by CM Albert
“Oh my god,” he said, laughing. “I will never grow tired of you.”
My insides melted just a tad. “Good,” I said and stepped forward. “Then tie me up, sir.”
“Jesus, Brynn. You can’t say stuff like that when I’m trying to be romantic.”
I paused and looked into his eyes. They were filled with an emotion I’d not seen on Pierce before, and my heart started moshing in my chest. I closed my eyes, tilting my head back for him.
I felt his warm, steady fingers secure the tie around my eyes. Then his hand rested firmly on my lower back. He was leading me once again, and this time, I was completely at his mercy. He guided me through the house and onto the back porch. I could smell fresh honeysuckle and wisteria in the crisp evening air. It was dark now, and the crickets were sending their mating calls across the yard. It felt like home.
He stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and leaning in close to my ear. He moved my hair from over my shoulder, his fingers brushing my bare throat. “I have a little surprise for you.”
I wet my lips, eager to see what it was.
He ran his hand up my spine and to my hair, and I dropped my head back against his palm. My nipples were standing at attention, but I willed my damn hormones to take a back seat for once. He was trying to be romantic. I could let the poor man romance me for a hot minute, couldn’t I?
“You’re making it so hard for me, Brynn,” he warned.
“Stop touching me, then,” I whispered back.
“Never.”
He bit my neck gently, a love nibble with a hot little sting that went straight south, then he soothed the skin with his warm tongue. I moaned, rolling my head back.
“Seriously, Pierce,” I said. “Unless you intend to fuck me right here and right now, please stop touching me this way.”
He chuckled and pressed himself against my ass. “Oh, I intend to have you tonight. But first, the romance,” he said, undoing my blindfold.
I blinked, not understanding what I was seeing.
Fairy lights hung from the low branches of the ancient trees, decorating the entire backyard. In the center of the yard, a large movie screen hung from thick ropes secured over a low, sturdy branch—one I used to climb on with Noah.
Beige futon cushions that looked like sitting beds were parked in front of the screen, and a picture of me and Pierce from our mural tour filled the large white canvas. Spiked metal drink holders were drilled into the ground next to the futons, and little bottles of wine were nestled inside. I clapped my hands, noticing the popcorn tubs between the seats.
Rattan lanterns hung from the branches over the mattress seats, and colorful pillows of all shapes and sizes littered the yard.
I spun on my heel to look up at him. “Pierce, what in the world is all of this? You did this for me? And Noah let you? Why?”
It was the most magical thing a man had ever done for me.
Pierce nodded, holding my hand and leading me to the futons. “Come here,” he said and patted his lap again. The man really needed to stop doing that.
I curled up in his lap, though, glad now that I’d worn my jeans, a Brooks Brothers polka dot dress shirt, and my favorite Vineyard Vines black cashmere sweater with large white stars on the front. I was cozy in Pierce’s arms. He’d had me all kinds of twisted up after that first night. But now, I was content for the first time since we’d met.
Because I knew that no matter what came next, he was mine.
“I talked a long time to Noah today,” he said, surprising me. “He called me and asked for a meeting, but not at the office.”
“So that’s why you weren’t there today,” I said.
“Yeah,” he said, tucking my hair over my shoulder. “I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say to me when it came to you. I knew you’d work through whatever you needed to with him. I was terrified you wouldn’t choose me, but I trusted you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Noah’s a nice guy,” he said, surprising me again. “And he loves you, Brynn, whether it’s as old friends or new friends. It doesn’t matter. He’s like family. You grew up with him—I get that now. He explained that you don’t have a lot of family left, just your grampa. So, I get it now. He’s a part of what made you who you are.”
I nodded. “What did he want to talk to you about?”
“You. This house. Everything. He could see how I looked at you yesterday. He could see it in my eyes when I showed up here today to fight for you.”
I grinned. “You were gonna fight for me?”
“Well, I wasn’t gonna deck the guy or anything,” he said, nuzzling my throat and eliciting a giggle from me. “Stop it, woman.”
“Sorry,” I said. “But all this alpha caveman testosterone seems to have a very strong effect on my libido.”
Pierce barked in laughter. “Good, you better get used to it.”
“And why exactly is that?”
“Because I plan to stay,” he murmured.
“What?” I pulled back to look at him. “As in Charlotte? For good?”
“Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Because you’re Mr. New York,” I reminded him. “And because you said your role wasn’t permanent.”
“No, I said me filling in for Carlisa wasn’t permanent. But Sterling and Masters is.”
“Okay,” I said, confused. “What am I missing, Pierce?”
“I didn’t step into Carlisa’s role so I could be an editorial executive,” he said. “It was a way for me to get up close and personal with not only that team but all the different divisions there. Remember when I told you I’d met with Carlisa before she went on maternity leave? And how I was at Havana’s with my lawyers and some investors?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s because I’m buying out Sterling and Masters, Brynn. We’re doing a takeover.”
“Excuse me?”
“Meet your new CEO.”
I sat back, taking him in. I nodded slowly, though my entire world just flipped upside down again because of Pierce. He had a way of doing that.
