by A. m Madden
I heard voices coming from the other room and smelled our dinner. Once the door closed, I moved to stand in front of the dining room table.
Kyle walked closer, smiled wide, and inhaled. “I love that you’re wearing your perfume.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “My shirt has never looked so good.”
“I beg to differ, but if you say so.” When I looked up at his handsome face, I saw the man who now owned my heart. “So, should we eat dinner?”
“As much as I want you right now, you look a bit thinner since last I saw you.” His hands trailed up my back until they rested on the sides of my face. “Let’s eat and then go to bed. We have all night.”
“Maybe I should have put something more appropriate on to eat in. I can go change.”
“Don’t you even think about it.”
We sat at the table with an array of Mexican dishes in front of us. Kyle served us a little bit of everything from the white plastic takeout containers. “While you were changing, I sent a text to Soren, letting him know we left together and Brae’s plan wasn’t in vain.”
“Can you even believe those two?” I dug in, savoring the delicious spicy enchilada. “I swear if you would have asked me the night they met if I thought they’d end up blissfully married, I would have laughed at you.”
“If memory serves, you were hooting and hollering when she picked Jude.” Kyle took a few bites, smirking as he chewed.
I smiled at the memory. “You saw me?”
“Of course I did. You were the most gorgeous woman in the room… and the loudest,” he quipped with a raised brow.
“Oh, come on, how could I not? He was the best out of all of them. That’s who I would have picked.” His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Not that he’s my type, but he clearly didn’t want anything to do with a relationship. And not that Brae knew this at the time, but even you have to admit that the man is gorgeous.”
“I have to do no such thing.”
“Fine, but I call bullshit that you didn’t think Brae was gorgeous.”
“Not denying that. I once told Jude I thought she was hot as fuck, but he didn’t take too kindly to that.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I can only imagine.”
Kyle shrugged. “What did you think of me when you first laid eyes on all of this?” He swept his hand over his body from neck to waist.
“I thought you were, handsome, and sexy. And I was a little bummed you were seeing Brae’s friend, Shelly. I would have totally done you that night we danced at José Ponchos.”
“First of all, I wasn’t seeing anyone when I met you. I had dated Shelly for a bit, but it was nothing.”
“What about me, Kyle? What did you think of me?”
“I already told you I thought you were the most gorgeous woman in the room.” He took a moment, then linked his fingers with mine across the table. “I thought you were feisty and sexy as fuck. Also, you have a perfect ass. Did you know that?”
“Yoga.” How I kept a straight face when I said that was a miracle.
“Well, it does a body good because yours is perfect. But, even if it wasn’t, you’re perfect on the inside, too. Your heart is genuine, and I’m so happy that you decided to share it with me.”
My eyes began to prickle with tears, and crying was the last thing I wanted to do. All I wanted was to be in his arms, to lie next to him in his bed, and love him like I never had before.
“Kyle, finishing dinner can wait. I want you—every part of you… now.”
I stood up, unbuttoned my shirt, and watched it fall to the floor. I allowed him to admire my bra and thong before they also landed at my feet. There I was naked in his kitchen in just a pair of high heels. When I started to reach for my left shoe, he stopped me.
“No, the shoes stay.”
In a matter of seconds, I was in Kyle’s arms en route to his bedroom. He set me down on his plush bed, and my eyes watched him strip naked. When the mattress dipped next to me, he pulled me to my side until we faced each other. “I’m going to love you now.”
“I was sort of hoping you would.”
For the first time since we started this crazy arrangement, I was okay with Kyle making love to me. Every loving touch, expression, and word from his lips was no longer dreaded. In turn, my mind was free of trying to block feelings, my body was free in a way it had never been, and my heart was finally free to accept the fact that I was with my soul mate.
“Kyle?”
He tucked an errant strand of my hair behind my ear. “Yeah, babe?”
“I just wanted to let you know that even if our friends hadn’t intervened tonight, I would have eventually come around.”
