by Rye Hart
After the first full run-through, Brock headed on stage and pulled her back behind a prop wall, and I saw him lean into her. Rocky was standing at the door where he belonged for the first time all morning, and I wished Duncan would arrive.
Something must have held him up at the office, and I leaned into Jeffery with a lifted brow. “Did they just kiss?”
“Mhm. Those two are so full of hormones today that I’m about to get a hot flash.”
Five minutes later Brock called things into action, and it was then that I got a short message from Duncan who was running late, but wanted me to know he loved me. The sentiment made me smile, and as I enjoyed that moment of perfection, Brock suddenly yelled cut.
The music came to a halt. I knew by the end of it that I’d never want to hear another bubblegum pop song for the rest of my life.
Brock stormed the stage cursing and got in Star’s face, and she stomped away a moment later, grabbing Rocky and pulling him into her dressing room. Brock wasn’t having that, and he called for us to take a break and joined the two.
Duncan entered the side door a moment later, and I hurried to greet him. I knew we’d been careful not to put our affection on public display, but I needed him.
“Where’s Rocky?” His voice was thicker than usual.
“He’s in back with Star and Brock.”
Jeffery approached giving me a warning glare. “This could take a while.” But Duncan wasn’t having it. He pulled his phone from his pocket and headed to the back, leaving Jeffery and me standing there helplessly. I had no idea what to do, but I knew Duncan was not happy with Rocky and I wasn’t getting in the middle of him and his employee.
“Someone’s about to get fired.”
Suddenly, there was a commotion, and I hurried back with Jeffery on my heels. When I arrived in the hall, Duncan was holding his phone like a camera and aiming it into the room.
“You didn’t lock the fucking door!” Star screamed at Rocky and Brock was pulling up his pants.
Rocky held his hands up and wore a crooked grin, the muscle in his jaw feathering as he glared at her. Then he took the time to put his shirt back on and button his own pants.
“Take that camera from him!” No one seemed to listen, and Duncan turned off his phone and put it in his pocket.
“Duncan, what are you doing?” Jeffery’s laughter took my attention away for just a moment and then Duncan clapped his hands at Rocky and told him to get back to work. The man wasted no time rushing out past me and Jeffery. I was a bit confused why the man still had a job to get back to.
“I’d suggest the two of you get back to work too, and everyone will keep nice and quiet about your little habits as long as you stop harassing Rachel and see to it that she’s paid.”
“You set me up!” Star balled her fists and then pushed past Duncan and me and hurried into the bathroom. Her manager, who stayed on her phone most of the time, came out of the office next door as if she’d only just heard the commotion. She rushed into the bathroom with Star.
“Duncan, what’s going on?”
“Hey, I said I wouldn’t kill him, I didn’t say I wouldn’t blackmail him.”
“Genius,” said Jeffery with a wide grin. “I like you better already.” He high-fived Duncan and I felt like I was losing my mind.
“We’ll get back to work in ten. I need a moment.” Brock’s expression was as if someone had died and he kicked his foot against the door to close it as Duncan took me by the hand.
“He’s not going to be harassing you anymore. But to answer you, I called Rocky after you left last night and made him spill some information to keep his job. He admitted that Star was trying to arrange a threesome and I made him help me so I could get some dirt on Brock.”
“Wow, so Rocky was sleeping with them both?” I turned to look at Jeffery who was nodding slowly.
“Well, they were trying to make that happen, and though he admitted he’s open-minded, he wasn’t really interested in more than being with Star. He was going to deny the advances.” We continued hand in hand to the front door where Rocky was standing against the building, still stone-faced.
“I need to have another talk with him,” said Duncan. “At least to let him know his job’s safe and I won’t let the video leak.”
“You wouldn’t do that, would you?” I couldn’t believe that he’d do anything that cruel, even for me.
“No, of course not, but they don’t know that.” He met my eyes and rested his forehead to mine. “Are you upset?”
“No, I’m just surprised you did all this; that you thought of it.” But then I didn’t know why I was surprised. He was a trained SEAL, and very little could get past him. I was grateful for that.
He gave a little shrug. “You’re my girl. I’m not letting some asshole hold shit over you. I only showed him that two could play his game. I have a feeling these two have been using every opportunity to line this kind of thing up before, and I seriously doubt he’d want his daddy to find out about his preferences.”
“So, you’re not going to tell Shauna or Harris?” I couldn’t imagine either of them would be proud to know they were working with such an asshole and offering him support.
“Oh, hell yeah, Shauna already knows. Harris is going to tolerate the little prick until he can get his father’s contract and then he’s done with him, too. Business is business, but family is family.”
I lay my head against his chest and held him tight.
He’d stood up for me, and even though I hadn’t wanted him to get involved, I was glad now that he had.
There was just one more battle we needed to get through together, and this one had me the most nervous.
CHAPTER NINETEEN - DUNCAN
A week had gone by before I transferred the video from my phone to a file on my computer, but nothing had happened in the final days of filming. The production of the new Star Summers video was a wrap. It was time for me and Rachel to take our relationship away from work. It would be hard not seeing her every day, but considering what we’d been through, it would be a lot healthier this way.