I socked him in the chest.
“Ouch!” he said. “What’d you do that for?”
“You knew you were going to be the CEO? And you let me fuck you in the office?”
“I didn’t let you do anything, baby girl,” he said huskily. “You fucked me too.”
“You’re right,” I admitted, taking a deep breath. “But it’s one thing to fuck my boss—and another altogether to be banging the CEO.”
Pierce laughed. “Oh, is that what this is?” he asked, sweeping his hand around the backyard. “You think I’m settling for a little sex?”
“A little sex?” I asked, quirking a brow. “You mean the best sex you’ve ever had?”
“That too,” he said, covering my mouth with his, his hands fisting my hair and consuming me once again. I was lost in his mouth, his tongue, his heart. He was handing it all to me on a silver platter. He wanted the strings, that much was abundantly clear.
“So, Mr. CEO. What are we doing, then? Watching a movie in Noah’s backyard? This is how you woo me?”
“No, Brynn,” he said, “this is how I woo you.”
He pressed play, and the screen came to life. There were pictures of my childhood home and Pierce’s. Pictures of us both growing up. The place where we first met. The night of the Heart Gala. Me in my angel wings. Pierce as Zorro.
I laughed. “How did you get these?”
“I’m a man with a great number of tricks up my sleeves, angel.”
“Yes, you are,” I said breathily.
He kissed me again, his hands roaming my body, distracting me.
Then I saw a picture on the screen that caught my eye and made me do a double take. It was my grampa. There was a picture of him and my gramm
a at Sterling and Masters back in the day. And one of him now with Babs. The picture of me sleeping came next, the one that he sent to Lindy so she would know I was safe.
Then there was a photo of Noah and Pierce shaking hands in front of the house—in the same clothes they were both in today. And one of me and Gracie Lucine that he’d taken this past weekend after I got her. But the best one was last. It was a photoshopped picture of Pierce and me, Gracie Lucine at our feet. Only, we were standing on Loula Belle’s front porch, a big heart drawn around us.
I turned to gape at Pierce. What was he saying? It was too soon. He couldn’t mean that.
“Brynn, take a deep breath. I’m not proposing.”
I exhaled.
He laughed harder. “Good thing I don’t actually have a ring on me.”
“So, what are you saying, Pierce?”
“First of all, I want you to know that I know how much you love your grampa. As the new CEO, I think it’s important for me to make sure you know that we may be making some changes, but we aren’t losing the integrity of the company that Lynwood Sterling and Graceland Masters built.
“Secondly, Noah told me this was your favorite house in Charlotte—that it felt like a home away from home when you were little. He explained the situation, and how he needed to sell it fast. Well, I just so happen to need a new home so I can stay here in Charlotte. So, I made a cash offer on it today. We can figure things out later, but I want to be clear. I bought this house for you. I want you to live here with me someday—whenever you’re ready. I know it’s all still so new, but something tells me that we have something pretty magical happening between us. I know you feel it too.”
I nodded, cupping his face in my hands.
“I was planning on coming to Charlotte, doing a takeover without getting my hands too dirty, and then heading back to New York. Then I saw you—and in that moment, it felt like I’d found a piece I didn’t know was missing in my life. I’d never felt the need to have someone like that. All of them. And yeah, it’s the best sex of my life. But it’s more than that. You’re the best you of my life. Somehow, beyond explanation, you charmed me off my feet, beautiful.
“I can’t explain it, but I madly, completely, passionately, deeply love you, Brynn Graceland Hartley. And I want all the strings attached,” he said, pulling something from his pocket.
He held two red strings, one with a small silver heart charm with a diamond twinkling from the center. “Have you ever heard of the red string?” he asked. When I shook my head, he continued.
“The red string represents the end of a spiritual journey. Like a decision, or an internal battle overcome. It also signifies living in the present moment, in a state of love. They’re said to be worn by destined lovers—regardless of time, place, or circumstance. Our love story, Brynn, is just beginning. I’m not asking you for forever yet, but I know we’ll have it. I feel it in my bones, and I know you do too.”
Gentle tears fell from the corners of my eyes as I nodded. I’d never felt more certain of anything in my life. It defied logic, but there was a familiarity and longing with Pierce that I couldn’t ignore.
“Will you have me, Brynn? With all the strings attached? Just you and me? I need to know you’re willing to give this thing a real go.”
I dropped my mouth to his and devoured him this time. I took everything I’d ever wanted and didn’t know was in my reach. I licked his lips, kissed his neck, buried my face in his hair.
“I love you, too, Pierce Gregory Abrams,” I said. “That red thread? It’s the magnet I feel drawing me to you every time I’m near you, and even when I’m not. I want the strings too,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
He tied the red string around my wrist, and I tied his for him.
“They say you can never take this off, Brynn,” he said. “It can wear off, and that’s good luck. But your destined lover must always tie the new one back on your wrist.”
I glanced down at my pretty bracelet and gasped. “Please tell me that’s not a real diamond, then.”
Pierce handed me a small wooden box and said, “Open it.”
