come on, Leif. If you put your shirt on, I'll let you have some chocolate milk with breakfast. Just don't tell your mom, deal?"
He considered the deal, eyeing the shirt with suspicion. "Ulf too?"
"Sure," I promised, desperate to seal the deal.
"O-tay," he thrust his arms up in the air, waiting for me to slip it on.
I sighed in relief, wrestling the shirt into place. Finally dressed, we then shared breakfast—the naughty chocolate milk treat, greedily devoured – then grabbed our prepacked bags to head to Grandma's.
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