Rachel invited me over for dinner that to meet her father, and I was the most nervous I’d been in years. I decided to spiff myself up, and I had even cleaned my goatee up a bit and tried a new aftershave.
My hard work paid off with her greeting smile, and as she led me inside, I took the opportunity to get a good look at her. She had dressed too and had on a sexy pale purple dress that flattered not only her smooth complexion but her soft curves as well. I remembered a time when she was nothing more than knees and elbows and had a smattering of sun-kissed freckles across her nose and cheeks. It was long before I realized she’d one day hold my heart in the palm of her hands.
I sat watching her, settling at the bar as she checked all of her dishes and stirred what needed stirring. She threw a glance over her shoulder and then turned to lean across the counter for another kiss. “You look dapper,” she said running her hands through my trimmed beard.
“Yeah, well I wanted to look my best.”
We gave each other a worried glance as the doorbell rang.
She stopped and glanced back at me before swinging it open. “Daddy!” She was all smiles for the old man.
“How’s my little girl? I’ve missed seeing that smile.” I rose as Mr. Dean entered the room and as he stepped around the corner and met my eyes his smile barely faltered, but tightened enough to let me know it was forced.
It was as if all the air had suddenly been sucked out of the room as she made the introductions. “Daddy, you remember Duncan Kelley.” Her voice wilted on the last syllable of my name, and he gave a curt nod in my direction as he extended his hand. I took it giving him a firm grip.
“Of course. How could I forget?” His tone implied he’d surely tried and though she offered him a seat beside me, he took the chair across from me. “I was sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. She was a delightful woman, much like your sister in that regard.”
“Thank you. It’s been an adjustment for Shauna and me both, but we’re leaning on each other and staying strong.” I smiled at Rachel, and she seemed to relax a bit. I wasn’t convinced.
She steepled her fingers as if saying a prayer that we play nice. “Dinner is almost ready, so I want to go and cut a fresh salad. I think you two could catch up a bit.” She hurried out of the room, and the two of us remained silent for a moment as we stared at everything but each other.
“You’ve been seeing my daughter again. That must have been your sister’s doing.” He tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair and then leaned forward, pouring himself a drink from the selection Rachel had placed on the coffee table before our arrival.
I stayed still, my posture so straight my back was screaming, but I dared not dip my chin or slouched. I wasn’t the child he’d sent away. “Yes, she did have something to do with us reconnecting, but as it turns out, I’m still very much in love with Rachel.”
He pulled his lips into a tight line and his jaw twitched slightly. “I’m sure she’s still equally fond of you or else she wouldn’t have bothered putting us all in this awkward situation.”
“With all due respect, sir, I’m not the one who made it awkward.” I had mowed the man’s yard, washed his cars, and done every other odd job around his house for nothing more than a thank you when Rachel’s mother had passed, and when I fell in love with his daughter, suddenly I wasn’t good enough. He’d been the only father figure I’d had after losing my own so young. Instead of welcoming me like I’d expected like he’d done all those years before, he’d treated me like a stranger.
“You’re right. I did. But if you’re hoping for an apology you’ll be waiting a long time. My daughter needed to live her life, you knew it as well as I did. You didn’t even fight me on it. You went right along with it.”
“Because I had respect for you, and yes, a huge part of me knew you were right. Rachel needed to live her life without the burden of our relationship. Knowing your disapproval of us, I didn’t want to drive a wedge between you two either. You were the only parent she had.” I shifted in my seat and leaned forward. “And just to clarify, I knew she deserved to follow her dreams, but not your dreams for her— her own.” I made sure to make that last point loud and clear.
He leaned forward. “Yet, here we are. Who knew respect had an expiration date.” He sipped his drink and swallowed it with a scowl.
“So, you still don’t want me with your daughter? Even though she’s a grown woman and chooses who she loves, you’d rather she be with someone else?”
Rachel came through the door. “I didn’t invite the two of you here to argue. Neither of you have a choice in what I do with my life, so your opinions of each other are moot. I just wanted a nice evening with the two men I love most in the world. It’s not like you are strangers, dammit, you’ve known each other all my life. I’d think you’d have something else to talk about but my welfare. I’m a grown woman – dammit.” She turned away and stormed back into the kitchen.
I wanted to stand up and walk after her, but I paused and looked at him eye to eye. “I’ve never lost respect for you, Sir. You were being the best parent to Rachel as you knew how, but I’m not some kid you can send away. As long as she wants me in her life I’ll be here, so you’ll have to accept me being a part of her life.”
“There’s that fire I’d hoped to see.” He sipped his drink casually and then turned a glance my way. “Well don’t just stand there, go after her.”
“You’re giving me your blessing?” The man was impossible but then a smile spread his lips, and he nodded.
I made it to the kitchen just in time to find Rachel pulling her lasagna out of the oven. Her lip was curled in anger as she spun around. “Are you two done posturing?”
I closed the distance and pulled her close. “He gave his blessing.”
She relaxed in my arms and tears filled her eyes as she looked up at me. “I was so hoping he would. I wanted everything to be perfect. Now— well, now I suppose it is.” She brought her mouth to mine, and I walked her back against the counter.