Inside, the box was full of red string bracelets, some with diamonds, some without. Enough to last a lifetime. Taped to the lid of the box was a key to the house.
“I’m not going anywhere, Brynn. And don’t worry about the diamonds. I’m a CEO, remember?”
“You’re not just a CEO,” I told him. “You’re my CEO.”
He grinned, yanking me firmly onto his lap.
“Your CEO is ready to celebrate,” Pierce growled.
Let’s just say, I could already tell.
The screen went black and was full of nothing but golden stars dancing across the projector, darkening the backyard. He pressed himself up against me—and I was beyond ready for my guy.
“Take me home,” I whispered in his ear, eager to have him slide inside me.
“We are home,” he whispered back.
I looked over his shoulder and saw six little words dancing across the screen:
It was written in the stars.
The End
Sneak Peek at
Wandering in Love
Written in the Stars #11
Andi Jaxon
Chapter 1
IAN
Climbing from the Sheriff’s office rig, I sigh at the fight in front of me. Rick and Johnny are rolling around on the ground, throwing punches like a couple of toddlers. Dirt creating a cloud at the commotion.
Shaking my head, I hurry toward them. “Hey! Break it up!”
I grab the closest shirt and pull, catching an elbow to the ribs for my trouble.
“Next one to swing is going down to the station to cool down!” I holler.
My younger brother Will grabs Rick and helps me keep the two boneheads separated.
“What happened this time?” I look at Johnny, standing between the two best friends that fight more than anything else. I swear once a week I’m breaking up a bar fight starring these two.
“He stole my horse!” Johnny yells, anger flushing his face, his breathing ragged from the tussle.
With raised eyebrows, I turn to Rick. “You stealing from your best friend now?”
Rick huffs. His breathing and red face match his so called best friend. “I didn’t steal no horse,” he yells back before a smirk turns his lips. “I just moved him is all.”
Will tries not a laugh but fails, doubling over and leaning on his knees. “You ain’t helpin’.” I shove him out of the way. “Where’s the horse, Rick?”
He shrugs.
“Listen, you have an hour to find that horse before I’m arresting your ass for theft.”
“Yes, sir.” He takes off for his truck and peals out of the parking lot toward his ranch.
I’m not much older than Rick and Johnny, they were in Will’s graduating class and Johnny works for my parents. I’m the youngest Sheriff this town has had in a hundred years and the people are struggling to adjust to me. The last sheriff retired last year and recommended me for the job. We had a town meeting and it was a unanimous vote for me to step in to fill the role. I’ve been fighting for the respect of everyone older than me since. The guys I grew up with are fighting it too. It’s damn exhausting.
I was made for this job. I’ve been working in the sheriff’s office since I was fifteen. I started out just answering the phone, filing paperwork, but Burt caught me reading reports and case files. I was picking things apart, putting pieces together, so he started mentoring me. At thirty, I have fifteen years of experience policing this damn town. You would think the people around here would respect that, but to them I’m still little Ian Rojas. Half the old ladies are still trying to hook me up with their granddaughters.
Checking my watch, I sigh and head down to Betty’s Diner for lunch. It’s the only diner in town and make
s the best food around.
The parking lot is about full when I pull in, but it’s eleven so I’m not surprised. The bell on the door rings as I step inside. The scent of fried food and coffee hit me and my stomach grumbles.
“Morning, Sheriff!” Betty hollers from the kitchen.
“Mornin’,” I nod to her, taking a seat at the counter. Betty’s been cooking in this place since before I was born. I have a feeling we’ll have to carry her out of here on a stretcher when the good lord comes calling. Her gray hair is up in a net on top of her head, bright red lipstick and dark eye shadow give her some color.
Her granddaughter, Bianca pours me a cup of coffee.
“Your regular, Sheriff?” the quiet girl asks.
I nod at her as I take a sip of the piping hot liquid. There’s something about the petite girl that reminds me of my own Momma. She’s seventeen, barely five foot, blonde, and quiet with a sweet demeanor but from what I hear, she doesn’t take no shit from the boys. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen her glancing Will’s way more than once. His gaze has lingered on her too, but he knows better than to touch her until she turns eighteen.
She scribbles my order on her pad and sticks it on the clip in the window for Betty.
I’m a creature of habit. I wake up every day at five am, shower and dress for work. I eat the same breakfast, bacon, eggs, hash browns, and toast with a cup of coffee. At eleven I eat lunch at Betty’s, a club sandwich with extra mayo, French fries, and whatever fruit she’s got on hand. I close up the office and forward my calls to my cell phone at 6 pm, stop in at The Rack Shack, one of the local bars where most of the ranch hands hang out, then head home and have steak and potatoes for dinner. My hair and beard are trimmed every two weeks like clockwork.
I’m a simple man. I like routine and knowing what to expect. This job is always throwing curve balls at me so the rest of my life has to be in order.
The only exception was my wildflower. Eva Trent. She was spontaneous, wild, and always looking for adventure. I thought we would get married, have kids, but she left town one day and never looked back. At twenty years old, my world flipped upside down and it’s never recovered.