A brilliant smile graced his handsome face. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “I don’t want to be without you. You make me laugh when no one else can. You make me relax when I’m tense… thank you, Kyle.”
“For what?”
“For teaching me how to love again.”
Chapter 26
Kyle
It had been one week since Vanessa and I ended our arrangement and became a real couple. We hadn’t spent one night alone. She was either at my place or me hers, but as long as I woke up with her by my side, I didn’t care whose bed we were in.
Yesterday was her Thanksgiving. Being from Canada, ours was in October. Jude and Luca, never celebrated the holiday. Now that Jude was married to Brae, I found it hilarious that the poor bastard was stuck with the in-laws eating a turkey Brae’s dad killed himself with pride.
Vanessa had no emotional ties to the holiday. With a father who was all about his new family and a mother who was off frolicking in Florida somewhere with her bitter divorce club, my girl admitted her last Thanksgiving involved bad takeout and a Sons of Anarchy binge… she had a serious Charlie Hunnam crush.
So, that was basically what we did. For most of the episodes, I voiced I didn’t see the draw. But then I got into it and couldn’t wait to finish the series to find out how it ended.
Tonight would be the first time we would be hanging out with our friends as a couple. “Nessa, are you ready to go?”
I stood in her living room waiting for her to get changed out of her work clothes. Once again, she had a shitty week at work and was delayed because her boss needed her to drop off his dry cleaning or something equally ridiculous.
When she appeared, she had on dark denim skinny jeans, a blue top that made her tits look amazing, and a pair of come-fuck-me heels that made me want to stay home.
“How do I look?” She pivoted on the balls of her feet, slowing down to give me the perfect view of her ass. Ever since I told her I thought she had a great one, she was sure to emphasize it as much as she could. “Stunning. If we weren’t meeting our friends, I’d opt to stay home with you looking like you do. But, they’d probably come here and fuck up my plans anyway. So, let’s go. Just know that when I get you home, that ass is mine.”
She leisurely picked up her purse off the chair. “Promises, promises.”
Before I could give her a witty retort, or bend her over the side of the couch, she patted my chest and walked out of her apartment. A tightening behind my zipper caused me to look down at my jeans with a sigh. Silently, I promised my dick that I’d make it up to him.
The journey from her place to Dispatch was comical. We each kept our hands and lips to ourselves, knowing one slip-up would have us back in her apartment and forgetting our friends.
We walked into the bustling bar. Cassie had texted Vanessa to tell her they had a large table in the back. I’d be lying if I didn’t say my heartbeat accelerated, because it had. This was it, our coming out. After tonight, there would be no hiding, sneaking around, or pretending we were something other than what we were—two people in love and not afraid to show it to the world.
Before we made it to our friends, I noticed various men checking out my girl. Not that I blamed them, but in a caveman-esque move, I released her hand and tossed my arm around her shoulder.
“Yes, just making sure these hornballs know you’re taken. Is that okay with you?”
“Yup, it’s more than okay. Besides, the only hornball my eyes see is you.”
“As I should be,” I said with a nod and a firm kiss to her full lips.
When we finally made it to where our friends were, I released my hold on her. Desiree sat next to Jude and Brae. His arm was draped over his wife’s shoulder, and the way he held her left hand, putting her sparkling diamond on full display, left no doubt who she belonged to. Then there were Luca and Cassie sitting across from them.
Desiree’s face lit up when she saw us. “Hi, you guys!” Two chairs were left, one next to Cassie and the other at the end of the table. Well, that wasn’t going to cut it. Luca met my narrowed glare with a snarky grin.
“Move, Benedetto.”
“Say please,” he ball-busted as he shifted to the empty seat. Cassie then moved down, allowing Vanessa and I to sit next to each other.
As soon as our asses hit the seats, and we shrugged off our coats, the waiter was at our table. “What can I get you?”
I turned to Vanessa and said, “Babe?” Luca let out some sort of stifled chuckle—probably because of my term of endearment. “What?”