“Yes, it’s finally perfect, and after dinner, once he leaves us alone, I plan on peeling you out of that pretty dress.”
Her eyes flashed, and she gave me a devilish grin. “Then I better serve it while it’s hot.”
I helped her carry everything to the table, and after a moment her father joined us.
That evening, we sat talking about future plans and old times. We shared so many memories from the past.
As I watched Rachel and her father sharing smiles and laughs, I couldn’t help but find myself in deep thought.
We’d each lost loved ones over the years and that was a bond we’d share forever. It made me think about the parents Rachel and I’d lost, and how proud they would be of us withstanding so many obstacles to come out stronger than ever.
Rachel was my soul mate and I would soon make her my queen.
EPILOGUE - RACHEL
“Your stuff can’t go on this side!” I called out to him as he went to get the last of the boxes marked bedroom. I raked my hands through my hair and pushed Duncan’s shirts against the opposite wall of the closet.
We’d spent the entire day moving things into our new house, and even Shauna and Harris had stopped by to lend a hand. Shauna had helped me unpack and sort through our kitchen utensils, and since double of most things we’d created quite the donation box. Harris helped Duncan and a couple of the guys from his personal security office unload the heavy furniture. Since we had plenty of space and three bedrooms, we’d kept all of it and even bought us a new king size bed with the biggest headboard I’d ever seen for the master.
The bed had been delivered in the early morning and was currently being used to sort our clothes.
It was amazing what just six months could do, but then again, after being apart a decade, we didn’t want to waste a single minute of spending every moment together.
Duncan carried another box in and placed it beside the others.
“Why can’t I put my stuff on that side?” I wasn’t sure he’d heard me.
“I want to be on the left side. I’ve already got all my shoes on that side. We can’t have our clothes on one side and our shoes on the other.” I gave him a smile, and he pulled me close giving me a deep kiss. It had been such a long day, and we were finally alone, so I melted against him.
He brought his arms around my waist and lifted me. He moved us around the stack of boxes and placed me on our new bed, away from all the clutter at the foot.
“It’s so comfy. I can’t wait to sleep in it curled up against you.” I had so many things I was ready for. Our tub and shower were going to be fun, and we had plenty of rooms to break in. We’d vowed to claim each one and judging by the hardness of his cock that he pressed against me as I lay back on the bare bed, our bedroom as going to be first.
“I can’t wait to make love to you in it,” he whispered.
I ground my hips up against him, and he moaned kissing me down my neck, over my breasts and only stopping to lift up his t-shirt that I’d borrowed for the work day.
“I’ll just take this back now if you don’t mind.” I giggled as he pulled the shirt up over my head and tossed it over his shoulder. Then I arched my back upward as he nudged his hands behind me to unhook my bra. He slowly slipped the cups free and wasted no time tossing it to the floor.
“You’re making a mess,” I teased.
“Now that I have a woman to do all that domestic shit for me, I’ve decided to be a pig.” He gave me a playful grin, and I knew he was just teasing me. He was much neater that I was, and I only hoped I’d live up to his standards or that he’d have lots of patience with me.
“Oh yeah?” I ground my hips as he slipped his finger into my waistband and tugged down my shorts and panties both leaving me naked.
“Yeah, she’s quite the sex kitten actually, and makes me super horny.” He bit his lip to keep from
grinning, and his eyes smoldered as he stepped back and pulled off his shirt. Then he hurried to remove his holey jeans, which he’d never looked hotter in.
“No, leave them,” I said as they fell even looser around his hips now that they were open. He wasn’t wearing anything under them, and so he stepped close and rubbed his cock against my folds, dragging his head through my wetness.
“You’re getting to be a dirty girl. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. Tell me what you want.”
I let loose a soft giggle and grabbed hold of his belt loops urging him forward. “I want you to fuck me.” I ground against him and a moment later felt the girth of his thick erection spreading me, splitting me apart with its heat. I moaned and pumped my hips to settle around him, still not quite used to his size, though he’d sworn I should be by now. We’d done it all, a few times now, and every single time, that first intrusion was tender, but as we got going, the pleasure overtook me and made it all worth it.
I tugged the loops tight as he pounded me deeply, his head hitting my depths and grazing my most sensitive spot along the way. I angled my hips and let him work that spot. I whimpered a plea, begging him not to stop. “Please, right there, baby.”
“Feels good huh, Kitten? You feel so good around my cock. I’m going to fill that tight little snatch.” He hissed the words through his teeth as he pounded his hips, gripping my ass with both hands. I let loose of the loops, and he pulled away before he could get me turned over, I slipped down to tug him closer, my face right at his crotch.
“I want to taste it.”
He gave me a smoldering smile. “You are a dirty girl. I like it.” I made him choke on the last word as my mouth closed around his head. I pulled tight on it and then gripped his base with as much pressure as I began to stroke him. With my other hand, I tugged and kneaded his sac, tonguing his tip in hopes for a taste. It drove him wild too, like always and he threw back his head and started to rock his hips. I relaxed my throat and took and deep breath, taking him past my tonsils and beyond. He pulled back a bit, to rest his head on my tongue, and shook his head.