“I’ll shoot myself before I hurt her.” It’s all I can come up after listening to that loaded speech.
“I have another issue.” Gabe stands next to his husband and softens his glare. “This shit is sensitive, and I hate to do it. Beforehand, I want to apologize because the woman is your mother, but we’ve never seen eye to eye with her.”
Chris gives him a side-glance, then a slight nod.
“She hates us,” Gabe’s voice is firm. I close my eyes briefly. “Mina hates who we are. To put it simply, she’s a fucking homophobe.”
Yes, I’m not proud of my mother. She never said anything outside our home, only in front of Dad or me. As I became an adult, I understood why she never said it to others; a confidential agreement tied her hands. I love Mom, but her tongue can carry a pretty strong poison.
“We fear how she’ll treat AJ,” Gabe tells me. “The few times she came close to the trio, she was nice to them. But we’re talking about the girl her son’s dating, women change their perspective and I…”
“I’d never let anything happen to Ainse, or let my mother say anything to hurt her,” I clarify. “That doesn’t mean I’ll shield her from everything, but I’ll protect her the best I can. As for our relationship, there’s no doubt I’ll fuck up, and she might too. After all, we’re human. Mom will behave if she ever comes in contact with Ainse, but I doubt that’ll happen.” Because things would have to be too serious between us, and I can’t let our relationship go that far.
“Hey, parental units.” JC comes outside. “The princess is getting anxious, are you done?”
I don’t give a shit if they’re done or not, I head inside and start searching for her. She’s standing in front of the stove stirring a pot.
“You’re cooking?” I circle my arms around her waist and lean my chin on top of her shoulder. Nine nods. “A heads up next time will be nice, Nine. I thought it was our night.”
“It’s Sunday, family-dinner,” she murmurs. “My brothers and I established this a couple of months ago. My parents try to come to Seattle at least for that. When you called and said you might come over tonight, I thought that we could include you in our new tradition. They weren’t happy either; I guess I fucked that up.”
I place my lips on the side of her neck; my tongue playfully taunting her soft skin as I think about my next move. Shit, I crashed their night, I didn’t think about that. Her reaction worries me; she’s in some kind of guilt trance that Chris just warned me about.
“No, you didn’t, and I’m sorry for being an ass.” I kiss her cheek. “Thank you for extending the invitation. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
She leans her head against my chest and looks up at me, giving me that sweet smile of hers. The world makes sense again. I kiss her forehead, release her, and pull out my phone.
Bradley: We’re leaving tomorrow night, change of plans.
Kowalski: Are you alright?
Yes, I am, but I don’t respond. Instead, I turn off the phone and decide to concentrate on family for the first time in years. They aren’t my family, but they’re Nine’s guys.
“You were a trooper, Mase.” Nine shuts the door after her parents leave the house—at midnight. “Sorry again for…”
I cover her mouth with mine, interrupting her apology.
“Thank you for inviting me. I know how important family time is for all of you, Nine.”
Family time that I hoped would finish right after dinner, or maybe at eight, not around midnight. Everyone talked about their week while having dinner, and for the first time they were interested in knowing about my work. At least what I could tell them. They have a system: whoever cooked rests while the others clean. I had to clean the fucking kitchen with MJ, and with Chris Decker growling at me while pretending he helped.
Afterward, we found JC and Nine lounging in the music room. Chris and MJ joined them. I shouldn’t complain about that part because the four of them sounded wicked amazing. They played for hours, until Nine broke their trance with a yawn.
“It’s time for us to leave,” they all said and stared at me.
“Can you stay for a few extra minutes, Mase?” Nine requested from me as she pushed her family out of the house.
“I remember that before you sent me to wash the dishes, I was promised retribution for lost time.” Nine’s eyes dance around, her smirk hits my groin and my cock comes to life. I want her so bad. To get my mind out of the gutter, I decide to ask a question that’s been bugging me since Friday night after I talked to her brothers.
“Can I ask you a question?” AJ gives me a stern nod while narrowing her gaze at me. “What’s Fleur of England?”
Her eyes open wide, and she stares at her brothers with a warning glare while her face goes completely crimson. “Oh God, I’m going to kill my brothers,” she whispers, avoiding my gaze.
“Nine?”
“You know what Victoria Secret is, right?” I roll my eyes; any hot blooded man knows the name and what they sell there. “Something like that, but… more special, prettier, sexier, and more expensive.”
Prettier? Sexier?
I want!
My brain completely freezes as the images of Nine wearing nothing but skimpy, sexy undies brings my entire lower body to life. If I can just pull up that short denim skirt and reach for whatever is underneath. No, make that white blouse magically disappear and find out what’s covering her tits.
“Do you own stuff from there?”
“Among other places.” She squeezes her eyes. Her flustered face makes me want to do more than I think she’ll allow. “It’s a thing of mine. No matter what I wear on the outside—sweats, casual, formal—I always feel pretty.”
Five fucking dates, I repeat in my head. No, perhaps only three; I lost count.
“Are we counting this as a date?” I sound like a perverted teenager about to see a pair of tits for the first time.