He shook his head and raised his palm. “Nothing. Proceed.”
Unfazed, Vanessa said, “I’ll have a margarita, no salt.” Then she turned to me, laying it on thick for our friends’ viewing pleasure. “Sweetie?”
I gave her a quick wink. “I’ll have a Labatt’s Blue, bottle not draft.”
“So.” Brae smiled at both of us. “What’s new? Did everyone have a nice Thanksgiving? Vanessa, did you spend it with Charlie? Did anyone else join you?”
If she wasn’t so damn cute I would have laughed. I knew she wanted us to come right out with some sort of formal announcement that we were officially a couple. Brae and Jude were the only two who knew of our epiphany. Brae had been relentless this past week with her impatience. Tonight was a compromise of sorts. We had told her we’d let the gang know soon if she stopped bothering us.
The whole thing was ridiculous since everyone sitting at the table most definitely knew, making me wonder which Soren cracked. My money was on Mrs. Soren.
“Yeah, I joined her.” Deciding to indulge Brae, I threw my arm around Vanessa and said, “Well, everyone, we’d like you all to know that the two of us are now off the market.”
“Who’s the lucky guy, Vanessa?” Luca asked with a grin on his face.
Rather than answer, Vanessa fisted my shirt and pulled me toward her until our mouths fused together. Getting lost in the moment, I speared my fingers into her hair. Our tongues moved in unison, and when she moaned in my mouth, I wanted nothing more than to go back home.
Jude cleared his throat as the waiter appeared with our drinks. “Why do they get to do that?” he asked Brae, who ignored him.
Vanessa swiped under her bottom lip with her finger before taking a sip of her margarita. She then smiled at Luca. “Any more questions?”
“Nope.” He lifted his bottle of beer in the air as a silent toast. “Tanti auguri,” he said in his native tongue.
“Thanks, Benedetto.” I lifted my beer toward Brae and winked before adding, “I have no doubt you’re next on her radar.”
His eyes cut toward Brae, and he held his free hand up in mock defense. “I can get my own woman, thank you.”
“I’ll give you six months before I interfere, Luca,” she said with authority.
“Great. I’ll mark my calendar.” He followed his eye roll with a smile.
“Cleary, thanks to my wife I no longer have to be indebted to you for meeting Brae. You’re welcome,” Jude quipped.
I considered his admission. “Fine. We’re even now. You don’t have to name your first born Kyle, unless you want to make him a lucky bastard.”
“Yeah, no.” Jude lifted his beer and tipped it my way. “But the name Luca sounds like a good fit for Soren, though.”
Asshole.
“Well, I’m very happy for you both.” Cassie beamed, as did Brae. The woman couldn’t contain her excitement, and if I were Luca I’d take her threat very seriously. Jude was right, and it was really thanks to Mrs. Soren’s meddling ways that we were together sooner rather than later.
We all fell into comfortable conversation. Every once in a while, I’d steal a kiss, just like Jude had done so many times with Brae. Now, I understood why. Before I fell in love, I thought he was just a sap. But now I knew he just wanted a taste of her every chance he got.
“So, V, how was work this week, any better?” As soon as Des asked that question, I knew Vanessa’s mood was going to shift and not in a great direction.
She gave a one shoulder shrug, “It sucked as usual. I honestly don’t understand how he’s even successful. He’s not nice to anyone including some of his clients.”
“Just say the word and you can quit on Monday and come work for me,” Jude said casually, but I knew he meant it.
I knew my pal wanted to help, but the way Vanessa looked as though she was contemplating his offer didn’t sit well with me. I needed to put a stop to it. I didn’t want to put her on the spot or anything, but she belonged at my company.
“Did you all know that when Vanessa and I were in California she was instrumental in finding the right spokesperson for my company?” Jude smirked at my obvious rebuttal. When no one said anything, I continued. “Well, she was. So much so, that I offered her a job. She’s a natural in the perfume industry. She even created her own scent in my lab, right, babe?”
Vanessa slowly nodded her head.