“No,” she answers indignantly. Her lips press together into a tight line, and her eyes stare at my chest.
“Can I at least see it?” I bend down and murmur in her ear, “The pretty lingerie covering your beautiful body.” A moan escapes my throat as I kiss the side of her neck, her body melting against mine. I can smell her sweet arousal; it’s a promising taste. She shakes her head and pushes herself out of my grasp.
“Oh my, Mason,” she whispers with a raspy voice in my ear. “Someone might think you’re only rushing to hit date number five just to see my undies. My fathers told me never to show my special things, especially to you.”
A sweet laugh overtakes that vixen voice. I pull her back to me, kiss the back of her neck, and my hands try to cross the barrier of the white blouse she wears while I direct us toward the couch.
“I’m not ready yet, Mase. I seriously want our first time to be special. Remember, I’m a hopeless romantic and all the shit that’s involved.”
“It’ll only be a long goodnight kiss,” My guttural voice fills with need. “I promise to stop before it gets out of hand, Nine, that’s all I ask. Think of this as an expedition.” I kiss her forehead, eyes, nose, and finally her sweet lips. “To unknown lands,” I add, and my lips are on her neck finally meeting her sternum. “And pretty, sexy clothing.”
Expertly, I pull off her top and find a lacy bra tied with a white, silk ribbon. Her nipples harden with the touch of my tongue, only a thin layer covering the succulent, plump tits. My willpower is tested once more. My entire body hums, and for the first time, I’m close to what I’ve craved for so long. It’s a struggle of mind versus need; my entire being wants nothing else but to savor her body.
I tug one of the ends of the delicate lace and as anticipated, it opens the most precious present. Nine’s peach colored nipples perk up, wanting me to continue suckling on them.
Mason’s eyes darken. I should’ve known this wouldn’t stop at a long goodnight kiss. My back arches the instant he lowers his head and traps the tips of my nipples. This isn’t going to work. My own body’
s betraying me; I rub against his leg, searching for some much needed release. His hardness presses against my thigh, and I can’t think of anything else except for wanting him inside me.
Please!
A throaty moan escapes me as I get closer to the point of release.
He stops; those stony eyes look up alarmed.
“This isn’t working the way I planned,” he confesses with the grin of a kid who’s about to eat an entire cake. We both start laughing hysterically, amused and nervous about what to do next. “Your call, Nine.”
I take a deep breath, and as I’m about to give in, the doorbell goes off along with an urgent knocking on the door.
Mason springs off of the couch, covers my chest, and fixes his messy hair, “I’ll open it, go get dressed.”
Heading to the powder room, my gut feeling tells me that behind that door there’s at least one parental unit. Damn, those two are every girl’s nightmare. It doesn’t take me long to fix my clothing, it’s placating my stupid curls that’s taking forever. Instead of fighting them, I fetch a scrunchy and fix it in a messy bun.
“What are you two doing here?” I ask as I step into the living room and find both of my fathers searching around the house for something.
“Your dad can’t find his wallet,” Chris heads to the kitchen.
“Oh, for the love of Pete,” I groan. “At least come up with a better excuse, old men.”
“I better be going.” Mase comes closer to me and kisses my nose. “Let’s have an early dinner tomorrow; I can’t push back my trip any longer.”
“Kay.” I sigh with longing and relief.
Mase gives me a quick peck on the lips, says goodbye to my parents, and disappears.
“Did you have to?” I look from Gabe to Chris and stare at Chris with the best angry face I can come up with, but Papi’s dopey grin melts me. “I love you, you know that?”
Yesterday morning I told them that Mason and I decided to date. Their calendar suddenly opened up, and they arrived today for our family dinner. Damn, and it happened right after I had invited Mason. My brothers promised they wouldn’t pull the same stunt they did yesterday—keeping Mase and me apart. Those two knew. Jerks.
My parents not only lectured my boyfriend, they just interrupted our alone time.
“It was his idea,” Papi points at Gabe.
Gabe laughs, shaking his head, and instead of arguing, he takes two long steps and is next to Chris. He pulls him close and kisses him. “God, I love you so much, babe. I can’t believe that, after all, these years, I still follow your crazy ideas.”
I cross my arms and wait for them to finish their dopey-love ritual. “Care to explain, you two?”
“Who do you think decided to jump on a plane?” Gabe kisses Papi’s cheek. “From Tokyo. It was fucking expensive. Chris didn’t give a shit about the cost because it was for a good cause. To scare the punk ass away from our baby girl.”
“He didn’t flinch much while we had the talk,” Chris informs me. “We’ll back off.” I arch an eyebrow and he shows me a pinch with his index and thumb. “A little, not much. Though I wasn’t the one peeking out the window to see if the punk had left and decided to barge into your house.”
“Thank you for loving me.” I decide to omit ‘for saving me from my lust, too.’ They came right in time to force a decision I was having trouble making. It’s still too soon for me.
My parents kiss me goodnight and leave the house. I adore those two. They drive me crazy, but they’re the best parents in the world.
J-9: Sorry, but I think it was for the best.
“Hi,” I answer the FaceTime call after the first ring. “Where are you?”