“Oh, is that the perfume you’re wearing? What’s it called? I’d love to buy one if it’s for sale.” Cassie leaned over and gave her a sniff. “It’s so pretty on you.”
A blush creeped up Vanessa’s cheeks. “No, I only wish I was this good. Kyle made this for me, it’s called Nessa.”
“Wait, you have a perfume named after you?” Brae let out a sigh. “That’s so romantic and such a cute nickname. I’d flip if someone did that for me.”
“I’d be happy to create a scent for you.” Jude cleared his throat, and I ignored his glare. “But, if Vanessa comes to work for me, she can do it for you. Wouldn’t you, Nessa?” I tossed in her name for added effect, just wanting her to be happy.
“Well, I don’t think I’m at the point of creating a perfume for Brae yet, but I do need a change.” She looked at Jude. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m going to decline. I’d hate it if I took a job at Soren Enterprises and it not working out. I couldn’t bear the thought of it coming between me and Brae, so I’ll work for Kyle.”
What did she just say?
Luca started laughing, clearly hearing the same thing I did. “Did she just imply that she wouldn’t care if a job came between you and her, Cleary?”
“That’s not what I meant,” she explained.
Wait… she’s going to work for me? “Vanessa, are you saying you’re coming to work for me?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
I pulled her into my arms. “I’m so glad. I can’t wait to have you on my team.”
Cassie clapped her hands with vigor, “See V! I knew you’d find the job of your dreams.”
The waiter came by and I ordered another round for everyone on me.
Vanessa
For the first time since I started working for this asshole, I didn’t dread dragging my ass into the office on a Monday morning. In fact, I practically skipped my way from the lobby to my desk.
“Miss Monroe!” he bellowed the moment he heard me pull open a drawer to deposit my handbag.
I snatched my notebook off my desk and stalked into his office while still wearing my coat. “Good morning, Mr. Boyd. Did you have a nice weekend?”
His head snapped up as his beady little eyes narrowed. “It was fine.”
“That’s wonderful.” I s
at, smiling the entire time he glared at me. “Before we get started, I’d like to say a few things if you don’t mind.”
“We have a lot to cover, and since you’re so behind I think it’s best we don’t waste time.”
I feigned a pout. “Oh, I understand. But, you see, I’m quitting. As of right now, without giving you two weeks, without warning.” I crossed my leg over my knee and smiled pleasantly. “You’re a nasty man, and I wish you the best of luck trying to replace me.” I stood and tossed my notebook on the center of his desk. “You can pass this onto your new slave. I don’t mind her seeing every truthful thing I wrote about you.”
His face turned bright red with fury. “Sit down, Miss Monroe. You aren’t going anywhere.”
Ignoring him, I walked to the door and folded my arms. “Or?” I prompted. “You’ll fire me? Oops, too late.”
“You will never work in this city again. You can forget a recommendation. You work here for the next two weeks or I will be sure your next employer knows what an unprofessional employee you are.”
A natural, care-free laugh escaped at his threat. “Good luck with that…” You asshole. “I will not be sitting back down, but I can bend over before I leave so you can kiss my ass.”
I didn’t bother to look back at him. With purpose, I strode over to my desk, grabbed my one picture, my handbag, and my—‘There’s a chance this is wine’ coffee mug. With a wave to my now former coworkers, I smiled wide and said, “See ya,’” before hightailing it out of the hell I was forced to endure for too many damn years of my life.
Kyle knew I planned to quit today, but he didn’t know I’d be walking out, too. That decision was made in my shower this morning.
I hailed a cab and recited Kyle’s lab address to the cabbie. I hadn’t felt this excited over my future in a very long time, and knowing Kyle, he’d want to be part of this unprecedented emotion I was feeling.
The city streets were clogged with commuters running late, combined with bridge traffic, it took far longer than I hoped to get to Cleary Laboratories. By the time I made my way into his building, my knees were knocking from a combination of nerves, anxiety, and adrenaline.