“Back at the office.” My heart shrinks with the thought of him living in his office. “Thank you, Nine. Today was different, but good different.”
“I’m sorry about my fathers, but I think they came at the right time.” I head upstairs to my room, turning off the lights as I walk past the switches. Once I close the door of my room and close my blinds, I plump myself on the bed. “Maybe soon, I promise.”
“You know, Ainse.” Mason’s playful eyes stare at me. “I’m a guy, of course I want sex. But you’re worth the wait, and I’m in no hurry. My mind will stay busy wondering what’s under those clothes and imagining how I’ll peel them from your soft, tasty body.”
The husky, raspy voice takes me back to the couch, the feel of his hands touching me. His mouth sampling a few places—before my damn parents interrupted me.
“Goodnight, Mason Bradley.” My decision to finish the conversation is based on the lack of self-control and how much I want to beg him to come back and finish what we started.
“Goodnight, Ainsley Janine.”
June
“Hi.” Ainse opens the door of her house, and those enigmatic green eyes remind me why it is that I’m here and not working in another part of the country of the world. I’m here because of the sexy, beautiful girl who has my body wanting her even when she’s thousands of miles away. It’s a miracle I haven’t pushed her against the wall and taken her like an animal in heat. There’s not one day that goes by I don’t have to fight my instincts, and today is no exception as she wears a short strapless white dress with a delicate flower print. I bend to kiss her bare shoulders, making her shiver. She takes a step back and shakes her head. I wonder what this is all about. When I called her earlier to see if we can have a date, she was hesitant. Something about the stove being replaced due to the warranty and other shit. I convince her that we’d do whatever she wanted. No questions asked.
It’s been a week and a day since I last tasted her. Kowalski and I went to Mexico to meet with the agents who are in charge of the operation to take down this new cartel. With the information they gathered, we found out that they are financed by some American non-profit organization. A bunch of rich suckers who think they’re helping the third world with the basic necessities, while in fact they’re investing in a small terrorist cell.
As we search for their resources, assets, connections, and ways to shut them down here in the United States, I centralized everything in Seattle. A selfish act to be close to my girl. I’m here only for a couple of days to set everything up, then I have to take off again for another week. Damn, I’m going to miss my girl.
My girl, I can’t believe I took the leap.
“Are you sure you don’t mind about tonight?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” I whisper and nibble her earlobe, then kiss her jaw line and take her beautiful peach colored lips again. Fuck, I missed them so much. Every night after hanging up the phone with her, I thought about her and wondered when we can be together so I could hold her in my arms. Maybe tonight is the night.
“Are we ordering food?” I finally release her before I take her to the couch; more like on the couch. “What’s the plan, woman?”
“Plan?” I scratch my head and smile at him.
“Yes, I’m hungry. Either you feed me food or I’m eating you.”
I laugh at him. Instead of saying a word, I rush to my room to grab a cardigan before my fathers send me to ‘dress appropriately’ and slip on a pair of strappy sandals. Without heels, the short length of my skirt won’t grab their attention. Those two are being too protective since they learned I’m dating Mason.
“Come on, handsome,” I say as I hurry to where he stands and take his hand, pulling him toward the door. “We’re heading to our date—with my parents.”
Mason hugs his belly and his body leans in a way that it appears as if I had punched him in the stomach.
“Your parents live a few hours away from here, Ainse Janine.” He drops his head but follows me. I lead him toward the house next door that my parents own.
Stalker alert.
At first, I thought it’d be a nightmare to have them there, but so far, it is great that they have a house in the city for when they visit their children. Christian used to stay at a hotel when he had to visit the office. Buying made sense as the
former neighbors were about to place the ‘for sale’ sign on the front lawn.
I climb the porch steps and move the handle when I hear his voice coming from behind.
“Fuck, your parents live next door?” I couldn’t help but beam; he’s panicking. “No wonder they barged into your house last week. Why didn’t I know about this? You know, I deserve some offering for spending my date-night with the parents. A kiss, long, deep, and meaningful.”
“A what?” I cry with a futile intensity.
He shrugs one shoulder.
“We can’t. The last time we almost—they won’t let it happen.”
“It’s the least you can do to make up for the fact that I’ll be setting my game back inside my trunk of tricks.” He lowers his head and whispers, “Today I had a great incentive and now, nothing will happen. Unless.”
The crooked smile with biting lip twists my arm—twists my need for him. The horny side is winning on this one. I’m about to suggest we skip dinner when the front door opens.
“Mason Bradley, why are you standing so close to my daughter in the dark?” Christian asks with a frown stamped on his face and the warning voice activated.
“Papi, remember Mason, my boyfriend.” I freeze because we haven’t said it yet.
Oh well, it’s out, and sooner rather than later applies when it comes to those two words—my boyfriend. It matters as it gives a meaning to our relationship. Porter never recognized us as anything; he only called me his girl. Well, if Mason doesn’t want the title, then he’s out the door.
“I knew I should’ve disposed of him twenty years ago,” Christian jokes, then his face goes back to the menacing frown. “I’m watching you, Bradley.”
Chris moves aside from the entrance.
“Dad?” I question Chris.
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